Used 2011 Chevrolet Malibu Consumer Reviews
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Don't buy
Tcorker , 04/24/2019
2011 Chevrolet Malibu LT1 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Purchased used with transmission having been previously replaced which should have been my first warning sign. 2 weeks after purchase car fails to start because of the starter wires coming loose. You have to remove the entire front end to relaxed the headlights which is BS all on its own. Transmission failed again at 90,000 miles required complete rebuild. Exhaust manifold split itself in half which is apparently very common in this engine. Random misfires and stalling surfaced after exhaust manifold and transmission replaced required MAF, crank, & O2 sensors to be replaced. Engine continues to sputter at idle. Gas mileage is terrible (15 city / 23 hwy). Currently at 101,000 and trying to sell. Comfortable interior. Looks nice. Will never buy American made again.
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Initially good, eventually very bad - must read!
Chris Warren, 11/06/2015
2011 Chevrolet Malibu LT2 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
6 of 8 people found this review helpful
I had my Malibu 2LT w/ a V6 engine for 9 months. I had it in the shop FIVE times in that period. Once for a piston replacement, once for replacing spark plugs/cylinder coils, once for replacing wiring to cylinders, once for replacing water hose... the list of problems with this car are incredible! On one hand, the V6 has a nice smooth get-up-and-go feel to it. The engine sounds great but never forces the car to lose its composure on the road. The look of the Malibu is sharp - nothing over the top, but enough smooth but pronounced edges to make you have a quick glance. I couldn't believe this was a Chevy at first. But then I spent a lot of time in the car and realized that the seats aren't comfortable (they squeeze and push my arms forward a bit), lumbar support sucks (optional lumbar control is mostly for show and ends up being very bad for your back according to my friend who's a practicing chiropractic). The door materials are cheap and plastic-y, there's a lot of stuff you can tell will break easily. The glove box had numerous scratches from a small handful of passengers getting in/out of the vehicle. Chevy basically did a nice job updating the Malibu but failed to give it real quality interior. The 4-cyl engine MAY be decent - fewer moving parts = fewer things to go wrong. But I ended up with TWO V-6 engines because Jiffy Lube left my oil filter off and my engine seized a couple days later. They paid for the replacement engine, but funny-enough the second V6 has a couple of the same issues within weeks of it being installed! Fortunately they repairs were covered, but I lost two weeks of work over 2 months because of my car problems. Do not buy the V6 engine, as having 2 bad engines (one of which was "re-certified") means this is not a good car to buy to last you several years. Look toward 2013 and newer where the Malibu is getting much better initial quality scores and offers much better interior options.
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Just purchased
chas, 11/01/2010
2011 Chevrolet Malibu LT1 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
6 of 8 people found this review helpful
Just purchased in October 2010. A very pleasant and quiet driving experience especially on smooth roads. Much less quiet on bumpy roads. The car handles beautifully. I am already getting 5 MPH better overall than with my 2003 Buick and i am looking forward for even better mileage as i break it in. Average now is 27 MPG. The bucket seats are not as soft as i am used to but i think i can get used to them. Bluetooth and on star are excellent features and i am already using them.
More than I expected!
hugheskirby, 02/20/2011
2011 Chevrolet Malibu LT1 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
I purchased My Malibu to save money on fuel, and have a comfortable ride. My first stop for gas netted me over 32MPG. This car is very comfortable for me (6'3" and over 280lbs), although the door opening could be a little larger. I am finding the 2.4 4cyl engine to be adequate, but if you want the good MPG, you need to drive it light there is an egg between your foot and the gas pedal.
Longtime GM customer very disappointed.
leftofthenorm, 07/08/2013
updated 07/11/2016
2011 Chevrolet Malibu LT2 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6A)
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
I have owned 3 prior new GM vehicles. This one has been trouble from day 1. First it had rail dust, orange rust spots all over the car in which it took the dealer three times to fix. Then the wheels vibrated, which they never could fix. After spending at least 12 different trips to the dealer, I now have two bent rims. This car gets driven MAYBE twice a week by my wife. I will be trading this car in, and I am very disappointed with this car. Very cramped on the inside, trunk is very short, plastic trim comes off all the time. Exterior badging fell off. Horrible wheels. Horrible (20mpg) gas mileage. I will never buy a GM car again. So many recalls.
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