Page 9 of 20 · complaints 401–450 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 →

Exterior Lighting
Filed Jul 9, 2018OH

THE HEADLIGHTS ON THE CAR CONTINUE TO BURN OUT EVERY TWO MONTHS. THE COST TO REPLACE IS $200. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN THEY BOTH GO OUT AT THE SAME TIME

Engine
Filed Jul 8, 201852,000 milesTX

SOMETIMES AT STOPS (STATIONARY) , CAR STALLS, COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT..IT WILL START AGAIN WHEN IGNITION IS TURNED ON AGAIN AS IF NOTHING WAS WRONG.

Engine
Filed Jul 1, 201850 milesMI

THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKED ALLOWING EXHAUST GASES INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Jun 28, 201890,000 milesMD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXTERIOR DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT INTERMITTENTLY FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A COLLISION SHOP WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS OVERHEATED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE HEADLAMP WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS REPAIRED APPROXIMATELY FIVE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Jun 24, 2018171,000 milesNC

2011 CHEVY MALIBU HEADLIGHT ISSUE. LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS HAVING SOME SORT OF POWER ISSUES. REPLACED BULBS SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE REALIZING THE BULBS AREN'T BURNT OUT. LIGHTS GO OUT WHILE DRIVING. YOU HAVE TO REMOVE THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE CAR TO ACCESS.

Power Train
Filed Jun 6, 201891,963 milesMD

I HAVE A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU WITH 91963 THAT HASNT MOVED SINCE APRIL 26 2018. THERE IS A KNOWN DEFECT IN THE 3-5-R WAVE PLATE IN CHEVY MALIBUS FROM 2009-10 THAT THEY FIX IN 2012 BUT DID NOTHING FOR 2011. MULITPLE REPAIR SHOPS HAVE TOLD ME THEY HAVE SEEN ALOT OF 2011 MALIBUS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. GM WILL NOT AKNOWLEDGE THIS DEFECT. I NEED HELP.

Power Train
Filed Jun 5, 201891,963 milesMD

I BOUGHT MY CAR LAST OCTOBER WITH 88505 MILES AND MONTH AFTER MY SPEAKER WENT OUT AND IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER MY CAR DIED ON ME THREE TIMES AND MY GRANDMOTHER HAD TO FORCE THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE WARRANTY ALLOWED ME TO GET A NEW BATTERY AND IN MARCH MY CAR WOULD JUMP WHEN I SHIFT TO REVERSE. THEN I TOLD IT TO A AUTO SHOP THEY CHECK THE TRANSMISSION FLUID . FINALLY ON APRIL 26 'MY CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OR GO IN REVERSE . I HAD IT TOWED TO MY DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY CHARGED ME $108 TO DIAGNOSE IT AND TOLD ME MY 3-5-R WAVE PLATE WAS DONE AND I NEED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. MY GRANDMOTHER DID HER RESEARCH MD COULD THAT BETWEEN 2009-2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU TRANSMISSION HAD A DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSION WITH THE 35R WAVE PLATE AND THEY HAD MADE THE CHANGE THE 2012 MODELS BUT NEVER DID ANYTHING WITH THE 2010 MODELS AND I DID RESEARCH TO AN SAW THAT SOME CARS COULD HAVE PARTS FROM OLDER MODELS AND BE IN NEWER CARS. I WENT TO A TRANSMISSION PLACE AND THEY TOLD ME TO GO TO THE CONSUMER PROTECTION AGENCY WITH THE STATES ATTORNEY. DEPENDING ON MY VIN I COULD FIND OUT IF MY 2011 CAR WAS MADE WITH 2010 PARTS

Service BrakesCrash2 injured
Filed Jun 3, 2018NY

WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR SURGED FORWARD AND THE DRIVER COULD NOT STOP THE CAR.. BRAKES DIDN'T WORK; STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE WHEN DRIVER TRIED TO MAKE A TURN.

Exterior Lighting
Filed May 24, 2018AL

I HAVE REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE 5 TIMES. I ALWAYS REPLACE BOTH WHEN I TAKE THE CAR APART. I HAVE PURCHASED BULBS FROM THE DEALER, ASK PARTS STORES TO ORDER LONG LIFE BULBS. THIS LAST REPLACEMENT HAS LASTED 4 WEEKS. ALL CONNECTIONS, WIRES ARE GOOD, REPLACED RELAYS, CONNECTIONS LOOK GOOD. OWNED A SHOP OVER 20 YEARS. PLEASE, NEED HELP. STUPID DESIGN REQUIRES A COUPLE OF HOURS WORK TO REPLACE THE HEADLAMP!!

Power Train
Filed May 23, 201890,000 milesIA

DRIVING DOWN CITY STREET, ENGINE SPEED INCREASED AND VEHICLE SLOWED TO STOP. WOULD NOT GO FORWARD OR REVERSE. AS TRAFFIC BACKED UP BEHIND ME, SHUT VEHICLE OFF FOR ABOUT A MINUTE AND RESTARTED. VEHICLE THEN MOVED ENOUGH TO GET OFF ROADWAY THEN STOPPED MOVING AGAIN. TOWED TO CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP, THEY DIAGNOSED WITH MAJOR INTERNAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE, TRANSMISSION NEEDS REPLACED. VEHICLE HAS JUST OVER 90,000 MILES, COST TO REPAIR, ABOUT $4200

Unknown or Other
Filed May 13, 201840,000 milesIL

DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AT 55 MILES PER HR CAR LOST ALL POWER AND CAME TO A STOP ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS HAPPENED TWICE 8 MONTHS APART. FIRST TIME CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY REPLACED A REAR FUSE BOX THINKING THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. APPARENTLY IT WASN'T BECAUSE IT HAPPENED AGAIN THEY KEPT THE CAR FOR TWO WEEKS AND COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM AND RETURNED THE CAR TO US. WE TRIED TO ESCALATE THIS ISSUE GM HEADQUARTERS WHO REFUSE TO HELP US.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed May 6, 201896,000 milesIN

UPON DRIVING THE POWER STEERING LOCKED UP AND LIGHTS FLASHED WITH A DING. THE ESC LIGHT IS ON AND THE DASH IS PROMPTING "POWER STEERING" AND "SERVICE ESC" THIS HAS MADE DRIVING AND TURNING DIFFICULT. CAR IS NOW PARKED UNTIL IT CAN GO TO A REPAIR SHOP. AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND RESTART WHICH ALLOWED ME TO DRIVE WITHOUT AN ISSUE. THE NEXT DAY IT PROGRESSED TO EVERYTIME I START THE CAR AND ATTEMPT TO TURN THE POWER STEERING LOCKS UP AND THE WARNINGS FLASH.

Power Train
Filed May 1, 201838,598 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEARS WERE GRINDING AND MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE. IN ADDITION, THE GEARS FAILED TO SHIFT AND THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER (GORDON CHEVROLET, 1506, 31850 FORD RD, GARDEN CITY, MI 48135, (734) 427-6200). THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER ALSO INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS 190 DAYS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THEY WOULD COVER 50% OF THE COST TO REPLACE THE PART, BUT REFUSED TO COMPLETELY COVER THE REPAIR FROM THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000. *TT

Air Bags
Filed May 1, 2018120,000 milesGA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE "SERVICE AIR BAG" INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, WHICH WAS A SAFETY CONCERN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (JOHN THORNTON CHEVROLET IN LITHIA SPRINGS, GEORGIA) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Apr 30, 2018160,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AND DECELERATED TO 5 MPH. THE ESP, ABS, AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAITED APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES BEFORE RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED AS THE THROTTLE BODY. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO BALLAS BUICK IN TOLEDO, OHIO (419-386-0187). THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED BY PHONE AND A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

Air Bags
Filed Apr 30, 201897,000 milesWY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED LIT, WHICH WAS A SAFETY CONCERN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WHISLER CHEVROLET CADILLAC (2200 FOOTHILL BLVD, ROCK SPRINGS, WY 82901, 307-212-8247) AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 97,000.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Apr 28, 201860,000 milesWI

THE PASSENGER HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT EVERY COUPLE MONTHS. I'VE CHANGED IT 4 TIMES. I CHANGE THE DRIVER SIDE TOO BECAUSE IT'S SO MUCH WORK EVEN THOUGH IT WORKS FINE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEMS, IT HAS TO BE A MALFUNCTION OF SOME KIND.

Steering
Filed Apr 23, 201835 milesMI

MY 2011 MALIBU HAS POWER STEERING PROBLEMS THAT WHILE DRIVING OR PARKED HARD TO STEER AND ON DASHBOARD SERVICE ESC AND POWER STEERING. IT WILL GO OUT AND THEN GO BACK TO DRIVING NORMAL BACK AND FORTH.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Apr 22, 201892,000 milesMD

ABOUT A YEAR AGO I WAS DRIVING CAR GOING AROUND 40 MILES AN HR AND IT WOULD JUST DIE ON ME, NO LIGHTS CAME UP NO WARNING. IT HAPPENED AT LEAST 6 TIMES AND EVERY TIME IT HAPPENED IT HAD IT TOWED TO DEALERSHIP TO GET CHECKED OUT. I'VE HAD FUEL PUMP, FUEL RELAY, CAM SHAFT SENSOR 2 TIMES AND OTHER THINGS REPLACED. STILL SAME THING WOULD HAPPEN. DIED AGAIN ON ME HAD IT TOWED TO A GARAGE AND MY TIMING CHAIN WAS BROKEN, REPLACED THAT AND CAM SHAFT SENSOR AGAIN. DROVE AWAY AND IT DIED ON ME AGAIN. THE ONLY WAY MY CAR STAYS RUNNING IS WHEN CAM SHAFT SENSOR IS UNPLUGGED BUT ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON. WHEN CAR DIES I HAVE NO LIGHTS THAT COME ON TO TELL ME I HAVE A ISSUE, IT JUST SHUTS OFF. I'VE BEEN DEALING WITH THE CAR JUST SHUTTING DOWN ON ME FOR A YEAR. I'M AFRAID TO HAVE OTHER PEOPLE IN MY CAR CAUSE I DON'T KNOW IF OR WHEN IT WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN. WHEN THIS HAPPENED I HAD AROUND 92000 MILE ON CAR.

Air Bags
Filed Apr 21, 2018NJ

TAKATA RECALL: MY VEHICLE SENSOR ARE READING INCORRECTLY. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WON'T GO OFF, RANDOM LIGHT COME ON AND OFF, MY SENSORS IS NOT READING MY ENGINE AND ENGINE LOCATION OR TIRES. SYSTEM IS ALSO READING THERE ARE NO AIR BAGS OR SAYS PASSENGER SEATBELT IS NOT IN PLACE WHEN IT IS. FREQUENTLY MY WIRING GLITCHES AND I CAN NOT CONTROL THE MIRRORS OR WINDOWS, ECT. MY COOLANT AND OIL CONSTANTLY DRAINS OUT BUT NO HOLE IS NOTICEABLE. MY CAR EXHAUSTS AND WON'T MOVE LIKE IT IS SUPPOSED TO AS WELL.

Electrical System
Filed Apr 10, 2018120,000 milesIA

WHILE DRIVING, A NOTICE OF REDUCED POWER, SERVICE TRACTION AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. PULLED THE CAR OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SHUT IT OFF, UPON RESTART THE WHOLE CAR STARTED SHAKING. I THEN SHUT IT OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES, THIS TIME WHEN I RESTARTED ONLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ONE. THERE ARE SEVERAL REPORTS OF THIS ISSUE AND NO FIX FROM GM. THIS IS A MAJOR RISK WHEN A CAR STALLS OUT ON THE HIGHWAY WITH A SMALL CHILD ON BOARD.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Apr 5, 2018LA

MY MALIBU HEALIGHT ON THE DRIVER SIDE IS GOING OUT A LOT I JUST CHANGED IT 2 TIMES LAST MONTH AND HAD THE SOCKET REPLACED THAT CONNECTS TO THE LIGHT BULB.ITS ONLY BEEN 3 WEEKS AND THE LIGHT IS CUTTING ON AND OFF! I CAN'T GET AROUND AT NIGHT AND MY JOB REQUIRES ME TO TRAVEL AT NIGHT.ITS COSTING ME MONEY TO KEEP TTAKIG THIS CAR TO FIRESTONE AND SUCKS BECAUSE I LOVE THE CAR .

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Apr 4, 2018KS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ESC WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, WHICH CLEARED THE FAILURE CODE EACH TIME THE FAILURE HAPPENED. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS PROGRESSING MORE FREQUENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED ONE RECALL AND SEVEN TSBS FOR THE STEERING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Steering
Filed Apr 2, 201891,000 milesMI

MY ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING WILL STOP WORKING AND THE CHECK POWER STEERING LIGHT WILL COME ON. IF I SHUT OFF THE CAR, IT WILL START WORKING, BUT SHAKES WHEN AT A STOP. YOU CAN ALSO FEEL IT SHAKING FROM LEFT TO RIGHT WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES AND IN NUMEROUS SITUATIONS. PLEASE ADD THIS TO 14V153000

Steering
Filed Mar 19, 2018MI

CHEVY MALIBU 2011 STEERING MALFUNCTION. AT 130,000 MILEAGE, MY ELECTRICAL STEERING MALFUNCTIONED. THE STEERING LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING FORCING IT INTO MANUAL DRIVE. CODE 15356. MY CAR WAS UNDER SPECIAL WARRANTY OF 10 YEARS OR AT 150,000 MILES OR UNDER. I CALLED THE NATIONAL HOTLINE CUSTOMER SERVICE FOR GM THAT SPOKE WITH A DEALERSHIP OF CHOICE TO FIX IT AT NO COST.

Steering
Filed Mar 19, 2018VT

POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAPPENED IN A CURVED PART OF THE HIGHWAY AT ~45 MPH. WAS ABLE TO MAKE THE DRIVE HOME WHICH WAS ~2 MILES. RESTARTED THE CAR AT HOME AND EVERYTHING WORKED FINE UNTIL 5 DAYS LATER - SAME PROBLEM. SERVICE ESC AND POWER STEERING ILLUMINATED ON DASH.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Mar 16, 2018154,000 milesMI

STEERING WHEEL SHAKES WHEN STOPPED AT IDLE AND SHAKES SLIGHTLY WHEN DRIVING, AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE THE POWER STEERING SOME TIMES DOES NOT WORK AND SERVICE ESC MESSAGE APPEARS. I CAN TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTART IT AND EVERYTHING WORKS BUT WHEEL STILL SHAKES.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Mar 16, 2018104,715 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AT NIGHT, THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS TO VIEW THE ROADWAY. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. ON FOUR OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE HEADLIGHT BULBS WERE REPLACED EACH TIME. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE COULD BE AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,715.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Mar 13, 201880,000 milesMN

THE CAR HESITATES ON A DRY STRAIGHT ROAD GOING 55 MILES PER HOUR, BUT ALSO ON WET ROADS GOING 30 TOO. THE CRUISE CONTROL RANDOMLY DOES NOT DISENGAGE. MOST CONCERNING FOR ME IS WHEN I AM AT A COMPLETE STOP AND PRESS ON THE GAS TO MOVE FORWARD THE CAR RANDOMLY SLOWS AND SHUTS DOWN WITHOUT WARNING.

Engine
Filed Mar 13, 201885,000 milesMI

AT APPROXIMATELY 85000 MILES THE TIMING CHAIN WENT OUT OF THE ENGINE, THIS IS A NONE ISSUE WITH THESE ENGINES AND AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR AT THAT. THIS EFFECTS SEVERAL GM VEHICLES AT 85000 MILES THE TIMING CHAIN SHOULD NOT OF BEEN BAD SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS THIS HAPPENED AS WE WERE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL

Steering
Filed Mar 12, 2018162,000 milesNE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE POWER STEERING AND ESC WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS INVOLVED IN SPECIAL COVERAGE NUMBER: 15356; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE NO LONGER MET THE STIPULATIONS FOR THE RECALL BECAUSE IT EXCEEDED THE MILEAGE REQUIREMENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 162,000.

Electrical System
Filed Mar 8, 201870,000 milesNY

THE PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM BULB KEEPS GOING OUT. I'VE HAD THIS BULB REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES AND HAD THE WIRING HARNESS REPLACED BECAUSE THE BULB KEPT GOING OUT. AFTER HAVING THE WIRING HARNESS REPLACED THE BULB WENT OUT AGAIN.

Power Train
Filed Mar 6, 201897,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT SHIFTED THE GEAR INTO REVERSE, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT MOVE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED TO SHIFT INTO THIRD GEAR. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CASPER TOYOTA (904 STRUB RD, SANDUSKY, OH 44870, (888) 864-2057) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE COST. THE CONTACT LATER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A WAVE PLATE WAS DETACHED AND A THREE FIVE PISTON FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER OPENED CASE NUMBER: 8-3962773200 AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.

Steering
Filed Feb 27, 2018149,750 milesOH

THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING TORQUE SENSOR IN MY VEHICLE THAT CAUSES MY VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER STEERING. THE PROBLEM STARTS AS SOON AS I TURN ON THE VEHICLE.I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THE SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT FOR THE POWER STEERING TORQUE SENSOR IN MY VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM STARTED HAPPENING WELL BEFORE I REACHED THE 150,000 MILEAGE LIMIT AND I STARTED TAKING MY VEHICLES TO SHOPS FOR PRICING OF THE ISSUE. I WAS NOTIFIED BY ONE OF THE SHOPS I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THAT THERE WAS THIS SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT AND THAT I SHOULD TAKE MY VEHICLE TO MY DEALER. I DID THIS BUT THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT HONOR THE SPECIAL COVERAGE DUE TO MY VEHICLE BEING 700 MILES OVER THE MILEAGE LIMIT. I ALSO CONTACTED MY MANUFACTURER AND COMPLAINED ABOUT NOT RECEIVING THIS NOTIFICATION, HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER CONTINUES TO DENY HONORING THE COVERAGE DUE TO MY VEHICLE BEING 700 MILES OVER. I EXPLAINED TO THEM THAT I HAD PROOF THAT I WAS TRYING TO GET THE ISSUE RECTIFIED AT OTHER BODY SHOPS BEFORE I WAS OVER THE MILEAGE LIMIT, HOWEVER, THERE WAS STILL NO ASSISTANCE.

Electrical System
Filed Feb 26, 201875,000 milesIL

RANDOMLY STARTING ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO MY 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU STARTED GOING INTO REDUCED POWER MODE AND SHOWING SERVICE TRACTION, SERVICE ESC AND ENG PWR REDUCED. THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE AND SUDDENLY SLOW DOWN. IT SHOWED A P2135 CODE. THE VEHICLE RESTARTS AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME SITTING, BUT THE EVENTS HAPPEN AGAIN WHEN IT IS DRIVEN AGAIN. IT TAKES APPROX. 20 MILES FROM WHEN IT WAS STARTED. RESEARCHING THIS P2135 CODE I FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS AND THEY ALL INVOLVED THE THROTTLE BODY OR THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. I CONTACTED CHEVROLET AND THEY TOLD ME IT WASN'T COVERED UNDER A RECALL ALTHOUGH THEY DO HAVE A SPECIAL COVERAGE 14582A WHICH IS CURRENTLY OPEN. BUT THEY SAID MY VIN WAS NOT COVERED BY THAT PROGRAM. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND I CAN'T IMAGINE THAT NOT ALL 2011 MALIBU VEHICLES WOULDN'T BE COVERED.

Steering
Filed Feb 19, 2018123,000 milesMD

ON 02/19/2018 WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT MY 2011 MALIBU'S STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO MOVE RIGHT AND LEFT (OSCILLATING) BY ITSELF. I PULLED INTO THE NEAREST PARKING LOT OF A LOCAL STORE AND NOTICED I NO LONGER HAD ANY POWER ASSIST FOR THE STEERING AND MY INFORMATION CONSOLE SCREEN LIGHT UP WITH A POWER STEERING FAILURE. I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND WAITED 10 MINUTES, RESTARTED AND THE POWER ASSIST RETURNED, THE CONSOLE LIGHT WENT OUT. HOWEVER THE STEERING WHEEL STILL PULSES BACK AND FORTH BY ITSELF, SO THE PROBLEM, I FEEL, COULD RETURN AT ANY TIME. I HAD A HEART ATTACK RECENTLY AND PHYSICALLY CANNOT STEER THE CAR WITHOUT POWER ASSIST, THIS WAS VERY STRESSFUL FOR ME, I AM AFRAID NOW TO DRIVE THIS THING IN IT'S CURRENT CONDITION. I RESEARCHED THIS AND IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH CHEVY MALIBUS, I FEEL THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL AND COULD EASILY RESULT IN A NEEDLESS DEATH, I HOPE GENERAL MOTORS FIXES THIS PROBLEM, PLEASE ADD OUR VIN TO THE CURRENT RECALL CAMPAIGN #14V153000. THANK YOU SINCERELY [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Feb 18, 2018198,897 milesMI

RIGHT SIDE HEADLAMP WENT OUT NEEDING IMMEDIATE REPLACEMENT IN ORDER TO SEE THE ROAD PROPERLY AND SAFELY. IN ORDER TO REPAIR, THE FRONT BUMPER HAD TO BE REMOVED ONLY AT A DEALER COSTING 1.5 HOURS AND $145.00 OF COST TO REPLACE A SIMPLE LOW BEAM HEADLAMP. MANY PEOPLE CANNOT WAIT THE 2 DAYS WAIT AND THE EXORBITANT COST FOR THIS OBVIOUSLY SIMPLE PROCEDURE THAT THREATENS DRIVING SAFETY WITH ONLY ONE WORKING HEADLIGHT.

Electrical System
Filed Feb 15, 2018AR

IN LAST 12 TO 14 MONTHS TO INCLUDE TODAY, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT ON PASSENGER SIDE HAS GONE OUT. IT HAS BEEN REPAIRED TWICE AND NOW LOOKING AT A THIRD TIME. I WANT TO SAY THIS IS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE AS THE LAST TIME IT WENT OUT, SOMETIMES IT WOULD COME BACK ON IF I HIT A BUMP. I WILL BE GETTING IT SERVICED AGAIN AS NOT HAVING A HEADLIGHT WORKING IS A DANGER. THE REASON I AM CONTACTING NHTSA IS I HAVE TALK TO AND READ OF MULTIPLE PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE.

Steering
Filed Feb 13, 201898,000 milesMO

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT. I TOOK MY CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT IT DOESNT HAVE A RECALL. THEY SAID THAT THE STEERING WHEEL TORQE SENSOR IS OUT AND NEEDS REPLACED.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Feb 12, 2018IN

VEHICLE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Feb 11, 2018170,000 milesTX

I WAS DRIVING ON THE THE AND THE POWER STEERING, LOCKED UP. I REACHED OUT TO NA DEALER SHIP AND THEY CORRECTED THAT PROBLEM AND MY SEAT BELT. THE NEXT DAY 2/10/2018. THE CAR SLOWED DOWN TO MAYBE 8MILES WHILE I WAS DRIVING, AND ENOUGH POWER TO THE ENGINE. VERY DANGER, VERY DANGER. THANK GOD THE CAR BEHIND ME WAS PAYING ATTENTION. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR FOR 3 YEARS. I MYSELF CAME OUT OF POCKET FOR WIRING PROBLEMS. CAR JUST STOPPING ON THE HYW, NO POWER AT ALL. I REPLACED THAT. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS CAR TO BE ON THE ROAD. I KNOW CARS HAVE ISSUES. BUT ALL THIS 3 YEARS AND JUST STOPPING AND SLOWING DOWN IS AND WILL BE THE DEATH OF OTHERS. CHEVY IS SUPPOSED TO BE ONE OF THE BEST CAR MAKING, BUT THIS IS HORRIBLE. AND A LOT PEOPLE FROM WHAT I READ ARE HAVING ISSUES. THIS VERY DANGEROUS.

Power Train
Filed Feb 9, 2018131,259 milesME

WHILE DRIVING IN THE CITY AND HIGHWAY, TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING, AS THOUGH IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. THIS CONTINUED TO HAPPEN WITH NO BREAKS IN BETWEEN. VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF SECOND GEAR. TRIED TURNING CAR ON AND OFF. CHECKED ALL FLUID LEVELS. TRIED DRIVING IN MANUAL MODE, NO CHANGE. AFTER DRIVING FOR 10 MINUTES, CONDITIONS WORSENED. WAS ALMOST INVOLVED IN MULTIPLE ACCIDENTS DUE TO CAR REDUCING POWER WHILE STUCK IN "NEUTRAL" MODE AS WELL AS JERKING FORWARD OUT OF NO WHERE WHEN GAS PEDAL WAS NOT EVEN BEING PUSHED.

Steering
Filed Feb 8, 201885,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ESC WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PADDOCK CHEVROLET (3232 DELAWARE AVE, KENMORE, NY); HOWEVER, THE CONTACT DECLINED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED. THE DEALER STATED THAT IF THE FAILURE WAS NOT RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING), SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC COST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,000.

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Feb 8, 2018145,000 milesMA

ON MY WIPER SYSTEM I WAS TRAVELING IN A RAINSTORM AND THE WIPER TRANSMISSION SEPARATED FROM THE MOTOR ASSEMBLY AT THE PIECE ATTACHED TO THE MOTOR HALTING THE WIPER ASSEMBLY FROM CLEARING THE WINDOW THIS ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH DO TO LACK OF VISIBILITY .THIS OCCURRED ON 2/7/2017 . VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION PLEASE ADDRESS THIS PART MALFUNCTION, IT SHOULD NEVER SEPARATE

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Feb 2, 201884,500 milesOH

"LOSS OF ELECTRIC POWER STEERING" I HAVE RECENTLY LOST MY ELECTRIC POWERING STEERING AND THE ESC WARNING AS WELL AS THE POWER STEERING WARNING KEEP DISPLAYING, WHEN THIS STARTED I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST A POWER GLITCH BECAUSE THE AIR BAG AND OTHER WARNING INDICATORS WOULD ALSO GO OFF RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING IT FIRST HAPPENED WHICH SCARED ME AND I SLOWED MY VEHICLE UNTIL I COULD FINALLY PULL IN SOMEWHERE SAFELY (MY REAR TIRE PRESSURE SENSORS ARE CONSTANTLY NOT READING AT ALL WHICH STARTED ABOUT A MONTH AFTER I HAD NEW TIRES PUT ON IT BUT THAT WAS THE ONLY NOTIFICATION I WAS GETTING UP UNTIL NOW). I THOUGHT MOST OF IT WAS DUE TO THE EXTREMELY COLD WEATHER AND RESTARTING MY CAR TOOK CARE OF THE PROBLEM, AND I WOULDN'T HAVE ANY PROBLEMS WITH IT AGAIN FOR A LITTLE WHILE. HOWEVER THIS WEEK RESTARTING MY CAR HASN'T HELPED AND NOW I HAVE NO POWER STEERING AT ALL WHICH IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WHEN TURNING MY VEHICLE AND GIVEN THAT THERE IS STILL LESS THAN 85K TOTAL MILES ON IT THEN I AM SURPRISED THAT I AM EVEN HAVING THIS ISSUE AT ALL, BUT I DID READ THAT SOME OF THE 2011 MALIBU'S HAVE A RECALL ON THE U-JOINTS, I BELIEVE THAT I READ. I JUST FOUND WERE THERE IS CURRENTLY 2 RECALLS ON MY CAR NOW AND I HAVE NEVER HAD TO DO A RECALL THEREFORE I WAS TRYING TO FIGURE THAT OUT AND WHAT I WOULD NEED TO DO FOR THAT, AS WELL AS REPORT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ISSUE TOO. ANY INFORMATION THAT YOU MAY HAVE PERTAINING TO THIS ISSUE WOULD BE VERY APPRECIATED SINCE I DID NOT SEE MY CAR LISTED FOR THE

Steering
Filed Jan 30, 2018108,000 milesMO

STEERING WHEEL SHAKES WHEN STOPPED AT IDLE AND SHAKES SLIGHTLY WHEN DRIVING, AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE THE POWER STEERING SOME TIMES DOES NOT WORK AND SERVICE ESC MESSAGE APPEARS. I CAN TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTART IT AND EVERYTHING WORKS BUT WHEEL STILL SHAKES.

Electrical System
Filed Jan 29, 201872,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE; HOWEVER, THE BRAKE LIGHT WOULD REMAIN ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS NOT BEING DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO APPLE CHEVROLET (1200 LOUCKS RD, YORK, PA) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRICAL BRAKE LIGHT WIRING WAS FAULTY AND CORROSION WAS PRESENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED IN OCTOBER 2014 PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING), BUT THE FAILURE RECENTLY RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

Steering
Filed Jan 26, 2018116,000 milesMO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE CONTACT'S STEPDAUGHTER WAS DRIVING 15-20 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CROSSROADS CHEVROLET CADILLAC OF JOPLIN (4630 E 32ND ST, JOPLIN, MO 64804, (417) 626-6620) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THERE WERE NO RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH THE VIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14E044000 (STEERING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000.

Seats
Filed Jan 24, 201890,000 milesVA

THE DRIVER'S SEAT FRAME IS BROKEN, CAUSING A SHARP LEAN TO THE RIGHT. IT APPEARS THAT THE FRAME NEEDS TO BE RE-WELDED. A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH FOUND A GOOD NUMBER OF THE SAME ISSUE. THE PICTURES ONLINE LOOK EXACTLY LIKE MY PROBLEM. (THE ATTACHED PIC IS ONE I FOUND WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT NOT MY ACTUAL SEAT)

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Jan 23, 2018107,500 milesMD

AT RANDOM TIMES MY CHEVY MALIBU 2011 W/ FLEX FUEL STEERING WHEEL BECOMES HARD TO CONTROL. THE SERVICE ESC AND POWER STEERING LIGHTS BEGIN TO FLASH. WHEN I PULL OVER (BECOMES THIS SEEMS TO HAPPEN ON THE HIGHWAY A LOT) I TURN MY CAR OFF AND BACK ON. THE ISSUE SEEMS TO TEMPORARILY GO AWAY. MY CAR MILEAGE IS ONLY AT 107,500. I'VE READ ABOUT RECALLS AND TESTED MY VIN FOR IT. UNFORTUNATELY, I DO NOT SEE THAT MY CAR WAS ONE THAT WAS RECALLED FOR THE 2008-2013 CAR RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. I DON'T HAVE EXTRA FUNDS TO BUY A NEW CAR OR GET THIS ONE FIXED. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE THAT I HOPE THEY CAN FIND A SOLUTION FOR.

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 →