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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.

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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
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Mileage unknown · Jan 21, 2019
Exterior Lighting

THE PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM HAS BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES AND THE CONNECTOR ONCE. THE DRIVERS SIDE LOW BEAM HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE. ALL THIS WITHIN ABOUT 9 MONTHS. NOW, THE PASSENGER SIDE GOES ON AND OFF AND THE DRIVERS SIDE IS OFF. THIS HAS BECOME A NUISANCE. THE FRONT OF THE CAR HAS TO BE REMOVED OR PULLED OUT TO GET TO THE …

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THE PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM HAS BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES AND THE CONNECTOR ONCE. THE DRIVERS SIDE LOW BEAM HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE. ALL THIS WITHIN ABOUT 9 MONTHS. NOW, THE PASSENGER SIDE GOES ON AND OFF AND THE DRIVERS SIDE IS OFF. THIS HAS BECOME A NUISANCE. THE FRONT OF THE CAR HAS TO BE REMOVED OR PULLED OUT TO GET TO THE LIGHTS. IT'S TIME CONSUMING AND COSTLY. NOW I HAVE TO SPEND MORE MONEY TO FIX THESE ISSUES AGAIN. IT'S A TERRIBLE SAFETY ISSUE. WHAT IF I AM DRIVING AT NIGHT OR IN INCLINATE WEATHER AND THE LIGHTS GO OUT? PLEASE ADVISE THAT CHEVY ANNOUNCE A RECALL. THIS IS A WIDESPREAD ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11171130

106,000 miles · Jan 8, 2019
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

WELL FIRST I SEEN THAT MY DRIVER SIDE LOW BEAM LIGHT WAS OUT THEN LATER IT WENT ON THEN AGAIN IT WENT OUT AGAIN SO I REPAIRED IT THEN ABOUT A MONTH LATER IT WENT OUT AGAIN THEN I FIX IT AGAIN AND THE SAME THING HAPPEN AGAIN ITS A ON GOING THING AS I SEE ONLINE A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS ME.I HOPE THEY C…

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WELL FIRST I SEEN THAT MY DRIVER SIDE LOW BEAM LIGHT WAS OUT THEN LATER IT WENT ON THEN AGAIN IT WENT OUT AGAIN SO I REPAIRED IT THEN ABOUT A MONTH LATER IT WENT OUT AGAIN THEN I FIX IT AGAIN AND THE SAME THING HAPPEN AGAIN ITS A ON GOING THING AS I SEE ONLINE A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS ME.I HOPE THEY CAN GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS TO FIX ,IT NOT RIGHT FOR ME TO KEEP BUYING HEADLIGHTS ,AS CLEARLY AS WE CAN SEE EVERYBODY HAS THE SAME THING GOING ON WITH THERE HEADLIGHT. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ODI #11165816

Mileage unknown · Dec 31, 2018
Exterior Lighting

MY PASSENGER LOW BEAM KEEPS GOING OUT. I HAVE GOTTEN IT CHANGED 4 TIMES AND THE LAST 2 MONTHS. NO ONE KNOWS THE PROBLEM AND THE BULBS ARE NO T BURNING OUT IT JUST STOPS WORKING. I HAVE SPOKEN TO A NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE SAME YEAR BODY AND MAKE THAT HAS BEEN DEALING WITH THE SAME EXACT ISSUE AS ME.

NHTSA ODI #11164328

120,000 miles · Dec 25, 2018
Exterior Lighting

FRONT PASSENGER HEADILIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT AT ANY TIME. IT'S NOT THE BULB, BUT THE CONNECTOR.

NHTSA ODI #11163377

96,123 miles · Dec 20, 2018
Exterior Lighting

PASSENGER HEADLIGHT (LOW BEAM) KEEPS GOING OUT. IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO GET TO AND EXPENSIVE TO GET SOMEONE ELSE TO FIX IT. IT COMES BACK ON SOMETIMES WHEN I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD THEN GOES OUT AGAIN A DAY OR SO LATER. THE LAST ONE I REPLACED WAS I WON'T PURCHASE ANOTHER VEHICLE WITHOUT FINDING OUT FIRST IF THE MINOR MAINT…

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PASSENGER HEADLIGHT (LOW BEAM) KEEPS GOING OUT. IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO GET TO AND EXPENSIVE TO GET SOMEONE ELSE TO FIX IT. IT COMES BACK ON SOMETIMES WHEN I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD THEN GOES OUT AGAIN A DAY OR SO LATER. THE LAST ONE I REPLACED WAS I WON'T PURCHASE ANOTHER VEHICLE WITHOUT FINDING OUT FIRST IF THE MINOR MAINTENANCE CAN BE DONE ON MY OWN.

NHTSA ODI #11162646

1 miles · Dec 19, 2018
Exterior Lighting

2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU , A CONTINUING PROBLEM WITH THE LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHTS GOING OUT AFTER REPLACING THEM SEVERAL TIMES. JUST REPLACED THEM AGAIN ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO ( BOTH HEAD LIGHTS ) AND THEY ARE OUT AGAIN. THIS IS A PROBLEM BECAUSE OF THE DESIGN. YOU HAVE TO TAKE THE BUMPER AND BOTH FENDERS OFF JUST TO GET TO THE HEAD LIGHT…

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2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU , A CONTINUING PROBLEM WITH THE LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHTS GOING OUT AFTER REPLACING THEM SEVERAL TIMES. JUST REPLACED THEM AGAIN ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO ( BOTH HEAD LIGHTS ) AND THEY ARE OUT AGAIN. THIS IS A PROBLEM BECAUSE OF THE DESIGN. YOU HAVE TO TAKE THE BUMPER AND BOTH FENDERS OFF JUST TO GET TO THE HEAD LIGHTS. CHECKED ON-LINE AND IT APPEARS THAT NUMEROUS OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES. THIS OBVIOUSLY IS A PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE DRIVING AT NIGHT LONG DISTANCE AND YOU HAVE ANOTHER ISSUE AFTER REPLACING THEM ALREADY.

NHTSA ODI #11162599

70,000 miles · Dec 6, 2018
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO USE THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE LIGHTS WERE NOT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BULBS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED MORE THAN USUAL. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE TURN SIGNAL INDICATORS WERE BLINKING ERRATICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO USE THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE LIGHTS WERE NOT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BULBS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED MORE THAN USUAL. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE TURN SIGNAL INDICATORS WERE BLINKING ERRATICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BULBS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. ALSO, WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS MELTED AND EMITTED A BURNING ODOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000.

NHTSA ODI #11156527

5 miles · Nov 27, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior Lighting

MY BREAK LIGHTS LIGHT UP WHEN I AM NOT PUSHING ON THE BREAK PEDAL AND TRACTION CONTROL TURNS OFF WHEN I AM IN MOTION. ONLY HAPPENS SOMETIMES.

NHTSA ODI #11154282

85,900 miles · Nov 9, 2018
Exterior Lighting

THE PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM IS MALFUNCTIONING. THE BULB HAS BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES AND KEEPS GOING OUT. UPON RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM IT APPEARS TO BE A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR THE COUNTLESS OWNER/OPERATORS AND PASSENGERS INVOLVED.

NHTSA ODI #11150303

180,000 miles · Nov 7, 2018
Exterior Lighting

I HAVE REPLACED MY DRIVERS SIDE LOW BEAM LIGHT 5X THIS YEAR SOMETIMES I CAN BUMP THE HEADLIGHT EVERY NOW AND THEN AND IT WILL TURN ON BUT 90% OF THE TIME IT STAYS OFF

NHTSA ODI #11149986

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.