10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 9
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
57,187 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #162

Oct 042019

Malibu

  • miles
The front passenger headlights low beam keeps going out I have changed the socket 2 times and changed the wire harness 1 time and it's only the low beam burning out on repeat like every other month I change it and try fixing it with new sockets or lights and it keeps burning out I think this has to be an electrical issue from manufacturer because many people are experiencing the same issue on the passenger side headlight low beam please can we get this recalled and fixed please

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #161

Nov 082019

Malibu

  • miles
When I first purchased the vehicle the engine light would constantly come on and go off but now the engine light is always on. I just recently started having issues with the airbags on the passenger side not being engaged and the engine ESC comes on whenever it pleases, even when the weather is good outside. Last weekend, my battery died for the first time, I'm just glad that I had someone to jump me off. My primary concern is my headlights. I have gotten pulled over by the police 3 times due to my intermittent headlights. The first time my right side headlight went out, a officer pulled me over and informed me of the issue, so I got it fixed the very next day. A week goes by and I get pulled over again and the officer informed me but this time I informed the officer that I just changed the bulb a week ago and he mentioned that it could be the wiring. After the officer left, I got out my car and hit the headlight with my fist and it came back on just to go back out the next day. I went to my local mechanic and he changed the light bulb socket. That only lasted 3 or 4 weeks and now I literally have to ride with my headlights on bright or can't be out at night. After going to multiple auto shops, they all says that it's the wiring, which I already knew because the gages on my dashboard lights up like christmas lights every other day.

- Millbrook, AL, USA

problem #160

Nov 262019

Malibu

  • 152,000 miles
Numerous dash lights randomly come on service ESC service traction control engine power reduced engine power reduced followed by engine disabled. At that point the engine dies and you are unexpectedly faced with the surprised horror of being at a roll un able to power out of the way of traffic.and at the mercy of the exact location of all these things suddenly happening at random all the warnings are quick so quick U have no time to pull over befor you are at a dead roll. Today my mom N me as well as my girlfriend were all most killed by a semi truck carrying hot asphalt. I couldnt imagine having to be smashed to death with no chance to react and to top it off possibly even burned to death crushed all while haveing to hear my mothers screams in my last moments of life.please look into this problem I've researched online and ive found many forms where ppl arehaveibg simpler issue. The whole smashed burned by hot asphalt senerio was only a flash of images I imagined but the five foot of space between the truck that fact all most side swiped us today is and was fact that causesd this horrible vision due to the defective engineering in some desine of the car she bought only days ago from hwy 59 motors car lot. Thank you

- Gore, OK, USA

problem #159

Sep 232019

Malibu

  • 89,000 miles
My car will display the service ESC/tcs light and then the engine feels like my car is going to die for no reason. There is no reason for this, normally happens when road conditions are excellent. I usually have to pull off the road and turn my car off and restart engine, then car runs like new again.

- Camby, IN, USA

problem #158

Sep 162019

Malibu

  • miles
Vehicle lights dim, loss of power, ESC, traction control, illuminates on dash. Car sputters with no acceleration. Car is unable to turn. This happened as I began to leave my subdivision, luckily I was able to push it back. I have a new battery no car will not crank unless I have a jump.

- Dallas, GA, USA

problem #157

Aug 132019

Malibu

  • 106,000 miles
Service ESC light came on and disabled my engine twice! 1 time on February 14,2019 which I was told it was the throttle body got that replaces in March. Come June samething happened service ESC engine disabled and we had to be towed off of the expressway in June of 2019. After taking the car to the mechanic to get it serviced for the same issue again I was told that the body control module has a shortage in it and fuses in my fuse box had melted to the fuse box and caused a shortage ! the car stopping on the expressway could have killed me and my mom!!!

- Griffith, IN, USA

problem #156

Jul 232019

Malibu

  • 119,172 miles
Every year had to get my connector replaced because my light bulb keeps going out. Happening for the past 3 years.

- Fort Hood, TX, USA

problem #155

Apr 192019

Malibu

  • 142,000 miles
My passenger headlight went out on the highway at night. I replaced the light and it went out the next day. I took the car to get serviced and found out that the headlight pigtail was melted.I believe the problem to be the drl relay switch because there are numerous Chevrolet models having this problem.

- Murfreesboro, TN, USA

problem #154

Dec 192018

Malibu

  • 125 miles
The fuse for my rear defroster got so hot in the fuse box it melted the panel-the fuse box is in the trunk-I took to dealer and they want over $500 to repair- I feel like this is a safety issue and hazard for drivers as it could have caught fire if it was that hot- I do not feel like this is my fault and more a manufacture issue-if I don't get this fixed I will never buy another Chevy again and I am looking to purchase a car within the end of this year. Why try and make drivers pay for something that is manufacture? shady business! also now my radio display is going in and out-thinking maybe another fuse issue or electrical.

- Melbourne, KY, USA

problem #153

Nov 022017

Malibu

  • 129,000 miles
The wiring on my vehicle has always been messed up causing my check light engine to stay on at all times. I've had multiple machinists look over my vehicle and have spent lots of money trying to get this issue fixed.

- Richmond, IN, USA

problem #152

Aug 152017

Malibu

  • 134,000 miles
Right passenger side headlight wiring has a shortage. It continues to go out even after wire harness changed. I first noticed this when I was travelling to Chicago from Texas and just got it changed prior to the trip. It worked for a day then just had gone out.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #151

May 142019

Malibu

  • 139,700 miles
My 2011 Chevrolet Malibu has had 5 incidences over the last year of low beam headlights going out. Never both at the same time. This is not only annoying and expensive each time I bring it in for repairs. It is also dangerous. Particularly when one of the headlights goes out at night time driving on dark roads. Additionally a headlight out is sufficient reason for law enforcement to issue a summons. I contacted General Motors May 20th 2019 via phone regarding this safety issue. Received a case number. I received a call back 6 days later. Response was that the car is out of warranty. I did inform GM that there are literally over 300 listings on google for persons with the same problem. GM shows no interest in this expensive repair, in a repetitive problem, and an illegal situation that can result in law enforcement issuing a summons. Apparently there are issues with the connectors at the bulbs not making contact. The replaced connectors exhibit overheating which may indicate overload of power, or connectors not making contact. This problem took place with original GM connectors intermittently - never on both headlights at once. Here is a similar complaint to NHTSA id number 11204441 4/12/2017 complainant states 5 repairs and still a problem with headlight intermittently going out on driver side. Additionally there are several hundred similar complaints on the web regarding 2010 & 2011 Malibu's. because the fenders and under the hood plastic panels must be pulled to get at the headlights....this is quite an expensive repair and is repetitive and frequent as well.

- New Port Richey, FL, USA

problem #150

Sep 102018

Malibu

  • 130,000 miles
Brake lights without applying pressure to brake pedal. Turns off traction control and ESC.worse in colder or damp weather.

- Crown Point, IN, USA

problem #149

Apr 052019

Malibu

  • 165,000 miles
While driving and stationary the inside lights blinks, the power steering cane on twice and I have my seatbelt on the light indicator comes on while the it's connected

- Richmond, VA, USA

problem #148

Apr 042019

Malibu

  • 107,000 miles
My vehicle is at an auto shop been there for a week and a half to repair the clunking noise in the steering column but the motor and module for the electric steering assist is seizing up which would be dangerous to turn in traffic. I already spent enough time and money on parts and labor. This is nothing I have done to the car only had for a year. I need your help! this should be a recall issue! or send me a new motor and module for this car please. You guys can at least do that. I love the car but this is a problem. 2.4L electric assist. The steering column is fine just need the motor and module. Thank you for your help!

- Saginaw, MI, USA

problem #147

Mar 292019

Malibu

  • miles
3rd time passanger headlight has gone out in the last year. Along with the previous issues I reported

- Riverside, CA, USA

problem #146

Mar 252019

Malibu

  • 114,900 miles
Lights on panal come on go off when I stop the car and turn back on. I was driving maybe 30-35 mph on city street going straight. No we rain, pot holes or speed bumps

- Riverside, CA, USA

problem #145

Jan 072019

Malibu

  • miles
1) service air bag light comes on periodically when starting vehicle or while in auto is in motion. 2) internal lights on dashboard dims while driving periodically while auto is in motion.

- Grand Rapids, MI, USA

problem #144

Mar 182019

Malibu

  • 113,500 miles
My girlfriend was driving my car home from the doctors and all of a sudden the power steering went out. It cause her to hit the curb and possibly do more damage. She was only doing 30 mph on a busy street. I have a date with a dealership on the 27th of March 2019 to wait for the verdict of what there going to say. I have read alot of the post on here and have seen that it is a common problem. I also have a problem with my headlights going out I have changed them several times with different brands and they continue to go out. I have to run with my high beams on because the lights keeps burning out. This is cause and safety issue and could involve points on my license if pulled over. This is critical since I'm a cdl driver. The steering could cause death if traveling at a higher speed. GM knows about the problem and if public isn't notified that it's faulty could also involve a lawsuit.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #143

Jun 122018

Malibu

  • miles
Takata recall. Brake apply sensor fluctuates on and off also turning signal is not working on the left or right even though the bugs been changed and inside the vehicle it shows a turning signal, no rear brake lights when driving or at a complete stop. Even though fuses and new bulbs replaced, electrical shortage with radio and cigarette lighter, also replace bulbs and headlights and they continue to shorten out and blow

- Sebring, FL, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »