2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU

What owners reported to NHTSA, ranked by how often and how seriously.

This is complaint data, not a random sample.

It only includes owners who chose to file a federal complaint, so it over-represents dramatic and safety-related problems and under-represents minor issues an owner just had fixed without reporting. Read this as what NHTSA complainants report most, not as this vehicle's true failure rate. Full methodology.

Component ranking

  1. #1

    lighting exterior

    57 unsafe, 2 broken, 45 annoyance

    104
    incidents
    Typical range: 78,000–125,000 mi

    Median 104,500 mi, based on 76 reports (45% had no usable mileage)

    • "LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT. WILL TURN ON AND OFF SPORADICALLY. HAVE HAD THE LIGHTS CHANGED MANY TIMES. AND ALSO HAD THE PIGTAILS CHANGED . STILL WILL NOT WORK PROPERLY"~5,000 mi, complaint #1639259
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE BRAKE LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HIGH MOUNT BRAKE LIGHT NEEDED TO BE…"~85,000 mi, complaint #1273933
    • "WELL FIRST I SEEN THAT MY DRIVER SIDE LOW BEAM LIGHT WAS OUT THEN LATER IT WENT ON THEN AGAIN IT WENT OUT AGAIN SO I REPAIRED IT THEN ABOUT A MONTH LATER IT WENT OUT AGAIN THEN I FIX IT AGAIN AND THE SAME THING HAPPEN AGAIN ITS A ON GOING THING AS I SEE ONLINE…"~106,000 mi, complaint #1529653
    • "I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS NUMBERS TIMES IN THE LAST 3 YEARS. THE LAST TIME A COUPLE WEEKS AGO I FOUND BOTH ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS WERE BURNED. I BELIEVE THIS IS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM AND HAD TO REPLACE THE CONNECTORS. I BELIEVE THIS SHOUL…"~128,000 mi, complaint #1604056
    • "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…"~198,897 mi, complaint #1448594
  2. #2

    steering electric assist

    85 unsafe, 2 annoyance

    87
    incidents
    Typical range: 69,000–119,000 mi

    Median 93,000 mi, based on 95 reports (36% had no usable mileage)

    • "WHILE PULLING OUT IN TRAFFIC IN TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA, LEAVING STARBUCKS,, I LOST POWER STEERING CONTROL WITHOUT ANY WARNING OF THIS POSSIBLE ISSUE OCCURRING, ALMOST RESULTING IN CRASHING INTO THE MEDIAN."~13,000 mi, complaint #1707025
    • "MY CARS STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO MAKE NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL THEN IT STARTED TO MOVE SLIGHTLY.VERY SLIGHTLY WHILE I WAS DRIVING. AFTER A LITTLE BIT MORE OF DRIVING THE SAME DAY. THE PROBLEM GOT WORSE AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD LOCK AND ONLY LOCKED ONCE…"~83,581 mi, complaint #1712701
    • "STEERING WHEEL "SHAKES" AS OF 12/2016 VEHICLE HAS APPROX 92,000 MILES PURCHASED VEHICLE NEW IN NOV 2010 FOUR NEW TIRES JUNE 2015 FULL ALIGNMENT AUGUST 2016. BRAND NEW BRAKE PADS AND BRAND NEW ROTORS, ALL 4 WHEELS, NOVEMBER 2016. DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT…"~92,000 mi, complaint #1344051
    • "WHILE DRIVING MY 2011 CHEVY MALIBU, I RECEIVED AN ERROR MESSAGE FOR POWER STEERING. I TRIED THE STEERING AND IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN. I TURNED OFF THE CAR COMPLETELY FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES. I STARTED IT BACK UP AND THE STEERING FELT NORMAL, SO I DROVE IT AB…"~113,413 mi, complaint #1537674
    • "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…"~190,000 mi, complaint #1135159
  3. #3

    stability and traction control

    3 stranded, 74 unsafe

    77
    incidents
    Typical range: 51,000–112,000 mi

    Median 77,000 mi, based on 148 reports (21% had no usable mileage)

    • "I WAS DRIVING AND WHEN I WENT OVER A SMALL HILL THE CAR SEEMED TO LOSE POWER. THE SERVICE /ESC MESSAGE CAME ON. I WAS BARELY ABLE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THE CAR WAS RUNNING BUT WOULD NOT MOVE AT ALL. IT HAD NO POWER WHATSOEVER. WHEN I CALLED ONSTAR THE…"~1,500 mi, complaint #867965
    • "SINCE MARCH 2014, I HAD INSTANCES WHERE THE CHEVY MALIBU I WAS DRIVING WARNED ME ON THE DASH THAT I NEEDED TO SERVICE THE ESC. IT WOULD TELL ME ESC TURNED OFF AND TRACTION CONTROL TURNED OFF. THIS MESSAGE WOULD DISAPPEAR WHEN I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND RESTART…"~60,000 mi, complaint #1143551
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING LOT, THE ESC ERROR WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF T…"~77,000 mi, complaint #1154041
    • " DRIVING DURING SNOW AND ICE, ESC INDICATOR CAME ON, PUSHED THE TC AND IT DIDN'T WORK PROPERLY, THE CAR GOES ONLY ABOUT 20MPH WITH JERKING MOTION, MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT IS ON, FLUID FROM SOMEWHERE DRAIN ON THE GROUND UNDERNEATH THE CAR. TIRE PRESSURE IND…"~106,000 mi, complaint #1158092
    • "TAKATA RECALL. I HAVE RECALLS THAT CHEVROLET NOT PICKING UP. ALL THE RECALLS ARE HAPPENING TO MY CAR. WHEN IT RAIN THE TRACTION SYSTEM LIGHT COMES ON, MY LIGHTS BULBS CONSTANTLY GO OUT, MY CIGARETTE LIGHT STARKED FIRE. WHEN TURNING A CURVE MY CAR HALTS OR STAL…"~180,000 mi, complaint #1563614
  4. #4

    airbag system

    64 unsafe, 4 annoyance

    68
    incidents
    Typical range: 38,000–87,000 mi

    Median 60,000 mi, based on 82 reports (30% had no usable mileage)

    • "I HAD JUST GOT THE VEHICLE 2 YEARS AGO AND I HAVE HAD A CONTINUOUS PROBLEM WITH THE CARS AIR BAG SENSORS. I HAD TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERS AFTER ONLY HAVING THE VEHICLE FOR 3 WEEKS SO THEY CAN FIX THE PROBLEM THE 1ST TIME THEY HAD TO ME THAT THIS WAS A R…"~3,200 mi, complaint #1057462
    • "I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND MY "SERVICE AIRBAG" LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH. THERE WAS NO CRASH AND NOTHING WAS HIT. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED MY CAR OFF. I TURNED THE CAR ON A HALF HOUR LATER AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT AND MESSAGE WERE GONE. 90 MINUTES LATER THE LIG…"~40,800 mi, complaint #1149265
    • "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"~65,000 mi, complaint #1126379
    • "The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 30 mph, the air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact also stated that later in 2020, the electronic stability control (ESC) and low traction warning lights were illuminated. T…"~88,000 mi, complaint #1763343
    • "MY WIFE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE THE OTHER VEHICAL RAN A RED LIGHT AND COLIDED WITH HER IN THE DRIVER FRONT AND HEAD ON TYPE. THE VEHICALS SIDE AIR BAGS AND THE DRIVER OR PASSANGER AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED.THIS IS IN A POLICE REPORT AND I HAVE PICTURES OF THE C…"~180,000 mi, complaint #1378894
  5. #5

    transmission automatic

    20 stranded, 42 unsafe

    62
    incidents
    Typical range: 28,000–92,000 mi

    Median 75,500 mi, based on 74 reports (9% had no usable mileage)

    • "I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN MARCH 2010 FROM MANGINO CHEVROLET. IT HAS HAD A PROBLEM WITH (I BELIEVE) THE TRANSMISSION FROM THE VERY BEGINNING. THE PROBLEM IS VERY INTERMITTENT, THAT IS TO SAY IT DOESN'T DO IT ALL THE TIME AND APPEARS TO DO IT VERY REGULARLY IF…"~2,000 mi, complaint #936842
    • "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, [REDACTED ADDRESS], GARDEN C…"~38,598 mi, complaint #1465366
    • "TAKATA RECALL*** AT 80000 MILES I WAS DRIVING AND THEN MY CAR WOULD NOT MOVE TRIED REVERSE WITH NO LUCK ENDED UP HAVING TO CALL TOW COMPANY TO GET ME OUT OF TRAFFIC WITH ALMOST BEING HIT SEVERAL TIMES . WITH RESEARCH FOUND OUT THIS IS COMMON AND GM REFUSES TO…"~80,000 mi, complaint #1558494
    • "TRANSMISSION FAILED AT92000MILES HARD SHIFTING REVERSE IS BAD DRIVE HOME FROM ON THE CITY STREETWORK TRANSMISSION STATED TO SHIFT HARD AND SLIP.UN SAFE TO DR"~92,000 mi, complaint #1238622
    • "WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON INTERSTATE 270 AT AROUND 50 TO 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE TRANSMISSION DOWN SHIFTED UPON BREAKING WITH A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE. WHEN I WENT TO REACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE WAS UNRESPONSIVE AS THOUGH IT WAS STUCK IN A HIGHER GEAR AND WOULD NOT…"~317,322 mi, complaint #1053698
  6. #6

    engine stall or no start

    8 stranded, 40 unsafe

    48
    incidents
    Typical range: 48,000–123,000 mi

    Median 76,500 mi, based on 64 reports (24% had no usable mileage)

    • "WHEN DRIVING, GENERALLY ON THE HIGHWAY, MY CARS RPMS WILL FLUTTER BETWEEN 2200-2500. I HAVE TO CHANGE GEAR (SPEED UP QUICKLY OR SLOW DOWN) TO GET IT OUT OF THAT FLUTTER. CAR HAS A PICK UP AND SLOW DOWN REELING WHEN DOING SO. HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE I GOT IT A…"~18,000 mi, complaint #1242361
    • "WHILE DRIVING THROUGH A SCHOOL ZONE AT APPROX 25 MPH, ALL OF THE DASH WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE DASH SAID "LOSS OF ENGINE POWER" THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS CAME AN THE VEHICLE SPUTTERED AND WOULD NOT GO MORE THAN 5 MPH. *TR"~45,200 mi, complaint #1153288
    • "1/26/2016 I GOT MY CAMSHAFT SOLENOID FIXED DUE TO MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON. WHEN IT STARTED TO SHAKE REAL BAD WITH THE DASH LIGHTS STATING THAT MY ENGINE POWER WAS REDUCED, LOSS OF TRACTION (SOMETHING TO THAT EFFECT) I INSTANTLY PUT IT IN THE SHOP. THEN…"~64,253 mi, complaint #1268181
    • "CAR LOST POWER AT 65 MPH THAN REDUCED POWER AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON TURN CAR OFF AFTER TRYING TO COAST TO TA STOP WITH CARS AND TRUCKS FLYING BY HONKING THERE HORN AND FLICKING ME OFF AND I WAS HELPLESS THE CARS MOTOR WAS SHUT OFF BECAUSE OF THE POWER REDU…"~100,700 mi, complaint #1256593
    • "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…"~152,000 mi, complaint #1624102
  7. #7

    power steering hydraulic

    34 unsafe, 1 broken

    35
    incidents
    Typical range: 69,000–144,000 mi

    Median 113,500 mi, based on 39 reports (32% had no usable mileage)

    • "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 STE…"~18,000 mi, complaint #1108458
    • "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 WA…"~53,298 mi, complaint #1106924
    • "THE POWER STEERING FAILURE OCCURS WHEN DRIVING. *TR"~112,500 mi, complaint #1352043
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS DAUGHTER ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE, THE STEERING WHEEL BECOME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE POWER STEERING SERVICE ESC WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED JONES FORD DEALER, ([REDACTED…"~130,000 mi, complaint #1643459
    • "POWER STEERING LIGHT DISPLAYS ON THE DASH THAN CAR LOST POWER STEERING CONTROL..WHILE DRIVING ABLE TO STEER WITH USING EXTREME STRENGTH TURNING BY DRIVER THIS HAPPEN ON CITY ROAD. *BF "~200,000 mi, complaint #1650498
  8. #8

    hv system fault reduced power

    1 stranded, 33 unsafe

    34
    incidents
    Typical range: 42,500–89,000 mi

    Median 66,000 mi, based on 57 reports (19% had no usable mileage)

    • "FROM MY WIFE: AFTER TWO PRIOR TRIPS IN THE SAME DAY (36 MILES AND 16 MILES ROUND TRIP RESPECTIVELY), MY 3RD OCCASION TO START THE CAR WAS MET WITH A GLARING WARNING MESSAGE ON THE DIGITAL DISPLAY THAT SAID "ENGINE POWER REDUCED". IT WAS FOLLOWED BY "SERVICE…"~6,898 mi, complaint #863105
    • "LUCKILY I WAS STUCK IN WALL TO WALL TRAFFIC DUE TO BAD WEATHER ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK. I ATTEMPTED TO HIT THE GAS TO INCH FORWARD AND MY CAR STARTING SHAKING AND SEEMED TO BE IDLED UP. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND MY DASH READ ENGINE POWERING DOWN,SERVI…"~42,532 mi, complaint #1031198
    • "THE INSTRUMENT PANEL TOLD ME THAT I LOST ENGINE POWER. THE ERROR MESSAGE SAYS "ENGINE POWER REDUCED/SERVICE TRACTION/SERVICE ESC". MY CAR LOST POWER FROM EX: 40 MPH TO 30 MPH, AND COULDN'T GO ABOVE 50 MPH DEPENDING ON THE GRADE OF THE ROADS. IT WOULD CLIMB SPE…"~66,163 mi, complaint #1141204
    • "RECEIVED MESSAGES OF: SERVICE ESC, SERVICE TRACTION, SERVICE POWER STEERING, ENG PWR REDUCED, ENGINE DISABLED THIS MORNING WHILE DRIVING TO WORK. ENGINE LOST ALL POWER, WENT INTO LIMP MODE, HAD TO PULL TO SIDE OF ROAD TO TRY AND TURN THE ENGINE OFF AND ON TO T…"~87,800 mi, complaint #1266348
    • "FRONT PASSENGER HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT. WHILE IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET A WARNING COMES ACROSS THAT SAYS ENGINE POWER REDUCED. THEN THE ESC AND SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL COMES ON. THE CAR THEN DROPS TO 5 MPH AND STOPS. I TURN IT OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON…"~150,000 mi, complaint #1499772
  9. #9

    wiring harness

    1 stranded, 29 unsafe, 1 broken, 3 annoyance

    34
    incidents
    Typical range: 60,000–119,000 mi

    Median 80,000 mi, based on 43 reports (19% had no usable mileage)

    • "AT RANDOM WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE RADIO WILL SWITCH TO AUX. YOU CAN TOUCH THE DASH ON THE SIDE OR AROUND THE RADIO AND IT WILL GO BACK TO RADIO. IT WILL ALSO SWITCH SOMETIMES WHEN YOU PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE, OR TURN ON WINDSHIELD WIPERS. YOU HAVE TO BUMP…"~32,000 mi, complaint #1089895
    • "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 EXTINGUIS…"~66,000 mi, complaint #1107634
    • "LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS KEEPS GOING OUT!! HEADLIGHT BRACKET MELTED! CAR FORUMS REVEAL THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON ELECTRICAL ISSUE. WHEN ANYBODY REPLACES HEADLIGHT HARNESS AND HEADLIGHTS, THEY END UP WITH THE SAME ISSUE A FEW WEEKS LATER. VERY DISAPPOINTING! PLEASE…"~100,000 mi, complaint #1701951
    • "THE LOW BEAM PORTION OF HEADLIGHTS STARTED GOING OUT AND BACK ON PERIODICALLY WHILE DRIVING I'VE REPLACED THE BULBS TWICE WITHIN 6 MONTHS AND IT CONTINUES TO REPEAT ISSUE THE BULBS ARE NOT BLOWN. MULTIPLE REPORTS ONLINE OF THIS ISSUE BUT NO RECALL. IF HEADLIGH…"~125,000 mi, complaint #1715264
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM HEAD LAMP FAILED. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE WITH THE HIGH BEAMS ACTIVATED. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HARNESS TO THE LOW BEAM…"~200,000 mi, complaint #1428842
  10. #10

    seat mechanism

    21 unsafe, 2 broken

    23
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=24, median 87,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT ANCHOR MOUNTING BRACKET WAS DETACHED, WHICH PREVENTED THE CONTACT FROM DRIVING SAFELY AND LEGALLY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V269000(SE…"~49,000 mi, complaint #1195621
    • "I WAS ADJUSTING THE SEAT AND THE METAL BROKE. IT RIPPED MY PANTS AND CAUSED ME TO SWIRVE."~70,000 mi, complaint #1192784
    • "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 F…"~90,000 mi, complaint #1442580
    • "WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY, I FELT THAT THE SEAT WAS LOOSE ON THE RIGHT SIDE AND WAS MOVING. WHEN I STOPPED THE CAR AND EXITED, I FELT THE SEAT MOVE AWAY FROM THE RIGHT SIDE."~124,000 mi, complaint #1258398
    • ""TAKATA RECALL".... WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE MAKING A LEFT TURN I HEARD A LOUD NOISE, POSITION GOT UNCOMFORTABLE HAVE TO SIT VERY VERY LOW WHILE DRIVING AND SOMETIMES SEAT KIND OF LIFT UP WHEN MOVING. BROUGHT TO DEALERSHIP AND TELLS ME MY SEAT IS BROKE AND IT…"~150,000 mi, complaint #1540552
  11. #11

    acceleration loss or hesitation

    22 unsafe

    22
    incidents
    Typical range: 48,000–99,500 mi

    Median 75,500 mi, based on 43 reports (14% had no usable mileage)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS A 3-4 SECOND DELAY WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO…"~4,800 mi, complaint #932696
    • "DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I GET A REDUCED POWER MESSAGE AND MY CAR INSTANTLY GOES FROM 60MPH TO ABOUT 10MPH. LUCKY FOR ME NO ONE WAS BEHIND ME. SHUT THE CAR OFF FOR A BIT, STARTED IT BACK UP AND NO ISSUES UNTIL I GOT INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND THE SA…"~63,458 mi, complaint #1727418
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN SHE STARTED THE VEHICLE THE ENGINE POWER REDUCED WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AND STALLED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE WA…"~77,400 mi, complaint #1065379
    • "GOING 70 MPH ON INTERSTATE GOING TO MPLS AND CAR FLASHES REDUCED ENGINE POWER AND SUDDENLY SLOWS DOWN PULLED OVER A TOTAL OF 8 TIMES TO GET HOME. HAD TO PULL OVER TURN CAR OFF WAIT A LITTLE WHILE START AGAIN AND CONTINUE. CHECK ENGINE STAYED ON. I'VE BEEN T…"~101,300 mi, complaint #1259061
    • "ENGINE POWER REDUCED AND THE VEHICLE SOUNDS LIKE IT IS GOING TO EXPLODE. IT REDUCES THE SPEED TO 5 MPH. YOU CAN TURN THE CAR OFF SIT FOR A FEW MINUTES AND TURN THE CAR BACK ON AND IT RUNS FINE. IT DOES THIS DAILY. I HAVE REPLACED SEVERAL SENSORS AND IT HAS…"~120,000 mi, complaint #1385563
  12. #12

    throttle and pedal

    1 stranded, 21 unsafe

    22
    incidents
    Typical range: 49,000–90,000 mi

    Median 66,000 mi, based on 38 reports (17% had no usable mileage)

    • "THE ENGINE KEEPS REDUCING POWER THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AFTER THE CAR ENGINE POWER REDUCES ESPECIALLY WHEN THE CAR SITS IDLE WARMING UP .THE THROTTLE BODY MUST BE A DEFECTIVE COMPONENT PART OF THE CAR I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC HE DID A DIAGNOSTIC TESTS AND TH…"~3,400 mi, complaint #1144571
    • "ON MY WAY TO WORK, I NOTICED THE ENGINE LIGHT ON. CAR GOT ME TO WORK FINE. CHECKED GAS CAP JUST TO BE SURE THAT WASN'T THE PROBLEM. OFF WORK ENGINE LIGHT STILL ON, BUT CAR RUNNING FINE. DID SOME RUNNING FOR ABOUT AN HOUR. GOT IN THE CAR TO GO HOME THE LIGHT WA…"~50,987 mi, complaint #1161449
    • "CAR SUDDENLY DECELERATED AND STARTED SPUTTERING. ENGINE ACTED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO QUIT AND DID NOT HAVE ANY POWER. WOULD NOT GET OVER 15MPH. PUT ME IN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. I AM VERY LUCKY NO ONE WAS KILLED. DECELERATED AT A VERY FA…"~66,000 mi, complaint #1039440
    • "TWO ISSUES EXIST: 1. THE THROTTLE BODY PREMATURELY WORE OUT AND CAUSED VARIOUS SYMPTOMS INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO IMMEDIATE LOSS OF POWER, INSTABILITY IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM DUE TO THE ENGINE REVVING UP WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED OR SLOWED, AND VARIOUS…"~89,800 mi, complaint #1155056
    • "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 WAITE…"~160,000 mi, complaint #1464960
  13. #13

    control module

    1 stranded, 17 unsafe

    18
    incidents
    Typical range: 49,500–138,000 mi

    Median 84,000 mi, based on 32 reports (29% had no usable mileage)

    • "WENT OUT TO CRANK THE CAR. IT WOULD NOT START. SENT IN TO BE FIXED. PICKED CAR UP TODAY AND INSIDE PANEL IS NOT WORKING NEITHER IS THE LIGHTS. I HAVE TO CALL SERVICE AGAIN IN THE A.M. *TR"~39,265 mi, complaint #961659
    • "AUGUST 12 2015, COMPLETE POWER LOSS WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE WENT INTO LOGIC LOCKUP. ALL MODULES RESET. AUGUST 17, SAME CONDITION OCCURS. TOTAL SYSTEM FAILURE AT [REDACTED ADDRESS]. DEALERSHIP DETERMINED "INTERNAL FAULT IN ENGINE CONTROL MODULE P0606. ECM…"~72,806 mi, complaint #1216611
    • "TRANSMISSION COMPUTER (TCM) FAILED AT 87,700 MILES. PART HAD TO BE REPLACED AND REPROGRAMMED."~87,700 mi, complaint #1540745
    • "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 J…"~106,000 mi, complaint #1593962
    • "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 INS…"~178,000 mi, complaint #1685449
  14. #14

    timing belt or chain

    4 stranded, 13 unsafe

    17
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=22, median 92,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "TIMING CHAIN AND ENGINE MALFUNCTION. REVIEWED THE INTERNET AND THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE SAME THING. THE 2.4 ECOTECH ENGINE WAS IN A CLASS ACTION SUIT FOR EQUINOXS BUT NOT MALIBUS AND THEY HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. "~36,000 mi, complaint #1674123
    • "TIMING CHAIN FAILURE IN THE 4 CYL. ECHO TECH ENGINE. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD US THEY HAVE MANY VEHICLES WITH THIS SAME ENGINE COME IN BUT THE MALIBU HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED EVEN THOUGH IT'S THE SAME ENGINE AS THE TRAVERSE RECALLS. NOT REPLACING THE T…"~72,000 mi, complaint #1357345
    • "DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 65MPH,VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER. I WAS ALMOST HIT BY AN 18 WHEELER BUT WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SHOULDER IN TIME. NO BRAKES,STEERING, POWER AT ALL. GM DEALER DIAGNOSED TIMING CHAINS NEED REPLACEMENT. NO RECALL ON THIS KNOWN ISSUE? ENDANGERING…"~91,000 mi, complaint #1279875
    • "A KNOWN CHEVROLET ISSUE ON THEIR 2.4 L ENGINE CAUSED FAILURE IN MY AUTOMOBILE WHILE TRAVELLING 70 MPH ON I94 IN MINNESOTA. IF THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE LOCKED UP WE MAY HAVE DIED. THIS ISSUE IS KNOWN TO GM AND HAS BEEN ADDRESSED IN OTHER VEHICLES BUT THE MALIBU…"~95,000 mi, complaint #1365162
    • "2011 MALIBU HAS BEEN LOSING ENGINE POWER SHOWING "SERVICE ESC" ENGINE POWER REDUCED, AND SOMETHING ABOUT TRACTION. THIS HAS HAPPENED OVER 8 TIMES TWICE THIS WEEK ON JAN. 5TH 2016. THE SECOND TIME I CAME SO CLOSE TO A CRASH TO START TO WHAT NOT TO DRIVE THIS…"~170,000 mi, complaint #1250820
  15. #15

    other

    8 unsafe, 7 annoyance

    15
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=14, median 75,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "THIS IS A GENERAL COMPLAINT: MODERN VEHICLES ALL SEEM TO HAVE EXTREMELY UNCOMFORTABLE HEADRESTS. I CANNOT GET COMFORTABLE IN MOST NEW CARS! THE HEADRESTS PUSH TOO FAR FORWARD. I AM 6'1" AND PREFER AN UPRIGHT SEATING POSITION. I AM BEGINNING TO DESPAIR ABOUT…"~10,000 mi, complaint #862249
    • "GM ISSUED A RECALL FOR MY 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU ON MAY 6, 2015. IT IS NOW MID SEPTEMBER 2015 AND THEY HAVE NOT REMEDIED THE PROBLEM."~30,000 mi, complaint #1217899
    • " THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT THE DEALERSHIP WROTE ON THE PURCHASE ORDER IT READS AS FOLLOWS; DASHBOARD PANEL INSERT TOWARDS WINSHIELD WAS DETACHED AT TIME OF CAR PURCHASE WE OWE HEAT COLD CHECKING- INSERT WAS DETACHED CONCERNED IT MAY HAPPEN AGAIN. I ASSURED HER IT…"~43,283 mi, complaint #1219776
    • "The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked under a carport in her driveway, she had been warned by neighbors that the rear end of the vehicle was on fire. The contact stated that she saw that flames were issu…"~85,000 mi, complaint #2162467
    • "THE FRAME ATTACHED TO THE BASE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE COLLAPSED WHILE I WAS DRIVING CAUSING ME TO SWERVE BUT I WAS ABLE TO AVOID CRASHING INTO ANYTHING AND BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A STOP. THE SEAT IS LEANING TO THE RIGHT . I GOT IT TO THE GM DEALERSHIP AND REQUEST…"~99,100 mi, complaint #1401108
  16. #16

    seatbelt and pretensioner

    13 unsafe, 2 annoyance

    15
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=15, median 85,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "THE FLEXIBLE STEEL CABLE THAT CONNECTS THE SAFETY BELT TO THE VEHICLE AT THE OUTSIDE OF THE FRONT OUTBOARD SEATING POSITIONS HAS FATIGUED AND SEPARATED OVER TIME AS A RESULT OF OCCUPANT MOVEMENT INTO THE SEAT. THIS RECALL IS A DISGRACE! WHEN WILL A REMEDY BE…"~35,000 mi, complaint #1230996
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT LOOSENED. THE CONTACT HAD TO READJUST THE SEAT BELT TO MAKE IT TIGHT. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO REPAIRED…"~66,140 mi, complaint #1286775
    • "MY VEHICLE DOES NOT ALWAYS FLASH THE NO SEAT BELT SIGN. WHEN DRIVING UNBUCKLED, THE NO SEATBELT WARNING SIGN WILL APPEAR AND FLASH. HOWEVER, AFTER JUST A FEW MOMENTS THE WARNING LIGHT WILL TURN OFF. THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN INSTANCES WHERE THE WARNING LIGHT WON'T…"~85,700 mi, complaint #1328873
    • "WHILE MY SEATBELT IS FASTENED THE SEATBELT NOTIFICATION GOES OFF AS IF ITS NOT FASTENED. ALSO AS I'M ACCELERATING IT'S LIKE MY CAR STRUGGLES TO GET TO 40 MPH. SOMETIMES I HAVE TO GIVE IT A LITTLE MORE GAS FOR IT TO GO OVER 40"~132,000 mi, complaint #1676389
    • "THE CABLE TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BROKE. EVIDENTLY, OTHER MALIBU'S THIS YEAR HAD A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM. BUT, MY VIN # IS NOT ACCEPTED. CHEVY IS UNWILLING TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY. SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH COULD EASILY HAVE BEEN THE OUTCOME IF…"~173,000 mi, complaint #1541217
  17. #17

    brake hydraulics

    12 unsafe, 1 broken

    13
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=11, median 68,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "BRAKES FAIL EMERGENCY STOP WITH ABOUT 150 FEET FROM ACCIDENT AND AIRBAG WAS DELAYED IN DEPLOYMENT. *TR"~2,300 mi, complaint #1077553
    • "CAR SLID ON SLUSH AND BRAKES FAILED TO WORK THOUGH PRESSED ALL THE WAY DOWN; CRASHED INTO A SNOWBANK DAMAGING THE FRONT END OF MY CAR. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY COULD NOT RECREATE THE PROBLEM AND THEY ALREADY HAD DONE THE RECALL ON THE PART IN OCTOBER 2013 BUT…"~29,000 mi, complaint #1077760
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP, THE BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO THE REAR END OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS T…"~44,700 mi, complaint #1071482
    • "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…"~70,450 mi, complaint #1098600
    • "The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at 30 mph, the contact avoided hitting a dog that was on the road, but the brakes failed and the vehicle crashed into a porch. None of the air bags deploy upon impact. The contact…"~136,000 mi, complaint #1782033
  18. #18

    fuel pump

    5 stranded, 6 unsafe

    11
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=20, median 90,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "FUEL PUMP FAILED(STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY) WHILE PARKED AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER. LUCKILY I WAS NOT DRIVING WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THIS IS AS SERIOUS AN ISSUE AS THE IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEM IF NOT MORE SO. I,SEE MORE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM, AND THEY A…"~42,421 mi, complaint #1176488
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF…"~82,000 mi, complaint #1204387
    • "VEHICLE SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING ON I 84 ON ROUTE TO WORCESTER, MA. HAD TO COAST WITH NO POWER STEERING AND AVOID A TRUCK TO GET OVER TO THE SIDE. ENGINE STARTED AFTER FIVE MINUTES AND RAN FOR ANOTHER HR. LUCKILY THIS TIME, STOPPED FOR FUEL AND ENGINE WOULD NO…"~119,958 mi, complaint #1066179
    • "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…"~122,000 mi, complaint #1112190
    • "STARTING PROBLEM TOWED AND WORKED ON ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. MECHANIC REPLACED FUEL PUMP, ECM RELAY, ETC. ALL FIXED THE PROBLEM TEMPORARILY.MECANIC REFUSES TO WORK ON THE CAR NOW, CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. WE KNOCK ON THE FUSE BOX IN THE TRUNK AND GET IT TO RUN BU…"~196,000 mi, complaint #1627825
  19. #19

    steering rack mechanical

    9 unsafe

    9
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=13, median 86,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AREA WHERE THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT WAS WELDED HAD FRACTURED. AS A RESULT, THE SEAT FAILED TO REMAIN IN POSITION. IN ADDITION, WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN A…"~30,000 mi, complaint #1282033
    • "HAVE HEARD A CLANKING/CLUNKING NOISE IN STEERING SINCE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN NOV 2013. NOT ALWAYS BUT ON OCCASION AND IT BECAME A NORMAL DRIVING NOISE IN THE VEHICLE AFTER SEVERAL PEOPLE TRIED TO DIAGNOSE WHAT I WAS HEARING AND FEELING IN THE STEERING. NOIS…"~61,000 mi, complaint #1073201
    • "WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND COULD NOT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN IT WAS NECESSARY TO DO SO. ONCE I MADE THE TURN I COULDN'T TURN WIDE ENOUGH BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TIGHT AND ENDED UP IN A DITCH. *TR"~80,578 mi, complaint #1163327
    • "WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON THE EARLY MORNING OF OCTOBER 17TH 2018, MY TIE ROD END SNAPPED IN MY VEHICLE, CAUSING ME TO GO OFF THE COUNTY ROAD INTO A TREE HEAD ON GOING 60 MPH. I ALSO WAS NOT WEARING A SAFETY BELT SO FORTUNATELY I AM STILL HERE TO WRITE TH…"~112,680 mi, complaint #1543898
    • "STEERING WHEELS SHAKES WHILE PARKED BY ITSELF"~149,500 mi, complaint #1530011
  20. #20

    wiper and washer

    8 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    9
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=10, median 36,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THE WINDSHIELD WAS NOT CLEAR ENOUGH AND HER VISIBILITY WAS IMPAIRED WHEN THE CONDITIONS OUTSIDE WERE CLOUDY. THERE WAS A VISIBLE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE SIDE VIEW MIRROR AND THE WINDSHIELD. THE VE…"~12,000 mi, complaint #927315
    • "WIPER SYSTEM FAILED DURING RAIN STORM. NEITHER WIPER BLADE MOVED. PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS WIPER TRANSMISSION FAILURE. PART COST $135 FROM THE CHEVROLET DEALER PLUS $150 LABOR TO INSTALL. COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE WIPER SYSTEM WITHOUT ANY WARNING SUCH AS SLI…"~46,000 mi, complaint #1057192
    • "I WAS DRIVING NORTHBOUND ON I-[REDACTED ADDRESS] AND PRIOR TO PASSING THE PHILADELPHIA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT MY WIPERS SUDDENLY STOPPED FUNCTIONING WHILE THEY WERE IN USE. I WAS PETRIFIED BECAUSE WATER WAS ACCUMULATING RAPIDLY ON TO MY WINDSHIELD AND THE MOTO…"~81,875 mi, complaint #1162150
    • "I WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED ON I-95 IN THE RAIN WHEN THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS SUDDENLY FAILED. FORTUNATELY, BOTH THE RAIN AND TRAFFIC WERE RELATIVELY LIGHT AND I HAD SUFFICIENT VISIBILITY TO SAFELY EXIT THE HIGHWAY AT THE NEXT INTERCHANGE. HAD IT HAPPENED ONE…"~87,200 mi, complaint #1061917
    • "WINDSHIELD WIPER TRANSMISSION HAS QUIT 2 TIMES IN 2 1/2 YEARS. THE WIPER ARMS CAN BE MOVED BY HAND WITH NO RESISTANCE. BOTH TIMES IN HEAVY RAIN GOING OVER 55MPH IN THE DARK LEAVING ME WITH NO WAY TO SEE THE ROAD. I HAD TO STOP QUICK TO GET ON THE SHOULDER OF T…"~175,000 mi, complaint #1492668
  21. #21

    battery and charging

    2 stranded, 5 unsafe

    7
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=15, median 54,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BA…"~27,510 mi, complaint #1044385
    • "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.…"~40,000 mi, complaint #1117301
    • "DRIVING 65 MPH ON INTERSTATE AND SERVICE ESC AND ALL OTHER LIGHTS CAME ON AND ENGINE DIED. I HAD TO MANEUVER 3 LANES TO THE RIGHT IN RUSH HOUR TO GET TO THE BREAKDOWN LANE WITHOUT POWER STEERING. "FAULTY ALTERNATOR" RULED TO BE AT FAULT. NO WARNING THAT MORNIN…"~42,568 mi, complaint #968736
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI THEFT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO START. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, SHE NO…"~65,000 mi, complaint #1252669
    • "BATTERY LIGHT COMING ON. DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSE BAD ALTERNATOR. INSTALLED NEW ALTERNATOR. TWO WEEKS PASSED, ALL DASHBOARD LIGHTS COME ON, LOST POWER STEERING, WHILE DRIVING. CAR TOWED IN. DEALERSHIP FOUND FUSIBLE LINK BURNT ON ALTERNATOR, WHICH CAUSED FIRST…"~103,835 mi, complaint #1298981
  22. #22

    door latch and hinge

    6 unsafe, 1 broken

    7
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "DRIVER'S DOOR WILL NOT CLOSE AND LATCH PROPERLY OR UNLOCK/UNLATCH TO OPEN. THIS HAS STARTED OCCURRING FREQUENTLY. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS REGARDING DOOR LATCH MECHANISM FAILURES THAT DEALERS ARE MORE THAN WILLING TO FIX FOR HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS. I FEEL THIS…"~54,000 mi, complaint #1189280
    • "THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, DESPITE BEING UNLOCKED. THE DOOR WAS UNACCESSIBLE FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE DOOR. MANUALLY LOCKED AND UNLOCKED, USED THE LOCK/UNLOCK DEVICE ON THE KEY RING, PRESSED CHILDLOCK ON AND OFF- UNSUCCE…"~58,300 mi, complaint #1189424
    • "AS I WAS LEAVING WORK AT NIGHT, I UNLOCKED MY DOORS WITH THE KEY REMOTE AND I WENT TO REACH FOR MY DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HANDLE AND COULDN'T OPEN THE DOOR. I TRIED LOCKING AND UNLOCKING THE DOOR A COUPLE TIMES AND I EVEN TRIED TO UNLOCK IT MANUALLY BUT COULD NOT…"~75,000 mi, complaint #1066724
    • "FRONT PASSENGER DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED FROM OUTSIDE OR INSIDE. HAD TO CLIMB OVER SEAT TO GET OUT OF THE BACK DOOR. CAR WAS IN A PARKING LOT."~96,000 mi, complaint #1425045
    • "I TRIED TO OPEN MY DRIVERS SIDE DOOR AND IT WOULD NOT OPEN RANDOMLY LOOKED IT UP ONLINE AND APPARENTLY ALOT OF OTHER PEOPLE WERE HAVING THIS PROBLEM WITH NO WAY TO FIX BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT GET TO THE PROBLEM WITH THE DOOR STUCK SHUT, WITH NO SOLUTION SHOULD…"~178,000 mi, complaint #1570209
  23. #23

    engine internal

    2 stranded, 5 unsafe

    7
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. DIAGNOSED AS FAULTY CAM SOLENOIDS. *TR"~36,825 mi, complaint #1146189
    • "1. MY CAR IS 5 YEAR OLD AND 73,000 MILES. WE USE IT FOR COMMUTING TO WORK AND GROCERY. AND WE DO ALL THE MAINTENANCE AT DUBLIN CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP. ON NOV 11TH, MY CAR BROKE DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY AND BLOCKED THE TRAFFIC. THE FRONT TRUNK WAS SMOKING. THE CAR WAS…"~73,000 mi, complaint #1337836
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE ESC WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE FAILURE RECURRED IN COLD WEATHER NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT…"~80,000 mi, complaint #1250414
    • "THE SERVICE ESC AND TRACTION SENSORS FLASH, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHES. THE CAR LOSES POWER AND LURCHES AND BUCKS. THE CAR RUNS REALLY ROUGH AND SOUNDS HORRIBLE! THE DEALER SAID THE FUEL INJECTORS NEEDED $1700 WORTH OF CLEANING, BUT DIDN'T MENTION ANY OF TH…"~130,000 mi, complaint #1406748
  24. #24

    steering column

    6 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    7
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "I PURCHASED MY 2011 MALIBU IN APRIL 2012. INITIALLY, I WAS EXPERIENCING POWER SURGES UPON BREAKING. I WAS SLOWING DOWN TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND MY CAR WOULD SURGE FORWARD BEFORE STOPPING. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED A SENSOR. I'M STILL EXPERIENCING THE S…"~36,000 mi, complaint #1052626
    • "A CLUNKING WAS COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WHILE DRIVING, WHICH ENDED UP BEING THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT."~80,000 mi, complaint #1720673
    • "ESC OFF "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL" LIGHTS FLASHED ON UPON START OF VEHICLE, POWER STEERING WAS OFF/NOT WORKING. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE ERRORS DISAPPEARED AND IT WAS DRIVEABLE. THIS HAPPENED 7-8 TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF 2 WEEKS, AS IT BECAME MORE FRE…"~101,000 mi, complaint #1539945
    • "THE STEERING WHEEL MATERIAL IS DETERIORATING CAUSING THE OPERATOR TO LOSE CONTACT WITH THE WHEEL WHILE TURNING THE WHEEL. THE HANDS EITHER SLIP OFF THE WHEEL OR CATCH CAUSING AN ABRUPT STOP WHILE CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AS THE MATERIA…"~118,000 mi, complaint #1490503
  25. #25

    key fob and immobilizer

    2 stranded, 2 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "CARS ANTI THEFT IS NOT READING THE KEY SO CAR WILL NOT START."~59,000 mi, complaint #1235602
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AS THE IMMOBILIZER INDICATOR WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE TIM LALLY CHEVROLET DEALER ([REDACTED PHONE],…"~82,000 mi, complaint #1564777
    • "MY 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU IS CRANKING, BUT NOT STARTING. I HAD A IT TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP, WHO RAN A TEST ON THE FUEL SYSTEM, BATTERY, ALTERNATOR, BUT NOTHING WAS FOUND. I RESEARCHED IT AND FOUND THAT THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM CAN STOP YOUR VEHICLE FROM STARTING.…"~106,459 mi, complaint #1283639
    • "THE CAR HAD A "SHORT" IN THE BLINKER. WHEN TRYING TO LOCATE THE SHORT, THE CAR WENT COMPLETELY OFF. IT APPEARS TO HA E TRIGGERED AN ANTI THEFT DEVICE. IN THIS MODE, YOU CAN DO NOTHING. SO, EVEN IN MY DRIVEWAY, I CAN'T GET THE CAR IN NEUTRAL TO TOW IT. EVERYTHI…"~120,031 mi, complaint #1488402
  26. #26

    abs module

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=11, median 99,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "I PURCHASED A 2011 MALIBU FROM CHAMPION CHEVROLET IN AUSTIN, TX IN NOVEMBER 2010. THE CAR WAS DELIVERED TO ME WITH A KNOWN DEFECTIVE EBCM (ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE). THEY HAD THE PART ON ORDER AND DIDN'T TELL ME. I FOUND OUT A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER WHEN…"~550 mi, complaint #838694
    • "THE ABS, ESC, AND SERVICE TRACTION LIGHTS CAME ON WHILE I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE SUDDENLY MY CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING. I EXITED THE HIGHWAY AND AS MY CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP IT STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS AND THE BREAKS LOCKED UP SO I COULDNT STOP. IT O…"~96,000 mi, complaint #1630872
    • "CAR HAD ABS LIGHT COME ON MENTIME THEM CHECK ENGINE LIGHT LIGHT COME ON THEN ABS LIGHT COME ON"~99,021 mi, complaint #1747521
    • "BRAKE LIGHTS WITHOUT APPLYING PRESSURE TO BRAKE PEDAL. TURNS OFF TRACTION CONTROL AND ESC.WORSE IN COLDER OR DAMP WEATHER."~130,000 mi, complaint #1568704
  27. #27

    heater core and blower

    3 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "I HAVE A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU AND HAD TO REPLACE THE HEATING CORE AND NOW THE HVAC SYSTEM IS LEAKING AND DAMAGED ALL THE CARPETS. I AM ALSO HEARING A THUMPING NOISE IN THE REAR OF THE CAR. I HAVE RECENTLY BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND I HAVE TO WAIT F…"~20,000 mi, complaint #993416
    • "ONCE LAST WINTER I STARTED MY CAR AT 4:30 AM TO TRAVEL TO WORK. I NOTICED MY DEFROSTER WAS NOT WORKING. MY CAR HAD BEEN RUNNING FOR 15 MINUTES AND WAS WARMED UP. I CHOSE NOT TO DRIVE MY CAR SINCE I COULD NOT SEE OUT OF MY WINDSHIELD. THIS SUMMER, MY CAR DI…"~58,000 mi, complaint #1143564
    • "AC / HEAT WAS WORKING FINE THEN ALL THE SUDDEN IT QUIT WORKING WITHOUT WARNING. NO NOISE, NO INDICATION WHAT SO EVER IT WAS BAD. I TOOK IT IN AND THE RELAY WAS BAD SO IT HAD TO BE REPLACED. NOW 7 MONTHS LATER, ALL THE SUDDEN WENT OUT AGAIN. HARD TO BELIEVE TH…"~58,900 mi, complaint #1181813
    • "HEATING/AIR DOESN'T WANT TO BLOW UNLESS A WINDOW OR SUNROOF IS OPEN AND CAR IS IN MOTION."~93,000 mi, complaint #1372070
  28. #28

    wheel bearing

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "WHILE DRIVING BACK FROM VACATION, I BEGAN TO NOTICE A VIBRATION AND NOISE FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE AREA. THIS WOULD WORSEN AND INCREASE IN INTENSITY AS SPEED INCREASED. ALTHOUGH IT DID NOT APPEAR TO ADVERSELY AFFECT DRIVING, IT WOULD NOT GO AWAY AND…"~29,000 mi, complaint #1212549
    • "THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL BEARING BEGAN FAILED WITH LOW MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS, WHICH COST JUST OVER $400. IF THE BEARING WOULD HAVE FULLY FAILED PRIOR TO MY SEEKING REPAIRS, THE FAILURE WOULD HAVE RESULTE…"~34,000 mi, complaint #1439599
  29. #29

    alignment and pull

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "HIGHWAY DRIVEING SPEEDS OVER 50MPH STEERING IS EXTREAMLY LOOSE ON A TWO LANE ROAD WHEN BIGGER VEHICLES PASS THE AIR PUSHES MY CAR SO BAD I GET TERRIFIED IT WILL MAKE ME HIT A DITCH MY CAR IS LESS THEN A WEEK OLD TO ME. UNDER 70K MILES. EVEN REGULAR DRIVEING ON…"~65,000 mi, complaint #1263260
    • "WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE VEHICLE PULLS TO THE LEFT. I HAD IT ALIGNED AND TOOK IT BACK SEVERAL DAYS LATER BECAUSE IT WAS STILL PULLING LEFT. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT EVERYTHING WAS WITHIN SPEC AND IT SHOULD BE FINE. THEY TRIED ROTATING THE TIRES AG…"~77,000 mi, complaint #1243806
    • "I WAS GOING ON A 3HR TRIP ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY, 40MIN INTO MY RIDE MY VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. AS I CONTINUED TO DRIVE IT BEGAN PULLING TO THE RIGHT AND SHAKING TERRIBLY. 40MIN FROM MY FINAL DESTINATION MY CAR WAS SHAKING HORRIBLY AND IT FELT LIKE THE STEERING WH…"~125,000 mi, complaint #1268267
  30. #30

    brake pads and rotors

    2 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "I HAD MY 2011 MALIBU SERVICED AT MARTY FELDMAN CHEVROLET FOR ROTORS, BRAKE PADS AND ALL FLUIDS CHANGED BECAUSE OF MILEAGE IN JULY 2013.IN NOVEMBER 2013, I BEGAN HEARING THE SAME NOISES THAT LEAD ME TO HAVE MY ROTORS REPLACED ON THE DRIVER'S FRONT SIDE. I WENT…"~60,000 mi, complaint #1080959
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSION FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT WAS INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO TH…"~142,000 mi, complaint #1620754
  31. #31

    exhaust system

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "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."~97,000 mi, complaint #1518728
  32. #32

    interior trim

    2 unsafe, 1 broken

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "AFTER HAVING REPAIRS MADE AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR DRIVERS SEAT HEATER NOT WORKING. THE DRIVER SEAT HEATER ELEMENT WAS REPLACED, I HAD DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 20 MILES WHEN THE SEAT STARTED SMOKING AND CAUGHT FIRE. BY THE TIME I GOT THE CAR STOPPED AND PULLED TO T…"~35,190 mi, complaint #1049849
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SEAT HEATER BURNED A HOLE IN THE CONTACT'S COAT. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS BURNED ON THE BACK UNDER THE RIGHT SHOULDER BLADE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE LOCA…"~69,621 mi, complaint #1439293
    • "THE METAL ON SIDE OF SEAT BROKE CAUSING THE SEAT NOT TO BE ABLE TO ADJUST. ALSO, ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS LIGHTER HAD SHORTAGE AND SPEAKER SOUNDS INCREASE AND DECREASE WITH BEING ADJUSTED, AND THE LIGHT FOR THE TIRE PRESSURE REMAIN ON EVEN WHEN THE TIRES HAS SUFFIC…"~85,876 mi, complaint #1681064
  33. #33

    power windows and locks

    2 unsafe, 1 broken

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "POWER LOCKS DON'T WORK! THE REMOTE KEY CHAIN BUTTON WILL UNLOCK THE DOORS BUT WILL NOT LOCK THE DOORS. I CAN'T EVEN USE THE POWER LOCKS ON THE DRIVER DOOR TO LOCK THE DOORS ON THE INSIDE. I HAVE TO LEAN OVER TO THE PASSENGER SIDE TO LOCK THE DOORS THEN GET OUT…"~72,000 mi, complaint #1072804
    • "POWER SEAT WELD AND FRAME BROKE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON NOTHING WRONG MIRROR POWER ADJUSTING DOES NOT WORK"~100,100 mi, complaint #1740452
    • "NEITHER FRONT DOOR ELECTRIC LOCKS WILL UNLOCK WHEN CAR IS STOPPED. OPERATOR AND PASSENGER MUST PHYSICALLY TURN AROUND AND UNLOCK THE DOOR TO GET OUT OF CAR. EVERYTHING ELECTRICAL IN THE CAR (SWITCHES, RADIO, GAUGES, LOCKS, WINDOWS) HAS MALFUNCTIONED AT ONE P…"~176,000 mi, complaint #1660715
  34. #34

    tire failure

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "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"~17,000 mi, complaint #1102862
    • "AT 17000 MILES, I NOTED CRACKS IN THE SIDEWALLS OF THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT FIRESTONE FR710 TIRES. MY MECHANIC INSPECTED THE TIRES AND TOLD ME THAT THE TIRES WERE COMPLETELY DRY-ROTTED, REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF ALL 4 TIRES. THE DATE CODE ON THE TIRES (4210) INDI…"~17,000 mi, complaint #1275170
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU EQUIPPED WITH MASTERCRAFT LSR GRAND TOURING TIRES, SIZE: 225/50R17 (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE INDICATOR WAS FLASHING AND THE NUMBERS CONTINUED TO FLUCTUATE. IN ADDITION, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE T…"~123,056 mi, complaint #1605866
  35. #35

    tpms

    2 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "MY CAR WILL RANDOMLY SHOW THE OIL 100 ONE DAY AND NEXT IT'S 50% AND THE TIRES SENSERS WOULD SHOW LOW WHEN THE TIRE WOULD BE FULL AIR BAG WOULD SAY TO GET CHECKED THEN I'D TAKE IT IN FOR A OIL CHANGE AND EVERYTHING WOULD BE GOOD . NOTHING WRONG IT'S VERY ODD AN…"~11,000 mi, complaint #1487818
    • "MY VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 62,000 MILES AND THE CENTER REAR BRAKES LIGHT JUST INSIDE THE REAR WINDOW IS NOT WORKING. IT SEEMS VERY DIM. FAILED STATE SAFETY INSPECTION. NOT AN ACCIDENT."~62,000 mi, complaint #1740277
    • "TIRES GO FLAT REALLY FAST. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS NOT READY MY TIRES NO MORE AND DON'T SHOW IF THERE'S AN ISSUE INCLUDING AIRBAGS. THE LIGHT WAS ON FOR A MONTH AND WEN TAWAU I GOT HIS IN THE FRONT OF MY CAR AND MY AIRBAGS DIDN'T NOT DEPLOY."~140,899 mi, complaint #1617746
  36. #36

    unintended acceleration

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "SATURDAY AROUND ABOUT 2 PM ON 2/2/2019. IN VEHICLE TRAVELING IN LEFT LANE ON HIGHWAY 72. VEHICLES WERE AT COMPLETE STOP AT TRAFFIC LIGHT. WHEN THE TRAFFIC LIGHT CHANGED AND THE VEHICLES BEGAN TO MOVE ABOUT LOW MPH TO GRADUALLY FLOWING WITH MOVING TRAFFIC. I RE…"~69,000 mi, complaint #1641023
  37. #37

    corrosion and rust

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "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,…"~91,500 mi, complaint #1664899
  38. #38

    cruise control conventional

    1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT DISENGAGE UNTIL I HIT THE BRAKES HARD ENOUGH TO ACTIVATE THE ESC. RECALL #14V252000 COVERED THIS PROBLEM BUT GM SAYS MY VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE EXPANDED TO COVER ALL MALIBU MANUFACTUR…"~16,300 mi, complaint #1213002
  39. #39

    driveshaft axle cv

    1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "I STARTED TO EXPERIENCE A VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. THE PROBLEM PERSISTED AND THEN A NOISE STARTED AS WELL. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE DETERMINED THAT IT WAS A BROKEN AXLE SHAFT TH…"~32,000 mi, complaint #1043003
    • "REPLACED INTERMEDIATE SHAFT ON FEB 12, 2015. WAS TOLD NOT INCLUDED UNDER CERTIFIED WARRANTY. ALSO NOT INCLUDED IN RECALLL. WOULD LIKE CONSIDERATION OF REFUND OF REPAIR. THERE WAS A CLUNK NOISE ON LEFT SIDE. FOUND TO BE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT AND PAID FOR REPA…"~52,000 mi, complaint #1235869
  40. #40

    engine cooling

    1 stranded, 1 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "SLOSHING SOUND IN DASH. REPAIRS-WATER PUMP,THERMOSTAT AND THERMOSTAT HOUSING, $850.00 AUGUST 2015, LOSS POWER STEERING AND TRACTION. SDM(AIR BAG MODULE) REPLACED $965"~96,000 mi, complaint #1267129
    • "THE ENGINE OVERHEATED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, IT LOST POWER AND STARTED SMOKING. THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE DROPPED TO ZERO AND WAS FORCED TO PULL OFF ONTO THE SHOULDER AND BE TOWED TO A SERVICE STATION BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER OPERABLE. THE MECHAN…"~98,616 mi, complaint #1333098
  41. #41

    instrument cluster

    1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS INOPERABLE AND HE WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE HOW FAST HE WAS TRAVELING OR HOW MANY MILES WERE ON THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER MADE THREE ATTEMPTS TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. T…"~10,000 mi, complaint #882707
    • "LIGHTS ON PANAL COME ON GO OFF WHEN I STOP THE CAR AND TURN BACK ON. I WAS DRIVING MAYBE 30-[REDACTED ADDRESS] GOING STRAIGHT. NO WE RAIN, POT HOLES OR SPEED BUMPS"~114,900 mi, complaint #1552374
  42. #42

    suspension arms and bushings

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "NTSB: 2011 CHEVY MALIBU: CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED STEERING ISSUES, SO THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SERVICE. DURING SERVICE, THE CONSUMER WAS NOTIFIED THE PARTS IN QUESTION WERE DETERIORATING SEVERELY. *SS THE DEALER FOUND THE REAR TRAIL…"complaint #1273000
    • "THE PROBLEM I AM EXPERIENCING WITH MY 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU LTZ IS A METALLIC RATTLE COMING FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING OVER UNEVEN ROADS. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW ON AUGUST 24, 2010. THE VERY NEXT DAY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE I BEGA…"complaint #820275
  43. #43

    suspension struts shocks

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "I WAS SOLD A VEHICLE WITH BAD STRUTS ALL AROUND VEHICLE AND HAVE ONLY HAD IT FOR UNDER 40 DAYS. *TR"complaint #1670424
    • "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 T…"complaint #1733475
  44. #44

    wheel or rim

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "THIS PAST FALL MY LOW TIRE AIR LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK MY CAR INTO FREE TIRE SERVICE WHICH IS A REPUTABLE TIRE COMPANY. IT IS WHERE I PURCHASED MY TIRES ALONG WITH A TIRE PROTECTION PLAN. THEY SAID THAT MY RIMS(WHICH CAME STOCK ON THE CAR FROM THE DEALERSHIP) AR…"~74,589 mi, complaint #1270557
    • "MY CHEVY MALIBU HAS HAD TWO LEAKING STEEL RIMS. THE FIRST TIME ONE OF MY RIMS WAS LEAKING IT WAS WHILE IT WAS PARKED. I KEPT PUTTING AIR IN MY TIRE AND WOULD NOT STAY FOR LONG. I HAD TO ADD AIR AT LEAST 2-3 TIMES A DAY. THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED THE VEHICL…"~100,000 mi, complaint #1437398
  45. #45

    ac compressor and refrigerant

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "MUSTY ODOR FROM HVAC SYSTEM ON GM CARS AND TRUCKS PRIOR TO 2012. THE MICROBIAL GROWTH HAS TO BE IDENTIFIED TO ASSURE PUBLIC SAFETY. IN MY VEHICLE, THE ODOR CONTINUES EVEN THOUGH THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT PERFORMED THE REMEDIAL WORK SUGGESTED BY GENERAL MOTORS. T…"complaint #928249
  46. #46

    brake booster

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Rear window brake light stays illuminated have to keep raising the brake pad up to get it to go off and in the daytime you arent able to see it. The alarm system is not allowing the car to start correctly. It is very frustrating to have to remove battery cab…"complaint #1780420
  47. #47

    fuel tank and lines

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "CHECK LIGHT WITH EVAPORATIVE LEAK AT LESS THAN 5 YEARS AND APPROX 97800 MILES. DEALER REPLACED HEAVILY CORRODED FUEL PUMP MODULE, AND A WEEK LATER THE FUEL TANK ITSELF, ALSO DUE TO HEAVY CORROSION. DEALER PROVIDED DISCOUNTS AND FREE LOANER, I HAVE NO COMPLAINT…"~98,000 mi, complaint #1360423
  48. #48

    lighting interior

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "MY MOTHER"S 2011 CHEVY MALIBU LTZ HAS HAD A RECURRING PROBLEM CONCERNING DASH LIGHTS. IT IS QUITE COMMON FOR US TO BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, THERE ARE NO LIGHTS WITHIN THE GAUGE PANEL OR STEREO FACE PANEL. SOMETIMES THE LIGHTS WILL ONLY DIM…"complaint #1640675
  49. #49

    mirror

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED A BLIND SPOT WHEN LOOKING OUT THE PASSENGER REAR VIEW MIRROR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS ALMOST INVOLVED IN A CRASH DUE TO THE ABNORMAL BLIND SPOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER INS…"~1,500 mi, complaint #846915
  50. #50

    noise or vibration unspecified

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD SQUEALING NOISE COMING FROM THE EXTERIOR BODY OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE REPAIRED BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT REPLICATE THE FAIL…"~58,000 mi, complaint #1257364
  51. #51

    sunroof

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "I HAVE A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU AND WHEN IT RAIN THE DRIVER SIDE ON THE INSIDE ALWAYS GETS WET. ITS THE LEFT SIDE ONLY THAT HAS WATER ON IT. THIS IS BECOMING A PROBLEM BECAUSE I ONLY HAVE HAS THIS CAR FOR A YEAR. YES IT DOES HAVE A SUNROOF BUT NO WATER IS COMIN…"complaint #1159285
  52. #52

    transmission manual clutch

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "I WAS DRIVING DOWN A SIDE RESIDENTIAL STREET, WHEN I WENT TO PARK NOTICED THAT THE CAR WAS STUCK IN REVERSE. I WASN'T ABLE TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK. THE SHIFTER BEGAN SHIFTING INTO DIFFERENT GEARS AND FELT AS THERE WAS NO CATCH. I TURNED THE CAR OFF BECAUSE I DI…"~52,000 mi, complaint #1214936

Recall-sized clusters

These are large batches of near-identical complaints (recall notifications, service campaigns), kept separate from the ranking above so they don't drown out individually-reported problems.

Not matched to any cluster below: every campaign NHTSA has on file for this exact make/model/year is 14E044000, 14V252000, 15V269000, 19V019000. This is a vehicle-wide list, not an attribution - see below for which clusters have a real, complainant-cited match.

Search NHTSA's own recall and complaint database for CHEVROLET MALIBU directly.