2011 Chevrolet Malibu: Transmission went out broken gear
Common wear/failure (not a recall)
Symptoms
Owners of the 2011 Malibu report: transmission went out broken gear. CarComplaints.com lists 16 owner complaints, average mileage 91,100 miles.
NHTSA has 112 owner complaints for the 2011 Malibu in this area. Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11716754 (filed 02/09/2026): “The contact owns a 2011 chevrolet malibu. the contact stated that while driving approximately 35–40 mph, the vehicle experienced transmission failure. the contact stated that the rpm was elevated while driving, and the transmission shifted abnormally rough. th…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11629065 (filed 12/05/2024): “Multiple times while driving this vehicle, get the message loss of engine power, abs light displays, and steering becomes difficult. will be calling the dealership for repair. once it resolved itself enough to drive over 100 miles after changing the battery, b…”
Likely causes
Sources do not establish a single root cause; diagnosis is needed. Owner-reported fixes are listed below.
Fix, in plain English
Most common owner-reported solutions on CarComplaints.com: rebuild transmission (7 reports) I paid $2535.00 for a rebuild (1 reports) replace solenoids and wave plate (1 reports). Check for open recalls and extended warranty coverage with a dealer before paying out of pocket.
DIY difficulty: Pro
Diagnosis needs a scan tool; repair or replacement needs a lift, transmission jack and the manufacturer's fluid fill/relearn procedure. (Our assessment.)
Cost
CarComplaints.com owners report a typical repair cost of about $2,970 (owner-reported average, not a quote).
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
AutoZone · O'Reilly · Advance · RockAuto
Sources
Page last updated .