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 reports

Mileage unknown · Jun 23, 2015

Fuel/propulsion System

Read full complaint

I FEEL THERE IS A SERIOUS ISSUE WITH THE 2011 CHEVY MALIBU FUEL SYSTEM WHICH MAY BE CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STALL, FAIL WHILE IN MOTION, OR JUST WONT START AT ALL.....THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR MY VEHICLE SINCE SEPT 2014.MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND HAS BEEN TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER MANY TIMES FOR WHAT SEEM TO BE THE SAME ISSUE. WHEN VEHICLE ARRIVE AT DEALER, IT SEEMS TO WORK JUST FINE WHICH MAKE MAKES IT HARDER TO DETECT THE ISSUE. MY VEHICLE WILL BE AT THE DEALER WEEKS AT A TIME TO GET I DONT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS OR BRING BACK WHEN PROBLEM WORSENS.IN TRYING TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THE ISSUE MY CAR HAS HAD THE RELAY SWITCH REPLACED TWICE, THE JUNCTION BLOCK ASSEMBLY REPLACED, SEVERAL RECALLS REPAIRED IN BETWEEN, AND NOW THE FUEL PUMP WHICH WAS REPLACED IN MAY 2015. AS OF TODAY, JUNE 23RD 2015, MY CAR IS STILL DOING THE SAME EXACT THING AS BEFORE. STARTING ON MINUTE, DOESN'T START THE NEXT OR JUST STOP WHILE IN MOTION. THERE'S A SERIOUS ISSUE SOMEWHERE AND IVE SPENT WAY TOO MUCH MONEY TO BE GETTING THE RESPONSE "I JUST DONT KNOW" WHICH ISN'T THE ANSWER.

NHTSA ODI #10726822

70,000 miles · Jun 23, 2015

Seats

I WAS ADJUSTING THE SEAT AND THE METAL BROKE. IT RIPPED MY PANTS AND CAUSED ME TO SWIRVE.

NHTSA ODI #10726753

75,000 miles · Jun 19, 2015

Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesUnknown Or Other

TOOK MY CAR IN TO DEALER BECAUSE IT STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY GOING 20 MPH, NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION IS WHAT I WAS TOLD, HAD THE TRANSMISSION PUT IN AND NOW THE ESC, AND OTHER LIGHTS ARE ON!

NHTSA ODI #10726223

40,000 miles · Jun 15, 2015

Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WA…

Read full complaint

NHTSA ODI #10725304

109,000 miles · Jun 11, 2015

Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND THE SERVICE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, SERVICE TRACTION, AND ENGINE POWER REDUCED WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILUR…

Read full complaint

NHTSA ODI #10724665

Mileage unknown · Jun 10, 2015

Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO OPEN. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10724608

77,600 miles · Jun 10, 2015

Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

Read full complaint

6/6/2015 CAR WAS SITTING IN PARKING LOT. UPON TRYING TO START THE CAR ERRORS FOR ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL AND REDUCED ENGINE POWER SHOWED UP. CAR WAS SPUTTERING AND RUNNING ROUGH. TURNED CAR OFF. WAITED A LITTLE WHILE AND STARTED CAR AGAIN AND NO ERROR MESSAGES. BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE ERROR CODE THAT CAME UP WAS P2101. 6/10/2015 SAME THING HAPPENED. LET THE CAR SIT FOR ABOUT AN HOUR AND TRIED TO START AGAIN. SMELLED HEAVILY OF GAS WHEN IT STARTED. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON.

NHTSA ODI #10724582

58,300 miles · Jun 9, 2015

Unknown Or Other

Read full complaint

THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, DESPITE BEING UNLOCKED. THE DOOR WAS UNACCESSIBLE FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE DOOR. MANUALLY LOCKED AND UNLOCKED, USED THE LOCK/UNLOCK DEVICE ON THE KEY RING, PRESSED CHILDLOCK ON AND OFF- UNSUCCESSFUL. THERE ARE SEVERAL INSTANCES NOTED ON ON-LINE BLOGS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. THE CAR DEALERSHIP STATED THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE LATCH, COSTING ~$367 FOR REPAIR. THIS ISSUE IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE 30K OR 100K MILE WARRANTY. DOES A RECALL NEED TO BE ISSUED?

NHTSA ODI #10725010

54,000 miles · Jun 9, 2015

Electrical SystemStructure

Read full complaint

DRIVER'S DOOR WILL NOT CLOSE AND LATCH PROPERLY OR UNLOCK/UNLATCH TO OPEN. THIS HAS STARTED OCCURRING FREQUENTLY. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS REGARDING DOOR LATCH MECHANISM FAILURES THAT DEALERS ARE MORE THAN WILLING TO FIX FOR HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, AS EACH TIME THE CAR IS STARTED, IT IS A GAMBLE, AS TO WHETHER THE DOOR WILL LATCH, OR UNLATCH, PROPERLY, AS NEEDED. IF THIS VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, I AM NOT CONFIDENT THAT THE DOOR WILL OPEN, EVEN IF IT IS AN UNDAMAGED ONE, DUE TO THE FAILING LOCK/LATCH MECHANISM. I AM REPLACING THIS AT MY COST BUT FEEL THAT THE MANUFACTURER BEARS RESPONSIBILITY FOR FAULTY PARTS/DESIGN. THANKFULLY, NO ONE IN MY FAMILY HAS BEEN INJURED, YET. I FEAR THAT THIS COULD BE AN ISSUE DURING TIMES OF GREAT STRESS THAT CAN AND WILL LEAD TO FATALITIES, IF LEFT UNADDRESSED.

NHTSA ODI #10724216

37,800 miles · Jun 2, 2015

Air BagsSuspension

Read full complaint

I BOUGHT IN JUNE OF 2014. IN OCTOBER OF 2014 WENT TO START VEHICLE AND IT WOULD NOT START. I CALLED GM WHO THEN CONTACTED MY LOCAL AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY TOWED THE CAR IN. THEY STATED THE FUEL PUMPED HAD SHORTED. IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY SO THEY REPLACED IT. THE NEXT INCIDENT WAS JAN 13, 2015 WHERE MY CAR HAD CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND ENGINE REDUCED POWER LIGHT WOULD COME ON ALONG WITH SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT. I CALLED GM AND GOT A CASE NUMBER. TOOK IT TO SAME AUTHORIZED DEALER THEY INFORMED M THE THROTTLE BODY HAD SHORTED THIS TIME. AT A MILEAGE OF 44836 THIS ISSUE NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY SO I PAID 464 DOLLARS OUT OF POCKET TO HAVE THE VEHICLE FIXED. THE NEXT INCIDENT WAS MARCH 5, 2015 WHERE THE CAR ONCE AGAIN HAD THE ENGINE LIGHT ON, REDUCED ENGINE POWER, AND SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT. I CALLED GM AND THE AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE I HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TWICE BEFORE. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY INSTALLED A NEW COMPUTER SYSTEM TO MY VEHICLE AND THAT IT SHOULD BE GOOD TO GO. 5/22/15, I CALLED TO GET AN OIL CHANGE AND I ALSO INFORMED THE DEALERSHIP THAT MY SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT IS COMING ON ONCE AGAIN BUT I AM NOT GETTING ANY OF THE OTHER ALERTS THAT HAD GONE ALONG WITH IT BEFORE. I CALLED GM AND SET A CASE AND TOLD THEM THAT I NO LONGER FELT SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE WITH THE SERVICE AIR BAG BEING ALERTED THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. THE DEALERSHIP PUT ME IN A RENTAL FOR TWO WEEKS WHILE THEY TRIED SEVERAL WAYS TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION. JUNE 2ND I WAS CALLED TO COME AND PICK UP MY CAR. THE GM REP STATED THAT ENGINEERING TECH DEPARTMENT SUGGESTED TO CHANGE THE SENSORS IN THE SEATS OF THE CAR. I AM WORRIED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY WHILE RIDING IN THIS VEHICLE IF THERE IS IN-FACT AND UNDERLYING ISSUE WITH MY VEHICLES AIRBAGS.

NHTSA ODI #10723092

Official recalls

19V019000 · 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)