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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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Electrical System complaints

290 reports
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150,000 miles · Jun 12, 2019
Electrical System

MY DRIVER SIDE LIGHT CONTINUES TO KEEP GOING OUT AFTER A COUPLE WEEKS AND THE BULB IS NOT BLOWING THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE CHEVY MALIBU DEFINITELY NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND FIXED BECAUSE IF YOU DON'T HAVE HEADLIGHTS CAN CAUSE A BAD ACCIDENT. IF YOU HIT A BUMP IT GOES OUT. I WAS ON A BACK ROAD AT NIGHT AND BOTH LIGHTS WEN…

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MY DRIVER SIDE LIGHT CONTINUES TO KEEP GOING OUT AFTER A COUPLE WEEKS AND THE BULB IS NOT BLOWING THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE CHEVY MALIBU DEFINITELY NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND FIXED BECAUSE IF YOU DON'T HAVE HEADLIGHTS CAN CAUSE A BAD ACCIDENT. IF YOU HIT A BUMP IT GOES OUT. I WAS ON A BACK ROAD AT NIGHT AND BOTH LIGHTS WENT OUT ALMOST CAUSING ME TO CRASH

NHTSA ODI #11219408

Mileage unknown · May 16, 2019
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

REPLACED LOW BEAM LIGHTS MULTIPLE TIMES, HAD THE WIRING HARNESS REPLACED DUE TO A SHORTAGE THAT WAS SUPPOSEDLY LEADING TO THE LOW BEAMS LIGHT BLOWING OUT CONSTANTLY. LOW BEAM LIGHTS STILL KEEP GOING OUT. ONGOING ISSUE

NHTSA ODI #11208156

77,100 miles · May 7, 2019
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WAS FAULTY AND WOULD NOT DISPLAY THE CORRECT DATA. PAT O'BRIEN CHEVROLET (3880 PEARL RD, MEDINA, OH 44256, (330) 460-0718) DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MAD…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WAS FAULTY AND WOULD NOT DISPLAY THE CORRECT DATA. PAT O'BRIEN CHEVROLET (3880 PEARL RD, MEDINA, OH 44256, (330) 460-0718) DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,100.

NHTSA ODI #11206095

141,500 miles · May 2, 2019
Electrical System

WITHOUT WARNING THE CLUSTER OF GAUGES START GOING CRAZY AND ALL WARNING LIGHTS ARE ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER STEERING AND VEHICLE SPEED WILL NOT EXCEED 20MPH. EVENTUALLY THE VEHICLE STALLS OUT.

NHTSA ODI #11205291

98,000 miles · May 1, 2019
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

CAR WOULD TURN OVER BUT NOT CRANK. GO BACK A LITTLE LATER AND IT CRANK FINE. AFTER THIS HAPPENING SEVERAL TIMES HAD SOMEONE TAKE A LOOK AT IT AND THERE WAS NO CODES AND THE CAR WOULD CRANK FINE SO COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. THEN WHEN I WAS OUT SOMEWHERE IT WOULD CRANK AND RUN SLUGGISH AND GO DEAD AND AFTER A WHILE IT WOULD CRANK…

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CAR WOULD TURN OVER BUT NOT CRANK. GO BACK A LITTLE LATER AND IT CRANK FINE. AFTER THIS HAPPENING SEVERAL TIMES HAD SOMEONE TAKE A LOOK AT IT AND THERE WAS NO CODES AND THE CAR WOULD CRANK FINE SO COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. THEN WHEN I WAS OUT SOMEWHERE IT WOULD CRANK AND RUN SLUGGISH AND GO DEAD AND AFTER A WHILE IT WOULD CRANK AND RUN. GOT TO RESEARCHING IT AND PEOPLE HAVING SAME PROBLEM. SAID THAT YOU COULD WIGGLE FUEL PUMP RELAY AND IT WOULD CRANK. SURE ENOUGH TRIED THIS AND IT WORKED. I'M PRETTY SURE THIS IS SAME PROBLEM. AND ALSO IF YOU HAD BEEN RUNNING THE CAR AND IT WOULDNT CRANK THE FUEL PUMP RELAY WILL BE HOT WHICH SUGGEST THE WIRING AND OR FUSE BOX IS PROBLEM. PEOPLE TALK ABOUT REPLACING FUEL PUMP , FUSE BOX , AND CHEAP LOW GAUGE WIRING FROM FUEL PUMP TO FUSE BOX. NOW I'M TAKING TO MECHANIC TO TRY TO GET THIS FIXED BEFORE IT CATCHES FIRE AND SOMEONE GETS HURT . TRY TO GET FIXED AND BUY A HONDA OR ANYTHING EXCEPT GM.

NHTSA ODI #11205096

Mileage unknown · Apr 7, 2019
Electrical System

BOTH HEADLIGHTS WILL NOT COME ON (LOW BEAM) HIGH BEAMS WORK FINE. BULBS ARE NEW AND FUSES ARE WORKING JUST FINE..SOMEONE NEEDS TO PUT IN A RECALL BECAUSE I SEE I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS ISSUE..THIS IS RIDICULOUS! CAN'T DRIVE WITHOUT HEADLIGHTS AND CAN'T DRIVE WITH HIGH BEAMS ON

NHTSA ODI #11194442

93,000 miles · Apr 5, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel/propulsion System

THE ECS LIGHT CAME ON AND SHUT MY CAR OFF. THE CHROME DEALER SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WE COULD DO ABOUT IT BUT PURCHASE ANOUTHER CAR

NHTSA ODI #11193974

80,600 miles · Apr 4, 2019
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

MY CHEVY MALIBU WOULD TURN OVER SLIGHTLY, BUT THEN WOULD DIE. THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 3-4 TIMES AND THEN I HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED; THINKING IT WAS THAT. THE CAR CONTINUED TO FAIL, SO I HAD THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED AFTER CHECKING WITH A FUEL GAUGE AND THERE BEING NO FUEL PRESSURE. THE CAR RAN ABOUT 3 TIMES DRIVING IT FOR SHORTER A…

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MY CHEVY MALIBU WOULD TURN OVER SLIGHTLY, BUT THEN WOULD DIE. THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 3-4 TIMES AND THEN I HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED; THINKING IT WAS THAT. THE CAR CONTINUED TO FAIL, SO I HAD THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED AFTER CHECKING WITH A FUEL GAUGE AND THERE BEING NO FUEL PRESSURE. THE CAR RAN ABOUT 3 TIMES DRIVING IT FOR SHORTER AND A BIT LONGER DISTANCES, BUT THEN THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN OVER AT ALL. THE STARTER WOULD TRY, BUT THERE WAS NO IGNITION OF THE CAR. AT MY LOCAL CHEVY DEALER, DON MCCUE, THEY DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR FUSE BOX AND A FEW TERMINALS WERE BURNT OUT. THEY REPLACED THE REAR FUSE BOX AND A FEW TERMINALS, AND THE CAR NOW RUNS SUCCESSFULLY.

NHTSA ODI #11193799

140,000 miles · Apr 1, 2019
Electrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55-60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY 20-60 MINUTES LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE AND ADDITIONAL DIAGNOSTIC TES…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55-60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY 20-60 MINUTES LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE AND ADDITIONAL DIAGNOSTIC TESTING NEEDED TO BE PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT STATED ON TWO SEPARATE OIL CHANGE INTERVALS, METAL SHAVINGS WERE FOUND IN THE OIL FILTER AND OIL PAN. CREWS CHEVROLET (LOCATED AT 8199 RIVERS AVE, NORTH CHARLESTON, SC 29406, (843) 820-7800) WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED FIVE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA ODI #11192838

Mileage unknown · Mar 26, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

WHEN DRIVING OR SITTING AT IDLE NOT MOVING SERVICE ESC AND TRACTION CONTROL FLASHES ON DASH. WHICH IS CAUSING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO STAY ON CAUSING MISFIRE ON CYLINDER #1 AND THEN RANDOM MISFIRE. THE CAR HASN'T BEEN ABLE TO BE INSPECTED IN 2 YEARS HAVE HAD AT 3 CHEVROLET DEALERSHIPS AND ALL CAN'T FIGURE OUT ISSUE . THE 1ST DEALE…

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WHEN DRIVING OR SITTING AT IDLE NOT MOVING SERVICE ESC AND TRACTION CONTROL FLASHES ON DASH. WHICH IS CAUSING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO STAY ON CAUSING MISFIRE ON CYLINDER #1 AND THEN RANDOM MISFIRE. THE CAR HASN'T BEEN ABLE TO BE INSPECTED IN 2 YEARS HAVE HAD AT 3 CHEVROLET DEALERSHIPS AND ALL CAN'T FIGURE OUT ISSUE . THE 1ST DEALERSHIP SAID WE HAVE NO IDEA WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE CAR. THE SECOND DEALERSHIP SAID THE CAR NEEDED #1 INJECTOR AND INJECTOR HARNESS AND THROTTLE BODY WHICH WAS REPLACED DIDN'T EVEN MAKE IT OFF THE LOT AND CHECK ENGINE AND TRACTION CONTROL AND ESC LIGHTS WAS FLASHING AGAIN THEY SAID MIGHT HAVE CRACKED HEAD CAR HAS BEEN PRESSURE TESTED DOESN'T USE WATER AND DOESN'T GET HOT. THEY ARE JUST TRYING TO THROW PARTS AT IT AT MY EXPENSE. THE 3RD DEALERSHIP WHICH CAR IS AT NOW IS TELLING ME POSSIBLE BURNT VALVE CAUSING ALL MY ISSUES WITH CAR SAID THEY DID COMPRESSION TEST AND ALL CYLINDERS HAVE 170 POUNDS IN ALL 4 CYLINDERS WHICH IS NOT POSSIBLE. I HAVE REPLACED MAP SENSOR, PCM, SPARK PLUGS, 1 INJECTOR, INJECTOR HARNESS, THROTTLE BODY AND NOTHING HAS HELPED CAR. THE CAR NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES WITH MISFIRE UNTIL THE ESC AND TRACTION CONTROL STARTED FLASHING AND IN 2 YEARS STILL HAS BEEN SOLVED AT ANY DEALERSHIP VERY DISAPPOINTED IN NEED OF HELP TO FIX ISSUE

NHTSA ODI #11191529

Official recalls

2

15V269000 · 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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.