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

Electronic Stability Control (esc) complaints

174 reports

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180,000 miles · Nov 12, 2024

Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

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The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering failed to function as intended. The Electronic Stability Control warning light illuminated, and the steering wheel seized. In addition, the contact stated that the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was made aware of Special Coverage Program: 15356; however, the contact was informed that the repair was not covered under the program. Additionally, the contact was informed of NHSTA Campaign Number: 14V252000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lightening, Vehicle Speed Control, Electronic Stability Control (ESC); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

NHTSA ODI #11624739

99,401 miles · Aug 15, 2024

Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

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The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality, and the steering wheel became significantly difficult to steer. The power steering warning light and the ESC warning light were illuminated. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The contact was able to continue driving to her residence by using physical strength to turn the steering wheel. The contact stated that the failure had persisted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 99,401.

NHTSA ODI #11608660

168,000 miles · Mar 21, 2023

Electronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior LightingVehicle Speed Control

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The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The vehicle was previously serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V252000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting, Vehicle Speed Control, Electronic Stability Control). The contact stated that on various occasions while driving at various speeds, the traction control and power steering disengaged independently as the "Reduced Engine Power" warning message was displayed and the vehicle decelerated to 10 MPH. The contact also stated that the brake lights flickered intermittently without depressing the brake pedal. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the intake camshaft actuator, mass air flow, and manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 168,000.

NHTSA ODI #11513097

Mileage unknown · Oct 16, 2020

Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesSteeringInjury

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THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME I'VE ENCOUNTERED THIS EXACT ISSUE, AND HAVE HAD PREVIOUS ISSUES AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE (USED) BACK IN 2013. BOTH TIMES THIS EXACT ISSUE AT HAND OCCURRED, BOTH HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING. FIRST TIME, I WAS DRIVING IN A SHARP CURVE WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT. THIS LAST TIME I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. LUCKILY NOTHING WAS HIT IN EITHER CASES, HOWEVER THIS PAST TIME I PULLED MUSCLES IN MY BACK STRAINING SO HARD TO TRY AND STEER THE VEHICLE TO GET AT LEAST VERY MINIMUM OFF THE ROAD AND ONTO A SIDE STREET AND TO SAFETY. AS BOTH TIMES I WERE DRIVING THE ESC LIGHT CAME ON, AND POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON. RESULTING IN ME NOT BEING ABLE TO BRAKE, OR STEER - THE ONLY STEERING I WERE ABLE TO DO WAS VERY STRAINED (AS PREVIOUSLY STATED), I HAD TO PUT FORTH EXTREME EFFORTS TO GET IT TO BARELY TURN. THE STEERING WHEEL ACTED AS IF IT WERE LOCKED. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED, AND COVERED UNDER A RECALL AS I'VE READ/HEARD A MULTITUDE OF THE SAME ISSUES THAT ARE ALL COMMON WITH THIS EXACT YEAR, MODEL/CAR. AND FOR THIS BE SUCH A DANGER, IT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED BEFORE IT COSTS SOMEONE THEIR LIFE. I'M TERRIFIED TO THINK WHAT IF EVERYONE AROUND ME WEREN'T PAYING ATTENTION WHEN BOTH EVENTS TOOK PLACE, IT COULD'VE RESULTED IN MY LIFE. MY SPOUSE BEING SINGLE RAISING OUR PRECIOUS 4 CHILDREN. HOW CHEVY/GM CAN LIVE KNOWING THESE ISSUES HAPPEN AND NOT ADDRESS IT IS HORRIBLE, KNOWING VERY WELL IT COULD RESULT IN A LIFE I'D NOT MORE BEING LOST. THE ONLY WAY I COULD GET THE LIGHTS TO TURN OFF AND ME TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE, I HAD TO SHUT THE CAR OFF, WAIT, AND TURN IT ON IN ORDER TO CONTINUE MY DRIVE TO WORK. I'M TERRIFIED TO DRIVE THIS DEATH TRAP OF A CAR, ESPECIALLY KNOWING THESE ISSUES COULD HAPPEN AT ANY TIME, WITHOUT WARNING OR REASON. THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED. OTHERWISE THIS IS A LAWSUIT JUST WAITING TO HAPPEN.

NHTSA ODI #11364680

151,000 miles · Sep 7, 2020

Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior Lighting

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MY VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING ALL SYMPTOMS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 AND THERE IS NO ACTIVE RECALL FOR MY VIN. THAT PROBLEM HIS CAUSING HIGH VOLTAGE WHICH KEEPS CAUSING ELECTRICAL ISSUES LIKE BURNING CABLES TO THE HEADLIGHTS AND NOT GETTING POWER TO MULTIPLE INTERIOR EQUIPMENT SUCH AS THE IPC WHICH STOPS WORKING WHILE DRIVING AND I AM NO LONGER ABLE TO MY SPEED AND OTHER INFORMATION. I ALSO GET A ENGINE POWER REDUCED ERROR FROM A BAD CONNECTED FROM THE APP TO THE BCM, CODE P1238.

NHTSA ODI #11353572

Mileage unknown · Jul 13, 2020

Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

MY HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OFF. I USE TO HIT THE FRONT AND IT TURNS ON BUT NOT ANYMORE. HAD IT FIXED 3 TIMES WITHIN A YEAR. NO AC DOESN'T TURN ON WHEN I START THE CAR AS WELL.

NHTSA ODI #11339030

Mileage unknown · May 26, 2020

Electronic Stability Control (esc)SteeringUnknown Or Other

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SINCE I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE BACK IN 2015 (USED) I HAVE HAD ONGOING STEERING ISSUES. THE STEERING FEELS MUCH LOOSER THAN MOST VEHICLES. IT HAS ALMOST TAKEN ME OFF OF THE ROAD SEVERAL TIMES. I HAVE HAD MECHANICS LOOK AT THE CAR AND THEY HAVE ALL SUGGEST I TAKE IT INTO CHEVY FOR DIAGNOSTICS SINCE IT IS ELECTRICAL STEERING. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE STEERING ON THIS EXACT YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL, THOUGH IT SAYS MY VIN WAS NOT AFFECTED. IT IS A HUGE CONCERN FOR MYSELF TO HAVE THIS STEERING CORRECTED AS I HAVE A TODDLER IN MY BACK SEAT. WHEN ROADS ARE WET, UNEVEN PAVEMENT, OR THE WEATHER WINDY.. MY CAR PULLS OFF THE ROAD DRASTICALLY I HAVE TO GRIP MY STEERING WHEEL SO HARD TO THE POINT MY HANDS TURN RED FROM GRABBING SO TIGHTLY IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN SOMEWHAT CONTROL OF THIS VEHICLE.. WITH THIS YEAR. MAKE AND MODEL HAVING STEERING RECALLS, I REQUEST CHEVY HONORS MY REQUEST TO HAVE MY VEHICLE INSPECTED BY A LICENSED CHEVY DEALER TO DETERMINE WHAT THE ISSUE IS. THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE AND I FIND IT UNLIKELY THAT I HAVE THE SAME EXACT ISSUES AS THE RECALL THOUGH A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT ISSUE. I AM AFRAID THIS WILL CAUSE ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF MY CAR AND WRECK. HIGHER SPEEDS (FOR EXAMPLE ON THE FREEWAY) MAKE THE STEERING ALMOST UNMANAGEABLE AND DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. I HAVE SPOKE TO NUMEROUS CHEVY MALIBU OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THIS EXACT ISSUE WITH THEIR RECALLS. I HAVE REACHED OUT TO CHEVROLET DIRECTLY TO EXPRESS MY CONCERNS AND IT WAS DISREGARDED, THEY SAID MY VIN WAS NOT EFFECTED SO IT COULDN'T BE THE ISSUE.*DT CONSUMER HAD THE PARTS REPLACED ON 6/19 AGAIN ON 6/29 BUT VEHICLE IS STILL UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND PROBLEM IS RECURRING.*JB

NHTSA ODI #11326018

91,500 miles · May 24, 2020

Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Unknown Or Other

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MY VEHICLE HAS APPROX. 91,500 MILES. UPON STARTING THE CAR RECENTLY, AN ERROR APPEARED SAYING "SERVICE TRACTION" AND "ENGINE POWER REDUCED." THE VEHICLE COULD NOT GO ABOVE 35 MPH AND THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM WAS DISABLED. UPON INSPECTION BY THE DEALERSHIP, THEY DISCOVERED THE SUNROOF DRAIN TUBES HAD SHRUNK AND WATER HAD ACCUMULATED IN THE FLOORBOARD, EVENTUALLY LEADING TO CORROSION. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND FOUND SEVERAL OTHER DRIVERS REPORTING ISSUES WITH THE DRAIN TUBES BECOMING DISCONNECTED AND CAUSING LEAKS. I HAVE ALSO FOUND SEVERAL INSTANCES WHERE DRIVERS LOST ENGINE POWER ON THE HIGHWAY. IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN, IT COULD EASILY CAUSE A CRASH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11325751

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

100,000 miles · Feb 20, 2020

Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

I WAS DRIVING AT 70 MILES PER HOUR, THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED SHAKING AND LOCKED UP, I ALMOST LOSS CONTROL OF THE CAR. THIS IS MY 2ND 2011 MALIBU AND THE OTHER CAR HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. IT AN ISSUE WITH THE POWER STEERING CONTROL. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY CANNOT BE DRIVEN.

NHTSA ODI #11310442

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)