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 reports

85,000 miles · Jan 2, 2026

Electrical SystemExterior LightingFire

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The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked under a carport in her driveway, she had been warned by neighbors that the rear end of the vehicle was on fire. The contact stated that she saw that flames were issuing from both rear light housings. The contact stated that by the time her husband and a neighbor attempted to extinguish the flames with garden hoses, the light housings and the rear bumper were on fire and melting. The fire department and the police were called. The contact stated that by the time emergency services arrived, the flames had been extinguished. The contact stated that the fire department opened the trunk, and the interior of the trunk and the matting were not damaged. The only damage was to the rear light housings and the rear bumper. The fire department had not issued a report, however the police had. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

NHTSA ODI #11708409

Mileage unknown · Nov 17, 2025

Electrical SystemExterior LightingVisibility/wiper

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Headlight wiring harness connector has melted multiple times leaving me without low beam headlights while driving at night with my children in the car. This has left me having to use my high beams to drive and this poses as a safety hazard for not only me and my family but other people on the road. This also poses a fire hazard if the plastic connector is getting hot enoughto melt. I have requested warranty replacements for this part through AC Delco and made them aware of the on going problem and informed them that this is a well known issue with this car and that it is extremely dangerous. I have not had the part inspected by a mechanic, insurance company or law enforcement but have the failed part and would be willing to have it inspected by law enforcement or anyone else but can not afford out of pocket expenses to do so. There was no prior warning to this happening any of the times it happened it would be working when I left my house I would stop somewhere turn the car off and when I got back in and started the car they wouldn't turn on. Another time they quit working while driving down the road. The date below is the date that I ordered the first replacement wiring harness it lasted less than 3 months and i had to have it replaced and currently I am dealing with not having low beams again this is the 3rd time I have dealt with this issue and it has been on going since January 2025.

NHTSA ODI #11699889

Mileage unknown · Oct 30, 2025

Steering

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Power steering jerks violently left/right at 35–65 mph. Nearly lost control — happens intermittently and while in park. This is a KNOWN GM DEFECT — Special Coverage #10183 (EPS module) and TSB PIP4473. Michael Bates Chevrolet REFUSES to repair under #10183 — wants $1,500+. GM Customer Care also denied coverage. I use this car for WORK DAILY — it is UNSAFE TO DRIVE. If I crash and die, GM is liable. Component failed: Electric Power Steering (EPS) module Available for inspection: YES — at Michael Bates Chevy, Woodhaven MI Safety at risk: YES — driver and public Confirmed by dealer: NO — they refuse to honor #10183 Warning lamps: NO — no codes, intermittent First appeared: About a week ago and has progressively gotten worse.

NHTSA ODI #11696546

Mileage unknown · Aug 24, 2025

Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11682725

Mileage unknown · May 1, 2025

EngineFuel/propulsion System

Car started to loose power and wanted to cut off had to drive with both feet put in the shop a few times but couldn't find any wrong finally stopped driving it and then I started back to driving it and still doing the same thing, finally the motor went out.Have notice more Malibu's in this area and surroundings area having probl…

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NHTSA ODI #11658132

Mileage unknown · Mar 27, 2025

Engine

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- Reduced engine power, appears on the dashboard. The motor begins to shake, slow down excessively if I'm driving on the highway, and needs to be shut off to reset the computer. Yes, this is available for inspection. However, We are going to try to fix this ASAP, as I drive an hour to and from work each day, this isn't safe, I'm stressed out as soon as I think about driving, and I am worried I'll get stranded on the side of the road. . This puts me and others at risk, because I can be going 70 mph and the alarm goes off and I instantly slow down from 70 to about 30 mph, I need to immediately get to the side of the road, or I might not be able to move out of the way of traffic. I am unable to use the accelerator at this time if I needed to get to a more safe location. This can happen zero times, to 5 times, per my morning drives to work. I need to pull over, put my flashers on, turn off my car, and hope that it resets right away and I can continue my drive. Other times, I need to let it sit at least 5 minutes before the reduced engine power warning goes off. - There were no warnings. It first happened just putting the vehicle into reverse in our driveway. Now it happens when I am driving. We just bought this vehicle used from the GM dealership with no warranty. It is a 2011 Malibu with only 90,000 miles on it. This can happen going from park to reverse, to going highway speeds.

NHTSA ODI #11651049

Mileage unknown · Mar 18, 2025

Air BagsForward Collision AvoidanceSteering

Steering locks while driving

NHTSA ODI #11648907

Mileage unknown · Mar 11, 2025

Electrical SystemService BrakesSteering

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While driving down the road my power steering went out , driver side head light and it was like my breaks tried to lock up on me when I would press on them. I was driving down the interstate and pretty much had zero control of my car . Very scary. While trying to slow down and get off the interstate it's like it all just turned back on I had power steering back but my head light stayed out. So I went and purchased a new one put it in worked drove 2 miles up the road head light right back off. Something is going on with my ESC control system and power steering. I could have been really hurt or could have hurt someone.

NHTSA ODI #11647573

Mileage unknown · Mar 9, 2025

Steering

The vehicle has recently started to have power steering failure, making it a hazard while driving at times.

NHTSA ODI #11647196

Mileage unknown · Feb 27, 2025

Steering

NO POWER STEERING FEELS LIKE MANUAL STEERING

NHTSA ODI #11645300

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)