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2011 CHEVROLET Malibu

4 recalls Risk Grade: B- Most severe issue: Critical

All recalls are free to repair at your local dealership. Contact your dealer to schedule service.

Known Safety Recalls

Critical #14E044000 Plain English
Component

STEERING

Manufacturer
Dorman Products, Inc.
What Happened
The intermediate steering shaft in your vehicle is a vital part that helps connect the steering wheel to the wheels. In some cases, the yoke that holds the joint bearing in place may not be strong enough, causing it to fail prematurely.
Risk if Unfixed
If the joint bearing fails, it could break, causing a complete loss of steering control. This could make it extremely hard to steer your vehicle, increasing the risk of a serious crash.
Free Fix
You'll be notified by Dorman, and your dealer will replace the faulty steering shaft with a new one, free of charge. If you've already purchased a replacement, you'll get a full refund.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain replacement intermediate steering shafts sold under the Dorman, OE Solutions, and Solutions brand names, part numbers 425-167, 2425167, and 7-3074, for installation on 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6, and 2007-2009 Saturn Aura vehicles. The affected steering shafts may have a yoke that inadequately supports the u-joint bearing resulting in a premature failure.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
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.
Original — Remedy
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.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
High Priority #19V019000 Plain English
Component

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Manufacturer
General Motors LLC
What Happened
The air bag in your driver's side is a crucial safety device that inflates to cushion you in case of a crash. In some 2010-2011 Malibus, the module that makes the air bag inflate can become overpressurized.
Risk if Unfixed
If the air bag inflator explodes in a crash, it could send sharp metal fragments flying towards you and other occupants, causing serious injury or even death.
Free Fix
Your dealer will replace the faulty air bag module with a safe one, at no cost to you. This repair is free, and you should schedule it as soon as possible.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
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.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
If the inflator explodes, sharp metal fragments may strike the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Original — 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.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
High Priority #15V269000 Plain English
Component

SEAT BELTS

Manufacturer
General Motors LLC
What Happened
The seat belts in your 2011-2012 Malibu have flexible steel cables that connect to the seat at the outside of the driver and passenger seats. If you've been sitting on these cables while getting in or out of your car, they might be bent and could break.
Risk if Unfixed
If the cable breaks in a crash, you or your passenger might not be properly restrained, which could lead to serious injury.
Free Fix
Your Chevrolet dealer will inspect and replace the cable and its mounting bracket if necessary, and the repair is completely free. You should schedule the fix as soon as you get the recall notice.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
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.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
If the cable breaks, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Original — 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.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
Moderate #14V252000 Plain English
Component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

Manufacturer
General Motors LLC
What Happened
The wiring in your vehicle connects all the electrical systems, including the brakes. In some 2004-2012 Chevy Malibu, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura models, the connection between the Body Control Module and the Brake Apply Sensor can get loose, causing problems with your brake lights and safety features.
Risk if Unfixed
If the wiring issue causes problems with your brake lights or safety features, it could lead to a situation where you think you're stopped when you're not, or where your vehicle doesn't respond properly in an emergency. This could increase your risk of being involved in a crash.
Free Fix
Your GM dealer will fix the issue by tightening the wiring harness and applying a special lubricant to keep it secure, then relearning the brake pedal's home position. This repair is free, and you should schedule it as soon as you get the recall notice.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
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.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
Original — 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.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →

Browse by Component

STEERING
1 recall
AIR BAGS
1 recall
SEAT BELTS
1 recall
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1 recall

Other CHEVROLET Malibu Years

2025
1 recall
2024
2 recalls
2023
2 recalls
2022
1 recall
2021
2 recalls
2020
1 recall
2019
1 recall
2018
6 recalls
2017
4 recalls
2016
9 recalls
2015
3 recalls
2014
6 recalls
2013
10 recalls
2012
3 recalls
2010
4 recalls
2009
6 recalls
2008
5 recalls
2007
6 recalls
2006
9 recalls
2005
6 recalls
2003
3 recalls
2002
4 recalls
2001
4 recalls
2000
5 recalls

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