Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (buckles, retractors, anchors and pretensioners).
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 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. …
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 . …
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 NHTSA 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.
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 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 NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V269000 (Seat Belts). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
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. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving at approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact noticed that there was smoke coming from the vehicle and then the vehicle caught fire. The contact mentioned that the fire initiated on the trunk near the fuse box. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was also included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 15V269000 (seat belts) and 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control) but the remedy was not available for several months. The approximate failure mileage was 119,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving approximately 20 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the contact's vehicle on the front passenger side. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries to the back, neck, leg, and arms, which continuously required medical treatment. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot and was deemed destroyed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 7,900.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 20 MPH, the contact's vehicle was rear ended by another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy and the seat belt did not properly restrain the contact. The contact sustained a head injury that required medical attention. A police report was filed and the vehicle was towed. The failure mileage was 60,000.
The seat belts on this vehicle have some issues. I was involved in a wreck lately and I was hurt really bad from the seat belt on the Chevy . The seat belt dinted into my body causing some really bad pain when the accident occurred.
Related recalls
Seat belts
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…
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.
Seat Belt complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are seat belt problems on the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 53 complaints about the seat belts of the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu, 5% of the model year's 978 complaints. The component named most often is front › anchorage (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Chevrolet Malibu seat belt problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 15V-269 (seat belts, May 8, 2015). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2011 Chevrolet Malibu seat belt problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 73,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 1 fire and 5 injuries to seat belts 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.