This page covers 4 recalls, 973 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu.
20–26 mpg combined
9–11.8 L/100km
Midsize Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 3 tested variants for this model year.
4/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
The dominant complaint pattern for the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu centers on steering and exterior lighting. Owners frequently report electric power steering failing intermittently, the warning light comes on and the steering becomes noticeably heavy, sometimes while driving at highway speeds or through turns. Many also describe dashboard warning lights cycling on and off unpredictably, including stability control, traction control, and airbag indicators, pointing to a broader electrical system behavior that shows up across a large share of complaints. Exterior lighting draws the second-highest complaint volume, with owners describing headlights and other exterior bulbs failing earlier than expected. Transmission complaints appear as well, with some owners reporting rough or delayed shifts accompanied by elevated RPMs and a check engine light, though this comes up less frequently than the steering and lighting issues.
973
Total Complaints
40
Crash-Related
16
Fire-Related
30
With Injuries
By System
The 2011 Chevrolet Malibu has 4 recalls, the most serious being a driver's airbag inflator that can explode on deployment, sending sharp metal fragments into the cabin and raising the risk of serious injury or death.
On the steering side, certain aftermarket replacement intermediate steering shafts sold under the Dorman brand may have a joint bearing that fails prematurely, causing the u-joint to separate and leaving the driver with no steering control. This recall applies only to vehicles where one of those specific Dorman replacement parts was installed, not to the original factory shaft. The electronic stability control system on certain vehicles can also fail, reducing the car's ability to help correct a skid or loss of traction, which raises the risk of a crash. There is also a seatbelt concern: the flexible steel cables anchoring the driver and front passenger seatbelts to the vehicle floor can bend if someone sits on them while getting in, and a bent cable that eventually breaks means the belt may not hold the occupant in a crash.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver frontal air bag inflator can become overpressurized and explode during a crash when the air bag deploys.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front driver air bag module at no cost to you.
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Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The flexible steel cables connecting seat belts to the vehicle at the outer edges of the driver and front passenger seats may bend when sat on during entry. Repeated bending can cause the cables to break.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the outboard lap anchor mounting bracket and inspect the flexible steel cable, replacing it if needed, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The yoke on certain replacement intermediate steering shafts may not adequately support the u-joint bearing, causing premature failure of the steering shaft.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the steering shaft or refund the purchase price at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A loose connection in the Body Control Module causes voltage fluctuations in the brake sensor circuit. This can make brake lights stay on or not light up, prevent cruise control from disengaging, allow the car to shift out of Park without pressing the brake, and disable traction control and stability features.
What the fix does
Dealers will secure the wiring harness to the Body Control Module with a spacer, apply lubricant to connectors, and recalibrate the brake pedal position.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
