What 976 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu Eco

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REVERSE OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON ANOTHER OCCASION, WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS SCANNED FOR A CODE BUT THERE WAS NO FAILURE CODE. THE CONTACT CALLED HERITAGE CHEVROLET BUICK OWINGS MILLS DEALER LOCATED AT 11234 REISTERSTOWN RD, OWINGS MILLS, MD 21117 AND AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY VIOLENTLY ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS AGGRESSIVELY DEPRESSED WHICH DECREASED SLIGHTLY THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE BUT DID NOT COMPLETELY STOP THE VEHICLE. A CHIME SOUNDED BUT IT WAS UNKNOWN IF A WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WENT OVER THE CURB AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. THERE WAS FRONT END DAMAGE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE MANUFACTURER CALLED THE CONTACT AND INFORMED HER TO NOT BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC TESTING BUT TO TAKE PHOTOS AND SEND THEM TO AN E-MAIL ADDRESS PROVIDED BY THE REPRESENTATIVE. THE CASE NUMBER FOR THE CONVERSATION WITH THE MANUFACTURER REPRESENTATIVE WAS 8-3068861818. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V252000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL), 14E44000 (STEERING), AND 15V269000 (SEAT BELTS) WERE RELATED TO THE FAILURES EXPERIENCED. THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER BEING DRIVEN DUE TO THE CONTACT BEING CONCERNED FOR HER SAFETY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 106,807. *JS

NHTSA ODI 11002822

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 CAR.THE TWO CARS COLIDED AT A INTERSECTION IN THE MIDDLE OF LACROSSE WIS AND THE OTHER VEHICAL WENT OVER MY CARS HOOD AND OVER TURNED. THE OTHER DRIVER WAS EXTRACTED FROM HIS VEHICAL WITH THE JAWS OF LIFE.

NHTSA ODI 10986383

CAR SEAT (HEAT WARMER) CAUGHT ON FIRE

NHTSA ODI 10985665

I WAS DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY AND MY MALIBU STOPPED AND APPEARED THE IMAGE OF TRACTION CONTROL OFF AND THE MOTOR WAS SHAKING AND MY LIGHT OF CHECK ENGINE WAS ON AND MY CAR DID NOT ADVANCE MORE THEN 10 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10944030

THE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON BUT THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN INVOLVED IN A WRECK CAUSED BY THE NEGLIGENCE OF ANOTHER PERSON ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY AND WILL NOT GO OFF. CLAIMS ADJUSTER DENIED THE REPAIR STATING THAT IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2011 MALIBU'S AND COULD NOT DETERMINE WITHOUT CERTAINTY THAT IT WASN'T ON BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. THIS LIGHT IS ANNOYING AND A CONSTANT REMINDER THAT I AM DRIVING A FAULTY VEHICLE OF WHICH I COULD BE SERIOUSLY INJURED IF I AM INVOLVED IN ANOTHER CRASH BECAUSE MY AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10937041

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE BACK, NECK, LEG, AND ARMS, WHICH CONTINUOUSLY REQUIRED MEDICAL TREATMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT AND WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,900.

NHTSA ODI 10925258

FIRE IN TRUNK STARTED AT REAR FUSE PANEL. DRIVING AT 35 MPH IN DRIZZLE, TRUNK AJAR MESSAGE LIT, STOPPED TO CHECK IT & ENGINE STALLED AS I PULLED OFF THE ROAD, FOUND THE TRUNK SECURELY LATCHED, AND COULDN'T OPEN IT WITH KEY FOB OR BUTTON IN CABIN. THEN SAW PAINT TURNING BROWN (SCORCHING) AT REAR CORNER PANEL AT LOCATION OF REAR FUSE PANEL. BY THE TIME FIRE DEPT. ARRIVED THE CABIN AND TRUNK FULLY ENGULFED - TOTAL LOSS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10924366

LATE LAST WEEK, AFTER GETTING OFF THE FREEWAY, ONTO THE CITY STREET, MY FRONT WHEELS COMPLETELY LOCKED UP AT 50 MPH (AS IF THE TRANSMISSION HAD A CATASTROPHIC MECHANICAL FAILURE). THIS ENDED UP IN SOMEONE REAR ENDING ME, CAUSING INJURIES AND SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS WORTH OF DAMAGE TO THE CARS.

NHTSA ODI 10924022

AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY NORMALLY. HAD AN ACCIDENT AND DRIVER BAG DEPLOYED LITTLE. PASSENGER NEVER DEPLOYED. CAR WAS ON HIGHWAY. INVOLVED WITH ANOTHER CAR THEIR'S FULLY DEPLOYED.

NHTSA ODI 10908507

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED FRACTURED BONES ON HER FACE AND THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR CONTUSIONS THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING AXLE AND TIRES WERE DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000.

NHTSA ODI 10895902

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FELL OUT ONTO THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE AND DID NOT DEPLOY CORRECTLY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 57,000.

NHTSA ODI 10887715

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT PROPERLY RESTRAIN THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A HEAD INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ODI 10861861

THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION GOING ABOUT 40 MPH AND HIT ANOTHER MOVING VEHICLE. MOST OF THE DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE HEADLIGHT AREA ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE MALIBU. MODERATE DAMAGE TO THE MALIBU BUT THE DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA ODI 10860625

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 NOTICED THAT SMOKE AND UNKNOWN FLUID WERE BUBBLING OUT OF THE BATTERY. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED, WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A SHORTAGE WITHIN THE BATTERY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

NHTSA ODI 10819991

THE HVAC RESISTOR IS MALFUNCTIONG, ONGOING ISSUE WITH NUMEROUS PRODUCTS, THE RESISTOR MALFUNCTIONS AND CREATES A SMALL FIRE A SHORTS OUT THE RESISTOR MELTS THE HARNESS THAT ATTACHES TO THE RESISTOR. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND AFTER REFUELING HVAC BLOWER NO LONGER WORKED.

NHTSA ODI 10789581

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AND THEN THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FIRE INITIATED ON THE TRUNK NEAR THE FUSE BOX. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V269000 (SEAT BELTS) AND 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) BUT THE REMEDY WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED AND ENTERING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE FRONTAL DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL WHERE HE SUSTAINED A BURN TO HIS ARM AND STOMACH INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000.

NHTSA ODI 10779750

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 DIDN'T KNOW WHAT HAD HAPPENED. THE KEY WAS STUCK IN THE IGNITION, BECAUSE COULDN'T PUT THE CAR IN PARK. I EXITED THE CAR AND THE CAR STARTED TO ROLL BACKWARDS AND HIT THE CAR BEHIND ME. I APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND THE CAR STILL ROLLED IN REVERSE. SO I UNHOOKED THE BATTERY CABLES AND APPLIED BRICKS BEHIND THE TIRES. I HAD A MECHANIC COME TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED AND HE STATED THAT THIS HAD BEEN A RECALL ON PRIOR YEARS OF THIS MODEL, BUT NOT THE YEAR OF MY CAR. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR AND I WENT TO THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP IN WHICH THEY NOTHING ABOUT THIS PART, BUT STATE MANY PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. IT IS UNSAFE WITH THIS DEFECT. THE CABLE COMES OFF THE HOOK AND YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO APPLY A SHIFT TO ANY GEAR AND THE CAR WILL ACCELERATE REGARDLESS. I DON'T WANT TO PUT MY INFANT IN THIS CAR KNOWING THAT IS A DEFECTIVE PART THAT CHEVY SHOULD FIX. NOT TO MENTION THE CAR SEATBELTS ARE A MALFUNCTION. CHEVY THIS REALLY NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT FOR THIS YEAR MAKE AND MODEL.

NHTSA ODI 10760840

MY DAUGHTER AND I WAS STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT AND A LADY REAR ENDED US AND HER SEATBELT NEVER CAUGHT AND SHE HIT THE DASHBOARD HEAD ON AND Y SEATBELT CAUGHT AND RELEASED AND I HIT THE STEERING WHEEL HEAD ON.

NHTSA ODI 10733035

2/28/15 TWITCH IN STEERING AT 55 MPH. (5 TWITCH/8 MI.) HAD BEEN SNOWY WITH SUBZERO TEMPS, AND SUSPECTED ICE IN STEERING LINKAGE. FOLLOWING DAY EXHIBITED SAME TWITCHES, BUT FEWER. BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPACE WHEN STEERING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT. MESSAGES ON DRIVER INFORMATION: POWER STEERING FAILURE, ESC REQUIRES SERVICE, AND A YELLOW TRIANGLE WITH WAVY MARKS WAS ILLUMINATED. DROVE 2.25 MI TO RELATIVE'S HOME. TURNED CAR OFF & RESTARTED; POWER STEERING WORKED AGAIN. NEXT DAY CHECKED FUSE CONNECTIONS ON PASSENGER SIDE OF CONSOLE, AND UNDER HOOD NEAR BATTERY. 80A POWER STEERING FUSE WAS LOOSE ON ONE SIDE. NUTS SECURELY TIGHTENED, BUT RIVETS ON FUSE BODY WERE LOOSE; LUG COULD BE MOVED APPROX 1/32". REPLACED FUSE, AND WORKED BETTER. THEN NOTICED THAT TWITCHING HAD RETURNED; WAS PREVALENT WITH VEHICLE STOPPED AND RUNNING. ON WED DROVE VEHICLE TO PICKUP LUNCH,; STEERING WHEEL WAS TWITCHING WITH CAR IN PARK AND ENGINE RUNNING. USED REMOTE START SYSTEM TO LET ENGINE RUN AS IT WAS NEAR 0 F AND HAD ONLY DRIVEN 3 MI. RETURNED TO CAR WITHIN 10 MIN REMOTE START RUN TIME, INSERTED KEY; POWER STEERING DIDN'T WORK & SAME MESSAGES DISPLAYED. STOPPED & RESTARTED CAR; POWER STEERING DIDN'T WORK. ARRANGED FOR REPAIR, AND DROVE CAR TO SHOP LATER THAT AFTERNOON; POWER STEERING WORKED, BUT LOTS OF TWITCHING. STEERING COLUMN REPLACED DUE TO STEERING WHEEL TORQUE SENSOR CODE C0545. POWER STEERING FAILED AND FOUGHT ME AS EVIDENCED BY UNEVEN JERKY TURNING FORCE. SYSTEM ALLOWED STEERING WHEEL TO RUN ABOUT 1/8 TURN, AND THEN DAMPENED TURNING. HAVE A SORE RIGHT SHOULDER. FORCE REQUIRED TO STEER WITHOUT POWER STEERING IS INEXCUSABLE. SYSTEM DOES NOT DISENGAGE WHEN IT FAILS, AND INTERMITTENTLY INTERACTS WHILE DISPLAY INDICATES IT'S OUT OF COMMISSION. SYSTEM IS INHERENTLY DANGEROUS DUE TO FUNCTION DURING FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10693743

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

NHTSA ODI 10692676

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE, AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM THE VENTS. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT WIRES WERE BURNED AND DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY AS A PRECAUTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

NHTSA ODI 10648721

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. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

NHTSA ODI 10641615

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V438000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,356. UPDATED 10/31/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE ELECTRICAL FAILURE EFFECTED THE RADIO AND THE DOOR LOCKS. THE LOCKS WOULD NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK. THE RADIO WOULD POWER OFF OR SWITCH CD'S TO AUXILIARY THEN TO THE RADIO. UPDATED 4/28/2015 *JS

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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 EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000. UPDATED 10/17/2014*LJ UPDATED 4/1/15 *JS

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