2011 Chevrolet Malibu visibility problems

Filed Nov 17, 2025 · Electrical, Lights · CO

Headlight wiring harness connector has melted multiple times leaving me without low beam headlights while driving at night with my children in the car. This has left me having to use my high beams to drive and this poses as a safety hazard for not only me and my family but other people on the road. This also poses a fire hazard if the plastic connector is getting hot enoughto melt. I have requested warranty replacements for this part through AC Delco and made them aware of the on going problem and informed them that this is a well known issue with this car and that it is extremely dangerous. I have not had the part inspected by a mechanic, insurance company or law enforcement but have the failed part and would be willing to have it inspected by law enforcement or anyone else but can not afford out of pocket expenses to do so. There was no prior warning to this happening any of the times it happened it would be working when I left my house I would stop somewhere turn the car off and when I got back in and started the car they wouldn't turn on. Another time they quit working while driving down the road. The date below is the date that I ordered the first replacement wiring harness it lasted less than 3 months and i had to have it replaced and currently I am dealing with not having low beams again this is the 3rd time I have dealt with this issue and it has been on going since January 2025.

Filed Mar 11, 2023 · Visibility · IL

Sudden and complete loss of windshield wipers while on the interstate in a intense rain storm. Driving the vehicle became impossible and stopping on the shoulder was dangerous because other drivers were dealing with poor vision because of the intense rain and came close to hitting me several times. THIS IS A LIFE THREATENING CONDITION. My research found that this is not an isolated problem as multiple years and models (vans as well cars) are affected. The cause of the failure was caused by failure of the windshield wiper transmission, linkage and bushing that a part of or attached thereto.

Filed Aug 20, 2018 · Visibility · 175,000 miles · MI

Windshield wiper transmission has quit 2 times in 2 1/2 years. The wiper arms can be moved by hand with no resistance. Both times in heavy rain going over 55mph in the dark leaving me with no way to see the road. I had to stop quick to get on the shoulder of the road. The first time I almost got rear ended. 1st time was 12/3/15 this time was 8/17/18. I had it fixed a gm dealer that just happened to be close for $366 the first time-now again???? The equinox had a recall on this I was told. Its crazy the malibu was not included.

Filed Feb 8, 2018 · Visibility · 145,000 miles · MA

On my wiper system I was traveling in a rainstorm and the wiper transmission separated from the motor assembly at the piece attached to the motor halting the wiper assembly from clearing the window this almost caused a crash do to lack of visibility .this occurred on 2/7/2017 . Very dangerous situation please address this part malfunction, it should never separate

Filed Jan 14, 2016 · Electrical, Visibility · 70,000 miles · WI

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the rear window defroster failed. While attempting to replace the fuse, it was discovered that the fuse melted into the fuse panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the fuse panel needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

Filed Mar 3, 2015 · Visibility · 81,875 miles · DE

I was driving northbound on I-95 in the right lane and prior to passing the philadelphia international airport my wipers suddenly stopped functioning while they were in use. I was petrified because water was accumulating rapidly on to my windshield and the motorist whom were passing me increased the danger ten fold because their vehicles were splashing water on to my windshield as well. My visibility went down to about ten percent; however, due to the passing motorist that quickly decreased to zero making it virtually impossible to pull over safely. Furthermore, during the frightening incident I kept my composure and slowed down as much as possible to avoid an accident and for as long as possible until I could proceed to the shoulder. Following this incident my confidence in american automobiles has vanished and as a result I will no longer purchase american manufactured automobiles in the future. Moreover, for those whom might be wondering I own a 2011 chevrolet malibu it had a little less than 82,000 miles on it at the time and no there was nothing obstructing the wipers to cause them to fail at the time.

Filed Jul 18, 2014 · Visibility · 52,000 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the rear window defroster system malfunctioned and would not clear the windows. The failure was recurring. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis where they informed the contact that the rear window defroster connecter was corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 52,000.

Filed May 27, 2014 · Electrical, Visibility · 72,000 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the rear window defogger failed without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the rear fuse box and the wiring harness needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 72,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed May 3, 2014 · Visibility · 87,200 miles · PA

I was driving at highway speed on I-95 in the rain when the windshield wipers suddenly failed. Fortunately, both the rain and traffic were relatively light and I had sufficient visibility to safely exit the highway at the next interchange. Had it happened one day later during the heavy rain, I would not have been so lucky. The failure was the result of the wiper linkage detaching itself from the wiper motor/transmission assembly due to a failure of the plastic ball joint type connector.

Filed Apr 16, 2014 · Visibility · 46,000 miles · NY

Wiper system failed during rain storm. Neither wiper blade moved. Problem was diagnosed as wiper transmission failure. Part cost $135 from the chevrolet dealer plus $150 labor to install. Complete failure of the wiper system without any warning such as slippage should not be possible. I was very lucky to be able to see enough to keep the car straight on the highway and eventually be able to change lanes and pull over.