IllustrationEVERY YEAR HAD TO GET MY CONNECTOR REPLACED BECAUSE MY LIGHT BULB KEEPS GOING OUT. HAPPENING FOR THE PAST 3 YEARS.
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
Exterior Lighting complaints
130 reportsPASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT VERY OFTEN (THREE TIMES IN THE LAST MONTH) BECAUSE THE PLASTIC CONNECTOR MELTS.
NOTHING HAPPENED SPECIFICALLY. MY LOW BEAMS (MAINLY PASSENGER SIDE) KEEPS GOING OUT. IT DOESN'T BURN OUT, IT JUST SIMPLY QUITS WORKING. EVERY NOW AND THEN I'LL HIT A BUMP AND IT WILL COME BACK ON, BUT THAT'S RARE. IT CAN BE SITTING OR IN DRIVE WHEN THIS HAPPENS.
THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY 2011 CHEVY MALIBU HAVE GONE OUT ABOUT SIX TIMES. I HAVE REPLACED BULBS AND WIRING HARNESSES WHICH INVOLVES THE REMOVAL OF THE COMPLETE FRONT FASCIA OF THE VEHICLE. MY DAUGHTER DRIVES THIS VEHICLE AT COLLEGE AND HAS BEEN PULLED OVER NUMEROUS TIMES. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND A SAFETY HAZARD AT NIGHT.
THE PASSENGER LOW BEAM LIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT. I HIT A BUMP AND IT COMES BACK ON SOMETIMES. REPLACED BULB AND HARNESS MULTIPLE TIMES. THIS IS VERY FRUSTRATING AS YOU HAVE TO TAKE APART ALMOST THE WHOLE FRONT END JUST TO REPLACE A BULB.
MY HEADLIGHTS GO OUT EVERY COUPLE OF MONTHS, I CHANGE THEM AND BEFORE I KNOW IT THEY ARE OUT AGAIN, THE PASSENGER SIDE IS THE WORST, LIKE IT HAS A SHORT OR SOMETHING NOT SURE, BUT I HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR 5 YRS AND CAN'T COUNT HOW MANY HEADLIGHT BULBS I HAVE PUT IN THE CAR. I HAVE FRIENDS WITH THE SAME CAR THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBL…
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MY HEADLIGHTS GO OUT EVERY COUPLE OF MONTHS, I CHANGE THEM AND BEFORE I KNOW IT THEY ARE OUT AGAIN, THE PASSENGER SIDE IS THE WORST, LIKE IT HAS A SHORT OR SOMETHING NOT SURE, BUT I HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR 5 YRS AND CAN'T COUNT HOW MANY HEADLIGHT BULBS I HAVE PUT IN THE CAR. I HAVE FRIENDS WITH THE SAME CAR THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. IT'S NOT A EASY JOB, THE WHOLE FRONT END HAS TO COME OFF JUST TO CHANGE THE HEADLIGHT BULB, RIDICULOUS! ALSO I CANNOT AFFORD TO TAKE IT INTO A SHOP EVERY COUPLE OF MONTHS TO GET THE HEADLIGHT CHANGED. THIS NEEDS TO BE CHECKED INTO!!
HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT. WITH IT COSTING MORE THAN $250 TO REPLACE THE LIGHTS BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO REMOVE THE FRONT BUMPER, THIS IS ANNOYING. I JUST PAID $330 TO HAVE ALL OF MY FRONT LIGHTS REPLACED. SIX WEEKS LATER, THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT IS OUT.
HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT. TAKE BULBS OUT AND REINSTALL AND THEY WORK FINE FOR AWHILE. BULB HOLDER ALSO IS MELTING. HAVE HEARD OF MANY COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER OWNERS OF SAME PROBLEM.IN MOTION
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.
MY LOW-BEAMS KEEP SHORTING OUT. SOMETIMES 1 IS OUT. SOMETIMES BOTH ARE OUT. SOMETIMES BOTH ARE ON. THERE IS NOTHING COMMON AS TO WHEN WHICH WILL BE THE CASE. A WEEK AGO, BOTH LIGHTS WERE OUT WHEN I WENT TO DRIVE AT NIGHT! DAYS LATER, 1 WAS WORKING. THIS MORNING, BOTH WORKED. I SHUT MY CAR OFF AND WHEN I CAME BACK OUT TO LEAVE A …
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MY LOW-BEAMS KEEP SHORTING OUT. SOMETIMES 1 IS OUT. SOMETIMES BOTH ARE OUT. SOMETIMES BOTH ARE ON. THERE IS NOTHING COMMON AS TO WHEN WHICH WILL BE THE CASE. A WEEK AGO, BOTH LIGHTS WERE OUT WHEN I WENT TO DRIVE AT NIGHT! DAYS LATER, 1 WAS WORKING. THIS MORNING, BOTH WORKED. I SHUT MY CAR OFF AND WHEN I CAME BACK OUT TO LEAVE A LOCATION, ONLY 1 CAME ON AGAIN. MY OTHER LIGHTS ARE UNAFFECTED.
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.