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)

87 of 976 complaints match · Speed control · clear filters · page 2 of 4

Dec 29, 2017Speed controlEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, A WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED THAT THE ACCELERATION WOULD BEGAN TO DECREASE TO APPROXIMATELY 5-10 MPH. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO APPLY THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER AND PLACE IT IN PARK TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AGAIN, INDICATING THE TRACTION CONTROL, ENGINE, AND ESC FAILED AND NEEDED SERVICING. THE CONTACT DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AT HOME AND RECEIVED ERROR CODE P-2135, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE THROTTLE SENSOR POSITION NEEDED REPAIRING. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ODI 11057478

Jul 3, 2017Speed controlCrash

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

May 8, 2017Speed controlTraction Control SystemBrakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY DECELERATED WHILE BEING OPERATED AT 80 MPH. THE CHECK ENGINE, THE TRACTION CONTROL, THE SERVICE ESC, AND THE ENGINE POWER REDUCED WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION HOWEVER THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 134,000.

NHTSA ODI 10984162

May 5, 2017Transmission & drivetrainSpeed controlEngine

MY ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR BACK IN 2014 THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS NO BIG DEAL THAT THE LIGHT WOULD EVENUALLY GO OUT. UPON PURCHASE IT HAD 51,000 MILES ON IT, BECAUSE THEY HAD IT FOR A FEW WEEKS DUE TO IT HAVING HAIL DAMAGE THE FINANCE COMPANY WOULDN'T APPROVE THE LOAN BECAUSE OF PROBLEMS. THE CAR WAS RIDING OK UP UNTIL A FEW MONTHA AGO I NOTICED I WAS LOOSING POWER IT WAS DRIVING SLOWER, I STARTED FEELING IT TUGGING WHEN I WANTED TO PICK UP SPEED. THEN 3 DAYS AGO IT JUST WOULDN'T GO IN REVERSE, WHEN I TRIED TO SWITCH BACK TO DRIVING IT WOULDN'T GO INTO DRIVE ULTIMATELY I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED BECAUSE THE TRANMISSION WENT OUT ON IT. THE CAR ONLY HAS 71,000 MILES ON IT. I BARELY DRIVE IT ANYWHERE. THE ENGINE TO LOOK AT IT IS VERY CLEAN. I LOOKED UP ALL THE RECALLS ON MY CAR AND NONE OF THEM I WAS NOTIFIED FOR AND THERE ARE MANY. SO WHY AM I NOT GETTING A LETTER ABOUT THIS TRANSMISSION THAT HAS OBVIOUSLY GONE OUT. UP UNTIL NOW I WAS IN LOVE WITH THIS CHEVROLET MALIBU AND WAS A DEVOTED CUSTOMER ADVISING PEOPLE THIS WAS A GOOD CAR, NOW I'M NOT SO SURE. LOOKING AT ALL THESE RECALLS ARE ALARMING.

NHTSA ODI 10983676

Apr 4, 2017Electrical systemSpeed controlEngine

SPEED SLOW DOWN ON A 55 MPH HIGHWAY TO 10 MPH AND WOULDNT GET NO SPEED AND IT THROTTLE AND SHAKE UNTIL I CAME TO A STOP THE MOST SCARY THING TO EVER HAPPEN TO ME I WENT FROM A FORD TO CHEVY THE MOST STUPID IDEA I COULD'VE EVER DONE AND EVER LIGHT ON DASH BOARD IS ON AND BLINKING TO BRAKE LIGHT,TRACTION LIGHT,ETC LIGHT, RADIO AND CLOCK LIGHTS THE SPEED DOOR AND WINDOW LIGHTS ITS TO MUCH TO DEAL WITH IM AFRAID THAT THIS CAR IS GONNA TAKE MY LIFE FROM ME BUT NOONE CAN FIND NO PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR I'VE GOT AN OIL CHANGE TO SPARK PLUGS AND SO MUCH MORE DONE ON THIS CAR AND NOTHING HAS CHANGED THIS THE FOURTH TIME THIS CAR HAS PUT ME DOWN IN THE SIX MTHS OF ME HAVING THIS CAR SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP I LOVE THE CAR BUT ITS NOT A SAFE CAR TO HAVE AND I CAN EVEN EXCHANGE IT OUT FOR ANOTHER ONE AT LEAST THATS WHAT THE PEOPLE AT THE CAR LOT SAYS.

NHTSA ODI 10970615

Mar 30, 2017Speed controlEngine

THE INCIDENT HAPPENED TWICE THUS FAR. ONCE WHILE WAITING AT A LIGHT AND ANOTHER TIME WHILE DRIVING. THE CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE AND THE ENGINE LIGHT, AS WELL AS THE STABILITY CONTROL LIGHTS FLASHED ON. THE CAR BEGAN TO REV ERRATICALLY AND ACTUALLY CAUSED THE CAR TO MOVE FORWARD. SOME MESSAGES BEGAN TO COME UP ON THE DASHBOARD DISPLAY AND THE MESSAGE THAT REMAINED WAS ENGINE POWER REDUCED. TRYING TO TAKE OFF FROM THE LIGHT TO FIND A PLACE TO PULL OVER THE CAR WAS JERKING AND I COULD BARELY ACCELERATE. WHILE DRIVING THIS SLOWDOWN AND JERKING HAPPENED SUDDENLY AND ALMOST CAUSED A COLLISION WITH ANOTHER CAR. AFTER PULLING OVER AND SHUTTING OFF THE CAR THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS FOR WHILE BEFORE HAPPENING AGAIN. ONCE PARKED, OPENING THE HOOD SHOWED A VIOLENTLY SHAKING ENGINE. A SIMPLE GOOGLE SEARCH REVEALED THAT THIS IS A FREQUENT OCCURRENCE WITH MALIBU AROUND THAT TIME AND THE MILEAGE I HAVE ON THE CAR (66500). THE CULPRIT APPEARS TO BE A FAULTY THROTTLE BODY, FROM THE EXPERIENCES OF OTHER DRIVERS.

NHTSA ODI 10969585

Mar 20, 2017Transmission & drivetrainSpeed control

REACTOR GEAR BROKE, BLOWING INTO ALL PARTS OF THE TRANSMISSION. BROKE WITH NO WARNING WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET, WASN'T ABLE TO SPEED UP OR MOVE OUT OF FIRST GEAR. ALSO WAS NOT ABLE TO REVERSE. RESULTED IN A NEED FOR A TOTAL NEW TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA ODI 10967188

Jan 10, 2017Electrical systemSpeed controlElectronic Stability Control (esc)Crash

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

Jan 9, 2017Speed controlEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND THE REDUCED ENGINE SERVICE AND TRACTION WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED, IN ADDITION TO A FEW OTHER UNIDENTIFIED WARNING INDICATORS. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND SHUT IT OFF. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AFTER A WHILE AND ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE HOME; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED IT WAS A COMMON FAILURE WITH THE VEHICLE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

NHTSA ODI 10943776

Jan 6, 2017Speed controlElectronic Stability Control (esc)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE AND THE ESC INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 95,000.

NHTSA ODI 10940208

Jan 5, 2017Speed controlEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE REDUCED POWER WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT CYCLING THE ENGINE OFF AND ON REMEDIED THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000.

NHTSA ODI 10939849

Jun 14, 2016Transmission & drivetrainSpeed control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECREASE IN SPEED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 72,000.

NHTSA ODI 10874152

May 2, 2016Speed controlEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED TO 10 MPH AND THE ENGINE POWER REDUCED WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

NHTSA ODI 10862545

Apr 7, 2016Speed controlElectronic Stability Control (esc)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE ENGINE POWER REDUCTION, THE TRACTION CONTROL AND THE ESC WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10853976

Mar 15, 2016Speed controlElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

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 LAST WEEK 3/4/2016 I WAS DRIVING UP TO ERIE, PA FROM OHIO, WHICH IS ABOUT 4.5 HOURS AWAY. I SAY A GOOD 40 MINUTES FROM MY DESTINATION IT HAPPENS AGAIN RIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY. ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE DASH SAYS THAT MY ENGINE POWER HAS BEEN REDUCED AND LOSS OF TRACTION (?). THANKFULLY THERE WAS AN EXIT NEAR THAT I COULD GET OFF AT AND AS SOON AS I PUT MY CAR IN PARK IT STARTED TO SHAKE REAL BAD. SO I DID WHAT I DID BEFORE AND TURNED THE CAR OFF TO LET IT RESET AND THEN STARTED IT BACK UP. IT RAN FINE FOR THE REMAINDER OF MY STAY UNTIL IT CAME TIME FOR ME TO LEAVE TO GO BACK HOME. THIS TIME I ONLY GOT 20 MINUTES AWAY FROM ERIE BEFORE IT STARTED ACTING UP AGAIN, BUT IT KEPT DOING IT. TALK ABOUT BEING FRUSTRATED 4.5 HOURS AWAY FROM HOME IN YOUR CAR. ESPECIALLY SINCE I JUST GOT IT FIXED NOT TOO LONG AGO. THIS NEEDS TO BE ON THE RECALL LIST, BECAUSE THIS IS RIDICULOUS.

NHTSA ODI 10849853

Feb 29, 2016Speed controlElectronic Stability Control (esc)

CAR INTERMITTENTLY LOSES POWER. WARNING LIGHT FOR TRACTION CONTROL COMES ON. MUST PULL OVER AND LET CAR SIT FOR A MINUTE BEFORE RESTARTING.

NHTSA ODI 10838967

Feb 3, 2016Speed control

THE OTHER DAY MY 2011 CHEVY MALIBU STARTED TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE COMING OUT OF A PARKING LOT AND THEN AGAIN WHILE DRIVING ON A TWO LANE ROAD. THIS ISSUE WAS FRIGHTENING BECAUSE I COULDN'T PROPERLY STOP THE CAR AND ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT. THE DISPLAY INDICATED REDUCED ENGINE POWER/TRACTION/SERVICE ESC AND THE OBD2 CODES INDICATED P2135 (THROTTLE/PEDAL POSITION SENSOR/SW A/B VOLTAGE CORRELATION). THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY. I HOPE THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN AGAIN BECAUSE THE NEXT TIME I MAY NOT BE SO LUCKY IN GETTING OUT OF THIS PREDICAMENT UNSCATHED.

NHTSA ODI 10824035

Jan 21, 2016Electrical systemSpeed controlEngine

MY 2011 MALIBU WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY THROUGH A SENSOR CODE FOR MULTIPLE PROBLEMS THE FIRST STATING REDUCED ENGJNE POWER, THEN SERVICE ES, SERVICE TRACTION, SERVICE AIRBAGS ETC... PROBABLY 8 CODES. AT WHICH POINT ON THE HIGHWAY I COULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE ABOVE 40MPH CREATING A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR ME. THE CAR WAS JERKING AND SHAKING AND THE RPM WAS REVING UP BETWEEN 500 AND 1500 EVEN AFTER I STOPPED. I TURNED THE CAR OFF FEARING DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE AND CALLED MYHUSBAND. HE ASKED ME TURN IT ON AGAIN SO I DID AND ALTHOUGH IT WAS NOW IDLING NORMALLY THE ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON. HE SUGGESTED I CONTINUE MY COMMUTE. I PULLED BACK ON TO THE HIGHWAY AND EXPERIENCED THIS SAME DANGEROUS PROBLEM 7 YIMES BETWEEN JACKSON MI AND LANSING MI. WE TOOK IT IN TO A REPAIRSHOPAND THEY ASSESSEDWHAT THEY COULD STATING THAT IT APPEARED TO BE A THROTTLE BODY ISSUE BUT THEY WOULD HAVE TO TAKE IT APART TO LOOK AT IT. THE MECHANIC ALSO STATEDTHAT MANY OF THE CHEVY MADE VEHICLES HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND HE WAS VERY SURPRISED THAT THEREHAD NOT YET BEEN A RECALL ON THE PART.

NHTSA ODI 10821367

Jan 15, 2016Speed controlElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

THE VIOLENTLY SHAKES ALMOST AS IF IT IS ABOUT TO DIE. IT DOESN'T GO OVER 23-30 MPH. THE CAR ACCELERATES WHILE HOLDING THE BRAKES. A MESSAGE DISPLAYS SAYING ENGINE POWER REDUCING, SERVICE TRACTION, SERVICE ESC. THE CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING IT ON THE STREET AND HIGHWAY. I'M SCARED OF HITTING SOMEONE WHILE MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE! MY CAR IS AT 103K MILES ON IT. I'M OUT OF A CAR THAT I'M PAYING A NOTE ON. ITS OUT OF WARRANTY. I HAVEN'T EVEN HAD THE CAR FOR A WHILE YEAR YET. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AS WELL. THE CODE FOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS C0242. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL! MANY CHEVY MALIBU OWNERS ARE HAVING OR HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE!

NHTSA ODI 10820573

Jan 8, 2016Electrical systemSpeed controlElectronic Stability Control (esc)

AFTER READING THE MANY MANY COMMENTS HERE, I CAN SAY I'M LUCKY. FORTUNATELY, I WAS NOT DRIVING MY CAR WHEN THINGS WENT HAYWIRE. I RETURNED HOME FROM WORK TODAY AND MY VEHICLE WAS FINE. I HAD TO RUN A FEW ERRANDS BUT WHEN RETURNING TO MY VEHICLE, I NOTICED THIS: VEHICLE WOULDN'T START. FAST CLICKING SOUND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TURN OVER. DOORS LOCKED AND UNLOCKED BY THEMSELVES DURING THIS TIME. SERVICE ESC, SERVICE TRACTION, AND ESC OFF APPEARED. VEHICLE HAS YET TO START AND NOW HAVE NO POWER WHATSOEVER THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE. VERY ODD THAT THIS IS NOT A CURRENT RECALL. HELP?'

NHTSA ODI 10819085

Dec 29, 2015SteeringSpeed controlElectronic Stability Control (esc)Traction Control System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, TRACTION CONTROL, AND ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. IN ADDITION, IN RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS, WATER LEAKED THROUGH THE HOOD ONTO THE BRAKE LEVER AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI 10816730

Dec 22, 2015Speed controlEngine

2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENGINE FAILURE AND REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT. *SMD THE CONSUMER'S REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT WAS DENIED., BECAUSE ACCORDING TO THE GM, THE REPAIR THAT WAS PERFORMED, WAS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS STRANDED, DUE TO LOOSING ENGINE POWER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY. *JB

NHTSA ODI 10693508

Dec 17, 2015Speed controlElectronic Stability Control (esc)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE ESC WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE SPEED DECELERATED TO APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH. THE CONTACT HAD TO MANEUVER TO THE SHOULDER TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE CONTACT WAITED APPROXIMATELY TEN MINUTES AND THE VEHICLE STARTED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000. UPDATED 03/18/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $500. UPDATED 03/30/16.*JB

NHTSA ODI 10810926

Sep 1, 2015Transmission & drivetrainSpeed controlCrash

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

Aug 26, 2015Speed controlElectronic Stability Control (esc)

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 MANUFACTURED DURING THE RECALL TIME FRAME.

NHTSA ODI 10759350

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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 →