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2011 Chevrolet Malibu: check engine light

111 of the 978 complaints about the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu describe check engine light.

owner complaints
111
of this car's complaints
11%
typical repair cost reported
$733
typical mileage
72,533
recalls
0
Is there a fix? 209 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Check engine light by model year

What owners say

Filed Feb 9, 2026 · Transmission · 30,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35–40 MPH, the vehicle experienced transmission failure. The contact stated that the RPM was elevated while driving, and the transmission shifted abnormally rough. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the transmission was rebuilt. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by the local dealer. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000.

Filed Mar 2, 2023 · Steering · 200,000 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently stopped without depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, the contact stated that while making a sharp left or right turn, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The power steering assist warning light, the check engine warning light, the ESC warning light, and the traction control warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to Napa Auto Parts to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the power steering pump needed to be replaced. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

Filed Jan 25, 2023 · Steering · 135,000 miles · IA

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the power steering assist intermittently failed to operate as needed. The contact also stated that the check engine warning light illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed him that a diagnostic test needed to be performed to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.

Filed May 8, 2022 · Transmission · WV

The transmission has a rough shift in third and fifth. It won't down shift when slowing down. It was confirmed from a independent service center. There was no warning when it did it the check engine light came on. There is many people with the same complaint with the transmission being faulty. My safety and others was at risk because the car would not down shift and come to a stop.

Filed Feb 9, 2022 · Electrical, Fuel system · MN

MAP sensor was physically broken and replaced during a particularly cold snap (below -10 degrees F), but the check engine light and "Service ESC," "Service Traction," and "ESC off" messages continued to appear in the following weeks. Acceleration repeatedly dropped off for a split second, and would continue to dip and return until I let off the accelerator and tried again. This acceleration problem always coincided with the three ESC/Traction messages listed above, and happened multiple times every time I drove it. During a second trip to the mechanic, some "frayed wiring" was replaced and the throttle relearned, but the symptoms continued as before, prior to the MAP sensor replacement and the wiring repair. The symptoms progressed to delayed, pulsing acceleration, not just dropping out. The following week, the power steering went out while driving, preceded by a gentle automated jerking on the steering wheel upon startup. The mechanic confirmed that it was electrical, nothing wrong with the physical components.

Filed Aug 31, 2021 · Engine, Fuel system · 153,400 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic and was diagnosed with needing the fuel pump replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 153,400.

Filed May 15, 2021 · Brakes, Electrical · 99,021 miles · DC

Car had ABS light come on mentime them check engine light light come on then ABS light come on

Filed Apr 12, 2021 · Electrical, Seats · 100,100 miles · OH

Power seat weld and frame broke electrical problem check engine light comes on nothing wrong mirror power adjusting does not work

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!!!!!

Filed Dec 24, 2020 · Engine · 98,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the reduce engine warning light was illuminated and the vehicle began to decelerate independently. The vehicle was turned off and restarted and driven to her destination. The contact stated she had experienced the failure multiple times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the throttle positioning sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the control computer panel needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.

Filed Sep 27, 2020 · Airbags, Electrical · 54,830 miles · WI

I bought my first car from a small dealership and within the last 35 days the alternator, battery, shocks, fuel pump and now the engine light is on....when you are driving it seems like the car don't want to go into gear. And when it finally goes into gear it jerks you. Also the electrical and temperature gage, the lights on dash board go in and out you can hear a faint noise coming from the dome light. Temperature gage stayed at cold when driving the vehicle around. Took car for a ride the next day and right away when driving it went about a quarter above cold???

Filed Feb 15, 2020 · Driver assistance, Lights · CA

The ESC turns off pretty much every time I drive the car. Last monday the check engine light came on when the transmission was slipping m. The the transmission would no longer shift and the solenoid is stuck open while driving home from work. Prompting the dealership to try and sell me a whole new $5,000 trans. When the car only has 130,000 miles on it. The transmission has been running slow on acceleration but has never been stuck in first gear leaving me left on the side of the road waiting for help to come get me. The headlight burn out like every 6 months resulting in taking off the bumper or paying $200 from the dealership for a $5 bulb. I have no pictures since my car is at the dealership waiting for me to either go get or pay for the transmission.

Questions about the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu check engine light

Is check engine light a common problem on the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu?

111 of 978 owner complaints about the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu (11%) mention check engine light. The model year with the most reports is 2016.

How much does it cost to fix check engine light on the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu?

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $733 (median of 12 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu?

There are 0 recalls and 209 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu

Headlights 128Loss of power 107Power steering loss 67Stalling 56Airbag light 49Jerking 38Won't start 30Transmission failure 25Engine failure 24Steering lock-up 24Fuel pump 23Warning lights 22No deployment 16Won't shift 15ABS 13Adaptive cruise 11Harsh shifting 10Hesitation 10Wipers 10Fire or smoke 9Sudden acceleration 9Door locks 7Pulling 7Ball joint 6Brake failure 6Overheating 6Seat belt 6Slipping 6Grinding brakes 5

All model years of the Chevrolet Malibu

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