2011 Chevrolet Malibu Engine Problems
- 138
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 138 stored complaint records:
- 3 indicate a crash
- 2 indicate injury
- 2 indicate fire
What owners report
- engine light · 34 records
- engine power · 33 records
- failure mileage · 26 records
- check engine · 25 records
- throttle body · 23 records
- service traction · 22 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 57 |
| 30–60k mi | 33 |
| 100–150k mi | 23 |
| 1–30k mi | 8 |
| 150–400k mi | 5 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Electrical System · Electronic Stability Control · Engine
Received messages of: service esc, service traction, service air bag, eng pwr reduced, engine disabled this morning while driving to work. Engine lost all power, had to pull to side of road to try and turn the engine off and on, until i received the engine disabled message and after that the car would not start. Had to have the car towed to nearest dealership.
ODI 10836377
Engine
While driving on the road, my car, out of nowhere, began to shake and the engine suddenly lost power. I immediately looked down and noticed the "esc is off" indicator was on. I pulled over, put the car in park and begin pressing the gas to keep it from cutting off for fear it may not start up again. I did that for about 3 minutes and began moving again. I had to do this 3 times on my way home. I was about 5 miles…
ODI 10840051
Electrical System · Engine
First, i had to jump the car to start it. Cold morning but the battery was only 3 months old. Driving from downriver mi area all expressway to grand rapids. Just entered grand rapids area when i had to reduce speed from 75 to 60. Car would not accelerate back to original speed. Cruise control had been engaged. Problem resolved itself but 15 minutes later the car went from 75 to 25 mph by the time i had exited the…
ODI 10826110
Electronic Stability Control · Engine
Service esc, service traction, eng pwr reduced. This message has happened to me several times lately, most notably when travelling 70 mph on the interstate. Engine loses all power no mater how far i press the accelerator.
ODI 10825828
Electronic Stability Control · Engine · Traction Control System
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 chevrolet malibu. While driving approximately 45 mph, the engine stalled and the vehicle shook violently. The traction and service esc warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle did not restart. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 123,000. The vin was unavailable. Updated 05/11/16*lj updated 05/24/18*jb
ODI 10825536
Electrical System · Electronic Stability Control · Engine
[redacted] to work, in rain at approximately 32 degrees, vehicle was running good until i pulled into a parking spot and an error message appeared (reduced engine power). I later left and the service engine light remained on. I then received an error message (service esc) and later again received the (reduced engine power) while on the highway. It was snowing during this time. I was unable to fully accelerate but it…
ODI 10821801
Electrical System · Engine · Vehicle Speed Control
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…
ODI 10821367
Electronic Stability Control · Engine · Vehicle Speed Control
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…
ODI 10820573
Engine
When starting my vehicle, (stationary) it does a revving thing like when pushing on the gas pedal and the gas pedla is not being pushed. At the same time that is happening the lights inside and out get very bright and then very low. I noticed when this is happening the temperature gauge does not move at all. Even after vehicle is running for a while the temperature gauge still does not move and the vehicle runs…
ODI 10819148
Engine
2011 malibu has been losing engine power showing "service esc" engine power reduced, and something about traction. This has happened over 8 times twice this week on jan. 5th 2016. The second time i came so close to a crash to start to what not to drive this car. In all situations i was on a highway doing over 60 mph and in most cases letting off the gas. I had a wire connector to the throttle body replaced this…
ODI 10818658
Electronic Stability Control · Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the reduce engine power and the esc lights remained illuminated. The vehicle could not exceed 20 mph. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 123,000.
ODI 10818458
Engine · Vehicle Speed Control
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 chevrolet malibu. While driving approximately 65 mph, the vehicle accelerated without warning. The vehicle shook violently and the reduced engine service and traction warning indicators illuminated, in addition to a few other unidentified warning indicators. The contact pulled the vehicle over and shut it off. The contact restarted the vehicle after a while and attempted to drive home;…
ODI 10943776
Electronic Stability Control · Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System
My service esc, service traction, service engine lights came on. Took my car to dealership where they couldn't duprivate the issue. $240. Problem came bk the next day. Took my car bk to shop with light on and they said i needed an engine flush. 180.00. Problem still came back.took my car to another shop, bc i felt i was getting taken advantage of after being charged 180.00 just for diagnostic. This shop changed…
ODI 10884941
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 chevrolet malibu. While driving 25 mph, the vehicle rattled and vibrated consistently which made the vehicle difficult to drive. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The vin was unknown. The failure mileage was 63,000.
ODI 10839356
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving at 65 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the throttle body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 63,237.
ODI 10766691
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving at a low speed, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after some time. In addition, multiple warning lights illuminated. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer multiple times, who diagnosed that the transmission, the battery cable and the alternator needed to be…
ODI 10819298
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 chevrolet malibu. While the vehicle was at a stop sign, the engine revved up and failed to start. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,500. The vin was not available.
ODI 10732723
Electrical System · Electronic Stability Control · Engine · Traction Control System
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 chevrolet malibu. While driving approximately 30 mph, the vehicle shook violently and the service electronic stability control, service traction, and engine power reduced warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 109,000.
ODI 10724665
Electronic Stability Control · Engine
6/6/2015 car was sitting in parking lot. Upon trying to start the car errors for electronic stability control and reduced engine power showed up. Car was sputtering and running rough. Turned car off. Waited a little while and started car again and no error messages. But the check engine light came on. The error code that came up was p2101. 6/10/2015 same thing happened. Let the car sit for about an hour and tried to…
ODI 10724582
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 chevrolet malibu. While driving approximately 40 mph, the vehicle decelerated independently to 5 mph. The esc warning light illuminated and the engine power reduced message appeared on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the throttle body failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure continued. The…
ODI 10733741
Electrical System · Electronic Stability Control · Engine
2011 malibu 2lt 3600 vvt. I have multiple instances of the service esc, service traction control & engine power reduced messages appearing. The last time, today, almost caused me to be rear ended due to the engine fluctuating between about 200 and 1500 rpm. After the first instance i brought the car to a dealer to have recall #14v252000 addressed. This seemed to solve the issue but after a couple of days it all…
ODI 10704601
Engine · Power Train · Unknown Or Other
On 3/28/15 i purchased a 2011 chevy malibu from rainbow chevrolet in laplace louisiana. When test driving the vehicle, i noticed a very small and hardly noticeable jerk when the car changed into 2nd gear. I was told by the salesman that it was normal and i took his word for it. Almost 7 months later, the issue has gotten 1000 x's worse and the engine light is now on. I know for a fact that this is not normal now.…
ODI 10782470
Engine
Just got my car back mid february after the timing chain broke. The signs at that time were ck engine light service traction and service esc. Gm dealership replaced the engine with a brand new one. Its still under the 100,000 mile power train warranty. Forward 1 month. Now all lights come on...engine, service traction, service esc and engine power low. Car shakes and wont exceed 10 mph. *tr
ODI 10694412
Electronic Stability Control · Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System
I was driving my 2011 chevrolet malibu at about 40 mph on a fairly busy [redacted]. Without warning the car lost power. A message appeared in the information screen indicating something like "reduced power to the engine". Also, a message indicated that the engine was operating under reduced power mode because i needed to service esc, and the engine light was displayed as well on the dashboard. I was fortunately able…
ODI 10692104
Engine
Tl*the contact owns a 2011 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving at 40 mph, the vehicle jerked and stalled. The contact also stated that reduced engine power was displayed across the message board and the traction control warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the throttle body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer…
ODI 10691925