What 976 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid

I am reporting a serious safety issue involving my 2011 Chevrolet Malibu LS related to the electronic stability control (ESC), traction control, and electric power steering systems. My vehicle is currently experiencing the following problems: * “Service ESC” warning message * “ESC Off” displayed * Traction control disabled * Electric power steering warning * Airbag warning light illuminated These issues occur while driving and directly impact the vehicle’s safety systems and handling. I am aware of a prior safety recall issued by General Motors under Recall Number 13036, which involves electrical wiring, the body control module (BCM), and brake assist system (BAS). According to the recall, this defect can result in the loss of electronic stability control, traction control, and other critical safety features. My vehicle is experiencing the exact same symptoms described in Recall #13036, including the disabling of ESC and traction control systems. However, I have been informed that my VIN may not be included in this recall, despite the identical safety-related failures. This presents a significant safety risk because: * Electronic stability control and traction control systems are not functioning * Steering assist may be compromised * Crash avoidance and braking support features may be disabled I am requesting that this issue be investigated and that consideration be given to expanding Recall #13036 to include additional affected vehicles like mine, as this appears to be a widespread defect. This condition poses a serious risk to driver and passenger safety, thank you so much you can contact me back via email [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11732967

On [XXX] around 1pm me and my mom were in a bad accident we were driving on [XXX] through Columbus Ohio to go down to Kentucky we were at least 50 feet from the truck that was pulling a camper when all of sudden the camper had no brake lights and was not moving my mom pushed the brake all the way to the floor you could feel the car trying to stop but it wasn’t stopping we were only going 25 and should have been able to stop . But we didn’t by till we were in the camper bumper driver side airbag went off but mine in the passenger seat didn’t forcing my head to fly forward then back my seat belt locked to hard I felt I couldn’t breath and I had just had my appendix removed two days before the accident I was screaming in pain I was later on took to the hospital to make sure I was not bleeding on the inside I now sit in my bed feeling hopeless in so much pain . Since I was been laying in bed I Kelly blue booked our 2011 Chevy Malibu to see what I could possibly get from it but then found out there was not one but three recalls Airbag, brakes, and seat belts but I was never notified i did some more digging and found out these are all new my question is why was I never notified about this we have had this car five years and I found all these recalls going all the back to 2020 and we have had it since 2021. I blame Chevy for my car accident they failed to tell me something major was wrong with my brakes and airbag. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11609321

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving at approximately 60 MPH and turning the steering wheel to the left to enter the left lane, the steering wheel was difficult to operate. The contact used extra effort while turning the steering wheel to keep from crashing into the highway barrier. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to exit the highway and stopped the vehicle. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and the power steering functionality returned. The contact stated that later in the day the failure reoccurred. The contact repeated the process and the vehicle regained power steering functionality. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred a third time however, after turning off and restarting the power steering functionality had not returned. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the power steering torque angle sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that the seat belt warning light was illuminating with the seat belt securely buckled. The contact stated that the seat belt warning light was illuminated with the seat belt buckled. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.

NHTSA ODI 11569527

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the steel cable used to anchor the front driver’s side lap seat belt had fractured. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V269000 (Seat Belts). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11563364

Driverside Airbag light will come on with Service Airbag message. This does occasionally turn off but comes back for days or weeks at a time. Driver side seatbelt light will randomly come on and stay on or turn off. Both airbag and seatbelt light may be on at the same time. If they are all off or the airbag light turns off it's only for a day or two. Most of the time it will be the airbag light only that is on and tends to stay on longer than seatbelt light.

NHTSA ODI 11522179

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the driver’s side seat belt lap strap had separated from the floor anchor bolt. The contact stated that the lap belt failed to properly restrain the driver while seated. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was previously serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V269000 (Seat Belts). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 66,800.

NHTSA ODI 11509503

WHILE MY SEATBELT IS FASTENED THE SEATBELT NOTIFICATION GOES OFF AS IF ITS NOT FASTENED. ALSO AS I'M ACCELERATING IT'S LIKE MY CAR STRUGGLES TO GET TO 40 MPH. SOMETIMES I HAVE TO GIVE IT A LITTLE MORE GAS FOR IT TO GO OVER 40

NHTSA ODI 11338972

WHEN THE CAR IN MOTION. THE STEERING MAKES A LOUD NOISE WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL. AND THE AIR BAG INDICATOR JUST POPPED ON. STATING SERVICE THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 11299399

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STANDSTILL, THE SEAT BELT CABLE FRACTURED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V269000 (SEAT BELTS). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GATEWAY CHEVROLET CADILLAC (LOCATED AT 501 38TH ST S, FARGO, ND 58103, (701) 282-5522) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PRETENSION CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.

NHTSA ODI 11288168

THESE ARE RECALLS THAT I WAS NEVER MADE AWARE OF AND HAVE NOT BEEN REPAIRED.

NHTSA ODI 11278274

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DICK GENTHE CHEVROLET (866-874-7380, LOCATED AT 15600 EUREKA RD, SOUTHGATE, MI 48195) AND THE CONTACT WAS ASKED IF SHE WANTED THE VEHICLE REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V269000 (SEAT BELTS). THE CONTACT APPROVED THE RECALL REPAIRS. SIX DAYS LATER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT READY AND SHE WAS NOT ALLOWED TO SEE OR RETRIEVE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS CALLED TWO HOURS LATER TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE MADE THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND IT NEEDED TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO AIR BAG FAILURE WITH THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED A $250 DISCOUNT TOWARDS THE REPAIRS ("TAKE OR LEAVE IT"). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,865. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. *AS *TR

NHTSA ODI 11219813

BROKEN WELDS UNDER THE SEAT WHERE THEY SHOULD NEVER BE BROKEN, VERY DANGEROUS! SEAT IS ALL THE WAY DOWN, DRIVER SIDE SEAT HAS COLLASPED

NHTSA ODI 11217772

THE SEAT BELTS ON THIS VEHICLE HAVE SOME ISSUES. I WAS INVOLVED IN A WRECK LATELY AND I WAS HURT REALLY BAD FROM THE SEAT BELT ON THE CHEVY . THE SEAT BELT DINTED INTO MY BODY CAUSING SOME REALLY BAD PAIN WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED.

NHTSA ODI 11210889

I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATED ITSELF. THE SEAT BELT LIGHT STAYS LIT MOST OF THE TIME. IT SAYS SERVICE AIR BAG AND TRACTION SYSTEM. TRACTION SYSTEM LIGHT GOES OFF AND ON, BUT THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON. DOESNT RESET EVEN WHEN UNHOOKING THE BATTERY AND REHOOKING IT UP. CAR MAKES RATTLING NOISE FROM FRONT END. PULLS HARD TO THE RIGHT.

NHTSA ODI 11210167

WHILE DRIVING AND STATIONARY THE INSIDE LIGHTS BLINKS, THE POWER STEERING CANE ON TWICE AND I HAVE MY SEATBELT ON THE LIGHT INDICATOR COMES ON WHILE THE IT'S CONNECTED

NHTSA ODI 11206386

TAKATA RECALL THE SERVICE TECH AT THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE AIRBAG COULD DEPLOY WHILE DRIVING CAUSING MY DAUGHTER TO BE IN DANGER AT ALL TIMES. AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT STAYED ON EVEN AFTER REPLACING THE AIRBAG.

NHTSA ODI 11204778

THE CABLE TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BROKE. EVIDENTLY, OTHER MALIBU'S THIS YEAR HAD A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM. BUT, MY VIN # IS NOT ACCEPTED. CHEVY IS UNWILLING TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY. SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH COULD EASILY HAVE BEEN THE OUTCOME IF THIS HAPPENED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN IT CAME COMPLETELY APART.

NHTSA ODI 11181115

107,000 MILES SEAT BELT BUCKLE DOES NOT SENSE SEAT BELT IS BUCKLED. SEAT BELT ALARM CHIMES WITH BELT BUCKLED. DEALER SAYS PART IS NOT COVERED BY SPECIAL CAMPAIGN. THERE WAS A RECALL A FEW YEARS AGO FOR SEAT BELT ISSUE AND I THOUGHT THE WARRANTY WAS EXTENDED TO 10 YEARS OR 120,000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI 11170152

I PURCHASED THIS CAR ON 11/30/2018 AND NOTICED NOW THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE SEAT BELTS. MY CAR BELTS HAVE NOT BEEN REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI 11160862

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

NHTSA ODI 11110896

I WAS DRIVING ON THE THE AND THE POWER STEERING, LOCKED UP. I REACHED OUT TO NA DEALER SHIP AND THEY CORRECTED THAT PROBLEM AND MY SEAT BELT. THE NEXT DAY 2/10/2018. THE CAR SLOWED DOWN TO MAYBE 8MILES WHILE I WAS DRIVING, AND ENOUGH POWER TO THE ENGINE. VERY DANGER, VERY DANGER. THANK GOD THE CAR BEHIND ME WAS PAYING ATTENTION. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR FOR 3 YEARS. I MYSELF CAME OUT OF POCKET FOR WIRING PROBLEMS. CAR JUST STOPPING ON THE HYW, NO POWER AT ALL. I REPLACED THAT. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS CAR TO BE ON THE ROAD. I KNOW CARS HAVE ISSUES. BUT ALL THIS 3 YEARS AND JUST STOPPING AND SLOWING DOWN IS AND WILL BE THE DEATH OF OTHERS. CHEVY IS SUPPOSED TO BE ONE OF THE BEST CAR MAKING, BUT THIS IS HORRIBLE. AND A LOT PEOPLE FROM WHAT I READ ARE HAVING ISSUES. THIS VERY DANGEROUS.

NHTSA ODI 11072139

TAKATA RECALL DEALERS ARE TO ATTACH THE WIRING HARNESS TO THE BCM WITH A SPACER, APPLY DIELECTRIC LUBRICANT TO BOTH THE BCM AND HARNESS CONNECTOR AND ON THE BAS AND HARNESS CONNECTOR, AND RELEARN THE BRAKE PEDAL HOME POSITION FREE OF CHARGE. AND ALSO DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE OUTBOARD LAP ANCHOR MOUNTING BRACKET TO RE-LOCATE THE TENSIONER 30MM REARWARD. DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE CABLE, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE LAP PRETENSIONER. THESE REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE.

NHTSA ODI 11063367

I CALL WYLIE MUSSER MOTOR S FOR SERVICE AND THEY SAID THEY WILL REPAIR WHEN THEY HAVE THE ORDER. IT HAS BEEN 2 YEARS AND STILL NO CALL BACK FOR SERVICE.

NHTSA ODI 11055568

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A MANUFACTURER RECALL REGARDING NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V269000 (SEAT BELTS). THE PART WAS REPLACED, BUT THE SEAT BELT FRACTURED FROM THE BASE CONNECTION. THE BUCKLE LOCKED IN PLACE, BUT THE PART WAS FRACTURED; THEREFORE, THE SEAT BELT WAS NOT SECURE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE DEALER (WEST HERR CHEVROLET OF HAMBURG, 5025 SOUTHWESTERN BLVD, HAMBURG, NY 14075, (716) 217-4129) WAS CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11047595

THE SEAT BELT LIGHT DASHBOARD LIGHT INDICATOR AND THE CHIMES SOUND WHEN THE SEAT BELT IS ENGAGED IT GOES OFF AND THEN IT COMES BACK ON AS YOU'RE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THERE IS A KNOWN PROBLEM FOR THE 2010 CHEVY MALIBU FOR THE SAME CONDITION

NHTSA ODI 11039687