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4.6

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
23,579 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2011 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Comments

problem #10

Feb 202015

Malibu

  • miles

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

My car will not start. It turns over but won't start. Battery is fully charged, gas tank full, wiring is good, spark plugs are brand new, just won't start and I don't know why.

- Fort Dix, NJ, USA

problem #9

Feb 132015

Malibu

  • 35,600 miles
I was slowing down at a very busy intersection, traveling at about 10mph. Suddenly the car started to shake violently and when I pressed on the gas as traffic started to move again, the car would barely crawl forward. The reduced engine power light and traction control light came on. I managed to pull into a parking lot and turned the engine off. I turned it back on and the same problem occurred. Again, I turned the engine off and on and this time the car seemed to drive as normal, however the check engine light remained on. I'm just happy that I wasn't traveling at a higher speed and that no one hit me from behind when this occurred. I have read on Chevy forums that many people are having the same problems. Hopefully Chevy can find an answer to this problem before someone gets seriously hurt.

- South Lee, MA, USA

problem #8

Oct 062014

Malibu

  • miles
I went to get air in tire. Got back in my car and started it up. It started shaking real bad and engine light came on, check engine light came on, and a thing about loss of power. I was only 5 minutes from home so I went back home. It wouldn't get over 25 miles an hour. I called edward Chevrolet in birmingham, al. They told me to get car to them but not drive it. They called me back and said it wasn't under warranty. I don't even have 100,000 on it. I read on line other people had this problem but they say it's not on recall. Why" how many people have to die or children" I didn't read of any deaths just almost. I can't believe people have to die to get something done. I was lucky and not far from home. It could have stopped on me in middle of road. I've never got any recall notices. I told the lady at edwards chev. The same thing.

- Vincent, AL, USA

problem #7

May 142014

Malibu

  • 119,958 miles

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

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.

- Westerville, OH, USA

problem #6

Mar 172012

Malibu 4-cyl

  • 20,000 miles
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.

- Beacon, NY, USA

problem #5

Jun 152012

Malibu 4-cyl

  • 35,000 miles
Engine shut off while driving on highway.

- Moss Point, MS, USA

problem #4

Apr 092012

Malibu 4-cyl

  • 100 miles

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

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.

- Bealeton, VA, USA

problem #3

Nov 252011

Malibu 4-cyl

  • 6,800 miles
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.

- Bentleyville, PA, USA

problem #2

Jan 042011

Malibu

  • 18,210 miles
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.

- Ellicott City, MD, USA

problem #1

Aug 252010

Malibu

  • 125 miles
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.

- Parma, OH, USA

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