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

87,568 miles · Aug 29, 2015

Steering

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BEING A SECOND OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE I NOTICED THAT AT TIMES THE POWER STEERING WOULD BECOME INEFFECTIVE AND STEERING WHEEL WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO MOVE, ALONG WITH A LOT OF CLUNKING IN THE STEERING COLUMN...ESPECIALLY AT LOWER SPEEDS. AFTER OWNING THIS VEHICLE FOR TWO MONTHS, I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND THE WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY HEAVY AS THE POWER ASSIST WAS NOT WORKING AND THE ENTIRE STEERING POPPED AND I HAD NO MORE STEERING CONTROL ( THE STEERING WHEEL WAS FREE WHEELING). LUCKILY, THIS SITUATION DID NOT HAPPEN ON MY COMMUTE TO WORK AT SPEEDS OF 65 MPH! AS IT HAPPENS THE FREE WHEELING OF THE STEERING WHEEL HAS DAMAGED THE CLOCK-SPRING INSIDE THE STEERING HUB THAT PROVIDES POWER TO THE AIRBAG AND CRUISE AND RADIO CONTROLS, MOUNTED ON THE STEERING WHEEL.I AM CONVINCED THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE STEERING SYSTEM OF THIS CAR, BUT AM TOLD THAT THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS CAR FOR THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM. MY MECHANIC HAS ESTIMATED A REPAIR BILL CLOSE TO $1000 AND THIS SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF BY GM, IN MY OPINION...AS IT IS A LIFE THREATENING ISSUE (NO STEERING CONTROL AT HIGH SPEEDS)!

NHTSA ODI #10760143

82,576 miles · Aug 29, 2015

Fuel/propulsion System

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IN JUNE 2015, VEHICLE STALLED WHILE TRAVELLING AT 35 MPH. COULD NOT RESTART WITH JUMP.CAR WOULD TURN OVER BUT SHUT RIGHT DOWN ON STEPPING ON ACCELERATOR. REPAIR SHOPS HAVE FAILED TO PINPOINT PROBLEMS. GM REPORTS THEY HAVE BEEN LOOKING INTO THE PROBLEM. INTERNET RESEARCH SHOWS PROBLEM IS COMMON. HAVE SMALL CHILD AND IF CAR STALLS ON MAJOR HIGHWAY IT WOULD BE A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WHICH COULD CAUSE DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY. IF GM IS AWARE OF PROBLEM ARE THEY WAITING FOR A FATALITY BEFORE DOING SOMETHING. REPAIR SHOPS HAVE NO SOLUTIONS, GM HAS NO SOLUTIONS. WHAT IS THE CONSUMER TO DO. I DO THINK THIS SITUATION WHICH APPEARS TO NOT BE ISOLATED BE INVESTIGATED.

NHTSA ODI #10760131

16,300 miles · Aug 26, 2015

Electronic Stability Control (esc)Vehicle Speed Control

CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT DISENGAGE UNTIL I HIT THE BRAKES HARD ENOUGH TO ACTIVATE THE ESC. RECALL #14V252000 COVERED THIS PROBLEM BUT GM SAYS MY VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE EXPANDED TO COVER ALL MALIBU MANUFACTURED DURING THE RECALL TIME FRAME.

NHTSA ODI #10759350

29,000 miles · Aug 25, 2015

Steering

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WHILE DRIVING BACK FROM VACATION, I BEGAN TO NOTICE A VIBRATION AND NOISE FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE AREA. THIS WOULD WORSEN AND INCREASE IN INTENSITY AS SPEED INCREASED. ALTHOUGH IT DID NOT APPEAR TO ADVERSELY AFFECT DRIVING, IT WOULD NOT GO AWAY AND NEVER IMPROVED. AFTER TAKING IT TO A LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER, THEY DIAGNOSED IT AS A BAD/FAILING WHEEL BEARING. SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATIONS ONLINE REVEAL THIS TO BE A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS PARTICULAR MAKE AND MODEL, NOT LIMITED TO THIS MODEL YEAR. THE DANGER IN THIS IS THAT THE BEARING WAS NEARING A POINT OF FAILURE THAT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN WHEEL SEPARATION OR BEARING LOCKUP; EITHER OF WHICH COULD HAVE SENT ME INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE REPAIR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER ANY WARRANTY, WHICH LEFT ME TO PAY $420 FOR THE REPAIR. I WOULD APPRECIATE IT AND URGE THE CONSIDERATION OF A RECALL ON THIS. I HAVE RETAINED ALL PAPERWORK PERTAINING TO THE REPAIR AND CAN PRODUCE THIS IF NEEDED FOR EVIDENCE OR SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION.

NHTSA ODI #10759029

76,000 miles · Aug 21, 2015

Power Train

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY AT 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE SHIFT LEVER WAS NOT ABLE TO SHIFT OUT OF THE PARK POSITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10750389

Mileage unknown · Aug 21, 2015

Seat Belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V269000 (SEAT BELTS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. MA 10/22/2015 *CN

NHTSA ODI #10750298

90,000 miles · Aug 17, 2015

Electrical System

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MY CHEVY MALIBU NEEDS TO BE RECALLED!! THE ENGINE HARNESS IS HEAT DAMAGED CAUSING TROUBLE CODES TO MAKE DRIVING THE CAR VERY DANGEROUS. THIS WAS TOLD TO ME BY A CHEVY DEALER WHO GOT THE CODES TO HAPPEN JUST BY MOVING THE HARNESS WITH THEIR HANDS FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THEIR FIX IS TO JUST PUT MORE INSULATION AROUND THE HARNESS NOT A PROPER FIX!! ALSO THE REPAIR IS VERY EXPENSIVE AND THE DISTRICT SUPERVISOR HAS OFFERED TO SPLIT THE COST OF THE REPAIR 50/50. WHY AM I PAYING ANYTHING!! THIS CAR IS LESS THAN 4 YEARS OLD AND THE WIRING HARNESS IS HEAT DAMAGED? I HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING TO THIS CAR BUT ADD AN ALARM. THIS CAR AND THE OTHERS LIKE IT NEED TO BE LOOKED AT!! ANYONE ELSE FEEL MY PAIN???

NHTSA ODI #10749020

99,500 miles · Aug 14, 2015

Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,500. THE VIN WAS NOT…

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NHTSA ODI #10748648

87,076 miles · Aug 4, 2015

Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

DRIVING CAR ABOUT 30MPH. NOTICED DECREASE SPEED, CHECK GEAR SHIFT TO MAKE SURE IN D. LOOKED AT DASHBOARD, ALL LIGHTS WERE ON. SCROLLING, POWER STEERING, SERVICE ENGINE, THEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. MADE TWO TURNS WITHOUT POWER STEERING. EVENT THREE-FOUR MINUTES. PARKED AND TURNED CAR OFF. DROVE CAR TO DEALERSHIP FOR SERV…

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NHTSA ODI #10746019

Mileage unknown · Aug 3, 2015

Seat Belts

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V269000 (SEAT BELTS) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR AND THAT A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT PART OF THE DELAY WAS BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT FIGURED OUT HOW TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10745749

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)