general problems of the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu - part 1

We own this vehicle with 147,xxx miles on it. There was extended warranty coverage of 10-years or 150,000 miles for the power steering position sensor and torque sensor, all part of the electronic stability control system the bulletin is 15356. A very costly repair that could result in a crash if a driver has the steering wheel lock up while driving. Zero help from gm because the period has "expired. " I feel it should be covered since it is under the 150k mileage.

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The vehicle was previously serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 14v252000 (electrical system, exterior lighting, vehicle speed control, electronic stability control). The contact stated that on various occasions and while driving at various speeds, the traction control and power steering disengaged independently as the "reduced engine power" warning message was illuminated and the vehicle velocity dropped down to 10 mph. The contact also stated that the brake lights flickered intermittently without applying the brake pedal. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the intake camshaft actuator, mass air flow and manifold absolute pressure (map) sensors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failures recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 168,000.

I have supposedly had the recall fixed. But when using the cruise control my car will not shut down the cruise unless I stomp on the brake or use the off button on my steering wheel. So I am wondering why I should have to pay big dollars for something that was supposedly done???.

While driving at highway speed, vehicle stated to shake and the "engine power reduced" and service esc. I was able to move to a safe zone and drive the vehicle home. The following day started normal and drove it, same problem occurred.

Esc off shows up on dashboard and after driving I get "engine power reduced".

I’ve had dash warning lights since purchasing my vehicle since 2017. I have taken it to multiple places for diagnostic and repair. (brake sensors, traction stability, throttle, and p010 and p011) my last repairs were over $2400 and after finally scraping money to complete the repairs was told the traction control warning light that had been coming on but coming on more often now was because I have one tire sensor that isn’t reading and that after fixing the accentuators the computer would stop going so crazy and triggering so many lights. On my recent trip to michigan, when using my cruise control a car pulled in front of me in heavy traffic. When I braked my cruise didn’t disengage. I remembered this happening before but didn’t realize it was my cruise control and thought don’t tell me I have transmission problems!! then when I was almost home during this same trip a car started honking at me and rolled his window down. He told me I had no brake lights. I then looked up recalls and found 13036, with all the problems my car has had except was told this was remedied/fixed on my car in 2017. I just now checked my car and I have brake lights. It appears the problem relates in conjunction to when the traction control lights are on and when there aren’t warning lights the brake lights work. My car has 20,000 since the recall repair and has had this problem the majority of this time except I didn’t understand. My car is not safe and I am very disappointed and concerned about gm product safety and remedies!.

Driving down the road and all of a sudden I get a reduced power message and my car instantly goes from 60mph to about 10mph. Lucky for me no one was behind me. Shut the car off for a bit, started it back up and no issues until I got into my driveway and the same thing! shows a p2135 code. Gm knows of this issue and has even released a bulletin stating that when you get this code you need to change the throttle body due to a faulty tps sensor. Of course they expect the customer to pay. I understand that maintenance costs are associated with vehicle ownership but this is kind of ridiculous that they know this can cause fatalities. This issue has been reported to you for years now as well on this vehicle and many other gm�s. Will they ever be held accountable?.

For about a week before the incident, 2011 chevy Malibu was shaking when accelerated above a certain speed on the interstate. Two days ago, in the parking lot at work, when turning on the car, the reduced engine power light came on as well as the traction system and then the check engine light came on. Turned car off and lights did not come back on, but drove home a safer route. The next night all the lights came on while driving on interstate car would only go 30 mph! and this was on a day of large snowstorm and was very cold. So dangerous. Could have been killed. Took car to closeby firestone and they said it was the throttle. Bill was over 600 dollars. Want to warn gm and Malibu owners of this terriby dangerous issue in their car!!!!!.

I have a 2011 chevy Malibu ltz with 44,589 miles and I have an issue with my screens reading that my esc system is bad and will reduce my engine power, I took it in to airport Chevrolet in medford, oregon and they pluged my car in and told me he has seen this issue countless times, and has seen people have to replace things as simple as a sensor all the way to it being an issue in the wiring harness and people will bring their car in and do the small repairs first ( economically makes sense) and it will not fix the problem. . Until they fix this huge expensive issue all because. Chevy has an issue with a system they put into a car that doesn't work properly! I have read other reviews very similar to mine where people have been hit in traffic . Now luckily I caught mine before a wreck. This needs to be fixed!.

Vehicle lights dim, loss of power, esc, traction control, illuminates on dash. Car sputters with no acceleration. Car is unable to turn. This happened as I began to leave my subdivision, luckily I was able to push it back. I have a new battery no car will not crank unless I have a jump.

I recently obtained my 2011 Malibu lt from superior auto in bedford, in. It is a truly outstanding machine. I was pleased with the entire ecotec 2. 4 engine and fuel economy. The drivetrain is a little different topic. I was looking forward to trying the new push button shift setup. It was smooth for the first 3 weeks or so. Oh by the way it barely turned 105,000 on the odometer. It started with 3rd shifting late and hard. Then it was reverse not catching once shifter was engaged, making me use my brake to stop the vehicle. All of a sudden it completely stopped pulling forward or reverse. Initially I assumed transmission just burned out. Waited until the next morning, trying again and it engaged gear. It was ultimately short lived, once transmission warms it starts to fail completely. I'm very disgruntled and disappointed in the car company I was raised on. As well as my family for generations. Not to mention, this my very first chevy buying on my own. Please return my concerns please. I purchased the Malibu from a local buy here pay here. This leaves me on a most aggravated note, due to me being absolutely hustled into paying for a operationaless motor vehicle from what I once thought was 2nd to none, Chevrolet and gm in general. I am very disappointed and will most definitely never buy this brand again, as well as my family of 80+ years of business. Gm, has lowered itself to an all time low! please return my submission ASAP. I need transportation for my union career I drive a very large amount for as well. Minds blown by the utter laziness of this massive auto titan. Disgusted!!.

My check engine light has been coming on lately. So I took it to a place so they could check it. The results states that the camshaft position sensor needs to be replaced. My lights are dimming, the bright headlights symbol comes on if I am sitting under a viaduct, the radio is disappearing on the dashboard, and my heating system is on when it's off. Then the car is jerking erratically when I proceed to drive after a stop. My vehicle is under 50,000 miles. It's at 48342 now. I need to know if there are any recalls because 3 years ago I,was under 35000 miles and had to pay for a new engine that should have been covered under the emissions act, and I had to pay $800 for that, plus getting disrespected by the manager at the dealership. Please let me know if anything comes up concerning this matter. Thank you.

Code p2135.

This is an update on NHTSA complaint #11144041. I brought it to dealer early November 2018, but they did not find anything wrong as there were no codes. Last week Tuesday(1/22/19), it happened again(reduced engine power, service esc, check engine light, traction control light) while driving on my way to work. I was about 2 miles from home slowing down from 45 mph to stop at light , I had my husband bring it in to check codes when dealership opened. They replaced accelerator pedal assembly and put a new pigtail on throttle body. It happened again on Saturday (1/26/19)when I was 4 miles from home on a city street at 45 mph. I drove it the last two miles to work w/ hazard light on and slowly as I could only get speed up to 25-30 mph. I tried several times to turn off and restart car to "reset" to normal. Today the dealer is replacing the throttle body assembly. This will be the third one in 7 months at a cost of over $1000 in repairs. Dealer will not look at any other options until it has cleared this code. Seems to me, there must be a wire, fuse or something else electrical wrong that keeps tripping this code. I have receipts of all work done to date.

While driving, the car surged forward and the driver could not stop the car. . Brakes didn't work; struck another vehicle when driver tried to make a turn.

From 5/2018 until present, multiple occasions upon turning the key to start car have experienced: engine power reduced on message board along w/ esc light and check engine light illuminated. The car shakes and sputters. Usually can make all symptoms except check engine light disappear by restarting multiple times. Until last week, the problem has only occurred upon first starting the car regardless of the length of time it has set between starts and in any weather (ie cold, warm, rainy). Last Friday, it cranked but did not start the first attempt of starting and then after multiple attempts did start normally but during a two mile drive it reoccurred two more times and took multiple tries each time to get it to start normally. Each time I had to quickly pull off street to avoid traffic as it decreased in power and started shaking. The code it sends is p-2135. The first time back in may, I drove it the 6 miles to work but had to tow it as it resulted in dead battery. The code it sends is p-2135, so we have since replaced the throttle body assembly twice to make sure it was not a defective part. Otherwise after many hours waiting at my mechanics, there seems to be no actual diagnosis that we can find that seems to truly fix this issue. Have emailed chevy and do have a service request # and will be calling today to set up appointment w/ local dealer ASAP in regards to bulletin 15-08-45-001 to see if they will cover this and pray that it may actually once and for all fix this annoying problem. My current mileage is 39,000.

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving approximately 45 mph, the vehicle began to lose power and decelerated to 5 mph. The esp, abs, and check engine warning indicators illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and waited approximately 15 minutes before restarting the vehicle, but the failure persisted. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to an independent mechanic where the failure was diagnosed as the throttle body. The contact was referred to ballas Buick in toledo, ohio (419-386-0187). The dealer was contacted by phone and a diagnostic appointment was scheduled. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.

My son was driving his vehicle and the computer assisted power steering went out. Fixed at doug Chevrolet 1-12-2018. Now (after the warranty repair of a steering shaft torque sensor) when driving four days later he lost power, vehicle flashed service traction and reduced power and slowed immediately from 45 to 5 mph and he was able to limp it home. The loss of power while driving was immediate and drastic and cars behind him were able to slow down but it could have caused a severe accident.

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving various speeds, the "reduce power" electronic stability control warning indicator illuminated and the vehicle began to shake. Jack winegardner Chevrolet (11001 indian head highway, fort washington, MD 20744) was made aware of the failure and stated that the throttle body needed to be replaced. In addition, the dealer stated that the VIN was not included in the throttle body warranty extension and special coverage number: 14582a. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 112,659.

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving approximately 20 mph, a warning indicator illuminated that the acceleration would began to decrease to approximately 5-10 mph. The vehicle began to shake and the contact depressed the brake pedal. When attempting to apply the brakes, the vehicle lunged forward. The contact was able to pull the vehicle over and place it in park to turn off the vehicle. The contact noticed the warning indicator illuminated again, indicating the traction control, engine, and esc failed and needed servicing. The contact diagnosed the vehicle at home and received error code p-2135, which indicated that the throttle sensor position needed repairing. The vehicle had not been to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle independently decelerated while being operated at 80 mph. The check engine, the traction control, the service esc, and the engine power reduced warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 14v252000 (service brakes, hydraulic, electrical system, exterior lighting, vehicle speed control, electronic stability control) as a possible solution however the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 134,000.

My engine light has been on since I purchased the car back in 2014 the dealership said it was no big deal that the light would evenually go out. Upon purchase it had 51,000 miles on it, because they had it for a few weeks due to it having hail damage the finance company wouldn't approve the loan because of problems. The car was riding ok up until a few montha ago I noticed I was loosing power it was driving slower, I started feeling it tugging when I wanted to pick up speed. Then 3 days ago it just wouldn't go in reverse, when I tried to switch back to driving it wouldn't go into drive ultimately I had to have the car towed because the tranmission went out on it. The car only has 71,000 miles on it. I barely drive it anywhere. The engine to look at it is very clean. I looked up all the recalls on my car and none of them I was notified for and there are many. So why am I not getting a letter about this transmission that has obviously gone out. Up until now I was in love with this Chevrolet Malibu and was a devoted customer advising people this was a good car, now I'm not so sure. Looking at all these recalls are alarming.

Speed slow down on a 55 mph highway to 10 mph and wouldnt get no speed and it throttle and shake until I came to a stop the most scary thing to ever happen to me I went from a Ford to chevy the most stupid idea I could've ever done and ever light on dash board is on and blinking to brake light,traction light,etc light, radio and clock lights the speed door and window lights its to much to deal with im afraid that this car is gonna take my life from me but noone can find no problem with this car I've got an oil change to spark plugs and so much more done on this car and nothing has changed this the fourth time this car has put me down in the six mths of me having this car somebody please help I love the car but its not a safe car to have and I can even exchange it out for another one at least thats what the people at the car lot says.

The incident happened twice thus far. Once while waiting at a light and another time while driving. The car began to shake and the engine light, as well as the stability control lights flashed on. The car began to rev erratically and actually caused the car to move forward. Some messages began to come up on the dashboard display and the message that remained was engine power reduced. Trying to take off from the light to find a place to pull over the car was jerking and I could barely accelerate. While driving this slowdown and jerking happened suddenly and almost caused a collision with another car. After pulling over and shutting off the car the problem disappears for while before happening again. Once parked, opening the hood showed a violently shaking engine. A simple google search revealed that this is a frequent occurrence with Malibu around that time and the mileage I have on the car (66500). The culprit appears to be a faulty throttle body, from the experiences of other drivers.

Reactor gear broke, blowing into all parts of the transmission. Broke with no warning while driving on a city street, wasn't able to speed up or move out of first gear. Also was not able to reverse. Resulted in a need for a total new transmission.

I was driving in the highway and my Malibu stoped and apered the image of traction control off and the motor was shaking and my light of check engine was on and my car did not advance more then 10 miles.

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 70 mph, the reduced power warning indicator illuminated and the vehicle slowed down independently. The contact stated that cycling the engine off and on remedied the failure; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 99,000.

My vehicle does not always flash the no seat belt sign. When driving unbuckled, the no seatbelt warning sign will appear and flash. However, after just a few moments the warning light will turn off. There have also been instances where the warning light won't even turn on when the seatbelt is not fastened.

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 30 mph, the vehicle began to decrease in speed when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle shook violently and all the warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The failure occurred once. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 50 mph, the vehicle decelerated to 10 mph and the engine power reduced warning light illuminated. The vehicle was restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 68,000.

1/26/2016 I got my camshaft solenoid fixed due to my check engine light coming on. When it started to shake real bad with the dash lights stating that my engine power was reduced, loss of traction (something to that effect) I instantly put it in the shop. Then last week 3/4/2016 I was driving up to erie, PA from ohio, which is about 4. 5 hours away. I say a good 40 minutes from my destination it happens again right on the highway. Engine light comes on and the dash says that my engine power has been reduced and loss of traction (?). Thankfully there was an exit near that I could get off at and as soon as I put my car in park it started to shake real bad. So I did what I did before and turned the car off to let it reset and then started it back up. It ran fine for the remainder of my stay until it came time for me to leave to go back home. This time I only got 20 minutes away from erie before it started acting up again, but it kept doing it. Talk about being frustrated 4. 5 hours away from home in your car. Especially since I just got it fixed not too long ago. This needs to be on the recall list, because this is ridiculous.

Car intermittently loses power. Warning light for traction control comes on. Must pull over and let car sit for a minute before restarting.

My 2011 Malibu while on the highway through a sensor code for multiple problems the first stating reduced engjne power, then service ES, service traction, service airbags etc. . . Probably 8 codes. At which point on the highway I could no longer accelerate above 40mph creating a very dangerous situation for me. The car was jerking and shaking and the rpm was reving up between 500 and 1500 even after I stopped. I turned the car off fearing damage to the engine and called myhusband. He asked me turn it on again so I did and although it was now idling normally the engine light remained on. He suggested I continue my commute. I pulled back on to the highway and experienced this same dangerous problem 7 yimes between jackson mi and lansing mi. We took it in to a repairshopand they assessedwhat they could stating that it appeared to be a throttle body issue but they would have to take it apart to look at it. The mechanic also statedthat many of the chevy made vehicles have had this problem and he was very surprised that therehad not yet been a recall on the part.

The violently shakes almost as if it is about to die. It doesn't go over 23-30 mph. The car accelerates while holding the brakes. A message displays saying engine power reducing, service traction, service esc. The car stalls while driving it on the street and highway. I'm scared of hitting someone while my foot is on the brake! my car is at 103k miles on it. I'm out of a car that I'm paying a note on. Its out of warranty. I haven't even had the car for a while year yet. The check engine light is on as well. The code for the check engine light is c0242. This is a very dangerous electrical problem. This should be a recall! many chevy Malibu owners are having or have had the same issue!.

After reading the many many comments here, I can say I'm lucky. Fortunately, I was not driving my car when things went haywire. I returned home from work today and my vehicle was fine. I had to run a few errands but when returning to my vehicle, I noticed this: vehicle wouldn't start. Fast clicking sound when attempting to turn over. Doors locked and unlocked by themselves during this time. Service esc, service traction, and esc off appeared. Vehicle has yet to start and now have no power whatsoever throughout the vehicle. Very odd that this is not a current recall. Help?'.