What 976 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu Eco

The steering wheel just shaking and doesn’t move is hard to move. The light in the board say steering wheel problem.

NHTSA ODI 11438464

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the "Service Air Bag" warning light was illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

NHTSA ODI 11435771

Engine starts but stalls shortly after. 89,000 miles. Never had any problems like this before. Dash display states "Service ECM," "service traction control," "reduced engine power," etc..A shop diagnosed it with a bad ECM, but that isn't the problem, as it didn't fix it. Based on the codes we're getting ready to swap out the APP (Accelerator pedal position sensor) This is a well known issue, that many other owners of various years have encountered, and reported. In fact, I just read that GM did a recall for newer Malibu's, for this exact same problem, (the APP causing "reduced engine power" and therefore not running) So I'm really not happy. They left out all the older vehicles with the exact same problem!

NHTSA ODI 11434336

Headlights keep going out and service airbag light keep coming on

NHTSA ODI 11433524

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the power steering assist failed to operate as needed with the StabiliTrak warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact called a dealer and was given an estimate for the repair which he declined. As the failure persisted, excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle due to the loss of power steering assist. The manufacturer was then notified of the failure and informed him that the vehicle was not under recall and that the warranty for the power steering assist had expired. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000

NHTSA ODI 11432764

The rear defrost stopped working. Had my auto mechanic review and Rear Fuse Box had melted fuses which was effecting rear defrost. The rear Fuse Box needs replacing per mechanic. ($400) My concern is what is cause of the electrical issue in my Malibu and if not corrected by Chevrolet will it occur again?

NHTSA ODI 11432433

Power steering turned off. Lost all steering while driving.

NHTSA ODI 11431954

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic and was diagnosed with needing the fuel pump replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 153,400.

NHTSA ODI 11431275

While driving down a highway at 60mph, the transmission failed, at just over 118,000. It started surging without moving forward any faster, and reverse doesn't work at all anymore. My son was in the car, and we were miles from home. I was lucky to be able to get off the highway fairly quickly before we got run over, or hit along the side of the road. This particular transmission failure is a well known issue for GM, it is covered for older vehicles up to 2010, and fixed in newer vehicles in 2012, but dealership (Paul Richard's Peru, IN) said "these things happen" and it could cost $3000-$5000 to replace. They will do nothing to help, because they won't acknowledge that this model year needs extended coverage, too. (Actually a recall!) This is completely unacceptable, I've only put 30,000 miles on this car. I had the fluids lab tested when purchased, and it in no way indicated any failure imminent! In fact, it said everything was in fantastic condition for the mileage. We also flushed and filled the transmission ~25,000 miles ago, as recommended by the maintenance schedule. We shouldn't be on the hook for thousands of dollars, when we in no way caused this failure, especially after it could have killed my son and I. Our old 2005 Malibu has 170,000 miles on the original drivetrain, and it's still going. There is no acceptable reason that our 2011 should only last 118,000 miles before needing major repairs, or the transmission replaced already, 100% on our dime.

NHTSA ODI 11430543

On busy city 3 lane highway transmission failed to engage. I managed to drift right to immediate side street, emergency blinkers on, horns blowing. Turned corner and stopped. No warnings, lights, sounds. 59,908 mileage! Insurance co towed to transmission shop. Mechanic had to completely rebuild $2,132. Insisted not normal problem for such low mileage. I will be contacting Chevy dealer, ect. This car is available for any inspection. I have 0 confidence in the safety of this car. When I picked up the owner of shop pointed out an identical vehicle in his lot, yes, waiting for another transmission replace/repair.

NHTSA ODI 11430310

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the front headlights failed to illuminate without warning at start-up. The contact had taken the vehicle to a relative who was able to replace both headlights. Two months after the repair, the passenger’s side headlight failed to operate and had the headlight was replaced again by her relative. Despite the replacement of the headlight, the new headlight failed to operate as needed. The contact then purchased a third headlight and the headlight also failed to operate. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer had been notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 155,000

NHTSA ODI 11429555

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. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where she was informed that both front rotating assemblies needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V019000 (Air Bags) and 14V252000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting, Vehicle Speed Control, Electronic Stability Control) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.

NHTSA ODI 11429256

Driver side seat weld has failed causing seat to lean & become unstable. This failure put my entire family at risk.

NHTSA ODI 11427823

I’ve had dash warning lights since purchasing my vehicle since 2017. I have taken it to multiple places for diagnostic and repair. (Brake sensors, traction stability, throttle, and P010 and P011) my last repairs were over $2400 and after finally scraping money to complete the repairs was told the traction control warning light that had been coming on but coming on more often now was because I have one tire sensor that isn’t reading and that after fixing the accentuators the computer would stop going so crazy and triggering so many lights. On my recent trip to Michigan, when using my cruise control a car pulled in front of me in heavy traffic. When I braked my cruise didn’t disengage. I remembered this happening before but didn’t realize it was my cruise control and thought don’t tell me I have transmission problems!! Then when I was almost home during this same trip a car started honking at me and rolled his window down. He told me I had no brake lights. I then looked up recalls and found 13036, with all the problems my car has had except was told this was remedied/fixed on my car in 2017. I just now checked my car and I have brake lights. It appears the problem relates in conjunction to when the traction control lights are on and when there aren’t warning lights the brake lights work. My car has 20,000 since the recall repair and has had this problem the majority of this time except I didn’t understand. My car is not safe and I am very disappointed and concerned about GM product safety and remedies!

NHTSA ODI 11426175

This incident occurred in my 2011 Chevy Malibu with less than 44,000 miles on it. The ESC Service Power Steering light comes on, along with the traction light on the dash and the vehicle loses power steering. Initially (the first week or two) the problem corrected itself when the vehicle was shut off and started again. It got increasingly worse over the course of 2 weeks- then the power steering was gone. The car was very difficult to steer and almost couldn't turn. There were times when the steering wheel would suddenly jerk by itself and almost 'lock up.' Very dangerous. I learned this is "very common" in this vehicle. The service person I spoke with on the phone knew exactly what I was talking about. Research I've done shows this has been an ongoing problem with this vehicle since 2004, yet there is only a limited recall. Of course mine is not covered (with only 44K miles on it). Repairs cost me $747.54 (after $100 discount was given to me by the service people.) That is half the amount I make in a month. I found it kind of them to take on a problem that GM should be addressing.

NHTSA ODI 11419070

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving 55 mph, the weld to the driver’s seat fractured. The contact had pulled over to inspect the damage and was where the seat had started to lean. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where she was informed that the entire seat needed to be replaced. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ODI 11418377

AIR BAG SERVICE LIGHT REMAINS ON AND WILL NOT RESET!! STARTED AFTER 1525 MILES ON CAR. CAR WAS UNDRIVEN FOR 5 YEARS. DEALER SAYS NOT WARRANTY PROBLEM!!!!

NHTSA ODI 11418203

CAR HAD ABS LIGHT COME ON MENTIME THEM CHECK ENGINE LIGHT LIGHT COME ON THEN ABS LIGHT COME ON

NHTSA ODI 11416752

HAVE NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT IS LEANING TOWARDS THE BACK AND RIGHT. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THERE ARE BROKEN WELDS ON THE FRAME. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN. SEEMS LIKE IT MAKES THE CAR DANGEROUS TO DRIVE.

NHTSA ODI 11415633

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE LOSS POWER STEERING ASSIST WITH THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHT AND THE SERVICE ESC MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH A REPRESENTATIVE AT NORTHCUTT CHEVROLET-BUICK (3201 W. OWEN K GARRIOTT RD, ENID, OK 73703) AND WAS ADVISED TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR AN INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT LINKED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14E044000 (STEERING) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI 11413947

POWER STEERING IS GOING OUT AND IT TAKES EXTRA PHYSICAL EFFORT TO STEER THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 11408252

POWER SEAT WELD AND FRAME BROKE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON NOTHING WRONG MIRROR POWER ADJUSTING DOES NOT WORK

NHTSA ODI 11407605

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.

NHTSA ODI 11407489

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 TO GIVE ME A PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 11402799

ALL OF A SUDDEN MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT START IT WOULD CRANK BUT WOULDN'T START AND THEN IT WOULDN'T CRANK AT ALL AND I COULDN'T HEAR MY FUEL PUMP FREAKING AS WELL. IT STARTED OUT AS AN INTERMITTENT STARTING PROBLEM AND THEN IT WOULDN'T EVER START AFTER THAT SO I WENT TO THE FUEL PUMP WIRING IN THE TRUNK FUSE BOX AND SEPARATED THE WIRING FOXES FROM THE FUSE PANEL AND CAME ACROSS A BURNT FUEL PUMP WIRE IT WAS A TAN WIRE AND IT WAS SCORCHED BLACK FROM THE END OF THE WIRE ABOUT 4 INCHES UP THE WIRE IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE BROWN WIRE AND IT WAS BLACK I REPLACED IT AND NOW IT'S FINE

NHTSA ODI 11399502