2011 Chevrolet Malibu acceleration problems

Filed Jun 15, 2026 · Acceleration, Electrical · 122,000 miles · KS

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 was activated and the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated. The contact stated that the gear shifter was able to be moved without the brake pedal being depressed. The cause of the failures were not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failures, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 122,000.

Filed Jan 27, 2025 · Acceleration, Steering · MO

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.

Filed Mar 21, 2023 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 168,000 miles · KY

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The vehicle was previously serviced under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V252000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting, Vehicle Speed Control, Electronic Stability Control). The contact stated that on various occasions while driving at various speeds, the traction control and power steering disengaged independently as the "Reduced Engine Power" warning message was displayed and the vehicle decelerated to 10 MPH. The contact also stated that the brake lights flickered intermittently without depressing 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 failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 168,000.

Filed Sep 18, 2022 · Acceleration, Brakes · KS

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???

Filed Aug 30, 2022 · Acceleration, Engine · 100,000 miles · ID

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds in inclement weather, the vehicle displayed DCT: P2138, causing the vehicle to lunge forward, then remain idle for several seconds, before accelerating forward. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that water was intruding into the throttle wiring. The contact was informed that there was no recall for the failure; however, the failure was related to service bulletin the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 10139090 (Electrical System, Engine). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage 100,000.

Filed Jul 10, 2022 · Acceleration, Engine · NY

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.

Filed Feb 4, 2022 · Acceleration, Electrical · IL

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

Filed Jul 23, 2021 · Acceleration, Brakes · KY

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!

Filed Feb 16, 2021 · Acceleration · 63,458 miles · MO

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?

Filed Feb 7, 2021 · Acceleration · 109,000 miles · IA

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!!!!!