IllustrationI CALL WYLIE MUSSER MOTOR S FOR SERVICE AND THEY SAID THEY WILL REPAIR WHEN THEY HAVE THE ORDER. IT HAS BEEN 2 YEARS AND STILL NO CALL BACK FOR SERVICE.
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
Seats complaints
38 reportsTHE FRAME ATTACHED TO THE BASE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE COLLAPSED WHILE I WAS DRIVING CAUSING ME TO SWERVE BUT I WAS ABLE TO AVOID CRASHING INTO ANYTHING AND BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A STOP. THE SEAT IS LEANING TO THE RIGHT . I GOT IT TO THE GM DEALERSHIP AND REQUESTED THEM TO REPAIR IT AND FILED A REPORT CASE# 8-3168765111. FILE NOTIC…
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THE FRAME ATTACHED TO THE BASE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE COLLAPSED WHILE I WAS DRIVING CAUSING ME TO SWERVE BUT I WAS ABLE TO AVOID CRASHING INTO ANYTHING AND BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A STOP. THE SEAT IS LEANING TO THE RIGHT . I GOT IT TO THE GM DEALERSHIP AND REQUESTED THEM TO REPAIR IT AND FILED A REPORT CASE# 8-3168765111. FILE NOTICE WITH GM AND I AM AWAITING A DETERMINATION ON MY CLAIM, I AM HOPEFUL THAT GM WILL HONOR MY CLAIM AND INVESTIGATE PRODUCTION ISSUES THAT MAY HAVE LEAD TO THIS ISSUE. I REVIEWED CARCOMPLAINTS.COM AND NOTICED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS INCIDENTS OVER THE YEARS .HOPEFULLY NHTSA CAN INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM,
DRIVER SEAT FRAME BREAKING - NO NOTICE THE DRIVER SEAT RIGHT SIDE SAGS AND IS LOOSE MOVES AROUND. NORMAL GETTING IN AND OUT OF CAR. HAD DEALER LOOK AT IT AND SAID FRAME BROKEN. SEAT NEED TO BE REPLACED 1100.00 VERIFIED SEAT FRAME BROKEN WITH CHEVROLET DEALER IN GA HAZARD DRIVING WHEN DRIVER SEAT FRAME BREAKS WITHOUT NOTI…
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DRIVER SEAT FRAME BREAKING - NO NOTICE THE DRIVER SEAT RIGHT SIDE SAGS AND IS LOOSE MOVES AROUND. NORMAL GETTING IN AND OUT OF CAR. HAD DEALER LOOK AT IT AND SAID FRAME BROKEN. SEAT NEED TO BE REPLACED 1100.00 VERIFIED SEAT FRAME BROKEN WITH CHEVROLET DEALER IN GA HAZARD DRIVING WHEN DRIVER SEAT FRAME BREAKS WITHOUT NOTICE.
FOR SOMETIME NOW IN THE PAST FEW YEARS WHEN I GET INTO THE DRIVER SEAT IT FEELS LIKE THE SEAT IS SHIFTING TO THE RIGHT. THE ISSUE WAS FELT BUT HAS GOTTEN WORSE AS TIME WENT ON. I DO KNOW THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE DRIVERS SEAT BELT AND I'M NOT SURE IF THAT'S WHAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM AS I AFTER 1-2 YEARS WENT TO THE BACK SEAT …
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FOR SOMETIME NOW IN THE PAST FEW YEARS WHEN I GET INTO THE DRIVER SEAT IT FEELS LIKE THE SEAT IS SHIFTING TO THE RIGHT. THE ISSUE WAS FELT BUT HAS GOTTEN WORSE AS TIME WENT ON. I DO KNOW THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE DRIVERS SEAT BELT AND I'M NOT SURE IF THAT'S WHAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM AS I AFTER 1-2 YEARS WENT TO THE BACK SEAT TO THE REAR OF THE SEAT AND PUT MY HANDS UNDER THE LOWER RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THE SEAT AND LIFTED. THE SEAT MOVED! I THEN CALLED CHEVROLET TO SEE IF THEY HAS PROBLEMS WITH THE SEAT OR THE FRAME AND I WAS TOLD NO. I THEN TALKED WITH MCDERMOTT AND I WAS TOLD THE SEAT WOULD COST ME CLOSE TO $1,000 DOLLARS. I THEN CONTACTED CNA NATIONAL WARRANTY CORPORATION AND I HAVE BUMPER TO BUMPER COVERAGE THROUGH THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. CNA IS REFUSING TO COVER THE SEAT FRAME BUT WOULD COVER THE SEAT TRACK. I CALLED CHEVROLET AGAIN ON 03/27/2017 AND THEY TOLD ME BECAUSE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY THEY WOULDN'T COVER THE SEAT? THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE I HAVE DEALT WITH A DRIVER SEAT BREAKING ON A CHEVROLET PRODUCT. I WEIGH 200LBS AND THE SEAT FRAME SHOULDN'T HAVE BROKEN. WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO THIS SEAT IF THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT AND MOVEMENT FROM A HUMAN BODY WITH A SEAT BELT? I HAVE A CASE NUMBER FROM CHEVROLET: 2844719955. I'M WORKING ON GETTING A CASE NUMBER FROM CNA TODAY. I HAVE ALSO READ ABOUT THE 2006, 2010, 2011 AND 2012 MALIBU ISSUES WITH CAR SEATS. I NEED THE SEAT REPLACED AND IT HAS DONE SOME DAMAGE TO THE CENTER CONSOLE FROM THE MOVEMENT FROM THE SEAT. THIS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT CHEVROLET AND CNA IS REFUSING TO FIX.
THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT HAS BROKEN. IT IS THE RIGHT SIDE AND IT IS SITTING LOWER THAN THE LEFT SIDE. I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN IN ANY VEHICLE I HAVE OWNED. THE OTHER ISSUE IS INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH THE SHIFTING OF THE TRANSMISSION. IT IS VERY WORRISOME. WHEN YOU ARE SITTING AT A STOP SIGN/LIGHT OR ANYTHING AND YOU GO TO TAK…
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THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT HAS BROKEN. IT IS THE RIGHT SIDE AND IT IS SITTING LOWER THAN THE LEFT SIDE. I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN IN ANY VEHICLE I HAVE OWNED. THE OTHER ISSUE IS INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH THE SHIFTING OF THE TRANSMISSION. IT IS VERY WORRISOME. WHEN YOU ARE SITTING AT A STOP SIGN/LIGHT OR ANYTHING AND YOU GO TO TAKE OFF IT FEELS LIKE CAR SHUTS DOWN BRIEFLY AND THEN IT KICKS IN. THE PROBLEM CAN NEVER SEEM TO BE REPLICATED AT A DEALERSHIP IMAGINE THAT.
I DID HAVE A RECALL ON THE FRONT SEAT BELTS, NOT SURE IF THE SEATS WERE REMOVED. SINCE THEN THE DRIVERS SEAT FELT AS IF IT WAS CLOSER TO THE CENTER CONSOLE AND LEANING MORE TO THE RIGHT NOT TO MENTION A TOOL (BATTERY POWERED ANGLE DRIVER) WAS FOUND IN THE BACK LEFT SEAT LATER AND RETURNED TO MCDERMOTT. MY SEAT IS LEANING MORE AN…
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I DID HAVE A RECALL ON THE FRONT SEAT BELTS, NOT SURE IF THE SEATS WERE REMOVED. SINCE THEN THE DRIVERS SEAT FELT AS IF IT WAS CLOSER TO THE CENTER CONSOLE AND LEANING MORE TO THE RIGHT NOT TO MENTION A TOOL (BATTERY POWERED ANGLE DRIVER) WAS FOUND IN THE BACK LEFT SEAT LATER AND RETURNED TO MCDERMOTT. MY SEAT IS LEANING MORE AND MORE AS TIME PASSES AND I WENT TO THE REAR SEAT TO LOOK AT THE DRIVERS SEAT AND THE RIGHT SIDE MOUNTED TO THE FLOOR RAIL IS LIFTING UP? I THE SPOKE WITH CHEVROLET DIRECT ONLINE AND WAS TOLD IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. CAN YOU IMAGINE IF I WAS TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT AND ME THE SEAT WITH MY SEAT BELT ON WENT THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE FIXED AND MY SEAT IS ALSO DAMAGED FROM THE MOVEMENT, LEATHER SEAT. THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.
DRIVERS SEAT IS BROKEN AND LEANING TO THE RIGHT SIDE. SEEMS LIKE A BRACKET PROBLEM.
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY, I FELT THAT THE SEAT WAS LOOSE ON THE RIGHT SIDE AND WAS MOVING. WHEN I STOPPED THE CAR AND EXITED, I FELT THE SEAT MOVE AWAY FROM THE RIGHT SIDE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME FOR THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE INSPECTED FOR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SEAT'S SUBFRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME FOR THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE INSPECTED FOR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SEAT'S SUBFRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,600.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT ANCHOR MOUNTING BRACKET WAS DETACHED, WHICH PREVENTED THE CONTACT FROM DRIVING SAFELY AND LEGALLY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V269000(SEAT BELTS) AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALER WAS U…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT ANCHOR MOUNTING BRACKET WAS DETACHED, WHICH PREVENTED THE CONTACT FROM DRIVING SAFELY AND LEGALLY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V269000(SEAT BELTS) AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALER WAS UNCERTAIN WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE UNDER THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOTIFY THE CONTACT ON A LATER DATE FOR ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000.
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.