2011 Chevrolet Cruze vs 2011 Chevrolet Malibu
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Sep 21, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2011 Chevrolet Cruze | 2011 Chevrolet Malibu |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 732 | 977 |
| Recall campaigns | 7 | 3 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 1,658 | 1,305 |
| Investigations | 2 | 0 |
| Crash reports | 38 | 40 |
| Fire reports | 20 | 17 |
| NCAP overall rating | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 26–29 | 20–26 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 58,139 mi | 80,578 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Chevrolet Cruze | Chevrolet Malibu |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 257 | 160 |
| Electrical System | 96 | 235 |
| Power Train | 193 | 112 |
| Steering | 48 | 213 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 75 | 174 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 70 | 87 |
| Exterior Lighting | 7 | 130 |
| Air Bags | 40 | 93 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Check engine light | 68 | 70 |
| Stalling | 58 | 64 |
| Overheating | 52 | 0 |
| Hesitation / surging | 50 | 17 |
| Loss of power | 35 | 70 |
| Shifting problems | 18 | 0 |
| Vibration / shaking | 16 | 61 |
| Brake problems | 14 | 0 |
2011 Chevrolet Cruze
2011 Chevrolet Malibu
Compare all Chevrolet Cruze vs Chevrolet Malibu years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.