10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
70,481 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.

problem #55

Mar 102021

Malibu

  • miles
Several Times now my 2011 Malibu goes into limp mode, at the same time the ESC/TSC lights come on. It has left me stranded in the middle of intersections. Sometimes I can turn the car off and start it again and it sees to reset something because it begins to work again. It happens mostly at lower speeds or sitting in idle at light. Sometimes when I feel it stat to happen I put the car in neutral and rev it to 1500-2000 RPM, then I put it in gear and I can get going. Now I can't get the car to stay running. Shuts off as soon as I start it.

- Glenview, IL, USA

problem #54

Sep 162022

Malibu

  • miles
I have supposedly had the recall fixed. But when using the cruise control my car will not shut down the cruise unless I stomp on the brake or use the off button on my steering wheel. So I am wondering why I should have to pay big dollars for something that was supposedly done"?"

- Wichita, KS, USA

problem #53

May 062019

Malibu

  • miles
My car suspension system is bumpy and shakes very bad when I am driving it in the city streets and brake is poor does not have a light brake to step easy for a slow stop I am having a problem driving my car its not smooth ride I am afraid of my car its going to give me a problem.

- Dearborn, MI, USA

problem #52

Dec 032019

Malibu

  • miles
Stabilitrak control turned on change all spark plugs and wires plus coils. Ran fine 1 week again stabilitrak flashing engine in limp mode. Took ro mechanic replaces lifters cam shaft. One week later again. Rebuild complete motor and still displaying same issue!!!! truck is a lemon

- Lakeland, FL, USA

problem #51

Dec 072020

Malibu

  • 110,000 miles
I was driving on the free way going 65 mph. When I got a message saying traction control and that the engine was losing power. The car then stopped accelerating until it can to a complete stop in a matter of seconds. It almost got me rear ended since the cars are going fast and it lost al speed and power.

- El Paso, TX, USA

problem #50

Aug 022020

Malibu

  • 178,000 miles
Multiple front head light replacement in short period of time within 3 to 4 months replaced 3 times. Noticed warping of faceplate by audio equipment so had to replace that. Then came back from vacation and drove my car for about 20 minutes, parked I went inside store and my daughter was in the car when she said it jumped and then turned off. When I turned it on it said "engine power reduced" "service traction" "service ESC" I drove it to get home. Next morning it was fine to get to work short distance, on way home in hotter time of day (live in Arizona) it did it again. Only 20 miles an hour maxium and gulping gasoline. I was in my car with my 13 year old and it was dangerous as we were driving and all of a sudden we were reduced to 20 mph or less and were almost rear-ended various times, caught mid transition from yellow to red light while making left turn. Very scary. Mechanic drove it and said after only 10 to 20 minutes of driving it did the same thing. Mechanic he ran tests and found relay fuse box issue. Tried to order and was told it was on "national back-order" because this was the same problem many of my vehicle year make and model were experiencing. I had to get rental for 20 days which cost in excess of $500 and wait for part. Pay for parts $223 and labor. These expenses cause incredible financial hardship and stress. Recepts did not go through and screen shots of panel because of size, please reach out so I can provide

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #49

Feb 022015

Malibu 4-cyl

  • miles
Since I purchased my vehicle back in 2015 (used) I have had ongoing steering issues. The steering feels much looser than most vehicles. It has almost taken me off of the road several times. I have had mechanics look at the car and they have all suggest I take it into Chevy for diagnostics since it is electrical steering. There is a recall for the steering on this exact year, make and model, though it says my VIN was not affected. It is a huge concern for myself to have this steering corrected as I have a toddler in my back seat. When roads are wet, uneven pavement, or the weather windy.. my car pulls off the road drastically I have to grip my steering wheel so hard to the point my hands turn red from grabbing so tightly in order to maintain somewhat control of this vehicle.. with this year. Make and model having steering recalls, I request Chevy honors my request to have my vehicle inspected by a licensed Chevy dealer to determine what the issue is. This has been an issue since purchasing the vehicle and I find it unlikely that I have the same exact issues as the recall though a completely different issue. I am afraid this will cause me to lose control of my car and wreck. Higher speeds (for example on the freeway) make the steering almost unmanageable and difficult to control. I have spoke to numerous Chevy Malibu owners who have had this exact issue with their recalls. I have reached out to Chevrolet directly to express my concerns and it was disregarded, they said my VIN was not effected so it couldn't be the issue. Consumer had the parts replaced on 6/19 again on 6/29 but vehicle is still unsafe to drive and problem is recurring.

- Turlock, CA, USA

problem #48

May 092020

Malibu 4-cyl

  • 91,500 miles
My vehicle has approx. 91,500 miles. Upon starting the car recently, an error appeared saying "service traction" and "engine power reduced." The vehicle could not go above 35 mph and the traction control system was disabled. Upon inspection by the dealership, they discovered the sunroof drain tubes had shrunk and water had accumulated in the floorboard, eventually leading to corrosion. I have researched this issue and found several other drivers reporting issues with the drain tubes becoming disconnected and causing leaks. I have also found several instances where drivers lost engine power on the highway. If this were to happen, it could easily cause a crash.

- Nashville, TN, USA

problem #47

Feb 102020

Malibu

  • miles
The ESC turns off pretty much every time I drive the car. Last Monday the check engine light came on when the transmission was slipping M. the the transmission would no longer shift and the solenoid is stuck open while driving home from work. Prompting the dealership to try and sell me a whole new $5,000 trans. When the car only has 130,000 miles on it. The transmission has been running slow on acceleration but has never been stuck in first gear leaving me left on the side of the road waiting for help to come get me. The headlight burn out like every 6 months resulting in taking off the bumper or paying $200 from the dealership for a $5 bulb. I have no pictures since my car is at the dealership waiting for me to either go get or pay for the transmission.

- Riverside, CA, USA

problem #46

Jan 202020

Malibu

  • 166,000 miles
My 2011 Chevy Malibu burning oil I keep having add oil to car on top that timing belt broke chances out exhaust camshaft possible sensor out 2-3 times and code remain later chain guides broke seen 2.4L equinox had recall due to burning oil not sure timing chain brake but heard alot complain about chain guides breaking also seat backing keep calling off latches for them fail every time car just gave me alot of problem control arm going out. Car was made cheap and wasn't meant to last. Car broke down timing chain snapped.burnt oil smell when turn car on coming throw ac when on. 2.4 L ecotec motor is problem as well power train transmission break reverse wave gear making it a costly repair.

- Ceres, CA, USA

problem #45

Oct 072019

Malibu

  • 121,000 miles
When we are driving the car it will start shaking, the ESC light comes on and the car completely dies. This has happened while driving 15 mph and 70 mph on city streets and highways. We have had it in multiple shops and been told this is a common issue nobody has found a resolution for. Very dangerous and afraid to put our kids in the car as we don't know when it will do it, there hasn't been a common variable.

- Minnetrista, MN, USA

problem #44

Nov 242019

Malibu

  • 100,000 miles
I have been driving my car everyday and on Sunday 11/24/19, I reversed from driveway and when shifted to drive the car would not move. I tried neutral and manual and nothing but the reverse was fine. An odd thing is that it is the transmission oil supply line, a small piece that doesn't move at all so not sure how it was damaged which is causing the car to not move when in drive. This definitely is an issue with GMC cars as I have researched it in multiple Chevy blogs. If a mechanic is not familiar with this small cause they would suggest to replace the entire transmission unnecessarily which is a very expensive repair for something simple.

- Grosse Pointe Woods, MI, USA

problem #43

Oct 182019

Malibu

  • miles
Financing a car through dealership and found out the odometer has been rolled back odometer reading 62,634 when purchased 2 months ago and it still reads the exact same now. Looked up VIN number and in May 2019 mileage was reported as 63,789

- Newton, IA, USA

problem #42

Nov 032019

Malibu

  • 110,000 miles
My passenger side headlight keeps going out. I have changed the connector and bulbs multiple times same problem keeps occurring for the past 2 years. It turns on if I hit a bump and goes right back out. I changed the bulbs again today stayed on all day until I moved my car. My car was stationary

- El Paso, TX, USA

problem #41

May 012019

Malibu

  • 52,000 miles
While driving service traction and service ESC lights come on and car starts driving weird and doesn't feel safe!

- Utica, NY, USA

problem #40

Jan 212019

Malibu

  • 123,220 miles
Driving car and the service ecs and service traction light came on. Then the engine light came on. Had car towed and repaired then 3 weeks later all the same lights came on along with engine power has been reduced. I was driving the car when this happened, once again got car to dealer. Repaired it, the a few days later the car stalled. Would start but would not stay running.

- Davenport, IA, USA

problem #39

Feb 212019

Malibu

  • 145,000 miles
Car continues to go into reduced engine power and will not drive/run longer than five minutes. I have already had all recalls fixed on the vehicle including the one that supposedly fixed this problem.

- Soldier, IA, USA

problem #38

Jan 302019

Malibu

  • 130,000 miles
I was driving down troy ave in illinios when my car all of a sudden lost power and said engine reduce and and steering wheel got stiff. I went all the way from 60 to 20 mph and almost crash and got hit from behind. I have had this problem non stop after fix after fix. But nobody seems to know the problem. Then my head light go in and out on the right side ever since I had it fixed over and over.

- Saint Louis, MO, USA

problem #37

Jun 232018

Malibu

  • 97,000 miles
Cracked manifold. Smell exhaust fumes upon start. And will dissipate after engine has warmed up. Thought it was just my car but have read numerous complaints online.

- Alsip, IL, USA

problem #36

Oct 152018

Malibu

  • 103,000 miles
Passenger side headlight continues to come on and go out. Replaced the harness and bulb 5/2018. It may be on for 1 or 2 days and is out again. Especially if the road is bumpy.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »