IllustrationTAMARA RECALL I WAS TOLD I THAT IF I HAD GOTTEN INTO A ACCIDENT THAT THE AIRBAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY PROPERLY AND IT'S GOING TO COST ME THOUSANDS TO HAVE IT REPAIRED .... THIS HAS TO BE A MANUFACTURING ERROR
2012 Chevrolet Malibu
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Malibu years
Owner complaints for the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu are substantially higher than the model-year median of 310.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Malibu years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
880–25K
7125–50K
11250–75K
12475–100K
187100–150K
64150K+
646 reports with mileage · 260 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 290 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Exterior Lighting. Review the 202 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 191 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
50 crash reports13 fire reports27 injury reports
Air Bags complaints
101 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.
AIRBAG READINESS ERROR B0014 INDICATOR COMES ON WHEN VEHICLE IS STARTED. IT BEEPS 3 TIMES AND THE LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED EVEN AFTER PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN MOTION. PREVIOUS RECALL REPAIR ON SEATBELT TENSIONERS AND AIRBAG SYSTEM. RECORDS AVAILABLE IN CHEVY MAINTENANCE HISTORY.
MY CAR WON'T GO WHEN STEPPING ON THE GAS PEDDLE IN DRIVE. WHEN I STOP AT THE LIGHT OR TO BRAKE THE CAR WON'T GO WHEN PUSHING THE GAS PEDDLE IN DRIVE IT DOESN'T DO ANYTHING. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED 2X DUE TO THIS ISSUE. I ONLY HAVE 67K MILES ON THIS CAR. I'VE BEEN TOLD IT'S THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AND NEED A NEW ONE. THIS SH…
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MY CAR WON'T GO WHEN STEPPING ON THE GAS PEDDLE IN DRIVE. WHEN I STOP AT THE LIGHT OR TO BRAKE THE CAR WON'T GO WHEN PUSHING THE GAS PEDDLE IN DRIVE IT DOESN'T DO ANYTHING. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED 2X DUE TO THIS ISSUE. I ONLY HAVE 67K MILES ON THIS CAR. I'VE BEEN TOLD IT'S THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AND NEED A NEW ONE. THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING WITH THE CAR. THIS IS DANEGEROUS AND UNABLE TO DRIVE AT THIS POINT. THE DEALER WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I SHOULD STILL HAVE THE WARRANTY OF DRIVER TRAIN AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE. I'VE READ SEVERAL COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME EXACT CAR HAVING THIS ISSUE OBVIOUSLY IT'S A DEFECT. I WANT TO CONTACT GM ABOUT THIS I WAS ALMOST KILLED WHEN MY CAR WON'T GO STUCK AT A INTERSECTION. ALSO THE RECALL ON MY SEATBELT : STEERING THE DEALER IS SAYING NO ACTIVE RECALLS WHICH THERE IS. I'M GETTING FRUSTRATED WITH THESE ISSUES AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE. I'M REACHING OUT TO EVERY ENTITY POSSIBLE BEFORE SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ME OR SOMEONE ELSE WITH THIS FAULTY CAR. THE AIRBAG FAULT LIKE OCCASIONALLY COMES ON FOR NO REASON AT ALL, THEN GOES OFF THEN COMES BACK ON. THESE ARE ISSUES THAT THE GM NEEDS TO RECTIFY. AFTER READING ONLINE ABOUT THE MANY SAME ISSUES THE 2012 MALIBU HAS GM NEEDS TO INTERVENE AND HELP THE OWNERS GET THESE FAULTS FIXED. THERE ARE WAY TOO MANY ONLINE COMPLAINTS. [XXX] PLEASE HELP INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. UPDATED 01/25/2017*CT UPDATED 6/29/18*JB
TAKATA RECALL- SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY.
TAKATA RECALL - I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT ON JULY, 12 ON HWY 40 IN ST. LOUIS MO. BOTH OFFICERS ON THE SCENE AND THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SAID THE AIR BAG SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. I WAS GOING ABOUT 40 MPH ON THE HWY, I RAN INTO THE BACK OF A VAN, I WAS THE LAST CAR OF 4 CARS .
TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 35MPH ON A CITY STREET. 2003 FORD PICKUP PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF OUR CAR. WE HIT DRIVERS FRONT FENDER. OUR CAR VEERED OFF OF TRUCK ROLLING ONTO DRIVERS SIDE UPRIGHTING BACK ONTO WHEELS AND STOPPED WHEN IT HIT A BARRIER FENCE WHILE CROSSING THREE TRAFFIC LANES OF THE FOUR LANE ROAD.
WHILE ON A TRIP THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS WHILE ON VACATION. THIS HAPPENED IN MAY 2016 AND ALSO MAY 2015 WHILE ON VACATION. I CHECKED ON LINE AND IT STATES THE AIR BAG IS DISABLED WHEN THE LEARNING LIGHT COMES ON. ON LINE IT STATED BACK IN 2004-UP THROUGH 2012 THEY HAD SEVERAL COMPLAIN…
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WHILE ON A TRIP THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS WHILE ON VACATION. THIS HAPPENED IN MAY 2016 AND ALSO MAY 2015 WHILE ON VACATION. I CHECKED ON LINE AND IT STATES THE AIR BAG IS DISABLED WHEN THE LEARNING LIGHT COMES ON. ON LINE IT STATED BACK IN 2004-UP THROUGH 2012 THEY HAD SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THIS, THEY FOUND A PROBLEM WITH THE WIRING HARNESS AND HAD TO DO UPGRADE CALLED A SOFT RECALL.I CALLED ON STAR AND ASKED ABOUT RECALLS REGARDING THE WARNING LIGHT FOR AIR BAG, THEY SAID NO RECALL ON THAT. I REQUESTED A CASE BE OPENED ON 6-2-2016 AND HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING. WHY WOULD THIS WARNING LIGHT COME ON FOR A WEEK EVERY MAY? WE DO SEVERAL MILES OF TRAVELING MOSTLY LESS THAN 300 ONE WAY TRIPS YET IT HAS ONLY COME ON IN MAY. I CALLED MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID NO RECALL ON THAT WARNING LIGHT EITHER. PREVIOUSLY I HAD A 2009 MALIBU WHICH I PURCHASED MAINLY BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY OF ALL THE AIRBAGS. IF I OR MAY PASSENGER IS IN DANGER AT ANY TIME WITH THE AIRBAG DISABLED IT'S NOT SAFE, PERIOD.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE SERVICE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMAT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE SERVICE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 08/03/16*LJ ACCORDING TO THE REPAIR INVOICE, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG COIL FAILED. UPDATED 08/10/16.*JB
Official recalls
215V269000 · Seat Belts
May 8, 2015
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured April 8, 2010, to October 11, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the flexible steel cables that connect the seat belts to the vehicle at the outside of the driver seat and the front passenger seat may be bent from being sat on while entering the vehicle. This repeated bending may result in the cable breaking.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the cable breaks, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the outboard lap anchor mounting bracket and inspect the flexible steel cable, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on November 16, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15031.
14V252000 · Electrical System:wiring; Electronic Stability Control (esc); Exterior Lighting:brake Lights; Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch; Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control
May 14, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.
Additional source detail variants (5)
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.
Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.
Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.
Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.
Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.
Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.
Electrical System:wiring
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.
Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.