2011 Chevrolet Malibu: Reliability Data
Source: NHTSA — 1512 complaints
1512
Total Complaints
79,632mi
Median Mileage
Electrical System
Top Issue
71
Crash Reports
When Do Complaints Happen?
Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.
50,993
25th Percentile
79,632
Median Mileage
107,500
75th Percentile
What Fails?
Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.
Electrical System
225
Steering
208
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)
174
Engine
160
Exterior Lighting
121
Power Train
110
Air Bags
92
Vehicle Speed Control
84
Unknown Or Other
58
Seat Belts
51
Severity Assessment
71
Crashes
23
Fires
78
Injuries
0
Deaths
Sample Complaint Reports
"THE PROBLEM I AM EXPERIENCING WITH MY 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU LTZ IS A METALLIC RATTLE COMING FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING OVER UNEVEN ROADS. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW ON AUGUST 24, 2010. THE VERY NEXT DAY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE I BEGAN HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE METALLIC RATTL..."
"I PURCHASED A 2011 MALIBU FROM CHAMPION CHEVROLET IN AUSTIN, TX IN NOVEMBER 2010. THE CAR WAS DELIVERED TO ME WITH A KNOWN DEFECTIVE EBCM (ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE). THEY HAD THE PART ON ORDER AND DIDN'T TELL ME. I FOUND OUT A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER WHEN I HAD A TRACTION CONTROL FAILURE INDICAT..."
"I PURCHASED A 2011 MALIBU FROM CHAMPION CHEVROLET IN AUSTIN, TX IN NOVEMBER 2010. THE CAR WAS DELIVERED TO ME WITH A KNOWN DEFECTIVE EBCM (ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE). THEY HAD THE PART ON ORDER AND DIDN'T TELL ME. I FOUND OUT A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER WHEN I HAD A TRACTION CONTROL FAILURE INDICAT..."
Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.
When Were Complaints Filed?
Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.
When Does Each Component Fail?
Median mileage at complaint for top components.
Electrical System
225 complaints
25th: 51,000 mi
Median: 80,000 mi
75th: 108,500 mi
Steering
208 complaints
25th: 60,017 mi
Median: 89,500 mi
75th: 119,750 mi
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)
174 complaints
25th: 59,062 mi
Median: 84,250 mi
75th: 109,750 mi
Engine
160 complaints
25th: 58,189 mi
Median: 75,000 mi
75th: 100,250 mi
Exterior Lighting
121 complaints
25th: 76,750 mi
Median: 103,000 mi
75th: 125,750 mi
Where Are Complaints Coming From?
Top states by complaint count.
MI: 139
OH: 127
IL: 99
IN: 80
TX: 79
NY: 70
CA: 61
PA: 56
FL: 54
MO: 50
Who Files Complaints?
0.4%
Original Owners
99.6%
Second+ Owners
Chevrolet Malibu — Other Years
See how this model compares across different model years.
Active Recalls (4)
Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.
Inflator Module
Campaign 19V019000 | 16/01/2019
If the inflator explodes, sharp metal fragments may strike the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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.
Wiring
Campaign 14V252000 | 14/05/2014
Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
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 let
Steering
Campaign 14E044000 | 21/07/2014
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.
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.
Seat Belts
Campaign 15V269000 | 08/05/2015
If the cable breaks, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
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 rec
Maintain Your Electrical System
Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.
- Clean battery terminals annually with baking soda and water
- Replace the battery every 3-5 years before it leaves you stranded
- Don't leave accessories running with the engine off
- Check for corroded ground connections if you have intermittent electrical issues
- Replace dim headlights promptly — they're a safety issue and a wiring symptom
Vehicle Rankings
Looking for a replacement?
Based on the data above, here are relevant options.
Affiliate link
Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.
Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.
Data through: 2026-03-28