Home · 2011 Chevrolet Malibu Eco · Complaints

What 976 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu Eco

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (976)Crash / fire / injury (62)Electrical system (234)Steering (212)Electronic Stability Control (esc) (174)Engine (160)Lights (130)Transmission & drivetrain (112)Airbags (93)Speed control (87)Seat belts (53)Brakes (44)

160 of 976 complaints match · Engine · clear filters · page 2 of 7

Jun 20, 2019Speed controlElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON LATELY. SO I TOOK IT TO A PLACE SO THEY COULD CHECK IT. THE RESULTS STATES THAT THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. MY LIGHTS ARE DIMMING, THE BRIGHT HEADLIGHTS SYMBOL COMES ON IF I AM SITTING UNDER A VIADUCT, THE RADIO IS DISAPPEARING ON THE DASHBOARD, AND MY HEATING SYSTEM IS ON WHEN IT'S OFF. THEN THE CAR IS JERKING ERRATICALLY WHEN I PROCEED TO DRIVE AFTER A STOP. MY VEHICLE IS UNDER 50,000 MILES. IT'S AT 48342 NOW. I NEED TO KNOW IF THERE ARE ANY RECALLS BECAUSE 3 YEARS AGO I,WAS UNDER 35000 MILES AND HAD TO PAY FOR A NEW ENGINE THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER THE EMISSIONS ACT, AND I HAD TO PAY $800 FOR THAT, PLUS GETTING DISRESPECTED BY THE MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF ANYTHING COMES UP CONCERNING THIS MATTER. THANK YOU

NHTSA ODI 11221609

Jun 13, 2019AirbagsSeat beltsEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DICK GENTHE CHEVROLET (866-874-7380, LOCATED AT 15600 EUREKA RD, SOUTHGATE, MI 48195) AND THE CONTACT WAS ASKED IF SHE WANTED THE VEHICLE REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V269000 (SEAT BELTS). THE CONTACT APPROVED THE RECALL REPAIRS. SIX DAYS LATER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT READY AND SHE WAS NOT ALLOWED TO SEE OR RETRIEVE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS CALLED TWO HOURS LATER TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE MADE THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND IT NEEDED TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO AIR BAG FAILURE WITH THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED A $250 DISCOUNT TOWARDS THE REPAIRS ("TAKE OR LEAVE IT"). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,865. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. *AS *TR

NHTSA ODI 11219813

May 30, 2019Electrical systemSeatsEngine

THE WIRING ON MY VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS BEEN MESSED UP CAUSING MY CHECK LIGHT ENGINE TO STAY ON AT ALL TIMES. I'VE HAD MULTIPLE MACHINISTS LOOK OVER MY VEHICLE AND HAVE SPENT LOTS OF MONEY TRYING TO GET THIS ISSUE FIXED.

NHTSA ODI 11210886

Apr 29, 2019Engine

EVERY TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED THE CAR HAS BEEN IN MOTION. 3 TIMES WITHIN A YEAR THIS CAR HAS JUST DIED ON ME. HAVE ALL POWER TO DASHBOARD LIGHTS AND RADIO BUT THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF AND WONT RESTART. FIRST TIME I WAS TOLD IT WAS LOW ON OIL. SECOND TIME IT SAT FOR 2 DAYS AND CRANKED RIGHT UP. 3RD TIME THE PLENUM ON THE EGR VALVE WAS CLEANED. IT SEEMS ODD TO ME THAT THESE 3 THINGS WOULD ALL CAUSE THE SAME EXACT ISSUE. THANKFULLY IT HAS NOT HAPPENED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND WAS ABLE TO COAST OUT OF THE ROAD

NHTSA ODI 11204345

Mar 21, 2019Engine

MY 2011 CHEVY MALIBU WITH 2.4 ECOTEC JUST BROKE A TIMING CHAIN GUIDE. 67,000 MILES. WAS GETTING THE P0016 AND P0017 CRANK / CAM CORRELATION CODES. MAN AM I TICKED!! I BOUGHT THIS CAR WITH 18,000 MILES ALWAYS CHANGED OIL. GM WILL DO NOTHING!! I HAVE OWNED A 2001 SATURN L200 THAT BROKE A TIMING CHAIN WITH 106,000 MILES AND CRASHED THE HEAD. GM WOULD DO NOTHING!! I HAD A CUTLASS SUPREME AND CUTLASS SIERRA IN THE 90'S. BOTH OF THESE CARS HAD THE OUTER HARMONIC BALANCER RING JUST COME UN-GLUED AND FALL OFF! GM DID NOTHING. THIS IS THE LAST STRAW FOR ME , I AM NOW FOCUSED ON HONDA WHO ACTUALLY CARES ABOUT RELIABILITY!!!!!

NHTSA ODI 11190432

Feb 25, 2019Electrical systemEngine

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.

NHTSA ODI 11182421

Feb 14, 2019Engine

IT IS NOTED THAT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD ON THE 3.3 L FOUR-CYLINDER ENGINES FOR YEARS HAVE A CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD THERE BY LEACHING CARBON MONOXIDE INTO THE CAB INTERIOR OF SAID AUTOMOBILES. PARTS OF CARBON MONOXIDE HAVE BEEN NOTED TO BE 20 TO 30 PPM WHEN READINGS HAVE BEEN DONE

NHTSA ODI 11180096

Feb 1, 2019Electrical systemEngineFuel system

ECS LIGHT, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, REDUCED ENGINE POWER, ABS LIGHT, CODE THROWS MAP SENSOR ERROR. HAPPENS AFTER VEHICLE GO THROUGH THE CARWASH OR GET SLUSH AND MOISTURE FROM THE ROAD. MAP SENSOR CONNECTOR SEEMS TO BE CAUSING THE ELECTRICAL ISSUE. VERY DANGEROUS GOING DOWN THE ROAD, HAPPENED SUDDENLY WHILE NOT EXPECTING IT.

NHTSA ODI 11173606

Jan 14, 2019Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE SPUTTERED AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WAS DEFECTIVE AND LOCATED DIAGNOSTIC CODE NUMBER: P2135. THE CONTACT MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE REPAIRS TO BE PERFORMED AT DAVE GILL CHEVROLET (4700 E BROAD ST, COLUMBUS, OH 43213, (614) 364-4376) ON JANUARY 15, 2019. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST SINCE THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ODI 11169916

Jan 11, 2019SteeringElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

CAR SHUT OFF AFTER DRIVING TO THE STORE, IT WOULDN'T START AND SAID SERVICE ESC

NHTSA ODI 11166417

Dec 12, 2018Electrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

WHILE NORMAL DRIVING. CAR WILL GIVE THE FOLLOWING ERROR CODES: "SERVICE ESC" "SERVICE TRACTION" "ESC OFF" AND "ENGINE PWR REDUCED" BACK TO BACK. THE CAR WILL POWER ITSELF DOWN UNTIL ~10 MPH WHILE MAKING A RATTLING NOISE. THE CAR WILL START AND ACT AS IF EVERYTHING IS FINE ONCE I PULL OVER AND FULLY SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. THIS HAPPENS AT ANY POINT, DRIVING HIGHWAY OR NEIGHBORHOOD SPEEDS, WHILE TURNING AND EVEN WHEN IDLE.

NHTSA ODI 11160871

Dec 4, 2018Electrical systemBody & structureEngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START UPON ATTEMPTING TO TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. WOOD MOTOR COMPANY (600 US-62, HARRISON, AR 72601, (870) 741-8211) INDICATED THAT THERE WAS AN INTERNAL ELECTRICAL AND ENGINE FAILURE THAT REQUIRED DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REPAIR MAY BE EXTENSIVE. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN, GEAR, BELT, AND VALVES WITHIN THE ENGINE ASSEMBLY MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE PISTONS HAD NOT BEEN FIRING AT THE RIGHT TIME AND THERE WAS AN INTERNAL MELTDOWN OF THE DASHBOARD AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

NHTSA ODI 11155911

Nov 7, 2018Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SHEPHERDS CHEVROLET BUICK (1520 E 9TH ST, ROCHESTER, IN 46975, 574-223-2136) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO CALL NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 94,000.

NHTSA ODI 11149934

Nov 6, 2018Engine

I BROUGHT THIS VEHICLE THREE YEARS AGO FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER WITH 60,000 MILES KEPT UP WITH ALL THE MAINTENANCE ETC. AND TODAY THE VEHICLE LEFT ME STRANDED A FEW BLOCKS FROM MY HOUSE . I CURRENTLY HAVE A NO START NO CRANKING ISSUE ALL THE DIAGNOSTIC FROM FUSES, RELAYS , FUEL PRESSURE, IGNITION SWITCH, BATTERY, ETC WHERE DONE LEADING US TOO BELIEVE ITS A BCM ISSUES AS TOO SEEING THAT MANY OTHER CHEVY MALIBU AND OTHER GM PRODUCTS ARE EXPERIENCING THESE SAME ISSUES

NHTSA ODI 11149794

Aug 27, 2018EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE MADE A POPPING SOUND AND STOPPED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED TO APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH AND THE STEERING LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOUSE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CALLED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,661.

NHTSA ODI 11122734

Aug 13, 2018Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

WHEN I START THE CAR THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON ESC COMES UP AND SAYS IT TURNED OFF . WHEN STATIONARY IT WILL JUST DIE, WHEN DRIVING IT WILL JUST DIE DOESN'T MATTER IF I'M GOING 75MPH ON THE HIGHWAY OR IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION OF CITY STREETS!!!!! TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY HAVE NO CLUE WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT I'VE ADD MECHANICS TELL ME IT'S MY COMPUTER BUT THEY DON'T WORK ON MY MAKE OF A CAR. THE CAR MAY START UP OR NOT. I'VE READ OF A RECALL FOR THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM BACK IN 2014 FOR THIS MAKE, MODEL, AND YEAR. THEY SAID THEY FIXED? AND THIS HAPPENED WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2016 AFTER THEY KEPT IT FOR 90DAYS FOR THE SEAT BELT RECALL.

NHTSA ODI 11119561

Jul 8, 2018Engine

SOMETIMES AT STOPS (STATIONARY) , CAR STALLS, COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT..IT WILL START AGAIN WHEN IGNITION IS TURNED ON AGAIN AS IF NOTHING WAS WRONG.

NHTSA ODI 11110127

Jul 1, 2018Engine

THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKED ALLOWING EXHAUST GASES INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.

NHTSA ODI 11104993

Apr 30, 2018Speed controlEngine

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 WAITED APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES BEFORE RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED AS THE THROTTLE BODY. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO BALLAS BUICK IN TOLEDO, OHIO (419-386-0187). THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED BY PHONE AND A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

NHTSA ODI 11090951

Apr 22, 2018Electrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

ABOUT A YEAR AGO I WAS DRIVING CAR GOING AROUND 40 MILES AN HR AND IT WOULD JUST DIE ON ME, NO LIGHTS CAME UP NO WARNING. IT HAPPENED AT LEAST 6 TIMES AND EVERY TIME IT HAPPENED IT HAD IT TOWED TO DEALERSHIP TO GET CHECKED OUT. I'VE HAD FUEL PUMP, FUEL RELAY, CAM SHAFT SENSOR 2 TIMES AND OTHER THINGS REPLACED. STILL SAME THING WOULD HAPPEN. DIED AGAIN ON ME HAD IT TOWED TO A GARAGE AND MY TIMING CHAIN WAS BROKEN, REPLACED THAT AND CAM SHAFT SENSOR AGAIN. DROVE AWAY AND IT DIED ON ME AGAIN. THE ONLY WAY MY CAR STAYS RUNNING IS WHEN CAM SHAFT SENSOR IS UNPLUGGED BUT ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON. WHEN CAR DIES I HAVE NO LIGHTS THAT COME ON TO TELL ME I HAVE A ISSUE, IT JUST SHUTS OFF. I'VE BEEN DEALING WITH THE CAR JUST SHUTTING DOWN ON ME FOR A YEAR. I'M AFRAID TO HAVE OTHER PEOPLE IN MY CAR CAUSE I DON'T KNOW IF OR WHEN IT WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN. WHEN THIS HAPPENED I HAD AROUND 92000 MILE ON CAR.

NHTSA ODI 11089289

Apr 21, 2018AirbagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

TAKATA RECALL: MY VEHICLE SENSOR ARE READING INCORRECTLY. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WON'T GO OFF, RANDOM LIGHT COME ON AND OFF, MY SENSORS IS NOT READING MY ENGINE AND ENGINE LOCATION OR TIRES. SYSTEM IS ALSO READING THERE ARE NO AIR BAGS OR SAYS PASSENGER SEATBELT IS NOT IN PLACE WHEN IT IS. FREQUENTLY MY WIRING GLITCHES AND I CAN NOT CONTROL THE MIRRORS OR WINDOWS, ECT. MY COOLANT AND OIL CONSTANTLY DRAINS OUT BUT NO HOLE IS NOTICEABLE. MY CAR EXHAUSTS AND WON'T MOVE LIKE IT IS SUPPOSED TO AS WELL.

NHTSA ODI 11089246

Apr 10, 2018Electrical systemEngine

WHILE DRIVING, A NOTICE OF REDUCED POWER, SERVICE TRACTION AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. PULLED THE CAR OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SHUT IT OFF, UPON RESTART THE WHOLE CAR STARTED SHAKING. I THEN SHUT IT OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES, THIS TIME WHEN I RESTARTED ONLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ONE. THERE ARE SEVERAL REPORTS OF THIS ISSUE AND NO FIX FROM GM. THIS IS A MAJOR RISK WHEN A CAR STALLS OUT ON THE HIGHWAY WITH A SMALL CHILD ON BOARD.

NHTSA ODI 11084308

Mar 13, 2018Engine

AT APPROXIMATELY 85000 MILES THE TIMING CHAIN WENT OUT OF THE ENGINE, THIS IS A NONE ISSUE WITH THESE ENGINES AND AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR AT THAT. THIS EFFECTS SEVERAL GM VEHICLES AT 85000 MILES THE TIMING CHAIN SHOULD NOT OF BEEN BAD SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS THIS HAPPENED AS WE WERE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL

NHTSA ODI 11078959

Feb 26, 2018Electrical systemEngine

RANDOMLY STARTING ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO MY 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU STARTED GOING INTO REDUCED POWER MODE AND SHOWING SERVICE TRACTION, SERVICE ESC AND ENG PWR REDUCED. THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE AND SUDDENLY SLOW DOWN. IT SHOWED A P2135 CODE. THE VEHICLE RESTARTS AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME SITTING, BUT THE EVENTS HAPPEN AGAIN WHEN IT IS DRIVEN AGAIN. IT TAKES APPROX. 20 MILES FROM WHEN IT WAS STARTED. RESEARCHING THIS P2135 CODE I FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS AND THEY ALL INVOLVED THE THROTTLE BODY OR THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. I CONTACTED CHEVROLET AND THEY TOLD ME IT WASN'T COVERED UNDER A RECALL ALTHOUGH THEY DO HAVE A SPECIAL COVERAGE 14582A WHICH IS CURRENTLY OPEN. BUT THEY SAID MY VIN WAS NOT COVERED BY THAT PROGRAM. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND I CAN'T IMAGINE THAT NOT ALL 2011 MALIBU VEHICLES WOULDN'T BE COVERED.

NHTSA ODI 11074962

Jan 19, 2018Speed controlElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE "REDUCE POWER" ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. JACK WINEGARDNER CHEVROLET (11001 INDIAN HEAD HIGHWAY, FORT WASHINGTON, MD 20744) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE THROTTLE BODY WARRANTY EXTENSION AND SPECIAL COVERAGE NUMBER: [XXX]. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,659. PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*JB

NHTSA ODI 11063784

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How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2011 Chevrolet Malibu Eco verdict →