IllustrationTHE HEAD LIGHTS IN MY VEHICLE DO NOT WORK AT ALL. I HAVE TO USE THE BRIGHTS TO SEE ANYTHING AT NIGHT. THE HEAT WORKS WHEN IT WANTS TOO AND WHEN I BUMP INTO A SMALL LUMP ON THE STREET IT TURNS OFF. THE WHEEL BARRIER IS BAD ON MY RIGHT TIRE.
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
What owners actually said
977 reportsI BOUGHT MY FIRST CAR FROM A SMALL DEALERSHIP AND WITHIN THE LAST 35 DAYS THE ALTERNATOR, BATTERY, SHOCKS, FUEL PUMP AND NOW THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON....WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING IT SEEMS LIKE THE CAR DON'T WANT TO GO INTO GEAR. AND WHEN IT FINALLY GOES INTO GEAR IT JERKS YOU. ALSO THE ELECTRICAL AND TEMPERATURE GAGE, THE LIGHTS ON DAS…
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I BOUGHT MY FIRST CAR FROM A SMALL DEALERSHIP AND WITHIN THE LAST 35 DAYS THE ALTERNATOR, BATTERY, SHOCKS, FUEL PUMP AND NOW THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON....WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING IT SEEMS LIKE THE CAR DON'T WANT TO GO INTO GEAR. AND WHEN IT FINALLY GOES INTO GEAR IT JERKS YOU. ALSO THE ELECTRICAL AND TEMPERATURE GAGE, THE LIGHTS ON DASH BOARD GO IN AND OUT YOU CAN HEAR A FAINT NOISE COMING FROM THE DOME LIGHT. TEMPERATURE GAGE STAYED AT COLD WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE AROUND. TOOK CAR FOR A RIDE THE NEXT DAY AND RIGHT AWAY WHEN DRIVING IT WENT ABOUT A QUARTER ABOVE COLD???
PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT EVER OTHER MONTH
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT WAS INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT FUNCTIONED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MILLER BROTHERS CHEVROLET OF ELLICOTT CITY, LOCATED AT 9035 BALTIMORE NATIONAL PIKE, ELLICOTT CITY, MD 21042, WHERE IT W…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT WAS INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT FUNCTIONED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MILLER BROTHERS CHEVROLET OF ELLICOTT CITY, LOCATED AT 9035 BALTIMORE NATIONAL PIKE, ELLICOTT CITY, MD 21042, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
GOT A 2011 CHEVY MALIBU FROM MY FATHER IN LAW. CAR ONLY HAS 44500 MILES ON IT. SO OF COURSE IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY. NOTICE THAT THE REAR DEFROSTER WAS NOT WORKING, SO DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND FOUND MULTIPLE ACCOUNTS OF PEOPLE WITH SAME ISSUE WITH MELTED FUSES IN FUSE BOX IN TRUCK AND FUSE BOX MELTING ALSO. WHY IS CHEVY NOT TE…
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GOT A 2011 CHEVY MALIBU FROM MY FATHER IN LAW. CAR ONLY HAS 44500 MILES ON IT. SO OF COURSE IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY. NOTICE THAT THE REAR DEFROSTER WAS NOT WORKING, SO DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND FOUND MULTIPLE ACCOUNTS OF PEOPLE WITH SAME ISSUE WITH MELTED FUSES IN FUSE BOX IN TRUCK AND FUSE BOX MELTING ALSO. WHY IS CHEVY NOT TELLING PEOPLE ABOUT OR OFFERING A FIX OR RECALL. IT'S A FIRE HAZARD.
MY VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING ALL SYMPTOMS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 AND THERE IS NO ACTIVE RECALL FOR MY VIN. THAT PROBLEM HIS CAUSING HIGH VOLTAGE WHICH KEEPS CAUSING ELECTRICAL ISSUES LIKE BURNING CABLES TO THE HEADLIGHTS AND NOT GETTING POWER TO MULTIPLE INTERIOR EQUIPMENT SUCH AS THE IPC WHICH STOPS WORKING W…
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MY VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING ALL SYMPTOMS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 AND THERE IS NO ACTIVE RECALL FOR MY VIN. THAT PROBLEM HIS CAUSING HIGH VOLTAGE WHICH KEEPS CAUSING ELECTRICAL ISSUES LIKE BURNING CABLES TO THE HEADLIGHTS AND NOT GETTING POWER TO MULTIPLE INTERIOR EQUIPMENT SUCH AS THE IPC WHICH STOPS WORKING WHILE DRIVING AND I AM NO LONGER ABLE TO MY SPEED AND OTHER INFORMATION. I ALSO GET A ENGINE POWER REDUCED ERROR FROM A BAD CONNECTED FROM THE APP TO THE BCM, CODE P1238.
IT HAVE THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON IN THE DASH SAY SERVICE AIR BAGS AND WITH THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN YOU DRIVE IT LIKE IT WON'T TO LOCK UP
LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT SOCKET MELTED ON BOTH SIDES NOT ALLOWING LOW BEAM LIGHTS TO WORK. HAD TO REWIRE A NEW WIRING HARNESS. I HAVE READ MULTIPLE ACCOUNTS ON LINE OF THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPENING. UNTIL I DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM I HAVE HAD TO ONLY DRIVE DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS. RIDICULOUS!
CAR QUIT SHIFTING INTO 3RD, 4TH OR 5TH GEAR AND REVERSE. EXITING THE HIGHWAY WHEN IT DOWNSHIFTED VERY SUDDENLY AND VERY HARD. FROM THERE STOPPED AT RED LIGHT. WENT TO TAKE OFF AND IT SLIPPED IN 2ND GEAR. FROM THERE PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE. NEXT TIME I TRIED REVERSE IT WOULD NOT GO AT ALL. LEADS ME TO BELIEVE IT'S THE TRANSMISS…
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CAR QUIT SHIFTING INTO 3RD, 4TH OR 5TH GEAR AND REVERSE. EXITING THE HIGHWAY WHEN IT DOWNSHIFTED VERY SUDDENLY AND VERY HARD. FROM THERE STOPPED AT RED LIGHT. WENT TO TAKE OFF AND IT SLIPPED IN 2ND GEAR. FROM THERE PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE. NEXT TIME I TRIED REVERSE IT WOULD NOT GO AT ALL. LEADS ME TO BELIEVE IT'S THE TRANSMISSION.
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 T…
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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
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.