Illustration2012 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
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
Electrical System complaints
290 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM , ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL , EXTERIOR LIGHTING , SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC , VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE DEALER DID NOT GIV…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM , ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL , EXTERIOR LIGHTING , SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC , VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT DID NOT EXPERIENCE A FAILURE.
I HAVE A 2012 CHEVROLET MAILBU WHERE THE KEY IS GETTING STUCK IN THE IGNITION. REALLY HARD TO GET OFF OF ACC WITHOUT JIGGLING GEAR SHIFTER AND TURNING WHEELS. THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES. THERE IS A RECALL ALREADY INITIATED BUT NOT FOR MY YEAR OF CAR! *TR
IN JUNE 2014 CAR WOULDN'T START AFTER SITTING 4 HOURS TOWED IN SAID THEFT SYSTEM MADE NEW KEY WHICH I HAD TO PAY FOR, TOWED IN AGAIN 3 DAYS LATER SAME PROBLEM, STARTED FOR DEALER IN AM ANOTHER $120. 4 DAYS APPROX LATER AGAIN GOT TO WORK THEN WOULDN'T START. REPLACED REAR U-BEC, WIRING HARNESS JUNCTION BLOCK, RELAY, BECAUSE ME…
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IN JUNE 2014 CAR WOULDN'T START AFTER SITTING 4 HOURS TOWED IN SAID THEFT SYSTEM MADE NEW KEY WHICH I HAD TO PAY FOR, TOWED IN AGAIN 3 DAYS LATER SAME PROBLEM, STARTED FOR DEALER IN AM ANOTHER $120. 4 DAYS APPROX LATER AGAIN GOT TO WORK THEN WOULDN'T START. REPLACED REAR U-BEC, WIRING HARNESS JUNCTION BLOCK, RELAY, BECAUSE MELTED CONNECTOR WITH FIVE LEADS 30 AMP FUSE. THEN 9/23/2014 CAR STARTED GOT TO DAYCARE WITHIN 5 MINUTES OF BEING OFF NO START. WAITED THEN STARTED TEN MINUTES LATER. 9/272014 GOT TO WORK LUNCH TIME NO START SAME WANTED TO START LIKE GETTING NO FUEL THEN 3 HOURS LATER STARTED DROVE TO DEALER. *TR
IN 8/25/2014 IT STARTED WHEN MY WIFE WANT TO START THE CAR AND IT DIDN'T JUST CRANKS BUT WONT STARTED, IT DID AFTER A FEW TRIES, AND THEN HAPPENED AGAIN THE SAME DAY TO MY SON AND AFTER A LITTLE WHILE IT STARTED RIGHT BACK, AND THAT SAME WEEK I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 30 MILES PER HR.AND ALL OF SUDDEN IT JUST DIED WITH NO CODES OR CHE…
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IN 8/25/2014 IT STARTED WHEN MY WIFE WANT TO START THE CAR AND IT DIDN'T JUST CRANKS BUT WONT STARTED, IT DID AFTER A FEW TRIES, AND THEN HAPPENED AGAIN THE SAME DAY TO MY SON AND AFTER A LITTLE WHILE IT STARTED RIGHT BACK, AND THAT SAME WEEK I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 30 MILES PER HR.AND ALL OF SUDDEN IT JUST DIED WITH NO CODES OR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DISPLAYED,IT IS TOO DANGEROUS THAT HAPPEN IN THE MIDDLE OF A MAIN ROAD BECAUSE IT DIDN'T WANT TO RE START I HAVE TO PUSH IT ACROSS OF THE ROAD WITH ALL THIS CARS BEHIND YOU AND BE AFRAID OF BEING HIT.IT SEEMS THAT IT BEEN MORE AND MORE FREQUENTLY HAPPENING THIS WEEK AND TAKES LONGER WAIT TO RE START IT, I JUST WANT TO KNOW IF IS A DEFECT OF THIS MALIBU 2012 I. I HEARD THAT MALIBU'S HAVE A ISSUE WITH THE ANTITHEFT SYSTEM. WE SCANNED COMPUTER HISTORY AND IT SHOWS ANTITHEFT HISTORY STORED ON IT. AM AFRAID OF GO INTO EXPRESSWAY AND RUN INTO AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE HELP MY CAR IS A 2012 IMPALA WITH 65000 MILES ON IT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER:14V252000 ( ELECTRICAL SYSTEM , ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL , EXTERIOR LIGHTING , SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC , VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER:14V252000 ( ELECTRICAL SYSTEM , ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL , EXTERIOR LIGHTING , SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC , VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
DRIVING AND CAR HAD SEVERE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THAT CAUSED THE CAR TO RANDOMLY STALL WHILE DRIVING. WE LOST POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STARTING GOING CRAZY DISPLAYING ALL LIGHTS, SAYING DEVICE ESC AND THE DOORS LOCKED AND UNLOCKED. THE ENGINE STALLED AND TRANSMISSION STARTED JOLTING AROUND. THE CAR WOUL…
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DRIVING AND CAR HAD SEVERE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THAT CAUSED THE CAR TO RANDOMLY STALL WHILE DRIVING. WE LOST POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STARTING GOING CRAZY DISPLAYING ALL LIGHTS, SAYING DEVICE ESC AND THE DOORS LOCKED AND UNLOCKED. THE ENGINE STALLED AND TRANSMISSION STARTED JOLTING AROUND. THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN BACK ON AFTER TURNING IT OFF. TOOK THE CAR TO STARLING CHEVROLET TO GET IT FIXED THE FOLLOWING MONDAY SINCE CLOSED SUNDAY. BEFORE TAKING TO THE DEALER TOOK THE CAR TO AUTO ZONE TO CHECK THE BATTERY. AUTOZONE STATING BATTERY WAS GREAT. CHEVROLET DIDN'T LOOK AT THE CAR AT ALL MONDAY, AND TUESDAY STATED WE NEED NEW BATTERY. I ADVISED OF AUTO ZONE READING AND WAS TOLD AUTZONE WAS WRONG. PICKED UP THE CAR TUESDAY AFTER HAVING A BRAND NEW BATTERY PUT IN FOR $270. TODAY IS THE FOLLOWING FRIDAY AND THE CAR DID EVERYTHING AGAIN WHILE DRIVING AND WILL NOT START. NOW I HAVE TO TOW THE CAR TO CHEVY AGAIN. *TR
I WAS DRIVING ON A SIDE ROAD, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR JUST SHUT DOWN AND I COASTED TO A STOP. I WAS STRANDED IN A TURN LANE FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES. DURING WHICH TIME I HAD ALREADY CALLED A TOW TRUCK AS I COULD NOT GET MY CAR STARTED AGAIN. AFTER THE 20 MINUTES I THOUGHT I WOULD GIVE IT ANOTHER TRY AND IT UP AND STARTED, AND…
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I WAS DRIVING ON A SIDE ROAD, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR JUST SHUT DOWN AND I COASTED TO A STOP. I WAS STRANDED IN A TURN LANE FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES. DURING WHICH TIME I HAD ALREADY CALLED A TOW TRUCK AS I COULD NOT GET MY CAR STARTED AGAIN. AFTER THE 20 MINUTES I THOUGHT I WOULD GIVE IT ANOTHER TRY AND IT UP AND STARTED, AND I DROVE BACK TO WORK. I MADE IT HOME THAT NIGHT, BUT WAS STRANDED AGAIN WHEN I LEFT THE PLACE. I WAS HEADED HOME AND IT STOPPED ONE MORE TIME BEFORE I MADE IT THERE. I TOOK IT TO AN AUTO SHOP THE NEXT DAY AND MADE IT FINE. THE AUTO SHOP DID A TEST DRIVE AND IT STOPPED ON A ROAD AND THEY FAILED TO GET IT STARTED. IT TURNS OUT IT IS FOR AN IGNITION SWITCH, WHICH THERE ARE RECALLS FOR OTHER GM VEHICLES FOR THE SAME PART, JUST NOT A 2012 MALIBU. SO I HAVE TO PAY TO GET IT REPLACED AND HOPE FOR AN EXTENSION OF THE RECALL FOR THE CHEVY MALIBU. *TR
I WAS JUST ARRIVING HOME AND WHILE DRIVING I FELT A CHANGE IN THE GEARS OF MY CAR BUT WHEN I ARRIVED HOME AND PLACE THE CAR IN PARK THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN COMPLETELY OFF AND I HAD TO LEAVE MY CAR ON FOR APPROXIMATELY 4 HOURS BEFORE I LEFT FOR WORK. *TR
TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR PRESSURE SENSOR ILLUMINATED MULTIPLE TIMES INTERMITTENTLY. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER RESET THE CODE AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT HAD DIFFICULTY ACTIVATING THE CRUISE CONTROL AND HAD TO MAKE MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO GET IT TO WORK. ALSO, THE BATTERY HA…
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TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR PRESSURE SENSOR ILLUMINATED MULTIPLE TIMES INTERMITTENTLY. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER RESET THE CODE AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT HAD DIFFICULTY ACTIVATING THE CRUISE CONTROL AND HAD TO MAKE MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO GET IT TO WORK. ALSO, THE BATTERY HAD DRAINED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE WINDOW WIPERS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5. PAM
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.