IllustrationSOMETIMES AT STOPS (STATIONARY) , CAR STALLS, COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT..IT WILL START AGAIN WHEN IGNITION IS TURNED ON AGAIN AS IF NOTHING WAS WRONG.
2011 Chevrolet Malibu
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Malibu years
Owner complaints for the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu are substantially higher than the model-year median of 310.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Malibu years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
650–25K
10125–50K
15950–75K
17575–100K
176100–150K
55150K+
731 reports with mileage · 246 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 235 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 213 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electronic Stability Control (esc). Review the 174 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
40 crash reports17 fire reports30 injury reports
What owners actually said
977 reportsTHE EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKED ALLOWING EXHAUST GASES INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXTERIOR DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT INTERMITTENTLY FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A COLLISION SHOP WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS OVERHEATED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE HEADLAMP WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CO…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXTERIOR DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT INTERMITTENTLY FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A COLLISION SHOP WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS OVERHEATED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE HEADLAMP WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS REPAIRED APPROXIMATELY FIVE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
2011 CHEVY MALIBU HEADLIGHT ISSUE. LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS HAVING SOME SORT OF POWER ISSUES. REPLACED BULBS SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE REALIZING THE BULBS AREN'T BURNT OUT. LIGHTS GO OUT WHILE DRIVING. YOU HAVE TO REMOVE THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE CAR TO ACCESS.
I HAVE A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU WITH 91963 THAT HASNT MOVED SINCE APRIL 26 2018. THERE IS A KNOWN DEFECT IN THE 3-5-R WAVE PLATE IN CHEVY MALIBUS FROM 2009-10 THAT THEY FIX IN 2012 BUT DID NOTHING FOR 2011. MULITPLE REPAIR SHOPS HAVE TOLD ME THEY HAVE SEEN ALOT OF 2011 MALIBUS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. GM WILL NOT AKNOWLEDGE THIS D…
Read full complaint
I HAVE A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU WITH 91963 THAT HASNT MOVED SINCE APRIL 26 2018. THERE IS A KNOWN DEFECT IN THE 3-5-R WAVE PLATE IN CHEVY MALIBUS FROM 2009-10 THAT THEY FIX IN 2012 BUT DID NOTHING FOR 2011. MULITPLE REPAIR SHOPS HAVE TOLD ME THEY HAVE SEEN ALOT OF 2011 MALIBUS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. GM WILL NOT AKNOWLEDGE THIS DEFECT. I NEED HELP.
I BOUGHT MY CAR LAST OCTOBER WITH 88505 MILES AND MONTH AFTER MY SPEAKER WENT OUT AND IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER MY CAR DIED ON ME THREE TIMES AND MY GRANDMOTHER HAD TO FORCE THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE WARRANTY ALLOWED ME TO GET A NEW BATTERY AND IN MARCH MY CAR WOULD JUMP WHEN I SHIFT TO REVERSE. THEN I TOLD IT TO A AUTO SHOP THEY C…
Read full complaint
I BOUGHT MY CAR LAST OCTOBER WITH 88505 MILES AND MONTH AFTER MY SPEAKER WENT OUT AND IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER MY CAR DIED ON ME THREE TIMES AND MY GRANDMOTHER HAD TO FORCE THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE WARRANTY ALLOWED ME TO GET A NEW BATTERY AND IN MARCH MY CAR WOULD JUMP WHEN I SHIFT TO REVERSE. THEN I TOLD IT TO A AUTO SHOP THEY CHECK THE TRANSMISSION FLUID . FINALLY ON APRIL 26 'MY CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OR GO IN REVERSE . I HAD IT TOWED TO MY DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY CHARGED ME $108 TO DIAGNOSE IT AND TOLD ME MY 3-5-R WAVE PLATE WAS DONE AND I NEED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. MY GRANDMOTHER DID HER RESEARCH MD COULD THAT BETWEEN 2009-2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU TRANSMISSION HAD A DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSION WITH THE 35R WAVE PLATE AND THEY HAD MADE THE CHANGE THE 2012 MODELS BUT NEVER DID ANYTHING WITH THE 2010 MODELS AND I DID RESEARCH TO AN SAW THAT SOME CARS COULD HAVE PARTS FROM OLDER MODELS AND BE IN NEWER CARS. I WENT TO A TRANSMISSION PLACE AND THEY TOLD ME TO GO TO THE CONSUMER PROTECTION AGENCY WITH THE STATES ATTORNEY. DEPENDING ON MY VIN I COULD FIND OUT IF MY 2011 CAR WAS MADE WITH 2010 PARTS
WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR SURGED FORWARD AND THE DRIVER COULD NOT STOP THE CAR.. BRAKES DIDN'T WORK; STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE WHEN DRIVER TRIED TO MAKE A TURN.
I HAVE REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE 5 TIMES. I ALWAYS REPLACE BOTH WHEN I TAKE THE CAR APART. I HAVE PURCHASED BULBS FROM THE DEALER, ASK PARTS STORES TO ORDER LONG LIFE BULBS. THIS LAST REPLACEMENT HAS LASTED 4 WEEKS. ALL CONNECTIONS, WIRES ARE GOOD, REPLACED RELAYS, CONNECTIONS LOOK GOOD. OWNED A SHOP OVER 20 …
Read full complaint
I HAVE REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE 5 TIMES. I ALWAYS REPLACE BOTH WHEN I TAKE THE CAR APART. I HAVE PURCHASED BULBS FROM THE DEALER, ASK PARTS STORES TO ORDER LONG LIFE BULBS. THIS LAST REPLACEMENT HAS LASTED 4 WEEKS. ALL CONNECTIONS, WIRES ARE GOOD, REPLACED RELAYS, CONNECTIONS LOOK GOOD. OWNED A SHOP OVER 20 YEARS. PLEASE, NEED HELP. STUPID DESIGN REQUIRES A COUPLE OF HOURS WORK TO REPLACE THE HEADLAMP!!
DRIVING DOWN CITY STREET, ENGINE SPEED INCREASED AND VEHICLE SLOWED TO STOP. WOULD NOT GO FORWARD OR REVERSE. AS TRAFFIC BACKED UP BEHIND ME, SHUT VEHICLE OFF FOR ABOUT A MINUTE AND RESTARTED. VEHICLE THEN MOVED ENOUGH TO GET OFF ROADWAY THEN STOPPED MOVING AGAIN. TOWED TO CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP, THEY DIAGNOSED WITH MAJOR INTERNAL…
Read full complaint
DRIVING DOWN CITY STREET, ENGINE SPEED INCREASED AND VEHICLE SLOWED TO STOP. WOULD NOT GO FORWARD OR REVERSE. AS TRAFFIC BACKED UP BEHIND ME, SHUT VEHICLE OFF FOR ABOUT A MINUTE AND RESTARTED. VEHICLE THEN MOVED ENOUGH TO GET OFF ROADWAY THEN STOPPED MOVING AGAIN. TOWED TO CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP, THEY DIAGNOSED WITH MAJOR INTERNAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE, TRANSMISSION NEEDS REPLACED. VEHICLE HAS JUST OVER 90,000 MILES, COST TO REPAIR, ABOUT $4200
DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AT 55 MILES PER HR CAR LOST ALL POWER AND CAME TO A STOP ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS HAPPENED TWICE 8 MONTHS APART. FIRST TIME CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY REPLACED A REAR FUSE BOX THINKING THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. APPARENTLY IT WASN'T BECAUSE IT HAPPENED AGAIN THEY KEPT THE CAR FOR TWO WEEKS AND COULD …
Read full complaint
DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AT 55 MILES PER HR CAR LOST ALL POWER AND CAME TO A STOP ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS HAPPENED TWICE 8 MONTHS APART. FIRST TIME CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY REPLACED A REAR FUSE BOX THINKING THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. APPARENTLY IT WASN'T BECAUSE IT HAPPENED AGAIN THEY KEPT THE CAR FOR TWO WEEKS AND COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM AND RETURNED THE CAR TO US. WE TRIED TO ESCALATE THIS ISSUE GM HEADQUARTERS WHO REFUSE TO HELP US.
Official recalls
319V019000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
Jan 16, 2019
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2011 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, the air bag inflator may explode due to being overpressurized.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the inflator explodes, sharp metal fragments may strike the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: GM has notified owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall began February 25, 2019. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-522-9559. GM's number for this recall is N182206630.
15V269000 · Seat Belts
May 8, 2015
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured April 8, 2010, to October 11, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the flexible steel cables that connect the seat belts to the vehicle at the outside of the driver seat and the front passenger seat may be bent from being sat on while entering the vehicle. This repeated bending may result in the cable breaking.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the cable breaks, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the outboard lap anchor mounting bracket and inspect the flexible steel cable, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on November 16, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15031.
14V252000 · Electrical System:wiring; Electronic Stability Control (esc); Exterior Lighting:brake Lights; Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch; Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control
May 14, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.
Additional source detail variants (5)
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.
Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.
Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.
Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.
Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.
Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.
Electrical System:wiring
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.
Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.