IllustrationONLY 115K MILES AND TRANSMISSION IS OUT, THIS CAR GETS ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE, REVERSE WON'T ENGAGE AND TRANSMISSION MAKES NOISES IN FORWARD. HELP PLEASE
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 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AS THE IMMOBILIZER INDICATOR WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE TIM LALLY CHEVROLET DEALER (440-359-8781, 24999 MILES RD, WARRENSVILLE HEIGHTS, OH 44128) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS KEPT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AS THE IMMOBILIZER INDICATOR WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE TIM LALLY CHEVROLET DEALER (440-359-8781, 24999 MILES RD, WARRENSVILLE HEIGHTS, OH 44128) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS KEPT FOR OBSERVATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
WHILE DRIVING AND STATIONARY THE INSIDE LIGHTS BLINKS, THE POWER STEERING CANE ON TWICE AND I HAVE MY SEATBELT ON THE LIGHT INDICATOR COMES ON WHILE THE IT'S CONNECTED
TAKATA RECALL. I HAVE RECALLS THAT CHEVROLET NOT PICKING UP. ALL THE RECALLS ARE HAPPENING TO MY CAR. WHEN IT RAIN THE TRACTION SYSTEM LIGHT COMES ON, MY LIGHTS BULBS CONSTANTLY GO OUT, MY CIGARETTE LIGHT STARKED FIRE. WHEN TURNING A CURVE MY CAR HALTS OR STALL AND JERK. THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS GOING ON WITH THE CAR THAT I CAN …
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TAKATA RECALL. I HAVE RECALLS THAT CHEVROLET NOT PICKING UP. ALL THE RECALLS ARE HAPPENING TO MY CAR. WHEN IT RAIN THE TRACTION SYSTEM LIGHT COMES ON, MY LIGHTS BULBS CONSTANTLY GO OUT, MY CIGARETTE LIGHT STARKED FIRE. WHEN TURNING A CURVE MY CAR HALTS OR STALL AND JERK. THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS GOING ON WITH THE CAR THAT I CAN EXPLAIN. WHEN IT RAIN MY CAR PULLS OR GOES OFF ROAD I HAVE TO DRIVE REALLY SLOW BECAUSE I AM AFRAID THAT I WILL LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE DO THE BRAKING SYSTEM ETC.
TAKATA RECALL THE SERVICE TECH AT THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE AIRBAG COULD DEPLOY WHILE DRIVING CAUSING MY DAUGHTER TO BE IN DANGER AT ALL TIMES. AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT STAYED ON EVEN AFTER REPLACING THE AIRBAG.
I HAVE REPLACED THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT MORE THAN 5 TIMES, THE PIGTAIL HAS BEEN REPLACED AND THE WIRING HAS BEEN REWIRED. HEADLIGHT IS OUT AGAIN BUT THE BULB IS NOT BURNED OUT, IT'S ALMOST AS IF IT'S A SHIRT IN THE ENTIRE HARNESS.
EVERY TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED THE CAR HAS BEEN IN MOTION. 3 TIMES WITHIN A YEAR THIS CAR HAS JUST DIED ON ME. HAVE ALL POWER TO DASHBOARD LIGHTS AND RADIO BUT THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF AND WONT RESTART. FIRST TIME I WAS TOLD IT WAS LOW ON OIL. SECOND TIME IT SAT FOR 2 DAYS AND CRANKED RIGHT UP. 3RD TIME THE PLENUM ON THE EGR VALVE WAS…
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EVERY TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED THE CAR HAS BEEN IN MOTION. 3 TIMES WITHIN A YEAR THIS CAR HAS JUST DIED ON ME. HAVE ALL POWER TO DASHBOARD LIGHTS AND RADIO BUT THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF AND WONT RESTART. FIRST TIME I WAS TOLD IT WAS LOW ON OIL. SECOND TIME IT SAT FOR 2 DAYS AND CRANKED RIGHT UP. 3RD TIME THE PLENUM ON THE EGR VALVE WAS CLEANED. IT SEEMS ODD TO ME THAT THESE 3 THINGS WOULD ALL CAUSE THE SAME EXACT ISSUE. THANKFULLY IT HAS NOT HAPPENED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND WAS ABLE TO COAST OUT OF THE ROAD
PASSENGER HEAD LIGHT AND TURN SIGNAL CONTINUES TO GO OUT. I'VE HAD IT FIXED NUMEROUS TIMES AND EVEN BEEN PULLED OVER. EVERY TIME I GET IT FIXED, IT GOES OUT ABOUT 4-5 DAYS LATER. THERE ARE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ONLINE
MY VEHICLE IS AT AN AUTO SHOP BEEN THERE FOR A WEEK AND A HALF TO REPAIR THE CLUNKING NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN BUT THE MOTOR AND MODULE FOR THE ELECTRIC STEERING ASSIST IS SEIZING UP WHICH WOULD BE DANGEROUS TO TURN IN TRAFFIC. I ALREADY SPENT ENOUGH TIME AND MONEY ON PARTS AND LABOR. THIS IS NOTHING I HAVE DONE TO THE C…
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MY VEHICLE IS AT AN AUTO SHOP BEEN THERE FOR A WEEK AND A HALF TO REPAIR THE CLUNKING NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN BUT THE MOTOR AND MODULE FOR THE ELECTRIC STEERING ASSIST IS SEIZING UP WHICH WOULD BE DANGEROUS TO TURN IN TRAFFIC. I ALREADY SPENT ENOUGH TIME AND MONEY ON PARTS AND LABOR. THIS IS NOTHING I HAVE DONE TO THE CAR ONLY HAD FOR A YEAR. I NEED YOUR HELP! THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE! OR SEND ME A NEW MOTOR AND MODULE FOR THIS CAR PLEASE. YOU GUYS CAN AT LEAST DO THAT. I LOVE THE CAR BUT THIS IS A PROBLEM. 2.4L ELECTRIC ASSIST. THE STEERING COLUMN IS FINE JUST NEED THE MOTOR AND MODULE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP!
TAKATA RECALL*** AT 80000 MILES I WAS DRIVING AND THEN MY CAR WOULD NOT MOVE TRIED REVERSE WITH NO LUCK ENDED UP HAVING TO CALL TOW COMPANY TO GET ME OUT OF TRAFFIC WITH ALMOST BEING HIT SEVERAL TIMES . WITH RESEARCH FOUND OUT THIS IS COMMON AND GM REFUSES TO FIX PROBLEM WITCH IS NOT RIGHT SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING…
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TAKATA RECALL*** AT 80000 MILES I WAS DRIVING AND THEN MY CAR WOULD NOT MOVE TRIED REVERSE WITH NO LUCK ENDED UP HAVING TO CALL TOW COMPANY TO GET ME OUT OF TRAFFIC WITH ALMOST BEING HIT SEVERAL TIMES . WITH RESEARCH FOUND OUT THIS IS COMMON AND GM REFUSES TO FIX PROBLEM WITCH IS NOT RIGHT SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING AND PUTTING FAULTY TRANSMISSION IN 2010 AND 2011 MALIBU'S
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.