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

125,333 miles · Sep 20, 2016

Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Traction Control System

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND THE ESC AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,333.

NHTSA ODI #10908153

86,000 miles · Aug 29, 2016

Power Train

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TRANSMISSION BEGAN LAGGING BETWEEN SHIFTS FOR 3RD & 5TH GEARS. TOOK IT IN TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHO NOTED THE ISSUE BUT TOLD US THAT THERE WERE NO CODES SO THEY WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING. AFTER A COUPLE OF MONTHS THE TRANSMISSION FAILED COMPLETELY WHICH REQUIRED A REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION WHICH COST US $1500. WHEN WE PICKED THE VEHICLE UP AFTER THE REPLACEMENT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS CROOKED WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT AND THERE WERE NOISES DURING THE DRIVE. TRADED THE VEHICLE IN FOR A NEW VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #10899213

60,000 miles · Aug 26, 2016

Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ABILITY SEIZED. THE SERVICE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER TO THE RIGHT LANE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE POWER STEERING ASSIST MOTOR WAS R…

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NHTSA ODI #10898886

66,000 miles · Aug 15, 2016

Air BagsSteeringWheelsCrashInjury

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED FRACTURED BONES ON HER FACE AND THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR CONTUSIONS THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING AXLE AND TIRES WERE DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000.

NHTSA ODI #10895902

84,000 miles · Aug 4, 2016

Power Train

WAS DRIVING AND I COULD GET ANY POWER. WOULD NOT GET UP TO 20 MILES AN HOUR.

NHTSA ODI #10893175

80,000 miles · Aug 3, 2016

Power Train

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I PURCHASED MY PRE OWNED 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU VEHICLE 3 YEARS AGO AND AFTER 80000 MILES MY TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY COLLAPSED. I HAVE TAKEN GOOD CARE OF MY CAR AND STILL OWE $8000.00 ON MY LOAN. I HAVE SEEN MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ONLINE FROM PEOPLE IN MY SAME SITUATION WITH THE 2011 MALIBU. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY GM HASN'T ISSUED A RECALL FOR THE TRANSMISSIONS. THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE. I WAS EXITING THE FREEWAY WITJ BOTH OF MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR, WHEN MY TRANSMISSION GAVE OUT. IT WILL NOT GO IN REVERSE OR GO OVER 20 MPH. I FEEL THAT THERE SHOULD BE SOME LEVEL OF ACCOUNTABILITY FROM GM.

NHTSA ODI #10892986

Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 2016

Electronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior LightingUnknown Or Other

TAKATA RECALL...I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL/TRACTION CONTROL FOR ALMOST 2 YEARS HAD IT REPAIRED ONCE AND NOW ITS DOING THE SAME THING ALSO MY HEAD LIGHT ON THE PASSAGE SIDE KEEP GOING OUT.

NHTSA ODI #10888338

57,000 miles · Jul 22, 2016

Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FELL OUT ONTO THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE AND DID NOT DEPLOY CORRECTLY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE…

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NHTSA ODI #10887715

38,327 miles · Jul 21, 2016

Unknown Or Other

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MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP CAME ON WHILE I WAS PULLING OUT OF THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE. VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUTOFF, AND NOTHING WAS WORKING. I HAD TO MANUALLY OPEN MY DOOR TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE. I POPPED MY HOOD TO CHECK WHETHER OR NOT MY BATTERY CABLES HAD BECOME LOOSE, BUT EVERYTHING WAS OK. AFTER RETURNING TO THE DRIVER'S SEAT, THE CAR STARTED WITH EASE. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME MY CAR HAD COMPLETELY SHUTOFF WHILE DRIVING IT. IN NOVEMBER 2015, AS I ENTERED AN ONRAMP, IT CUT OFF. THIS ALMOST GAVE ME A HEART ATTACK. I TOOK MY CAR TO AUTO ZONE FOR A FREE CHECK, THEY DID NOT FIND ANYTHING. TODAY (7/20/2016), I WENT TO AUTO ZONE AND THEY RAN A DIFFERENT TEST, GAVE ME A PRINTOUT THAT INDICATED THE ECM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER (BOHN GMC), WHERE IT IS PRESENTLY. WHEN MY VEHICLE COMPLETELY TURNED OFF IN TRAFFIC, I AND MY PASSENGER, COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. IN MY OWNER'S MANUAL, IT STATES THAT IF THE LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS OWN, 'DIAGNOSIS AND SERVICE MIGHT BE REQUIRED'. NO WHERE DOES IT INDICATE THAT THE VEHICLE COULD TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI #10887594

103,835 miles · Jul 17, 2016

Electrical System

BATTERY LIGHT COMING ON. DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSE BAD ALTERNATOR. INSTALLED NEW ALTERNATOR. TWO WEEKS PASSED, ALL DASHBOARD LIGHTS COME ON, LOST POWER STEERING, WHILE DRIVING. CAR TOWED IN. DEALERSHIP FOUND FUSIBLE LINK BURNT ON ALTERNATOR, WHICH CAUSED FIRST ALTERNATOR TO GO BAD. $25.00 PART.

NHTSA ODI #10885379

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)