CarRecallDB

2011 Chevrolet Malibu recalls and problems

3 recalls and 978 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu.

3
recalls
978
owner complaints
40
complaints mentioning a crash
17
mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2011 Chevrolet Malibu recalls

Air bags: frontal, driver side, inflator module

NHTSA campaign 19V019000 · reported January 16, 2019 · General Motors LLC · 1,145 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2011 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, the air bag inflator may explode due to being overpressurized.
The risk
If the inflator explodes, sharp metal fragments may strike the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix
GM has notified owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall began February 25, 2019. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-522-9559. GM's number for this recall is N182206630.

Seat belts

NHTSA campaign 15V269000 · reported May 8, 2015 · General Motors LLC · 437,045 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured April 8, 2010, to October 11, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the flexible steel cables that connect the seat belts to the vehicle at the outside of the driver seat and the front passenger seat may be bent from being sat on while entering the vehicle. This repeated bending may result in the cable breaking.
The risk
If the cable breaks, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
The fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the outboard lap anchor mounting bracket and inspect the flexible steel cable, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on November 16, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15031.

Electronic stability control (ESC) · Vehicle speed control: cruise control · Exterior lighting: brake lights, switch · Exterior lighting: brake lights · Electrical system: wiring

NHTSA campaign 14V252000 · reported May 14, 2014 · General Motors LLC · 2,440,524 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.
The risk
Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
The fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Sep 22, 2026 · Steering

My power steering went out while pulling out of a parking spot. The message read “power 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

Aug 28, 2026 · Steering

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

Jun 25, 2026 · Steering

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.

Jun 18, 2026 · Electrical system · fire reported

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…

Jun 15, 2026 · Electrical system · 122,000 miles

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…

Malibu model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2008 4989305
2009 51,509419
2010 31,3634114
2011 39784017
2012 29075013
2013 108373310
2014 6351198

Across all years, the 2009 Malibu has the most complaints (1,509). All Chevrolet Malibu years →

Questions

Does the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu, the most recent reported on January 16, 2019 (Air bags: frontal, driver side, inflator module). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu?
Owners have filed 978 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is electrical system (235 complaints), followed by steering (214).
How many 2011 Chevrolet Malibu complaints mention a crash or fire?
40 of 978 complaints report a crash and 17 a fire; 41 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received September 22, 2026.