The 2011 Chevrolet Malibu has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 2,878,714 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 1,526 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
AIR BAGS19V0190002019-01-161,145 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
If the inflator explodes, sharp metal fragments may strike the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
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 BELTS15V2690002015-05-08437,045 affected
Defect
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…
Consequence
If the cable breaks, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy
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.
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…
Consequence
Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
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…
Complaints by component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
229
3crashes11fires1injuries
STEERING
211
8crashes12injuries
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
174
3crashes6injuries
ENGINE
160
4crashes2fires3injuries
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
123
3fires
POWER TRAIN
110
3crashes2injuries
AIR BAGS
93
21crashes28injuries
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
85
5crashes3injuries
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
59
2crashes
SEAT BELTS
52
5crashes1fires5injuries
Total complaints1,526
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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.”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“Hi my name is [xxx] . Jd byrider financed me this car knowing that it had open recalls putting me and my family's lives in danger. The car has had electrical problems since ive had it. Every other day different lights appear on the dashboard service airbags ,service abs and traction esc off are…”
“Hi my name is [xxx] . Jd byrider financed me this car knowing that it had open recalls putting me and my family's lives in danger. The car has had electrical problems since ive had it. Every other day different lights appear on the dashboard service airbags ,service abs and traction esc off are…”
“Hi my name is [xxx] . Jd byrider financed me this car knowing that it had open recalls putting me and my family's lives in danger. The car has had electrical problems since ive had it. Every other day different lights appear on the dashboard service airbags ,service abs and traction esc off are…”
“I am reporting a serious safety issue involving my 2011 chevrolet malibu ls related to the electronic stability control (esc), traction control, and electric power steering systems. My vehicle is currently experiencing the following problems: * “service escâ€� warning message * “esc offâ€�…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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