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8.2

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$150
Average Mileage:
91,000 miles
Total Complaints:
9 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (9 reports)
2011 Chevrolet Malibu engine problems

engine problem

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2011 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Comments

problem #9

Jun 012021

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • 140,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My daughter drove the car to an interview. When she got in it to leave, the car wouldn't start, then it would start for a few seconds idle really rough and shut off. We had it towed to our mechanic replaced the fuel pump filter cam sensor throttle position sensor charcoal canister still will not stay running. The traction control and ecs lights had been coming on at random previously as well. My mechanic thinks it could be the wiring harness or the computer module but after spending more than $600 on parts alone I cannot afford to keep throwing money at it if it isn't going to fix the problem.

WHY HASN'T THIS BEEN ADDRESSED BY GM? THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE AND COULD BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. I thank God my daughter was not driving when it happened based on what I have read concerning this issue she may have wrecked.

- Kristle B., Casa Grande, US

problem #8

Dec 112017

Malibu LS 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 99,275 miles

300.00 and still at it with garage. loss of power trying to pull out. Never will I buy chevy again. I read all these problems and I called GM up and they act like there's nothing wrong with the malibus. If you read this make sure you don't buy any chevys. Now I know why we had to bail them out.

- Brian D., Bedford, PA, US

problem #7

Dec 022016

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

over 2milllion complaints about ESC Traction and no recall, no solution-what a rip off.

- Charles J., Temple Hills, MD, US

problem #6

Nov 182016

Malibu 4 Cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 130,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Car began jerking and shaking. DSC warning light came on and loss traction light came on. Then reduced engine power warning started flashing. Car when from 70 miles and hour to 20 miles and hour. We were on a expressway with three children in car. Made it too next exit stopped car and turn off. Stated a little later and started doing same thing has car check next day was told it was oxygen sensor upstream and throttle body also bad.

This car is the worse car I have ever bought. Had brake problem s and front end problems. Purchase extended warranty at time of purchase for 2,500 dollars and nothing that went wrong with this car was ever covered. Plies Chevrolet in Dry Ridge KY sold me this lemon so buyers beware of this dealership. Chevy Corp such put this problem on recall list what it going to take someone dying or being hurt real bad.

- Judy N., Verona, KY, US

problem #5

Mar 062016

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • 83,000 miles

For a couple weeks prior to the event the car would have a hard time starting in the morning. It started after getting gas somewhere new. It would smell like gas really strong. Then it would idle rough and shake like it didn't want to go. If I used the car anytime at all the rest of the day it would start and run fine. I treated it with Heet 2x thinking it was the gas. Then on 3-6-16 the car's ESC light and engine light came on during a return trip from another town 75 miles away. Luckily I was 17 miles from home. I had to pull over and I read the manual. I shut it down and restarted it and managed to get home. Awaiting getting the car in the garage.

- gemini73j, Baraga, MI, US

problem #4

Jan 152015

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles

Bought this car used with about 35000 miles. The first winter we owned it (2014-15) we experienced several occasions when the engine would suddenly, with no warning or apparent cause, lose power. The dashboard information display would flash, "Engine Power Reduced, Service ESC and Traction Control". Shutting the car off, waiting a few moments, and restarting would usually get it running correctly again.

This happened several times, some of the occurrences happened in heavy traffic and caused potentially dangerous situations. Luckily we avoided any accidents.

The car was connected to a diagnostic tool which had model specific programming and the ability to graph several sensor outputs in real time. It also could access transmission and chassis control units along with standard ECM codes.

Several trouble codes were recorded during this time including: wheel speed sensor throttle position sensor throttle pedal position sensor

All these outputs were checked in real time, with the diagnostic tool and no problems were seen.

During the following summer no problems were experienced.

This winter (2015-16) the reduced engine power problem started to happen again. Since the warranty doesn't cover sensors or software we had little to go on. Without a clearly diagnosed problem we weren't about to start buying and replacing parts.

Then a friend with a 2010 Malibu got a letter from Chevrolet that mentioned the exact problem saying that they could get it diagnosed and possibly repaired for free.

I contacted Chevrolet and told them about our friend's letter and that our car had that exact problem. They told us they would get us one hour of diagnostic time at a local dealer.

The dealer did the diagnosis, found a "Throttle Position Sensor" fault code and replaced the Throttle Position Sensor at no charge.

We've only put about 50 miles on the car since that repair so we can't be sure the problem has been corrected. I will post again if the problem occurs again.

Update from Feb 25, 2016: We took the car in and the Chevrolet dealer found a "Throttle Position Sensor" code. They replaced the part at no charge. Within a few days the "Service ESC and Service Traction Control" messages displayed but the "Engine Power Reduced" message did not. The engine didn't lose power which was our main concern, especially when we were surrounded by other traffic.

It's not a perfect solution but it's better than before and it didn't cost us anything.

- davejny, Warsaw, NY, US

problem #3

Jan 222016

Malibu LS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,700 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was driving home form work when the low traction, esc, engine power reduced lights flashed. I could only go 20mph. It was late and I live in a rural area. I have read this has happened to other 2011 Chevy Malibu's and it cost about $650 to fix and does not always work. My warranty just ended. I love my car, but this is the last Chevy I will buy. I've had 3 recalls since I bought it brand new in November 2010. I think Chevy should be ashamed of producing a car with so many recalls.

- Tina A., Salisbury, MD, US

problem #2

Nov 092015

Malibu LT 2.4L 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 77,000 miles

Cranked car after leaving class and engine and power warning flashed on screen and engine rattled and vibrated violently. Barely got any acceleration out of the car. Max speed was about 40 mph because i went down a hill. Made it back to my apartment and saw that many people have this issue. I was just saying that i would never buy another Chevrolet product again. Tonight solidified that statement for me. Not looking forward to taking my car to the dealership because no one seems to know how to permanently fix this issue.

- davenglo, Sumter, SC, US

problem #1

Mar 262015

Malibu LS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 74,000 miles

When I turned on the car, it seemed like the battery was low, and then Service ESC, the traction and Engine light came on, and the car started sputtering like it wasn't getting enough gas. I drove it that way to the park and ride so I could get to work, but it never accelerated past 40mph, and it took forever to get to 40pmh. Taking the car into the dealership to get looked at, just got the car less than a month ago from a used car dealership. Not happy at all.

- emmer, Houston, TX, US

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