2011 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Complaints

Complaint Summary
The 2011 Chevrolet Malibu has 1,507 reported complaints.
- Top issues involve electrical system and steering.
Reliability Score
Reliability Score
Based on 1,507 complaints
Most Frequent Issues
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
224 14.9%
STEERING
207 13.7%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
174 11.5%
ENGINE
160 10.6%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
120 8%
Quick Insights
The top category is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, accounting for 14.9% of all complaints.
Owners have reported issues across 49 distinct vehicle systems.
Note: Complaint data reflects owner reports and may not always indicate a verified defect. Compare with Recalls and TSBs for a complete picture.
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What owners keep reporting on the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu
The 2011 Chevrolet Malibu has 1,507 owner complaints in this dataset. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM is the most common complaint category, representing about 15% of the reports shown here.
Most common complaint categories
The top complaint groups for the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu are ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (224), STEERING (207), ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) (174).
Are these complaints a serious red flag?
Potentially. 795 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems like brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection.
What should buyers inspect on a used 2011 Chevrolet Malibu?
Start with the top complaint systems, compare them against the recall report, then inspect service records for evidence that those same areas were already repaired or monitored.
Detailed Complaint Log
Showing 35 of 35 systems
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
37 Reports15% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
FROM MY WIFE: AFTER TWO PRIOR TRIPS IN THE SAME DAY (36 MILES AND 16 MILES ROUND TRIP RESPECTIVELY), MY 3RD OCCASION TO START THE CAR WAS MET WITH A GLARING WARNING MESSAGE ON THE DIGITAL DISPLAY THAT SAID "ENGINE POWER REDUCED". IT WAS FOLLOWED BY "SERVICE ESC/TRACTION CONTROL". I WAS PUZZLED BY THIS WHEN AFTER THAT BOTH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. I WAS INCREDIBLY THANKFUL TO NOT HAVE TO GET ON THE HIGHWAY, BUT HAD TO GO TO GET TO A PERFORMANCE. THE ENGINE HAD BARELY ANY POWER AND IT WAS AS IF THE TRANSMISSION WAS FROZEN. I HAD TO CREEP ALONG WITH DRIVERS TAILGATING ME BECAUSE I COULDN'T GO ANY FASTER THAN ABOUT 30 MPH. AS SOON AS I REACHED MY DESTINATION (ONLY 4 MILES AWAY), I CONTACTED MY HUSBAND SO HE COULD COME TO GET THE CAR WHEN HE GOT BACK FROM HIS ERRAND. FROM HUSBAND AND PRIMARY DRIVER OF CAR: I ARRIVED TO DROP OFF ANOTHER CAR FOR MY WIFE AND I EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE SAME SCROLLING MESSAGES AND SLUGGISH RESPONSE. I CALLED ONSTAR AND THEIR DIAGNOSIS SAID TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED BECAUSE THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE THROTTLE. WHEN I CALLED TO ARRANGE A TOW BACK TO CHEVY, I WAS TOLD THAT IT'S A BUILT IN SAFETY FEATURE OF THE CAR SO THAT DRIVERS CAN'T INADVERTENTLY DO MORE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. TODAY THE BROOKDALE CHEVROLET (MN) DEALER SAID THEY COULDN'T REPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND THAT I COULD EITHER PICK THE CAR UP, OR THEY WOULD KEEP IT ONE MORE DAY TO SEE IF THEY COULD "REPLICATE" THE PROBLEM TO IDENTIFY AND FIX THE ISSUE. I TOLD THEM I COULD NOT KEEP A CAR THAT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. IF MY WIFE OR I HAD BEEN DRIVING IN THIS VEHICLE AT HIGH SPEEDS WHEN THE ENGINE POWER WAS REDUCED, IT COULD HAVE HAD THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM FURTHER. I'VE SEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS ONLINE REGARDING THE SAME ISSUE.
6/22/2011
I HAVE A 2011 MALIBU, I CHANGED MY TIRES OUT ON MY CAR AND TIRE PRESSURE LOW LIGHT CAME ON, THEN 3 DAYS LATER SERVICE ESC LIGHT CAME ON, AN I INSTANTLY FELT LIKE I WAS IN A WRONG GEAR, POWER AND SPEED REDUCED, THANKFULLY I WASN'T IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, I'M UNDER THE 5 YEAR WARRANTY CAN I GET SERVICE, AND IS IT DANGEROUS FOR ME TO DRIVE. *KB
7/18/2011
ENGINE
28 Reports11% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE BECAME RESISTANT TO ACCELERATION ATTEMPTS. THE ESP AND LOW ENGINE POWER WARNING LIGHTS THEN ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE RESET. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE ENGINE RESET AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALER FOR FURTHER ASSESSMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 48,500. ...UPDATED 04/25/13 *BF UPDATED 05/20/2013 *JS
2/25/2013
THE CONTACT JUST BOUGHT A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU USED NOVEMBER 2012. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35MPH, THE VEHICLE BECAME RESISTANT TO ACCELERATION ATTEMPTS. THE ESP, SLIPPERY /TRACTION LIGHT, ENGINE LIGHT AND REDUCING ENGINE POWER WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE CAR DECREASED SPEED TO 20MPH. *TR
3/4/2013
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
27 Reports11% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
I PURCHASED A 2011 MALIBU FROM CHAMPION CHEVROLET IN AUSTIN, TX IN NOVEMBER 2010. THE CAR WAS DELIVERED TO ME WITH A KNOWN DEFECTIVE EBCM (ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE). THEY HAD THE PART ON ORDER AND DIDN'T TELL ME. I FOUND OUT A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER WHEN I HAD A TRACTION CONTROL FAILURE INDICATION AND WAS INFORMED THAT IT WOULD CONTINUE TO FAIL UNTIL THE MODULE WAS REPLACED. THE MODULE WAS REPLACED AND STILL HAD A TRACTION CONTROL/ABS FAILURE. LATER I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE CONNECTOR ON THE EBCM HAD A PUSHED PIN FROM THE MODULE REPLACEMENT. THE CAR WAS KEPT THERE A WEEK LOOKING FOR THE TRACTION CONTROL/ABS FAILURE AND A HYDRAULIC PRESSURE CONTROL MODULE WAS REPLACED. THIS LEFT THE BRAKES FEELING SOFT/MUSHY..MORE TRAVEL. TRIED TO GET A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE BUT DEALER WOULDN'T HELP ME UNLESS I WAS WILLING TO TAKE A $6000 LOST ON THE MONTH OLD MALIBU. COMPLAINED TO GM BUT ALL THEY SAID WAS THAT THE DEALER FIXED THE CAR. OFFERED SOME OIL CHANGES. IN JANUARY DECIDED TO GO AHEAD AND TAKE HIT ON THIS MALIBU AND BECAUSE OF CURRENT INCENTIVES TRADED IT FOR ANOTHER MALIBU. *TR
1/26/2011
FROM MY WIFE: AFTER TWO PRIOR TRIPS IN THE SAME DAY (36 MILES AND 16 MILES ROUND TRIP RESPECTIVELY), MY 3RD OCCASION TO START THE CAR WAS MET WITH A GLARING WARNING MESSAGE ON THE DIGITAL DISPLAY THAT SAID "ENGINE POWER REDUCED". IT WAS FOLLOWED BY "SERVICE ESC/TRACTION CONTROL". I WAS PUZZLED BY THIS WHEN AFTER THAT BOTH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. I WAS INCREDIBLY THANKFUL TO NOT HAVE TO GET ON THE HIGHWAY, BUT HAD TO GO TO GET TO A PERFORMANCE. THE ENGINE HAD BARELY ANY POWER AND IT WAS AS IF THE TRANSMISSION WAS FROZEN. I HAD TO CREEP ALONG WITH DRIVERS TAILGATING ME BECAUSE I COULDN'T GO ANY FASTER THAN ABOUT 30 MPH. AS SOON AS I REACHED MY DESTINATION (ONLY 4 MILES AWAY), I CONTACTED MY HUSBAND SO HE COULD COME TO GET THE CAR WHEN HE GOT BACK FROM HIS ERRAND. FROM HUSBAND AND PRIMARY DRIVER OF CAR: I ARRIVED TO DROP OFF ANOTHER CAR FOR MY WIFE AND I EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE SAME SCROLLING MESSAGES AND SLUGGISH RESPONSE. I CALLED ONSTAR AND THEIR DIAGNOSIS SAID TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED BECAUSE THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE THROTTLE. WHEN I CALLED TO ARRANGE A TOW BACK TO CHEVY, I WAS TOLD THAT IT'S A BUILT IN SAFETY FEATURE OF THE CAR SO THAT DRIVERS CAN'T INADVERTENTLY DO MORE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. TODAY THE BROOKDALE CHEVROLET (MN) DEALER SAID THEY COULDN'T REPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND THAT I COULD EITHER PICK THE CAR UP, OR THEY WOULD KEEP IT ONE MORE DAY TO SEE IF THEY COULD "REPLICATE" THE PROBLEM TO IDENTIFY AND FIX THE ISSUE. I TOLD THEM I COULD NOT KEEP A CAR THAT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. IF MY WIFE OR I HAD BEEN DRIVING IN THIS VEHICLE AT HIGH SPEEDS WHEN THE ENGINE POWER WAS REDUCED, IT COULD HAVE HAD THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM FURTHER. I'VE SEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS ONLINE REGARDING THE SAME ISSUE.
6/22/2011
POWER TRAIN
26 Reports10% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
I WAS ACCELERATING FROM THE ENTRY LANE OF A MOSTLY EMPTY (THANKFULLY) RURALHIGHWAY WHEN SUDDENLY A WARNING MESSAGE "SERVICE TRACTION" ENGINE POWER REDUCED" SERVICE ESC APPEARED ON THE DASH MONITOR.. I LOST POWER AND COULD NOT GET ABOVE 45 MPH. THE TRANSMISSION APPEARED TO BE LOCKED INTO A GEAR LEVEL. I CONTACTED CHEY AND THEY TOLD ME IT IS A SAFETY FEATURE. HERE'S THE PROBLEM, IF I HAD BEEN DOING A HIGH SPEED MERGE ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY THE POWER LOSS COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT NOT TO MENTION GETTING ME KILLED. I THINK THE FEATURE IS ENGINEERED INTO THE SOFTWARE THAT CONTROLS THE ENGINE/TRANSMISSION. A DETECTED FAULT TRIGGERS THE ACTION. INCIDENTALLY, THERE WAS NO PRIOR NOTICE, WARNING LIGHTS,ETC. THAT WOULD HAVE INDICATED A PROBLEM. THE LACK OF NOTICE EXACERBATES THE DANGER.
2/10/2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A GROWLING NOISE WOULD BE HEARD COMING FROM THE BRAKES WHENEVER THEY WERE APPLIED AT LOW SPEEDS OF APPROXIMATLEY 5 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE REPAIRED. APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY SHIFTING FROM SECOND TO THIRD GEAR. AS A RESULT, THERE WOULD BE AN INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE BEFORE ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,800 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,000.
8/22/2011
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
21 Reports8% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
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
4/9/2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS A 3-4 SECOND DELAY WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO EXPLAINED THAT THE MANUFACTURER CHANGED THE WAY THE SYSTEM REACTS IN THE VEHICLE, AS A RESULT THE SIGNAL FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL GOES THROUGH THE COMPUTER FIRST AND THEN THE ENGINE WHICH CAUSES THE DELAY. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 4,800.
8/7/2012
AIR BAGS
19 Reports8% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY IN A VEHICLE CRASH AT 55 MPH WHEN HIT BY LARGE PICKUP TRUCK HAULING EMPTY HORSE TRAILER WHEN DRIVER FELL ASLEEP AT WHEEL. IMPACT CAUSED 2011 MALIBU TO SPIN AT HIGH VELOCITY AND ROLL OVER. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. INJURY OF FRONT PASSENGER OCCURRED. THE SDM MODULE READING SHOWED "NO EVENT" OCCURRING AND THAT IS JUST PLAIN UNBELIEVABLE. A COMPLAINT HAS BEEN FILED WITH GM AND DENIED. *KB
10/12/2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HER BACK AND NECK, AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS INSPECTED BY A TECHNICIAN AND A SPECIAL ENGINEER SENT ON BEHALF OF THE MANUFACTURER. BOTH THE TECHNICIAN AND THE ENGINEER STATED THAT THE CRASH DID NOT MEET THE THRESHOLD IN WHICH THE AIR BAGS WOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,700.
4/27/2012
STEERING
19 Reports8% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
AS I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 30MPH ON A SUBURBAN RD. THE MALIBU JERKED A COUPLE OF TIMES THEN THE (SERVICE ESC) LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH OTHER LIGHTS AND THE CAR STOPPED MOVING. IT ALSO HAD A (CAR LOCKED) SYMBOL LIT ON THE DASH. THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS AND THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR THIS. WE PAY GOOD MONEY TO DRIVE A NEW CAR SO WE DON'T HAVE BREAKDOWNS, NOT TO MENTION THE POSSIBILITIES OF GETTING HIT WHEN THIS FAULT OCCURS MAYBE EVEN BEING TAKEN OUT OF THE POPULATION. *TR
11/25/2011
THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED FIRST IN NOVEMBER 2011. THE ENGINE STOPPED, THERE WAS NO STEERING, SERVICE ESC,THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED BUT WOULD NOT MOVE WHEN PUT IN GEAR. TODAY IS THE SECOND TIME THIS SAME PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED. CHEVY SAID THE PROBLEM WAS REPAIRED IN NOVEMBER, BUT NOW IT'S BACK. THE MALIBU IS BACK AT CHEVY FOR THE SECOND TIME FOR THIS PROBLEM. WE EXPERIENCED ANOTHER INCIDENT 2 WEEKS AGO BUT AFTER STARTING THE CAR AGAIN THE PROBLEM WAS NOT THERE AND HAS NOT SURFACED UNTIL NOW. I CERTAINLY HOPE THIS PROBLEM IS RESOLVED THIS TIME FOR GOOD. I FEEL VERY UNCOMFORTABLE PULLING INTO TRAFFIC. *TR
3/17/2012
SERVICE BRAKES
11 Reports4% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
SYSTEM WARNING LIGHTS CONSTANTLY SAY "SERVICE ESC" AND "SERVICE TRACTION". PROBLEM BEGAN WITHIN 4 MONTHS OF TAKING DELIVERY OF THE VEHICLE AND IS NOW SCHEDULED FOR AT LEAST THE FIFTH TIME IN THE SHOP FOR THE EXACT SAME THING. BY THE WAY THIS VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 5,500 MILES ON IT SINCE TAKING DELIVERY OF IT MARCH 2011. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT WHEN THESE WARNING LIGHTS ARE ON, THE SYSTEMS (TRACTION CONTROL AND ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM) ARE DISABLED. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THE MECHANICAL SYSTEMS WILL CONTINUE TO WORK FINE. MY ISSUE IS THAT THE TRACTION CONTROL AND ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM ARE AN ENHANCED SAFETY COMPONENT OF THE VEHICLE (AND ALL VEHICLES WHICH HAS BEEN SCIENTIFICALLY PROVEN) THAT ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE TO ME BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURE CAN NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. *TT
6/21/2012
BRAKE LIGHTS DON'T WORK UNLESS I USE EXCESSIVE FORCE. *TR
10/14/2013
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
7 Reports3% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
THE PROBLEM I AM EXPERIENCING WITH MY 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU LTZ IS A METALLIC RATTLE COMING FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING OVER UNEVEN ROADS. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW ON AUGUST 24, 2010. THE VERY NEXT DAY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE I BEGAN HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE METALLIC RATTLE. I TOOK MY VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS ON AUGUST 30, AUGUST 31, SEPTEMBER 17, SEPTEMBER 30 (2 DAYS) AND OCTOBER 7, 2010 BUT, TO DATE, THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. AT THIS POINT IN TIME THE SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD ME ? I HAVE NO FURTHER ACTION PLAN? AND THE MECHANIC THAT WORKED ON MY VEHICLE TOLD ME ? THE NOISE MAY BE THE NEW NORMAL FOR CHEVROLET?. THIS SAME NONCONFORMIST SUBSTANTIALLY IMPAIRS THE USE, VALUE AND SAFETY OF MY NEW VEHICLE. I HAVE ASKED THAT THE VEHICLE BE REPLACED PURSUANT TO THE LEMON LAW OF OHIO. I CONTACTED THE CHEVROLET CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALERSHIP, WHICH THE DEALERSHIP STATED WAS UNTRUE AND WAS NEVER COMMUNICATED TO THEM. BOTH THE SERVICE ADVISOR AND MECHANIC AT THE DEALERSHIP HAVE HEARD THE METALLIC RATTLE AND SAID IT IS UP TO CHEVROLET MOTORS DIVISION TO OFFER OTHER POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS. I THINK I HAVE BEEN PATIENT LONG ENOUGH AND SINCE THE SOURCE OF THE NOISE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE REPLACED. *TR
10/15/2010
I WAS ACCELERATING FROM THE ENTRY LANE OF A MOSTLY EMPTY (THANKFULLY) RURALHIGHWAY WHEN SUDDENLY A WARNING MESSAGE "SERVICE TRACTION" ENGINE POWER REDUCED" SERVICE ESC APPEARED ON THE DASH MONITOR.. I LOST POWER AND COULD NOT GET ABOVE 45 MPH. THE TRANSMISSION APPEARED TO BE LOCKED INTO A GEAR LEVEL. I CONTACTED CHEY AND THEY TOLD ME IT IS A SAFETY FEATURE. HERE'S THE PROBLEM, IF I HAD BEEN DOING A HIGH SPEED MERGE ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY THE POWER LOSS COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT NOT TO MENTION GETTING ME KILLED. I THINK THE FEATURE IS ENGINEERED INTO THE SOFTWARE THAT CONTROLS THE ENGINE/TRANSMISSION. A DETECTED FAULT TRIGGERS THE ACTION. INCIDENTALLY, THERE WAS NO PRIOR NOTICE, WARNING LIGHTS,ETC. THAT WOULD HAVE INDICATED A PROBLEM. THE LACK OF NOTICE EXACERBATES THE DANGER.
2/10/2011
SEATS
5 Reports2% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
THIS IS A GENERAL COMPLAINT: MODERN VEHICLES ALL SEEM TO HAVE EXTREMELY UNCOMFORTABLE HEADRESTS. I CANNOT GET COMFORTABLE IN MOST NEW CARS! THE HEADRESTS PUSH TOO FAR FORWARD. I AM 6'1" AND PREFER AN UPRIGHT SEATING POSITION. I AM BEGINNING TO DESPAIR ABOUT FINDING A COMFORTABLE CAR FOR LONG DRIVES AND IT IS VERY DISCOURAGING. YOU ARE PROBABLY GOING TO TELL ME ITS ALL IN THE NAME OF SAFETY (WHIPLASH) BUT WHAT'S THE POINT IF YOU CAN'T STAND BEING IN THE CAR MORE THAN 20 MINUTES? HEADRESTS NEED TO BE ADJUSTABLE ANGLE LIKE MY 07 VW GTI (WHICH HAS ABSOLUTELY PERFECT SEATING). IF ALL I CAN BUY NOW IS THESE STUPID FORWARD TILTING HEADRESTS I AM GOING TO PUT THE DARN THING IN A VISE AND BEND IT BACKWARDS! THAT'S NOT GOING TO HELP SAFETY, BUT AT LEAST I'LL BE ABLE TO WALK UPRIGHT WHEN I GET OUT FROM A 5 HOUR DRIVE. MY LATEST ENCOUNTER WITH THESE STUPID HEADRESTS WAS IN A RENTED CHEVY MALIBU. BUT I'VE ALSO FOUND THE SAME PROBLEM IN RECENT FORDS (MUSTANG ABSOLUTELY AWFUL), AND FOR THAT MATTER IN PRACTICALLY EVERYTHING MANUFACTURED SINCE 2008. PLEASE HELP RESTORE SOME COMMON SENSE TO THE INDUSTRY OR ELSE I'LL BE WALKING TO WORK OR I'LL JUST RIP THE STUPID THINGS OUT OF THE SEAT. *TR
6/16/2011
VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OF 65 - 75 MPH WILL EXPERIENCE A VIBRATION THAT CAN BE FELT IN THE SEATS AND IN THE STEERING WHEEL. VIBRATION WILL NOT GO AWAY AND WILL WORSEN AFTER A WHEEL BALANCING. MANUFACTURER HAS STATED THAT THE VIBRATION IS INHERENT IN THE VEHICLES DESIGN AND THEY WILL NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VIBRATION CAUSES PREMATURE TIRE WHERE THAT COULD LEAD TO POSSIBLE TIRE FAILURE. *TR
7/26/2012
TIRES
4 Reports2% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
2011 CHEVROLET MALABU DOES NOT COME EQUIPPED WITH SPARE TIRE; ONLY AN AIR PUMP. THIS IS ABSURD, UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS. IF FLAT TIRE OCCURS IT WILL NOT HOLD AIR, RENDERING AIR PUMP USELESS, AND LEAVING DRIVER STRANDED. DEALER DID NOT TELL ABOUT NO SPARE TIRE WHEN MAKING NEW LEASE 6-30-11. UNDERSTAND ALL 2011 CHEVROLETS DO NOT HAVE SPARE TIRE. IMMEDIATE ACTION NEEDED TO REQUIRE ALL CARS BE EQUIPPED WITH A SPARE TIRE. *TT
8/27/2011
VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OF 65 - 75 MPH WILL EXPERIENCE A VIBRATION THAT CAN BE FELT IN THE SEATS AND IN THE STEERING WHEEL. VIBRATION WILL NOT GO AWAY AND WILL WORSEN AFTER A WHEEL BALANCING. MANUFACTURER HAS STATED THAT THE VIBRATION IS INHERENT IN THE VEHICLES DESIGN AND THEY WILL NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VIBRATION CAUSES PREMATURE TIRE WHERE THAT COULD LEAD TO POSSIBLE TIRE FAILURE. *TR
7/26/2012
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
3 Reports1% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
I PURCHASED A 2011 MALIBU FROM CHAMPION CHEVROLET IN AUSTIN, TX IN NOVEMBER 2010. THE CAR WAS DELIVERED TO ME WITH A KNOWN DEFECTIVE EBCM (ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE). THEY HAD THE PART ON ORDER AND DIDN'T TELL ME. I FOUND OUT A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER WHEN I HAD A TRACTION CONTROL FAILURE INDICATION AND WAS INFORMED THAT IT WOULD CONTINUE TO FAIL UNTIL THE MODULE WAS REPLACED. THE MODULE WAS REPLACED AND STILL HAD A TRACTION CONTROL/ABS FAILURE. LATER I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE CONNECTOR ON THE EBCM HAD A PUSHED PIN FROM THE MODULE REPLACEMENT. THE CAR WAS KEPT THERE A WEEK LOOKING FOR THE TRACTION CONTROL/ABS FAILURE AND A HYDRAULIC PRESSURE CONTROL MODULE WAS REPLACED. THIS LEFT THE BRAKES FEELING SOFT/MUSHY..MORE TRAVEL. TRIED TO GET A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE BUT DEALER WOULDN'T HELP ME UNLESS I WAS WILLING TO TAKE A $6000 LOST ON THE MONTH OLD MALIBU. COMPLAINED TO GM BUT ALL THEY SAID WAS THAT THE DEALER FIXED THE CAR. OFFERED SOME OIL CHANGES. IN JANUARY DECIDED TO GO AHEAD AND TAKE HIT ON THIS MALIBU AND BECAUSE OF CURRENT INCENTIVES TRADED IT FOR ANOTHER MALIBU. *TR
1/26/2011
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 50 MILES PER HOUR AND THE ABS,TRACTION CONTROL, AND ESC SERVICE LIGHTS WENT ON THE DASHBOARD. FELT A SMALL JERK IN THE CAR AND THEN IT CONTINUED TO DRIVE NORMALLY LIGHTS REMAINED ON. *TR
3/29/2013
SEAT BELTS
3 Reports1% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
BOTH FRONT DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SEAT BELTS ON RENTAL CAR ARE INSTALLED ON VEHICLE BACKWARDS. BELT NEEDS TO BE TWISTED TO GET IT TO WORK. TWISTING IT DECREASES SURFACE AREA WHERE IT CONTACTS THE PERSON'S BODY (FROM THE FULL 2" WIDTH OF THE STRAP TO NOW A REDUCED WIDTH). THIS CAUSES IT TO "DIG IN" TO PERSON WHERE AS IF WERE INSTALLED CORRECTLY, THE FULL 2 INCH WIDTH OF THE SEAT BELT WOULD CONTACT THE PERSON'S BODY AND NOT "DIG IN" TO THE BODY. *TR
2/23/2011
I PURCHASED MY 2011 MALIBU IN APRIL 2012. INITIALLY, I WAS EXPERIENCING POWER SURGES UPON BREAKING. I WAS SLOWING DOWN TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND MY CAR WOULD SURGE FORWARD BEFORE STOPPING. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED A SENSOR. I'M STILL EXPERIENCING THE SURGES OCCASIONALLY. THE NEXT TIME I TOOK IT IN BECAUSE I WAS GETTING A LOT OF NOISE AND VIBRATION WHEN DRIVING ON A ROUGH A SURFACE. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN. IT WAS FINE FOR A YEAR, NOW THAT PROBLEM IS RETURNING. DURING THE WINTER 2013, MY REAR DEFROST STOPPED WORKING. I TOOK IT IN AND WAS TOLD THAT THE REAR FUSE BLOCK WAS MELTED AND IT WILL COST $535 TO HAVE IT REPLACED. AND ANOTHER $230 TO HAVE THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT REPLACED---- IT DOESN'T CONNECT SECURELY WITHOUT FIDDLING WITH IT. I THINK THERE SHOULD BE RECALLS ISSUED ON ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS BECAUSE I HAVE READ BLOGS AND OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES, AND THEY ARE ALL RELATED TO THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE. *TR
4/2/2014
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
3 Reports1% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A GROWLING NOISE WOULD BE HEARD COMING FROM THE BRAKES WHENEVER THEY WERE APPLIED AT LOW SPEEDS OF APPROXIMATLEY 5 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE REPAIRED. APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY SHIFTING FROM SECOND TO THIRD GEAR. AS A RESULT, THERE WOULD BE AN INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE BEFORE ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,800 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,000.
8/22/2011
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 50 MILES PER HOUR AND THE ABS,TRACTION CONTROL, AND ESC SERVICE LIGHTS WENT ON THE DASHBOARD. FELT A SMALL JERK IN THE CAR AND THEN IT CONTINUED TO DRIVE NORMALLY LIGHTS REMAINED ON. *TR
3/29/2013
VISIBILITY/WIPER
3 Reports1% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THE WINDSHIELD WAS NOT CLEAR ENOUGH AND HER VISIBILITY WAS IMPAIRED WHEN THE CONDITIONS OUTSIDE WERE CLOUDY. THERE WAS A VISIBLE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE SIDE VIEW MIRROR AND THE WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER; HOWEVER, THEY STATED THERE WAS NO NOTICEABLE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE WINDSHIELD AND SIDE VIEW MIRRORS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.
7/11/2012
WIPER SYSTEM FAILED DURING RAIN STORM. NEITHER WIPER BLADE MOVED. PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS WIPER TRANSMISSION FAILURE. PART COST $135 FROM THE CHEVROLET DEALER PLUS $150 LABOR TO INSTALL. COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE WIPER SYSTEM WITHOUT ANY WARNING SUCH AS SLIPPAGE SHOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE. I WAS VERY LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO SEE ENOUGH TO KEEP THE CAR STRAIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY AND EVENTUALLY BE ABLE TO CHANGE LANES AND PULL OVER. *TT
4/16/2014
SUSPENSION
3 Reports1% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OF 65 - 75 MPH WILL EXPERIENCE A VIBRATION THAT CAN BE FELT IN THE SEATS AND IN THE STEERING WHEEL. VIBRATION WILL NOT GO AWAY AND WILL WORSEN AFTER A WHEEL BALANCING. MANUFACTURER HAS STATED THAT THE VIBRATION IS INHERENT IN THE VEHICLES DESIGN AND THEY WILL NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VIBRATION CAUSES PREMATURE TIRE WHERE THAT COULD LEAD TO POSSIBLE TIRE FAILURE. *TR
7/26/2012
I STARTED TO EXPERIENCE A VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. THE PROBLEM PERSISTED AND THEN A NOISE STARTED AS WELL. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE DETERMINED THAT IT WAS A BROKEN AXLE SHAFT THAT THEY ORDERED AND THEN REPLACED. THE NOISE WENT AWAY BUT THE VIBRATION HAS PERSISTED. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER 5+ TIMES TO BE LOOKED AT AND THEY TELL ME SOMETHING DIFFERENT EACH TIME. I NEED TIRES ROTATED (DID THAT), NEED NEW TIRES (BOUGHT THEM), NEED TIRES BALANCED (DID THAT), NEED TIRES BALANCED ON THE RIMS (DID THAT), AND NOW THAT THE TIRES MUST BE COLD. I EXPLAINED THAT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS AFTER BEING DRIVEN OVER 30 MINUTES AND THAT THE TIRES SHOULD BE WARMED UP BY THEN. I HAVE CONTACTED CHEVROLET IN REGARDS TO THIS SEVERAL TIMES AND ALL THEY WANT TO DO TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM IS TO HAVE ME RETURN THE CAR TO THE DEALER TO BE LOOKED AT. EACH TIME I DO THIS, I AM LEFT WITH NO VEHICLE AND FENDING FOR RIDES. I AM CURRENTLY COMMUTING NEARLY 100 MILES PER DAY FOR WORK UNTIL I AM ABLE TO RELOCATE AND CANNOT BE WITHOUT A VEHICLE. CHEVY REFUSES TO PAY FOR A RENTAL FOR AN ERROR THAT IS CLEARLY RELATED TO THEIR PRODUCT. I AM NOT SURE WHAT ELSE TO DO AT THIS POINT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I WILL BE FILING A COMPLAINT WITH THE BBB AND ANYONE ELSE OF SIGNIFICANCE. *TR
3/5/2014
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
3 Reports1% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
WENT OUT TO CRANK THE CAR. IT WOULD NOT START. SENT IN TO BE FIXED. PICKED CAR UP TODAY AND INSIDE PANEL IS NOT WORKING NEITHER IS THE LIGHTS. I HAVE TO CALL SERVICE AGAIN IN THE A.M. *TR
2/5/2013
THE FUEL PUMP HAS BURNED CONNECTORS THAT ARE INSIDE THE FUEL TANK, THE BOARD LIGHTS INTENSITY INCREASES OR DECREASES OR STAYS OFF, ALL FUSES ARE GOOD, THE GM IS AWARE OF THIS AND 72 HOURS AGO I'M WAITING FOR AN ANSWER , I HAVE FEAR THAT HAPPEN AGAIN, SO I'M NOT USING THE CAR, WHERE I CAN SEND PICTURES OF THE FUEL PUMP, WHEN I OPENED THE CASE I ASK THEM GM CAR RENT IT AND REVISE MINE TO SEE IF IT WAS SAFE BUT UNTIL NOW NO RESPONSE, IT SEEMS THAT THEY WANT THE CAR TO BURN. *TR
3/2/2013
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
3 Reports1% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
AT RANDOM WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE RADIO WILL SWITCH TO AUX. YOU CAN TOUCH THE DASH ON THE SIDE OR AROUND THE RADIO AND IT WILL GO BACK TO RADIO. IT WILL ALSO SWITCH SOMETIMES WHEN YOU PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE, OR TURN ON WINDSHIELD WIPERS. YOU HAVE TO BUMP THE SIDE OF THE DASH OR THE AREA AROUND THE RADIO FOR IT TO SWITCH BACK ALSO THERE IS A NOISE WHERE THE STEERING IS THAT SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING IS KNOCKING AROUND UNDER THE CAR, AND MY DASH LIGHTS SOMETIMES WILL WAIT UNTIL I HAVE DRIVEN SEVERAL BLOCKS BEFORE THEY COME ON. THE RATTLING OR KNOCKING NOISE THAT IS HEARD IN THE FRONT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE REALLY BOTHERS ME THAT SOMETHING IS READY TO FALL OFF OR BREAK. IN OCTOBER OF 2012 I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE TURN SIGNAL LAMPS ON THE DRIVER SIDE REAR I WOULDN'T THINK THEY SHOULD GO OUT THAT QUICK. *TR
7/24/2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM , ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL , EXTERIOR LIGHTING , SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC , VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED TWICE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
8/27/2014
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
2 Reports1% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
I HAVE A 2011 MALIBU, I CHANGED MY TIRES OUT ON MY CAR AND TIRE PRESSURE LOW LIGHT CAME ON, THEN 3 DAYS LATER SERVICE ESC LIGHT CAME ON, AN I INSTANTLY FELT LIKE I WAS IN A WRONG GEAR, POWER AND SPEED REDUCED, THANKFULLY I WASN'T IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, I'M UNDER THE 5 YEAR WARRANTY CAN I GET SERVICE, AND IS IT DANGEROUS FOR ME TO DRIVE. *KB
7/18/2011
I WAS DRIVING AND WHEN I WENT OVER A SMALL HILL THE CAR SEEMED TO LOSE POWER. THE SERVICE /ESC MESSAGE CAME ON. I WAS BARELY ABLE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THE CAR WAS RUNNING BUT WOULD NOT MOVE AT ALL. IT HAD NO POWER WHATSOEVER. WHEN I CALLED ONSTAR THEY SAID TO SHUT IT OFF FOR A MINUTE AND TURN IT BACK ON TO SEE IF THE CODE WOULD CLEAR. IT DIDN'T SO I CALLED A TOW TRUCK TO TOW IT TO BANKS CHEVROLET (NH). AFTER SITTING IN THE CAR FOR ABOUT AN HOUR WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING (IT WAS FEBRUARY AND VERY COLD OUT) THE TOW OPERATOR ARRIVED. I SHUT THE CAR OFF FOR ABOUT 3 MINUTES, HE THEN STARTED IT AND LOW AND BEHOLD THE MESSAGE WAS GONE THE CAR HAD POWER AND HE PROCEEDED TO DRIVE IT ON THE TOW TRUCK. THE GARAGE HAD THE CAR FOR SEVERAL DAYS TRYING TO RECREATE THE PROBLEM. THEY COULD NOT. THEY SAID A SERVICE BULLETIN DID GO OUT ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I WILL ADMIT IT DOES MAKE ME NERVOUS THE CAR WAS 1 MONTH IN MY POSSESSION WHEN THIS HAPPENED NOT EVEN 1500 MILES ON IT. I NOW HAVE 7500 MILES AND NO PROBLEMS SINCE THEN. IT COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC IF I HAD BEEN MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND LOST POWER AT A HIGH SPEED-THANK-GOD THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN!!! BUT REALLY NO RESOLUTION THEY COULDN'T FIND OUT WHAT CAUSED IT THEY DID HOWEVER GIVE ME SOME SONG AND DANCE ABOUT THINGS LOOSENING UP FROM GOING OVER BUMPY ROADS. WELL I LIVE IN THE NORTHEAST SO THAT IS PRETTY UNAVOIDABLE. *KB
7/19/2011
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2 Reports1% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
I HAVE A 2011 MALIBU, I CHANGED MY TIRES OUT ON MY CAR AND TIRE PRESSURE LOW LIGHT CAME ON, THEN 3 DAYS LATER SERVICE ESC LIGHT CAME ON, AN I INSTANTLY FELT LIKE I WAS IN A WRONG GEAR, POWER AND SPEED REDUCED, THANKFULLY I WASN'T IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, I'M UNDER THE 5 YEAR WARRANTY CAN I GET SERVICE, AND IS IT DANGEROUS FOR ME TO DRIVE. *KB
7/18/2011
2011 CHEVY MALIBU 2LT - TRANSMISSION SLIPPING BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEARS, ALSO 2ND TO 3RD. TAKES A DANGEROUSLY LONG TIME FOR IT TO KICK IN TO THE CORRECT GEAR AND I HAVE HAD SOME CLOSE CALLS PULLING INTO TRAFFIC. ALSO, THIS SIX SPEED TRANSMISSION IS DEFECTIVE WHEN TRYING TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE AS ONCE YOU ARE IN 6TH GEAR, IT WILL NOT DROP TO 5TH IN ORDER TO PASS. THE RPMS RACE UP AND NOTHING HAPPENS. ALL OF THIS AND GM SAYS THAT THE VEHICLE IS OPERATING AS NORMAL AND THERE IS NO PROBLEM. OBVIOUSLY THERE IS. THIS IS A DEFECT AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. MULTIPLE DISCUSSION FORUMS ONLINE DESCRIBE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL YEAR AND ALSO 2010 1LT AND 2TL 4CYL AND 6CYL. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE AND GM IS NOT DOING IT. HELP!! *TR
8/8/2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
2 Reports1% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
I BOUGHT MY 2011 MALIBU LTZ IN APRIL 2011. SINCE I BOUGHT IT I HAVE NOTICED, CONSISTENTLY, THE CAR REVS EXTREMELY HIGH WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN GEARS WHILE ACCELERATING. IT OFTEN TIMES STRUGGLES TO SHIFT BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD AND 4TH GEARS. THE CAR IS ALSO RATED TO GET UP TO 33 MPG HIGHWAY, AVERAGE OF 25. I DRIVE ABOUT 90% HIGHWAY AND BACKROADS AND AM ONLY GETTING AN AVERAGE OF 23.3 MPG, WHICH IS THE CITY RATING. THIS CAR HAS A 6 SPEED AUTO AND WAS SUPPOSED TO DO BETTER ON GAS THAN THE LAST FEW MODELS, BUT MY 2009 MALIBU WITH A 4 SPEED AUTO DID BETTER THAN THIS CAR DOES. INITIALLY I FIGURED I WAS DOING BAD ON GAS BECAUSE I TEND TO BE A LEADFOOT DRIVER, SO I MADE SIGNIFICANT STRIDES TO REDUCE MY OVERALL SPEED AND QUICK ACCELERATIONS. AFTER ABOUT 4 MONTHS NOW OF DRIVING SLOWER AND SAFER I HAVE NOT SEEN ANY CHANGE IN THE MPG. I AM ABOUT TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO GET THE FUEL SYSTEM CHECKED OUT. I ALSO HAVE THE AUTOMATIC STARTER IN MY CAR AND IT HAS DIED AT 25,000 MILES. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS AVERAGE BATTERY LIFE SPAN FOR IT OR IF IT IS AN ISSUE, SO I WILL BE GETTING IT CHECKED OUT TOO. *TR
4/9/2012
VEHICLE SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING ON I 84 ON ROUTE TO WORCESTER, MA. HAD TO COAST WITH NO POWER STEERING AND AVOID A TRUCK TO GET OVER TO THE SIDE. ENGINE STARTED AFTER FIVE MINUTES AND RAN FOR ANOTHER HR. LUCKILY THIS TIME, STOPPED FOR FUEL AND ENGINE WOULD NOT START AGAIN. HAD TO BE TO TO DEALER AND WAS ADVISED FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED.
5/18/2014
WHEELS
2 Reports1% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OF 65 - 75 MPH WILL EXPERIENCE A VIBRATION THAT CAN BE FELT IN THE SEATS AND IN THE STEERING WHEEL. VIBRATION WILL NOT GO AWAY AND WILL WORSEN AFTER A WHEEL BALANCING. MANUFACTURER HAS STATED THAT THE VIBRATION IS INHERENT IN THE VEHICLES DESIGN AND THEY WILL NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VIBRATION CAUSES PREMATURE TIRE WHERE THAT COULD LEAD TO POSSIBLE TIRE FAILURE. *TR
7/26/2012
ON 6/22/13 AT APPROX 1:40PM I WAS HEADING BACK TO WORK FROM MY LUNCH BREAK AND I WAS GOING THROUGH THE INTERSECTION ON MY GREEN LIGHT AT APPROX 30MPH WHEN A BIG CHEVY TRUCK BLEW THROUGH THE RED LIGHT GOING APPROX 40 MPH. I ENDED UP T BONING THE CAB OF HIS TRUCK. CAUSING ME TO DO A 360. TORE OFF THE BUMPER COMPLETELY. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND ONSTAR DID NOT CALL ME. TWO IMPORTANT SAFETY FEATURES OF MY CAR FAILED ME! I THANK GOD I AM ALIVE WITH NO SERIOUS INJURIES! EVERYONE WHO SAW MY CAR INCLUDING THE BODY SHOP ARE IN COMPLETE SHOCK OF MY AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYING! I REALLY WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THE CAUSE! *TR
7/1/2013
STRUCTURE
2 Reports1% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
DRIVING 65 MPH ON INTERSTATE AND SERVICE ESC AND ALL OTHER LIGHTS CAME ON AND ENGINE DIED. I HAD TO MANEUVER 3 LANES TO THE RIGHT IN RUSH HOUR TO GET TO THE BREAKDOWN LANE WITHOUT POWER STEERING. "FAULTY ALTERNATOR" RULED TO BE AT FAULT. NO WARNING THAT MORNING PRIOR TO EVENT. TWO DAYS BEFORE THE BATTERY LIGHT STAYED ON A LITTLE LONGER (5 MINUTES) THAN USUAL AND THEN WENT OFF. IT NEVER CAME ON AGAIN TO WARN OF SOMETHING WRONG. I CALLED CHEVROLET AND THE CUSTOMER SERVICE WAS INDIFFERENT SO I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH MY STATE'S BBB AS THIS IS THE THIRD, AND MOST SEVERE ISSUE, I HAVE HAD WITH THIS CAR AND I HAVE NOT HAD IT TWO YEARS QUITE YET. I DID RECEIVE A CALL BACK FROM GM. THEY ARE WORKING ON THEIR RESPONSE TO THIS LIFE THREATENING EVENT AS WELL AS THE OTHER PROBLEMS, WHICH WERE THE EXHAUST SOLENOID DIED ( SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON) AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HANDLE COVERING CAME OFF EXPOSING THE SHARP METAL IT IS MADE OF). *TR
3/16/2013
THE MANUFACTURER FORGOT TO INSTALL A CLAMP ON THE MOON ROOF DRAIN. THE TUBE FELL OFF AND FLOODED THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR WITH 3 INCHES OF STANDING WATER ON JULY 12, 2013. THE ENTIRE PASSENGER SIDE INCLUDING CEILING, DASH (IN FRONT AND BEHIND), SEATS, FLOORING, AND ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS HAVE WATER DAMAGE. IT THEN HAPPENED AGAIN ON JULY 14, 2013. CONTACT WAS MADE TO THE DEALER ON JULY 16, 2013. AFTER NUMEROUS, MEANINGLESS PHONE CONVERSATIONS WITH CHEVROLET, THEY WOULD ONLY REPLACE SOME COSMETIC PARTS. ONLY THE FLOORING WAS REPLACED AT FIRST. AFTER MORE COMPLAINTS, THE SEAT COVERS AND HEAD LINER WERE REPLACED, BUT NOT THE FACTORY CARPETED FLOOR MATS. THEY REFUSED TO REPLACE OR INSPECT ANYTHING ELSE THAT WATER CAME IN CONTACT WITH INCLUDING ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS, SEAT CUSHIONS, SAFETY RESTRAINTS, WIRING HARNESSES, OR AIRBAG SYSTEM BEHIND THE DASH. OUR 10 YEAR OLD SON HAD A KIDNEY TRANSPLANT TWO YEARS AGO AND HAS A SUPPRESSED IMMUNE SYSTEM. DUE TO THIS, HE CANNOT BE AROUND MOLD WHICH CHEVROLET IS REFUSING TO TEST FOR. BEING THAT ONLY 50% OR LESS OF THE COMPONENTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED, WE ARE CONCERNED OF THE PRESENCE OF MOLD. OUR PHYSICIAN HAS REQUESTED THAT THE CAR BE TESTED AND SIGNED OFF THAT NO MOLD IS PRESENT BEFORE OUR SON CAN RIDE IN THE CAR AGAIN. OUR SON'S HEALTH DEPENDS ON HAVING A SAFE, CLEAN CAR TO BE TRANSPORTED IN. CHEVROLET HAS NO CONCERNS FOR HIS SAFETY OR LIFE THREATENING ISSUES. UNKNOWN ELECTRICAL SAFETY COMPONENTS MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN COMPROMISED WITH THIS MUCH WATER OR MOISTURE IN THE VEHICLE. THESE PARTS WERE NOT CHECKED, TESTED OR REPLACED. *TR
8/5/2013
STRUCTURE:BODY
2 Reports1% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
ON 6/22/13 AT APPROX 1:40PM I WAS HEADING BACK TO WORK FROM MY LUNCH BREAK AND I WAS GOING THROUGH THE INTERSECTION ON MY GREEN LIGHT AT APPROX 30MPH WHEN A BIG CHEVY TRUCK BLEW THROUGH THE RED LIGHT GOING APPROX 40 MPH. I ENDED UP T BONING THE CAB OF HIS TRUCK. CAUSING ME TO DO A 360. TORE OFF THE BUMPER COMPLETELY. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND ONSTAR DID NOT CALL ME. TWO IMPORTANT SAFETY FEATURES OF MY CAR FAILED ME! I THANK GOD I AM ALIVE WITH NO SERIOUS INJURIES! EVERYONE WHO SAW MY CAR INCLUDING THE BODY SHOP ARE IN COMPLETE SHOCK OF MY AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYING! I REALLY WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THE CAUSE! *TR
7/1/2013
I WAS GOING ONTO A EXIT AN HIT A GUARDRAIL ON THE DRIVERS SIDE, THE CAR SPUN AND I ENDED UP SIDEWAYS. THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED BUT DID NOT INFLATE. I SUSTAINED BROKEN RIBS, A FACIAL HEMATOMA AND MULTIPLE CONTUSIONS. I WAS WEARING MY SEATBELT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. *TR
12/5/2013
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
2 Reports1% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
AS I WAS LEAVING WORK AT NIGHT, I UNLOCKED MY DOORS WITH THE KEY REMOTE AND I WENT TO REACH FOR MY DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HANDLE AND COULDN'T OPEN THE DOOR. I TRIED LOCKING AND UNLOCKING THE DOOR A COUPLE TIMES AND I EVEN TRIED TO UNLOCK IT MANUALLY BUT COULD NOT OPEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. I FINALLY HAD TO CLIMB IN THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR TO GET INTO THE CAR. I HAVE NOTICED THAT IN THE PAST WHEN I WENT TO SHUT MY DOOR IT WOULD JUST BOUNCE OF THE LATCH, AND I JUST ATTRIBUTED THAT TO IT NEEDED LUBRICATION. I HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT THE CHEVY MALIBU FORUMS AND NOTICED THAT THIS IS QUITE A COMMON ISSUE. (HTTP://WWW.CHEVYMALIBUFORUM.COM/FORUMS/ARCHIVE/INDEX.PHP/T-3433.HTML). THIS IS NOT AN ELECTRICAL/MECHANICAL ISSUE, BUT I FEEL THAT THIS IS STILL A GREAT SAFETY CONCERN. I DID A LIVE CHAT WITH A REPRESENTATIVE FROM GM AND TOLD THEM THAT I WAS CONCERNED BECAUSE WHAT IF I WERE TO GET HIT FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE AND COULDN'T GET OUT OF THE CAR. I WAS THEN TOLD BY THE REPRESENTATIVE THAT "UNFORTUNATELY, THEY DO NOT DEAL WITH HYPOTHETICAL SITUATIONS". MEANING, I HAVE TO ACTUALLY BE INJURED FOR THEM TO REPLACE A FAULTY DOOR LATCH. THERE IS ALREADY A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THE SAME ISSUE WHICH IS LISTED ON YOUR WEBSITE. I FEEL THAT GM SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THEY KNOW THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THEY KNOW IT'S AN ISSUE REGARDLESS. I DON'T WANT TO END UP ANOTHER STATISTIC AND HAVE MY CAR RECALLED 11 YEARS LATER WHEN IT'S TOO LATE. I APPRECIATE YOUR ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER. *JS
5/19/2014
POWER LOCKS DON'T WORK! THE REMOTE KEY CHAIN BUTTON WILL UNLOCK THE DOORS BUT WILL NOT LOCK THE DOORS. I CAN'T EVEN USE THE POWER LOCKS ON THE DRIVER DOOR TO LOCK THE DOORS ON THE INSIDE. I HAVE TO LEAN OVER TO THE PASSENGER SIDE TO LOCK THE DOORS THEN GET OUT OF THE CAR AND CHECK THE HANDLE TO MAKE SURE MY DOORS ARE LOCKED. THE REMOTE KEY CHAIN WILL NOT LOCK THE DOORS! ALSO, THE TRUNK RELEASE WILL NOT WORK ON THE REMOTE KEY CHAIN OR IN THE CAR. I HAVE TO USE THE KEY TO UNLOCK THE TRUNK... *TR
6/6/2014
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:REAR WINDOW
2 Reports1% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR FUSE BOX AND THE WIRING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
5/27/2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED AND WOULD NOT CLEAR THE WINDOWS. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER CONNECTER WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000.
7/18/2014
VISIBILITY
1 Report0% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES DID NOT FULLY CLEAR THE WINDOW IN COLD WEATHER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO TWO SEPARATE DEALERS. THE FIRST DEALER STATED THAT THE WIPERS WERE OPERATING AS DESIGNED WHILE THE SECOND DEALER STATED THAT THE RUBBER USED FOR THE WIPERS SEEMED TO CONTRACT AWAY FROM THE WINDSHIELD IN COLD WEATHER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4,900.
3/7/2011
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR
1 Report0% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED A BLIND SPOT WHEN LOOKING OUT THE PASSENGER REAR VIEW MIRROR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS ALMOST INVOLVED IN A CRASH DUE TO THE ABNORMAL BLIND SPOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER INSPECTED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,500. UPDATED 04/15/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE SIDE VIEW MIRROR IS BLOCKED BY 26 INCHES BY THE POST MIRROR. UPDATED 09/16/11
3/14/2011
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
1 Report0% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
I HAVE A 2011 MALIBU, I CHANGED MY TIRES OUT ON MY CAR AND TIRE PRESSURE LOW LIGHT CAME ON, THEN 3 DAYS LATER SERVICE ESC LIGHT CAME ON, AN I INSTANTLY FELT LIKE I WAS IN A WRONG GEAR, POWER AND SPEED REDUCED, THANKFULLY I WASN'T IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, I'M UNDER THE 5 YEAR WARRANTY CAN I GET SERVICE, AND IS IT DANGEROUS FOR ME TO DRIVE. *KB
7/18/2011
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
1 Report0% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
MUSTY ODOR FROM HVAC SYSTEM ON GM CARS AND TRUCKS PRIOR TO 2012. THE MICROBIAL GROWTH HAS TO BE IDENTIFIED TO ASSURE PUBLIC SAFETY. IN MY VEHICLE, THE ODOR CONTINUES EVEN THOUGH THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT PERFORMED THE REMEDIAL WORK SUGGESTED BY GENERAL MOTORS. THE SMELL FIRST BECAME UNBEARABLE ABOUT EIGHT WEEKS AGO, WHEN I STARTED USING THE AIR CONDITIONING MORE AND MORE. GENERAL MOTORS OUTLINED THE PROBLEM IN A TSB. ...UPDATED 07/19/12 *BF
7/16/2012
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT
1 Report0% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
THIS IS A GENERAL COMPLAINT ON JUST ABOUT ALL NEW CARS INCLUDING MINE. NAMELY THE HEAD REST IN THE FRONT AND REAR SEATS BLOCK THE REAR VIEW BY AT LEAST 50% AND CONTRIBUTE TO ACCIDENTS ESPECIALLY WHEN BACKING UP. THE HEAD RESTS ARE TOO HIGH AND WIDE. AT A RECENT DEFENSIVE DRIVING COURSE I ATTENDED, THE POLICE OFFICER GIVING THE COURSE SAID 30% OF ALL ACCIDENTS INVOLVE PEOPLE BACKING UP. I CAN APPRECIATE THAT AS THE REAR VIEW IS BLOCKED AS IN SOME OF THE SIDE VIEW. I THINK THE HEAD RESTS SHOULD BE SMALLER AND THAT IS MY COMPLAINT. *BF
12/6/2012
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
1 Report0% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
I HAVE A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU AND HAD TO REPLACE THE HEATING CORE AND NOW THE HVAC SYSTEM IS LEAKING AND DAMAGED ALL THE CARPETS. I AM ALSO HEARING A THUMPING NOISE IN THE REAR OF THE CAR. I HAVE RECENTLY BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND I HAVE TO WAIT FOR MY CARPETS TO DRY AND WE HAVE BEEN HAVING RAIN SHOWERS FOR DAYS. THE ONLY WAY THE DEALER IS ABLE TO DRY THE CARPETS IS TO PLACE THEM OUTSIDE. I NOW HAVE TO PAY FOR A RENTAL BECAUSE MY BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY IS EXPIRED. *TR
7/12/2013
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
1 Report0% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30-45 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE HOWEVER IT FAILED TO ACCELERATE OVER 20 MPH. THE WARNING LIGHTS FLASHED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK THE VEHICLE TO EXIT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRICAL FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,800.
5/21/2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
1 Report0% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, BURNING FUMES WERE PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND SMOKE APPEARED OUT OF THE FRONT BUMPER. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE BATTERY CABLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
10/6/2014
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
1 Report0% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
10/6/2014
Data and Methodology
Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.
What are the most common owner complaints for the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu?
Are complaints about the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu a serious warning sign?
How should buyers use complaint data for the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu?
Are complaints about the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu severe?
Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.
Chevrolet Malibu: How should complaint data influence buying decisions?
Carfocal links complaint data directly to recall and maintenance routes for the same model year.
- Complaint entries
- 1,507
- Top-topic view
- 5 grouped topics shown
- Primary source
- NHTSA ODI owner complaint records
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