2011 Chevrolet Malibu Engine Problems

Car started to loose power and wanted to cut off had to drive with both feet put in the shop a few times but couldn't find any wrong finally stopped driving it and then I started back to driving it and still doing the same thing, finally the motor went out.Have notice more Malibu's in this area and surroundings area having problems with the motor.

- Reduced engine power, appears on the dashboard. The motor begins to shake, slow down excessively if I'm driving on the highway, and needs to be shut off to reset the computer. Yes, this is available for inspection. However, We are going to try to fix this ASAP, as I drive an hour to and from work each day, this isn't safe, I'm stressed out as soon as I think about driving, and I am worried I'll get stranded on the side of the road. . This puts me and others at risk, because I can be going 70 mph and the alarm goes off and I instantly slow down from 70 to about 30 mph, I need to immediately get to the side of the road, or I might not be able to move out of the way of traffic. I am unable to use the accelerator at this time if I needed to get to a more safe location. This can happen zero times, to 5 times, per my morning drives to work. I need to pull over, put my flashers on, turn off my car, and hope that it resets right away and I can continue my drive. Other times, I need to let it sit at least 5 minutes before the reduced engine power warning goes off. - There were no warnings. It first happened just putting the vehicle into reverse in our driveway. Now it happens when I am driving. We just bought this vehicle used from the GM dealership with no warranty. It is a 2011 Malibu with only 90,000 miles on it. This can happen going from park to reverse, to going highway speeds.

My vehicle battery light came on around 3 weeks ago. I thought my battery was going bad, since I had it for 2 yrs( I bought it from AutoZone 2 yrs ago w/ 2 yrs warranty). But instead it completely stopped and won't start. I had it towed and was told the timing chain broke in the engine and that I need a whole new engine (something I can't afford being on disability). So I am not only seeking if there is a recall with the engine, but if other drivers are having this same issue with their 2011 Malibu. I have about 77,000 miles on it. I'm having a hard time getting to my doctor's appt and picking up my grandkids from school. If nothing shows up, can you please reach out to GM to see if they can give me a discount/rebate to help me get my vehicle fixed. I'm desperate right now. Thank you for your time

My car stopped running at 78,500 miles. I had it diagnosed twice and I was told the engine needs to be replaced. Even though I bought the vehicle (brand new) in 2010, how can the engine be bad because on the website it states that if the vehicle has more than 100,000 miles then it's possible for that to happen. I am the only owner of the vehicle. I would like to know if other vehicles like mine are having the same issue and if possible, can I get a warranty, or recall to fix it ( or a Chevy dealer to pay for it, or at least half). I am on a fixed income and I really need my car fixed to get to my doctor's appt. And the first sign I got was when it was ticking, like a bomb and the ESC feature with the tire service and that happened for a couple of months. Then the battery light came on , but my battery was actually good ( had it for 2 years). The ticking became persistent. But previously, my vehicle was involved in an accident in2023. My vehicle was parked and was hit on the driver's side front bumper/fender. The other driver insurance (State Farm) paid for the repairs but my vehicle was riding like sideways (it was pulling to the right). I went back twice to have them to check it because it was still not right. But I believe they only did the cosmetic work on the outside, but didn't check on the inside and that hit may have shifted the engine under the hood. I'm at my wits end because of this and I would truly like to have some much needed help on getting my vehicle fixed.

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds in inclement weather, the vehicle displayed DCT: P2138, causing the vehicle to lunge forward, then remain idle for several seconds, before accelerating forward. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that water was intruding into the throttle wiring. The contact was informed that there was no recall for the failure; however, the failure was related to service bulletin NHTSA Campaign Number: 10139090 (Electrical System, Engine). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage 100,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE ENGINE DISABLED MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LOSE ALL POWER. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO COAST OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE ENGINE, BUT IT FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO OZARK CHEVROLET (1020 N 18TH ST, OZARK, MO 65721, (417) 297-0091) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN SYSTEM FAILED AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE REPAIR FEES. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SAME DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS FOR A PERIOD OF THREE TO SIX MONTHS FOR NOT OPERATING CORRECTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 136,000.

EVERY TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED THE CAR HAS BEEN IN MOTION. 3 TIMES WITHIN A YEAR THIS CAR HAS JUST DIED ON ME. HAVE ALL POWER TO DASHBOARD LIGHTS AND RADIO BUT THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF AND WONT RESTART. FIRST TIME I WAS TOLD IT WAS LOW ON OIL. SECOND TIME IT SAT FOR 2 DAYS AND CRANKED RIGHT UP. 3RD TIME THE PLENUM ON THE EGR VALVE WAS CLEANED. IT SEEMS ODD TO ME THAT THESE 3 THINGS WOULD ALL CAUSE THE SAME EXACT ISSUE. THANKFULLY IT HAS NOT HAPPENED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND WAS ABLE TO COAST OUT OF THE ROAD

MY 2011 CHEVY MALIBU WITH 2.4 ECOTEC JUST BROKE A TIMING CHAIN GUIDE. 67,000 MILES. WAS GETTING THE P0016 AND P0017 CRANK / CAM CORRELATION CODES. MAN AM I TICKED!! I BOUGHT THIS CAR WITH 18,000 MILES ALWAYS CHANGED OIL. GM WILL DO NOTHING!! I HAVE OWNED A 2001 SATURN L200 THAT BROKE A TIMING CHAIN WITH 106,000 MILES AND CRASHED THE HEAD. GM WOULD DO NOTHING!! I HAD A CUTLASS SUPREME AND CUTLASS SIERRA IN THE 90'S. BOTH OF THESE CARS HAD THE OUTER HARMONIC BALANCER RING JUST COME UN-GLUED AND FALL OFF! GM DID NOTHING. THIS IS THE LAST STRAW FOR ME , I AM NOW FOCUSED ON HONDA WHO ACTUALLY CARES ABOUT RELIABILITY!!!!!

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE SPUTTERED AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WAS DEFECTIVE AND LOCATED DIAGNOSTIC CODE NUMBER: P2135. THE CONTACT MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE REPAIRS TO BE PERFORMED AT DAVE GILL CHEVROLET (4700 E BROAD ST, COLUMBUS, OH 43213, (614) 364-4376) ON JANUARY 15, 2019. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST SINCE THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SHEPHERDS CHEVROLET BUICK (1520 E 9TH ST, ROCHESTER, IN 46975, 574-223-2136) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO CALL NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 94,000.

IT IS NOTED THAT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD ON THE 3.3 L FOUR-CYLINDER ENGINES FOR YEARS HAVE A CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD THERE BY LEACHING CARBON MONOXIDE INTO THE CAB INTERIOR OF SAID AUTOMOBILES. PARTS OF CARBON MONOXIDE HAVE BEEN NOTED TO BE 20 TO 30 PPM WHEN READINGS HAVE BEEN DONE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE MADE A POPPING SOUND AND STOPPED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED TO APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH AND THE STEERING LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOUSE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CALLED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,661.

SOMETIMES AT STOPS (STATIONARY) , CAR STALLS, COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT..IT WILL START AGAIN WHEN IGNITION IS TURNED ON AGAIN AS IF NOTHING WAS WRONG.

THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKED ALLOWING EXHAUST GASES INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.

AT APPROXIMATELY 85000 MILES THE TIMING CHAIN WENT OUT OF THE ENGINE, THIS IS A NONE ISSUE WITH THESE ENGINES AND AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR AT THAT. THIS EFFECTS SEVERAL GM VEHICLES AT 85000 MILES THE TIMING CHAIN SHOULD NOT OF BEEN BAD SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS THIS HAPPENED AS WE WERE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL

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.

TIMING CHAIN, ENGINE NOISE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE STATIONARY, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WHEN PROMPTED. A DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,000.

ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE ENGINE STARTED TO LOSE POWER GOING UP A HILL AND THEN LOST ALL POWER AS WE WERE ABLE TO MAKE IT OFF TO AN EXIT RAMP. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP SINCE WE WERE IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE DRIVING HOME. AUTO MECHANIC SAID THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE AND THE ENTIRE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. LUCKILY THERE WASN'T MUCH TRAFFIC OTHERWISE IT COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE. NO OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR IN 6 YEARS AND ONLY 66,000 MILES. HAVE HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING ON OTHER MALIBUS. ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS FOR THIS TO HAPPEN ON A NEW CAR.