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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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Electrical System complaints

235 reports
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152,000 miles · Nov 26, 2019
Electrical System

NUMEROUS DASH LIGHTS RANDOMLY COME ON SERVICE ESC SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL ENGINE POWER REDUCED ENGINE POWER REDUCED FOLLOWED BY ENGINE DISABLED . AT THAT POINT THE ENGINE DIES AND YOU ARE UNEXPECTEDLY FACED WITH THE SURPRISED HORROR OF BEING AT A ROLL UN ABLE TO POWER OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC .AND AT THE MERCY OF THE EXACT LOC…

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NUMEROUS DASH LIGHTS RANDOMLY COME ON SERVICE ESC SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL ENGINE POWER REDUCED ENGINE POWER REDUCED FOLLOWED BY ENGINE DISABLED . AT THAT POINT THE ENGINE DIES AND YOU ARE UNEXPECTEDLY FACED WITH THE SURPRISED HORROR OF BEING AT A ROLL UN ABLE TO POWER OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC .AND AT THE MERCY OF THE EXACT LOCATION OF ALL THESE THINGS SUDDENLY HAPPENING AT RANDOM ALL THE WARNINGS ARE QUICK SO QUICK U HAVE NO TIME TO PULL OVER BEFOR YOU ARE AT A DEAD ROLL . TODAY MY MOM N ME AS WELL AS MY GIRLFRIEND WERE ALL MOST KILLED BY A SEMI TRUCK CARRYING HOT ASPHALT . I COULDNT IMAGINE HAVING TO BE SMASHED TO DEATH WITH NO CHANCE TO REACT AND TO TOP IT OFF POSSIBLY EVEN BURNED TO DEATH CRUSHED ALL WHILE HAVEING TO HEAR MY MOTHERS SCREAMS IN MY LAST MOMENTS OF LIFE.PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM I'VE RESEARCHED ONLINE AND IVE FOUND MANY FORMS WHERE PPL AREHAVEIBG SIMPLER ISSUE. THE WHOLE SMASHED BURNED BY HOT ASPHALT SENERIO WAS ONLY A FLASH OF IMAGES I IMAGINED BUT THE FIVE FOOT OF SPACE BETWEEN THE TRUCK THAT FACT ALL MOST SIDE SWIPED US TODAY IS AND WAS FACT THAT CAUSESD THIS HORRIBLE VISION DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE ENGINEERING IN SOME DESINE OF THE CAR SHE BOUGHT ONLY DAYS AGO FROM HWY 59 MOTORS CAR LOT . THANK YOU

NHTSA ODI #11282564

89,000 miles · Sep 24, 2019
Electrical System

MY CAR WILL DISPLAY THE SERVICE ESC/TCS LIGHT AND THEN THE ENGINE FEELS LIKE MY CAR IS GOING TO DIE FOR NO REASON. THERE IS NO REASON FOR THIS, NORMALLY HAPPENS WHEN ROAD CONDITIONS ARE EXCELLENT. I USUALLY HAVE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND TURN MY CAR OFF AND RESTART ENGINE, THEN CAR RUNS LIKE NEW AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #11257694

Mileage unknown · Sep 18, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Vehicle Speed Control

VEHICLE LIGHTS DIM, LOSS OF POWER, ESC, TRACTION CONTROL, ILLUMINATES ON DASH. CAR SPUTTERS WITH NO ACCELERATION. CAR IS UNABLE TO TURN. THIS HAPPENED AS I BEGAN TO LEAVE MY SUBDIVISION, LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PUSH IT BACK. I HAVE A NEW BATTERY NO CAR WILL NOT CRANK UNLESS I HAVE A JUMP.

NHTSA ODI #11256487

106,000 miles · Aug 13, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

SERVICE ESC LIGHT CAME ON AND DISABLED MY ENGINE TWICE! 1 TIME ON FEBRUARY 14,2019 WHICH I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY GOT THAT REPLACES IN MARCH. COME JUNE SAMETHING HAPPENED SERVICE ESC ENGINE DISABLED AND WE HAD TO BE TOWED OFF OF THE EXPRESSWAY IN JUNE OF 2019. AFTER TAKING THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC TO GET IT SERVICED F…

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SERVICE ESC LIGHT CAME ON AND DISABLED MY ENGINE TWICE! 1 TIME ON FEBRUARY 14,2019 WHICH I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY GOT THAT REPLACES IN MARCH. COME JUNE SAMETHING HAPPENED SERVICE ESC ENGINE DISABLED AND WE HAD TO BE TOWED OFF OF THE EXPRESSWAY IN JUNE OF 2019. AFTER TAKING THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC TO GET IT SERVICED FOR THE SAME ISSUE AGAIN I WAS TOLD THAT THE BODY CONTROL MODULE HAS A SHORTAGE IN IT AND FUSES IN MY FUSE BOX HAD MELTED TO THE FUSE BOX AND CAUSED A SHORTAGE ! THE CAR STOPPING ON THE EXPRESSWAY COULD HAVE KILLED ME AND MY MOM!!!

NHTSA ODI #11243805

119,172 miles · Jul 23, 2019
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

EVERY YEAR HAD TO GET MY CONNECTOR REPLACED BECAUSE MY LIGHT BULB KEEPS GOING OUT. HAPPENING FOR THE PAST 3 YEARS.

NHTSA ODI #11234048

142,000 miles · Jul 19, 2019
Electrical System

MY PASSENGER HEADLIGHT WENT OUT ON THE HIGHWAY AT NIGHT. I REPLACED THE LIGHT AND IT WENT OUT THE NEXT DAY. I TOOK THE CAR TO GET SERVICED AND FOUND OUT THAT THE HEADLIGHT PIGTAIL WAS MELTED.I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM TO BE THE DRL RELAY SWITCH BECAUSE THERE ARE NUMEROUS CHEVROLET MODELS HAVING THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #11233511

125 miles · Jul 10, 2019
Electrical System

THE FUSE FOR MY REAR DEFROSTER GOT SO HOT IN THE FUSE BOX IT MELTED THE PANEL-THE FUSE BOX IS IN THE TRUNK-I TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY WANT OVER 500.00 TO REPAIR- I FEEL LIKE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND HAZARD FOR DRIVERS AS IT COULD HAVE CAUGHT FIRE IF IT WAS THAT HOT- I DO NOT FEEL LIKE THIS IS MY FAULT AND MORE A MANUFACTURE ISS…

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THE FUSE FOR MY REAR DEFROSTER GOT SO HOT IN THE FUSE BOX IT MELTED THE PANEL-THE FUSE BOX IS IN THE TRUNK-I TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY WANT OVER 500.00 TO REPAIR- I FEEL LIKE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND HAZARD FOR DRIVERS AS IT COULD HAVE CAUGHT FIRE IF IT WAS THAT HOT- I DO NOT FEEL LIKE THIS IS MY FAULT AND MORE A MANUFACTURE ISSUE-IF I DON'T GET THIS FIXED I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER CHEVY AGAIN AND I AM LOOKING TO PURCHASE A CAR WITHIN THE END OF THIS YEAR. WHY TRY AND MAKE DRIVERS PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT IS MANUFACTURE? SHADY BUSINESS! ALSO NOW MY RADIO DISPLAY IS GOING IN AND OUT-THINKING MAYBE ANOTHER FUSE ISSUE OR ELECTRICAL.

NHTSA ODI #11230695

129,000 miles · May 30, 2019
Electrical SystemEngineSeats

THE WIRING ON MY VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS BEEN MESSED UP CAUSING MY CHECK LIGHT ENGINE TO STAY ON AT ALL TIMES. I'VE HAD MULTIPLE MACHINISTS LOOK OVER MY VEHICLE AND HAVE SPENT LOTS OF MONEY TRYING TO GET THIS ISSUE FIXED.

NHTSA ODI #11210886

134,000 miles · May 27, 2019
Electrical System

RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT WIRING HAS A SHORTAGE. IT CONTINUES TO GO OUT EVEN AFTER WIRE HARNESS CHANGED. I FIRST NOTICED THIS WHEN I WAS TRAVELLING TO CHICAGO FROM TEXAS AND JUST GOT IT CHANGED PRIOR TO THE TRIP. IT WORKED FOR A DAY THEN JUST HAD GONE OUT.

NHTSA ODI #11210106

139,700 miles · May 26, 2019
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

MY 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU HAS HAD 5 INCIDENCES OVER THE LAST YEAR OF LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS GOING OUT. NEVER BOTH AT THE SAME TIME. THIS IS NOT ONLY ANNOYING AND EXPENSIVE EACH TIME I BRING IT IN FOR REPAIRS. IT IS ALSO DANGEROUS. PARTICULARLY WHEN ONE OF THE HEADLIGHTS GOES OUT AT NIGHT TIME DRIVING ON DARK ROADS. ADDITIONAL…

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MY 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU HAS HAD 5 INCIDENCES OVER THE LAST YEAR OF LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS GOING OUT. NEVER BOTH AT THE SAME TIME. THIS IS NOT ONLY ANNOYING AND EXPENSIVE EACH TIME I BRING IT IN FOR REPAIRS. IT IS ALSO DANGEROUS. PARTICULARLY WHEN ONE OF THE HEADLIGHTS GOES OUT AT NIGHT TIME DRIVING ON DARK ROADS. ADDITIONALLY A HEADLIGHT OUT IS SUFFICIENT REASON FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT TO ISSUE A SUMMONS. I CONTACTED GENERAL MOTORS MAY 20TH 2019 VIA PHONE REGARDING THIS SAFETY ISSUE. RECEIVED A CASE NUMBER. I RECEIVED A CALL BACK 6 DAYS LATER. RESPONSE WAS THAT THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I DID INFORM GM THAT THERE ARE LITERALLY OVER 300 LISTINGS ON GOOGLE FOR PERSONS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. GM SHOWS NO INTEREST IN THIS EXPENSIVE REPAIR, IN A REPETITIVE PROBLEM, AND AN ILLEGAL SITUATION THAT CAN RESULT IN LAW ENFORCEMENT ISSUING A SUMMONS. APPARENTLY THERE ARE ISSUES WITH THE CONNECTORS AT THE BULBS NOT MAKING CONTACT. THE REPLACED CONNECTORS EXHIBIT OVERHEATING WHICH MAY INDICATE OVERLOAD OF POWER, OR CONNECTORS NOT MAKING CONTACT. THIS PROBLEM TOOK PLACE WITH ORIGINAL GM CONNECTORS INTERMITTENTLY - NEVER ON BOTH HEADLIGHTS AT ONCE. HERE IS A SIMILAR COMPLAINT TO NHTSA ID NUMBER 11204441 4/12/2017 COMPLAINANT STATES 5 REPAIRS AND STILL A PROBLEM WITH HEADLIGHT INTERMITTENTLY GOING OUT ON DRIVER SIDE. ADDITIONALLY THERE ARE SEVERAL HUNDRED SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE WEB REGARDING 2010 & 2011 MALIBU'S. BECAUSE THE FENDERS AND UNDER THE HOOD PLASTIC PANELS MUST BE PULLED TO GET AT THE HEADLIGHTS....THIS IS QUITE AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR AND IS REPETITIVE AND FREQUENT AS WELL.

NHTSA ODI #11210043

Official recalls

3

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)

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.