Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Chevrolet Malibu owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at 30 mph, the contact avoided hitting a dog that was on the road, but the brakes failed and the vehicle crashed into a porch. None of the air bags deploy upon impact. The contact received medical attention after his head hit the steering wheel upon impact. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The contact replaced the CAM sensor, intake, radiator, and front end body, and on three separate occasions, the brakes were replaced. However, the failure recurred. Additionally, the accelerator pedal would go to the floorboard and the vehicle would stall. The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) warning light and a "Reduced Power" warning message were displayed. The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. …
On [redacted] around 1pm me and my mom were in a bad accident we were driving on [redacted] 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 . …
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!! …
About 8 weeks ago first my driver side speaker in the front went out then my passenger low beam light had went out and I had replaced twice then my AC quit working. I thought it was a fuse or battery or alternator issue even checked if it was it a relay fuse and it was not. Then my dash lit up ESC off and then my back driver side brake has been locked up and squealing really bad than my power steering light came on and it's really hard to turn all of this happened within three weeks and when I looked up recalls and special warranties, my car had a few so I called GM and a couple of dealerships a few times and they have been extremely rude and unhelpful because this is not a wear and tear issue or it being 10 years old. This is clearly a sensor issue that was recalled and had a special warranty for. …
While driving down the road my power steering went out , driver side head light and it was like my breaks tried to lock up on me when I would press on them. I was driving down the interstate and pretty much had zero control of my car . Very scary. While trying to slow down and get off the interstate it's like it all just turned back on I had power steering back but my head light stayed out. So I went and purchased a new one put it in worked drove 2 miles up the road head light right back off. Something is going on with my ESC control system and power steering. I could have been really hurt or could have hurt someone.
Rear window brake light stays illuminated have to keep raising the brake pad up to get it to go off and in the daytime you arent able to see it. The alarm system is not allowing the car to start correctly. It is very frustrating to have to remove battery cables in many circumstances in order to operate the vehicle. These are all issues that occur many times for over a year. not just an isolated account.
4/16/2018) Codes pulled 16188 Brake Lamp Malfunction, 13036D, and 13036C. Code 16188 was repaired and replaced by the Chevrolet dealership. A warning code would show on the dashboard then brake lights would show that the brakes are being applied at all times while driving or not show when braking.
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???
While driving my 2011 Chevrolet Malibu ltz, I experienced brake failure. This failure was only temporary; while driving approaching a stop light, I went the apply the brakes and the pedal had almost no pressure. It almost went the the floor before I began pumping the brakes. Unfortunately this did not work, which LED to my car rear ending the vehicle in front of me. After bringing the vehicle to a stop, I made my best attempt to inspect the brakes and brake fluid, and noticed almost nothing. The only thing I had noticed was slight low brake fluid. After further research, I read a few complaints related to both electronic power steering rack issues, and brake failure. Both of these which I experienced. All of which happened at speeds below 40 MPH on a city street
Saturday around about 2 pm on 2/2/2019. In vehicle traveling in left lane on highway 72. Vehicles were at complete stop at traffic light. When the traffic light changed and the vehicles began to move about low MPH to gradually flowing with moving traffic. I removed my foot from brake my vehicle initiated an acceleration. It seemed strange since the vehicle completely stopper on a slight incline. My vehicle propelled without the help of acceleration as traffic were at low MPH. My vehicle suspension changed in steeling off into the median from left lane going down hill unable brake or to control the steering. It happened suddenly hitting the raised concert median my car and I went airborne. Injury to my head, aggravated neck cervical, spine, hip and legs. Airbag failed to deploy vehicle totaled. The on-star failed to operate. Thank god for dispatching his angels around me. …
Brake complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 44 complaints about the brakes of the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu, 4% of the model year's 978 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2011 Chevrolet Malibu brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2011 Chevrolet Malibu brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 9 crashes, 0 fires and 7 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.