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

40,900 miles · Apr 16, 2019

Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

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THE POWER STEERING WAS LOST AS I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE IN A CITY ROAD. I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MILES AN HOUR ON A STRAIGHT ROAD, NOT TURNING AT THE TIME. THE SERVICE ESC LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR JERKED TO THE SIDE, WHICH WAS TERRIFYING WITH MY TWO YOUNG KIDS IN THE CAR. THIS REPAIR WAS COVERED UNDER THE GM BULLETIN 15356 AND THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE EPS MOTOR AND TORQUE SENSOR. HOWEVER, SINCE HAVING THE WORK DONE, THE MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT MY STEERING COLUMN IS NOW BENT. AS I HAVE NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENT, THIS COULD ONLY BE FROM THE IMPACT OF LOSING MY POWER STEERING. I FEEL LIKE THIS REPAIR SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THIS SPECIAL BULLETIN AS WELL. THIS POWER STEERING FAILURE JEOPARDIZED THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY AND THIS SHOULD BE MADE A FULL RECALL COVERING ALL THE STEERING COMPONENTS TO THE 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. I WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR WHAT WILL BE OVER $700 TO FIX THE ISSUE CAUSED BY THIS POWER STEERING FAILURE. *DT

NHTSA ODI #11196745

135,000 miles · Apr 14, 2019

Electronic Stability Control (esc)

I WENT TO START MY VEHICLE AND IMMEDIATELY GOT AN ESC/POWER STEERING ALERT. I HAD NO POWER STEERING AND NOT ABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR.

NHTSA ODI #11196089

Mileage unknown · Apr 13, 2019

Exterior Lighting

TAKATA RECALL MY PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM LIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT I HAVE HAD IT CHANGED OVER 10 TIMES AND EACH TIME THE LIGHT BULB IS NOT BLOWN BUT WON'T COME ON

NHTSA ODI #11196030

112,000 miles · Apr 5, 2019

Exterior Lighting

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MY LOW BEAMS KEEP GOING OUT ON BOTH SIDES. ALL OTHER LIGHTS SEEM FINE WITH NO APPARENT ISSUES. I HAVE CHANGED OUT THE BULBS, THEN FOUND OUT THEY WERE STILL GOOD ALL ALONG. I HAVE ALSO REPLACED THE CONNECTOR. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE CONNECTOR WAS BURNED MOSTLY ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. I CHANGED OUT BOTH DUE TO THE FACT YOU HAVE TO REMOVE/PARTIAL REMOVE THE BUMPER IN ORDER TO WORK ON THE HEADLIGHTS. THE HEADLIGHTS WILL WORK FOR A WHILE THEN STOP AGAIN USUALLY ONLY ONE SIDE AT A TIME. I WAS TOLD BY A FRIEND WHO ALSO HAD THE SAME ISSUE ON A 2012 THAT IT MAY BE THE AUTO LIGHT STAYING ON AND THE CIRCUIT MAY BE OVERHEATING. NOT SURE IF THIS IS ACCURATE BUT IT SOUNDS LOGICAL. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR 4 YEARS NOW WITH THIS MONTH BEING THE MOST RECENT AFTER ABOUT 6 MONTHS SINCE REPLACING WIRES AND I HAVE NOT SEEN ANY KNOW RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. ANY HELP IN THIS MATTER WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.

NHTSA ODI #11194194

Mileage unknown · Mar 31, 2019

Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

3RD TIME PASSANGER HEADLIGHT HAS GONE OUT IN THE LAST YEAR. ALONG WITH THE PREVIOUS ISSUES I REPORTED

NHTSA ODI #11192694

114,900 miles · Mar 27, 2019

Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

LIGHTS ON PANAL COME ON GO OFF WHEN I STOP THE CAR AND TURN BACK ON. I WAS DRIVING MAYBE 30-35 MPH ON CITY STREET GOING STRAIGHT. NO WE RAIN, POT HOLES OR SPEED BUMPS

NHTSA ODI #11191938

Mileage unknown · Mar 27, 2019

Air BagsElectrical System

1) SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON PERIODICALLY WHEN STARTING VEHICLE OR WHILE IN AUTO IS IN MOTION. 2) INTERNAL LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD DIMS WHILE DRIVING PERIODICALLY WHILE AUTO IS IN MOTION.

NHTSA ODI #11191817

113,500 miles · Mar 27, 2019

Electrical SystemSteering

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MY GIRLFRIEND WAS DRIVING MY CAR HOME FROM THE DOCTORS AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. IT CAUSE HER TO HIT THE CURB AND POSSIBLY DO MORE DAMAGE. SHE WAS ONLY DOING 30 MPH ON A BUSY STREET. I HAVE A DATE WITH A DEALERSHIP ON THE 27TH OF MARCH 2019 TO WAIT FOR THE VERDICT OF WHAT THERE GOING TO SAY. I HAVE READ ALOT OF THE POST ON HERE AND HAVE SEEN THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM. I ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY HEADLIGHTS GOING OUT I HAVE CHANGED THEM SEVERAL TIMES WITH DIFFERENT BRANDS AND THEY CONTINUE TO GO OUT. I HAVE TO RUN WITH MY HIGH BEAMS ON BECAUSE THE LIGHTS KEEPS BURNING OUT. THIS IS CAUSE AND SAFETY ISSUE AND COULD INVOLVE POINTS ON MY LICENSE IF PULLED OVER. THIS IS CRITICAL SINCE I'M A CDL DRIVER. THE STEERING COULD CAUSE DEATH IF TRAVELING AT A HIGHER SPEED. GM KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND IF PUBLIC ISN'T NOTIFIED THAT IT'S FAULTY COULD ALSO INVOLVE A LAWSUIT.

NHTSA ODI #11191769

135,000 miles · Mar 26, 2019

Seats

WAS DRIVING MY 2011 CHEVY MALIBU LTZ WHEN I NOTICED THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT STARTED LEANING TO THE RIGHT SIDE. I INSPECTED THE UNDERSIDE TO SEE THE CROSS BAR BROKEN ON THE RIGHT SIDE. NOW THE SEAT ROCKS AND IS VERY UNSTABLE. I HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF REPORTS CLAIM THAT MY THE SAME DESIGN FLAW. WHY IS GM NOT DOING SOMETHING ABOUT THIS…

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NHTSA ODI #11191755

Mileage unknown · Mar 26, 2019

Electrical SystemExterior LightingService Brakes

TAKATA RECALL. BRAKE APPLY SENSOR FLUCTUATES ON AND OFF ALSO TURNING SIGNAL IS NOT WORKING ON THE LEFT OR RIGHT EVEN THOUGH THE BUGS BEEN CHANGED AND INSIDE THE VEHICLE IT SHOWS A TURNING SIGNAL, NO REAR BRAKE LIGHTS WHEN DRIVING OR AT A COMPLETE STOP. EVEN THOUGH FUSES AND NEW BULBS REPLACED, ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE WITH RADIO AND …

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NHTSA ODI #11191603

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)