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 reports

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178,000 miles · Aug 17, 2020

Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

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MULTIPLE FRONT HEAD LIGHT REPLACEMENT IN SHORT PERIOD OF TIME WITHIN 3 TO 4 MONTHS REPLACED 3 TIMES. NOTICED WARPING OF FACEPLATE BY AUDIO EQUIPMENT SO HAD TO REPLACE THAT. THEN CAME BACK FROM VACATION AND DROVE MY CAR FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES, PARKED I WENT INSIDE STORE AND MY DAUGHTER WAS IN THE CAR WHEN SHE SAID IT JUMPED AND THEN TURNED OFF. WHEN I TURNED IT ON IT SAID "ENGINE POWER REDUCED" "SERVICE TRACTION" "SERVICE ESC" I DROVE IT TO GET HOME. NEXT MORNING IT WAS FINE TO GET TO WORK SHORT DISTANCE, ON WAY HOME IN HOTTER TIME OF DAY (LIVE IN ARIZONA) IT DID IT AGAIN. ONLY 20 MILES AN HOUR MAXIUM AND GULPING GASOLINE. I WAS IN MY CAR WITH MY 13 YEAR OLD AND IT WAS DANGEROUS AS WE WERE DRIVING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN WE WERE REDUCED TO 20 MPH OR LESS AND WERE ALMOST REAR-ENDED VARIOUS TIMES, CAUGHT MID TRANSITION FROM YELLOW TO RED LIGHT WHILE MAKING LEFT TURN. VERY SCARY. MECHANIC DROVE IT AND SAID AFTER ONLY 10 TO 20 MINUTES OF DRIVING IT DID THE SAME THING. MECHANIC HE RAN TESTS AND FOUND RELAY FUSE BOX ISSUE. TRIED TO ORDER AND WAS TOLD IT WAS ON "NATIONAL BACK-ORDER" BECAUSE THIS WAS THE SAME PROBLEM MANY OF MY VEHICLE YEAR MAKE AND MODEL WERE EXPERIENCING. I HAD TO GET RENTAL FOR 20 DAYS WHICH COST IN EXCESS OF $500 AND WAIT FOR PART. PAY FOR PARTS $223 AND LABOR. THESE EXPENSES CAUSE INCREDIBLE FINANCIAL HARDSHIP AND STRESS. RECEPTS DID NOT GO THROUGH AND SCREEN SHOTS OF PANEL BECAUSE OF SIZE, PLEASE REACH OUT SO I CAN PROVIDE

NHTSA ODI #11349897

Mileage unknown · May 26, 2020

Electronic Stability Control (esc)SteeringUnknown Or Other

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SINCE I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE BACK IN 2015 (USED) I HAVE HAD ONGOING STEERING ISSUES. THE STEERING FEELS MUCH LOOSER THAN MOST VEHICLES. IT HAS ALMOST TAKEN ME OFF OF THE ROAD SEVERAL TIMES. I HAVE HAD MECHANICS LOOK AT THE CAR AND THEY HAVE ALL SUGGEST I TAKE IT INTO CHEVY FOR DIAGNOSTICS SINCE IT IS ELECTRICAL STEERING. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE STEERING ON THIS EXACT YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL, THOUGH IT SAYS MY VIN WAS NOT AFFECTED. IT IS A HUGE CONCERN FOR MYSELF TO HAVE THIS STEERING CORRECTED AS I HAVE A TODDLER IN MY BACK SEAT. WHEN ROADS ARE WET, UNEVEN PAVEMENT, OR THE WEATHER WINDY.. MY CAR PULLS OFF THE ROAD DRASTICALLY I HAVE TO GRIP MY STEERING WHEEL SO HARD TO THE POINT MY HANDS TURN RED FROM GRABBING SO TIGHTLY IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN SOMEWHAT CONTROL OF THIS VEHICLE.. WITH THIS YEAR. MAKE AND MODEL HAVING STEERING RECALLS, I REQUEST CHEVY HONORS MY REQUEST TO HAVE MY VEHICLE INSPECTED BY A LICENSED CHEVY DEALER TO DETERMINE WHAT THE ISSUE IS. THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE AND I FIND IT UNLIKELY THAT I HAVE THE SAME EXACT ISSUES AS THE RECALL THOUGH A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT ISSUE. I AM AFRAID THIS WILL CAUSE ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF MY CAR AND WRECK. HIGHER SPEEDS (FOR EXAMPLE ON THE FREEWAY) MAKE THE STEERING ALMOST UNMANAGEABLE AND DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. I HAVE SPOKE TO NUMEROUS CHEVY MALIBU OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THIS EXACT ISSUE WITH THEIR RECALLS. I HAVE REACHED OUT TO CHEVROLET DIRECTLY TO EXPRESS MY CONCERNS AND IT WAS DISREGARDED, THEY SAID MY VIN WAS NOT EFFECTED SO IT COULDN'T BE THE ISSUE.*DT CONSUMER HAD THE PARTS REPLACED ON 6/19 AGAIN ON 6/29 BUT VEHICLE IS STILL UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND PROBLEM IS RECURRING.*JB

NHTSA ODI #11326018

91,500 miles · May 24, 2020

Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Unknown Or Other

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MY VEHICLE HAS APPROX. 91,500 MILES. UPON STARTING THE CAR RECENTLY, AN ERROR APPEARED SAYING "SERVICE TRACTION" AND "ENGINE POWER REDUCED." THE VEHICLE COULD NOT GO ABOVE 35 MPH AND THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM WAS DISABLED. UPON INSPECTION BY THE DEALERSHIP, THEY DISCOVERED THE SUNROOF DRAIN TUBES HAD SHRUNK AND WATER HAD ACCUMULATED IN THE FLOORBOARD, EVENTUALLY LEADING TO CORROSION. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND FOUND SEVERAL OTHER DRIVERS REPORTING ISSUES WITH THE DRAIN TUBES BECOMING DISCONNECTED AND CAUSING LEAKS. I HAVE ALSO FOUND SEVERAL INSTANCES WHERE DRIVERS LOST ENGINE POWER ON THE HIGHWAY. IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN, IT COULD EASILY CAUSE A CRASH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11325751

Mileage unknown · Feb 15, 2020

Electronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior LightingUnknown Or Other

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THE ESC TURNS OFF PRETTY MUCH EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE CAR. LAST MONDAY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING M. THE THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NO LONGER SHIFT AND THE SOLENOID IS STUCK OPEN WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK. PROMPTING THE DEALERSHIP TO TRY AND SELL ME A WHOLE NEW $5,000 TRANS. WHEN THE CAR ONLY HAS 130,000 MILES ON IT. THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN RUNNING SLOW ON ACCELERATION BUT HAS NEVER BEEN STUCK IN FIRST GEAR LEAVING ME LEFT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WAITING FOR HELP TO COME GET ME. THE HEADLIGHT BURN OUT LIKE EVERY 6 MONTHS RESULTING IN TAKING OFF THE BUMPER OR PAYING $200 FROM THE DEALERSHIP FOR A $5 BULB. I HAVE NO PICTURES SINCE MY CAR IS AT THE DEALERSHIP WAITING FOR ME TO EITHER GO GET OR PAY FOR THE TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA ODI #11309420

166,000 miles · Jan 24, 2020

EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other

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MY 2011 CHEVY MALIBU BURNING OIL I KEEP HAVING ADD OIL TO CAR ON TOP THAT TIMING BELT BROKE CHANCES OUT EXHAUST CAMSHAFT POSSIBLE SENSOR OUT 2-3 TIMES AND CODE REMAIN LATER CHAIN GUIDES BROKE SEEN 2.4L EQUINOX HAD RECALL DUE TO BURNING OIL NOT SURE TIMING CHAIN BRAKE BUT HEARD ALOT COMPLAIN ABOUT CHAIN GUIDES BREAKING ALSO SEAT BACKING KEEP CALLING OFF LATCHES FOR THEM FAIL EVERY TIME CAR JUST GAVE ME ALOT OF PROBLEM CONTROL ARM GOING OUT. CAR WAS MADE CHEAP AND WASN'T MEANT TO LAST. CAR BROKE DOWN TIMING CHAIN SNAPPED.BURNT OIL SMELL WHEN TURN CAR ON COMING THROW AC WHEN ON. 2.4 L ECOTEC MOTOR IS PROBLEM AS WELL POWER TRAIN TRANSMISSION BREAK REVERSE WAVE GEAR MAKING IT A COSTLY REPAIR.

NHTSA ODI #11301512

121,000 miles · Dec 17, 2019

Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineUnknown Or Other

WHEN WE ARE DRIVING THE CAR IT WILL START SHAKING, THE ESC LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CAR COMPLETELY DIES. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH AND 70 MPH ON CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS. WE HAVE HAD IT IN MULTIPLE SHOPS AND BEEN TOLD THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE NOBODY HAS FOUND A RESOLUTION FOR. VERY DANGEROUS AND AFRAID TO PUT OUR KI…

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NHTSA ODI #11289657

100,000 miles · Nov 25, 2019

Unknown Or Other

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I HAVE BEEN DRIVING MY CAR EVERYDAY AND ON SUNDAY 11/24/19, I REVERSED FROM DRIVEWAY AND WHEN SHIFTED TO DRIVE THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. I TRIED NEUTRAL AND MANUAL AND NOTHING BUT THE REVERSE WAS FINE. AN ODD THING IS THAT IT IS THE TRANSMISSION OIL SUPPLY LINE, A SMALL PIECE THAT DOESN'T MOVE AT ALL SO NOT SURE HOW IT WAS DAMAGED WHICH IS CAUSING THE CAR TO NOT MOVE WHEN IN DRIVE. THIS DEFINITELY IS AN ISSUE WITH GMC CARS AS I HAVE RESEARCHED IT IN MULTIPLE CHEVY BLOGS. IF A MECHANIC IS NOT FAMILIAR WITH THIS SMALL CAUSE THEY WOULD SUGGEST TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION UNNECESSARILY WHICH IS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR FOR SOMETHING SIMPLE.

NHTSA ODI #11282361

Mileage unknown · Nov 9, 2019

Unknown Or Other

FINANCING A CAR THROUGH DEALERSHIP AND FOUND OUT THE ODOMETER HAS BEEN ROLLED BACK ODOMETER READING 62,634 WHEN PURCHASED 2 MONTHS AGO AND IT STILL READS THE EXACT SAME NOW. LOOKED UP VIN NUMBER AND IN MAY 2019 MILEAGE WAS REPORTED AS 63,789

NHTSA ODI #11279141

110,000 miles · Nov 3, 2019

Unknown Or Other

MY PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT. I HAVE CHANGED THE CONNECTOR AND BULBS MULTIPLE TIMES SAME PROBLEM KEEPS OCCURRING FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS. IT TURNS ON IF I HIT A BUMP AND GOES RIGHT BACK OUT. I CHANGED THE BULBS AGAIN TODAY STAYED ON ALL DAY UNTIL I MOVED MY CAR. MY CAR WAS STATIONARY

NHTSA ODI #11277850

52,000 miles · Jul 12, 2019

Electronic Stability Control (esc)Unknown Or Other

WHILE DRIVING SERVICE TRACTION AND SERVICE ESC LIGHTS COME ON AND CAR STARTS DRIVING WEIRD AND DOESN'T FEEL SAFE!

NHTSA ODI #11231459

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)