Chevrolet Malibu Complaints (2011)
978 consumer complaints on file.
- #11467800June 6, 2022STEERING
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard a loud cracking sound coming from the steering wheel. Additionally, the wheels failed to respond while turning the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the failure was similar to the failure listed in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14E044000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 160,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11463806May 8, 2022POWER TRAIN
The transmission has a rough shift in third and fifth. It won't down shift when slowing down. It was confirmed from a independent service center. There was no warning when it did it the check engine light came on. There is many people with the same complaint with the transmission being faulty. My safety and others was at risk because the car would not down shift and come to a stop.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11463693May 6, 2022ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN, STEERING
Warranty policy 15356 on Torque Sensor Steering Wheel. Replaced and repaired by Chevrolet dealership in 2018. Reocccured problem started again on April 13th, 2022. Code ESC power steering started May 6th, 2022 but shaking, vibration, and "twitching" started April 13th, 2022. When turning on the vehicle now the code will show and the steering wheel will lock not allowing power steering. In 2018 this code would show up during driving and lock up not allowing you to use power steering.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11463695May 6, 2022SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
4/16/2018) Codes pulled 16188 Brake Lamp Malfunction, 13036D, and 13036C. Code 16188 was repaired and replaced by the Chevrolet dealership. A warning code would show on the dashboard then brake lights would show that the brakes are being applied at all times while driving or not show when braking.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11460248April 9, 2022STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I drove my car to a store and parked, when I returned and proceeded to backup, the steering wheel locked and I couldn’t drive and was stuck in the road. Finally after a while I turned the ignition off and back on and was able to drive home. There was no advance warning that The power the steering needed to be serviced.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11458105March 24, 2022STEERING
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH and making a right turn, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact stated that the power steering warning light was illuminated. The contact stated he had experienced the failure multiple times. The contact took the vehicle to an unknown dealer and made the dealer aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 14E044000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,719.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11454714March 1, 2022AIR BAGS, STEERING
Airbag light and ESC power steering light on at the same time. Service ESC on and of on the screen and after awhile the steering wheel locked and I lost control of my direction while I am turning left on a traffic light. I end up in a ditch. I took it to Chevy service dealership and they find out a diffect on steering torque sensor shaft and they recommend me to replace it. They ask me $1024.00 for labor and part.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11452078February 15, 2022EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The headlights have went out over 10 times. The wiring keeps burning. This is a known issues. Why is there not a recall? It’s extremely expensive and hard to get the front end of the car off to replace the bulb to find out it’s not the bulb. It goes out every few months. Even the dealership service department has told me it’s a known issue!
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11451911February 14, 2022STEERING
Chevy is aware that around 90k miles the ESC light comes on indicating that the torque sensor has gone bad and indicating you are about to lose power steering. My car is 93k miles, this light came on and the power steering is completely out. My 16 year old son drives this car. This is a major safety issue and Chevy/GM say the special coverage expired in 10/2021 so they will not pay for the repair. Chevy/GM is allowing customers to drive like this without helping.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11451705February 12, 2022STEERING
While I was driving in the freeway steering wheel became hard . The dash said service ecs , ecs off. Pulled over turned car off and once turned on again car was driving perfectly fine. The dashboard no longer indicated any issues or messages.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11451492February 11, 2022POWER TRAIN, STEERING
I was driving up a hill and my Service ESC power steering came up and I suddenly couldn’t turn my steering wheel so it had locked up… I slowed down and drove closes to the side of the road as I could safe as possible … after research online I notice this has happen to several others at this mileage and that there was a recall on esc system
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11451132February 9, 2022ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, STEERING
MAP sensor was physically broken and replaced during a particularly cold snap (below -10 degrees F), but the check engine light and "Service ESC," "Service Traction," and "ESC off" messages continued to appear in the following weeks. Acceleration repeatedly dropped off for a split second, and would continue to dip and return until I let off the accelerator and tried again. This acceleration problem always coincided with the three ESC/Traction messages listed above, and happened multiple times every time I drove it. During a second trip to the mechanic, some "frayed wiring" was replaced and the throttle relearned, but the symptoms continued as before, prior to the MAP sensor replacement and the wiring repair. The symptoms progressed to delayed, pulsing acceleration, not just dropping out. The following week, the power steering went out while driving, preceded by a gentle automated jerking on the steering wheel upon startup. The mechanic confirmed that it was electrical, nothing wrong with the physical components.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11450531February 5, 2022STEERING
My power steering randomly goes out and the warning lights come on. It’s hard to diagnose, as it doesn’t show up as an error and happens randomly. The wheel locks up and with no distinguishable pattern. Once I turn off the engine and start it up again, the issue seemingly disappears and I can drive as normal. Issue started around 120k, and I’m currently at 127k. Between then and now, it’s locked up about 5-6 times. Thankfully, it hasn’t happened while around others in traffic so far. But it’s definitely concerning since it’s my daily driver. Got a diagnostic done, but nothing shows up/no error codes.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11450479February 4, 2022ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ESC off shows up on dashboard and after driving I get "engine power reduced"
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11448480January 22, 2022ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING
Power steering went completely out as I'm driving down the road! It's only got around 65k miles maybe 66k,not that many miles at all for this to have happened. And they were aware of the issue as well. Now I'm out my car,I am in-between jobs at the moment,no money,and no transportation for my wife and I!! No way to go to job interviews,her very important medical appointments,and everything else!! I do not have the money to take to the shop,I don't have the knowledge either to do such a major task like that,not do I even have the space to work on it myself or anyone else for that matter.its winter time,And this car is my home,Soo now what are we supposed to do? It's unsafe to drive,and will probably just make it worse,more wear and tear on other parts by driving it the way it is now
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11447240January 12, 2022STEERING
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact stated that the ESC warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that they were unable to assist. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11447072January 11, 2022STEERING
The power steering in the car has went out and its incredibly hard to steer the car.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11446668January 7, 2022ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I have had my Chevy Malibu since 2016. In the almost 7 years I have had this car I has had the same issue with both starting and stalling while driving. There has been many time it has completely shut off while on the expressway. I have had it looked at by an outside mechanic and the dealership. The back Fuse box has been completely replacement 3 times twice of which were in the past year. There is a shot with the fuel pump relay causing the issue. The dealership will not acknowledge this issue. Each time I have been told it was the fuse box going out however a fuse box does not go completely bad every few years and now few month. I have same many many videos and comments from other owners of Chevy Malibu 2011 with the exact same issue. I have been lucky that I have been able to pull to the side of the road without accident due to this issue. This issue should be recalled if the vast number of 2011 Chevy Malibu's having the same issue.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11442926December 6, 2021ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at 30 mph, the contact avoided hitting a dog that was on the road, but the brakes failed and the vehicle crashed into a porch. None of the air bags deploy upon impact. The contact received medical attention after his head hit the steering wheel upon impact. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The contact replaced the CAM sensor, intake, radiator, and front end body, and on three separate occasions, the brakes were replaced. However, the failure recurred. Additionally, the accelerator pedal would go to the floorboard and the vehicle would stall. The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) warning light and a "Reduced Power" warning message were displayed. The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 136,000.
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 1
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11442569December 3, 2021ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
car unexpectedly died on the way home with 2 children in car. Car would crank, but wouldn't start up, and sounded like a typical fuel pump problem. We had the car towed to a shop and they showed the fuel pump as working within the normal ranges and then started up the next day just fine, but paid 750 for work. A few days later the car died again, so we had it towed to the same shop, by the next day when the mechanic said it started up just fine so he wasn't able to diagnose the problem. He and i don't want to spend a 1000 every week putting parts in it that don't fix the problem while getting towed each week at 150 dollars. This is a safety concern and leaves the consumer hopeless. We want to get rid of the car, but don't want to sell it to a person for them to have the same issues and then in return blame us. GM NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. I've read hundreds of forums of other people having the same problem with no actual fix.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0