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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
56,395 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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.

2011 Chevrolet Malibu engine problems

engine problem

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2011 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Comments (Page 1 of 5)

problem #83

Dec 012022

Malibu

  • 168,000 miles

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

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.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #82

Sep 162022

Malibu

  • miles
I have supposedly had the recall fixed. But when using the cruise control my car will not shut down the cruise unless I stomp on the brake or use the off button on my steering wheel. So I am wondering why I should have to pay big dollars for something that was supposedly done"?"

- Wichita, KS, USA

problem #81

Jul 092022

Malibu

  • miles
While driving at highway speed, vehicle stated to shake and the "Engine Power Reduced" and Service ESC. I was able to move to a safe zone and drive the vehicle home. The following day started normal and drove it, same problem occurred.

- Coram, NY, USA

problem #80

Feb 022022

Malibu

  • miles

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

ESC off shows up on dashboard and after driving I get "engine power reduced"

- Hanover Park, IL, USA

problem #79

Jul 222021

Malibu

  • miles
I-??ve had dash warning lights since purchasing my vehicle since 2017. I have taken it to multiple places for diagnostic and repair. (Brake sensors, traction stability, throttle, and P010 and P011) my last repairs were over $2400 and after finally scraping money to complete the repairs was told the traction control warning light that had been coming on but coming on more often now was because I have one tire sensor that isn-??t reading and that after fixing the accentuators the computer would stop going so crazy and triggering so many lights. On my recent trip to Michigan, when using my cruise control a car pulled in front of me in heavy traffic. When I braked my cruise didn-??t disengage. I remembered this happening before but didn-??t realize it was my cruise control and thought don-??t tell me I have transmission problems!! Then when I was almost home during this same trip a car started honking at me and rolled his window down. He told me I had no brake lights. I then looked up recalls and found 13036, with all the problems my car has had except was told this was remedied/fixed on my car in 2017. I just now checked my car and I have brake lights. It appears the problem relates in conjunction to when the traction control lights are on and when there aren-??t warning lights the brake lights work. My car has 20,000 since the recall repair and has had this problem the majority of this time except I didn-??t understand. My car is not safe and I am very disappointed and concerned about GM product safety and remedies!

- Erlanger , KY, USA

problem #78

Feb 162021

Malibu

  • 63,458 miles
Driving down the road and all of a sudden I get a reduced power message and my car instantly goes from 60mph to about 10mph. Lucky for me no one was behind me. Shut the car off for a bit, started it back up and no issues until I got into my driveway and the same thing! shows a P2135 code. GM knows of this issue and has even released a bulletin stating that when you get this code you need to change the throttle body due to a faulty tps sensor. Of course they expect the customer to pay. I understand that maintenance costs are associated with vehicle ownership but this is kind of ridiculous that they know this can cause fatalities. This issue has been reported to you for years now as well on this vehicle and many other GM's. will they ever be held accountable?

- Unionville, MO, USA

problem #77

Feb 052021

Malibu

  • 109,000 miles

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

For about a week before the incident, 2011 Chevy Malibu was shaking when accelerated above a certain speed on the interstate. Two days ago, in the parking lot at work, when turning on the car, the reduced engine power light came on as well as the traction system and then the check engine light came on. Turned car off and lights did not come back on, but drove home a safer route. The next night all the lights came on while driving on interstate car would only go 30 mph! and this was on a day of large snowstorm and was very cold. So dangerous. Could have been killed. Took car to closeby Firestone and they said it was the throttle. Bill was over 600 dollars. Want to warn GM and Malibu owners of this terriby dangerous issue in their car!!!!!

- Pleasant Hill, IA, USA

problem #76

Mar 082020

Malibu

  • 45,000 miles
I have a 2011 Chevy Malibu ltz with 44,589 miles and I have an issue with my screens reading that my ESC system is bad and will reduce my engine power, I took it in to airport Chevrolet in medford, Oregon and they pluged my car in and told me he has seen this issue countless times, and has seen people have to replace things as simple as a sensor all the way to it being an issue in the wiring harness and people will bring their car in and do the small repairs first ( economically makes sense) and it will not fix the problem.. until they fix this huge expensive issue all because. Chevy has an issue with a system they put into a car that doesn't work properly! I have read other reviews very similar to mine where people have been hit in traffic. Now luckily I caught mine before a wreck. This needs to be fixed!

- Central Point, OR, USA

problem #75

Nov 292019

Malibu

  • 96,000 miles
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.

- Avon, IN, USA

problem #74

Sep 162019

Malibu

  • miles
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.

- Dallas, GA, USA

problem #73

Jun 212019

Malibu

  • 105,000 miles

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

I recently obtained my 2011 Malibu lt from superior auto in bedford, in. It is a truly outstanding machine. I was pleased with the entire ecotec 2.4 engine and fuel economy. The drivetrain is a little different topic. I was looking forward to trying the new push button shift setup. It was smooth for the first 3 weeks or so. Oh by the way it barely turned 105,000 on the odometer. It started with 3rd shifting late and hard. Then it was reverse not catching once shifter was engaged, making me use my brake to stop the vehicle. All of a sudden it completely stopped pulling forward or reverse. Initially I assumed transmission just burned out. Waited until the next morning, trying again and it engaged gear. It was ultimately short lived, once transmission warms it starts to fail completely. I'm very disgruntled and disappointed in the car company I was raised on. As well as my family for generations. Not to mention, this my very first Chevy buying on my own. Please return my concerns please. I purchased the Malibu from a local buy here pay here. This leaves me on a most aggravated note, due to me being absolutely hustled into paying for a operationaless motor vehicle from what I once thought was 2nd to none, Chevrolet and GM in general. I am very disappointed and will most definitely never buy this brand again, as well as my family of 80+ years of business. GM, has lowered itself to an all time low! please return my submission asap. I need transportation for my union career I drive a very large amount for as well. Minds blown by the utter laziness of this massive auto titan. Disgusted!!

- Heltonville, IN, USA

problem #72

Jun 072019

Malibu

  • 48,332 miles
My check engine light has been coming on lately. So I took it to a place so they could check it. The results states that the camshaft position sensor needs to be replaced. My lights are dimming, the bright headlights symbol comes on if I am sitting under a viaduct, the radio is disappearing on the dashboard, and my heating system is on when it's off. Then the car is jerking erratically when I proceed to drive after a stop. My vehicle is under 50,000 miles. It's at 48342 now. I need to know if there are any recalls because 3 years ago I, was under 35000 miles and had to pay for a new engine that should have been covered under the emissions act, and I had to pay $800 for that, plus getting disrespected by the manager at the dealership. Please let me know if anything comes up concerning this matter. Thank you

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #71

Mar 262019

Malibu

  • 111,000 miles
I was driving straight on the interstate when the cruise control deactivated itself. The seat belt light stays lit most of the time. It says service air bag and traction system. Traction system light goes off and on, but the air bag light stays on. Doesnt reset even when unhooking the battery and rehooking it up. Car makes rattling noise from front end. Pulls hard to the right.

- Lewiston, ME, USA

problem #70

Mar 082019

Malibu

  • 3 miles
Update on complaint #'s 1144041 & 11172602. On 2/8/19, I was 2 blocks from work when messages displayed for (service ecs, reduced engine power, check engine light). I drove right from work to the dealership, which was 9 miles away, with my hazards on and at a max speed of 25 mph. I drove it into the bay and told a service advisor that I was told to bring it back while the problem we keep trying to fix was actually happening. He tried to get someone to come hook up the code reader to it but was unable to so he turned off my car. I received a voicemail mid-day Monday 2/11/19 to say that because my battery had been out of my car too long, they had to relearn the throttle body assembly. I left a message to specifically say that the last time the battery had been out of my car to my knowledge was 3/2018. When they called back, their conclusion was that the battery had not been installed or secured properly which caused them to have to relearn the throttle body assembly. On 2/19/2019, it happened again but they could not read a code when I brought it in, so was again sent to come back when it was occurring so they could hook up the code reader while it was happening. On 3/5 I drove my car to them while it was displaying the messages and running rough. They again tried to put the blame on the battery. Even though the codes where P2176 and P2135, the recommended fix was new battery and battery cables ($733). I still had warranty for that battery as it was installed nearly a year ago after the first incidence, so I went back to that auto shop. He did not find anything associated to battery but did find GM bulletin from 2012 (pip5019). He re-crimped throttle body circuit pins after doing a pen out test at ECU. It is now 3/25 and no other issues! hoping we have found root of the problem. No thanks to dealer or Chevy customer care...

- Toledo, OH, USA

problem #69

Mar 062019

Malibu

  • 120,000 miles
Code P2135

- Bay City, MI, USA

problem #68

Jan 222019

Malibu

  • 40,500 miles
This is an update on NHTSA complaint #11144041. I brought it to dealer early November 2018, but they did not find anything wrong as there were no codes. Last week Tuesday(1/22/19), it happened again(reduced engine power, service ESC, check engine light, traction control light) while driving on my way to work. I was about 2 miles from home slowing down from 45 mph to stop at light, I had my husband bring it in to check codes when dealership opened. They replaced accelerator pedal assembly and put a new pigtail on throttle body. It happened again on Saturday (1/26/19)when I was 4 miles from home on a city street at 45 mph. I drove it the last two miles to work w/ hazard light on and slowly as I could only get speed up to 25-30 mph. I tried several times to turn off and restart car to "reset" to normal. Today the dealer is replacing the throttle body assembly. This will be the third one in 7 months at a cost of over $1000 in repairs. Dealer will not look at any other options until it has cleared this code. Seems to me, there must be a wire, fuse or something else electrical wrong that keeps tripping this code. I have receipts of all work done to date.

- Toledo, OH, USA

problem #67

May 072018

Malibu

  • 38,000 miles
From 5/2018 until present, multiple occasions upon turning the key to start car have experienced: Engine power reduced on message board along w/ ESC light and check engine light illuminated. The car shakes and sputters. Usually can make all symptoms except check engine light disappear by restarting multiple times. Until last week, the problem has only occurred upon first starting the car regardless of the length of time it has set between starts and in any weather (ie cold, warm, rainy). Last Friday, it cranked but did not start the first attempt of starting and then after multiple attempts did start normally but during a two mile drive it reoccurred two more times and took multiple tries each time to get it to start normally. Each time I had to quickly pull off street to avoid traffic as it decreased in power and started shaking. The code it sends is P-2135. The first time back in may, I drove it the 6 miles to work but had to tow it as it resulted in dead battery. The code it sends is P-2135, so we have since replaced the throttle body assembly twice to make sure it was not a defective part. Otherwise after many hours waiting at my mechanics, there seems to be no actual diagnosis that we can find that seems to truly fix this issue. Have emailed Chevy and do have a service request # and will be calling today to set up appointment w/ local dealer asap in regards to bulletin 15-08-45-001 to see if they will cover this and pray that it may actually once and for all fix this annoying problem. My current mileage is 39,000.

- Toledo, OH, USA

problem #66

Jun 012018

Malibu

  • miles
While driving, the car surged forward and the driver could not stop the car.. brakes didn't work; struck another vehicle when driver tried to make a turn.

- Chenango Bridge, NY, USA

problem #65

Apr 282018

Malibu

  • 160,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving approximately 45 mph, the vehicle began to lose power and decelerated to 5 mph. The esp, ABS, and check engine warning indicators illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and waited approximately 15 minutes before restarting the vehicle, but the failure persisted. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to an independent mechanic where the failure was diagnosed as the throttle body. The contact was referred to ballas Buick in toledo, Ohio (419-386-0187). The dealer was contacted by phone and a diagnostic appointment was scheduled. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.

- Toledo, OH, USA

problem #64

Nov 302016

Malibu

  • 80,000 miles
The car hesitates on a dry straight road going 55 miles per hour, but also on wet roads going 30 too. The cruise control randomly does not disengage. Most concerning for me is when I am at a complete stop and press on the gas to move forward the car randomly slows and shuts down without warning.

- Isanti, MN, USA

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