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Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2011 Chevrolet Malibu recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2011 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 4
Park-it warnings: 0
Complaints: 978
Latest campaign: Jan 16, 2019

Recall summary by component4

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Latest	Campaign IDs
Air bags	1	Jan 16, 2019	19V019000
Seat belts	1	May 8, 2015	15V269000
Steering	1	Jul 21, 2014	14E044000
Electrical system	1	May 14, 2014	14V252000

Safety recalls4

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

0Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Jan 16, 2019Latest campaign


Jan 16, 201919V019000	Air bags: frontal driver side If the inflator explodes, sharp metal fragments may strike the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. DetailsHide details for campaign 19V019000 What's wrong 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. 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. Campaign NHTSA 19V019000 · Jan 16, 2019
May 8, 201515V269000	Seat belts If the cable breaks, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury. DetailsHide details for campaign 15V269000 What's wrong 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. 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. Campaign NHTSA 15V269000 · May 8, 2015
Jul 21, 201414E044000	Steering 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. DetailsHide details for campaign 14E044000 What's wrong 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. Remedy 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. Campaign NHTSA 14E044000 · Jul 21, 2014
May 14, 201414V252000	Electrical system: wiring Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 14V252000 What's wrong 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. 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 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. Campaign NHTSA 14V252000 · May 14, 2014

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Chevrolet recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Buying a used 2011 Chevrolet Malibu? Recalls cover the model; a history report checks one car's title, odometer and accident records. VinAudit history report → Sponsored · disclosure

Owner complaints by component978

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

978Complaints filed

40Involving a crash

17Involving a fire

41Injuries reported

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Fires	Injuries
Electrical system	235	24	3	14	1
Steering	214	22	8	0	12
Electronic stability control (ESC)	174	18	3	0	6
Engine	160	16	4	2	3
Exterior lighting	130	13	0	4	0
Power train	112	11	3	0	2
Air bags	93	10	21	0	28
Vehicle speed control	87	9	5	0	3
Unknown or other	60	6	2	0	0
Seat belts	53	5	5	1	5
Service brakes	44	4	9	0	7
Seats	38	4	1	2	3
Fuel/propulsion system	32	3	1	1	2
Structure	19	2	2	1	2
Traction control system	15	2	0	0	0

12 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number.

Latest reports

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.”
Filed 09/22/2026 · ODI 11766141
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”
Filed 08/28/2026 · ODI 11760511
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.”
Filed 06/25/2026 · ODI 11746504

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2011 Chevrolet Malibu recall questions

How many recalls does the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu have?

NHTSA lists 4 safety recall campaigns for the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The most recent, 19V019000 (reported January 16, 2019), concerns air bags. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What is the most common complaint about the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu?

Electrical system is the most-reported component, named in 235 complaints out of 978 filed with NHTSA (24%). Across all complaints, owners reported 40 crashs and 17 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2011 Chevrolet Malibu?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Chevrolet recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised Chevrolet dealer.

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