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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 →
977Owner complaints

Model-year median: 310.5

3Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
987
20081,509
20091,360
2010977
2011906
2012835
2013351
2014
Compare all Malibu years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Electrical System
235Steering
213Electronic Stability Control (esc)
174Engine
160Exterior Lighting
130
All reported categories
Power Train
112Air Bags
93Vehicle Speed Control
87Unknown Or Other
60Seat Belts
53Seats
38Service Brakes
38Fuel/propulsion System
32Structure
19Traction Control System
15Engine And Engine Cooling
12Suspension
11Wheels
11Visibility/wiper
8Service Brakes, Hydraulic
6Tires
6Visibility
6Fuel System, Gasoline
5Forward Collision Avoidance
2Latches/locks/linkages
2Equipment
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

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

Electronic Stability Control (esc) complaints

174 reports
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112,659 miles · Jan 19, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE "REDUCE POWER" ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. JACK WINEGARDNER CHEVROLET (11001 INDIAN HEAD HIGHWAY, FORT WASHINGTON, MD 20744) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BOD…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE "REDUCE POWER" ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. JACK WINEGARDNER CHEVROLET (11001 INDIAN HEAD HIGHWAY, FORT WASHINGTON, MD 20744) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE THROTTLE BODY WARRANTY EXTENSION AND SPECIAL COVERAGE NUMBER: [XXX]. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,659. PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*JB

NHTSA ODI #11063784

70,000 miles · Jan 11, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

WHILE TURNING ONTO A STREET MY ENGINE BEGAN TO SPUTTER. AFTER ENTERING TRAFFIC MY ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL NOTICE APPEARED AS DID INFORMATION INFORMING ME I HAD REDUCED ENGINE POWER. UPON LOOKING UP THIS PROBLEM I LEARNED THAT MANY EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH 2011 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU AROUND THE SAME 70,000-80,000 MILE…

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WHILE TURNING ONTO A STREET MY ENGINE BEGAN TO SPUTTER. AFTER ENTERING TRAFFIC MY ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL NOTICE APPEARED AS DID INFORMATION INFORMING ME I HAD REDUCED ENGINE POWER. UPON LOOKING UP THIS PROBLEM I LEARNED THAT MANY EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH 2011 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU AROUND THE SAME 70,000-80,000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI #11062090

84,000 miles · Jan 5, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

MY 2011 CHEVY MALIBU WHEN DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL WONT FUNCTION.

NHTSA ODI #11060858

127,210 miles · Jan 4, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel/propulsion SystemSteering

FAULT CODES POWER STEERING AND BREAK LIGHT SHOW UP ON DASH BOARD. CODES WILL NOT CLEAR THUS CUSSING THE VEHICLE A NO START NO CRANK. THE VEHICLE WHILE BE DRIVEN INSTRUMENT GUAGES GO IN AND OUT CAUSING IT TO THROW CODES RANDOMLY.

NHTSA ODI #11058621

60,070 miles · Dec 22, 2017
Air BagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)SteeringCrashInjury

AIRBAGS AND SIDE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY, STEERING LOCKED UP AND WHEEL SEPARATED FORM AXEL

NHTSA ODI #11056165

Mileage unknown · Dec 10, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

DRIVERS FLOOR WAS SOAKING WET AFTER A RAINY NIGHT SINCE THEN MY CAR HAS BEEN READING SERVICE ESC AND NOW IT WONT START.

NHTSA ODI #11053806

Mileage unknown · Nov 27, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

'TAKATA RECALL' THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN I PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION THE LIGHT BECAME DIM. WHEN I TURNED THE KEY, I HEARN A CHIME AND THE DASH SHOWS 'POWER STEERING' AND 'SERVICE ESC'. THE CAR WOULD NOT CRANK; ONLY FLICKER N THE DASH AND LOOSE POWER.

NHTSA ODI #11048541

130,000 miles · Sep 9, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

THE SERVICE ESC AND TRACTION SENSORS FLASH, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHES. THE CAR LOSES POWER AND LURCHES AND BUCKS. THE CAR RUNS REALLY ROUGH AND SOUNDS HORRIBLE! THE DEALER SAID THE FUEL INJECTORS NEEDED $1700 WORTH OF CLEANING, BUT DIDN'T MENTION ANY OF THE STUFF WE FOUND FROM OUR RESEARCH.

NHTSA ODI #11022460

138,900 miles · Aug 30, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

SERVICE TRACTION AND ESC OFF ARE THE MESSAGES THAT POP UP. THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT STAYS ON. UNABLE TO DISABLE ENABLE/DISABLE WITH THE TC BUTTON. WHILE DRIVING THE TWO MESSAGES APPEARED AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE TRACTION CONTROL FEATURE WON'T TURN OFF AND THE ESC FEATURE IS OFF. ON THE NHTSA WEBSI…

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SERVICE TRACTION AND ESC OFF ARE THE MESSAGES THAT POP UP. THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT STAYS ON. UNABLE TO DISABLE ENABLE/DISABLE WITH THE TC BUTTON. WHILE DRIVING THE TWO MESSAGES APPEARED AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE TRACTION CONTROL FEATURE WON'T TURN OFF AND THE ESC FEATURE IS OFF. ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE THERE WERE 3 RECALLS FOR THE 2011 MALIBU. I HAVE A 2011 MALIBU AND WHEN I MADE A SEARCH WITH THE VIN IT SAYS THERE ARE NO RECALLS. ON VEHICLEHISTORY.COM I MADE A VIN SEARCH AND THE RECALLS WERE FOUND. THE RECALL ON THE 2011 MALIBU WAS FOR THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND THAT THERE COULD BE DISABLEMENT OF CRASH AVOIDANCE FEATURES SUCH AS TRACTION CONTROL, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, AND PANIC BRAKING ASSIST FEATURES.

NHTSA ODI #11020492

Mileage unknown · Aug 12, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Unknown Or Other

I HAVE BEEN HAVING AN ISSUE WITH MY 2011 CHEVY MALIBU SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE 2017 YR. EVERY TIME I SLOW DOWN (20MPH OR LESS) OR STOP MY CAR STARTS TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY AND THE ESC AND TRACKING LIGHT COMES ON AS WELL AS THE CHECK ENGINE LINE COMES ON AND STARTS BLINKING. ALSO, THE CAR LOOKS LIKE IT IS LOOSING POWER. ONCE I…

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I HAVE BEEN HAVING AN ISSUE WITH MY 2011 CHEVY MALIBU SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE 2017 YR. EVERY TIME I SLOW DOWN (20MPH OR LESS) OR STOP MY CAR STARTS TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY AND THE ESC AND TRACKING LIGHT COMES ON AS WELL AS THE CHECK ENGINE LINE COMES ON AND STARTS BLINKING. ALSO, THE CAR LOOKS LIKE IT IS LOOSING POWER. ONCE I TRY TO ACCELERATE, THE CAR WILL NOT GO FAST AT ALL. IT IS LIKE IT HAS TO BUILD POWER BACK UP. IT IS NOW THE SUMMER TIME AND I CANNOT TURN ON MY AC BECAUSE IF I AM DRIVING LESS THE 40MPH, MY CAR WILL JUST CUT OFF. I HAVE REPLACED EVERYTHING UNDER MY HOOD EXCEPT MY ENGINE. I TOOK MY CAR TO NUMEROUS MECHANICS AND ONE PARTICULAR ONE TOLD ME I NEED A NEW ENGINE. HOW? WHEN I SEE TOO MANY PEOPLE WITH THIS REOCCURRING ISSUE. THIS IS A 2011 HOW COULD THERE BE A BAD ENGINE IN ALL THESE CARS. I TRIED TO TAKE MY CAR TO CHEVY DUE TO A RECALL THAT IS OUT FOR THE ESC ON THESE CARS AND SINCE MY VIN NUMBER DID NOT MATCH THE LOCATION IN WHICH THE RECALL CAME FROM, EVEN THOUGH IT IS FOR A 2011 CHEVY MALIBU, THEY WOULD NOT HONOR THE RECALL. I AM AFRAID I AM GOING TO GET HIT AND KILLED. I AM AT A STOPPING POINT. MY CAR TAG EXPIRES IN DEC I NEED TO FIND A RESOLUTION. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO ANYMORE.. TO BEAT IT ALL I STILL AM MAKING PAYMENTS ON THE CAR. FML

NHTSA ODI #11014850

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.