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

48,000 miles · Apr 16, 2015

Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel/propulsion System

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SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON (ECS AND TRACTION CONTROL) AND THE DISPLAY READ, "LOSS OF POWER". I WAS AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND THE CAR SLOWED TO ABOUT 15MPH. I WAS UNABLE TO INCREASE MY SPEED. AFTER TURNING OFF THE IGNITION SWITCH IN A PARKING LOT, AND WAITING FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES, I STARTED THE CAR AND IT RAN FINE. HOWEVER, ON THE FOLLOWING MONDAY THE SAME THING HAPPENED 6 TIMES WHILE TRYING TO GET IT TO BERGSTROM CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP. THE FIRST ATTEMPT TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM ONLY MADE IT WORSE, AND THE SECOND TIME A NEW THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY WAS INSTALLED. THIS REPAIRED THE PROBLEM. ON MY SON'S CHEVY TRUCK THE SAME PROBLEM WAS COVERED UNDER A RECALL, BUT ON MY MALIBU I WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT. ON THE INTERNET I WAS ABLE TO FIND SIX PAGES OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS THAT OTHER MALIBU OWNERS HAD. THEY TOO WERE TOLD THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL. THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM COULD HAVE, AND MAYBE HAS, CAUSED NUMEROUS ACCIDENTS AND I ASSUME INJURIES. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL AND I SHOULD BE COMPLETELY REIMBURSED FOR MY REPAIR EXPENSE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10706189

100,000 miles · Apr 15, 2015

Electronic Stability Control (esc)Traction Control System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED TO APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH AND THE ESC AND TRACTION CONTROL SENSOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTING THE ENGINE, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS N…

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NHTSA ODI #10705899

55,000 miles · Apr 14, 2015

Electronic Stability Control (esc)

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WHILE DRIVING MY 2011 CHEVY MALIBU A SERVICE ESC SERVICE TRACTION MESSAGE CAME ON THEN IT SAYS ESC OFF TRACTION CONTROL OFF. THIS HAPPENED ONE TIME & AFTER CAR WAS TURNED OFF & STARTED AGAIN, PROBLEM DIDN'T OCCUR AGAIN UNTIL A COUPLE MONTHS LATER. THEN THE MESSAGE THEN WAS COMING ON ALMOST EVERYTIME I DROVE THE VEHICLE, & WHEN THE MESSAGE WAS ON THE CAR WOULD SPIT & SPUTTER.TROK IT INTO THE LOCAL SHOP THEY REPLACED THE TRACTION CONTROL SENSOR. THIS HELPED FOR A COUPLE MONTHS, PROBLEM THEN OCCURRED AGAIN, TOOK BACK INTO SHOP THEY REPLACED THE CAMPHASORS, THIS HELPED FOR A COUPLE MONTHS. THEN VEHICLE BECAME UNDRIVEABLE: RPMS WOULD DROP TO ZERO, CAR WOULD LOOSE ALL POWER WHILE DRIVING WOULD NEED TO SHUT CAR OFF & START AGAIN, SPITTING & SPUTTERING OF THE ENGINE & LOOSING POWER. TOOK VEHICLE IN THEY TESTED IT AND IT RAN CODES P0300,P0204,P0203,P0202 & P0201 THEY CONTACTED GM WHO RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE ECM. REPLACED ECM. A WEEK LATER SERVICE ESC/SERVICE TRACTION MESSAGE IS NOW APPEARING OFF AND ON AGAIN. CAR WILL SPIT & SPUTTER WHEN MESSAGE IS ON. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER A YEAR & NO ONE CAN TELL ME HOW TO FIX IT??? I CAN NOT AFFORD TO HAVE MY VEHICLE IN THE SHOP EVERY WEEK WITH THE MECHANICS GUESSING AS TO WHAT WILL FIX THIS. THERE ARE MANY OF THESE COMPLAINTS OUT THERE & GM CAN NOT TELL ME HOW TO FIX THIS ISSUE. I AM NOW BACK TO SQUARE ONE. I HAVE A 4 YEAR OLD VEHICLE THAT DOES NOT EVEN HAVE 100,000 MILES ON IT AND I CAN NOT TRUST IT TO TAKE IT ANYWHERE. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT, VERY UNSAFE TO HAVE A VEHICLE SPIT & SPUTTER RANDOMLY & LOOSE ALL POWER DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD! VERY UNIMPRESSED WITH GM & MY GM VEHICLE, WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER GM VEHICLE AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10705647

39,100 miles · Apr 14, 2015

Steering

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE SERVICE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PROCEEDED TO TRAVEL A SHORT DISTANCE AND TURNED THE IGNITION TO THE OFF POSITION. ONCE THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION AGAIN, THE STEERING WAS RESTORED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,100.

NHTSA ODI #10705588

50,000 miles · Apr 9, 2015

Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

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2011 MALIBU 2LT 3600 VVT. I HAVE MULTIPLE INSTANCES OF THE SERVICE ESC, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL & ENGINE POWER REDUCED MESSAGES APPEARING. THE LAST TIME, TODAY, ALMOST CAUSED ME TO BE REAR ENDED DUE TO THE ENGINE FLUCTUATING BETWEEN ABOUT 200 AND 1500 RPM. AFTER THE FIRST INSTANCE I BROUGHT THE CAR TO A DEALER TO HAVE RECALL #14V252000 ADDRESSED. THIS SEEMED TO SOLVE THE ISSUE BUT AFTER A COUPLE OF DAYS IT ALL HAPPENED AGAIN TELLING ME THERE'S OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING ELSE WRONG. THROUGH ON-LINE RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS EXACT SAME ISSUE WITH ALMOST AS MANY SUPPOSED CAUSES. THERE IS NO WARRANTY LEFT ON MY CAR AND I CAN'T AFFORD A MECHANIC TO GUESS. I STRONGLY FEEL THAT GM NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE DIES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10704601

78,000 miles · Mar 31, 2015

Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING ANGLE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILAB…

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NHTSA ODI #10702849

60,000 miles · Mar 24, 2015

StructureVehicle Speed Control

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE PIECE OF PLASTIC DETACHED FROM THE MIDDLE CONSOLE AND COVERED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #10701327

52,000 miles · Mar 23, 2015

Engine

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE M…

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NHTSA ODI #10701129

Mileage unknown · Mar 18, 2015

Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10695041

62,000 miles · Mar 17, 2015

Electronic Stability Control (esc)

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WHILE IDLING, MY 2011 MALIBU'S ESC LIGHT ILLUMINATES EVERY DAY AND AT EVERY RED LIGHT/STOP SIGN. THE VEHICLE ALSO DRIVES ON ITS OWN AT 72 MPH AFTER I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL. THE LOCAL CHEVY DEALER REQUIRES ME TO PAY A SERVICE FEE TO CHECK FOR A PROBLEM THAT THEY ARE WE'LL FAMILIAR WITH. I DID REC'VE A CALL FROM CHEVY CORP WHO STATED THEY WILL PAY FOR THE FIRST HOUR TO ATTEMPT TO DIAGNOSIS THE PROBLEM, BUT I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY COST AFTER THE FIRST HOUR/COFFEE BREAK. AFTER READING ABOUT MANY OTHERS WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT - SHAME ON CHEVY!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10694778

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)