Eight problems related to steering wheel vibrate have been reported for the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu based on all problems reported for the 2011 Malibu.
Steering wheel shakes when vehicle is idling. Online research mentions a TSB 15356. 61722 and recalls for earlier model years. Why was I not notified of this back in 2015?.
I was driving at 70 miles per hour, the steering wheel started shaking and locked up, I almost loss control of the car. This is my 2nd 2011 Malibu and the other car had the same problem. It an issue with the power steering control. The car is currently cannot be driven.
Electrical power steering is failing. Steering wheel shakes at times and other times the wheel can't be turned. Noticed this right after starting the car and trying to back out of parking space.
Steering wheels shakes while parked by itself.
Steering wheel shakes when stopped at idle and shakes slightly when driving, after starting the engine the power steering some times does not work and service esc message appears. I can turn off the engine and restart it and everything works but wheel still shakes.
Steering wheel "shakes" as of 12/2016 vehicle has approx 92,000 miles purchased vehicle new in Nov 2010 four new tires June 2015 full alignment August 2016. Brand new brake pads and brand new rotors, all 4 wheels, November 2016. Description of incident (and condition): steering wheel has been rattling noticeably at freeway speeds (40 mph to 75 mph) and while tracking a straight line. This has been occurring since the vehicle hit the 40,000 mile mark. Can feel slight movement in the steering wheel coincident with this rattling of the steering wheel. Does not appear to affect ability of the vehicle to track a straight line while moving. The rattle also occurs at lower speeds less than 40 mph, but it harder to discern since the city street road conditions in se wisconsin are terrible. Starting about December 2016, I have noticed the steering wheel shaking when the vehicle is not moving, the engine is running, and the vehicle is in drive (not sure if this occurs when it is in park). The steering wheel seems to be doing some kind of "hunting" as the rattling is random. Appears to be independent of temperature as this occurred when it was -10 deg f and as well at about 50 deg f. Power steering fluid levels are normal. I can not discern whether this occurs when the vehicle is turning while in motion, or while turning the steering wheel while the car is stationary. End.
I was driving the Malibu on the highway and the steering wheel began shaking and the dash board indicated that the power steering was out and that the esc must be serviced. I took the car to Chevrolet and was told that there is a recall on this issue but my VIN was not covered. The mechanic said that my issue with the Malibu is the same issue that is currently listed as a recall for other Malibu (s) of the same year. This has happened many times. I searched for this issue with other Malibu owners and learned that this is a common issue. This is very dangerous and scary especially when driving on the highway. I have high mileage because I drive 160 miles to work each day. Please add my car VIN to the recall list.
Driving down the highway when the steering wheel starts vibrating and turning on its own with little or no input. Random loss of power steering occured. Very difficult to turn wheel. Power steering comes back every time vehicle is shut off and back on again and same thing occurs. Identical symptoms to older models with recall from 2008 model year.