Every 2011 Chevrolet Malibu recall
Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.
Air Bags · NHTSA 19V019000
Jan 16, 2019Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
- 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.
- Risk
- If the inflator explodes, sharp metal fragments may strike the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- 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.
Full recall details for 19V019000 →Seat Belts · NHTSA 15V269000
Aug 5, 2015Seat Belts
- 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.
- Risk
- If the cable breaks, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
- 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.
Full recall details for 15V269000 →Steering · NHTSA 14E044000
Jul 21, 2014Steering
- Problem
- Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain replacement intermediate steering shafts sold under the Dorman, OE Solutions, and Solutions brand names, part numbers 425-167, 2425167, and 7-3074, for installation on 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6, and 2007-2009 Saturn Aura vehicles. The affected steering shafts may have a yoke that inadequately supports the u-joint bearing resulting in a premature failure.
- Risk
- A joint bearing that fails prematurely may cause separation of the u-joint resulting in a complete loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dorman will notify owners, and dealers will refund the purchase price or replace the steering shafts, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492.
Full recall details for 14E044000 →Electrical System · NHTSA 14V252000
May 14, 2014Electrical System:Wiring
- 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.
- Risk
- Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
- 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.
Full recall details for 14V252000 →
2011 Chevrolet Malibu complaints and service bulletins
Owners filed 978 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu, reporting 40 crashes, 17 fires, 41 injuries. Chevrolet has issued at least 1,305 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.
Most-reported components
- Electrical System235
- Steering214
- Electronic Stability Control (Esc)174
- Engine160
- Exterior Lighting130
- Power Train112
Service bulletins by component
- Equipment (577)
- Electrical System (254)
- Engine and Engine Cooling (155)
- Power Train (112)
- Engine (111)
- Equipment Adaptive/Mobility (84)
Read Chevrolet Malibu owner complaints and bulletins, every year
What people reported
Owners have filed 978 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. A few in their own words, shortened. Complaints are unverified and are not proof of a defect or of any recall.
Fire
“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.”
2011 CHEVROLET MALIBUJun 18, 2026 · TX
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11745051
Fire
“The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked under a carport in her driveway, she had been warned by neighbors that the rear end of the vehicle was on fire. The contact stated that she saw that flames were issuing from both rear light housings.”
2011 CHEVROLET MALIBUJan 2, 2026
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11708409
Injury reportedCrash
“The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at 30 mph, the contact avoided hitting a dog that was on the road, but the brakes failed and the vehicle crashed into a porch. None of the air bags deploy upon impact.”
2011 CHEVROLET MALIBUDec 6, 2021
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11442926
Injury reported
“THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME I'VE ENCOUNTERED THIS EXACT ISSUE, AND HAVE HAD PREVIOUS ISSUES AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE (USED) BACK IN 2013. BOTH TIMES THIS EXACT ISSUE AT HAND OCCURRED, BOTH HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING. FIRST TIME, I WAS DRIVING IN A SHARP CURVE WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT.”
2011 CHEVROLET MALIBUOct 16, 2020
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11364680
Crash
“WHILE DRIVING MY 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU LTZ, I EXPERIENCED BRAKE FAILURE. THIS FAILURE WAS ONLY TEMPORARY; WHILE DRIVING APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT, I WENT THE APPLY THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL HAD ALMOST NO PRESSURE. IT ALMOST WENT THE THE FLOOR BEFORE I BEGAN PUMPING THE BRAKES.”
2011 CHEVROLET MALIBUOct 7, 2020
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11363307
Check your Malibu by VIN
Not every 2011 Chevrolet Malibu is in every recall. Enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact vehicle, then confirm which are still open at NHTSA.gov or with any Chevrolet dealer.
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