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

Steering complaints

213 reports

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180,000 miles · May 3, 2019

Electronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior LightingSteering

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TAKATA RECALL. I HAVE RECALLS THAT CHEVROLET NOT PICKING UP. ALL THE RECALLS ARE HAPPENING TO MY CAR. WHEN IT RAIN THE TRACTION SYSTEM LIGHT COMES ON, MY LIGHTS BULBS CONSTANTLY GO OUT, MY CIGARETTE LIGHT STARKED FIRE. WHEN TURNING A CURVE MY CAR HALTS OR STALL AND JERK. THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS GOING ON WITH THE CAR THAT I CAN EXPLAIN. WHEN IT RAIN MY CAR PULLS OR GOES OFF ROAD I HAVE TO DRIVE REALLY SLOW BECAUSE I AM AFRAID THAT I WILL LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE DO THE BRAKING SYSTEM ETC.

NHTSA ODI #11205586

107,000 miles · Apr 19, 2019

Electrical SystemSteering

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MY VEHICLE IS AT AN AUTO SHOP BEEN THERE FOR A WEEK AND A HALF TO REPAIR THE CLUNKING NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN BUT THE MOTOR AND MODULE FOR THE ELECTRIC STEERING ASSIST IS SEIZING UP WHICH WOULD BE DANGEROUS TO TURN IN TRAFFIC. I ALREADY SPENT ENOUGH TIME AND MONEY ON PARTS AND LABOR. THIS IS NOTHING I HAVE DONE TO THE CAR ONLY HAD FOR A YEAR. I NEED YOUR HELP! THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE! OR SEND ME A NEW MOTOR AND MODULE FOR THIS CAR PLEASE. YOU GUYS CAN AT LEAST DO THAT. I LOVE THE CAR BUT THIS IS A PROBLEM. 2.4L ELECTRIC ASSIST. THE STEERING COLUMN IS FINE JUST NEED THE MOTOR AND MODULE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP!

NHTSA ODI #11197388

40,900 miles · Apr 16, 2019

Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

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THE POWER STEERING WAS LOST AS I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE IN A CITY ROAD. I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MILES AN HOUR ON A STRAIGHT ROAD, NOT TURNING AT THE TIME. THE SERVICE ESC LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR JERKED TO THE SIDE, WHICH WAS TERRIFYING WITH MY TWO YOUNG KIDS IN THE CAR. THIS REPAIR WAS COVERED UNDER THE GM BULLETIN 15356 AND THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE EPS MOTOR AND TORQUE SENSOR. HOWEVER, SINCE HAVING THE WORK DONE, THE MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT MY STEERING COLUMN IS NOW BENT. AS I HAVE NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENT, THIS COULD ONLY BE FROM THE IMPACT OF LOSING MY POWER STEERING. I FEEL LIKE THIS REPAIR SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THIS SPECIAL BULLETIN AS WELL. THIS POWER STEERING FAILURE JEOPARDIZED THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY AND THIS SHOULD BE MADE A FULL RECALL COVERING ALL THE STEERING COMPONENTS TO THE 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. I WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR WHAT WILL BE OVER $700 TO FIX THE ISSUE CAUSED BY THIS POWER STEERING FAILURE. *DT

NHTSA ODI #11196745

113,500 miles · Mar 27, 2019

Electrical SystemSteering

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MY GIRLFRIEND WAS DRIVING MY CAR HOME FROM THE DOCTORS AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. IT CAUSE HER TO HIT THE CURB AND POSSIBLY DO MORE DAMAGE. SHE WAS ONLY DOING 30 MPH ON A BUSY STREET. I HAVE A DATE WITH A DEALERSHIP ON THE 27TH OF MARCH 2019 TO WAIT FOR THE VERDICT OF WHAT THERE GOING TO SAY. I HAVE READ ALOT OF THE POST ON HERE AND HAVE SEEN THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM. I ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY HEADLIGHTS GOING OUT I HAVE CHANGED THEM SEVERAL TIMES WITH DIFFERENT BRANDS AND THEY CONTINUE TO GO OUT. I HAVE TO RUN WITH MY HIGH BEAMS ON BECAUSE THE LIGHTS KEEPS BURNING OUT. THIS IS CAUSE AND SAFETY ISSUE AND COULD INVOLVE POINTS ON MY LICENSE IF PULLED OVER. THIS IS CRITICAL SINCE I'M A CDL DRIVER. THE STEERING COULD CAUSE DEATH IF TRAVELING AT A HIGHER SPEED. GM KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND IF PUBLIC ISN'T NOTIFIED THAT IT'S FAULTY COULD ALSO INVOLVE A LAWSUIT.

NHTSA ODI #11191769

154,257 miles · Mar 26, 2019

Steering

ON FRIDAY MORNING, MARCH 22, 2019 WHILE DRIVING MY POWER STEERING WAS LOST. THE POWER STEERING ESC MESSAGE CAME ON. BY THE GRACE OF GOD I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO SAFETY .HUFFINES CHEVROLET PLANO REPLACED AND PROGRAMED STEERING TORQUE SENSOR FOR $590.18. THE MILEAGE ON THE CAR WAS 154,257 SO THE #15356: SPECIAL COVERAGE AD…

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NHTSA ODI #11191543

101,000 miles · Mar 20, 2019

Steering

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'POWER STEERING RECALL ' MY POWER STEERING ON MY 2011 CHEVY MALIBU WENT OUT. IT IS OVER $ 1000 TO GET OT FIXED ON MY OWN AND ITS CAUSING ME TO MISS WORK AS WELL AS OTHER PLACES AND THINGS I HAVE A OBLIGATION TO ATTEND. WHEN THE INCIDENT FIRST OCCURED, I WAS DRIVING OVER 60 MPH PUTTING ME AS WELL AS OTHER PASSENGERS AT RISK FOR BEING EXTREMELY JARMED. I TOOK MY CAR BACK TO THE ORIGINAL CAR DEALERSHIP AND THERE OS NOTHING THEY COULD DO PR WANTED TO DO. I CAN NOT DRIVE A CARE THAT I'VE BEEN PAYING ON BECAUSE PF THE RECALL AND I DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO. PLEASE HELP.

NHTSA ODI #11190253

87,400 miles · Mar 16, 2019

Steering

STARTING CAR AND POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON. I TURN IT OFF AND BACK ON AND IT'S FINE. THIS JUST STARTED.

NHTSA ODI #11187282

78,989 miles · Mar 8, 2019

Steering

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WHILE DRINKING THE CAR THE STEERING QUITS WORKING ALMOST CAUSING ME TO BE IN AN ACCIDENT WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR, THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON SAYING ELECTRONIC STEERING CONTROL WAS THE ISSUE. I TAKE IT TO A SHOP AND THEY TELL ME THE MALIBU, G6, AND IMPALAS ALWAYS DO THAT AND THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL PLACED ON IT, & IT IS EITHER THE ELECTRIC STEERING MOTOR OR THE TOURQE SHAFT SENSOR. THEY SAID THERE HAVE BEEN PEOPLE IN ACCIDENTS WHICH RESULTED IN DEATH DUE TO THIS ISSUE. COULD YOU PLEASE CHECK INTO THIS PLEASE AS I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS EVEN AFTER THE $1500 FOR REPAIRS ARE DONE. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER AND CANNOT AFFORD TO BUY ANOTHER NEW CAR. THIS IS VERY SCARY WHEN THIS GOES OUT ESPECIALLY WITH CHILDREN IN THE CAR. I HAVE A VIDEO OF WHAT THE CAR DOES WHEN YOU START IT UP WHEN THE STEERING GOES BACK TO WORKING. IT DOES THIS WHILE DRIVING OR SITTING STATIONARY. WHEN LOOKING ON A CHEVROLET FORUM THERE WERE THOUSAND OF PEOPLE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO WITH NUMEROUS CAUSING ACCIDENTS.

NHTSA ODI #11185025

119,000 miles · Mar 6, 2019

Electrical SystemSteeringTraction Control System

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE BEGAN APPROXIMATELY A YEAR AGO AND WAS WORSENING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FOUR DIFFERENT INDEPENDENT MECHANICS, BUT NONE OF THEM COULD RESOLVE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000.

NHTSA ODI #11184548

112,680 miles · Feb 28, 2019

SteeringCrashInjury

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WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON THE EARLY MORNING OF OCTOBER 17TH 2018, MY TIE ROD END SNAPPED IN MY VEHICLE, CAUSING ME TO GO OFF THE COUNTY ROAD INTO A TREE HEAD ON GOING 60 MPH. I ALSO WAS NOT WEARING A SAFETY BELT SO FORTUNATELY I AM STILL HERE TO WRITE THIS. ITS BEEN A ROAD TO RECOVERY AND STILL GOT A WAYS TO GO BUT THIS SHOULD DEFINITELY BE LOOKED INTO SO IT DOES NOT HAPPEN TO ANY ONE ELSE. I UNDERSTAND ACCIDENTS HAPPEN BUT THIS IS PLAYING WITH PEOPLES LIVES IF THIS IS A FLAW WITH THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11183177

Official recalls

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)