10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
8 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
12 / 0
Average Mileage:
64,206 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 #206

Mar 182025

Malibu

  • miles
Steering locks while driving

- Bronx, NY, USA

problem #205

Mar 022025

Malibu

  • miles
While driving down the road my power steering went out, driver side head light and it was like my breaks tried to lock up on me when I would press on them. I was driving down the interstate and pretty much had zero control of my car. Very scary. While trying to slow down and get off the interstate it's like it all just turned back on I had power steering back but my head light stayed out. So I went and purchased a new one put it in worked drove 2 miles up the road head light right back off. Something is going on with my ESC control system and power steering. I could have been really hurt or could have hurt someone.

- Truesdale, MO, USA

problem #204

Jan 132025

Malibu

  • miles
The vehicle has recently started to have power steering failure, making it a hazard while driving at times.

- Frackville, PA, USA

problem #203

Feb 252025

Malibu

  • miles
No power steering feels like manual steering

- Lynchburg, VA, USA

problem #202

Jan 302025

Malibu

  • miles
Failed steering control sensor

- Merriam, KS, USA

problem #201

Jan 282025

Malibu

  • miles
My electrical power steering is going out. A -??power steering-?? flashes on my dash. I turn off my car and turn it back on and is able to be steered. However, my steering wheel read only moves/jiggles on its on at idle and in park. When I drive I feel the steering wheel jiggling on it-??s on requiring to constantly correct so I stay in the lines.

- South Lebanon , OH, USA

problem #200

Jan 272025

Malibu

  • miles
We own this vehicle with 147, xxx miles on it. There was extended warranty coverage of 10-years or 150,000 miles for the power steering position sensor and torque sensor, all part of the electronic stability control system the bulletin is 15356. A very costly repair that could result in a crash if a driver has the steering wheel lock up while driving. Zero help from GM because the period has "expired." I feel it should be covered since it is under the 150k mileage.

- Ironton, MO, USA

problem #199

Dec 122024

Malibu

  • 68,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that the power steering failure warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The approximate failure mileage was 68,000.

- Hammond, IN, USA

problem #198

Sep 282024

Malibu

  • miles
About 8 weeks ago first my driver side speaker in the front went out then my passenger low beam light had went out and I had replaced twice then my AC quit working. I thought it was a fuse or battery or alternator issue even checked if it was it a relay fuse and it was not. Then my dash lit up ESC off and then my back driver side brake has been locked up and squealing really bad than my power steering light came on and it-??s really hard to turn all of this happened within three weeks and when I looked up recalls and special warranties, my car had a few so I called GM and a couple of dealerships a few times and they have been extremely rude and unhelpful because this is not a wear and tear issue or it being 10 years old. This is clearly a sensor issue that was recalled and had a special warranty for. And I just want my steering, break and heat to work and that-??s all I care about but I cannot afford $3000 to fix it when the car is only worth 2000 and I highly doubt that right now. But this is a safety issue for myself and other drivers and I need my car to take my kids to school and to care for my household.

- Dayton, OH, USA

problem #197

Oct 292024

Malibu

  • 180,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering failed to function as intended. The Electronic Stability Control warning light illuminated, and the steering wheel seized. In addition, the contact stated that the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was made aware of Special Coverage Program: 15356; however, the contact was informed that the repair was not covered under the program. Additionally, the contact was informed of NHSTA Campaign Number: 14V252000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lightening, Vehicle Speed Control, Electronic Stability Control (ESC); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

- Manchester, NH, USA

problem #196

Nov 112024

Malibu

  • miles
While driving my steering wheel became extremely difficult to turn. My dashboard then flashed -??ESC-?? then -??power steering-?? then the traction control issue came on. I eased over turned the car off then on again. The issue cleared until I turned my car off again. my steering wheel started rocking back and forth/side to side. then I stopped to get gas turned it off then when I turned it back on the issue resumed. This time It took 10 mins for the issue to clear. I drove home and the car made noises and etc. I made it home safely but have not attempted to drive the car since.

- Waldorf, MD, USA

problem #195

Oct 072024

Malibu

  • 68,987 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the power steering assist suddenly failed. The contact used an excessive amount of force to steer the vehicle. The steering stability control warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the steering module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 68,987.

- Midlothian, VA, USA

problem #194

Aug 082024

Malibu

  • 99,401 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality, and the steering wheel became significantly difficult to steer. The power steering warning light and the ESC warning light were illuminated. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The contact was able to continue driving to her residence by using physical strength to turn the steering wheel. The contact stated that the failure had persisted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 99,401.

- Pinellas Park, FL, USA

problem #193

Apr 012024

Malibu

  • miles
Power steering issue.

- Georgetown, SC, USA

problem #192

Feb 122024

Malibu

  • 153,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while her son was driving 30 MPH, the electronic power steering warning light illuminated, after which the contact became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly. The driver was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway and after restarting, the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The electronic power steering warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the electronic power steering control module. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 153,000.

- Milan, MI, USA

problem #191

Jan 262024

Malibu

  • 89,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving at approximately 60 MPH and turning the steering wheel to the left to enter the left lane, the steering wheel was difficult to operate. The contact used extra effort while turning the steering wheel to keep from crashing into the highway barrier. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to exit the highway and stopped the vehicle. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and the power steering functionality returned. The contact stated that later in the day the failure reoccurred. The contact repeated the process and the vehicle regained power steering functionality. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred a third time however, after turning off and restarting the power steering functionality had not returned. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the power steering torque angle sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that the seat belt warning light was illuminating with the seat belt securely buckled. The contact stated that the seat belt warning light was illuminated with the seat belt buckled. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #190

Jan 222024

Malibu

  • miles
My power steering Stopped working 4 times in the middle of the road all the power steering lights came on the dash Yes it is available for inspection It is a huge safety problem because the steering wheel stiffen up all of a sudden and u cannot move the steering wheel while driving, i had to stop my car in the middle of the road to avoid collision. I know it had a recall few years back so i took it to Regal Chevrolet dealership in Lakeland but they dismissed me saying Chevrolet wont pay them for this. It happens all of a sudden out of nowhere and it never shows any symptoms prior.it first appeared few years back.

- Lakeland, FL, USA

problem #189

Jan 162024

Malibu

  • miles
There wasnt an incident, but the power steering went out in my car and its a problem that the manufacturer knows about so i believe it should be a recall. I had the mechanics at Firestone look at my car and they told me that it needs a lower steering column bracket and motor assembly along with the torque input sensor. The service light came on when the power steering went out the light on the dash says Service ESC Power Steering.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #188

Jan 212024

Malibu

  • miles
Power steering stops working while driving at highway speeds. Power steering light illuminates on the dashboard. When this happens, it is barely possible to steer car to the side of the road to prevent accident or injury. Other than brakes defects, this is the most serious safety concern there is.

- Highland Park, IL, USA

problem #187

Nov 012023

Malibu

  • 91,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the steering wheel pulled to the left independently. The contact pulled to the side of the road and restarted the vehicle. The steering control warning light was illuminated after the vehicle was restarted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the failure was due to a faulty electronic steering assist motor. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 91,000.

- Sartell, MN, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »