2011 Chevrolet Malibu Chevrolet Malibu 2011

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2011 Chevrolet Malibu repairs by problem area

Engine (36%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (5%)

Brakes and Traction Control (4%)

Suspension and Steering (9%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (29%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (16%)

Other (0%)

Chart based on 55 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu.

2011 Chevrolet Malibu repair cost distribution

$2500+ (2%)

$1000 - $2499 (7%)

$500 - $999 (7%)

$100 - $499 (24%)

< $100 (60%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 42 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2011 Chevrolet Malibu

Engine not specified

Chevrolet Malibu in Minnesota, United States
Sep 2014 - Oct 2014
Oct 2014

26000 mi
struts were making a load rattle. they put new ones in but did not replace the bearing plates. they still rattled. took back they put new bearing plates in 

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2011 Chevrolet Malibu 4dr Sedan

252-horsepower 3.6L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD

Chevrolet Malibu in New York, United States
May 2013 - Sep 2017
Apr 2017

50000 mi

US $1000
Fuel pump in trunk Water Pump 

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2011 Chevrolet Malibu 4dr Sedan

169-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD

Chevrolet Malibu in Illinois, United States
Dec 2014 - Apr 2016
May 2015

106600 mi

US $250
replace thermostat 
Chevrolet Malibu in Ontario, Canada
May 2013 - Mar 2015
Jul 2013

22200 mi
Front headlight has moisture/water inside. The headlight assembly need to be replaced 
Chevrolet Malibu in Illinois, United States
Nov 2013 - Jun 2021
Sep 2015

23000 mi
Leak, torque converter seal. Dealer replaced and repaired torque converter seal. 
Chevrolet Malibu in Illinois, United States
May 2015 - Jul 2018
Jan 2016

56000 mi

US $300
Flex pipe, the first pipe between engine and catalytic converter 
Sep 2017

66000 mi

US $1050
Timing chain had stretched, needed to be replaced. Also replaced both cam solenoids. Dealer was very fair in working out an agreed price even though warranty expired (# years). Premature failure at only 66,000 miles. Replaced flex pipe, AGAIN! Went the economical route on first repair to save $200. The aftermarket pipe was noisier than the OEM and cracked in under a year. Have now paid twice for same repair. At least it's back to OEM quiet and no vibrations. :o) 
Jun 2018

69000 mi

US $250
Normal wear and tear, brake pads & rotors. 
Chevrolet Malibu in Pennsylvania, United States
- Aug 2011
Jul 2011

13682 mi
Car developed a shake during the 1-2 shift when hot. Dealer did not believe the issue was a concern - did not repair. Returned car to a different dealer to check the shake at the 1-2 shift. Car also was now surging (bouncing RPM) and lacking power when hot. Dealer reprogrammed ECM with update per a TSB to address both issues.  
Aug 2011

15870 mi
Returned vehicle to dealer. Shake returned again in first gear or the 1-2 shift. Dealer tested transmission; all ok. Reset PCM. Shake went away after reset. Shake came back again 2 days later. Will be returning to dealer.  Drivers seat clicks and pops while driving. Dealer ordered a replacement seat-back under warranty. On national back-order - will return car when parts come in. 
Chevrolet Malibu in Iowa, United States
Jun 2014 - May 2018
May 2018

90447 mi

US $4100
Vehicle slowed and stopped moving while driving city street. Engine rpm would speed up but vehicle would not move. Shut engine off for 5 minutes then tried moving the car again, was able to get off road then stopped moving again. Had towed to Chevrolet dealership. Problem diagnosed as major internal failure. Replaced transmission with GM Serta remanufactured transmission. Also replaced rear engine crankshaft seal while transmission was out - leaking. 
Chevrolet Malibu in Michigan, United States
Jun 2016 - Jun 2021
May 2017

81000 mi

US $1100
Timing chain and guides. guides had worn off and were sitting in the oil pan. solenoids for oil system replaced 
Chevrolet Malibu in Ohio, United States
Jun 2011 - Apr 2013
Sep 2011

18463 mi
Replace transmission control module under warranty as a result of error code/check engine light 
Chevrolet Malibu in Arizona, United States
Oct 2012 - Sep 2015
Sep 2015

124000 mi

US $160
Water pump replaced Ignition switch replaced 
Chevrolet Malibu in Indiana, United States
Sep 2014 - Mar 2018
Sep 2016

90000 mi

US $550
Car cranks but doesn't start. Found trial and error to tap on rear fuse block in trunk to get started. Diaganose fuel pump battery supply voltage terminal on fuse block melted, connector burnt as a result. Replaced block,terminal,and wire. 
Dec 2016

94000 mi

US $385
Check engine light on, air cleaner assembly not installed correctly needs map sensor and induction service. Duct at throttle body not installed correctly clamp loose and allowing undeterred UN filtered air into system. Both rubber grommets . 
Chevrolet Malibu in Arizona, United States
Jun 2012 - Jun 2014
Sep 2012

35000 mi
Rear cupholder spring broken, replaced under warranty. 
Jun 2014

55000 mi
Front end rattles and clunks. GM dealer says that's normal. 
Chevrolet Malibu in Nebraska, United States
Oct 2011 - Mar 2019
Dec 2016

78000 mi

US $450
blower motor and blower resistors were replaced original battery needed replacing. 5.5 years old, so it was time 
Chevrolet Malibu in Missouri, United States
Oct 2011 - Mar 2018
Mar 2013

21000 mi
Key FOB was not opening trunk. Dealer replaced under warranty. 
Chevrolet Malibu in Missouri, United States
Oct 2011 - Oct 2017
Feb 2014

19000 mi
Had check air bag light come on. As directed by manual, took vehicle to dealer. Vehicle is under warranty thru 2/28. Dealer diagnosed problem as bad sensor in passenger front seat requiring replacement. Vehicle was in shop for 6-7 hours . 
Aug 2016

39000 mi

US $650
Car wouldn't start after stopping for gas. Next morning car was diagnosed initially and hauled to dealership for further diagnosis. Problem identified as fuel pump system requiring replacement. Part had to come from out of town. 
Chevrolet Malibu in Ohio, United States
Oct 2011 - Sep 2019
Dec 2013

20000 mi
Noisy right front wheel bearing. Dealer replaced bearing under warranty. 
Chevrolet Malibu in Michigan, United States
Oct 2011 - Jun 2022
Feb 2013

50000 mi
TRAC and stability lights came on, P0106 stored, cleaned connections in MAP sensor wiring. 
Dec 2014

91000 mi

US $105
The right front wheel bearing was noisy. I replaced it myself 
Chevrolet Malibu in New York, United States
Oct 2011 - Jul 2014
Dec 2013

13000 mi
HVAC Blower motor, resistor and fuse for blower. 
Chevrolet Malibu in California, United States
Oct 2011 - Jun 2016
Dec 2011

6000 mi
Temperature actuator switches back and forth steadily at max temp setting. Problem may be with the air door not opening properly. Seems to stop when duct or air door is hot (after running blower on high for awhile). Engine won't turn over about half the time because of theft deterrent system. Guages initialize, but car doesn't start. Usually works second or third attempt. Dealership couldn't duplicate. Problem started around 4000 miles on odometer. 
Oct 2012

12500 mi
Problem with power seats. Key problem - kicked out an error code. Car failed to start because key & anti-theft system failed. Temperature door/damper actuator was bad, noisy, would hunt for the proper position (hit a spot where it would go back and forth or chatter). Paint peeling and chipping around fender edge by head light. Seat cover started to tear at seam. 
Apr 2013

19000 mi
Starting to have problems with anti-theft system again. Went to dealer to check for error codes. There was an error for not reading the key properly. Haven't had problem since new keys in Oct. Will try spare key & see if problem goes away. 
Jun 2013

21000 mi
Still having problems with the anti-theft/security system. Had keys replaced about 10 months ago, but problem hasn't gone away. The dealer is replacing the Theft Deterrent Module. Cabling looked ok, hopefully the new module will fix it. 
Oct 2014

36000 mi
GM recall to reinforce brake wiring harness from BCM. I had a problem with a rear turning indicator. I thought it was a bad lamp, but it started working again after a few days.  
Jul 2015

40800 mi

US $25
Problem with intermittent turning indicator and parking lamp on left rear tail light. Usually starts working again once I get it all apart. 
Chevrolet Malibu in Texas, United States
Jun 2012 - Mar 2013
Aug 2012

37100 mi
3rd visit to dealer to repair a rain water leak from rear passenger side door. 1st time the drain holes in door frame were plugged from factory. Second time, thought was fixed. Third time, finally may have found leak in door panel seal. 
Chevrolet Malibu in Virginia, United States
Apr 2012 - Aug 2015
Mar 2013

28000 mi
It threw a catalytic converter code. Dealer had to install new Cat. Said they had a batch that was bad and were replacing them if they went. Not a recall. 
Aug 2013

33000 mi
Seat belt sensor harness need to be replaced. Threw an air bag disabled code on the dash 
Dec 2013

37000 mi
Airbag sensor plug needed to be reset. Threw another airbag code. 
Apr 2015

52000 mi

US $281
Cutting out and bucking while driving. Traction/ESC turned off. Diagnosed as a broken wire at injector plug. Sliced in a new wire re-soldered connector to the injector plug . 
Chevrolet Malibu in Ohio, United States
Dec 2011 - Nov 2016
Aug 2012

14700 mi
Rattle in sunroof cover 
Chevrolet Malibu in Texas, United States
Oct 2011 - Dec 2011
Nov 2011

4000 mi
This car has had problems after the first week we owned it. Have taken it back to the dealer many times. They have gotten the Engineers out to try to find the problem they don't know what is wrong they just keep replacing componets. 
Dec 2011

4000 mi
Had to replace the transmission at 4400 miles. Junk this car has had every module and electrical part replaced. This is the worst car I have ever bought GM will Buy this car back as a lemon. This car was a lemon all kinds of parts were changed gm finally replaced the car after we got a lawyer on their but. junk will never buy a malibu. 
Chevrolet Malibu in Michigan, United States
Oct 2011 - Jun 2016
Mar 2011

1900 mi
left bolster on drivers seat, cushion collapsed. New cushion ordered, replaced plus added some of old cushion. Back in a week for same problem, they took it to an upholstery shop, glued in more cushion. Seat pan is bad design. 
Nov 2015

64000 mi

US $720
Both front hubs/bearings had to be replaced. Thought it was early, they blamed it on the salt used in our area. 

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2011 Chevrolet Malibu Repair Histories

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2011 Chevrolet Malibu problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.