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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 2 of 11)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #191

Apr 012019

Malibu

  • 88,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 30 mph, the air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact also stated that later in 2020, the electronic stability control (ESC) and low traction warning lights were illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where she was informed that both front rotating assemblies needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V019000 (Air Bags) and 14V252000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting, Vehicle Speed Control, Electronic Stability Control) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.

- Gary, IN, USA

problem #190

Jul 222021

Malibu

  • miles
I-€™ve had dash warning lights since purchasing my vehicle since 2017. I have taken it to multiple places for diagnostic and repair. (Brake sensors, traction stability, throttle, and P010 and P011) my last repairs were over $2400 and after finally scraping money to complete the repairs was told the traction control warning light that had been coming on but coming on more often now was because I have one tire sensor that isn-€™t reading and that after fixing the accentuators the computer would stop going so crazy and triggering so many lights. On my recent trip to Michigan, when using my cruise control a car pulled in front of me in heavy traffic. When I braked my cruise didn-€™t disengage. I remembered this happening before but didn-€™t realize it was my cruise control and thought don-€™t tell me I have transmission problems!! Then when I was almost home during this same trip a car started honking at me and rolled his window down. He told me I had no brake lights. I then looked up recalls and found 13036, with all the problems my car has had except was told this was remedied/fixed on my car in 2017. I just now checked my car and I have brake lights. It appears the problem relates in conjunction to when the traction control lights are on and when there aren-€™t warning lights the brake lights work. My car has 20,000 since the recall repair and has had this problem the majority of this time except I didn-€™t understand. My car is not safe and I am very disappointed and concerned about GM product safety and remedies!

- Erlanger , KY, USA

problem #189

Feb 122019

Malibu

  • 99,021 miles
Car had ABS light come on mentime them check engine light light come on then ABS light come

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #188

Apr 112021

Malibu

  • 100,100 miles

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

Power seat weld and frame broke electrical problem check engine light comes on nothing wrong mirror power adjusting does not work

- Genoa, OH, USA

problem #187

Apr 072021

Malibu

  • 62,000 miles
My vehicle has about 62,000 miles and the center rear brakes light just inside the rear window is not working. It seems very dim. Failed state safety inspection. Not an accident.

- Fairfax Station, VA, USA

problem #186

Feb 082021

Malibu

  • 160,000 miles
All of a sudden my vehicle would not start it would crank but wouldn't start and then it wouldn't crank at all and I couldn't hear my fuel pump freaking as well. It started out as an intermittent starting problem and then it wouldn't ever start after that so I went to the fuel pump wiring in the trunk fuse box and separated the wiring foxes from the fuse panel and came across a burnt fuel pump wire it was a tan wire and it was scorched black from the end of the wire about 4 inches up the wire it was supposed to be brown wire and it was black I replaced it and now it's fine

- Bloomfield, NM, USA

problem #185

Sep 012020

Malibu

  • 100,000 miles

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

Low beam headlights keeps going out!! headlight bracket melted! car forums reveal that this is a very common electrical issue. When anybody replaces headlight harness and headlights, they end up with the same issue a few weeks later. Very disappointing! please recall! car forum containing multiple cases of same issue https://www.cargurus.com/cars/discussion-T32066_ds667897

- La Grande, OR, USA

problem #184

Oct 202020

Malibu

  • 100,000 miles
My teenage son was driving in the rain when his Malibu gave engine power reduced, service traction, service ESC, and ESC off warnings. Car was barely drivable. This is a safety issue since it happens suddenly and increase the chances of a collision with other vehicles. Code reader showed the P2138 dtc. The headliner above the driver side door was also wet. This appears to be coming from the sun roof. I believe that this leakage is causing electrical connection issues somewhere else in the car that is causing the above mentioned warnings and performance issues. According the the Chevy website, there are no recalls applicable to this car based on its VIN.

- Waverly, OH, USA

problem #183

Oct 122019

Malibu

  • miles
The head lights in my vehicle do not work at all. I have to use the brights to see anything at night. The heat works when it wants too and when I bump into a small lump on the street it turns off. The wheel barrier is bad on my right tire.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #182

Aug 172020

Malibu

  • 54,830 miles
I bought my first car from a small dealership and within the last 35 days the alternator, battery, shocks, fuel pump and now the engine light is on....when you are driving it seems like the car don't want to go into gear. And when it finally goes into gear it jerks you. Also the electrical and temperature gage, the lights on dash board go in and out you can hear a faint noise coming from the dome light. Temperature gage stayed at cold when driving the vehicle around. Took car for a ride the next day and right away when driving it went about a quarter above cold"?"

- Oregon, WI, USA

problem #181

Sep 232020

Malibu

  • 50,000 miles

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

Passenger side low beam head light keeps going out ever other month

- Hope Mills, NC, USA

problem #180

Sep 082020

Malibu

  • 44,500 miles
Got a 2011 Chevy Malibu from my father in law. Car only has 44500 miles on it. So of course it's out of warranty. Notice that the rear defroster was not working, so did some research online and found multiple accounts of people with same issue with melted fuses in fuse box in truck and fuse box melting also. Why is Chevy not telling people about or offering a fix or recall. It's a fire hazard.

- Chilhowie, VA, USA

problem #179

Sep 072020

Malibu

  • 151,000 miles
My vehicle is experiencing all symptoms related to NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 and there is no active recall for my VIN. That problem his causing high voltage which keeps causing electrical issues like burning cables to the headlights and not getting power to multiple interior equipment such as the ipc which stops working while driving and I am no longer able to my speed and other information. I also get a engine power reduced error from a bad connected from the app to the BCM, code P1238.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #178

Aug 242020

Malibu

  • miles
Low beam headlight socket melted on both sides not allowing low beam lights to work. Had to rewire a new wiring harness. I have read multiple accounts on line of the exact same thing happening. Until I diagnosed the problem I have had to only drive during daylight hours. Ridiculous!

- Westerville, OH, USA

problem #177

Aug 022020

Malibu

  • 178,000 miles
Multiple front head light replacement in short period of time within 3 to 4 months replaced 3 times. Noticed warping of faceplate by audio equipment so had to replace that. Then came back from vacation and drove my car for about 20 minutes, parked I went inside store and my daughter was in the car when she said it jumped and then turned off. When I turned it on it said "engine power reduced" "service traction" "service ESC" I drove it to get home. Next morning it was fine to get to work short distance, on way home in hotter time of day (live in Arizona) it did it again. Only 20 miles an hour maxium and gulping gasoline. I was in my car with my 13 year old and it was dangerous as we were driving and all of a sudden we were reduced to 20 mph or less and were almost rear-ended various times, caught mid transition from yellow to red light while making left turn. Very scary. Mechanic drove it and said after only 10 to 20 minutes of driving it did the same thing. Mechanic he ran tests and found relay fuse box issue. Tried to order and was told it was on "national back-order" because this was the same problem many of my vehicle year make and model were experiencing. I had to get rental for 20 days which cost in excess of $500 and wait for part. Pay for parts $223 and labor. These expenses cause incredible financial hardship and stress. Recepts did not go through and screen shots of panel because of size, please reach out so I can provide

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #176

Aug 032020

Malibu

  • miles
I've had this happen a few times, when I park my car shut off engine pull keys out open door the ignition key keeps ringing like I left my keys in the ignition but I didn't. I get out of the car and close the door and it will stop after a while.

- Rio Rancho, NM, USA

problem #175

Jul 312020

Malibu

  • 85,876 miles
The metal on side of seat broke causing the seat not to be able to adjust. Also, electrical problems lighter had shortage and speaker sounds increase and decrease with being adjusted, and the light for the tire pressure remain on even when the tires has sufficient air. I didn't notice an exact time the defect happen. I just notice the affects while driving.

- Clinton, MD, USA

problem #174

Jan 082020

Malibu

  • 65,000 miles
The issue is concerning headlights on the Chevy Malibu. I have had to have the headlights replaced numerous times only to have them burn out within days/weeks. According to the mechanic the fault lies with the design. The light gets hot enough to burn out the harness. There is nothing that can be done except to continue to replace the bulb/harness which requires removal of the end front bumper which only adds to the expense. The internet is full of complaints of this issue. You never know when the light will go out which has caused us to be pulled over several times by the police and given warnings.

- New Ulm, MN, USA

problem #173

Jan 102019

Malibu 4-cyl

  • miles
My headlights keep going off. I use to hit the front and it turns on but not anymore. Had it fixed 3 times within a year. No ac doesn't turn on when I start the car as well.

- Fresno, CA, USA

problem #172

May 242020

Malibu

  • 137,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph, the ESC, the service traction control, and the engine reduced power warning lights illuminated. The vehicle also vibrated abnormally. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed an electrical short in the wiring system, and replaced three different sensors. The technician also reprogrammed the engine control unit. The failures recurred. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 137,000.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

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