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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.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

87 reports
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85,250 miles · Jan 3, 2014
EngineVehicle Speed Control

VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING, LOW TRACTION CONTROL MESSAGE, ESC MESSAGE, REDUCED ENGINE POWER MESSAGE. CAR WOULDN'T GO OVER 15 MPH, WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE HOME WITH THIS ISSUE. WAS LUCKY TO BE ON AN OUTER ROAD WITH NO TRAFFIC THEN THIS HAPPENED. HAD CAR DIAGNOSED, FOUND THE THROTTLE BODY HAD TO BE REPLACED -- KNOW OF TWO OTHER INDIVI…

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VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING, LOW TRACTION CONTROL MESSAGE, ESC MESSAGE, REDUCED ENGINE POWER MESSAGE. CAR WOULDN'T GO OVER 15 MPH, WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE HOME WITH THIS ISSUE. WAS LUCKY TO BE ON AN OUTER ROAD WITH NO TRAFFIC THEN THIS HAPPENED. HAD CAR DIAGNOSED, FOUND THE THROTTLE BODY HAD TO BE REPLACED -- KNOW OF TWO OTHER INDIVIDUALS WITH SAME ISSUE IN THE PAST 6 WEEKS, ONE ON A MALIBU, AND ONE ON ANOTHER CHEVY VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10558333

41,643 miles · Jun 20, 2013
Vehicle Speed Control

WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE, THE CAR LOST POWER. UPON TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE APP SENSOR WAS MALFUNCTIONING. FROM READING ONLINE, THIS APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS STYLE OF CHEVROLET, AND HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE AT LEAST 2008. CONSUMERS ARE BEING FLEECED BY FAULTY PARTS AND/OR …

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WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE, THE CAR LOST POWER. UPON TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE APP SENSOR WAS MALFUNCTIONING. FROM READING ONLINE, THIS APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS STYLE OF CHEVROLET, AND HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE AT LEAST 2008. CONSUMERS ARE BEING FLEECED BY FAULTY PARTS AND/OR ENGINEERING (BASED ON THE COST OF THE REPAIR). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10520970

18,000 miles · May 13, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE VEHICLE DECELERATED IN SPEED WHILE THE CHECK ENGINE AND ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON FOUR OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY CAUSED THE FAILURE TO OCCUR. THE VEHICL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE VEHICLE DECELERATED IN SPEED WHILE THE CHECK ENGINE AND ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON FOUR OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY CAUSED THE FAILURE TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10511641

75,000 miles · Mar 6, 2013
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE REDUCE ENGINE POWER, SERVICE TRACTION, AND SERVICE ESC WARNING LAMPS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE REDUCE ENGINE POWER, SERVICE TRACTION, AND SERVICE ESC WARNING LAMPS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79,000.*TR

NHTSA ODI #10501831

68,343 miles · Mar 4, 2013
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control

THE CONTACT JUST BOUGHT A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU USED NOVEMBER 2012. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35MPH, THE VEHICLE BECAME RESISTANT TO ACCELERATION ATTEMPTS. THE ESP, SLIPPERY /TRACTION LIGHT, ENGINE LIGHT AND REDUCING ENGINE POWER WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE CAR DECREASED SPEED TO 20MPH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10501286

4,800 miles · Aug 7, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS A 3-4 SECOND DELAY WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO EXPLAINED THAT THE MANUFACTURER CHANGED THE WAY THE SYSTEM REACTS IN T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS A 3-4 SECOND DELAY WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO EXPLAINED THAT THE MANUFACTURER CHANGED THE WAY THE SYSTEM REACTS IN THE VEHICLE, AS A RESULT THE SIGNAL FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL GOES THROUGH THE COMPUTER FIRST AND THEN THE ENGINE WHICH CAUSES THE DELAY. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 4,800.

NHTSA ODI #10469549

100 miles · Apr 9, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control

I BOUGHT MY 2011 MALIBU LTZ IN APRIL 2011. SINCE I BOUGHT IT I HAVE NOTICED, CONSISTENTLY, THE CAR REVS EXTREMELY HIGH WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN GEARS WHILE ACCELERATING. IT OFTEN TIMES STRUGGLES TO SHIFT BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD AND 4TH GEARS. THE CAR IS ALSO RATED TO GET UP TO 33 MPG HIGHWAY, AVERAGE OF 25. I DRIVE ABOUT 90% HIGHWA…

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

NHTSA ODI #10454540

Official recalls

3

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)

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.