I am reporting a serious safety issue involving my 2011 Chevrolet Malibu LS related to the electronic stability control (ESC), traction control, and electric power steering systems. My vehicle is currently experiencing the following problems: * “Service ESC” warning message * “ESC Off” displayed * Traction control disabled * Electric power steering warning * Airbag warning light illuminated These issues occur while driving and directly impact the vehicle’s safety systems and handling. I am aware of a prior safety recall issued by General Motors under Recall Number 13036, which involves electrical wiring, the body control module (BCM), and brake assist system (BAS). According to the recall, this defect can result in the loss of electronic stability control, traction control, and other critical safety features. My vehicle is experiencing the exact same symptoms described in Recall #13036, including the disabling of ESC and traction control systems. However, I have been informed that my VIN may not be included in this recall, despite the identical safety-related failures. This presents a significant safety risk because: * Electronic stability control and traction control systems are not functioning * Steering assist may be compromised * Crash avoidance and braking support features may be disabled I am requesting that this issue be investigated and that consideration be given to expanding Recall #13036 to include additional affected vehicles like mine, as this appears to be a widespread defect. This condition poses a serious risk to driver and passenger safety, thank you so much you can contact me back via email [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2011 Chevrolet Malibu seat belts problems
53 complaints (5% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 72,824. 5 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 53
- of this car's complaints
- 5%
- typical mileage
- 72,824
- crashes
- 5
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Front: anchorage1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Chevrolet Malibu seat belts problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu seat belts
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Seat belts
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured April 8, 2010, to October 11, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the flexible steel cables that connect the seat belts to the vehicle at the outside of the driver seat and the front passenger seat may be bent from being sat on while entering the vehicle. This repeated bending may result in the cable breaking.
- Risk
- If the cable breaks, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the outboard lap anchor mounting bracket and inspect the flexible steel cable, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on November 16, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020. GM's number for this recall is 15031.
Recall number 15V269000 · Recall details
What 2011 Chevrolet Malibu owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
On [XXX] around 1pm me and my mom were in a bad accident we were driving on [XXX] through Columbus Ohio to go down to Kentucky we were at least 50 feet from the truck that was pulling a camper when all of sudden the camper had no brake lights and was not moving my mom pushed the brake all the way to the floor you could feel the car trying to stop but it wasn’t stopping we were only going 25 and should have been able to stop . But we didn’t by till we were in the camper bumper driver side airbag went off but mine in the passenger seat didn’t forcing my head to fly forward then back my seat belt locked to hard I felt I couldn’t breath and I had just had my appendix removed two days before the accident I was screaming in pain I was later on took to the hospital to make sure I was not bleeding on the inside I now sit in my bed feeling hopeless in so much pain . Since I was been laying in bed I Kelly blue booked our 2011 Chevy Malibu to see what I could possibly get from it but then found out there was not one but three recalls Airbag, brakes, and seat belts but I was never notified i did some more digging and found out these are all new my question is why was I never notified about this we have had this car five years and I found all these recalls going all the back to 2020 and we have had it since 2021. I blame Chevy for my car accident they failed to tell me something major was wrong with my brakes and airbag. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving at approximately 60 MPH and turning the steering wheel to the left to enter the left lane, the steering wheel was difficult to operate. The contact used extra effort while turning the steering wheel to keep from crashing into the highway barrier. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to exit the highway and stopped the vehicle. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and the power steering functionality returned. The contact stated that later in the day the failure reoccurred. The contact repeated the process and the vehicle regained power steering functionality. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred a third time however, after turning off and restarting the power steering functionality had not returned. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the power steering torque angle sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that the seat belt warning light was illuminating with the seat belt securely buckled. The contact stated that the seat belt warning light was illuminated with the seat belt buckled. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the steel cable used to anchor the front driver’s side lap seat belt had fractured. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V269000 (Seat Belts). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Driverside Airbag light will come on with Service Airbag message. This does occasionally turn off but comes back for days or weeks at a time. Driver side seatbelt light will randomly come on and stay on or turn off. Both airbag and seatbelt light may be on at the same time. If they are all off or the airbag light turns off it's only for a day or two. Most of the time it will be the airbag light only that is on and tends to stay on longer than seatbelt light.
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the driver’s side seat belt lap strap had separated from the floor anchor bolt. The contact stated that the lap belt failed to properly restrain the driver while seated. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was previously serviced under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V269000 (Seat Belts). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 66,800.
While my seatbelt is fastened the seatbelt notification goes off as if its not fastened. Also as I'm accelerating it's like my car struggles to get to 40 MPH. Sometimes I have to give it a little more gas for it to go over 40
When the car in motion. The steering makes a loud noise when turning the wheel. And the air bag indicator just popped on. Stating service the vehicle.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 chevrolet malibu. While the vehicle was at a standstill, the seat belt cable fractured. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v269000 (seat belts). The vehicle was taken to gateway chevrolet cadillac (located at 501 38th st s, fargo, nd 58103, (701) 282-5522) where it was diagnosed that the pretension cable needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 97,000.
These are recalls that I was never made aware of and have not been repaired.
Questions about the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu seat belts
Does the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu have seat belts problems?
Owners have filed 53 complaints about the seat belts of the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu, 5% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2011 Chevrolet Malibu seat belts problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 72,824 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu seat belts?
Yes, 1 recall: 15V269000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Chevrolet Malibu have the most seat belts problems?
The Chevrolet Malibu model years with the most seat belts complaints are 2011 (53 complaints), 2012 (47 complaints) and 1998 (24 complaints).
Other 2011 Chevrolet Malibu problems
Electrical 235Steering 214Driver assistance 183Engine 172Lights 130Transmission 112Airbags 93Acceleration 87Brakes 44Seats 38Fuel system 37Body 19Visibility 14Suspension 11Wheels 11Tires 6Locks 2
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