130 of the
1,526 complaints about the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu are about the
lighting — 9% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
103,000 miles.
There was a fire in the trunk on the way to work. Fire department was called to inspect the car and make sure that the fire was out. Fire melted fuse box located in the trunk along with wiring harness and wires, also causing all electrical items to stop working. Claim was attempted to be made, but insurance did not cover this particular issue. After hours of reading as well as watching videos, this seems to be an on problem for Malibu's from 2011-2016. I bought this car one year ago and had a mechanic inspect the vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11745051 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 122,000 milesClearwater, KS
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the ESC and traction control warning lights remained illuminated. Additionally, while the cruise control was activated and the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated. The contact stated that the gear shifter was able to be moved without the brake pedal being depressed. The cause of the failures were not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failures, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 122,000.
NHTSA complaint #11744231 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,000 milesOrlando, FLFire
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked under a carport in her driveway, she had been warned by neighbors that the rear end of the vehicle was on fire. The contact stated that she saw that flames were issuing from both rear light housings. The contact stated that by the time her husband and a neighbor attempted to extinguish the flames with garden hoses, the light housings and the rear bumper were on fire and melting. The fire department and the police were called. The contact stated that by the time emergency services arrived, the flames had been extinguished. The contact stated that the fire department opened the trunk, and the interior of the trunk and the matting were not damaged. The only damage was to the rear light housings and the rear bumper. The fire department had not issued a report, however the police had. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.
NHTSA complaint #11708409 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Grand Junction, CO
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Headlight wiring harness connector has melted multiple times leaving me without low beam headlights while driving at night with my children in the car. This has left me having to use my high beams to drive and this poses as a safety hazard for not only me and my family but other people on the road. This also poses a fire hazard if the plastic connector is getting hot enoughto melt. I have requested warranty replacements for this part through AC Delco and made them aware of the on going problem and informed them that this is a well known issue with this car and that it is extremely dangerous. I have not had the part inspected by a mechanic, insurance company or law enforcement but have the failed part and would be willing to have it inspected by law enforcement or anyone else but can not afford out of pocket expenses to do so. There was no prior warning to this happening any of the times it happened it would be working when I left my house I would stop somewhere turn the car off and when I got back in and started the car they wouldn't turn on. Another time they quit working while driving down the road. The date below is the date that I ordered the first replacement wiring harness it lasted less than 3 months and i had to have it replaced and currently I am dealing with not having low beams again this is the 3rd time I have dealt with this issue and it has been on going since January 2025.
NHTSA complaint #11699889 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wichita, KS
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Two months ago While driving on the highway at 60 mph at night my headlights shut off with no warning leaving only my running lights, turn signals, brake lights and hazards lights functioning. Neither hi or low beams would function. Yet no warning or service lights appeared on the dash. Local mechanic replaced both the headlights bulbs and connectors on both sides. 3 weeks later it happened again, this time when I started my car the headlights failed to turn on. So i contacted a local Chevy dealer (Rob Eck chevy) who said there was no recall or investigation...so I took it back the mechanic and had him fix it AGAIN. Just a few minutes ago today when I went to go to work yet AGAIN the headlights won't turn on. Checked through a plethora of forums about the Malibu both fan sites and manufacturers sites and have found that this is an extremely common issue for 2008-2014 Malibus, As this is an extremely dangerous failure/malfunction for both the driver and everyone else on the road I am STUNNED that there's no recall or at least an INVESTIGATION into this as with this many occurrences with so many owners it's virtually impossible to be owner fault ergo it must be a product defect or a manufacturer defect....please do what's right for the safety and well being of others not what's right to protect the rich lining their pockets
NHTSA complaint #11643114 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Elizabeth City, NC
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I'm having to replace the low beam headlight in my car more times than a lil bit! I hate that I'm constantly spending $60+ everytime on headlights cause of i replace one side imma replace the other! I have brought the replacement harness for the lights and the low beam still blows!
NHTSA complaint #11635518 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Covington, WA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Passenger headlight keeps going out. Have had to replace 4 times in 3 years. Difficult taking off entire bumper
NHTSA complaint #11593651 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ravenna, OH
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Passenger side low beam headlight bulb connector melted/burnt. Caused low beam to go out on occasion - hit a bump and it switches on/off
NHTSA complaint #11564517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stonewall, LA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I purchased this 2011 Cheverolet Malibu brand new. A few years prior to me giving it to my daughter, I had to get the headlights replaced several times, one would go out a month or so after I had the other one fixed. I gave it to her in 2019 and lately every other week one or even BOTH of the front headlights have gone out. Also, the third brake lamp randomly goes out and now one of the rear brake lamps has gone out. There’s already over 100 complaints about these issues with this particular model but GM has yet to do a recall! WHY?? It’s clearly an issue with the vehicle and the fact that the ENTIRE front bumper has to come off to get to it is the dumbest thing I’ve ever seen!!! Headlights, of all things, randomly going out on a vehicle is not safe at all! There are people out here who have children in these faulty vehicles and clearly neither GM nor the NHTSA cares. What is it going to take for someone to do something about this, deaths???
NHTSA complaint #11524274 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dixon, IL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Driverside Airbag light will come on with Service Airbag message. This does occasionally turn off but comes back for days or weeks at a time. Driver side seatbelt light will randomly come on and stay on or turn off. Both airbag and seatbelt light may be on at the same time. If they are all off or the airbag light turns off it's only for a day or two. Most of the time it will be the airbag light only that is on and tends to stay on longer than seatbelt light.
NHTSA complaint #11522179 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 168,000 milesLouisville, KY
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
NHTSA complaint #11513097 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Appleton, WI
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Headlights fail. I have had to replace my headlights several times. I have also had to replace the entire headlight assembly.
NHTSA complaint #11486995 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Des Moines, IA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
4/16/2018) Codes pulled 16188 Brake Lamp Malfunction, 13036D, and 13036C. Code 16188 was repaired and replaced by the Chevrolet dealership. A warning code would show on the dashboard then brake lights would show that the brakes are being applied at all times while driving or not show when braking.
NHTSA complaint #11463695 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Henrico, VA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The headlights have went out over 10 times. The wiring keeps burning. This is a known issues. Why is there not a recall? It’s extremely expensive and hard to get the front end of the car off to replace the bulb to find out it’s not the bulb. It goes out every few months. Even the dealership service department has told me it’s a known issue!
NHTSA complaint #11452078 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 155,000 milesHenderson, KY
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the front headlights failed to illuminate without warning at start-up. The contact had taken the vehicle to a relative who was able to replace both headlights. Two months after the repair, the passenger’s side headlight failed to operate and had the headlight was replaced again by her relative. Despite the replacement of the headlight, the new headlight failed to operate as needed. The contact then purchased a third headlight and the headlight also failed to operate. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer had been notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 155,000
NHTSA complaint #11429555 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 62,000 milesFairfax Station, VA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
MY VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 62,000 MILES AND THE CENTER REAR BRAKES LIGHT JUST INSIDE THE REAR WINDOW IS NOT WORKING. IT SEEMS VERY DIM. FAILED STATE SAFETY INSPECTION. NOT AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #11407489 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesHamilton, OH
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE LOW BEAM PORTION OF HEADLIGHTS STARTED GOING OUT AND BACK ON PERIODICALLY WHILE DRIVING I'VE REPLACED THE BULBS TWICE WITHIN 6 MONTHS AND IT CONTINUES TO REPEAT ISSUE THE BULBS ARE NOT BLOWN. MULTIPLE REPORTS ONLINE OF THIS ISSUE BUT NO RECALL. IF HEADLIGHTS FAIL DURING DARK DRIVING CONDITIONS COULD CAUSE SERIOUS OR EVEN FATAL ACCIDENTS.THE INFORMATION ONLINE SUGGESTS WIRING HARNESS ISSUES
NHTSA complaint #11384839 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 116,000 milesNewmarket, NH
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT GOES OUT RANDOMLY. WIRING AND HEADLIGHT HAVE BEEN REPLACED, AND DOES NOT SEEM TO SOLVE THIS ISSUE. THIS HAPPENS APPROX.EVERY 6 MONTHS IF NOT MORE. YOU HAVE TO REMOVE THE FRONT BUMPER TO GET TO THE HEADLIGHT WHICH IS A PAIN IF DONE YOURSELF. VERY EXPENSIVE IF YOU PAY A MECHANIC.
NHTSA complaint #11383626 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pace, FL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
MY DIM LIGHTS DO NOT WORK, IT IS NOT THE BULB OR ANYTHING CONNECTED WITH THE LIGHT, IT HAS ALL BEEN CHECKED OUT! BRIGHTS WORK, BUT IT IS TOO DANGEROUS FOR ME TO HAVE TO DRIVE WITH MY BRIGHTS ON. I NEED TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT!
NHTSA complaint #11383018 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,000 milesLake Grove, NY
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
PASSENGER SIDE LOW-BEAM HEAD LIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT, AND HAVE TO REPLACE EVERY SIX MONTHS OR LESS. VERY COSTLY DUE TO DESIGN. FRONT BUMPER NEEDS TO BE REMOVED TO GET TO HEADLIGHT. HAVE HAD DIFFERENT MECHANICS CHANGE AND ISSUE CONTINUES TO BE THE SAME.
NHTSA complaint #11376892 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10 milesLouisville, KY
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
SINCE THE FIRST OF JANUARY I'VE HAD TO REPLACE MY HEADLIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHT 3 TIMES SO FAR , I HAVE ALSO REPLACED THE MY BEARINGS ON BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVER 2 TIMES ON MY PASSENGER. AND THE REASON I AM WRITING THIS NOW IS BECAUSE MY DRIVER SIDE NEEDS REPLACED AGAIN. THE HEADLIGHTS DIDN'T COME ON IN THE MORNING WHEN I WAS LEAVING FOR WORK. AND THE BEARING JUST STARTED MAKING A SOUND WHEN DRIVING AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE BAD.
NHTSA complaint #11372481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, IL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE HEAD LIGHTS IN MY VEHICLE DO NOT WORK AT ALL. I HAVE TO USE THE BRIGHTS TO SEE ANYTHING AT NIGHT. THE HEAT WORKS WHEN IT WANTS TOO AND WHEN I BUMP INTO A SMALL LUMP ON THE STREET IT TURNS OFF. THE WHEEL BARRIER IS BAD ON MY RIGHT TIRE.
NHTSA complaint #11363020 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesHope Mills, NC
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT EVER OTHER MONTH
NHTSA complaint #11360675 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ellicott City, MD
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT WAS INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT FUNCTIONED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MILLER BROTHERS CHEVROLET OF ELLICOTT CITY, LOCATED AT 9035 BALTIMORE NATIONAL PIKE, ELLICOTT CITY, MD 21042, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #11360406 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 151,000 milesPhoenix, AZ
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
MY VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING ALL SYMPTOMS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 AND THERE IS NO ACTIVE RECALL FOR MY VIN. THAT PROBLEM HIS CAUSING HIGH VOLTAGE WHICH KEEPS CAUSING ELECTRICAL ISSUES LIKE BURNING CABLES TO THE HEADLIGHTS AND NOT GETTING POWER TO MULTIPLE INTERIOR EQUIPMENT SUCH AS THE IPC WHICH STOPS WORKING WHILE DRIVING AND I AM NO LONGER ABLE TO MY SPEED AND OTHER INFORMATION. I ALSO GET A ENGINE POWER REDUCED ERROR FROM A BAD CONNECTED FROM THE APP TO THE BCM, CODE P1238.
NHTSA complaint #11353572 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kansas City, MO
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:BULBS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE LOW BEAM BULBS OVER 10 TIMES WITHIN THE PAST 4 YEARS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON THE PASSENGER'S AND DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CONTACTED THE DEALER MCCARTHY CHEVROLET LEE'S SUMMIT (945 SE OLDHAM PKWY, LEE'S SUMMIT, MO 64081, (816) 356-6610) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSE NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE REPAIR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #11348589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesDetroit, MI
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ON MY VEHICLE BURN OUT AND NEED TO BE REPLACED EVERY 3-4 MONTHS (3-4 TIMES PER YEAR FOR THE LAST 6 YEARS I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE). THIS IS NOT ONLY AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR (BECAUSE MY MECHANIC NEEDS TO REMOVE THE BUMPER IN ORDER TO COMPLETE IT), BUT EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. MULTIPLE TIMES MY HEADLIGHTS HAVE SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING AT NIGHT WITHOUT WARNING. SOMETIMES PULLING OVER AND HITTING THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WILL CAUSE IT TO HAVE A BETTER CONNECTION AGAIN, CAUSING THE LIGHTS TO WORK, BUT THIS FIX IS ONLY TEMPORARY. THE CONNECTORS KEEP MELTING, MY MECHANIC AND I NOW BELIEVE, DUE TO THE HIGH AMPERAGE CAUSED BY THE 70% REDUCTION IN POWER DURING THE VEHICLE'S DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT MODE. MY COMPLAINTS TO THE MANUFACTURER HAVE GONE UNHEARD. IT IS CLEAR THAT THE MANUFACTURER NEEDS TO PROVIDE FOR A HEAVIER CONNECTOR THAN THE OEM PART, AND PERHAPS DIFFERENT BULBS, TO REMEDY THIS SAFETY ISSUE. IN THE YEAR 2020 IT SHOULD NOT BE SO DIFFICULT TO KEEP BOTH LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS RUNNING! I CAN GET AROUND THE ISSUE BY USING MY HIGH BEAM LIGHTS, BUT THIS IS HAZARDOUS TO OTHER MOTORISTS. IT IS A POOR DESIGN, AND I AM CONVINCED THAT THERE WILL NOT BE A SATISFACTORY FIX FOR THIS SAFETY ISSUE UNTIL NHTSA COMPELS GM TO ISSUE A RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #11337787 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 137,584 milesSparks, NV
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
ONGOING PROBLEM WITH HEADLAMPS BURNING OUT. I HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR 2 YEARS AND HAVE TO HAVE THEM REPLACED EVERY 3 MO.OR SO THE LAST BURN OUT HAPPENED ON 5/12/2020.
NHTSA complaint #11324593 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Riverside, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE ESC TURNS OFF PRETTY MUCH EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE CAR. LAST MONDAY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING M. THE THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NO LONGER SHIFT AND THE SOLENOID IS STUCK OPEN WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK. PROMPTING THE DEALERSHIP TO TRY AND SELL ME A WHOLE NEW $5,000 TRANS. WHEN THE CAR ONLY HAS 130,000 MILES ON IT. THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN RUNNING SLOW ON ACCELERATION BUT HAS NEVER BEEN STUCK IN FIRST GEAR LEAVING ME LEFT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WAITING FOR HELP TO COME GET ME. THE HEADLIGHT BURN OUT LIKE EVERY 6 MONTHS RESULTING IN TAKING OFF THE BUMPER OR PAYING $200 FROM THE DEALERSHIP FOR A $5 BULB. I HAVE NO PICTURES SINCE MY CAR IS AT THE DEALERSHIP WAITING FOR ME TO EITHER GO GET OR PAY FOR THE TRANSMISSION.
NHTSA complaint #11309420 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 124,000 milesIrving, TX
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
MY LOW BEAM LIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT REPEATEDLY. IT STARTS WITH THE PASSENGER LIGHT THEN BOTH AND AFTER A FEW DAYS I HAVE NO LIGHTS. THEY BEEN GOING OUT EVERY 2 MONTHS AND THIS IS THE 4TH TIME I REPLACED THEM. NO SPECIFIC TIME WHEN THEY GO OUT I JUST NOTICE IT WHEN I TURN THE LIGHTS ON. THEY HAVE NOT LASTED LONGER THAN TWO MONTHS.
NHTSA complaint #11306630 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.