2011 Chevrolet Malibu Electronic stability control Problems
- Complaints
- 174about this part
- Share
- 18%of 978 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 84,250miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 174 complaints about the electronic stability control of the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu, 18% of the 978 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 84,250 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Power steering fails without warning, reststart if works foine for a whille... Very dangerous. But my question is, why the special warranty for GM bulletin 15356 is not showing up on your website. I was never given a recall notice by mail. I hasd to do internet research to find my recall. This is some shady s%^t. Never buying a chevy again.this should be a crime.”
NHTSA complaint #11176039, filed 2019-02, 116,000 miles“Service ESC message - ESC off message - and power steering messages come on and I cannot turn my car. Happens multiple times while driving on daily commute and causes me to be put in dangerous situations especially on the expressways. There is not always a place to pull over. These indicators happens whether driving or sitting still. Service air bag message stays on.”
NHTSA complaint #11180952, filed 2019-02, 126,000 miles“Front passenger headlight keeps going out. While in motion on a city street a warning comes across that says engine power reduced. Then the ESC and service traction control comes on. The car then drops to 5 MPH and stops. I turn it off and turn it back on and there is nothing. I wait a few seconds and try again and it starts up and I'm able to drive it.”
NHTSA complaint #11129787, filed 2018-09, 150,000 miles“While turning onto a street my engine began to sputter. After entering traffic my electronic stability control notice appeared as did information informing me I had reduced engine power. Upon looking up this problem I learned that many experience the same problem with 2011 2012 Chevrolet Malibu around the same 70,000-80,000 miles.”
NHTSA complaint #11062090, filed 2018-01, 70,000 miles“I was driving down troy ave in illinios when my car all of a sudden lost power and said engine reduce and and steering wheel got stiff. I went all the way from 60 to 20 MPH and almost crash and got hit from behind. I have had this problem non stop after fix after fix. But nobody seems to know the problem. Then my head light go in and out on the right side ever since I had it fixed over and over.”
NHTSA complaint #11173231, filed 2019-01, 130,000 milesRelated recalls
- 14V252000May 14, 2014General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007…Covers: Chevrolet Malibu 2004–2012, Pontiac G6 2005–2010, Chevrolet Malibu Maxx 2004–2007 +1 more
Electronic stability control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 1% |
| 2020 | 2 | 1% |
| 2019 | 1 | 1% |
| 2018 | 21 | 3% |
| 2017 | 53 | 8% |
| 2016 | 76 | 9% |
| 2015 | 16 | 6% |
| 2014 | 31 | 9% |
| 2013 | 72 | 9% |
| 2012 | 129 | 14% |
| 2011 | 174 | 18% |
| 2010 | 227 | 17% |
| 2009 | 255 | 17% |
| 2008 | 68 | 7% |
| 2007 | 22 | 2% |
| 2006 | 29 | 3% |
| 2005 | 30 | 3% |
| 2004 | 22 | 2% |
| 2003 | 3 | 1% |
| 2002 | 1 | 0% |
| 2001 | 2 | 0% |
| 2000 | 1 | 0% |
| 1999 | 1 | 0% |
| 1998 | 1 | 0% |
Other parts of the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu
235 complaintsSteering
214 complaintsEngine
160 complaintsExterior lighting
130 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
112 complaintsAir bags
93 complaintsVehicle speed control
87 complaintsOther or unknown
75 complaintsSeat belts
53 complaintsBrakes
44 complaintsSeats
38 complaintsFuel system
37 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology