Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Electrical System (23.5% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.
Electrical System complaints here are 2.2× the median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.
2 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 4 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 229 · 23.5% | Recalled | Recall 14V252000 |
| Steering | 211 · 21.6% | Recalled | Recall 14E044000 |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | 174 · 17.8% | No official action | — |
| Engine | 160 · 16.4% | No official action | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 123 · 12.6% | No official action | — |
| Power Train | 110 · 11.3% | No official action | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 976 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 19V019000 · 2019 · reported 01/16/2019
If the inflator explodes, sharp metal fragments may strike the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 14V252000 · 2014 · reported 05/14/2014
Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 14E044000 · 2014 · reported 07/21/2014
A joint bearing that fails prematurely may cause separation of the u-joint resulting in a complete loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 15V269000 · 2015 · reported 05/08/2015
If the cable breaks, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
“I PURCHASED MY 2011 MALIBU IN APRIL 2012. INITIALLY, I WAS EXPERIENCING POWER SURGES UPON BREAKING. I WAS SLOWING DOWN TO COME TO A COMPLETE…”NHTSA complaint 10576876 — filed 04/02/2014 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND ALL THE DASH WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. THE CAR SLOWED DOWN AND THE STEERING BEGAN TO SHAKE. I'M HAVING…”NHTSA complaint 10573676 — filed 03/20/2014 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL…”NHTSA complaint 10568206 — filed 03/10/2014 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Electrical system issues are the most-reported category, cited in 229 of 976 NHTSA complaints (23.5%), followed by steering (211), electronic stability control (esc) (174), engine (160). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
976 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 40 involved a crash, 17 involved a fire, and 41 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Yes — 4 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 19V019000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
2 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
