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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153,000 miles · Feb 13, 2024

Steering

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The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while her son was driving 30 MPH, the electronic power steering warning light illuminated, after which the contact became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly. The driver was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway and after restarting, the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The electronic power steering warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the electronic power steering control module. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 153,000.

NHTSA ODI #11571678

89,000 miles · Feb 2, 2024

Seat BeltsSteering

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The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving at approximately 60 MPH and turning the steering wheel to the left to enter the left lane, the steering wheel was difficult to operate. The contact used extra effort while turning the steering wheel to keep from crashing into the highway barrier. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to exit the highway and stopped the vehicle. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and the power steering functionality returned. The contact stated that later in the day the failure reoccurred. The contact repeated the process and the vehicle regained power steering functionality. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred a third time however, after turning off and restarting the power steering functionality had not returned. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the power steering torque angle sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that the seat belt warning light was illuminating with the seat belt securely buckled. The contact stated that the seat belt warning light was illuminated with the seat belt buckled. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.

NHTSA ODI #11569527

Mileage unknown · Jan 23, 2024

Steering

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My power steering Stopped working 4 times in the middle of the road all the power steering lights came on the dash Yes it is available for inspection It is a huge safety problem because the steering wheel stiffen up all of a sudden and u cannot move the steering wheel while driving, i had to stop my car in the middle of the road to avoid collision. I know it had a recall few years back so i took it to Regal Chevrolet dealership in Lakeland but they dismissed me saying Chevrolet wont pay them for this . It happens all of a sudden out of nowhere and it never shows any symptoms prior.it first appeared few years back .

NHTSA ODI #11567243

Mileage unknown · Jan 23, 2024

Steering

There wasnt an incident, but the power steering went out in my car and its a problem that the manufacturer knows about so i believe it should be a recall. I had the mechanics at Firestone look at my car and they told me that it needs a lower steering column bracket and motor assembly along with the torque input sensor. The serv…

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NHTSA ODI #11567165

Mileage unknown · Jan 21, 2024

Steering

Power steering stops working while driving at highway speeds. Power steering light illuminates on the dashboard. When this happens, it is barely possible to steer car to the side of the road to prevent accident or injury. Other than brakes defects, this is the most serious safety concern there is.

NHTSA ODI #11566768

91,000 miles · Nov 3, 2023

Steering

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The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the steering wheel pulled to the left independently. The contact pulled to the side of the road and restarted the vehicle. The steering control warning light was illuminated after the vehicle was restarted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the failure was due to a faulty electronic steering assist motor. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 91,000.

NHTSA ODI #11553476

Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 2023

Steering

Torque sensor and my steering column and as I did research GM new that it was faulty

NHTSA ODI #11552239

Mileage unknown · Apr 21, 2023

Steering

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While driving, my vehicle will abruptly lose power steering and the wheel will lock up. I am unable to turn my steering wheel. I have to stop my vehicle and turn off the ignition in order to the power steering to work properly. This only last for a few minutes and then it will happen again. This is dangerous and I have had to pull over on the highway to stop and start my vehicle. This first happened in March 2023. Also, my vehicles shows a SVC notification on the dashboard. And the tire pressure sensor is always on even with inflated tires. Lastly, my auto start does not work.

NHTSA ODI #11518361

Mileage unknown · Apr 9, 2023

Steering

Power steering keeps failing. Steering wheel shakes. Power steering light with the ESC Service light come on. If I turn the vehicle off and back on again, Sometimes the power steering will work again.

NHTSA ODI #11516189

Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 2023

Steering

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The power steering light came on on my car after driving on the highway. Pulled over turn car off and on then sign went away. Two days later the power steering and esc light came on and then it went away. Took it to Holm dealership and they requested I change the outer tie rods and lower control arms. Made them changes and the power steering still twitches. This can be a deadly situation if this aint figure out. I don't feel like I should pay all these fees to try to figure the cause of this. Everything I read come up with this electrical power steering sensor.

NHTSA ODI #11509937

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)