Page 17 of 20 · complaints 801–850 of 978

2011 Chevrolet Malibu complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2011 record →

Electrical System
Filed Dec 21, 201470,000 milesFL

WHEN CAR IS AT STOP LIGHT THE ESC TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON THE DASH. THE CAR STARTS SHAKING FEELS LIKE IT WILL STALL. *TR

Engine
Filed Dec 17, 2014101,000 milesSC

I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY 2011 MALIBU LT. IT WILL RANDOMLY READ "SERVICE TRACTION" AND "REDUCED ENGINE POWER" AND COME TO A STOP. IT IS UNPREDICTABLE AND VERY VERY DANGEROUS. I CANNOT AFFORD TO KEEP TAKING IT TO CHEVROLET. THEY HAVE THE CODES BUT SAID THEY HAVE TO REPLICATE IT. IF YOU GOOGLE MALIBU LOSES POWER, SERVICE TRACTION. YOU WILL SEE MANY COMING UP WITH THE SAME ISSUE AND NO ONE CAN FIX IT. VERY DANGEROUS!!! WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A RECALL OR SOMETHING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM? I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO DRIVE IT AND WISH I NEVER BOUGHT IT. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE APRIL OR MAY. TRUE LEMON!!!! *TR

Electrical System
Filed Dec 15, 201480,000 milesMO

THE ENGINE LIGHT APPEARS THE LIGHT COMES ON AND SAYS ENGINE POWER REDUCED, SERVICE TRACTION, SERVICE ESC THIS APPEARS AT RANDOM SPEEDS AND EVEN WHEN IM SETTING AT THE BANK WITH MY CAR IN PARK IT HAS OCCURRED. THIS IMMEDIATELY REDUCES YOUR CARS POWER AND YOU CAN ONLY RUN ABOUT 30 MPH WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS. THIS USED TO START BY SAYING ICE POSSIBLE AND THEN ALL THE ABOVE WOULD BEGIN. NOW AFTER HAVING THE BREAK RECALL COMPLETED THIS IS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY IT HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 4 RANDOM TIMES IN ONE WEEK. YOU CAN ONLY CLEAR THIS BY SHUTTING OFF YOUR ENGINE AND LETTING IT SET FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. *TR

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Dec 11, 201486,687 milesMD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPLICATED. AFTER APPROXIMATELY THREE MONTHS, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL LINES NEEDED TO BE CLEANED AND CARBON BUILDUP FROM THE INTAKE VALVES NEEDED TO BE REMOVED. IN ADDITION, THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE CODES AND PERFORMED A FUEL INDUCTION CLEANING. AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED, THE AIR BAG, THE BRAKES, THE SEAT BELT, AND THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL), BUT WAS UNAWARE IF THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR FUSE BOX AND THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,687.

Engine
Filed Dec 11, 201430,000 milesGA

2011 CHEVY MALIBU WITH 30,000 MILES. SEVERAL TIMES IN THE PAST WEEK, I WAS AT A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN AND THE CAR JUST QUIT! THIS IS A SAFETY DANGER. SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET BADLY HURT OR KILLED. THE DEALERSHIP DOESN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE!!

Steering
Filed Dec 11, 2014TX

HAD ISSUES WITH STEERING PROPERLY, I HAD TO PULL OVER AND WAIT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD UNTIL SOME ONE CAME OUT TO HELP PULL THE CAR HOME. THE SCARY PART WAS THAT THIS HAPPENED DURING RUSH HOUR. *TR

Seat Belts
Filed Dec 11, 201448,000 milesMD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SEATED ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE, THE SEAT BELT DETACHED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEEL CABLE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 1/21/15*CN UPDATED 01/26/15*JB

Air Bags
Filed Dec 10, 2014SC

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

Steering
Filed Dec 10, 201460,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE ESC AND EPS WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND EXCESSIVE FORCE WAS REQUIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14E044000 (STEERING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Dec 8, 201485,656 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE SERVICE ESC AND THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS A SUDDEN INCREASE OF ENGINE RPMS. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART BUT THE FAILURE PROGRESSED OVER TIME. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE IT WAS SERVICED UNDER THE RECALL AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE CAM SHAFT POSITION ACTUATOR SOLENOID VALVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY WOULD NEED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,656.

Air Bags
Filed Dec 2, 2014FL

THE SERVICE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT REMAINS LITE AND THE WORDS STAY ON THE DISPLAY WINDOW. HAD A DIAGNOSTIC DONE ON THE CAR ON 11/29/2014 AND WAS TOLD THAT THE COMPUTER MODULE IS BAD AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I WAS TOLD THAT IF IN A ACCIDENT THAT THE AIR BAGS MIGHT NOT DEPLOY. COULD THIS ALSO CAUSE THE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY UNEXPECTEDLY? IF THIS IS A SAFTEY ISSUE, SHOULDN'T IT BE COVERED NO MATTER IF THE WARRANTY/EXTENDED WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED? *JS

Air Bags
Filed Dec 2, 201487,000 milesMO

AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, MY SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. ONSTAR WAS CALLED AND THEY DIAGNOSED THE CAR AS HAVING AN MALFUNCTION IN THE AIR BAG, PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND HAD CAR TOWED TO NEAREST DEALERSHIP. AS I WAS WAITING FOR THE TOW COMPANY TO ARRIVE, I TRIED TO START THE VEHICLE AFTER 2 HOURS TO WHICH ALL LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING AND CAR WENT COMPLETELY DEAD. NOTE, CAR WAS JUST IN THE SHOP 2 DAYS PRIOR FOR OIL CHANGE AND RECALL ON BCM. DEALERSHIP CAME BACK WITH A $1200.00 ESTIMATE FOR REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT OF AN AIRBAG. $858.00 FOR THE AIRBAG REPLACEMENT AND $241.00 FOR A NEW BATTERY. DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT COVER THIS UNDER WARRANTY STATING SOMETIMES ELECTRONICS HAVE ISSUES. *JS

Steering
Filed Nov 30, 2014190,000 milesMI

I WAS DRIVING THE MALIBU ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN SHAKING AND THE DASH BOARD INDICATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WAS OUT AND THAT THE ESC MUST BE SERVICED. I TOOK THE CAR TO CHEVROLET AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE BUT MY VIN WAS NOT COVERED. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT MY ISSUE WITH THE MALIBU IS THE SAME ISSUE THAT IS CURRENTLY LISTED AS A RECALL FOR OTHER MALIBU (S) OF THE SAME YEAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES. I SEARCHED FOR THIS ISSUE WITH OTHER MALIBU OWNERS AND LEARNED THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND SCARY ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE HIGH MILEAGE BECAUSE I DRIVE 160 MILES TO WORK EACH DAY. PLEASE ADD MY CAR VIN TO THE RECALL LIST. *TR

Power Train
Filed Nov 29, 201489,000 milesNC

I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON AT 50 MPH AND VEHICLE REDUCED TO A UNSAFE SPEED WITH THE ERROR MESSAGES "SERVICE TRACTION" "ESC OFF" AND "ENG PWR REDUCED". THE UNSAFE DROP IN SPEED ALMOST CAUSED A CAR TO HIT ME IN THE BACK. THIS IS A VERY SCARY PROBLEM AND IF I WAS ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND THIS OCCURRED SOMETHING VERY BAD COULD HAVE HAPPEN. A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE OR THE THROTTLE BODY NEED TO BE MADE PUBLIC BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURE DUE TO THIS FLAW! *TR

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Nov 22, 201476,867 milesIN

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, MY POWER ENGINE WARNING CAME ON AND THE SAME AS WARNING LIGHTS FOR ESC AND TRACTION WARNING. I JUST RECENTLY TOOK MY CAR INTO THE DEALER FOR FIXING THE RECENT RECALL PROBLEM AND I WONDER IF IT MADE MY CAR WORSE?? WILL BE STOPPING BY MONDAY MORNING...IF I MAKE IT HOME OK AFTER I'VE HAD TO STOP AND PULL OVER TWICE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

Engine
Filed Nov 17, 201473,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE POWER ENGINE REDUCED SENSOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE SPEED SUDDENLY REDUCED TO APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE IT WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS AND WOULD ONLY OCCUR IN COLDER WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.

Traction Control System
Filed Nov 17, 201470,000 milesNC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE ESC SENSOR, TRACTION CONTROL SENSOR, AND THE ENGINE REDUCED POWER WARNING SENSOR ILLUMINATED SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE MAINLY HAPPENED DURING COLD WEATHER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE RECALL FAILED TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND DRASTICALLY REDUCED TO 10 MPH WHICH MADE OPERATING THE VEHICLE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

Power Train
Filed Nov 14, 20148,700 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT HAD TO RESTART THE VEHICLE IN ORDER FOR IT TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,700.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Nov 13, 2014MI

2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR BRAKE REPLACEMENT.. *CW

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Nov 10, 2014NY

2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *SMD THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN BY APPLY THE BRAKE, BUT TO NO AVAIL. AS THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATED WITH RPM'S REACHING 7.5 WITH THE ENGINE LIGHT ON. SHE ATTEMPTED TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN BY DRIVING ALONG SIDE OF A CORNFIELD IN THE GRASS WHICH WAS ALSO UNSUCCESSFUL/ IT WAS AT THAT POINT SHE SHIFTED THE GEAR INTO PARK, WHICH JOLTED HER SIDEWAYS. THE VEHICLE THEN SKIDDED UNTIL SHE STOPPED ON AN INCLINE IN AN AREA NEAR THE CORNFIELD. *JB

Air Bags
Filed Nov 2, 201465,000 milesPA

SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON WHEN I STARTED MY CAR ITS BEEN TWO DAYS NOW AND IT HASNT GONE AWAY IVE NEVER HIT ANYTHING NOR HAVE I BEEN HIT BY ANYONE... *TR

Air Bags
Filed Oct 22, 2014103,000 milesFL

I 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

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Oct 20, 201440,000 milesNJ

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.

Power Train
Filed Oct 7, 2014AL

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

Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery › CablesFire
Filed Oct 6, 201440,000 milesAR

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.

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Oct 6, 201450,000 milesPA

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.

Air Bags
Filed Oct 6, 201445,500 milesFL

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

Power Train
Filed Sep 25, 201480,000 milesLA

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.

Engine
Filed Sep 25, 201470,909 milesTX

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.

Electrical SystemCrash
Filed Sep 23, 201457,356 milesFL

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

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Sep 22, 2014122,000 milesMO

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

Seats
Filed Sep 20, 201470,729 milesFL

THE WELD ON MY SEAT TRACK BROKE. I WORK AT A DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT IT IS NOT SUPPOSE TO BREAK. MY SEAT IS COMPLETELY OFF THE SEAT TRACK ON MY DRIVER'S RIGHT PART OF THE SEAT. *TR

Steering
Filed Sep 11, 201418,000 milesWV

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000.

Electrical System
Filed Sep 11, 2014MI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT DID NOT EXPERIENCE A FAILURE.

Electrical System
Filed Sep 10, 2014NJ

2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE BODY CONTROL MODULE CONNECTION SYSTEM RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER DID NOT INFORM HIM OF ANY RECALL. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. EACH TIME, HE WENT TO THE DEALER, THEY STATED NOTHING WAS WRONG. ON ONCE OCCASION, IN MARCH 2014, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE CONSUMER VOLUNTARILY SURRENDERED THE VEHICLE TO THE BANK. *JB

Steering
Filed Sep 9, 2014NC

WHILE BACKING UP; STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP ON THE LEFT SIDE; DASHBOARD SCREEN READ POWER STEERING MALFUNCTION; SERVICE SOON; THE DEALERSHIP STATES PART IS NOT UNDER RECALL; BUT OTHER READINGS HAVE SUGGESTED THAT IT IS; ON JULY 25,2014; I WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION THAT OCCURRED WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN......ON 9/8/ ; STEERING COMPLETELY LOCK AND MADE TURN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. *TR

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Sep 9, 201466,000 milesOK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED SMOKE INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND AN UNKNOWN WARNING SENSOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED FLAMES ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000. UPDATED 10/17/2014*LJ UPDATED 4/1/15 *JS

Steering
Filed Sep 8, 201453,298 milesSD

2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO THE POWERTRAIN COMPONENTS WARRANTY COVERAGE AND REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER INCLUDED THE INVOICE FOR THE POWER STEERING HIGH PRESSURE HOSE, THAT HAD TO BE REPLACED, BECAUSE IT WAS LEAKING. *JB

Steering
Filed Sep 8, 201422,500 milesCO

APPROACHING A LEFT TURN LANE WHEN POWER STEERING FAILED AND I COULD BARELY TURN THE WHEEL TO GET THROUGH THE LEFT TURN. VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER CAR TO DRIVE THE 1 MILE BACK TO HOME. I SEE ON THE RECALL LIST MANY GM CARS WITH POWER STEERING FAILURE RECALL BUT NOT MY YEAR AND VEHICLE. I DON'T THINK THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM AND MY CAR SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE RECALL LIST. *TR

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Sep 8, 2014VA

MY SERVICE ESC LIGHT KEPT COMING ON AND I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHY IT WAS ON OTHER THAN SOME KIND OF GLITCH AND THEY MADE IT TURN OFF. IN JULY OF 2014 I GOT THE SAFETY RECALL LETTER AND HAVE YET TO HEAR ANYTHING. THE LIGHT US ON AGAIN AND STEERING IS FUNNY AND OTHER LIGHTS ARE COMING ON FOR NO REASON. TELLS ME MY TIRES NEED AIR AND THEY DO NOT! MY CHILDREN RIDE IN THIS CAR! *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 5, 2014NY

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). THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT HAD BEEN TWO MONTHS AND THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 29, 2014MA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

Tires
Filed Aug 27, 201417,000 milesNY

CRACKS NOTED IN TIRE SIDEWALLS. TREAD APPEARS TO BE SEPARATING. TIRES ARE FIRESTONE FR710 WITH A DATE CODE OF 4210. MILEAGE ON TIRES IS APPROX 17000 MI. PHOTOS ARE AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW. *TR

Tires
Filed Aug 27, 201417,000 milesNY

FIRESTONE FR710 TIRES. CRACKS WERE NOTED IN THE SIDEWALLS. THE TREAD APPEARS TO BE SEPARATING AROUND THE ENTIRE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE 2 TIRES ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR. THE TIRES ARE DATE CODED 4210 AND HAVE APPROXIMATELY 17000 MILES ON THEM. THE TIRES HAVE BEEN WELL CARED FOR AND ROTATED EVERY 6000 MILES. PHOTOS ARE AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Aug 27, 2014GA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM , ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL , EXTERIOR LIGHTING , SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC , VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED TWICE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 19, 2014171,000 milesMD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH OVER A BRIDGE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE FAILURE, THE SERVICE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL AND SAFELY COAST OFF THE BRIDGE. AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS, THE VEHICLE WAS SUCCESSFULLY RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. TWO WEEKS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THERE WAS A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE HARD WIRING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 171,000.

Service BrakesCrash
Filed Aug 17, 201470,450 milesSC

ON AUGUST 6,, 2014 I HAD TAKEN MY 3 KIDS TO THE LAKE @ DREHER ISLAND STATE PARK. UPON GETTING READY TO LEAVE I PUT ON BRAKES TO SEE WHAT MY SON ASKED ME.FOR NO REASON THE CAR STARTED MOVING FORWARD & I COULDN'T GET IT TO STOP GET THE WHEELS TO TURN AS IT WAS VERY HARD & PUSHED THE EMERGENCY BRAKES & IT KEPT GOING TILL IT WENT IN THE DITCH ON A CONCRETE TERRACOTTA CAUSING IT TO BEND A PIECE OF WHAT WAS TOLD TO ME THE A FRAME & UNDER THE FRONT END! I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP & TOLD IT WASN'T POSSIBLE. BEFORE THIS HAPPENED I COULD PARK MY CAR & THE ENGINE WOULD ACT IS IF IT WAS TRYING TO GO W/O ME MASHING THE GAS OR ANYTHING THEN IDLED DOWN REPEATEDLY ACTED AS IF IT WAS GOING TO SHUT OFF! I'VE EVEN HAD 2 BUY 2 NEW BATTERIES, FIXING TO BUY ANOTHER! THEY SAID A CONNECTION WAS CAUSING THE BATTERY TO BE DRAINED & CELLS KILLED. ON THE INTERSTATE 2 DAYS AGO I HAD THE CRUISE CONTROL ON, FOR NO REASON IT STARTED LOSING SPEED THEN WOULD START CATCHING BACK UP ON IT'S OWN & I TURNED IT OFF! THE MOTOR MADE A SCREECHING NOISE! I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT'S GOING ON! EVEN MY TAIL LIGHTS WOULDN'T COME ON LAST NIGHT UNTIL I MASHED THE BREAKS A FEW TIMES, CUT OFF THE LIGHTS, & RESTARTED THE CAR! MY MAJOR ISSUE IS NOW I'M GOING TO HAVE TO FILE A CLAIM FOR THE INCIDENT & I HAD NO PART OF BEING @ FAULT & CAN'T EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPENED! IT STILL IDLES WRONG & THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON @ TIMES W/O ME TOUCHING IT! I'M BEGINNING TO WORRY ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY CHILDREN AS WELL AS MYSELF, BUT ESPECIALLY MY K

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Aug 11, 201465,000 milesTX

DRIVING ON BRIDGE AT 55 MPH...FELT LIKE I HAD A TIRE BLOW, CAR SOMEWHAT LOST POWER, THEN HEARD CHIME FROM DASHBOARD MESSAGE CENTER. TWO MESSAGES APPEARED ON MESSAGE CENTER.."POWER STEERING" AND "ESC SERVICE". NOTICED I HAD NO POWER STEERING...MADE IT TO WORK.....NOT ONLY DID POWER STEERING GO OUT, BUT I COULD BARELY TURN CORNERS AND HAD AN EXTREMELY ROUGH TIME TURNING THE WHEELS TO PARK. IT WAS AS THOUGH I DIDN'T EVEN HAVE RACK AND PINION STEERING...THE STEERING WAS DIFFICULT LIKE WHEN YOUR CAR DIES. I WENT OUT TO THE CAR AN HOUR LATER, STARTED IT, AND ALL MESSAGES/WARNING WERE GONE AND I HAD POWER STEERING BACK. CALLED DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID TO SCHEDULE APPT SO THEY COULD RESERVE A LOANER VEHICLE DUE TO RECALL. *TR

Power Train
Filed Aug 4, 201496,000 milesNJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE REDUCED SPEED AND AN UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 4, 2014FL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM , ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL , EXTERIOR LIGHTING , SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC , VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL ) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu → · Every Malibu year → · How the figures are calculated →