CarRecallWatchThe 2011 Chevrolet Malibu has 3 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 978 complaints with NHTSA, including 40 crashes, 17 fires, 41 injuries.
The most-reported problem area is Electrical System (235 reports).
NHTSA rates it up to 4 stars overall for crash safety, depending on the version.
2011 Chevrolet Malibu recalls
Driver Airbag Inflator May Explode, Causing Injury
The driver-side frontal airbag inflator in certain vehicles may be overpressurized.
Seat Belt Cable May Break, Weakening Crash Protection
Certain front seat belts may have flexible steel cables at the outside of the driver and front passenger seats that can bend repeatedly when occupants sit down while entering the vehicle.
Most common 2011 Chevrolet Malibu problems
Problem areas named in the 978 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 235 |
| Steering | 214 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 174 |
| Engine | 160 |
| Exterior Lighting | 130 |
| Power Train | 112 |
| Air Bags | 93 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 87 |
| Unknown Or Other | 60 |
| Seat Belts | 53 |
What owners report
My power steering went out while pulling out of a parking spot. The message read âpower steering/service ESC. I have read that these vehicles between the years 2007-2012 had a recall for this issue. My car has less than 46000 miles on it. I am confirming the recall so I can have this repair done. Thank you
Power steering assist motor is out and it was under recall in 2011 but it was out of the recall window but it has less than 150000 miles
Everytime I turn on my car, I get a warning for ESC power steering and I have no power steering. Usually it will fix itself have shutting it off once and starting it again immediately. There has been a couple times where it has taken multiple starts to fix itself.
There was a fire in the trunk on the way to work. Fire department was called to inspect the car and make sure that the fire was out. Fire melted fuse box located in the trunk along with wiring harness and wires, also causing all electrical items to stop working. Claim was attempted to be made, but insurance did not cover this particular issue. After hours of reading as well as watching videos, this seems to be an on problem for Malibu's from 2011-2016. I bought this car one year ago and had a mechanic inspect the vehicle.
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the ESC and traction control warning lights remained illuminated. Additionally, while the cruise control was activated and the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated. The contact stated that the gear shifter was able to be moved without the brake pedal being depressed. The cause of the failures were not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failures, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRONIC
2011 Chevrolet Malibu safety rating
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD | ★★★★ 4-star | 4 | 5 | 4 (10.9% rollover risk) |
2011 Chevrolet Malibu questions
Does the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu: Driver Airbag Inflator May Explode, Causing Injury; Seat Belt Cable May Break, Weakening Crash Protection; Electrical System:Wiring; Electronic Stability Control (Esc); Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights; Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch; Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu?
Based on 978 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Electrical System (235), Steering (214), Electronic Stability Control (Esc) (174).
How safe is the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings program gives the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu up to 4 out of 5 stars overall; ratings vary by version, see the table above.
How do I check if a recall on my 2011 Chevrolet Malibu has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.