IllustrationDRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 65MPH,VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER. I WAS ALMOST HIT BY AN 18 WHEELER BUT WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SHOULDER IN TIME. NO BRAKES,STEERING, POWER AT ALL. GM DEALER DIAGNOSED TIMING CHAINS NEED REPLACEMENT. NO RECALL ON THIS KNOWN ISSUE? ENDANGERING LIVES
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
Engine complaints
160 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED TO 10 MPH AND THE ENGINE POWER REDUCED WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT 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. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED TO 10 MPH AND THE ENGINE POWER REDUCED WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.
CAR WHEN STARTED STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP ALL THE LIGHTS START FLASHING, LOCKS START TO UNLOCK AND LOCK THEMSELVES. ENGINE LINES COMES ON HARD TO MOVE FORWARD OR BACKWARDS.
1/26/2016 I GOT MY CAMSHAFT SOLENOID FIXED DUE TO MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON. WHEN IT STARTED TO SHAKE REAL BAD WITH THE DASH LIGHTS STATING THAT MY ENGINE POWER WAS REDUCED, LOSS OF TRACTION (SOMETHING TO THAT EFFECT) I INSTANTLY PUT IT IN THE SHOP. THEN LAST WEEK 3/4/2016 I WAS DRIVING UP TO ERIE, PA FROM OHIO, WHICH IS A…
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1/26/2016 I GOT MY CAMSHAFT SOLENOID FIXED DUE TO MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON. WHEN IT STARTED TO SHAKE REAL BAD WITH THE DASH LIGHTS STATING THAT MY ENGINE POWER WAS REDUCED, LOSS OF TRACTION (SOMETHING TO THAT EFFECT) I INSTANTLY PUT IT IN THE SHOP. THEN LAST WEEK 3/4/2016 I WAS DRIVING UP TO ERIE, PA FROM OHIO, WHICH IS ABOUT 4.5 HOURS AWAY. I SAY A GOOD 40 MINUTES FROM MY DESTINATION IT HAPPENS AGAIN RIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY. ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE DASH SAYS THAT MY ENGINE POWER HAS BEEN REDUCED AND LOSS OF TRACTION (?). THANKFULLY THERE WAS AN EXIT NEAR THAT I COULD GET OFF AT AND AS SOON AS I PUT MY CAR IN PARK IT STARTED TO SHAKE REAL BAD. SO I DID WHAT I DID BEFORE AND TURNED THE CAR OFF TO LET IT RESET AND THEN STARTED IT BACK UP. IT RAN FINE FOR THE REMAINDER OF MY STAY UNTIL IT CAME TIME FOR ME TO LEAVE TO GO BACK HOME. THIS TIME I ONLY GOT 20 MINUTES AWAY FROM ERIE BEFORE IT STARTED ACTING UP AGAIN, BUT IT KEPT DOING IT. TALK ABOUT BEING FRUSTRATED 4.5 HOURS AWAY FROM HOME IN YOUR CAR. ESPECIALLY SINCE I JUST GOT IT FIXED NOT TOO LONG AGO. THIS NEEDS TO BE ON THE RECALL LIST, BECAUSE THIS IS RIDICULOUS.
WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD, MY CAR, OUT OF NOWHERE, BEGAN TO SHAKE AND THE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST POWER. I IMMEDIATELY LOOKED DOWN AND NOTICED THE "ESC IS OFF" INDICATOR WAS ON. I PULLED OVER, PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND BEGIN PRESSING THE GAS TO KEEP IT FROM CUTTING OFF FOR FEAR IT MAY NOT START UP AGAIN. I DID THAT FOR ABOUT 3 MINUT…
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WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD, MY CAR, OUT OF NOWHERE, BEGAN TO SHAKE AND THE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST POWER. I IMMEDIATELY LOOKED DOWN AND NOTICED THE "ESC IS OFF" INDICATOR WAS ON. I PULLED OVER, PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND BEGIN PRESSING THE GAS TO KEEP IT FROM CUTTING OFF FOR FEAR IT MAY NOT START UP AGAIN. I DID THAT FOR ABOUT 3 MINUTES AND BEGAN MOVING AGAIN. I HAD TO DO THIS 3 TIMES ON MY WAY HOME. I WAS ABOUT 5 MILES FROM MY HOUSE AT THE TIME.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE RATTLED AND VIBRATED CONSISTENTLY WHICH MADE THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.
RECEIVED MESSAGES OF: SERVICE ESC, SERVICE TRACTION, SERVICE AIR BAG, ENG PWR REDUCED, ENGINE DISABLED THIS MORNING WHILE DRIVING TO WORK. ENGINE LOST ALL POWER, HAD TO PULL TO SIDE OF ROAD TO TRY AND TURN THE ENGINE OFF AND ON, UNTIL I RECEIVED THE ENGINE DISABLED MESSAGE AND AFTER THAT THE CAR WOULD NOT START. HAD TO HAVE TH…
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RECEIVED MESSAGES OF: SERVICE ESC, SERVICE TRACTION, SERVICE AIR BAG, ENG PWR REDUCED, ENGINE DISABLED THIS MORNING WHILE DRIVING TO WORK. ENGINE LOST ALL POWER, HAD TO PULL TO SIDE OF ROAD TO TRY AND TURN THE ENGINE OFF AND ON, UNTIL I RECEIVED THE ENGINE DISABLED MESSAGE AND AFTER THAT THE CAR WOULD NOT START. HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO NEAREST DEALERSHIP.
FIRST, I HAD TO JUMP THE CAR TO START IT. COLD MORNING BUT THE BATTERY WAS ONLY 3 MONTHS OLD. DRIVING FROM DOWNRIVER MI AREA ALL EXPRESSWAY TO GRAND RAPIDS. JUST ENTERED GRAND RAPIDS AREA WHEN I HAD TO REDUCE SPEED FROM 75 TO 60. CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE BACK TO ORIGINAL SPEED. CRUISE CONTROL HAD BEEN ENGAGED. PROBLEM RESOLV…
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FIRST, I HAD TO JUMP THE CAR TO START IT. COLD MORNING BUT THE BATTERY WAS ONLY 3 MONTHS OLD. DRIVING FROM DOWNRIVER MI AREA ALL EXPRESSWAY TO GRAND RAPIDS. JUST ENTERED GRAND RAPIDS AREA WHEN I HAD TO REDUCE SPEED FROM 75 TO 60. CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE BACK TO ORIGINAL SPEED. CRUISE CONTROL HAD BEEN ENGAGED. PROBLEM RESOLVED ITSELF BUT 15 MINUTES LATER THE CAR WENT FROM 75 TO 25 MPH BY THE TIME I HAD EXITED THE FREEWAY AND STOPPED THE CAR. THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND THE PEDAL WAS TO THE FLOOR. THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WENT ON AS DID MESSAGES:REDUCED ENGINE POWER, SERVICE ESC, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. THE ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON. I WAS ABLE TO TURN CAR BACK AND ACCELERATE BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON AND THE ENGINE FELT LIKE IT CHUGGED A BIT. WHEN I STOPPED AT INTERSECTIONS, THE CAR FELT AS IF IT WANTED TO STALL. MILEAGE IS 88,258.
SERVICE ESC, SERVICE TRACTION, ENG PWR REDUCED. THIS MESSAGE HAS HAPPENED TO ME SEVERAL TIMES LATELY, MOST NOTABLY WHEN TRAVELLING 70 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE. ENGINE LOSES ALL POWER NO MATER HOW FAR I PRESS THE ACCELERATOR.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE TRACTION AND SERVICE ESC WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILUR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE TRACTION AND SERVICE ESC WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 05/11/16*LJ UPDATED 05/24/18*JB
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.