IllustrationPOWER STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAPPENED IN A CURVED PART OF THE HIGHWAY AT ~45 MPH. WAS ABLE TO MAKE THE DRIVE HOME WHICH WAS ~2 MILES. RESTARTED THE CAR AT HOME AND EVERYTHING WORKED FINE UNTIL 5 DAYS LATER - SAME PROBLEM. SERVICE ESC AND POWER STEERING ILLUMINATED ON DASH.
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 reportsHAVE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTIES WITH REDUCED ENGINE SPEED, CHECK EMS,AND OTHER RELATED CONDITIONS SINCE 2014. THE CAR WOULD IMMEDIATELY SLOW DOWN, NOT PICK UP SPEED, AND ALARM WOULD BEGIN SOUNDING. EACH OCCASION, I TOOK INTO DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS SOMETHING DIFFERENT ON EACH OCCASION CAUSING OCCURRENCE. ON OTHER OCCA…
Read full complaint
HAVE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTIES WITH REDUCED ENGINE SPEED, CHECK EMS,AND OTHER RELATED CONDITIONS SINCE 2014. THE CAR WOULD IMMEDIATELY SLOW DOWN, NOT PICK UP SPEED, AND ALARM WOULD BEGIN SOUNDING. EACH OCCASION, I TOOK INTO DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS SOMETHING DIFFERENT ON EACH OCCASION CAUSING OCCURRENCE. ON OTHER OCCASIONS, DEALERSHIP WOULD SAY THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE ISSUE. I HAD ONE REPAIR MADE. THE CAR DROVE FINE FOR A WHILE TO LATER START AGAIN. I WAS INFORMED IT WAS A SENSOR. ON LAST OCCURRENCE, I HAD THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED. THE CAR IS ONCE AGAIN EXPERIENCING A SLUGGISH CONDITION WHEN DRIVING. THE DEALERSHIP ONCE AGAIN STATED THEY COULD NOT REPLCIATE ISSUE.
MY 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU IS CRANKING, BUT NOT STARTING. I HAD A IT TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP, WHO RAN A TEST ON THE FUEL SYSTEM, BATTERY, ALTERNATOR, BUT NOTHING WAS FOUND. I RESEARCHED IT AND FOUND THAT THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM CAN STOP YOUR VEHICLE FROM STARTING. IT SEEMS THAT THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM LOCKED AFTER I WAS SITTING IN MY …
Read full complaint
MY 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU IS CRANKING, BUT NOT STARTING. I HAD A IT TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP, WHO RAN A TEST ON THE FUEL SYSTEM, BATTERY, ALTERNATOR, BUT NOTHING WAS FOUND. I RESEARCHED IT AND FOUND THAT THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM CAN STOP YOUR VEHICLE FROM STARTING. IT SEEMS THAT THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM LOCKED AFTER I WAS SITTING IN MY CAR DURING LUNCH LISTENING TO THE RADIO FOR AN HOUR. I TURNED THE KEY TWICE TO RESET THE RADIO AFTER IT TIMED OUT. AS I LEFT WORK TO GO HOME IT WOULDN'T START. I FOUND OUT THAT IF YOU RESET THE SYSTEM, IT WILL START AFTER 10-15 MINS. AFTER SITTING OVERNIGHT AT THE REPAIR SHOP, IT STARTED. HERE I AM A WEEK LATER AND ITS DOING IT AGAIN, BUT NOW I'M GETTING A SIGNAL WITH A LOCKED CAR SYMBOL ON THE DASH. IT SEEMS THAT THAT ANTI-SYSTEM IS LOCKED AGAIN. I CANNOT FIND OUT HOW TO RESET IT. I WAS NOT IN THE VEHICLE PLAYING THE RADIO AT ALL THAT DAY. HOWEVER, THIS ISSUE HAPPENED TO ME A YEAR AFTER I GOT THE CAR TOO AFTER WASHING THE CAR AND LISTENING TO THE RADIO. I FORGOT ABOUT THAT INCIDENT UNTIL NOW. I AM SEEING OVER 250 COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE. THERE WERE SOME CARS RECALLED, BUT MINE DOES NOT HAVE ONE ASSOCIATED WITH IT. IT GM RECALLED IT ON SOME, THEY SHOULD RECALL IT ON ALL, IT'S THE SAME ISSUE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THEY PLAN TO DO THIS, BECAUSE I'M SEEING AND HEARING THEY ARE NO FIXES AT THE REPAIR SHOP. THEY TRY TO FIX IT WITH EXPENSIVE OPTIONS, BUT THE ISSUE COMES BACK. I READ THAT SOME PEOPLE CAR STALLED WHEN THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM LOCKED. I DON'T WANT THIS TO HAPPEN TO ME AND MY FAMILY. THANK GOODNESS MINE WAS PARKED EACH TIME.
MAY 11, 2016 DAY 1 WHILE DRIVING CAR BEGAN TO REDUCE SPEED ON IT'S OWN. MAY 12, 2016 DAY 2 UPON STARTING CAR THE ESC SERVICE LIGHT IS ON, IT READS THE "ESC IS OFF" CAR WAS STATIONARY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AREA WHERE THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT WAS WELDED HAD FRACTURED. AS A RESULT, THE SEAT FAILED TO REMAIN IN POSITION. IN ADDITION, WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL STEERED TO THE LEFT IN EXCESS AND…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AREA WHERE THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT WAS WELDED HAD FRACTURED. AS A RESULT, THE SEAT FAILED TO REMAIN IN POSITION. IN ADDITION, WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL STEERED TO THE LEFT IN EXCESS AND THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE ESC WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH MY 2011 CHEVY MALIBU. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN SUDDENLY THE MOTOR STARTED VIOLENTLY SHAKING AND THE DASHBOARD INFORMATION DISPLAY WOULD FLASH, "ENGINE POWER REDUCED, SERVICE ESC, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, AIR BAG LIGHTS AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON". THIS WAS AN INTERMITTENT ISS…
Read full complaint
I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH MY 2011 CHEVY MALIBU. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN SUDDENLY THE MOTOR STARTED VIOLENTLY SHAKING AND THE DASHBOARD INFORMATION DISPLAY WOULD FLASH, "ENGINE POWER REDUCED, SERVICE ESC, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, AIR BAG LIGHTS AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON". THIS WAS AN INTERMITTENT ISSUE, IT CAN SOMETIMES GO WEEKS/MONTHS WITHOUT ISSUES, BUT THEN OUT OF NOWHERE IT WILL START HAPPENING AGAIN. SOMETIMES SHUTTING THE CAR OFF, WAITING A FEW MOMENTS, AND RESTARTING WOULD USUALLY GET IT RUNNING CORRECTLY AGAIN. HOWEVER, OTHER TIMES IT WILL REMAIN FOR SEVERAL DAYS. THE ISSUE HAS BEEN BECOMING MORE FREQUENT AND STAYING LONGER AS TIME GOES ON. WHEN I STARTED SEEING THE ISSUE I LOOKED UP ONLINE TO SEE IF OTHER PEOPLE WERE SEEING SIMILAR ISSUES AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME YEAR, MAKE, MODEL CAR HAVING THE SAME EXACT ISSUE. I HAVE SEEN ISSUES STARTED AT 50K MILES AND UP, BUT MINE STARTED DOING THIS AT APPROXIMATELY 72K MILES. THIS ISSUE HAS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO GET IN SEVERAL ACCIDENTS, AND I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED AS THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM. HERE ARE SOME OF THE WEBSITES AT WHICH I FOUND PEOPLE SHARING THEIR STORIES OF THE SAME EXACT ISSUE. [XXX] I HAVE INCLUDED A COUPLE OF IMAGES OF A COUPLE OF THE DASH MESSAGES PLEASE HELP THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT OCCURRED 05/07/2016 BUT HAS BEEN HAPPENING INTERMITTENTLY FOR A YEAR OR TWO, IT STARTED AT 72542 MILES BUT MOST RECENT HAPPENED AT APPROXIMATELY 92K THANK YOU *TR PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *CC
TRANSMISSION PARTS INTERNALLY BROKE CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO FAIL WHILE DRIVING AND LOSING ABILITY TO MOVE. TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT AT A SPECIALTY SHOP FOR OVER $4600 IN REPAIR COSTS. ONLY 73K MILES ON THE CAR WHEN TRANSMISSION DIED. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET WHEN THIS HAPPENED. TRANSMISSION SPECIALISTS SAID THI…
Read full complaint
TRANSMISSION PARTS INTERNALLY BROKE CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO FAIL WHILE DRIVING AND LOSING ABILITY TO MOVE. TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT AT A SPECIALTY SHOP FOR OVER $4600 IN REPAIR COSTS. ONLY 73K MILES ON THE CAR WHEN TRANSMISSION DIED. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET WHEN THIS HAPPENED. TRANSMISSION SPECIALISTS SAID THIS IS BECOMING A KNOWN ISSUE WITH NEWER GM VEHICLES.
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 65MPH,VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER. I WAS ALMOST HIT BY AN 18 WHEELER BUT WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SHOULDER IN TIME. NO BRAKES,STEERING, POWER AT ALL. GM DEALER DIAGNOSED TIMING CHAINS NEED REPLACEMENT. NO RECALL ON THIS KNOWN ISSUE? ENDANGERING LIVES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED TO 10 MPH AND THE ENGINE POWER REDUCED WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED TO 10 MPH AND THE ENGINE POWER REDUCED WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT PROPERLY RESTRAIN THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A HEAD INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT PROPERLY RESTRAIN THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A HEAD INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
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.