← New search

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

Exterior Lighting complaints

130 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Apr 5, 2018
Exterior Lighting

MY MALIBU HEALIGHT ON THE DRIVER SIDE IS GOING OUT A LOT I JUST CHANGED IT 2 TIMES LAST MONTH AND HAD THE SOCKET REPLACED THAT CONNECTS TO THE LIGHT BULB.ITS ONLY BEEN 3 WEEKS AND THE LIGHT IS CUTTING ON AND OFF! I CAN'T GET AROUND AT NIGHT AND MY JOB REQUIRES ME TO TRAVEL AT NIGHT.ITS COSTING ME MONEY TO KEEP TTAKIG THIS CAR TO…

Read full complaint

MY MALIBU HEALIGHT ON THE DRIVER SIDE IS GOING OUT A LOT I JUST CHANGED IT 2 TIMES LAST MONTH AND HAD THE SOCKET REPLACED THAT CONNECTS TO THE LIGHT BULB.ITS ONLY BEEN 3 WEEKS AND THE LIGHT IS CUTTING ON AND OFF! I CAN'T GET AROUND AT NIGHT AND MY JOB REQUIRES ME TO TRAVEL AT NIGHT.ITS COSTING ME MONEY TO KEEP TTAKIG THIS CAR TO FIRESTONE AND SUCKS BECAUSE I LOVE THE CAR .

NHTSA ODI #11083535

104,715 miles · Mar 16, 2018
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AT NIGHT, THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS TO VIEW THE ROADWAY. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. ON FOUR OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN …

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AT NIGHT, THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS TO VIEW THE ROADWAY. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. ON FOUR OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE HEADLIGHT BULBS WERE REPLACED EACH TIME. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE COULD BE AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,715.

NHTSA ODI #11079853

70,000 miles · Mar 8, 2018
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

THE PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM BULB KEEPS GOING OUT. I'VE HAD THIS BULB REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES AND HAD THE WIRING HARNESS REPLACED BECAUSE THE BULB KEPT GOING OUT. AFTER HAVING THE WIRING HARNESS REPLACED THE BULB WENT OUT AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #11076931

198,897 miles · Feb 18, 2018
Exterior Lighting

RIGHT SIDE HEADLAMP WENT OUT NEEDING IMMEDIATE REPLACEMENT IN ORDER TO SEE THE ROAD PROPERLY AND SAFELY. IN ORDER TO REPAIR, THE FRONT BUMPER HAD TO BE REMOVED ONLY AT A DEALER COSTING 1.5 HOURS AND $145.00 OF COST TO REPLACE A SIMPLE LOW BEAM HEADLAMP. MANY PEOPLE CANNOT WAIT THE 2 DAYS WAIT AND THE EXORBITANT COST FOR THIS OB…

Read full complaint

RIGHT SIDE HEADLAMP WENT OUT NEEDING IMMEDIATE REPLACEMENT IN ORDER TO SEE THE ROAD PROPERLY AND SAFELY. IN ORDER TO REPAIR, THE FRONT BUMPER HAD TO BE REMOVED ONLY AT A DEALER COSTING 1.5 HOURS AND $145.00 OF COST TO REPLACE A SIMPLE LOW BEAM HEADLAMP. MANY PEOPLE CANNOT WAIT THE 2 DAYS WAIT AND THE EXORBITANT COST FOR THIS OBVIOUSLY SIMPLE PROCEDURE THAT THREATENS DRIVING SAFETY WITH ONLY ONE WORKING HEADLIGHT.

NHTSA ODI #11073467

Mileage unknown · Feb 15, 2018
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

IN LAST 12 TO 14 MONTHS TO INCLUDE TODAY, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT ON PASSENGER SIDE HAS GONE OUT. IT HAS BEEN REPAIRED TWICE AND NOW LOOKING AT A THIRD TIME. I WANT TO SAY THIS IS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE AS THE LAST TIME IT WENT OUT, SOMETIMES IT WOULD COME BACK ON IF I HIT A BUMP. I WILL BE GETTING IT SERVICED AGAIN AS NOT HAVING …

Read full complaint

IN LAST 12 TO 14 MONTHS TO INCLUDE TODAY, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT ON PASSENGER SIDE HAS GONE OUT. IT HAS BEEN REPAIRED TWICE AND NOW LOOKING AT A THIRD TIME. I WANT TO SAY THIS IS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE AS THE LAST TIME IT WENT OUT, SOMETIMES IT WOULD COME BACK ON IF I HIT A BUMP. I WILL BE GETTING IT SERVICED AGAIN AS NOT HAVING A HEADLIGHT WORKING IS A DANGER. THE REASON I AM CONTACTING NHTSA IS I HAVE TALK TO AND READ OF MULTIPLE PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11073049

72,000 miles · Jan 29, 2018
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE; HOWEVER, THE BRAKE LIGHT WOULD REMAIN ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS NOT BEING DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO APPLE CHEVROLET (1200 LOUCKS RD, YORK, PA) WHERE IT WAS DIAG…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE; HOWEVER, THE BRAKE LIGHT WOULD REMAIN ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS NOT BEING DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO APPLE CHEVROLET (1200 LOUCKS RD, YORK, PA) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRICAL BRAKE LIGHT WIRING WAS FAULTY AND CORROSION WAS PRESENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED IN OCTOBER 2014 PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING), BUT THE FAILURE RECENTLY RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

NHTSA ODI #11065712

200,000 miles · Nov 29, 2017
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM HEAD LAMP FAILED. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE WITH THE HIGH BEAMS ACTIVATED. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HARNESS TO THE LOW BEAMS WAS BURNED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THE HAR…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM HEAD LAMP FAILED. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE WITH THE HIGH BEAMS ACTIVATED. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HARNESS TO THE LOW BEAMS WAS BURNED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THE HARNESS BURNED, AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE HARNESS WAS REPLACED ONE TIME ALSO. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (JIM GLOVER CHEVROLET IN TULSA, OKLAHOMA) THE FIRST TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

NHTSA ODI #11051204

80,000 miles · Nov 13, 2017
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLAMPS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEADLAMPS WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER W…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLAMPS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEADLAMPS WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #11045813

97,000 miles · Apr 17, 2017
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

THE DASHBOARD SEAT BELT LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF. THE RADIO AT TIMES GOES SILENT. THE HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OFF AND HAVING TO REPLACE. THE ECM OR ECU HAS WENT OUT. AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ONE. ON THIS WHILE THE CAR IS ON, DRIVING AND STATIONARY.

NHTSA ODI #10978927

110,000 miles · Mar 2, 2017
Exterior Lighting

THE HEADLIGHT BULBS HAVE BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES AND CONTINUE TO BLOW OUT INTERMITTENTLY WITHIN A FEW MONTHS OF REPLACEMENT. THERE IS NO ISSUE WITH THE FACTORY INSTALLED HIGH BEAM LAMPS ONLY THE LOW BEAM LAMPS ARE BLOWING OUT AFTER REPLACEMENT.

NHTSA ODI #10957980

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.