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

Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 2014

Electrical System

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V252000 ( ELECTRICAL SYSTEM , ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL , EXTERIOR LIGHTING , SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC , VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL ) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE UNDER THE RECALL. THE DEALER WAS UNCERTAIN WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT DID NOT EXPERIENCE A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10616337

80,000 miles · Jul 24, 2014

Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesVehicle Speed Control

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CURRENTLY THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL NUMBER 13036 ON MY VEHICLE. I WAS DIRECTED BY GM TO TAKE MY VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP AND HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST RAN ON THE VEHICLE FOR POTENTIAL PROBLEMS WITH THE WIRING HARNESS. WHEN THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS DONE THERE WERE NO ISSUES FOUND IN REGARDS TO CODES BEING DISPLAYED. THIS TEST WAS NOT THE TEST THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE DONE ACCORDING TO A GM REPRESENTATIVE SINCE THEY HAVE NO INFORMATION ON THE RECALL ITSELF, OTHER THEN WHAT WAS LISTED IN THE RECALL LETTER. WHEN I EXPRESSED MY CONCERN FOR THE SAFETY ISSUES SINCE I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THEM ALL ALONG I WAS TOLD I WOULD HAVE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE, REGARDLESS OF THE POTENTIAL FOR AN INCREASED RISK OF A CRASH DUE TO THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE RECALL. I ALSO DID NOT RECEIVE ANY INFORMATION IN REGARDS TO THE TEST THAT WAS PERFORMED ON MY VEHICLE BY THE DEALERSHIP, WHICH I WAS TOLD BY THE GM REPRESENTATIVE WAS ALSO INCORRECT. II WAS ORIGINALLY TOLD BY A GM REPRESENTATIVE THAT THE PARTS WERE ALSO AVAILABLE REGARDLESS OF WHAT THE LETTER STATED AND THAT I SHOULD DISREGARD THAT PORTION OF THE LETTER. THIS WAS ALSO DETERMINED TO BE FALSE AS THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE UNTIL MID AUGUST ACCORDING TO A GM REP AT A LATER DATE. AS OF YET THERE HAS BEEN NO RESOLUTION TO THE ISSUES I HAVE EXPERIENCED WHILE DRIVING AND PARKED. THESE ISSUES INCLUDE THE INCREASED TRAVEL NEEDED TO STOP THE VEHICLE AS WELL AS THE ECS BEING DISPLAYED AS NOT FUNCTIONING WHILE PARKED AND DRIVING. ALTHOUGH MY WIFE AND I BOTH HAVE EXPRESSED OUR CONCERNS WITH THE VEHICLES SAFETY AND ITS CURRENT ISSUES GM HAS FAILED TO PROVIDE ANY RESOLUTION TO THE PROBLEMS OR THE ISSUE WITH THE RECALL, WHEN THEY COULD SIMPLY AUTHORIZE A RENTAL OR SERVICE LOANER ROM THE DEALERSHIP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10616127

28,041 miles · Jul 24, 2014

Air Bags

2011 CHEVY MALIBU LT2 WITH A 4 CYLINDER ENGINE, 28000 MILES, 3-1/2 YEARS OLD, IN EXCELLENT CONDITION, OUT OF THE BLUE SHOWS THE "SERVICE AIR BAG" AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10616125

32,000 miles · Jul 24, 2014

Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

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AT RANDOM WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE RADIO WILL SWITCH TO AUX. YOU CAN TOUCH THE DASH ON THE SIDE OR AROUND THE RADIO AND IT WILL GO BACK TO RADIO. IT WILL ALSO SWITCH SOMETIMES WHEN YOU PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE, OR TURN ON WINDSHIELD WIPERS. YOU HAVE TO BUMP THE SIDE OF THE DASH OR THE AREA AROUND THE RADIO FOR IT TO SWITCH BACK ALSO THERE IS A NOISE WHERE THE STEERING IS THAT SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING IS KNOCKING AROUND UNDER THE CAR, AND MY DASH LIGHTS SOMETIMES WILL WAIT UNTIL I HAVE DRIVEN SEVERAL BLOCKS BEFORE THEY COME ON. THE RATTLING OR KNOCKING NOISE THAT IS HEARD IN THE FRONT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE REALLY BOTHERS ME THAT SOMETHING IS READY TO FALL OFF OR BREAK. IN OCTOBER OF 2012 I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE TURN SIGNAL LAMPS ON THE DRIVER SIDE REAR I WOULDN'T THINK THEY SHOULD GO OUT THAT QUICK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10615915

60,185 miles · Jul 21, 2014

Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXHIBITING THE SAME FAILURE SPECIFIED ON RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VIN NUMBER WAS NOT I…

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NHTSA ODI #10614979

52,000 miles · Jul 18, 2014

Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED AND WOULD NOT CLEAR THE WINDOWS. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER CONNECTER WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE…

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NHTSA ODI #10614570

34,000 miles · Jul 18, 2014

EngineSteering

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED MAKING THE STEERING WHEEL DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT WHILE SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) BUT DID NOT CONFIRM IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000.

NHTSA ODI #10614512

80,000 miles · Jul 9, 2014

Electrical System

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NHTSA ODI #10609248

70,000 miles · Jul 7, 2014

Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

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WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 60-65 MPH ITS VERY HARD TO HAVE STABILITY IN THE VEHICLE. I HAVE 4 BRAND NEW TIRES. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN BALANCED AND ROTATED. I ALSO TOO VEHICLE TO BRAKE SPECIALIST WHO SAID EVERYTHING LOOKS OK TO THEM. ALSO WHILE DRIVING AT THIS SPEED THE VEHICLE ENGINE WILL START SHAKING AND THE VEH WILL DROP FROM 65 MPH TO 20MPH CAUSE THE SPEED CONTROL TO DROP AUTOMATICALLY. MY VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE RIGHT SIGNAL LIGHT HAS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE AND AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON. 4 NEW TIRES AND EVERY 2 WEEKS THE AIR PRESSURE ON THEM IS LOW I THINK IT HAS SOMETHING TO SO WITH THE STABILITY OF THE VEHICLE. THIS IS MY 2ND REVIEW ABOUT THIS CAR. I DON'T WANT HAVE A WRECK AND KILL ME AND MY CHILDREN. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10608557

400 miles · Jun 30, 2014

Air BagsCrashInjury

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER RUMBLE STRIPS AND CRASHED INTO THE GUARD RAIL. THE VEHICLE SPUN AROUND AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER GUARD RAIL. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED A FRACTURED STERNUM, INJURIES TO THE LEFT SHOULDER BLADE AND RIGHT KNEE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A WRIST INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DECLARED AS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 400.

NHTSA ODI #10607032

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)