IllustrationPower steering assist motor is out and it was under recall in 2011 but it was out of the recall window but it has less than 150000 miles
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
Unknown Or Other complaints
60 reportsHi my name Is [XXX] . JD Byrider financed me this car knowing that it had open recalls putting me and my family's lives in danger. The car has had electrical problems since Ive had it. Every other day different lights appear on the dashboard Service Airbags ,Service ABS and traction ESC off are some of the few. The car has been …
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Hi my name Is [XXX] . JD Byrider financed me this car knowing that it had open recalls putting me and my family's lives in danger. The car has had electrical problems since Ive had it. Every other day different lights appear on the dashboard Service Airbags ,Service ABS and traction ESC off are some of the few. The car has been to their service department 14 times since Ive owned it each time they said its fixed then its right back in their shop again. I have one daughter with sickle cell disease and one with autism. My kids are afraid to ride in the car and Im afraid to drive it. Last Monday while bringing my kids to school every light on the dash board came on then the car shut down on me on the highway. If the car behind me wouldnt have swerved around me and the one behind it didnt jam their brakes my kids and i would have been seriously hurt or possibly killed. I got the car pulled to byrider they claim it was the alternator said it was fixed but soon as i started the car those same lights were on again. So i brought it back and the guy told me that was another problem and i would have to make another appointment. I cant keep putting myself and my kids in danger. I am returning Byrider their vehicle today. Please help us. Byrider cant keep taking advantage of poor people like myself. I am surrendering that car today. Please do not let them put that car back on the road. Someone is going to be seriously injured or killed. My name is [XXX] and my phone number is [XXX] . Thank you INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
THIS CAR WILL START AND AS YOU ARE DRIVING, THE CAR SHUTS OFF. NO POWER, NO STEERING...NOTHING. I WAS OUT DRIVING TO WORK AND THE CAR DIED RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. I HAVE TAKENT HE CAR TO THE SHOP AND THEY HAD IT FOR OVER A MONTH, CHANGED THE FUEL PUMP AND IT WAS STILL DOING THE SAME THING. THE M…
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THIS CAR WILL START AND AS YOU ARE DRIVING, THE CAR SHUTS OFF. NO POWER, NO STEERING...NOTHING. I WAS OUT DRIVING TO WORK AND THE CAR DIED RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. I HAVE TAKENT HE CAR TO THE SHOP AND THEY HAD IT FOR OVER A MONTH, CHANGED THE FUEL PUMP AND IT WAS STILL DOING THE SAME THING. THE MECHANIC SAID HE CAN NOT FIX IT, THAT IT IS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE. SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE POSTED ONLINE THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURE ISSUE AND THE YEAR OF THE CAR IS KNOWN TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. I OWN THREE CHEVY VEHICLES AND THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH ALL THREE. ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS! NO ONE STANDS BEHIND THEIR WORK. YOU PAY MONEY FOR A VEHICLE AND THE MAKERS WANT SPEND A DIME TO RECALL SOMETHING THAT CAN KILL SOMEONE.
My electrical power steering is going out. A “power steering” flashes on my dash. I turn off my car and turn it back on and is able to be steered. However, my steering wheel read only moves/jiggles on its on at idle and in park. When I drive I feel the steering wheel jiggling on it’s on requiring to constantly correct so I stay …
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My electrical power steering is going out. A “power steering” flashes on my dash. I turn off my car and turn it back on and is able to be steered. However, my steering wheel read only moves/jiggles on its on at idle and in park. When I drive I feel the steering wheel jiggling on it’s on requiring to constantly correct so I stay in the lines.
Hood support strut failed suddenly allowing hood to close forcefully nearly hitting me while working in the engine bay. Vehicle has no positive latch or prop mechanism to prevent hood closing in event of gas strut failure.
Several Times now my 2011 Malibu goes into limp mode, at the same time the ESC/TSC lights come on. It has left me stranded in the middle of intersections. Sometimes I can turn the car off and start it again and it sees to reset something because it begins to work again. It happens mostly at lower speeds or sitting in idle at lig…
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Several Times now my 2011 Malibu goes into limp mode, at the same time the ESC/TSC lights come on. It has left me stranded in the middle of intersections. Sometimes I can turn the car off and start it again and it sees to reset something because it begins to work again. It happens mostly at lower speeds or sitting in idle at light. Sometimes when I feel it stat to happen I put the car in neutral and rev it to 1500-2000 RPM, then I put it in gear and I can get going. Now I can't get the car to stay running. Shuts off as soon as I start it.
I have supposedly had the recall fixed. But when using the cruise control my car will not shut down the cruise unless I stomp on the brake or use the off button on my steering wheel. So I am wondering why I should have to pay big dollars for something that was supposedly done???
MY CAR SUSPENSION SYSTEM IS BUMPY AND SHAKES VERY BAD WHEN I AM DRIVING IT IN THE CITY STREETS AND BRAKE IS POOR DOES NOT HAVE A LIGHT BRAKE TO STEP EASY FOR A SLOW STOP I AM HAVING A PROBLEM DRIVING MY CAR ITS NOT SMOOTH RIDE I AM AFRAID OF MY CAR ITS GOING TO GIVE ME A PROBLEM.
STABILITRAK CONTROL TURNED ON CHANGE ALL SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES PLUS COILS. RAN FINE 1 WEEK AGAIN STABILITRAK FLASHING ENGINE IN LIMP MODE. TOOK RO MECHANIC REPLACES LIFTERS CAM SHAFT. ONE WEEK LATER AGAIN. REBUILD COMPLETE MOTOR AND STILL DISPLAYING SAME ISSUE!!!! TRUCK IS A LEMON
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREE WAY GOING 65 MPH. WHEN I GOT A MESSAGE SAYING TRACTION CONTROL AND THAT THE ENGINE WAS LOSING POWER. THE CAR THEN STOPPED ACCELERATING UNTIL IT CAN TO A COMPLETE STOP IN A MATTER OF SECONDS. IT ALMOST GOT ME REAR ENDED SINCE THE CARS ARE GOING FAST AND IT LOST AL SPEED AND POWER.
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.