IllustrationTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING LOT, THE ESC ERROR WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 77,000.
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 reports2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL AND WAS NOT DRIVABLE. *MW THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM ASSOCIATED WITH THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL/ THE CHECK ENGINE AND ESC LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WOULD LOOSE ACCELERATION AND THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE WHILE IN MO…
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2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL AND WAS NOT DRIVABLE. *MW THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM ASSOCIATED WITH THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL/ THE CHECK ENGINE AND ESC LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WOULD LOOSE ACCELERATION AND THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE WHILE IN MOTION. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE PROBLEM SHE EXPERIENCED, WAS THE DIRECT RESULT OF RECALL 14V252000. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED, THE REPAIR THAT WAS PERFORMED, WAS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL. *JB
WHILE DRIVING THROUGH A SCHOOL ZONE AT APPROX 25 MPH, ALL OF THE DASH WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE DASH SAID "LOSS OF ENGINE POWER" THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS CAME AN THE VEHICLE SPUTTERED AND WOULD NOT GO MORE THAN 5 MPH. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MAILBU. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND OPERATED AS NORMAL. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE THROTTLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS R…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MAILBU. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND OPERATED AS NORMAL. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE THROTTLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000.
THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN 1 YEAR. I'M DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS BETWEEN 25-50 WHEN MY ENGINE ALMOST CUTS OFF COMPLETELY. A LOUD THUMPING (LIKE A MIS FIRE) AND MY DASH LIGHTS COME ON AND READ SERVICE SVC, ENGINE POWER REDUCED. BOTH TIMES THE CAR HAS DONE THIS IT HAS LEFT ME STRANDED. I HAD MY CAR IN THE SHOP THEY SAID THEY TIGHTEN…
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THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN 1 YEAR. I'M DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS BETWEEN 25-50 WHEN MY ENGINE ALMOST CUTS OFF COMPLETELY. A LOUD THUMPING (LIKE A MIS FIRE) AND MY DASH LIGHTS COME ON AND READ SERVICE SVC, ENGINE POWER REDUCED. BOTH TIMES THE CAR HAS DONE THIS IT HAS LEFT ME STRANDED. I HAD MY CAR IN THE SHOP THEY SAID THEY TIGHTENED THE "WIRING HARNESS" WELL HOW CONVENIENT THAT NOW THAT MY BUMPER TO BUMPER IS GONE THEY WANNA REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY. THIS IS UNSAFE AND IS GOING TO CAUSE A WRECK AND KILL SOMEONE. IF I WOULD HAVE BEEN PULLING OUT INTO MAJOR TRAFFIC AND THIS HAPPENED I WOULD HAVE GOTTEN HIT AND KILLED. *TR
SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASED VEH THE POWER STEERING STARTED TO NOT WORK. AT FIRST IT RARELY HAPPENED. I WOULD JUST RESTART THE VEHICLE AND THE STEERING WOULD WORK AGAIN. NOW IT ALMOST NEVER WORKS. MY VEH WAS NOT APART OF THE RECALL. AND THE MY WARRANTY RAN OUT BEFORE THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT TELL WHAT WAS WRONG. BY THE TIME THEY RE…
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SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASED VEH THE POWER STEERING STARTED TO NOT WORK. AT FIRST IT RARELY HAPPENED. I WOULD JUST RESTART THE VEHICLE AND THE STEERING WOULD WORK AGAIN. NOW IT ALMOST NEVER WORKS. MY VEH WAS NOT APART OF THE RECALL. AND THE MY WARRANTY RAN OUT BEFORE THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT TELL WHAT WAS WRONG. BY THE TIME THEY REALIZED IT WAS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT HAD BEEN RECALLED IN THE OTHER VEHICLES MY WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. I AM STILL UNABLE TO PAY TO GET IT FIXED. SO I AM NOW DRIVING WITH 2 SMALL CHILDREN AND NO POWER STEERING. IS THERE SOMEONE I CAN REPORT THIS TO IN HOPES OF GETTING MY VEHICLE ADDED TO THE RECALL. *TR
CANNOT PASS INSPECTION! SHORT CIRCUIT FAULT - CAMSHAFT POSITION ACTUATOR SOLENOID FAULT. OPEN OR SHORT CIRCUIT DETECTION CONDITION IN THE SOLENOID. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND DEFECT WITH CHEVY MALIBU AND OTHER MODELS AND MY VIN HAS NOT HAD ONE RECALL ISSUED ON IT - THOUGH THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL RECALLS ALREADY ON OTHER MALIBU…
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CANNOT PASS INSPECTION! SHORT CIRCUIT FAULT - CAMSHAFT POSITION ACTUATOR SOLENOID FAULT. OPEN OR SHORT CIRCUIT DETECTION CONDITION IN THE SOLENOID. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND DEFECT WITH CHEVY MALIBU AND OTHER MODELS AND MY VIN HAS NOT HAD ONE RECALL ISSUED ON IT - THOUGH THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL RECALLS ALREADY ON OTHER MALIBU 2011 MODELS. NEED TO HAVE DATELINE NBC OR AN ATTORNEY INVESTIGATE VIN FRAUD FOR NOT HAVING MY VIN # ASSIGNED THESE RECALLS FOR WHICH THE MANUFACTURER WOULD PAY FOR ALL REPAIRS RELATED TO THESE KNOWN SAFETY DEFECTS. *TR
MY 2011 MALIBU WAS RECALLED FOR A BRAKE LIGHT ISSUE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT DEALERSHIP, THE AIR BAG SYSTEM DEVELOPED A "MALFUNCTION." DEALER STATES THAT THE SDM HAS FAILED. THE DEALER AND GM ARE TAKING NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ISSUE. THEIR POSITION IS THEY DID NOT CAUSE THE ISSUE AND IT IS JUST BAD TIMING. A FRIEND, WHO …
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MY 2011 MALIBU WAS RECALLED FOR A BRAKE LIGHT ISSUE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT DEALERSHIP, THE AIR BAG SYSTEM DEVELOPED A "MALFUNCTION." DEALER STATES THAT THE SDM HAS FAILED. THE DEALER AND GM ARE TAKING NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ISSUE. THEIR POSITION IS THEY DID NOT CAUSE THE ISSUE AND IT IS JUST BAD TIMING. A FRIEND, WHO OWNS A 2010 MALIBU, JUST HAD THEIR CAR RECALLED FOR A RECALL REGARDING THE SDM. MORE TO THE POINT, WHAT INCENTIVE DOES A PERSON HAVE TO BRING A RECALLED VEHICLE IN, WHEN THE VEHICLE CAN BE RETURNED IN A FAR LESS SAFE CONDITION. I THINK THAT ANY REASONABLE PERSON WOULD BE DOUBTFUL THAT THIS IS THE APPROPRIATE RESPONSE TO THIS SITUATION. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO DECELERATED AND SHAKE CONTINUOUSLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO DECELERATED AND SHAKE CONTINUOUSLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
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.