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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 9
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
60,169 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2011 Chevrolet Malibu electrical problems

electrical problem

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2011 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Comments (Page 4 of 11)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #151

May 142019

Malibu

  • 139,700 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My 2011 Chevrolet Malibu has had 5 incidences over the last year of low beam headlights going out. Never both at the same time. This is not only annoying and expensive each time I bring it in for repairs. It is also dangerous. Particularly when one of the headlights goes out at night time driving on dark roads. Additionally a headlight out is sufficient reason for law enforcement to issue a summons. I contacted General Motors May 20th 2019 via phone regarding this safety issue. Received a case number. I received a call back 6 days later. Response was that the car is out of warranty. I did inform GM that there are literally over 300 listings on google for persons with the same problem. GM shows no interest in this expensive repair, in a repetitive problem, and an illegal situation that can result in law enforcement issuing a summons. Apparently there are issues with the connectors at the bulbs not making contact. The replaced connectors exhibit overheating which may indicate overload of power, or connectors not making contact. This problem took place with original GM connectors intermittently - never on both headlights at once. Here is a similar complaint to NHTSA id number 11204441 4/12/2017 complainant states 5 repairs and still a problem with headlight intermittently going out on driver side. Additionally there are several hundred similar complaints on the web regarding 2010 & 2011 Malibu's. because the fenders and under the hood plastic panels must be pulled to get at the headlights....this is quite an expensive repair and is repetitive and frequent as well.

- New Port Richey, FL, USA

problem #150

Sep 102018

Malibu

  • 130,000 miles
Brake lights without applying pressure to brake pedal. Turns off traction control and ESC.worse in colder or damp weather.

- Crown Point, IN, USA

problem #149

Apr 052019

Malibu

  • 165,000 miles
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

- Richmond, VA, USA

problem #148

Apr 042019

Malibu

  • 107,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My vehicle is at an auto shop been there for a week and a half to repair the clunking noise in the steering column but the motor and module for the electric steering assist is seizing up which would be dangerous to turn in traffic. I already spent enough time and money on parts and labor. This is nothing I have done to the car only had for a year. I need your help! this should be a recall issue! or send me a new motor and module for this car please. You guys can at least do that. I love the car but this is a problem. 2.4L electric assist. The steering column is fine just need the motor and module. Thank you for your help!

- Saginaw, MI, USA

problem #147

Mar 292019

Malibu

  • miles
3rd time passanger headlight has gone out in the last year. Along with the previous issues I reported

- Riverside, CA, USA

problem #146

Mar 252019

Malibu

  • 114,900 miles
Lights on panal come on go off when I stop the car and turn back on. I was driving maybe 30-35 mph on city street going straight. No we rain, pot holes or speed bumps

- Riverside, CA, USA

problem #145

Jan 072019

Malibu

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

1) service air bag light comes on periodically when starting vehicle or while in auto is in motion. 2) internal lights on dashboard dims while driving periodically while auto is in motion.

- Grand Rapids, MI, USA

problem #144

Mar 182019

Malibu

  • 113,500 miles
My girlfriend was driving my car home from the doctors and all of a sudden the power steering went out. It cause her to hit the curb and possibly do more damage. She was only doing 30 mph on a busy street. I have a date with a dealership on the 27th of March 2019 to wait for the verdict of what there going to say. I have read alot of the post on here and have seen that it is a common problem. I also have a problem with my headlights going out I have changed them several times with different brands and they continue to go out. I have to run with my high beams on because the lights keeps burning out. This is cause and safety issue and could involve points on my license if pulled over. This is critical since I'm a cdl driver. The steering could cause death if traveling at a higher speed. GM knows about the problem and if public isn't notified that it's faulty could also involve a lawsuit.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #143

Jun 122018

Malibu

  • miles
Takata recall. Brake apply sensor fluctuates on and off also turning signal is not working on the left or right even though the bugs been changed and inside the vehicle it shows a turning signal, no rear brake lights when driving or at a complete stop. Even though fuses and new bulbs replaced, electrical shortage with radio and cigarette lighter, also replace bulbs and headlights and they continue to shorten out and blow

- Sebring, FL, USA

problem #142

Mar 082019

Malibu

  • 3 miles
Update on complaint #'s 1144041 & 11172602. On 2/8/19, I was 2 blocks from work when messages displayed for (service ecs, reduced engine power, check engine light). I drove right from work to the dealership, which was 9 miles away, with my hazards on and at a max speed of 25 mph. I drove it into the bay and told a service advisor that I was told to bring it back while the problem we keep trying to fix was actually happening. He tried to get someone to come hook up the code reader to it but was unable to so he turned off my car. I received a voicemail mid-day Monday 2/11/19 to say that because my battery had been out of my car too long, they had to relearn the throttle body assembly. I left a message to specifically say that the last time the battery had been out of my car to my knowledge was 3/2018. When they called back, their conclusion was that the battery had not been installed or secured properly which caused them to have to relearn the throttle body assembly. On 2/19/2019, it happened again but they could not read a code when I brought it in, so was again sent to come back when it was occurring so they could hook up the code reader while it was happening. On 3/5 I drove my car to them while it was displaying the messages and running rough. They again tried to put the blame on the battery. Even though the codes where P2176 and P2135, the recommended fix was new battery and battery cables ($733). I still had warranty for that battery as it was installed nearly a year ago after the first incidence, so I went back to that auto shop. He did not find anything associated to battery but did find GM bulletin from 2012 (pip5019). He re-crimped throttle body circuit pins after doing a pen out test at ECU. It is now 3/25 and no other issues! hoping we have found root of the problem. No thanks to dealer or Chevy customer care...

- Toledo, OH, USA

problem #141

Mar 052019

Malibu

  • 119,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving approximately 40 mph, the traction control system warning indicator illuminated and the steering wheel became very difficult to turn. The contact stated that the failure began approximately a year ago and was worsening. The vehicle was taken to four different independent mechanics, but none of them could resolve the failure. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 119,000.

- Bennigton, VT, USA

problem #140

Feb 212019

Malibu

  • 145,000 miles
Car continues to go into reduced engine power and will not drive/run longer than five minutes. I have already had all recalls fixed on the vehicle including the one that supposedly fixed this problem.

- Soldier, IA, USA

problem #139

Jan 272019

Malibu

  • 138,000 miles
Ecs light, check engine light came on, reduced engine power, ABS light, code throws map sensor error. Happens after vehicle go through the carwash or get slush and moisture from the road. Map sensor connector seems to be causing the electrical issue. Very dangerous going down the road, happened suddenly while not expecting it.

- Mosinee, WI, USA

problem #138

Jan 302019

Malibu

  • 130,000 miles
I was driving down troy ave in illinios when my car all of a sudden lost power and said engine reduce and and steering wheel got stiff. I went all the way from 60 to 20 mph and almost crash and got hit from behind. I have had this problem non stop after fix after fix. But nobody seems to know the problem. Then my head light go in and out on the right side ever since I had it fixed over and over.

- Saint Louis, MO, USA

problem #137

Mar 012018

Malibu

  • 106,000 miles
Well first I seen that my driver side low beam light was out then later it went on then again it went out again so I repaired it then about a month later it went out again then I fix it again and the same thing happen again its a on going thing as I see online a lot of other people are having the same problem as me.I hope they can get to the bottom of this to fix, it not right for me to keep buying headlights, as clearly as we can see everybody has the same thing going on with there headlight. Thank you.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #136

Dec 182018

Malibu

  • 97,700 miles
Upon starting vehicle, "power steering" yellow caution light and the "service ESC" light illuminate. Sometimes on restarting vehicle they do not come back on, whereas at other times they remain on.

- Madera, CA, USA

problem #135

Dec 112018

Malibu

  • 160,556 miles
While normal driving. Car will give the following error codes: "service ESC" "service traction" "ESC off" and "engine pwr reduced" back to back. The car will power itself down until ~10 mph while making a rattling noise. The car will start and act as if everything is fine once I pull over and fully shut the vehicle off. This happens at any point, driving highway or neighborhood speeds, while turning and even when idle.

- Tacoma, WA, USA

problem #134

Apr 262018

Malibu

  • miles
The headlights keep going out. After replacing the bulb. I have replaced the 4 times within 3 months

- Malvern, AR, USA

problem #133

Apr 012017

Malibu

  • 105,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start upon attempting to turn the key in the ignition. Wood motor company (600 us-62, harrison, ar 72601, (870) 741-8211) indicated that there was an internal electrical and engine failure that required diagnostic testing. The dealer stated that the repair may be extensive. The dealer indicated that the timing chain, gear, belt, and valves within the engine assembly may need to be replaced. The dealer also stated that the pistons had not been firing at the right time and there was an internal meltdown of the dashboard area. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000.

- Forsyth, MO, USA

problem #132

Oct 302018

Malibu

  • 105,000 miles
I have had to change my passenger low beam bulb 3 times in 2 years, drivers side twice and my drivers side just burnt out after two months. After researching numerous forms this seems to be a problem from 2008-2012 Malibu

- Falls City, NE, USA

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