Home · 2011 Chevrolet Malibu Hev · Complaints

What 976 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu Hev

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)

Newest first · 976 complaints · page 16 of 40

Oct 4, 2018Lights

MY PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT. I JUST HAD THE BULB CHANGED, AND IT WENT OUT IN A COUPLE OF HOURS. 90% OF ALL CHEVY MALIBU'S USE ON THE ROAD HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. WHAT DO WE HAVE TO DO TO GET A RECALL ABOUT THIS. IT'S VERY IRRITATING AND EXPENSIVE!

NHTSA ODI 11133232

Sep 26, 2018Lights

PASSENAGER SIDE HEADLIGHT HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES WITHIN THE LAST YEAR. TWICE WITHIN 3 WEEKS. TWICE THE CONNECTOR WAS MELTED FROM OVERHEATING. HAVE ALSO REPLACED DRIVER SIDE TWICE WITHIN THE LAST 3 YEARS. OVERALL HAVE REPLACED THE PASSENGER SIDE 5 TIMES WITHIN THE LAST 2 YEARS. VEHICLE HAS BEEN STATIONARY WITH ALL FINDINGS.

NHTSA ODI 11131841

Sep 26, 2018Electrical systemLights

MY HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT. I HAVE CHANGED BULBS ON BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE AND THEN LIGHT WENT BACK OUT AT DIFFERENT TIMES ON BOTH SIDES. I THEN NOTICED THAT PASSENGER HEADLIGHT WENT OUT AGAIN, AND THIS TIME WHEN I WENT TO CHANGE IT, IT CAME ON WHEN I TOUCHED THE PIGTAIL SO I FIGURED THERE WAS A SHORT SOMEWHERE. WHEN I TOOK THE LIGHTBULB OUT, I NOTICED THE PIGTAIL WAS FRIED, SO I CHANGED THE PIGTAIL AND BULB THIS TIME. A FEW WEEKS GO BY AND THE SAME EXACT THING HAPPENS TO THE OTHER SIDE. I CHANGED THE LIGHT BULB AND PIGTAIL ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. THIS CONTINUES TO HAPPEN AND I'VE NOT MENTIONED HOW DIFFICULT IT IS TO CHANGE THE BULB. THE WHOLE FRONT BUMPER ASSEMBLY PRETTY MUCH HAS TO COME OFF. THIS IS NOT EASY TO DO AND IS A PRETTY BAD DESIGN FLAW. SINCE I'VE NOTICED THAT THE LIGHT COMES ON WHEN THE PIGTAIL IS SHAKEN, I HAVE TO DISASSEMBLE THE BUMPER JUST TO GET TO THE LIGHT. SOMEONE REALLY NEEDS TO LOOK AT THIS. FINALLY, I MUST ALSO ADD, I HAVE SEEN MORE THAN 10 CHEVY MALIBU'S, NOT SURE OF THE YEAR, BUT IS THE SAME MODEL AS MINE, WITH A HEADLIGHT MISSING. IT MAKES ME WONDER, ARE THESE PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE? DO THESE PEOPLE MAYBE JUST HAVE A HEADLIGHT BLOWN BUT KNOWS THE HEADACHE IT IS TO REMOVE WHOLE FRONT BUMPER ASSEMBLY JUST TO CHANGE HEADLIGHT? HAVE THESE PEOPLE GOTTEN TIRED OF CHANGING THE HEADLIGHT BECAUSE IT KEEPS BLOWING OUT? PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS.

NHTSA ODI 11131852

Sep 24, 2018Electrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS TURNED OFF AND ON INDEPENDENTLY FIVE TIMES WITHIN THE LAST TWO YEARS. IN ADDITION, THE POWER DOOR LOCKS WOULD LOCK AND UNLOCK WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING. THE CONTACT PLANNED ON TAKING THE VEHICLE TO BAYWAY CHEVROLET (5719 BROADWAY ST, PEARLAND, TX 77581, (281) 606-0465) FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,312.

NHTSA ODI 11130891

Sep 23, 2018Electrical system

MY 2011 MALIBU HAS STARTING ISSUES BUT IF I MESS WITH THE REAR FUSE BOX AND WIGGLE THE WIRES CONNECT TO IT, IT START. IT CUTS OFF VERY OFTEN. WHEN I TOOK IT TO DIFFERENT SHOPS NO ONE CAN FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. THERE IS ONE MECHANIC THAT SAYS HE HAS RAN INTO THIS PROBLEM MULTIPLE TIME ESPECIALLY WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL. I FEEL THERE SHOULD BE SOME TYPE OF RECALL OR EVEN A WARRANTY FOR THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 11130839

Sep 16, 2018LightsElectronic Stability Control (esc)

FRONT PASSENGER HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT. WHILE IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET A WARNING COMES ACROSS THAT SAYS ENGINE POWER REDUCED. THEN THE ESC AND SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL COMES ON. THE CAR THEN DROPS TO 5 MPH AND STOPS. I TURN IT OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON AND THERE IS NOTHING. I WAIT A FEW SECONDS AND TRY AGAIN AND IT STARTS UP AND I'M ABLE TO DRIVE IT.

NHTSA ODI 11129787

Aug 30, 2018Electrical system

MY PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM LIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT AND REPLACED IT FOUR TIMES. I HAD SUN CHEVY RT. 19 MCMURRAY PA REPLACE IT THE FIRST TIME, LAUREL AUTO SERVICE MUNHALL, PA REPLACE IT 2ND TIME IN 12/2017 AND I HAVE REPLACED IT TWICE IN 2018. I PURCHASED BULBS AT ADVANCED AUTO, W. HOMESTEAD, PA. I HAVE COPIES OF INVOICES IF NEEDED FOR DOCUMENTATION. I NOTICED IT WHEN DIVING VEHICLE OR AT NIGHT.THIS JUST HAPPENED AGAIN TODAY ON 8-30-2018. THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM TO FIX AS YOU HAVE TO TAKE OFF FRONT SHROUD OF CAR EACH TIME TO REPLACE LIGHT BULB.

NHTSA ODI 11123494

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 24, 2018SteeringElectrical system

THE POWER STEERING WENT COMPLETELY OUT MAKING IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN CAR WAS IN MOTION WHEN IT WENT OUT. I WAS ABLE TO STRESSFULLY GET IT HOME OFF THE MAIN ROAD. A FEW HOURS LATER THE CAR WAS FINE AND THE POWER STEERING WAS BACK ON AFTER SOME RESEARCH I FOUND I WAS NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THESE ISSUES. IF I WAS TRAVELING ANY FASTER THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A ACCIDENT

NHTSA ODI 11122240

Aug 20, 2018Visibility & wipers

WINDSHIELD WIPER TRANSMISSION HAS QUIT 2 TIMES IN 2 1/2 YEARS. THE WIPER ARMS CAN BE MOVED BY HAND WITH NO RESISTANCE. BOTH TIMES IN HEAVY RAIN GOING OVER 55MPH IN THE DARK LEAVING ME WITH NO WAY TO SEE THE ROAD. I HAD TO STOP QUICK TO GET ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE FIRST TIME I ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED. 1ST TIME WAS 12/3/15 THIS TIME WAS 8/17/18. I HAD IT FIXED A GM DEALER THAT JUST HAPPENED TO BE CLOSE FOR $366 THE FIRST TIME-NOW AGAIN???? THE EQUINOX HAD A RECALL ON THIS I WAS TOLD. ITS CRAZY THE MALIBU WAS NOT INCLUDED.

NHTSA ODI 11121072

Aug 16, 2018Electrical systemLights

PLEASE CONSIDER THE COMPLAINTS OF SAME ISSUE ON THE LINK BELLOW. THE MALIBU HAS AN MANUFACTURE DEFECT OF HEAD LIGHT, THY CONSTANT BURN AND GO OFF, SOMETIMES IT BURNS THE BULB AND SOMETIMES THE SOCKET. I REPLACED THE BULBS AND SOCKET OVER 6 TIMES IN 8 MONTHS. THERE IS OVER THOUSANDS COMPLAINTS OF EXACTLY SAME ISSUE ONLINE ON CAR COMPLAINT SITES AS PEOPLE ARE NOT AWARE WHERE TO REPORT AND CHEVY IGNORE US AS THEY ARE AWARE OF THE THOUSANDS COMPLAINS. THE HEADLIGHT GOING OFF IS A HAZARDS AND I ALREADY GOT PULLED OVER 4 MONTHS AFTER REPLACED THE HEAD LIGHT WHEN IT WENT OFF WITHOUT I REALIZE IT. IT IS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE WITH A BAD DEFECT . TO REPLACE IT ONE NEEDS TO TAKE THE CAR APART AND ENTIRE BUMBER OFF IT IS OUTRAGEOUS EXPENSE TO REPLACE A $8 DOLLAR BULB, PLEASE CONSIDER THE COMPLAINTS ON THIS 2 WEB SITES AS TO MAKE CHEVY RECALL IT AND FIX ON MALIBUS OF 2009 TO 2013. HTTPS://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/CHEVROLET/MALIBU/2009/LIGHTS/HEADLIGHT_WIRING_SHORTED_OUT.SHTML HTTPS://WWW.CHEVYMALIBUFORUM.COM/FORUMS/6-PROBLEMS-SERVICE-ISSUES-TROUBLESHOOTING-GENERATION-7/25313-HEADLIGHT-BURNS-OUT-CONTINUOUSLY.HTML

NHTSA ODI 11120421

Aug 16, 2018Electrical systemLights

GOOD MORNING THE COMPLAINTS ARE GOING FOR OVER 3 YEARS, AND CHEVY IS IGNORING US ALL . I ALSO COMPLAIN DIRECT TO THEM AND THEY PLAY DUMB REF CHEVY MALIBU 2011 WHY ISNT CHEVY HAVING A RE CALL ON THE HEAD LIGHTS ISSUE OF THE MALIBU?? IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD. OVER 80% OF MALIBU OWNERS ARE COMPLAINING AND REGISTERING COMPLAINTS ON THE CONSTANT BURNING OF THE HEADLIGHTS AND HEADLIGHT SOCKET OF A MALIBU I REPLACED MINE 4 TIMES OVER 8 MONTHS, THE COST IS OUTRAGEOUS AND THE TIME OUT OF OUR WORK AND LIVES IS EVEN MORE AGGRAVATE. CHEVY IS AWARE OF IT AND IS CHOOSING TO DO NOTHING AND LET US PICK UP THE COST OF A "DEFECTIVE" ITEM IN THE CAR. I APPRECIATE IF CHEVY COULD REFUND IT AND FIX IT AT NO COST RIGHT NOW, AS I ALREADY GOT PULLED OVER BY COPS DUE TO IT STOP WORKING 1 MONTH AFTER I HAD REPLACED. THANK YOU PEOPLE DO NOT KNOW THE PROPER SITE OF DOT TO COMPLAIN SO THEY DO HERE IN THIS SITES.. PLEASE CONSIDER THEIR COMPLAINTS AND MAKE CHEVY DO A RECALL ON THE HEADLIGHTS AS IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE HTTPS://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/CHEVROLET/MALIBU/2009/LIGHTS/HEADLIGHT_WIRING_SHORTED_OUT.SHTML HTTPS://WWW.CHEVYMALIBUFORUM.COM/FORUMS/6-PROBLEMS-SERVICE-ISSUES-TROUBLESHOOTING-GENERATION-7/25313-HEADLIGHT-BURNS-OUT-CONTINUOUSLY.HTML

NHTSA ODI 11120430

Aug 16, 2018Lights

LOWBEAM CONSTANTLY GOES OUT. AFTER RESTARTING THE COMPUTER THE FUSE HAS FIRE FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS AND THEN GOES OUT AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI 11120515

Aug 15, 2018Lights

DRIVER & PASSENGER HEADLIGHT KEEPS BURNING OUT OR NOT FUNCTIONING. I'VE REPLACED THE BULBS 4 TIMES WITHIN THE LAST YEAR. I'VE READ ON MALIBU BLOGS THAT A LOT OF OTHER OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING SAME LIGHTING ISSUE ON THEIR MALIBU

NHTSA ODI 11120101

Aug 14, 2018Lights

IT STARTED WITH MY LOW BEAM GOING OUT. I REPLACED IT. THEN THE LIGHT WENT OUT AGAIN REPLACED IT THEN BOTH LIGHTS WENT OUT REPLACED BOTH LOW BEAM NOW MY RUNNING LIGHTS ARE OUT. I HAVE NO TAIL LIGHTS. THIS HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE. I ONLY HAVE HIGH BEAMS AT THIS TIME. APPARENTLY I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE REPLACED FUSES, CONTROL ARMS,,RELAYS ETC ON TOP OF THREE SETS OF BULBS.

NHTSA ODI 11119789

Aug 14, 2018Fuel system

WHEN EXCELLERATING FROM A SITTING POSITION THE ENGINE DOESN'T EXCELLERATE AT THE SAME TIME. THERE IS HESITATION FROM STEPPING ON THE GAS TO ACTUALLY MOVING AND ONCE THE EXCELLERATION KICKS IN THE CAR PROPELLED QUITE FAST ALMOST LIKE A STICKY CHOKE.

NHTSA ODI 11119792

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

Aug 12, 2018Steering

THE STEERING WHEEL MATERIAL IS DETERIORATING CAUSING THE OPERATOR TO LOSE CONTACT WITH THE WHEEL WHILE TURNING THE WHEEL. THE HANDS EITHER SLIP OFF THE WHEEL OR CATCH CAUSING AN ABRUPT STOP WHILE CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AS THE MATERIAL IS DETERIORATING AT A RATE THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WILL BE DOWN TO THE METAL AND NOT PROVIDE ANY PROTECTION TO THE OPERATOR AND WOULD CAUSE INJURY.

NHTSA ODI 11119468

Aug 3, 2018Electrical system

THE CAR HAD A "SHORT" IN THE BLINKER. WHEN TRYING TO LOCATE THE SHORT, THE CAR WENT COMPLETELY OFF. IT APPEARS TO HA E TRIGGERED AN ANTI THEFT DEVICE. IN THIS MODE, YOU CAN DO NOTHING. SO, EVEN IN MY DRIVEWAY, I CAN'T GET THE CAR IN NEUTRAL TO TOW IT. EVERYTHING IS LOCKED DOWN DUE TO A PROBLEM WITH THE BLINKER.

NHTSA ODI 11115649

Aug 1, 2018Seats

I WENT TO ADJUST MY SEAT FORWARD USING THE AUTOMATED ADJUSTER AND HEARD A SNAP. THE SEAT WILL ADJUST FORWARD BUT NOT AS MUCH AS USUAL AND LEANS TOWARD THE CENTER CONSOLE. I CAN FEEL THE BACK, LEFT HAND CORNER OF THE SEAT LIFT FROM THE ACTUAL FRAME WHEN TURNING. I IMAGINE THIS MAKES FOR AN AWFUL SAFETY HAZARD IF I WERE IN A CRASH. I'M GLAD THE SEAT DIDN'T BREAK WHILE I WAS MOVING THE CAR. IT HAPPENED SUDDENLY AND MOST CERTAINLY WOULD'VE CAUSED ME TO CRASH. I'M EXTREMELY NERVOUS ABOUT WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF SOMEONE HAPPENS TO COLLIDE WITH ME. WILL THE THE REST OF THE WELDS ONTHE SEAT FRAME HOLD? I'VE READ SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ONLINE ALREADY. IF I'M IN A FENDER BENDER OR (GOD FORBID) WORSE, WILL THE SEAT STAY IN THE CAR? THE SEAT BELT IS ATTACHED TO THE SEAT AND I'M WORRIED. WHAT'S TO KEEP ME FROM GOING THROUGH MY WINDSHIELD?! THIS SHOULDN'T HAPPEN! THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL!

NHTSA ODI 11115045

Aug 1, 2018Electrical system

MY CAR WILL RANDOMLY SHOW THE OIL 100 ONE DAY AND NEXT IT'S 50% AND THE TIRES SENSERS WOULD SHOW LOW WHEN THE TIRE WOULD BE FULL AIR BAG WOULD SAY TO GET CHECKED THEN I'D TAKE IT IN FOR A OIL CHANGE AND EVERYTHING WOULD BE GOOD . NOTHING WRONG IT'S VERY ODD AND OFF

NHTSA ODI 11115250

Jul 29, 2018Lights

PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM LIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT, AND I HAVE REPLACED THE PIG TAIL. THE LIGHT HAS GONE OUT 2 TIMES SINCE I CHANGED THE PIG TAIL. THIS IS EFFECTING MY TRAVEL AT NIGHT NOT BEING ABLE TO DEPEND ON MY HEADLIGHTS.

NHTSA ODI 11114399

Jul 12, 2018Electrical systemSeat beltsFuel system

THE CAR WONT START BRING 3 TIMES AT DEALER SHIP NO FUNS ANY REAZON A BUT THE PROBLEM

NHTSA ODI 11110896

Jul 9, 2018Lights

THE HEADLIGHTS ON THE CAR CONTINUE TO BURN OUT EVERY TWO MONTHS. THE COST TO REPLACE IS $200. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN THEY BOTH GO OUT AT THE SAME TIME

NHTSA ODI 11110168

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

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Working with the data? Download all 976 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 22, 2026

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 Hev verdict →