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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
63,203 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 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2011 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Comments (Page 4 of 6)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #48

Oct 062015

Malibu

  • 92,000 miles

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

Transmission failed at92000miles hard shifting reverse is bad drive home from on the city streetwork transmission stated to shift hard and slip.un safe to

- Modesto, CA, USA

problem #47

Mar 282015

Malibu

  • miles
On 3/28/15 I purchased a 2011 Chevy Malibu from rainbow Chevrolet in laplace Louisiana. When test driving the vehicle, I noticed a very small and hardly noticeable jerk when the car changed into 2nd gear. I was told by the salesman that it was normal and I took his word for it. Almost 7 months later, the issue has gotten 1000 X's worse and the engine light is now on. I know for a fact that this is not normal now. The jerk is violent and it now jerks when putting the car in park, drive and reverse. Pulling off slowly, makes the car jerk very hard. If you apply more gas when taking off, the jerk is not as bad but it's still bad. The car did not come with a warranty but I was ok with that because I was told that car had been inspected thoroughly, that an elderly couple previously owned the car, that there was nothing wrong with the car and I had also just gotten rid of a 2005 Malibu that I bought brand new in which I had no serious problems with. I purchased this car for my daughter in college. This car is not safe. I have read hundreds of complaints online and on the Chevrolet Malibu forum in regards to the same problem as well as other problems. The car currently has 53,803 miles which is not very much in car years and I do not feel that I should have to pay for this problem since there are so many issues documented that I am having. Last but not least, I am unable to fill up the car with gas. It stops at about tank and starts to spill out. This was noticed shortly after I bought the car also. I bought this car for my daughter who is in college and it is definitely not safe to drive. I am a single mother and I do not have the resources to repair a vehicle with issues that should be part of a recall list.

- New Orleans, LA, USA

problem #46

Oct 102015

Malibu

  • 68,976 miles
While I was driving/the vehicle was in motion on a city street, the transmission suddenly gave out/stopped working. The drive gear no longer worked and no warning was given. I was stranded in the middle of a busy, city street and no error code or check engine light warning was given as well. I purchased this car in February 2015 and have had only about 8 months. It was purchased from burns motors in mcallen Texas.

- Mcallen, TX, USA

problem #45

Sep 012015

Malibu

  • 89,000 miles

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

Had transmission fluid change at dealership. Transmission started to slip.... the transmission fluid was burt after 13000 miles.. car just went out of warranty is there anything you all can do for

- Modesto, CA, USA

problem #44

Aug 242015

Malibu 4-cyl

  • 105,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving at 45 mph, the vehicle started to downshift independently. The contact heard an abnormal noise under the vehicle shortly after the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to maneuver to the shoulder of the road and restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle would not shift. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 105,000. Updated 11/06/15

- Portland, OR, USA

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problem #43

Sep 012015

Malibu

  • 52,000 miles
I was driving down a side residential street, when I went to park noticed that the car was stuck in reverse. I wasn't able to put the car in park. The shifter began shifting into different gears and felt as there was no catch. I turned the car off because I didn't know what had happened. The key was stuck in the ignition, because couldn't put the car in park. I exited the car and the car started to roll backwards and hit the car behind me. I applied the emergency brake and the car still rolled in reverse. So I unhooked the battery cables and applied bricks behind the tires. I had a mechanic come to see what happened and he stated that this had been a recall on prior years of this model, but not the year of my car. I am afraid to drive the car and I went to the Chevy dealership in which they nothing about this part, but state many people have complained and nothing has been done. It is unsafe with this defect. The cable comes off the hook and you will not be able to apply a shift to any gear and the car will accelerate regardless. I don't want to put my infant in this car knowing that is a defective part that Chevy should fix. Not to mention the car seatbelts are a malfunction. Chevy this really needs to be looked at for this year make and model.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #42

Apr 302015

Malibu

  • 76,000 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 at 20 mph, the vehicle failed to accelerate when the accelerator pedal was depressed. In addition, when the vehicle was parked, the shift lever was not able to shift out of the park position. The contact stated that an independent mechanic inspected the vehicle and diagnosed that the transmission module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 76,000. The VIN was not available.

- Durham, NC, USA

problem #41

Apr 222013

Malibu

  • 70,934 miles
Purchased my 2011 Chevy Malibu in April of 2012 with 56K miles, in April of 2013 with 70K+ miles, my transmission failed and I was informed by the nearby Chevy dealership that it required a total rebuild and all parts needed to be replaced. My car was still under the warranty and therefore, I did not pay for the services. Around May 5 2014, I received a recall notice for issues with the electrical system/ ABS system/ body control module, etc. I took my car back to the same shop for repairs, in which my car was kept for 30 days & returned. Upon receiving my car back I've noticed my car having issues with the electrical system such as the headlights keeps going out when the bulb is still good. My radio constantly shuts off on its own & randomly switches to the aux. The interior lighting is constantly flickering! not only do I have electrical malfunctions, it makes this odd noise & the brakes lock up whenever I slow down to around 20mph & or turning a corner and this ESC icon appears. I contacted Chevy & asked if there are any recalls for this matter & I was told no, that my car was fixed for all recalls for my model. This issue continues to occur today. On/ around June 19 2015 w/ 115000 miles, my car suddenly stopped accelerating in the middle of I95 hwy & I could not put it into any gear! I knew it was my transmission. I had it towed to the same shop and was told that I have no warranty & I would have to pay $4,106.45 for a new trans! I have been seeking assistance for this matter, its unfair that I have had this car for 3/4 years and its on its 2nd transmission!! I was quoted for this $ amount and they haven't even opened the trans yet! I was then told to come to the dealership & they would try to get me a new car and it was a complete waste of time. I was told to let my car get repossessed because it was no good and cannot be fixed! I left in tears!! unprofessional!!

- Stafford, VA, USA

problem #40

Jul 012011

Malibu

  • 5,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle began to vibrate violently. In addition, the vehicle would fail to start. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who was unable to diagnose or repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 5,000.

- Oak Creek, WI, USA

problem #39

Mar 302012

Malibu

  • 3,500 miles
Auto is equipped with the 4 cyl 6 speed auto trans. The transmission will shift into neutral when rounding a corner. Also the transmission will fly into neutral when shifting the transmission from low to drive. I have been close to being rear-several times when I pulled out on the highway and moved the shift from low gear to drive and the transmission goes into neutral and stays in neutral. Several times I have had to pull off the road to keep from getting rear ended because the vehicle stays in neutral. Dealers have no fix for the problem and apparently this problem is widespread in these 6 speed auto trans for the year 2011.

- St. Louis, MO, USA

problem #38

Feb 272015

Malibu

  • 50,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving at 20 mph and changing gears, the vehicle jerked without warning. Also, when turning the steering wheel left or right, it made noise. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the failure was unable to be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,000.

- Arnold, MO, USA

problem #37

Feb 282015

Malibu

  • 115,500 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving at 30 mph, the engine stalled and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 115,500.

- Spotsylvania, VA, USA

problem #36

Feb 252015

Malibu

  • 44,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 mph, the vehicle's speed decreased and failed to accelerate. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 44,000.

- North Kingstown, RI, USA

problem #35

Dec 182014

Malibu

  • 59,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 70 mph, the vehicle lost acceleration and the ESC, traction control, and reduced power speed warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the throttle body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 59,000.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #34

Feb 162015

Malibu

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving approximately 70 mph, the vehicle decreased to 10 mph and would not accelerate. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

- Hagerstown , MD, USA

problem #33

Jan 212015

Malibu

  • 57,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph, the vehicle started to decelerated and shake continuously without warning. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer and was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 57,000. The VIN was not available.

- Clio, MI, USA

problem #32

Jan 182015

Malibu

  • 44,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving 70 mph, the vehicle decelerated and would not exceed 5 mph. The vehicle also began to jerk. In addition, the contact stated that the lost power indicator, the ABS, and traction warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician was unable to diagnose or repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 44,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Fort Riley , KS, USA

problem #31

Jan 012014

Malibu 4-cyl

  • 35,000 miles
During the deep winter we had in detroit starting last Jan - the car reduces speed and engine power reduced/service ESC/service traction message comes- this happen endless times and stopped in Feb 2014 then began this past week Jan 8th, 2015 and continues to do so. The car will start shaking violently and drops speed and power eng reduced message comes - even traveling at 70 miles with 2 children inn the icy, snowy roads of mi. I have been lucky nothing happened yet but looking at the Chevy forums and others, this is a Chevrolet/GM defect that needs a recall. The dealerships are aware that there is a throttle body issue but we all can do is incur the cost to diagnose how exactly to solve this issue. GM needs to be held accountable before someone dies on the roads.

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #30

Dec 272012

Malibu

  • 64,000 miles
I purchased the vehicle used in June 2012. By December 2012 as I pressed the gas to get up a hill on a dark busy with morning rush hour traffic and plenty of tractor trailer trucks the car lost acceleration and the transmission went out. The car could not be driven forward. My boyfriend had to drive the car in reverse for several miles to get us to safety. Called a tow truck and took it to the chevydealer in union city ga where they rebuilt the transmission because it was under warranty. Since then I've been cautious and afraid to really press on the gas when accelerating. About a year later started having problems with water dripping on my foot when it rained, water standing in the floor boards and a leaky roof over the drivers side door. Now about a week ago started having reduced engine power problems. So afraid for my kids who are 15 14 and 1. gonna take it back to dealership to see what can be done. Gonna have to find a way to pay out of pocket since I now have 110000 miles on it and no warranty.

- College Park, GA, USA

problem #29

Nov 282014

Malibu 4-cyl

  • 89,000 miles
I was driving my vehicle on at 50 mph and vehicle reduced to a unsafe speed with the error messages "service traction" "ESC off" and "eng pwr reduced". the unsafe drop in speed almost caused a car to hit me in the back. This is a very scary problem and if I was on the expressway and this occurred something very bad could have happen. A recall on the vehicle or the throttle body need to be made public before someone is seriously injure due to this flaw!

- Henderson, NC, USA

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