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

Electronic Stability Control (esc) complaints

129 reports

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111,000 miles · Jan 13, 2026

Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

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The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the power steering warning light was illuminated, and the message "ESC OFF" was displayed. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced an intermittent loss of power steering while driving. The contact stated that upon restarting the vehicle, the vehicle operated as intended; however, the failure initially became a persistent failure upon restarting the vehicle and then became a permanent failure. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to an independent mechanic for a tire replacement, the contact was also informed that the steering failure was related to Chevrolet Special Coverage Number: 15356. The contact was referred to the dealer, who informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.

NHTSA ODI #11710607

140,000 miles · Aug 11, 2025

Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

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The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle briefly lost motive power and came to a complete stop. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The contact stated that the ESC warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the steering wheel angle sensor. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.

NHTSA ODI #11679882

166,000 miles · Jul 25, 2025

Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Vehicle Speed Control

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The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH and following a slight right turn on the highway, the ESC warning illuminated, and the vehicle slowed down without the brake pedal being depressed. The failure was intermittent but became a recurring failure. The contact stated that the vehicle also slowed down unintentionally while making a left or right turn at slow speeds. The contact stated that in the middle of the turn, the vehicle slowed to a stop without the brake pedal being depressed. The ESC warning light illuminated while the vehicle was still in drive(D) and running. The vehicle came to a stop, and the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle continued driving. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer and was diagnosed with PSCM failure. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was not taken back to the dealer. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V252000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting, Vehicle Speed Control, Electronic Stability Control (ESC). The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 166,000.

NHTSA ODI #11676184

107,000 miles · Apr 4, 2025

Electronic Stability Control (esc)SteeringTraction Control System

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The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) and 15V269000 ( SEAT BELTS); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the steering wheel vibrated and seized. The "ESC" and “Traction Control" warning lights were illuminated. The contact used a scanner and diagnosed the vehicle with steering failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The dealer was made aware of the issue and wanted to charge the contact for the parts. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI #11652855

68,000 miles · Nov 30, 2021

Electronic Stability Control (esc)

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The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH in the middle lane, she inadvertently lost control of the steering wheel and the vehicle turned all the way to the left and to the left lane. The contact depressed the brake pedal, but it failed to respond. The contact stated that as she was steering the steering wheel to straighten the vehicle, the vehicle turned all the way to the to the right and to the right lane. The ESC warning light illuminated. The contact continued to depress the brake pedal until it responded. The contact was able to continue to drive the vehicle at a slower speed. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V252000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting, Vehicle Speed Control, Electronic Stability Control). The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 68,000.

NHTSA ODI #11442110

68,000 miles · Apr 9, 2021

Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING, THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ESC WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUBURBAN CHEVROLET CADILLAC COLLISION OF ANN ARBOR (3515 JACKSON RD STE B, ANN ARBOR, MI 48103, (734) 663-3321) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING BATTERY, AND NEGATIVE BATTERY TERMINAL TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 66,017.*DT THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD SLOW DOWN WITH A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND ELECTRICAL ISSUES AND SPUTTERING ENGINE. THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED TWICE AND WAS RECOMMENDED TO BE REPLACED THIRD TIME.

NHTSA ODI #11407208

151,000 miles · Oct 1, 2020

Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel/propulsion System

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WHEN I GET IN MY CAR I NOTICE THAT MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON IN AN ARE WHERE CERTAIN PEOPLE DON'T LIKE ME AT LIKE CUBA MO THERE IS A CONSPIRACY GOING ON OUT HERE EVER SENSE THEY TOOK MY KIDS ILLEGALLY IT'S BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS AND I DON'T WANT TO GET HURT OR HURT NOBODY PLEASE HELP MY GAS LEAVES QUICK ALSO I KNOW MY CAR IS BEING HACKED BECAUSE THEY DO THAT A LOT OUT THERE AND SURROUNDING CITIES THE ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON WHILE I'M DRIVING AND WHEN I'M OUT THE CAR IT'LL COME ON THERE IS ALSO A TRACKING DEVICE ON IT THAT I DIDN'T PUT ON THERE ALSO I PUT GAS IN MY CAR THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT GOES DOWN TO LOW FUEL I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR FROM THE DEALERSHIP AT JD BY RIDER IN ROLLA MO*DT*JB

NHTSA ODI #11362271

90,000 miles · Sep 18, 2020

Electronic Stability Control (esc)SteeringVehicle Speed Control

I WAS DRIVING TO TOWN AND EVERYTHING STOP WORKING. IT SCARD THE CRAP OUT OF ME. I TOOK IT TO SMITH CHEVY IN TURLOCK CA THEY SAID THEY DIDNT KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT AND CHARAGED ME 489.00. LUCKY IT DIDNT KILL ME. GM MOTORS NEED TO DO A RECALL ON IT BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR LOSE THERE LIFE.

NHTSA ODI #11355698

150,000 miles · Jul 18, 2020

Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

ESC WARNING ON DASH COMING ON WILL DRIVING AND TURNING FORWARD OR BACKWARD. HVAC CONTROLLER NOT RESPONDING TO COMMANDS, HVAC RESISTOR AND BLOWER MOTOR WIRES GETTING VERY HOT AND NOT BLOWING FUSES WHEN DRIVING WITH AC OR HEATER RUNNING. HVAC RESISTOR BLOWING OUT. HIGH MOTOR OIL CONSUMPTION , EVERY 1000 MILES ITS LOW A QUART.

NHTSA ODI #11340106

120,000 miles · Jun 16, 2020

Air BagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

SINCE BUYING THIS VEHICLE, I'VE HAD TROUBLE WITH THE BRAKES, AIRBAG SENSORS, ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, SEATBELT ISSUES AND ALSO THE AIRBAG LIGHT, HAD A MECHANIC REPLACE THE AIRBAG SENSORS IN THE REAR, BUT THE LIGHT STILL COMES ON. THE BRAKES ARE NOW SHUTTERING WORSE WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES AND IT FEELS LIKE THE WHEELS ARE GOING TO FA…

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NHTSA ODI #11329120

Official recalls

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)