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

63,800 miles · Jan 4, 2014

Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

Read full complaint

I WAS DRIVING THIS VEHICLE ON ONE OF THE MAIN HIGHWAYS WHERE THERE IS A LOT OF TRAFFIC AND SEVERAL LIGHTS APPEARED FIRST IT WAS THE SERVICE ESC, ENGINE POWER REDUCED, AND SERVICE TRACTION LIGHT, ALONG WITH MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AND TRACTION LIGHT, THE CAR THEN DROPPED FROM A SPEED OF 65 TO A SPEED OF 20 AND WOULD NOT GO ON THE HIGHWAY THIS ALMOST GOT ME KILLED. I FEEL THAT GM SHOULD LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE AS THERE ARE SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE, I WOULD RATHER MY LIFE BE SAVED THAN DRIVING IN A DEFECTIVE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10558491

85,250 miles · Jan 3, 2014

EngineVehicle Speed Control

VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING, LOW TRACTION CONTROL MESSAGE, ESC MESSAGE, REDUCED ENGINE POWER MESSAGE. CAR WOULDN'T GO OVER 15 MPH, WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE HOME WITH THIS ISSUE. WAS LUCKY TO BE ON AN OUTER ROAD WITH NO TRAFFIC THEN THIS HAPPENED. HAD CAR DIAGNOSED, FOUND THE THROTTLE BODY HAD TO BE REPLACED -- KNOW OF TWO OTHER INDIVI…

Read full complaint

NHTSA ODI #10558333

45,000 miles · Dec 5, 2013

Air BagsEngineStructureCrashInjury

I WAS GOING ONTO A EXIT AN HIT A GUARDRAIL ON THE DRIVERS SIDE, THE CAR SPUN AND I ENDED UP SIDEWAYS. THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED BUT DID NOT INFLATE. I SUSTAINED BROKEN RIBS, A FACIAL HEMATOMA AND MULTIPLE CONTUSIONS. I WAS WEARING MY SEATBELT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10554926

78,989 miles · Nov 7, 2013

Electrical SystemPower Train

Read full complaint

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND OUT OF NO WHERE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. MY CAR THAN STARTED TO JERK LIKE IT WAS RUNNING OUT OF OXYGEN, THE CAR FELT LIKE IT DIDN'T WANT TO SHIFT IN GEAR.. TOOK TO HAVE CHECK AND COME TO FIND OUT ITS THE (TCM) TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE WHICH ISN'T COVERED UNDER WARRANTY FOR AND EXTRA TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS FROM SANTANDER CONSUMER AND BRONX SUZUKI/VICTORY IN BRONX, NY. I HAVE BEEN RIPPED OFF IN A CAR PAYMENT THAT'S MORE THAN THE CAR IS WORTH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10551376

Mileage unknown · Oct 14, 2013

Service Brakes

BRAKE LIGHTS DON'T WORK UNLESS I USE EXCESSIVE FORCE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10547855

6,000 miles · Sep 2, 2013

Power Train

Read full complaint

I PURCHASED THIS MALIBU IN MARCH 2011, NEW. I CURRENTLY HAVE LESS THAN 26K MILES ON THE CAR. THE CAR HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES FOR THE SAME ISSUE. WHILE ACCELERATING (USUALLY) BETWEEN 25 AND 35 MPH THE CAR SEEMS TO LOSE ITS ABILITY TO SHIFT GEARS AND THE TACHOMETER WILL GO TO 4000 PLUS WITH NO ACCELERATION. ITS AS IF THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL AND PRESSING ON THE GAS PEDAL. THIS FIRST STARTED HAPPENING IN THE FIRST YEAR OF OWNERSHIP (EXACT MILEAGE NOTED ABOVE MAY NOT BE TOTALLY ACCURATE) AND THE CAR WAS BROUGHT TO KEYES CHEVROLET, WHERE PURCHASED. THEY SAID THEY NOTICED THE DEFECT AND APPARENTLY DID AN OVERHAUL (?) ON THE TRANSMISSION AND KEPT THE CAR FOR SEVERAL DAYS. MY GUESS IS THEY HAD NO PROBLEM WITH DOING AN INITIAL REPAIR AS THEY WOULD BE REIMBURSED BY GM ($1500?). NEW OR SIMILAR REPAIRS OR ISSUES MAY BE MORE DIFFICULT FOR REIMBURSEMENT, AS GM WILL SAY THEY FIXED IT ALREADY AND PAID ONCE!!!!! I TRY AND MAINTAIN A LOG IN THE CAR OF THE TRANSMISSION ISSUES. PROBABLY HAVE AT LEAST 25 TIMES NOTED AND LOGGED IN 2013. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THERE WERE PROBABLY NUMEROUS TIMES THAT WERE NOT LOGGED BECAUSE OF TIMING OR LOCATION OR JUST TIRED OF LOGGING ISSUES ON A NEW CAR. THE CAR WAS RETURNED TO DEALERSHIP AGAIN FOR MAKING ENGINE NOISES WHEN STARTING UP, AT LEAST TWICE. ONE TIME I DID NOT DO A REPAIR ORDER AS THEY DID NOT HEAR THE NOISE AND LOOKED / LISTENED TO THE CAR. THE NOISE HAS GOTTEN LOUDER AND THE SHIFTING ISSUE HAPPENS MORE REGULARLY. I TRY TO MAINTAIN A RECORD OF THE DATE, TIME AND MILEAGE. WILL SEE IF THEY CAN DUPLICATE THE NOISES AND SHIFTING ISSUES, WHEN I BRING IT IN SOON, AGAIN. THE CAR HAS RECENTLY STARTED CHUGGING ALONG WHEN DRIVING IN REVERSE, A NEW ISSUE. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10538419

26,800 miles · Aug 5, 2013

Electrical SystemSeatsStructure

Read full complaint

THE MANUFACTURER FORGOT TO INSTALL A CLAMP ON THE MOON ROOF DRAIN. THE TUBE FELL OFF AND FLOODED THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR WITH 3 INCHES OF STANDING WATER ON JULY 12, 2013. THE ENTIRE PASSENGER SIDE INCLUDING CEILING, DASH (IN FRONT AND BEHIND), SEATS, FLOORING, AND ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS HAVE WATER DAMAGE. IT THEN HAPPENED AGAIN ON JULY 14, 2013. CONTACT WAS MADE TO THE DEALER ON JULY 16, 2013. AFTER NUMEROUS, MEANINGLESS PHONE CONVERSATIONS WITH CHEVROLET, THEY WOULD ONLY REPLACE SOME COSMETIC PARTS. ONLY THE FLOORING WAS REPLACED AT FIRST. AFTER MORE COMPLAINTS, THE SEAT COVERS AND HEAD LINER WERE REPLACED, BUT NOT THE FACTORY CARPETED FLOOR MATS. THEY REFUSED TO REPLACE OR INSPECT ANYTHING ELSE THAT WATER CAME IN CONTACT WITH INCLUDING ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS, SEAT CUSHIONS, SAFETY RESTRAINTS, WIRING HARNESSES, OR AIRBAG SYSTEM BEHIND THE DASH. OUR 10 YEAR OLD SON HAD A KIDNEY TRANSPLANT TWO YEARS AGO AND HAS A SUPPRESSED IMMUNE SYSTEM. DUE TO THIS, HE CANNOT BE AROUND MOLD WHICH CHEVROLET IS REFUSING TO TEST FOR. BEING THAT ONLY 50% OR LESS OF THE COMPONENTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED, WE ARE CONCERNED OF THE PRESENCE OF MOLD. OUR PHYSICIAN HAS REQUESTED THAT THE CAR BE TESTED AND SIGNED OFF THAT NO MOLD IS PRESENT BEFORE OUR SON CAN RIDE IN THE CAR AGAIN. OUR SON'S HEALTH DEPENDS ON HAVING A SAFE, CLEAN CAR TO BE TRANSPORTED IN. CHEVROLET HAS NO CONCERNS FOR HIS SAFETY OR LIFE THREATENING ISSUES. UNKNOWN ELECTRICAL SAFETY COMPONENTS MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN COMPROMISED WITH THIS MUCH WATER OR MOISTURE IN THE VEHICLE. THESE PARTS WERE NOT CHECKED, TESTED OR REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10533737

35,000 miles · Aug 5, 2013

Steering

DRIVING DOWN TWO LANE ROAD AT AROUND 45 TO 50 MPH, LIGHT RAIN.....PUDDLES ON UNEVEN SURFACED ROAD STARTED TO GATHER, CAR STARTED TO HYDROPLANE AND WANTED TO GO LEFT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC ON LEFT....TRIED TO MOVE CAR TO THE RIGHT TO AVOID ACCIDENT.....SLOWED WAY DOWN AND TURNED OFF ROAD INTO PARKING LOT. TOOK CAR FOR REPAIR…

Read full complaint

NHTSA ODI #10533715

56,716 miles · Jul 29, 2013

Power Train

Read full complaint

CAR SLIPS 1ST TO 2ND (RPM BUZZES UP) THIS OCCURS WHEN CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR 30 MILES OR MORE AND WHEN IT IS ABOVE 85 DEGREES. IT ALSO HESITATES 2ND TO 3RD WHEN COLD. I WAS ALMOST HIT IN THE REAR TWICE WHEN THE CAR SLIPPED BETWEEN 1ST TO 2ND. TOOK CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID NOTHING THEY COULD DO AS IT DID NOT SHOW ANYTHING ON THE COMPUTER. NOTE THAT SINCE THEY LOOKED AT THE CAR ON 7/26/13 THE TRANSMISSION CONTINUES TO SLIP BETWEEN 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. NOTE THAT THE DEALERSHIP TEST DROVE IN THE MORNING WHEN IT WAS STILL COOL OUTSIDE AND DID NOT DRIVE IT BUT A FEW MILES. I WAS CHARGED FOR CHECKING THE TRANSMISSION $84.53. CAR WAS FIRST TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP ON 11/23/12 AS THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING BETWEEN 1ST, 2ND, 3RD GEARS (44,000 MILES ON CAR). COMPUTER SHOWED NO ISSUES, CAR WAS ONE QUART LOW IN TRANSMISSION FLUID. CHARGE WAS $49.69. FIRST I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE IN PRICE AS THE DEALERSHIP 11/23/12 DID MORE AND CHARGED LESS. SECOND THE CAR CONTINUES TO HESITATE WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN GEARS "EVERYDAY" I DRIVE IT (IN THE AFTERNOON WHEN IT IS WARM). I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THE CAR DUE TO ALMOST BEING HIT. PLUS I AM HAVING TO PAY FOR THIS WHEN IT IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10532550

20,000 miles · Jul 12, 2013

Engine And Engine CoolingVisibility

Read full complaint

I HAVE A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU AND HAD TO REPLACE THE HEATING CORE AND NOW THE HVAC SYSTEM IS LEAKING AND DAMAGED ALL THE CARPETS. I AM ALSO HEARING A THUMPING NOISE IN THE REAR OF THE CAR. I HAVE RECENTLY BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND I HAVE TO WAIT FOR MY CARPETS TO DRY AND WE HAVE BEEN HAVING RAIN SHOWERS FOR DAYS. THE ONLY WAY THE DEALER IS ABLE TO DRY THE CARPETS IS TO PLACE THEM OUTSIDE. I NOW HAVE TO PAY FOR A RENTAL BECAUSE MY BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY IS EXPIRED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10524585

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)