2011 Chevrolet Malibu problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Steering (195) · Exterior Lighting (107) · Power Train (87)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Chevrolet Malibu model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
731 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (4)
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module 2019-01-16 · campaign 19V019000 · 1,145 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: If the inflator explodes, sharp metal fragments may strike the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
Seat Belts 2015-05-08 · campaign 15V269000 · 437,045 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: If the cable breaks, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Steering 2014-07-21 · campaign 14E044000 · 7,304 vehicles
Defect: Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain replacement intermediate steering shafts sold under the Dorman, OE Solutions, and Solutions brand names, part numbers 425-167, 2425167, and 7-3074, for installation on 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6, and 2007-2009 Saturn Aura vehicles. The affected steering shafts may have a yoke that inadequately supports the u-joint bearing resulting in a premature failure.
Risk: A joint bearing that fails prematurely may cause separation of the u-joint resulting in a complete loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dorman will notify owners, and dealers will refund the purchase price or replace the steering shafts, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492.
Electronic Stability Control (Esc) 2014-05-14 · campaign 14V252000 · 2,440,524 vehicles
Defect: 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
Risk: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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 (Satu
Service bulletins (1,305)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-04 · PIP4902W · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Unknown Or Other 2026-05-19 · PIP6113 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this document provides the technician with a diagnostic tip if the vehicle stalls and set diagnostic trouble code p0191 and may also set p0172. the diagnostic tip has the technician inspect the high pressure fuel pump body markings to confirm it is an original manufacture part. if it is not an origi
Unknown Or Other 2026-04-01 · PIT3271Q · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-09 · PIP6104 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a gds2 session log and upload to a technical assistance case in cx connect.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-09 · PIP4902V · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Unknown Or Other 2026-01-08 · PIP4902U · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Showing the 6 most recent of 1,305 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-09-22 · Steering“my power steering went out while pulling out of a parking spot. the message read “power steering/service esc. i have read that these vehicles between the years 2007-2012 had a recall for this issue. my car has less than 46000 miles on it. i am confirming the recall so i can have this repair done. thank you …”
2026-08-28 · Unknown Or Other“power steering assist motor is out and it was under recall in 2011 but it was out of the recall window but it has less than 150000 miles …”
2026-06-25 · Steering“everytime i turn on my car, i get a warning for esc power steering and i have no power steering. usually it will fix itself have shutting it off once and starting it again immediately. there has been a couple times where it has taken multiple starts to fix itself.…”
2026-06-18 · Exterior Lighting · 🔥 fire“there was a fire in the trunk on the way to work. fire department was called to inspect the car and make sure that the fire was out. fire melted fuse box located in the trunk along with wiring harness and wires, also causing all electrical items to stop working. claim was attempted to be made, but insurance did not cover this particular issue. afte…”
2026-06-15 · Vehicle Speed Control · 122,000 mi“the contact owns a 2011 chevrolet malibu. the contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the esc and traction control warning lights remained illuminated. additionally, while the cruise control was activated and the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated. the contact stated that the gear shifter was able to be moved w…”
2026-05-09 · Unknown Or Other“hi my name is [xxx] . jd byrider financed me this car knowing that it had open recalls putting me and my family's lives in danger. the car has had electrical problems since ive had it. every other day different lights appear on the dashboard service airbags ,service abs and traction esc off are some of the few. the car has been to their service dep…”
2026-04-22 · Steering“i am reporting a serious safety issue involving my 2011 chevrolet malibu ls related to the electronic stability control (esc), traction control, and electric power steering systems. my vehicle is currently experiencing the following problems: * “service esc” warning message * “esc off” displayed * traction control disabled * electric power steeri…”
2026-03-27 · Steering“the powersteering is failing in my 2011 chevrolet malibu with 93k miles on it. the warning light on the dashboard appears randomly then it becomes difficult to steer. this has become a safety issue because when driving on the highway or trying to navigate turns requires a lot of strength and can be a hazard while driving in traffic or alone. i hav…”
2026-03-08 · Seats“weld on the back, right side of the driver's seat broke causing the seat to rock while driving. this is the second time this has happened, as we replaced the original seat when this happened to it.…”
2026-02-09 · Power Train · 30,000 mi“the contact owns a 2011 chevrolet malibu. the contact stated that while driving approximately 35–40 mph, the vehicle experienced transmission failure. the contact stated that the rpm was elevated while driving, and the transmission shifted abnormally rough. the check engine warning light was illuminated. the vehicle was taken to an independent mech…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.