The 2011 Chevrolet Malibu might be one of the best American-made used cars on the market today. It has its share of issues, like power steering assist failure and electrical bugs, but the iconic mid-size has held up remarkably well after more than a decade on the road.
- The 2011 Chevrolet Malibu has just four recalls, one investigation, and 906 complaints on file with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, making it one of the best used cars for its model year.
- Several drivers report power steering failure, sometimes starting with the car pulling hard to the right.
- Frayed seatbelt anchor cables saw a recall in 2015, but a 2020 investigation into the matter remains open.
- Electrical issues usually start with limp mode and a “Service ESC” warning.
- While the 2011 Malibu earned just four stars out of a possible five in the NHTSA’s crash tests, it managed to net a Top Safety Pick award with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Dozens of Drivers Report Power Steering Assist Failure
Nearly a quarter of the 2011 Malibu’s 906 complaints come down to electrical issues, with many of these having to do with the steering. A typical complaint reports that the steering will pull hard to the right before the power steering goes out completely.
Turning the car off and back on may help to get the steering going again, but it won’t always do the trick. Drivers are also reporting shaky, wobbly, and “twitchy” steering. Basically everything that can go wrong with power steering assist has gone wrong for one or several Malibu drivers.
There was a recall in 2014 for 7,304 units with faulty steering shafts, owing to inadequate support of the u-joint, the part that provides the steering assembly some flexibility as you turn. Most of the complaints on file were issued after the recall went into effect, and point to a separate set of issues.
The 2011 Malibu sold more than 200,000 units, so we have an incident rate lower than one in one thousand. Still, you don’t want to be the one in one thousand who gets stuck with a lemon. So check the driving at low and high speeds on the test drive and see how it responds.
Seatbelt Anchor Cables Still Under Investigation Seven Years Since Recall
Seatbelts aren’t just held in place by a little plastic buckle, they’re attached to the structure of a vehicle with a flexible steel cable. If that cable comes loose, frays, or snaps, then the seatbelt is rendered useless in the event of an accident.
In 2015, nearly a half million Malibus were recalled for just this, with the cables bending and weakening due to their position making them likely to be sat upon. The fix involved replacing the mounting bracket so that the cable could be repositioned, and replacing the cable itself as necessary.
This recall wouldn’t be the end of the story, unfortunately. An investigation into 1.4 million Chevrolets is still ongoing since 2020. But, 2011 Malibu owners probably have nothing to worry about based on what we know at present.
There have been zero driver complaints regarding the seatbelts since 2020, and the purpose of the investigation is to determine whether the visual inspection used in the seatbelt recall was adequate in the identification of identify fray and wear.
Limp Mode and Service ESC Warning May Point to Broader Electrical Issues
Dozens of drivers have reported their 2011 Malibu going into limp mode, flashing the “Engine Power Reduced” warning and instructing drivers to “Service ESC,” or Electronic Stability Control. These symptoms may be accompanied by sudden unintended acceleration or exterior lights flickering.
There was a recall for the ESC system, but this was for around two and a half million Chevrolets with faulty brake lights. Electronic Stability Control failure can occur for any number of reasons, with some complainants reporting that water dripping through the car body was contributing to corrosion in the electrical system.
One driver reports that they have no electrical issues until it rains, and then everything seems to go haywire. Another reports fuses and wires being melted together. There may not be enough data to nail down one specific cause across the board, but the issue does seem to be electrical in nature.
There have been no recalls addressing the problem, there have been no investigations into the matter, and the car will be well out of manufacturer warranty by now. So, the smart move for a used car buyer is to check all of the electrical accessories and make sure everything’s working before you hand any money over.
The 2011 Chevrolet Malibu is Surprisingly Reliable for its Age
For an eleven year old car, the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu has remarkably few major issues to worry about. If you can find one that’s well-maintained and has fewer than 200,000 miles on the odometer, you might well get another hundred thousand miles out of it.
