IllustrationI WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN SUDDENLY THE WARNING "SERVICE AIR BAG" POPPED UP ON MY DASHBOARD MESSAGE SCREEN. I WAS NOT IN AN ACCIDENT NOR DID I HIT ANYTHING. WITH THE RECENT RECALLS, I AM VERY CONCERNED. *TR
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 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE, AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM THE VENTS. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT WIRES WERE BURNED AND DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY AS A PRECAUTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTUR…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE, AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM THE VENTS. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT WIRES WERE BURNED AND DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY AS A PRECAUTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
I WENT TO GET AIR IN TIRE. GOT BACK IN MY CAR AND STARTED IT UP. IT STARTED SHAKING REAL BAD AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON , CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND A THING ABOUT LOSS OF POWER. I WAS ONLY 5 MINUTES FROM HOME SO I WENT BACK HOME. IT WOULDN'T GET OVER 25 MILES AN HOUR. I CALLED EDWARD CHEVROLET IN BIRMINGHAM,AL. THEY TOLD ME …
Read full complaint
I WENT TO GET AIR IN TIRE. GOT BACK IN MY CAR AND STARTED IT UP. IT STARTED SHAKING REAL BAD AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON , CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND A THING ABOUT LOSS OF POWER. I WAS ONLY 5 MINUTES FROM HOME SO I WENT BACK HOME. IT WOULDN'T GET OVER 25 MILES AN HOUR. I CALLED EDWARD CHEVROLET IN BIRMINGHAM,AL. THEY TOLD ME TO GET CAR TO THEM BUT NOT DRIVE IT. THEY CALLED ME BACK AND SAID IT WASN'T UNDER WARRANTY. I DON'T EVEN HAVE 100,000 ON IT. I READ ON LINE OTHER PEOPLE HAD THIS PROBLEM BUT THEY SAY IT'S NOT ON RECALL. WHY? HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE OR CHILDREN? I DIDN'T READ OF ANY DEATHS JUST ALMOST. I CAN'T BELIEVE PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE TO GET SOMETHING DONE. I WAS LUCKY AND NOT FAR FROM HOME. IT COULD HAVE STOPPED ON ME IN MIDDLE OF ROAD. I'VE NEVER GOT ANY RECALL NOTICES. I TOLD THE LADY AT EDWARDS CHEV. THE SAME THING. *TR
I WAS DRIVING AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WILL NOT SHUT OFF. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME JUST TO LOOK AT MY CAR. I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN ANY AUTO ACCIDENT FOR THIS TO EVEN HAPPEN. THIS MUST BE A DEFECTIVE AIR BAG> PLEASE CHECK INTO THIS MATTER. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, BURNING FUMES WERE PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND SMOKE APPEARED OUT OF THE FRONT BUMPER. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE BATTERY CABLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICL…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, BURNING FUMES WERE PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND SMOKE APPEARED OUT OF THE FRONT BUMPER. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE BATTERY CABLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE SERVICE TRACTION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE SERVICE TRACTION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,909.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V438000…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V438000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,356. UPDATED 10/31/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE ELECTRICAL FAILURE EFFECTED THE RADIO AND THE DOOR LOCKS. THE LOCKS WOULD NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK. THE RADIO WOULD POWER OFF OR SWITCH CD'S TO AUXILIARY THEN TO THE RADIO. UPDATED 4/28/2015 *JS
2011 MALIBU WAS ACTING LIKE IT WAS NOT GETTING ENOUGH GAS OR BAD SPARK PLUGS. THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME AND OTHER INDICATOR LIGHTS. HAD A DIAGNOSTICS RAN AND SAID THAT THE FUEL PUMP HAD A PIN HOLE. REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP, GOT A TUNE-UP RAN GOOD FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. WENT TO START THE CAR AGAIN AND IT ONCE AGAIN STARTED…
Read full complaint
2011 MALIBU WAS ACTING LIKE IT WAS NOT GETTING ENOUGH GAS OR BAD SPARK PLUGS. THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME AND OTHER INDICATOR LIGHTS. HAD A DIAGNOSTICS RAN AND SAID THAT THE FUEL PUMP HAD A PIN HOLE. REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP, GOT A TUNE-UP RAN GOOD FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. WENT TO START THE CAR AGAIN AND IT ONCE AGAIN STARTED ACTING AS IF IT WAS NOT GETTING ENOUGH GAS AND ENGINE LIGHT ONCE AGAIN CAME ON, SERVICE ESC, SERVICE TRACTION. WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IT WILL SOMETIMES SLOW DOWN FROM THE CURRENT SPEED. FOUND A RECALL CONCERNING THE SERVICE ESC, BUT THE DEALER SAID THEY DO NOT THINK IT HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH THAT. THIS STARTED WHEN ALL OF THE CODE STARTED POPPING UP. *TR
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.