2011 Chevrolet Malibu Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 19about this part
- Share
- 2%of 978 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 58,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 19 complaints about the body and structure of the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu, 2% of the 978 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 58,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I tried to open my drivers side door and it would not open randomly looked it up online and apparently alot of other people were having this problem with no way to fix because they could not get to the problem with the door stuck shut, with no solution should be covered by Chevrolet in a recall”
NHTSA complaint #11210522, filed 2019-05, 178,000 miles“The driver's side body seam of my 2011 chevy Malibu was not properly sealed. This allowed water to leak into my electrical panel cause corrosion to all of my wiring. I determined this after driving down a high way at 60 MPH and having my car drop down to 10 MPH with service engine lights, engine power reduced warnings all lighting up my panel. It had been raining that day. I am lucky that the car behind me was following an appropriate amount of distance behind me.”
NHTSA complaint #10944360, filed 2017-01, 60,000 miles“I was going onto a exit an hit a guardrail on the drivers side, the car spun and I ended up sideways. The airbag deployed but did not inflate. I sustained broken ribs, a facial hematoma and multiple contusions. I was wearing my seatbelt at the time of the accident.”
NHTSA complaint #10554926, filed 2013-12, 45,000 miles“Takata recall... The undercarriage fell down unexpectedly while driving. The most important thing is that I have been continually getting an error that my engine reduced/engine disabled and it shuts off while I'm driving on the street. I may get a few seconds of motion to get to the side of the road before it stops completely. It's happened with my child in the car and that scares me more to think it may happen again. It has happened 3 time in the past 5 weeks. I've had a tune up and a number of things replaced in the past 12 months. …”
NHTSA complaint #11244869, filed 2019-08, 5 miles“My teenage son was driving in the rain when his Malibu gave engine power reduced, service traction, service ESC, and ESC off warnings. Car was barely drivable. This is a safety issue since it happens suddenly and increase the chances of a collision with other vehicles. Code reader showed the p2138 DTC. The headliner above the driver side door was also wet. This appears to be coming from the sun roof. I believe that this leakage is causing electrical connection issues somewhere else in the car that is causing the above mentioned warnings and performance issues. …”
NHTSA complaint #11365506, filed 2020-10, 100,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11011709Nov 5, 2024This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
- 11009764Sep 21, 2024This service bulletin provides information on Concerns or Questions Regarding Installation of Dealer Installed Accessories.
- 10250244Jan 18, 2024This preliminary informational (PI) bulletin provides information to dealership personnel which may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers.
- 10239124Jun 30, 2023This service bulletin provides information on Paintless Dent Repair Process.
- 10235561Apr 4, 2023This preliminary informational (PI) bulletin provides information to dealership personnel which may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers.
- 10232283Feb 17, 2023This PI provides information on Rear and Side Tempered Glass Spots (Quench Marks) and that they are a normal characteristic.
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 | 3% |
| 2022 | 2 | 2% |
| 2021 | 2 | 2% |
| 2020 | 2 | 1% |
| 2019 | 2 | 1% |
| 2018 | 7 | 1% |
| 2017 | 19 | 3% |
| 2016 | 40 | 5% |
| 2015 | 13 | 5% |
| 2014 | 11 | 3% |
| 2013 | 25 | 3% |
| 2012 | 16 | 2% |
| 2011 | 19 | 2% |
| 2010 | 44 | 3% |
| 2009 | 31 | 2% |
| 2008 | 21 | 2% |
| 2007 | 6 | 1% |
| 2006 | 6 | 1% |
| 2005 | 12 | 1% |
| 2004 | 8 | 1% |
| 2003 | 9 | 2% |
| 2002 | 12 | 2% |
| 2001 | 14 | 2% |
| 2000 | 25 | 3% |
| 1999 | 20 | 3% |
| 1998 | 18 | 2% |
| 1997 | 13 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu
235 complaintsSteering
214 complaintsElectronic stability control
174 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 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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