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 24 of 40

May 9, 2016

TRANSMISSION PARTS INTERNALLY BROKE CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO FAIL WHILE DRIVING AND LOSING ABILITY TO MOVE. TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT AT A SPECIALTY SHOP FOR OVER $4600 IN REPAIR COSTS. ONLY 73K MILES ON THE CAR WHEN TRANSMISSION DIED. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET WHEN THIS HAPPENED. TRANSMISSION SPECIALISTS SAID THIS IS BECOMING A KNOWN ISSUE WITH NEWER GM VEHICLES.

NHTSA ODI 10864023

May 3, 2016Engine

DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 65MPH,VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER. I WAS ALMOST HIT BY AN 18 WHEELER BUT WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SHOULDER IN TIME. NO BRAKES,STEERING, POWER AT ALL. GM DEALER DIAGNOSED TIMING CHAINS NEED REPLACEMENT. NO RECALL ON THIS KNOWN ISSUE? ENDANGERING LIVES

NHTSA ODI 10862791

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 27, 2016AirbagsSeat beltsCrash1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT PROPERLY RESTRAIN THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A HEAD INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ODI 10861861

Apr 20, 2016Crash

THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION GOING ABOUT 40 MPH AND HIT ANOTHER MOVING VEHICLE. MOST OF THE DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE HEADLIGHT AREA ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE MALIBU. MODERATE DAMAGE TO THE MALIBU BUT THE DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA ODI 10860625

Apr 13, 2016

AT 17000 MILES, I NOTED CRACKS IN THE SIDEWALLS OF THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT FIRESTONE FR710 TIRES. MY MECHANIC INSPECTED THE TIRES AND TOLD ME THAT THE TIRES WERE COMPLETELY DRY-ROTTED, REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF ALL 4 TIRES. THE DATE CODE ON THE TIRES (4210) INDICATED THAT THE TIRES WERE 4 YEAR OLD AT THE TIME THAT THE CRACKS WERE NOTICED.

NHTSA ODI 10855244

Apr 12, 2016SteeringElectrical systemEngine

CAR WHEN STARTED STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP ALL THE LIGHTS START FLASHING, LOCKS START TO UNLOCK AND LOCK THEMSELVES. ENGINE LINES COMES ON HARD TO MOVE FORWARD OR BACKWARDS.

NHTSA ODI 10855006

Apr 8, 2016Lights

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE BRAKE LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HIGH MOUNT BRAKE LIGHT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED UNDER 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 85,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10854266

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

Apr 5, 2016Electrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE ESC THE SERVICE ESC LIGHT KEEPS TURNING ON AND THE CAR STARTS TO JERK AND THEY SAY MINE ISN'T IN RECALL BUT OTHER CHEVY MALIBUS ARE FROM THE YEAR 2003-2012 I THI THEY NEED TO LOOK INTO THIS FURTHER BECAUSE MINE IS 2011 BUT NOT IN THE RECALL

NHTSA ODI 10853477

Apr 5, 2016SteeringSuspension

NTSB: 2011 CHEVY MALIBU: CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED STEERING ISSUES, SO THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SERVICE. DURING SERVICE, THE CONSUMER WAS NOTIFIED THE PARTS IN QUESTION WERE DETERIORATING SEVERELY. *SS THE DEALER FOUND THE REAR TRAILING ARM BUSHINGS AND LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ODI 10853692

Mar 25, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

LESS THAN TWO MONTHS AFTER MY 5 YEAR OR 100,000 MILE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY EXPIRED MY TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING. IT STARTED BY DRIVING SLOWLY WHILE PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR. I WAS ABLE TO PARK THE CAR AND WHEN I TRIED TO REVERSE OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE AND IT WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE. I HAD ONSTAR SO I HAD TO GET A TOW TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP WHICH HAD JUST CLOSED. I HAD TO WAIT UNTIL THE NEXT DAY AND THE DEALERSHIP CALLED ME TO TELL ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND IT WOULD COST ME $3,910.00. I HAVE READ SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SO I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY GM HAS NOT RECALLED THIS TRANSMISSION. MANY OF THEM FAILED BEFORE $100,000 MILES SO THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET A NEW ONE. I WAS JUST TWO MONTHS PAST MY 5 YEAR BUT WAS AT 98,273 MILES AND MY WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. I HAD TO GET A NEW CAR SINCE I COULD NOT AFFORD TO PAY $4000.00 TO GET A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE CAR IS JUST SITTING AND CAN'T BE DRIVEN.

NHTSA ODI 10851539

Mar 25, 2016Wheels

THIS PAST FALL MY LOW TIRE AIR LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK MY CAR INTO FREE TIRE SERVICE WHICH IS A REPUTABLE TIRE COMPANY. IT IS WHERE I PURCHASED MY TIRES ALONG WITH A TIRE PROTECTION PLAN. THEY SAID THAT MY RIMS(WHICH CAME STOCK ON THE CAR FROM THE DEALERSHIP) ARE CORRODING MY TIRES AND THEY COULD TEMPORARILY FIX THEM WITH A SEALANT. THEY SAID THE SEALANT COULD LAST FOR YEARS OR ONLY A MONTH; THERE WAS NO WAY TO KNOW. A FEW MONTHS HAVING THE SEALANT PUT ON (THIS PAST SATURDAY), I WAS ON MY WAY OUT OF TOWN TO KNOXVILLE (A 2 HOUR DRIVE FROM HOME) AND MY LOW TIRE AIR LIGHT CAME ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. I HAD TO PULL OVER OFF THE INTERSTATE AND MY TIRE WAS ALMOST FLAT. NOT ONLY DID THIS ALMOST CAUSE ME TO BE LATE FOR AN APPOINTMENT, BUT IT COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THIS TIME I THOUGHT I WOULD REACH OUT TO THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THE SAME THING ABOUT MY RIMS. MY FATHER OWNS A 2009 MALIBU AND HIS TIRES ARE NOT CORRODING. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW A COMPANY CHANGES THERE RIMS IN 2 YEARS. I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE OF THE WHEELS. IF THIS TYPE OF WHEEL IS CORRODING, DAMAGING TIRES THEN I COULD OF HAD A BLOWOUT CAUSING ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT ANYTIME. NEW TIRES WILL NOT SOLVE THIS PROBLEM EITHER. THE TIRES I HAVE ON MY CAR ARE STILL VERY GOOD TIRES. SO EVERY TIME I PUT NEW TIRES ON MY CAR, THIS IS GOING TO BE AN ISSUE. THE ONLY WAY TO PERMANENTLY SOLVE THIS ISSUE IS TO GET NEW WHEELS ACCORDING TO THE LOCAL CHEVY DEALER.

NHTSA ODI 10851639

Mar 20, 2016SteeringAirbagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)

I PURCHASED A 2011 CHEVY MALIBU IN 2012. SINCE THE PURCHASE I'VE EXPERIENCED ISSUES WITH THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM, THE SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS COME ON WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. I WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM WITH THAT COULD POSSIBLY BE RESOLVED WITH THE RECALL FOR THE SEAT BELT LAP ANCHOR TENSIONER CABLE. I HAVE ALSO HAD ISSUES WITH THE CAR STALLING / LOSING POWER AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP AND BEGIN TO ACCELERATE AGAIN INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC. I HAVE ALSO LOST TOTAL CONTROL DUE TO THE POWER STEERING GOING OUT WHILE DRIVING. WHEN I TOOK MY VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP REGARDING THE CAR STALLING, I WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND I LEFT WITHOUT ANYTHING ELSE BEING DON;. I STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. I ALSO HAVE A 2011 CHEVY CRUZE THAT I'VE HAD NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH, NOT TO MENTION ALL OF THE RECALLS ON IT. ALL OF THE ABOVE ISSUES HAVE BEEN WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION, WHILE TURNING, AND ON HIGHWAY AND CITY STREETS. I RECENTLY NOTICED THAT MY BACK SEAT IS LEAKING FROM SOMEWHERE. I CONTACTED GM AND WAS TOLD TO TAKE IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP. THE TECH AT THE DEALERSHIP TELLS ME THAT THE LEAK IS COMING FROM THE MOLDING ON THE ROOF OF THE CAR AND WANTED TO CHARGE ME $200 FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC AFTER I CLEARLY TOLD THEM THAT THE LEAK WAS NOT COMING FROM THE ROOF OF THE CAR. THEY TOOK DOWN THE HEADLINER ANYWAY AND SAID THAT THEY DID A TEST AND WATER COULD BE SEEN GUSHING FROM THIS AREA, BUT YET MY SEAT WAS NOT WET AS I HAD TOLD THEM WHERE THE SEAT GETS WET AT. THERE ARE SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH THESE MALIBU'S I JUST WANT GM TO TAKE THE CAR BACK SO THAT I CAN PURCHASE A DIFFERENT BRAND OF VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 10850595

Mar 18, 2016Electrical systemAirbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 68,000.

NHTSA ODI 10850464

Mar 16, 2016SteeringWheels

I WAS GOING ON A 3HR TRIP ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY, 40MIN INTO MY RIDE MY VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. AS I CONTINUED TO DRIVE IT BEGAN PULLING TO THE RIGHT AND SHAKING TERRIBLY. 40MIN FROM MY FINAL DESTINATION MY CAR WAS SHAKING HORRIBLY AND IT FELT LIKE THE STEERING WHEEL HAD NO CONTROL OF THE TIRES. WHEN THE ROAD REARED TO EITHER THE RIGHT OR LEFT I HELD ONTO THE STEERING WHEEL VERY TIGHT AND IT FELT LIKE THE WHEELS WERE NOT TURNING IN THE DIRECTION THAT I WAS DRIVING. I WOULD DROP MY SPEED FROM 60MPH TO 40MPH, WHICH DID NOT RESULT IN A CHANGE. I AGREE THIS SHOULD DEFINITELY BE A RECALL, MYSELF ALONG WITH OTHERS COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED.

NHTSA ODI 10849896

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

Mar 10, 2016

SLOSHING SOUND IN DASH. REPAIRS-WATER PUMP,THERMOSTAT AND THERMOSTAT HOUSING, $850.00 AUGUST 2015, LOSS POWER STEERING AND TRACTION. SDM(AIR BAG MODULE) REPLACED $965

NHTSA ODI 10846019

Mar 8, 2016SteeringElectronic Stability Control (esc)

RECEIVED MESSAGES OF: SERVICE ESC, SERVICE TRACTION, SERVICE POWER STEERING, ENG PWR REDUCED, ENGINE DISABLED THIS MORNING WHILE DRIVING TO WORK. ENGINE LOST ALL POWER, WENT INTO LIMP MODE, HAD TO PULL TO SIDE OF ROAD TO TRY AND TURN THE ENGINE OFF AND ON TO TRY TO RESET. NEARLY CAUSED ACCIDENT FROM ONCOMING AND TRAILING VEHICLES. THIS MAKE AND MODEL NEEDS TO BE ENTERED INTO THE RECALL.

NHTSA ODI 10840432

Mar 5, 2016Engine

WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD, MY CAR, OUT OF NOWHERE, BEGAN TO SHAKE AND THE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST POWER. I IMMEDIATELY LOOKED DOWN AND NOTICED THE "ESC IS OFF" INDICATOR WAS ON. I PULLED OVER, PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND BEGIN PRESSING THE GAS TO KEEP IT FROM CUTTING OFF FOR FEAR IT MAY NOT START UP AGAIN. I DID THAT FOR ABOUT 3 MINUTES AND BEGAN MOVING AGAIN. I HAD TO DO THIS 3 TIMES ON MY WAY HOME. I WAS ABOUT 5 MILES FROM MY HOUSE AT THE TIME.

NHTSA ODI 10840051

Mar 4, 2016Steering

WHILE I WAS DRIVING I LOST THE POWER STEERING ON THE VEHICLE. IT HAPPENED TWICE . THANK GOD THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC OTHER WISE I COULD HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI 10839945

Mar 2, 2016Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE RATTLED AND VIBRATED CONSISTENTLY WHICH MADE THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.

NHTSA ODI 10839356

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 23, 2016Steering

HIGHWAY DRIVEING SPEEDS OVER 50MPH STEERING IS EXTREAMLY LOOSE ON A TWO LANE ROAD WHEN BIGGER VEHICLES PASS THE AIR PUSHES MY CAR SO BAD I GET TERRIFIED IT WILL MAKE ME HIT A DITCH MY CAR IS LESS THEN A WEEK OLD TO ME. UNDER 70K MILES. EVEN REGULAR DRIVEING ON HIGHWAYS THE STEERING IS VERY LOOSE.

NHTSA ODI 10837885

Feb 16, 2016Electrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

RECEIVED MESSAGES OF: SERVICE ESC, SERVICE TRACTION, SERVICE AIR BAG, ENG PWR REDUCED, ENGINE DISABLED THIS MORNING WHILE DRIVING TO WORK. ENGINE LOST ALL POWER, HAD TO PULL TO SIDE OF ROAD TO TRY AND TURN THE ENGINE OFF AND ON, UNTIL I RECEIVED THE ENGINE DISABLED MESSAGE AND AFTER THAT THE CAR WOULD NOT START. HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO NEAREST DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA ODI 10836377

← NewerOlder →

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 →