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

Electrical System complaints

235 reports

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176,000 miles · Apr 29, 2020

Electrical System

NEITHER FRONT DOOR ELECTRIC LOCKS WILL UNLOCK WHEN CAR IS STOPPED. OPERATOR AND PASSENGER MUST PHYSICALLY TURN AROUND AND UNLOCK THE DOOR TO GET OUT OF CAR. EVERYTHING ELECTRICAL IN THE CAR (SWITCHES, RADIO, GAUGES, LOCKS, WINDOWS) HAS MALFUNCTIONED AT ONE POINT IN TIME, EVEN WHEN THE CAR HAD AS LOW AS 40,000 MILES ON IT, BUT …

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NHTSA ODI #11322768

140,000 miles · Apr 11, 2020

Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

I BOUGHT MY 2011 CHEVY MALIBU IN MARCH OF 2017. ONLY PUT 30K MILES AND IT'S APRIL OF 2020. MY CAR WON'T CRANK UP SOMETIMES OR WHEN I'M IDLE, IT'LL START TO SHAKE AND I HAVEN'T DROVE MY CAR IN A WEEK BUT WHEN I PUT THE KEY IN AND TRY TO TURN IT, NOTHING COMES ON. NO LIGHTS OR ANYTHING

NHTSA ODI #11320878

1 miles · Apr 1, 2020

Air BagsElectrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

THE ESC LIGHTS, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS AND ABS LIGHTS ARE ON. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP IN JANUARY AND THEY 'FIXED' IT BY REPLACING THE HUB ASSEMBLY. WORKED OK FOR A MONTH. LIGHTS ARE BACK ON AS WELL AS RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING THE SPEEDOMETER, GAS GAUGE, TEMP GAUGE, AND RPM'S WILL DROP TO 0 THEN BACK TO NORMAL AND THIS WILL CONT…

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NHTSA ODI #11319942

108,000 miles · Mar 15, 2020

Electrical SystemService Brakes

WHILE DRIVING THE CHECK TRACTION LIGHT COMES ON DASH AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS UP RED WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT THE BRAKE APPLIED.

NHTSA ODI #11318080

45,000 miles · Mar 10, 2020

Electrical SystemPower TrainVehicle Speed Control

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I HAVE A 2011 CHEVY MALIBU LTZ WITH 44,589 MILES AND I HAVE AN ISSUE WITH MY SCREENS READING THAT MY ESC SYSTEM IS BAD AND WILL REDUCE MY ENGINE POWER, I TOOK IT IN TO AIRPORT CHEVROLET IN MEDFORD, OREGON AND THEY PLUGED MY CAR IN AND TOLD ME HE HAS SEEN THIS ISSUE COUNTLESS TIMES, AND HAS SEEN PEOPLE HAVE TO REPLACE THINGS AS SIMPLE AS A SENSOR ALL THE WAY TO IT BEING AN ISSUE IN THE WIRING HARNESS AND PEOPLE WILL BRING THEIR CAR IN AND DO THE SMALL REPAIRS FIRST ( ECONOMICALLY MAKES SENSE) AND IT WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM.. UNTIL THEY FIX THIS HUGE EXPENSIVE ISSUE ALL BECAUSE. CHEVY HAS AN ISSUE WITH A SYSTEM THEY PUT INTO A CAR THAT DOESN'T WORK PROPERLY! I HAVE READ OTHER REVIEWS VERY SIMILAR TO MINE WHERE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HIT IN TRAFFIC . NOW LUCKILY I CAUGHT MINE BEFORE A WRECK. THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED!

NHTSA ODI #11317263

104,000 miles · Jan 25, 2020

Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

I HAVE GOTTEN MY LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS CHANGED ON BOTH SIDES TWICE, COSTING ME $150 EACH TIME DUE TO HAVING TO REMOVE THE BUMPER, AND THEY KEEP GOING OUT!!! I WORK AT NIGHT IN AN AREA HEAVILY POPULATED WITH DEER, AMONG OTHER ISSUES WITH JUST NEEDING TO HAVE MY HEADLIGHTS WORKING REGULARLY. I DON'T HAVE MONEY TO KEEP REPLACING THEM…

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NHTSA ODI #11301878

Mileage unknown · Jan 25, 2020

Electrical SystemExterior LightingSteering

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MY MOTHER"S 2011 CHEVY MALIBU LTZ HAS HAD A RECURRING PROBLEM CONCERNING DASH LIGHTS. IT IS QUITE COMMON FOR US TO BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, THERE ARE NO LIGHTS WITHIN THE GAUGE PANEL OR STEREO FACE PANEL. SOMETIMES THE LIGHTS WILL ONLY DIM, OTHERS THEY GO OUT COMPLETELY. ON OTHER OCCASIONS THE LIGHTS DON'T COME ON AT START-UP AND MAY TURN ON AT SOME POINT, 10-15 MINUTES DOWN THE ROAD. WE'VE CALLED THE DEALER THE CAR WAS PURCHASED FROM, STARLING CHEVROLET-CADILLAC TO REPORT THESE ISSUES, ONLY BE TOLD TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN "WHEN IT WAS HAPPENING", BY THE TIME WE WOULD GET HALF WAY THERE, THE PROBLEM STOPPED AND THE SERVICE WRITER SAYS COME BACK WHEN IT'S HAPPENING. WE'VE WONDERED IF THIS COULD BE RELATED TO THE ELECTRICAL ISSUES FOR WHICH CHEVROLET SENT OUT THE EXTENSION OF THE WARRANTY TO 15 YEARS OR 120,000 MILES. ANOTHER ISSUE WE'VE HAD RELATES TO THE OLDER POWER STEERING RECALL. WE'VE HAD THE CAR IN TO STARLING CHEVROLET TWICE THAT THEY HAVE REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THE PROBLEM I HAVE CONCERNS THE UN PROFESSIONAL WORK OF THE MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED THE SERVICE. WHILE HAVING TIRES REPLACED A COUPLE OF MONTHS AFTER THE POWER STEERING REPLACEMENT, WE WERE SHOWN THE WAY THE STARLING CHEVROLET MECHANIC HAD BEAT THE DEVIL OUT OF THE CARS' UNDER CARRIAGE. IT'S ABSOLUTELY UNFORGIVABLE FOR A CHEVY DEALER TO CAUSE THIS KIND OF DAMAGE WHILE PERFORMING A RECALL SERVICE!!! FINALLY, IS THE FIRST PROBLEM WE INCURRED WITH STARLING. DURING THE ORIGINAL TEST DRIVE, THE DEALER'S SALESMAN PROCEEDED TO TOSS A DRIVE-OUT TAG IN THE REAR OF THE CAR DURING WHICH THEY DAMAGED THE PAINT. MY BROTHER TRIED TO STOP THE SALESMAN FROM USING THIS TAG HANGER WHEN HE SAW THE UNGUARDED MAGNET HANGER, BUT THE DEALER REP WOULDN'T LISTEN. IT TOOKY A MONTH TO GET THE PAINT FIXED AND ONLY THEN AFTER MR. STARLING GOT INVOLVED. THE DEALER CHANGED HANGERS AS A RESULT!

NHTSA ODI #11301824

Mileage unknown · Jan 24, 2020

Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

DRIVERS SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT, REPLACED IT SEVERAL TIMES ONLY TO REALIZE IT'S NOT THE BULB ITSELF

NHTSA ODI #11301546

Mileage unknown · Jan 20, 2020

Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

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THE FRONT PASSENGER HEADLIGHTS LOW BEAM KEEPS GOING OUT I HAVE CHANGED THE SOCKET 2 TIMES AND CHANGED THE WIRE HARNESS 1 TIME AND IT'S ONLY THE LOW BEAM BURNING OUT ON REPEAT LIKE EVERY OTHER MONTH I CHANGE IT AND TRY FIXING IT WITH NEW SOCKETS OR LIGHTS AND IT KEEPS BURNING OUT I THINK THIS HAS TO BE AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE FROM MANUFACTURER BECAUSE MANY PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT LOW BEAM PLEASE CAN WE GET THIS RECALLED AND FIXED PLEASE

NHTSA ODI #11300610

Mileage unknown · Dec 17, 2019

Air BagsElectrical SystemExterior Lighting

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WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE THE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD CONSTANTLY COME ON AND GO OFF BUT NOW THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON. I JUST RECENTLY STARTED HAVING ISSUES WITH THE AIRBAGS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE NOT BEING ENGAGED AND THE ENGINE ESC COMES ON WHENEVER IT PLEASES, EVEN WHEN THE WEATHER IS GOOD OUTSIDE. LAST WEEKEND, MY BATTERY DIED FOR THE FIRST TIME, I'M JUST GLAD THAT I HAD SOMEONE TO JUMP ME OFF. MY PRIMARY CONCERN IS MY HEADLIGHTS. I HAVE GOTTEN PULLED OVER BY THE POLICE 3 TIMES DUE TO MY INTERMITTENT HEADLIGHTS. THE FIRST TIME MY RIGHT SIDE HEADLIGHT WENT OUT, A OFFICER PULLED ME OVER AND INFORMED ME OF THE ISSUE, SO I GOT IT FIXED THE VERY NEXT DAY. A WEEK GOES BY AND I GET PULLED OVER AGAIN AND THE OFFICER INFORMED ME BUT THIS TIME I INFORMED THE OFFICER THAT I JUST CHANGED THE BULB A WEEK AGO AND HE MENTIONED THAT IT COULD BE THE WIRING. AFTER THE OFFICER LEFT, I GOT OUT MY CAR AND HIT THE HEADLIGHT WITH MY FIST AND IT CAME BACK ON JUST TO GO BACK OUT THE NEXT DAY. I WENT TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE CHANGED THE LIGHT BULB SOCKET. THAT ONLY LASTED 3 OR 4 WEEKS AND NOW I LITERALLY HAVE TO RIDE WITH MY HEADLIGHTS ON BRIGHT OR CAN'T BE OUT AT NIGHT. AFTER GOING TO MULTIPLE AUTO SHOPS, THEY ALL SAYS THAT IT'S THE WIRING, WHICH I ALREADY KNEW BECAUSE THE GAGES ON MY DASHBOARD LIGHTS UP LIKE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS EVERY OTHER DAY.

NHTSA ODI #11289769

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)