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 6 of 7

Dec 31, 2014Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

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 RESTARTED. IT STARTED DOING IT MORE FREQUENTLY SO I CALLED GMC ON AUGUST 2ND. I HAD TO WAIT 2 WEEKS UNTIL THEY COULD GET ME IN TO THE DEALER. THIS WHOLE TIME MY CAR WAS SHUTTING OFF MY TRACTION CONTROL. THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON SOLID AND STAYED ON FOR 3 DAYS ON SEPTEMBER 12TH. THEY PAID TO DIAGNOSE AND FOUND THAT MY 4TH CYLINDER WAS MISSING AND WAS LEAKING 45%. ON SEPTEMBER 17TH, THEY SUGGESTED $140 FOR A CARBON COIL FLUSH TO SEE IF IT COULD POSSIBLE FIX THE PROBLEM. ON SEPTEMBER 25TH THEY DID THE COIL FLUSH AT 10 AM. AT 1:06 I GOT THE MESSAGE THAT ESC ACTIVE. I WENT ON A 2 WEEK VACATION AND DID NOT DRIVE MY CAR. ON OCTOBER 12TH, AT 2:08PM ESC WARNING AND SHUT TRACTION CONTROL OFF. OCTOBER 13TH, AT 5AM THE WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON SOLID. ON OCTOBER 27TH, THEY REPLACE MY INTAKE/EXHAUST VALVE ON THE LEFT SIDE. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY WARNING LIGHTS SINCE THEN, BUT I DROVE FROM AUGUST TO THE END OF OCTOBER WITH THE CAR SHUTTING OFF THE TRACTION CONTROL. I CAN IMAGINE TRYING TO DRIVE IN HEAVY RAIN AND DYING BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE TRACTION CONTROL WHEN I NEEDED IT MOST. *JS

NHTSA ODI 10669408

Dec 17, 2014Engine

I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY 2011 MALIBU LT. IT WILL RANDOMLY READ "SERVICE TRACTION" AND "REDUCED ENGINE POWER" AND COME TO A STOP. IT IS UNPREDICTABLE AND VERY VERY DANGEROUS. I CANNOT AFFORD TO KEEP TAKING IT TO CHEVROLET. THEY HAVE THE CODES BUT SAID THEY HAVE TO REPLICATE IT. IF YOU GOOGLE MALIBU LOSES POWER, SERVICE TRACTION. YOU WILL SEE MANY COMING UP WITH THE SAME ISSUE AND NO ONE CAN FIX IT. VERY DANGEROUS!!! WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A RECALL OR SOMETHING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM? I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO DRIVE IT AND WISH I NEVER BOUGHT IT. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE APRIL OR MAY. TRUE LEMON!!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI 10666978

Dec 11, 2014Engine

2011 CHEVY MALIBU WITH 30,000 MILES. SEVERAL TIMES IN THE PAST WEEK, I WAS AT A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN AND THE CAR JUST QUIT! THIS IS A SAFETY DANGER. SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET BADLY HURT OR KILLED. THE DEALERSHIP DOESN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE!!

NHTSA ODI 10663572

Nov 29, 2014Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine

I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON AT 50 MPH AND VEHICLE REDUCED TO A UNSAFE SPEED WITH THE ERROR MESSAGES "SERVICE TRACTION" "ESC OFF" AND "ENG PWR REDUCED". THE UNSAFE DROP IN SPEED ALMOST CAUSED A CAR TO HIT ME IN THE BACK. THIS IS A VERY SCARY PROBLEM AND IF I WAS ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND THIS OCCURRED SOMETHING VERY BAD COULD HAVE HAPPEN. A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE OR THE THROTTLE BODY NEED TO BE MADE PUBLIC BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURE DUE TO THIS FLAW! *TR

NHTSA ODI 10661266

Nov 22, 2014Electrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, MY POWER ENGINE WARNING CAME ON AND THE SAME AS WARNING LIGHTS FOR ESC AND TRACTION WARNING. I JUST RECENTLY TOOK MY CAR INTO THE DEALER FOR FIXING THE RECENT RECALL PROBLEM AND I WONDER IF IT MADE MY CAR WORSE?? WILL BE STOPPING BY MONDAY MORNING...IF I MAKE IT HOME OK AFTER I'VE HAD TO STOP AND PULL OVER TWICE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10660300

Nov 17, 2014Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE POWER ENGINE REDUCED SENSOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE SPEED SUDDENLY REDUCED TO APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE IT WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS AND WOULD ONLY OCCUR IN COLDER WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.

NHTSA ODI 10655372

Nov 17, 2014Traction Control SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE ESC SENSOR, TRACTION CONTROL SENSOR, AND THE ENGINE REDUCED POWER WARNING SENSOR ILLUMINATED SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE MAINLY HAPPENED DURING COLD WEATHER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE RECALL FAILED TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND DRASTICALLY REDUCED TO 10 MPH WHICH MADE OPERATING THE VEHICLE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ODI 10655417

Sep 25, 2014Traction Control SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE SERVICE TRACTION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,909.

NHTSA ODI 10639017

Sep 22, 2014Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

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 COUPLE OF DAYS. WENT TO START THE CAR AGAIN AND IT ONCE AGAIN STARTED ACTING AS IF IT WAS NOT GETTING ENOUGH GAS AND ENGINE LIGHT ONCE AGAIN CAME ON, SERVICE ESC, SERVICE TRACTION. WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IT WILL SOMETIMES SLOW DOWN FROM THE CURRENT SPEED. FOUND A RECALL CONCERNING THE SERVICE ESC, BUT THE DEALER SAID THEY DO NOT THINK IT HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH THAT. THIS STARTED WHEN ALL OF THE CODE STARTED POPPING UP. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10638115

Aug 17, 2014Speed controlBrakesEngineCrash

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 VERY HARD & PUSHED THE EMERGENCY BRAKES & IT KEPT GOING TILL IT WENT IN THE DITCH ON A CONCRETE TERRACOTTA CAUSING IT TO BEND A PIECE OF WHAT WAS TOLD TO ME THE A FRAME & UNDER THE FRONT END! I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP & TOLD IT WASN'T POSSIBLE. BEFORE THIS HAPPENED I COULD PARK MY CAR & THE ENGINE WOULD ACT IS IF IT WAS TRYING TO GO W/O ME MASHING THE GAS OR ANYTHING THEN IDLED DOWN REPEATEDLY ACTED AS IF IT WAS GOING TO SHUT OFF! I'VE EVEN HAD 2 BUY 2 NEW BATTERIES, FIXING TO BUY ANOTHER! THEY SAID A CONNECTION WAS CAUSING THE BATTERY TO BE DRAINED & CELLS KILLED. ON THE INTERSTATE 2 DAYS AGO I HAD THE CRUISE CONTROL ON, FOR NO REASON IT STARTED LOSING SPEED THEN WOULD START CATCHING BACK UP ON IT'S OWN & I TURNED IT OFF! THE MOTOR MADE A SCREECHING NOISE! I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT'S GOING ON! EVEN MY TAIL LIGHTS WOULDN'T COME ON LAST NIGHT UNTIL I MASHED THE BREAKS A FEW TIMES, CUT OFF THE LIGHTS, & RESTARTED THE CAR! MY MAJOR ISSUE IS NOW I'M GOING TO HAVE TO FILE A CLAIM FOR THE INCIDENT & I HAD NO PART OF BEING @ FAULT & CAN'T EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPENED! IT STILL IDLES WRONG & THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON @ TIMES W/O ME TOUCHING IT! I'M BEGINNING TO WORRY ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY CHILDREN AS WELL AS MYSELF, BUT ESPECIALLY MY KIDS! WHAT CAN I DO? PLEASE HELP ME AS THIS CAN'T BE NORMAL! SO FAR THE ENGINE LIGHT HAS CAME ON, POWER STEERING LIGHT, AIR PRESSURE LIGHT, & @ ONE POINT A RED LIGHT CAME ON & WENT OFF BEFORE I COULD SEE WHAT IT WAS! IF YOU COULD DO ANYTHING@ ALL TO HELP & ASSIST ME I WOULD BE TRULY GRATEFUL! ALL I'M TOLD IS PARTS AREN'T IN TO FIX SOME KIND OF RECALL, BUT WHAT I DON'T KNOW! THANKS & GOD BLESS! *TR

NHTSA ODI 10625805

Jul 18, 2014SteeringEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED MAKING THE STEERING WHEEL DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT WHILE SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) BUT DID NOT CONFIRM IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000.

NHTSA ODI 10614512

Jun 30, 2014BrakesEngine

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 TO SERRA CHEVROLET WHO STATED I NEED ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS. I EXPLAINED I HAD JUST HAD THAT WORK DONE. AFTER PROVING WITH MY PAPERWORK THAT I HAD THE WORK DONE, SERRA CHEVROLET STATED THEY COULD REPLACE THE ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS BECAUSE THE PARTS WERE STILL UNDER WARRANTY. MARTY FELDMAN CHEVROLET SALES MANAGER STATED I COULD BRING IT BACK THERE; HOWEVER, DUE TO CONVENIENCE I ALLOWED SERRA CHEVROLET COMPLETE THE REPAIR WORK. A WEEK LATER MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK THE CAR BACK SEVEN TIMES BEFORE THEY WERE ABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. IN THE MEANTIME; IN FEBRUARY THE NOISE FROM THE ROTORS RETURNED. BECAUSE I HAD TO DRIVE OVER 40+ MILES BACK AND FORTH (SEVEN TIMES) TO HAVE THE ENGINE LIGHT REPAIRED; I WAS TOLD MY ROTORS WERE NOT UNDER WARRANTY. AFTER CONTACTING GM CONSUMER COMPLAINT AND NOT SETTLING FOR A NO ANSWER; SERRA CHEVROLET STATED THEY GAVE ME NEW ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS. HOWEVER, IN APRIL, THE NOISE RETURNED AND NO-ONE IS WILLING TO ADDRESS MY PROBLEM OR CONCERN. I HAD MY ATTORNEY PREPARE AN OFFICIAL LETTER TO SEND TO SERRA AND MARTY FELDMAN CHEVROLET. NO COMMENTS AS OF YET. I AM PURSUING OTHER MEANS TO GET THE PROBLEM BEFORE THE PUBLIC AND TO GM HEADQUARTERS. I PAY MY CAR NOTE EACH MONTH AND I HAVE HAD CAR PROBLEMS SINCE JULY 2013. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10606914

Jun 23, 2014Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE, ESC, AND TRACTION CONTROL INDICATORS ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. A MECHANIC REPLACED THE SPARK PLUGS, CLEANED THE OIL SENSOR SCREEN, AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE CODE INDICATED A MISFIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURES RECURRED. THE SERVICE ENGINE INDICATOR BLINKED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

NHTSA ODI 10605170

May 16, 2014Engine

I WAS DRIVING ON HWY 35N ON MY WAY TO MY SISTER'S HOUSE AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON SAYING ENGINE POWER REDUCED. OUT OF NOWHERE, MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO FASTER THAN 5 MPH. THE SPEED LIMIT ON THAT PART OF 35 IS 70 MPH. IT WAS DARK AND I HAD MY TWO YEAR OLD DAUGHTER IN THE CAR WITH ME. WITH CARS SPEEDING PAST ME I PUT MY HAZARDS ON AND PULLED ONTO THE SHOULDER. MY DAUGHTER WAS VERY SHAKEN AS WAS I. CALLED MY BROTHER IN LAW TO COME PICK US UP. HE BASICALLY COASTED IT BACK TO HIS HOUSE ABOUT 20 MILES AWAY. IF IT WEREN'T FOR MY QUICK THINKING AND DRIVING ABILITY, I MIGHT NOT EVEN BE HERE TO TALK ABOUT THIS. VERY BAD FEELING. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10588799

May 15, 2014Speed controlEngine

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 WARNING LIGHT (SSIBLE) ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,400 . THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10588666

Apr 28, 2014Speed controlEngine

THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME 6 TIMES NOW. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED, I WAS ABOUT 70 MILES OUTSIDE OF ATLANTA GOING 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY SURROUNDED BY 18 WHEELERS. SUDDENLY MY TRACTION LIGHT AND SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE REDUCED POWER NOTIFICATION CAME ON, THE CAR SLOWED TO ABOUT 10 MILES AN HOUR VERY SUDDENLY AND THE CAR WAS SHAKING VIOLENTLY. THE 18 WHEELER BEHIND ME COULD NOT STOP FAST ENOUGH AND THE ONLY REASON I WAS NOT HIT WAS BECAUSE I WAS ABLE TO VEER ONTO THE SHOULDER. TERRIFIED, I SAT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF. I STARTED IT AGAIN AND IT BEGAN DRIVING NORMALLY, BUT THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON. SINCE I WAS PRETTY MUCH IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE AND IT WAS EXTREMELY DARK, I GOT BACK ON THE ROAD AGAIN TO GET HOME. I MADE IT TO ATLANTA, BUT THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN WHEN I WAS ENTERING THE CITY ON THE LOOP. I BASICALLY COASTED HOME. SINCE THEN, THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 MORE TIMES. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY AT JIM ELLIS CHEVROLET IN ATLANTA WHERE I LEFT IT LAST NIGHT. NEED IMMEDIATE HELP. MY ENTIRE STORY CAN BE FOUND ON THIS FORUM. [XXX] MY POSTS ARE UNDER [XXX]3. I AM HOPING FOR SOME SORT OF RESOLUTION SO I WILL NOT HAVE TO RETAIN A LAWYER. *JS 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).

NHTSA ODI 10585210

Mar 25, 2014Speed controlEngine

2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE GOES INTO "LIMP MODE" WHILE DRIVING. ENGINE LIGHT, LOW TRACTION WARNING AND ENGINE POWER REDUCED LIGHT WOULD DISPLAY. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD AUTOMATICALLY AND INSTANTLY LOSE POWER DOWN TO 25 MPH. THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE RATHER VIOLENTLY. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED OVER A PERIOD OF 2 WEEKS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND A DIAGNOSIS REVEALED 2 ERROR CODES. THE THROTTLE BODY AND THE SCREEN ON THE EXHAUST CAMSHAFT POSITION ACTUATOR SOLENOID VALVE WAS RESTRICTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ODI 10574535

Mar 4, 2014Engine

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE DISPLAY SHOWED LOW TRACTION, SERVICE ESC, AND ENGINE POWER REDUCED. THE ENGINE POWER WAS REDUCED AND I WAS ALMOST REAR-ENDED BY A TRUCK. AFTER PULLING OVER TO THE SIDE THE ENGINE BEGAN SHAKING AT WHICH POINT I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. THE SAME ISSUE HAPPENED AGAIN A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10566999

Feb 26, 2014Speed controlEngine

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE DISPLAYED SHOWED LOW TRACTION, SERVICE ESC, REDUCED POWER ENGINE. AFTER QUICKLY PULLING OVER TO THE SIDE THE CAR BEGAN VIOLENTLY SHAKING AND PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL RESULTED IN NO ENGINE POWER. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10565903

Feb 26, 2014Speed controlElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

I WAS DRIVEN IN HIGHWAY 40 MPH SUDDENLY I LOST CONTROL OF THE CARS' SPEED BECAUSE THE ENGINE STOPPED RESPONDING TO ITS NORMAL FUNCTIONS. THIS ULTIMATELY LOWERED MY SPEED DOWN TO 11 MPH. THIS ALMOST RESULTED IN ME GETTING INVOLVED IN A HIGH SPEED COLLISION WITH THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10566184

Feb 18, 2014Transmission & drivetrainEngineFuel system

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 FAST RATE. DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS THE THROTTLE BODY. THE THROTTLE BODY HAD TO BE REPLACED FOR $675. WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE 100K POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. CHEVROLET CONVENIENTLY STOPPED COVERING THE THROTTLE BODY STARTING IN 2011. FROM LOOKING AT OTHER COMPLAINTS FOR THE 2011 CHEVY MALIBU THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND IS CLEARLY A DEFECTIVE OR POORLY DESIGNED PART. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10564890

Feb 13, 2014Transmission & drivetrainEngine

SITTING AT INTERSECTION, FOOT ON BRAKE, WAITING FOR LIGHT TO TURN GREEN, FELT SUDDEN POWER SURGE, THOUGHT SOMEONE HIT ME FROM BEHIND, LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD READ: REDUCED ENGINE POWER, SERVICE ESC, SERVICE ENGINE ICOM APPEARED. LIGHT TURNED GREEN, HAD TO CROSS 5 LANES OF STATE HIGHWAY. CAR WOULD BARELY MOVE, LIGHT TURNED RED, PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD AS BEST I COULD ACCOUNT 5 FT SNOW PILES ALONGSIDE ROAD. MINUS 6 DEGREES OUT. SHUT CAR OFF FOR APPROX. 5 MIN. STARTED CAR AND COULD DRIVE IT TO FIRST PARKING LOT ABOUT 3/4 MILE. HAD CAR TOWED TO CHEVROLET DEALER, WAS TOLD IT WAS A DEFECTIVE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. SERVICE TECHNICIAN TOLD ME HE'S HAD ALOT OF THESE FAILURES AND IT'S DUE TO EXTENSIVE COLD WEATHER. I FEEL CHEVROLET SHOULD ORDER A RECALL AND TAKE CARE OF THESE VEHICLE PROBLEMS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS INJURED OR KILLED. CAR JUST ENDED WARRANTY PERIOD THIS WEEK, OTHER OWNERS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR COST IF THEIR CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10564177

Feb 6, 2014Speed controlElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

I CALLED AND MADE A COMPLAINT YESTERDAY REGARDING MY VEHICLE DROPPING FROM 60 MPH TO 30 MPH IN THE MIDST OF MORNING TRAFFIC. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT I NEED TO LET THE CAR SIT IDLE WHENEVER THIS HAPPENS FOR A MOMENT AND THEN IT SHOULD RESET AND BE FINE. WELL, THIS HAPPENED TO ME 4 TIMES THIS MORNING, 3 OF THOSE TIMES MY TWO CHILDREN WERE IN THE CAR WITH ME. THE ROADS WERE SLICK THIS MORNING WITH RAIN/SNOW AND MY CAR FIRST DID THIS AT INTERSTATE 35 AND ILLINOIS, I PULLED OVER FOR TWO MINUTES AND THEN I WAS ABLE TO PROCEED. IT DID IT AGAIN AT INTERSTATE 35 AND REGAL ROW AND HAD TO AGAIN SIT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR 2 MINUTES. I REACHED CARROLLTON AND IT DID IT AGAIN ON BELTLLINE ROAD AND THEN ON 161 AND TRINITY. MIND YOU, THE FIRST TWO INCIDENCES HAPPENED BEFORE DAYLIGHT. THE SECOND INCIDENT ALSO PUT US IN DANGER OF HAVING AN ACCIDENT AS AN 18 WHEELER WAS RIGHT BEHIND ME AS THE CAR BEGAN JERKING AND DECREASING SPEED. I WAS BARELY ABLE TO MOVE TO THE MEDIAN BEFORE I WAS SIDESWIPED. THE FIRST THREE INCIDENCES THE CAR DECREASED TO 30 MPH AND WOULD NOT INCREASE. ON THE FOURTH INCIDENT MY CAR WOULD NOT INCREASE PAST 25 MPH. THIS VEHICLE PUT ME IN MUCH DANGER THIS MORNING, ESPECIALLY WITH THE WEATHER (SNOW) CONDITIONS IN OUR AREA. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10563241

Jan 27, 2014Transmission & drivetrainEngine

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2011 CHEVY MALIBU WITH 42,000 MILES ON SNOW-COVERED ROADS. ALL OF A SUDDEN, WARNING LIGHTS LIT UP, INCLUDING "SERVICE ESC", "ENGINE POWER REDUCE" AND THE CAR BEGAN IN JOLT. THIS CAUSED HER TO SWERVE INTO THE OTHER LANE AND JUST MISSED GETTING BROADSIDED BY A SEMI TRUCK. WE LET THE CAR SIT FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS IN A PARKING LOT. WE THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO INDICATED IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY AND THAT IT WASN'T A COVERED PART UNDER GM'S POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. WE PROCEEDED TO TALK TO GM'S CUSTOMER SERVICE. BOTH INDIVIDUALS THAT WE SPOKE WITH US TOLD US THAT IT IS A COVERED PART. THE ISSUE WAS ESCALATED TO A TIER 2 REP WHO SPOKE DIRECTLY TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER CONTINUES TO MAINTAIN THAT IN THEIR COMMUNICATION WITH GM, THAT IT IS NOT COVERED. WE ARE SO FRUSTRATED. WE ARE 2 MONTHS FROM TURNING OUR VEHICLE IN AND WERE CONSIDERING ANOTHER GM LEASE, BUT I'M PRETTY SURE WE WILL BE GOING WITH ANOTHER MANUFACTURER, SINCE GM HAS OPTED TO TAKE THIS POSITION. THE DEALER HAS OFFERED TO SPLIT THE COST OF THE REPAIR WITH US, BUT TO ME, THIS ISSUE WAS NOT CAUSED BY THE DRIVER. THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART. IT SHOULD EITHER BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED OR SOME OTHER TYPE OF RESOLVE. THIS CAR NOW SITS IN OUR GARAGE AND ACTS THIS WAY WHEN WE START IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10561617

Jan 8, 2014Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

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,SERVICE TRACKING SYSTEM AND MY CAR WOULD GO NO FASTER THAN 20 MPH. THE PART ISN'T COVERED UNDER WARRANTY ON A 3YR CAR AND I HAVE TO PAY $388.00 TO HAVE THIS FIXED. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10559125

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