2011 Chevrolet Malibu Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2011 Chevrolet Malibu ranks 3rd worst among 21 model years, with a complaint index of 90 and 978 NHTSA complaints, earning an Avoid verdict. Electrical system problems dominate, at 33% of complaints, with 3 recalls on file.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 90/100
- #3 of 21 Malibu years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 978
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 40
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 17
- Injuries
- 41
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 26
- 22 city / 32 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 41 / 0
Top 2011 Chevy Malibu problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System327 (33%)
- Engine223 (23%)
- Steering214 (22%)
- Brakes209 (21%)
- Transmission & Powertrain112 (11%)
- Airbags93 (10%)
- Other61 (6%)
- Structure & Body58 (6%)
- Seat Belts53 (5%)
- Fuel System37 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy in multiple crash reports, including one at 55 mph where the sensing module logged no event and one where the bag deployed but did not fully inflate, leading to injuries.
- Owners describe brakes that suddenly failed to engage or required excessive pedal pressure, resulting in rear-end and snowbank collisions, with one owner noting a dealer had already performed a related recall repair.
- A fuel pump connector inside the tank was reported to have burned, along with dashboard lights flickering or shutting off, prompting one owner to stop driving the car out of fear of fire.
- A driver's seat caught fire and filled the cabin with smoke shortly after the seat heater element was replaced at a dealership.
- One owner reported airbags failing to deploy in a t-bone collision at low speed, with OnStar also failing to place an emergency call.
2011 Chevrolet Malibu recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 19V019000Jan 16, 2019Airbags1,145 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
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.
- NHTSA 15V269000May 8, 2015Seat Belts437,045 vehicles
Seat belts
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.
- NHTSA 14V252000May 14, 2014Brakes2,440,524 vehicles
Electronic stability control (esc)
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.
2011 Chevrolet Malibu fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 22 MPG
- Highway
- 32 MPG
- Combined
- 26 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,500
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2011 compared with other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2011 Malibu a complaint index of 90, the third-worst among 21 model years covered, and an Avoid verdict. Electrical system issues make up 33% of its 978 complaints.
- What are the biggest problems with the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu?
- The top problem areas are the electrical system (327 complaints, 33%), engine (223 complaints, 23%), steering (214 complaints, 22%), and brakes (209 complaints, 21%). Median mileage at failure for electrical complaints was 88,129.
- Does the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2011 Malibu covering airbags, seat belts, and brakes, none of them a do-not-drive recall.
- How does the 2011 Malibu compare to other model years?
- The 2011 Malibu's complaint index of 90 is worse than most other years; only 2009 (100) and 2010 (95) score higher. Later years like 2021 through 2025 carry much lower indexes and Best verdicts.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu?
- EPA rates the 2011 Malibu at 26 mpg combined (22 city / 32 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,500.