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 29 of 40

Jun 23, 2015Fuel system

I FEEL THERE IS A SERIOUS ISSUE WITH THE 2011 CHEVY MALIBU FUEL SYSTEM WHICH MAY BE CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STALL, FAIL WHILE IN MOTION, OR JUST WONT START AT ALL.....THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR MY VEHICLE SINCE SEPT 2014.MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND HAS BEEN TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER MANY TIMES FOR WHAT SEEM TO BE THE SAME ISSUE. WHEN VEHICLE ARRIVE AT DEALER, IT SEEMS TO WORK JUST FINE WHICH MAKE MAKES IT HARDER TO DETECT THE ISSUE. MY VEHICLE WILL BE AT THE DEALER WEEKS AT A TIME TO GET I DONT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS OR BRING BACK WHEN PROBLEM WORSENS.IN TRYING TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THE ISSUE MY CAR HAS HAD THE RELAY SWITCH REPLACED TWICE, THE JUNCTION BLOCK ASSEMBLY REPLACED, SEVERAL RECALLS REPAIRED IN BETWEEN, AND NOW THE FUEL PUMP WHICH WAS REPLACED IN MAY 2015. AS OF TODAY, JUNE 23RD 2015, MY CAR IS STILL DOING THE SAME EXACT THING AS BEFORE. STARTING ON MINUTE, DOESN'T START THE NEXT OR JUST STOP WHILE IN MOTION. THERE'S A SERIOUS ISSUE SOMEWHERE AND IVE SPENT WAY TOO MUCH MONEY TO BE GETTING THE RESPONSE "I JUST DONT KNOW" WHICH ISN'T THE ANSWER.

NHTSA ODI 10726822

Jun 19, 2015Electronic Stability Control (esc)Brakes

TOOK MY CAR IN TO DEALER BECAUSE IT STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY GOING 20 MPH, NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION IS WHAT I WAS TOLD, HAD THE TRANSMISSION PUT IN AND NOW THE ESC, AND OTHER LIGHTS ARE ON!

NHTSA ODI 10726223

Jun 15, 2015Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000. UPDATED 09/03/15*LJ UPDATED 10/20/2017*CN

NHTSA ODI 10725304

Jun 11, 2015Electrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Traction Control SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND THE SERVICE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, SERVICE TRACTION, AND ENGINE POWER REDUCED WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.

NHTSA ODI 10724665

Jun 10, 2015Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

6/6/2015 CAR WAS SITTING IN PARKING LOT. UPON TRYING TO START THE CAR ERRORS FOR ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL AND REDUCED ENGINE POWER SHOWED UP. CAR WAS SPUTTERING AND RUNNING ROUGH. TURNED CAR OFF. WAITED A LITTLE WHILE AND STARTED CAR AGAIN AND NO ERROR MESSAGES. BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE ERROR CODE THAT CAME UP WAS P2101. 6/10/2015 SAME THING HAPPENED. LET THE CAR SIT FOR ABOUT AN HOUR AND TRIED TO START AGAIN. SMELLED HEAVILY OF GAS WHEN IT STARTED. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON.

NHTSA ODI 10724582

Jun 10, 2015Body & structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO OPEN. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI 10724608

Jun 9, 2015Electrical systemBody & structure

DRIVER'S DOOR WILL NOT CLOSE AND LATCH PROPERLY OR UNLOCK/UNLATCH TO OPEN. THIS HAS STARTED OCCURRING FREQUENTLY. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS REGARDING DOOR LATCH MECHANISM FAILURES THAT DEALERS ARE MORE THAN WILLING TO FIX FOR HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, AS EACH TIME THE CAR IS STARTED, IT IS A GAMBLE, AS TO WHETHER THE DOOR WILL LATCH, OR UNLATCH, PROPERLY, AS NEEDED. IF THIS VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, I AM NOT CONFIDENT THAT THE DOOR WILL OPEN, EVEN IF IT IS AN UNDAMAGED ONE, DUE TO THE FAILING LOCK/LATCH MECHANISM. I AM REPLACING THIS AT MY COST BUT FEEL THAT THE MANUFACTURER BEARS RESPONSIBILITY FOR FAULTY PARTS/DESIGN. THANKFULLY, NO ONE IN MY FAMILY HAS BEEN INJURED, YET. I FEAR THAT THIS COULD BE AN ISSUE DURING TIMES OF GREAT STRESS THAT CAN AND WILL LEAD TO FATALITIES, IF LEFT UNADDRESSED.

NHTSA ODI 10724216

Jun 9, 2015

THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, DESPITE BEING UNLOCKED. THE DOOR WAS UNACCESSIBLE FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE DOOR. MANUALLY LOCKED AND UNLOCKED, USED THE LOCK/UNLOCK DEVICE ON THE KEY RING, PRESSED CHILDLOCK ON AND OFF- UNSUCCESSFUL. THERE ARE SEVERAL INSTANCES NOTED ON ON-LINE BLOGS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. THE CAR DEALERSHIP STATED THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE LATCH, COSTING ~$367 FOR REPAIR. THIS ISSUE IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE 30K OR 100K MILE WARRANTY. DOES A RECALL NEED TO BE ISSUED?

NHTSA ODI 10725010

Jun 2, 2015Electrical systemAirbags

I OWN A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATES & SAYS TO SERVICE AIR BAG. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT INTO A GM REPAIR SHOP SEVERAL MONTH AGO & THEY COULD NOT FIX IT. IT WENT OFF FOR A WHILE & NOW IT'S BACK ON. IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED.

NHTSA ODI 10723050

Jun 2, 2015SuspensionAirbags

I BOUGHT IN JUNE OF 2014. IN OCTOBER OF 2014 WENT TO START VEHICLE AND IT WOULD NOT START. I CALLED GM WHO THEN CONTACTED MY LOCAL AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY TOWED THE CAR IN. THEY STATED THE FUEL PUMPED HAD SHORTED. IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY SO THEY REPLACED IT. THE NEXT INCIDENT WAS JAN 13, 2015 WHERE MY CAR HAD CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND ENGINE REDUCED POWER LIGHT WOULD COME ON ALONG WITH SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT. I CALLED GM AND GOT A CASE NUMBER. TOOK IT TO SAME AUTHORIZED DEALER THEY INFORMED M THE THROTTLE BODY HAD SHORTED THIS TIME. AT A MILEAGE OF 44836 THIS ISSUE NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY SO I PAID 464 DOLLARS OUT OF POCKET TO HAVE THE VEHICLE FIXED. THE NEXT INCIDENT WAS MARCH 5, 2015 WHERE THE CAR ONCE AGAIN HAD THE ENGINE LIGHT ON, REDUCED ENGINE POWER, AND SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT. I CALLED GM AND THE AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE I HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TWICE BEFORE. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY INSTALLED A NEW COMPUTER SYSTEM TO MY VEHICLE AND THAT IT SHOULD BE GOOD TO GO. 5/22/15, I CALLED TO GET AN OIL CHANGE AND I ALSO INFORMED THE DEALERSHIP THAT MY SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT IS COMING ON ONCE AGAIN BUT I AM NOT GETTING ANY OF THE OTHER ALERTS THAT HAD GONE ALONG WITH IT BEFORE. I CALLED GM AND SET A CASE AND TOLD THEM THAT I NO LONGER FELT SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE WITH THE SERVICE AIR BAG BEING ALERTED THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. THE DEALERSHIP PUT ME IN A RENTAL FOR TWO WEEKS WHILE THEY TRIED SEVERAL WAYS TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION. JUNE 2ND I WAS CALLED TO COME AND PICK UP MY CAR. THE GM REP STATED THAT ENGINEERING TECH DEPARTMENT SUGGESTED TO CHANGE THE SENSORS IN THE SEATS OF THE CAR. I AM WORRIED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY WHILE RIDING IN THIS VEHICLE IF THERE IS IN-FACT AND UNDERLYING ISSUE WITH MY VEHICLES AIRBAGS.

NHTSA ODI 10723092

May 26, 2015

2011 MALIBU. I HAVE MULTIPLE INSTANCES OF THE SERVICE ESC, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL & ENGINE POWER REDUCED MESSAGES APPEARING. IT HAPPENS AT VARIOUS TIMES. THE CAR WILL START SPUTTERING AND JERKING THEN THE DIFFERENT CODES START FLASHING ON THE CONSOLE. THE CAR REDUCES SPEED AND WILL NOT GO OVER 20 MPH. IT'S HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES ON SIDE STREETS AND HIGHWAY GOING SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 65 MPH AND WHEN TAKING MY DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL. YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN AN D IS BECOMING EXTREMELY IRRITATING AND AN INCONVENIENCE. ON THE FIRST INCIDENT, I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHICH THEY REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY. LESS THAN TWO MONTHS WENT BY AND THE PROBLEM STARTED AGAIN. WENT BACK TO THE DEALER IN APRIL, 2015 AND IN MAY 2015 IN WHICH THEY TOLD ME NOTHING WAS WRONG AND THEY COULDN'T REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. AS OF 5/24/15 THE PROBLEM IS STILL NOT FIXED. OUT OF 265 COMPLAINTS ON HERE, I FIND THAT 103 OF THEM IS THIS EXACT PROBLEM THEREFORE THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A SERIOUS ISSUE WITH THE MANUFACTURING OF THIS VEHICLE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND GM NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE DIES OR IS SERIOUSLY INJURED.

NHTSA ODI 10721499

May 21, 2015Transmission & drivetrain

AUTO IS EQUIPPED WITH THE 4 CYL 6 SPEED AUTO TRANS. THE TRANSMISSION WILL SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL WHEN ROUNDING A CORNER . ALSO THE TRANSMISSION WILL FLY INTO NEUTRAL WHEN SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION FROM LOW TO DRIVE . I HAVE BEEN CLOSE TO BEING REAR-SEVERAL TIMES WHEN I PULLED OUT ON THE HIGHWAY AND MOVED THE SHIFT FROM LOW GEAR TO DRIVE AND THE TRANSMISSION GOES INTO NEUTRAL AND STAYS IN NEUTRAL. SEVERAL TIMES I HAVE HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD TO KEEP FROM GETTING REAR ENDED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE STAYS IN NEUTRAL. DEALERS HAVE NO FIX FOR THE PROBLEM AND APPARENTLY THIS PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD IN THESE 6 SPEED AUTO TRANS FOR THE YEAR 2011.

NHTSA ODI 10717784

May 11, 2015

AC / HEAT WAS WORKING FINE THEN ALL THE SUDDEN IT QUIT WORKING WITHOUT WARNING. NO NOISE, NO INDICATION WHAT SO EVER IT WAS BAD. I TOOK IT IN AND THE RELAY WAS BAD SO IT HAD TO BE REPLACED. NOW 7 MONTHS LATER, ALL THE SUDDEN WENT OUT AGAIN. HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THIS HAPPENED AGAIN. THERE HAS TO BE A REASON IT KEEPS FAILING. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE PART TO BE REPLACING SO OFTEN,CAN'T DEFROST OR DEFOG WINDOWS WHEN NEEDEDD.

NHTSA ODI 10715819

May 10, 2015Speed controlElectronic Stability Control (esc)

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE I SUDDENLY FELT A LIGHT JERKING SENSATION. THE SERVICE ESC AND SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS IMMEDIATELY CAME ON. THE VEHICLE JERKED TO A STOP. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND THEN RESTARTED THE INDICATOR LIGHTS ARE GONE. I'VE HAD THIS PROBLEM SEVERAL TIMES IN THE PAST TWO MONTHS AND HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP. THE CERTIFIED CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP CHANGED THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING. THE CAR DID WELL FOR A LITTLE OVER A WEEK. NOW THE PROBLEM IS REOCCURRING. THE DEALERSHIP ALSO FOUND CODES FOR A FUEL INJECTION FAILURE BUT WERE NOT ABLE TO "DUPLICATE" THE CODES SO NO REPAIR WAS PERFORMED ON THAT. THE SERVICE ESC AND SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL PROBLEM IS DANGEROUS. IF I DIDN'T HAVE TO GO TO WORK I WOULDN'T DRIVE THE CAR. IT'S A SAFETY HAZARD AS I AM A LONG DISTANCE COMMUTER. I HAVE HAD ALL SERVICE AND RECALLS COMPLETED SINCE PURCHASING THE CAR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO. DANGEROUS!! I'M HOPEFUL THAT OUR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS WILL FORCE GM TO ISSUE A RECALL TO REMEDY THE ISSUE BEFORE PEOPLE LOSE THEIR LIVES.

NHTSA ODI 10715523

May 8, 2015SteeringTransmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH AND CHANGING GEARS, THE VEHICLE JERKED WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT, IT MADE NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA ODI 10715307

Apr 29, 2015Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG ON/OFF INDICATOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE PRESSURE SENSOR FOR THE SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. UPDATED 6/18/15*CN THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE TRADED THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 06/25/15*JB

NHTSA ODI 10713645

Apr 27, 2015Electrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE UNKNOWN SENSORS WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. HOWEVER, A YEAR LATER, THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING OVER A RAILROAD WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS SUCCESSFULLY RESTARTED AFTER TWENTY MINUTES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

NHTSA ODI 10713114

Apr 22, 2015SteeringElectronic Stability Control (esc)

I WAS SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A RIGHT-HAND TURN AND THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY CEASED, FORCING ME TO STEER MANUALLY. I WAS NOT ABLE TO COMPLETE THE TURN, I HAD TO STOP QUICKLY AND RESUME MY DIRECTION OF TRAVEL PRIOR TO TURNING. IF THERE WAS ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION OF WHERE I INTENDED TO TURN, MOST LIKELY I WOULD HAVE COLLIDED WITH THAT VEHICLE. I HAD TO USE A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF FORCE TO MANUALLY STEER THE VEHICLE AFTER LOSING THE POWER STEERING. ALSO, AS A RESULT OF THE POWER STEERING FAILURE, THE VEHICLE ESC BECAME INOPERABLE. I WAS ABLE TO CAREFULLY DRIVE THE CAR TO A CHEVROLET DEALER AND WAS ADVISED I NEED A NEW ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MOTOR AND OTHER PARTS TOTALING APPROXIMATELY $1200. I ADVISED CHEVROLET OF THIS SITUATION AND CURRENTLY AWAITING TO HEAR FROM THEM. I REGARD THIS PRODUCT FAILURE AS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WITH POTENTIAL RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY. THE VEHICLE HAS 39,085 MILES AND HAS BEEN DEALER SERVICED SINCE PURCHASE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10712233

Apr 21, 2015Electrical systemFuel system

FUEL PUMP FAILED(STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY) WHILE PARKED AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER. LUCKILY I WAS NOT DRIVING WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THIS IS AS SERIOUS AN ISSUE AS THE IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEM IF NOT MORE SO. I,SEE MORE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM, AND THEY ARE DRIVING AT THE TIME OF FAILURE. CARS SHOULD NOT BE HAVING THIS MANY FUEL PUMP ISSUES AT THE TIME THEY ARE OCCURRING. THE PROBLEM IS COMPOUNDED WHEN THE VEHICLE RUNS POORLY AND IS MISDIAGNOSED FOR ANOTHER PROBLEM AND UNNECESSARY REPAIR. PLEASE MAKE GM ACKNOWLEDGE THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10711993

Apr 16, 2015Electrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel system

SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON (ECS AND TRACTION CONTROL) AND THE DISPLAY READ, "LOSS OF POWER". I WAS AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND THE CAR SLOWED TO ABOUT 15MPH. I WAS UNABLE TO INCREASE MY SPEED. AFTER TURNING OFF THE IGNITION SWITCH IN A PARKING LOT, AND WAITING FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES, I STARTED THE CAR AND IT RAN FINE. HOWEVER, ON THE FOLLOWING MONDAY THE SAME THING HAPPENED 6 TIMES WHILE TRYING TO GET IT TO BERGSTROM CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP. THE FIRST ATTEMPT TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM ONLY MADE IT WORSE, AND THE SECOND TIME A NEW THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY WAS INSTALLED. THIS REPAIRED THE PROBLEM. ON MY SON'S CHEVY TRUCK THE SAME PROBLEM WAS COVERED UNDER A RECALL, BUT ON MY MALIBU I WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT. ON THE INTERNET I WAS ABLE TO FIND SIX PAGES OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS THAT OTHER MALIBU OWNERS HAD. THEY TOO WERE TOLD THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL. THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM COULD HAVE, AND MAYBE HAS, CAUSED NUMEROUS ACCIDENTS AND I ASSUME INJURIES. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL AND I SHOULD BE COMPLETELY REIMBURSED FOR MY REPAIR EXPENSE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10706189

Apr 15, 2015Electronic Stability Control (esc)Traction Control System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED TO APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH AND THE ESC AND TRACTION CONTROL SENSOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTING THE ENGINE, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ODI 10705899

Apr 14, 2015Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE SERVICE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PROCEEDED TO TRAVEL A SHORT DISTANCE AND TURNED THE IGNITION TO THE OFF POSITION. ONCE THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION AGAIN, THE STEERING WAS RESTORED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,100.

NHTSA ODI 10705588

Apr 14, 2015Electronic Stability Control (esc)

WHILE DRIVING MY 2011 CHEVY MALIBU A SERVICE ESC SERVICE TRACTION MESSAGE CAME ON THEN IT SAYS ESC OFF TRACTION CONTROL OFF. THIS HAPPENED ONE TIME & AFTER CAR WAS TURNED OFF & STARTED AGAIN, PROBLEM DIDN'T OCCUR AGAIN UNTIL A COUPLE MONTHS LATER. THEN THE MESSAGE THEN WAS COMING ON ALMOST EVERYTIME I DROVE THE VEHICLE, & WHEN THE MESSAGE WAS ON THE CAR WOULD SPIT & SPUTTER.TROK IT INTO THE LOCAL SHOP THEY REPLACED THE TRACTION CONTROL SENSOR. THIS HELPED FOR A COUPLE MONTHS, PROBLEM THEN OCCURRED AGAIN, TOOK BACK INTO SHOP THEY REPLACED THE CAMPHASORS, THIS HELPED FOR A COUPLE MONTHS. THEN VEHICLE BECAME UNDRIVEABLE: RPMS WOULD DROP TO ZERO, CAR WOULD LOOSE ALL POWER WHILE DRIVING WOULD NEED TO SHUT CAR OFF & START AGAIN, SPITTING & SPUTTERING OF THE ENGINE & LOOSING POWER. TOOK VEHICLE IN THEY TESTED IT AND IT RAN CODES P0300,P0204,P0203,P0202 & P0201 THEY CONTACTED GM WHO RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE ECM. REPLACED ECM. A WEEK LATER SERVICE ESC/SERVICE TRACTION MESSAGE IS NOW APPEARING OFF AND ON AGAIN. CAR WILL SPIT & SPUTTER WHEN MESSAGE IS ON. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER A YEAR & NO ONE CAN TELL ME HOW TO FIX IT??? I CAN NOT AFFORD TO HAVE MY VEHICLE IN THE SHOP EVERY WEEK WITH THE MECHANICS GUESSING AS TO WHAT WILL FIX THIS. THERE ARE MANY OF THESE COMPLAINTS OUT THERE & GM CAN NOT TELL ME HOW TO FIX THIS ISSUE. I AM NOW BACK TO SQUARE ONE. I HAVE A 4 YEAR OLD VEHICLE THAT DOES NOT EVEN HAVE 100,000 MILES ON IT AND I CAN NOT TRUST IT TO TAKE IT ANYWHERE. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT, VERY UNSAFE TO HAVE A VEHICLE SPIT & SPUTTER RANDOMLY & LOOSE ALL POWER DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD! VERY UNIMPRESSED WITH GM & MY GM VEHICLE, WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER GM VEHICLE AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10705647

Apr 9, 2015Electrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

2011 MALIBU 2LT 3600 VVT. I HAVE MULTIPLE INSTANCES OF THE SERVICE ESC, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL & ENGINE POWER REDUCED MESSAGES APPEARING. THE LAST TIME, TODAY, ALMOST CAUSED ME TO BE REAR ENDED DUE TO THE ENGINE FLUCTUATING BETWEEN ABOUT 200 AND 1500 RPM. AFTER THE FIRST INSTANCE I BROUGHT THE CAR TO A DEALER TO HAVE RECALL #14V252000 ADDRESSED. THIS SEEMED TO SOLVE THE ISSUE BUT AFTER A COUPLE OF DAYS IT ALL HAPPENED AGAIN TELLING ME THERE'S OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING ELSE WRONG. THROUGH ON-LINE RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS EXACT SAME ISSUE WITH ALMOST AS MANY SUPPOSED CAUSES. THERE IS NO WARRANTY LEFT ON MY CAR AND I CAN'T AFFORD A MECHANIC TO GUESS. I STRONGLY FEEL THAT GM NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE DIES. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10704601

Mar 31, 2015Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING ANGLE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

NHTSA ODI 10702849

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