IllustrationTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,920.
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 reportsMY SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WAS COMING ON EVER SINCE I BOUGHT MY CAR AND I TOOK IT TO KOONS FOR SERVICE AND I WAS TOLD ONE WHEEL WAS MOVING FASTER THEN ANOTHER NOT TO WORRY ABOUT IT THEN ON 06/18/2014 IWAS HIT BY A CHEVY SILVERADO THAT RAN A LIGHT AND I WAS DOING 45 MILES AN HOUR I HAD MY GRANDDAUGHTER IN HER SAFETY SEAT I…
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MY SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WAS COMING ON EVER SINCE I BOUGHT MY CAR AND I TOOK IT TO KOONS FOR SERVICE AND I WAS TOLD ONE WHEEL WAS MOVING FASTER THEN ANOTHER NOT TO WORRY ABOUT IT THEN ON 06/18/2014 IWAS HIT BY A CHEVY SILVERADO THAT RAN A LIGHT AND I WAS DOING 45 MILES AN HOUR I HAD MY GRANDDAUGHTER IN HER SAFETY SEAT IN THE BACK NONE OF MY AIR BAGS WORKED NOR DID MY SEAT BELTS MY GRAND DAUGHTER HIT THE BACK OF THE SEATS.NOW MY CAR IS FLASHING THE CODES AGAIN NOW THAT ITS FIXED AND SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING .ITS PART OF THE GM RECALL FOR THE UPPER WIRE HARNESS BUT THEY ARE SAYING IT ISN'T AND THEY ARE NOT STANDING BUY THE WARRANTY THIS DEFECT ALMOST KILLED US AND STILL IS ALMOST KILLING US BY SHUTTING DOWN WHILE DRIVING SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS COMING ON PLUS AIR BAG LIGHTS SAYING AIR BAGS ARE SHUTTING DOWN .SO THAT MEANS THE AIR BAGS IF WE NEEDED THEM WOULD NOT HELP US AGAIN IF NEEDED.WE WERE VERY BADLY HURT THE LAST TIME AND I NEED GM TO STEP UP AND REIMBURSE US FOR OUR INJURIES AND FOR MAKING US STILL RIDE IN AN UNSAFE CAR THAT THEY NOW IS ON THE RECALL LIST BUT THEY KEEP SAYING ITS NOT.MY CAR IS STILL IN SERVICE AND SERVICE IS SAYING IT IS PART OF THE RECALL BIT GM WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. .. *TR
WE HAVE TALKED TO OUT TWO DIFFERENT CHEVY DEALERS ABOUT THIS AND EVEN WENT THROUGH ARBITRATION OVER OUR AIRBAGS. NOTHING HAS EVER BEEN FOUND TO BE WRONG. THE SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS COME ON AGAIN. I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND THE SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE DISPLAY COME ON MOMENTARILY (ABOUT 60 SECONDS) AND WENT OFF…
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WE HAVE TALKED TO OUT TWO DIFFERENT CHEVY DEALERS ABOUT THIS AND EVEN WENT THROUGH ARBITRATION OVER OUR AIRBAGS. NOTHING HAS EVER BEEN FOUND TO BE WRONG. THE SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS COME ON AGAIN. I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND THE SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE DISPLAY COME ON MOMENTARILY (ABOUT 60 SECONDS) AND WENT OFF. IT CAME ON FOR ABOUT 15 SECONDS AND STARTED FLASHING, THEN IT STAYED SOLID AGAIN. NOW, EVERY TIME I START THE CAR, IT IS ON. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED WHIPLASH WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTRO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED WHIPLASH WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL AND STEERING COLUMN DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE, WHICH LANDED ON THE CONTACT'S LAP. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL AND STEERING COLUMN DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE, WHICH LANDED ON THE CONTACT'S LAP. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT IF THE STEERING AIR BAG DEPLOYED, HE WOULD HAVE SUSTAINED POSSIBLE FATAL INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED BACK BRUISES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000.
2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BODY CONTROL MODULE RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND CAUSED HIM TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER WAS INJURED. THE CONSUMER SENT IN A RECALL NOTICE ALONG WITH HIS COMPLAINT. *JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILUR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
MY SERVICE AIRBAG MESSAGE KEEPS POPPING UP OFF AND ON. IT HAS FOR WEEKS NOW? IT SEEMS THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN ON THE RECALL LIST SEVERAL TIMES FOR DIFFERENT ISSUES? I HAVE KEPT MY VEHICLE MAINTENANCE UP TO DATE AS I SHOULD HOWEVER THINGS LIKE THIS KEEP HAPPENING! NOT TO MENTION THE BUZZING NOISE I BEGAN HEARING IN THE BACK OF THE …
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MY SERVICE AIRBAG MESSAGE KEEPS POPPING UP OFF AND ON. IT HAS FOR WEEKS NOW? IT SEEMS THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN ON THE RECALL LIST SEVERAL TIMES FOR DIFFERENT ISSUES? I HAVE KEPT MY VEHICLE MAINTENANCE UP TO DATE AS I SHOULD HOWEVER THINGS LIKE THIS KEEP HAPPENING! NOT TO MENTION THE BUZZING NOISE I BEGAN HEARING IN THE BACK OF THE CAR A COUPLE MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED IT BUT YOU ALL CLAIMED YOU COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. THIS IS EXTREMELY DISCOURAGING! PLEASE LET US KNOW HOW THESE ISSUES CAN BE TAKEN CARE OF AS THIS IS A HUGE INCONVENIENCE AND EXTREMELY UNSAFE! THANK YOU. *TR
THE SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT CONSTANTLY COMES ON AND OFF, AND TO BE HONEST IT MAKES ME A LITTLE WORRIED. ESPECIALLY WITH ALL THE RECALLS GOING ON. IT WILL COME ON AND STAY ON FOR 5-30 MIN AND GO OFF AND SO ON. WE HAVE OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR AS WELL AND STILL HAVE. VERY UNHAPPY WITH IT. WILL BE HAPPY FOR A NEW VEHICLE. *TR
I WAS REAR ENDED AND THE STEERING WHEEL AND SHAFT COMPLETELY DISLODGED ONTO MY LAP .THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I WAS PUSHED APPROXIMATELY 150 FT. AND THERE WAS NO WAY I COULD HAVE STEERED IF THERE WAS ANOTHER VEHICLE COMING UP THE HIGHWAY. IF AIRBAG WOULD HAVE DEPLOYED THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS INJURY TO MYSELF. *TR
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.