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2011 Chevrolet Malibu 2LT

The 2011 Chevrolet Malibu 2LT is a 2.4-liter inline-4 with an automatic and front-wheel drive. It starts at $25,385 MSRP and is rated at 26 mpg combined.

EPA fuel-economy estimates are 22 mpg city and 32 mpg highway (26 mpg combined).

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeSedan
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$25,385 ($36,684 *)
MSRP with Destination$26,145 ($37,782 *)
Destination Charge$760
Engine
Engine Type2.4L I4
Displacement2.4 L
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFWD
Transmission
TransmissionAutomatic (S6)
Fuel Economy
City22 MPG
Highway32 MPG
Combined26 MPG
Recommended FuelRegular unleaded gasoline
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall ★★★★★
Frontal crash ★★★★★
Side crash ★★★★★
Rollover ★★★★★ (10.9 % risk)
Tested variant: 2011 Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD

Recalls

4 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2011 Chevrolet MALIBU. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Jan 16, 2019 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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.

Consequence: If the inflator explodes, sharp metal fragments may strike the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

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.

NHTSA campaign 19V019000

May 8, 2015 · SEAT BELTS

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.

Consequence: If the cable breaks, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury.

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.

NHTSA campaign 15V269000

Jul 21, 2014 · STEERING

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.

Consequence: 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.

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.

NHTSA campaign 14E044000

May 14, 2014 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

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.

Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.

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.

NHTSA campaign 14V252000

978 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2011 Chevrolet MALIBU

Owner Complaints

978 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2011 Chevrolet MALIBU (40 mention a crash, 17 a fire, 30 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Electrical System235
Steering214
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)174
Engine160
Exterior Lighting130
Power Train112
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Sep 22, 2026 · Steering
“My power steering went out while pulling out of a parking spot. The message read “power steering/service ESC. I have read that these vehicles between the years 2007-2012 had a recall for this issue…”
Aug 28, 2026 · Steering, Electrical System, Unknown Or Other
“Power steering assist motor is out and it was under recall in 2011 but it was out of the recall window but it has less than 150000 miles”
Jun 25, 2026 · Steering
“Everytime I turn on my car, I get a warning for ESC power steering and I have no power steering. Usually it will fix itself have shutting it off once and starting it again immediately. There has been…”
Jun 18, 2026 · Electrical System, Exterior Lighting Fire
“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…”
Jun 15, 2026 · Electrical System, Exterior Lighting, Vehicle Speed Control
“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…”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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