This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering failed to function as intended. The Electronic Stability Control warning light illuminated, and the steering wheel seized. In addition, the contact stated that the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was made aware of Special Coverage Program: 15356; however, the contact was informed that the repair was not covered under the program. Additionally, the contact was informed of NHSTA Campaign Number: 14V252000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lightening, Vehicle Speed Control, Electronic Stability Control (ESC); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality, and the steering wheel became significantly difficult to steer. The power steering warning light and the ESC warning light were illuminated. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The contact was able to continue driving to her residence by using physical strength to turn the steering wheel. The contact stated that the failure had persisted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 99,401.
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The vehicle was previously serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V252000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting, Vehicle Speed Control, Electronic Stability Control). The contact stated that on various occasions while driving at various speeds, the traction control and power steering disengaged independently as the "Reduced Engine Power" warning message was displayed and the vehicle decelerated to 10 MPH. The contact also stated that the brake lights flickered intermittently without depressing the brake pedal. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the intake camshaft actuator, mass air flow, and manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 168,000.
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. This last time I was driving on the highway. Luckily nothing was hit in either cases, however this past time I pulled muscles in my back straining so hard to try and steer the vehicle to get at least very minimum off the road and onto a side street and to safety. As both times I were driving the ESC light came on, and power steering light came on. Resulting in me not being able to brake, or steer - the only steering I were able to do was very strained (as previously stated), I had to put forth extreme efforts to get it to barely turn. The steering wheel acted as if it were locked. This needs to be addressed, and covered under a recall as I've read/heard a multitude of the same issues that are all common with this exact year, model/car. And for this be such a danger, it needs to be corrected before it costs someone their life. I'm terrified to think what if everyone around me weren't paying attention when both events took place, it could've resulted in my life. My spouse being single raising our precious 4 children. How Chevy/GM can live knowing these issues happen and not address it is horrible, knowing very well it could result in a life I'd not more being lost. The only way I could get the lights to turn off and me to be able to drive, I had to shut the car off, wait, and turn it on in order to continue my drive to work. I'm terrified to drive this death trap of a car, especially knowing these issues could happen at any time, without warning or reason. This needs to be fixed. Otherwise this is a lawsuit just waiting to happen.
My vehicle is experiencing all symptoms related to NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 and there is no active recall for my VIN. That problem his causing high voltage which keeps causing electrical issues like burning cables to the headlights and not getting power to multiple interior equipment such as the ipc which stops working while driving and I am no longer able to my speed and other information. I also get a engine power reduced error from a bad connected from the app to the BCM, code P1238.
- Phoenix, AZ, USA
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My headlights keep going off. I use to hit the front and it turns on but not anymore. Had it fixed 3 times within a year. No ac doesn't turn on when I start the car as well.
Since I purchased my vehicle back in 2015 (used) I have had ongoing steering issues. The steering feels much looser than most vehicles. It has almost taken me off of the road several times. I have had mechanics look at the car and they have all suggest I take it into Chevy for diagnostics since it is electrical steering. There is a recall for the steering on this exact year, make and model, though it says my VIN was not affected. It is a huge concern for myself to have this steering corrected as I have a toddler in my back seat. When roads are wet, uneven pavement, or the weather windy.. my car pulls off the road drastically I have to grip my steering wheel so hard to the point my hands turn red from grabbing so tightly in order to maintain somewhat control of this vehicle.. with this year. Make and model having steering recalls, I request Chevy honors my request to have my vehicle inspected by a licensed Chevy dealer to determine what the issue is. This has been an issue since purchasing the vehicle and I find it unlikely that I have the same exact issues as the recall though a completely different issue. I am afraid this will cause me to lose control of my car and wreck. Higher speeds (for example on the freeway) make the steering almost unmanageable and difficult to control. I have spoke to numerous Chevy Malibu owners who have had this exact issue with their recalls. I have reached out to Chevrolet directly to express my concerns and it was disregarded, they said my VIN was not effected so it couldn't be the issue. Consumer had the parts replaced on 6/19 again on 6/29 but vehicle is still unsafe to drive and problem is recurring.
My vehicle has approx. 91,500 miles. Upon starting the car recently, an error appeared saying "service traction" and "engine power reduced." The vehicle could not go above 35 mph and the traction control system was disabled. Upon inspection by the dealership, they discovered the sunroof drain tubes had shrunk and water had accumulated in the floorboard, eventually leading to corrosion. I have researched this issue and found several other drivers reporting issues with the drain tubes becoming disconnected and causing leaks. I have also found several instances where drivers lost engine power on the highway. If this were to happen, it could easily cause a crash.
The ESC lights, traction control lights and ABS lights are on. Took it to the dealership in January and they 'fixed' it by replacing the hub assembly. Worked ok for a month. Lights are back on as well as randomly while driving the speedometer, gas gauge, temp gauge, and RPM's will drop to 0 then back to normal and this will continue for the a whole trip. Then the next day or few days it will be fine then do it again. All the lights are on continuously.
I was driving at 70 miles per hour, the steering wheel started shaking and locked up, I almost loss control of the car. This is my 2nd 2011 Malibu and the other car had the same problem. It an issue with the power steering control. The car is currently cannot be driven.
The ESC turns off pretty much every time I drive the car. Last Monday the check engine light came on when the transmission was slipping M. the the transmission would no longer shift and the solenoid is stuck open while driving home from work. Prompting the dealership to try and sell me a whole new $5,000 trans. When the car only has 130,000 miles on it. The transmission has been running slow on acceleration but has never been stuck in first gear leaving me left on the side of the road waiting for help to come get me. The headlight burn out like every 6 months resulting in taking off the bumper or paying $200 from the dealership for a $5 bulb. I have no pictures since my car is at the dealership waiting for me to either go get or pay for the transmission.
The ABS, ESC, and service traction lights came on while I was on the interstate suddenly my cruise control stopped working. I exited the highway and as my car came to a complete stop it started rolling backwards and the breaks locked up so I couldnt stop. It only stopped rolling after putting the car in park, hitting the emergency break, and quickly getting the key out before hitting the family behind me. I tried to turn on my hazards and they wouldnt come on. I restarted the car, and the whole dash was flickering. After trying this 3 times it started, but when I tried to accelerate the car went to 7/8 RPM and did nothing. Then it started to roll backwards again before I could put it in park I was thrusted forward into the center of a roundabout. After that it began to drive. I was less than 5 minutes from a family members home so I tried to make it. I was able to get the car going 30 mph for less than 5 minutes before the speed immediately dropped to zero, and the car began to roll backwards again. My face hit the steering wheel because of the jolt which resulted in facial bruises. The air bags did not deploy. When this issue happened all of the electric in the car started going crazy. I was on a backroad, and luckily a good samaritan stopped to help me. I called my uncle who is a mechanic who towed me back to the house. This isnt the first time ive had issue with these warnings coming up and then I have to suddenly start fighting to survive being trapped in a car trying to kill me. Since this last incident I have not tried to drive the car. After seeing multiple mechanics they confirmed this was a common issue in this year make and model of the vehicle. No one seems to know what has been causing this. This kind of issue could kill someone. It needs to be investigated, and GM needs to be held responsible for selling unreliable, unsafe, death traps to consumers.
When we are driving the car it will start shaking, the ESC light comes on and the car completely dies. This has happened while driving 15 mph and 70 mph on city streets and highways. We have had it in multiple shops and been told this is a common issue nobody has found a resolution for. Very dangerous and afraid to put our kids in the car as we don't know when it will do it, there hasn't been a common variable.
Tires go flat really fast. The electrical system is not ready my tires no more and don't show if there's an issue including airbags. The light was on for a month and wen tawau I got his in the front of my car and my airbags didn't not deploy.
While driving on the road, the car will just stop moving forward although the engine is still running. We have to immediately pull off the side of the road, which is very difficult to do in heavy traffic. The indicator lights for power steering / ESC come on and the chimes ring 3 times. Upon stopping the car, if the engine remains off for approximately 5 minutes, then the car will start back up and run normally for up to 2 months before it has the same problem again. This has happened at least 6 times over the past 18 months. We have had the car to the local Chevrolet dealer in St. Louis 4 times but they have been unable to determine the source of the problem. They have replaced a number of parts related to the power steering but this has proven to be ineffective. We also replaced the battery and cleaned the cables with no results. This is a real safety issue and the mechanics at the dealer have no idea how to fix it. We cannot believe our 2011 Malibu is the only car with this problem.
Vehicle lights dim, loss of power, ESC, traction control, illuminates on dash. Car sputters with no acceleration. Car is unable to turn. This happened as I began to leave my subdivision, luckily I was able to push it back. I have a new battery no car will not crank unless I have a jump.
Service ESC light came on and disabled my engine twice! 1 time on February 14,2019 which I was told it was the throttle body got that replaces in March. Come June samething happened service ESC engine disabled and we had to be towed off of the expressway in June of 2019. After taking the car to the mechanic to get it serviced for the same issue again I was told that the body control module has a shortage in it and fuses in my fuse box had melted to the fuse box and caused a shortage ! the car stopping on the expressway could have killed me and my mom!!!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Manchester, NH, USA