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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.

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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

Electronic Stability Control (esc) complaints

129 reports
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125,000 miles · Jul 3, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Power Train

TAKATA RECALL WHEN MY VEHICLE STARTED HAVING ISSUES IT STARTED WITH LAGGING TO START I WOULD TURN THE KEY AND LITERALLY LET GO AND THEN IT WOULD START. NOW IT'S TO THE POINT WHERE IT DOESN'T ALWAYS WANT TO START . WHEN IT DOES MY SENSORS ARE ALL MESSED UP . FIRST TIME MY AIRBAG WARNING WAS COMING UP . NEXT MY SENSORS ON MY TIRE…

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TAKATA RECALL WHEN MY VEHICLE STARTED HAVING ISSUES IT STARTED WITH LAGGING TO START I WOULD TURN THE KEY AND LITERALLY LET GO AND THEN IT WOULD START. NOW IT'S TO THE POINT WHERE IT DOESN'T ALWAYS WANT TO START . WHEN IT DOES MY SENSORS ARE ALL MESSED UP . FIRST TIME MY AIRBAG WARNING WAS COMING UP . NEXT MY SENSORS ON MY TIRES WERE NOT WORKING THEN I STARTED TO NOTICE WHEN I WAS DRIVING AND I WOULD STOP PUSHING THE GAS THE GAUGE WILL GO UP AND DOWN. THE LAST THING THAT HAPPENED WAS THE CHECK ENGINE CAME ON BUT TURNED OFF. I TRIED TO GET A DIAGNOSTICS DONE BUT OF COURSE NOTHING CAME OF IT . SO NOW MY CAR IS JUST SITTING IN MY GARAGE UNTIL I FIGURE IT OUT. BUT THERE ARE NO TYPE OF CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR ANYTHING THAT COMES ON BEFORE THE CAR STARTS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY

NHTSA ODI #11229136

Mileage unknown · Jun 26, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior Lighting

HEAD LIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT

NHTSA ODI #11222643

3 miles · Jun 10, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

I STARTED DRIVING THE CAR WITHIN FIVE MINUTES AFTER I PRESS ON THE BRAKES THE CAR STARTED JOLTING AND AFTER THAT IT START STALLING TRY TO USE THE CRUISE CONTROL ON A HIGHWAY MAXIMUM MILEAGE PER HOUR WAS 55 WILL NOT ENGAGE TURN AROUND PARK THE CAR KEPT THEM STALLING IN BETWEEN ONCE THE CAR PARKED LIGHTS ON THE DASH POPPED UP CHEC…

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I STARTED DRIVING THE CAR WITHIN FIVE MINUTES AFTER I PRESS ON THE BRAKES THE CAR STARTED JOLTING AND AFTER THAT IT START STALLING TRY TO USE THE CRUISE CONTROL ON A HIGHWAY MAXIMUM MILEAGE PER HOUR WAS 55 WILL NOT ENGAGE TURN AROUND PARK THE CAR KEPT THEM STALLING IN BETWEEN ONCE THE CAR PARKED LIGHTS ON THE DASH POPPED UP CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND ESC LIGHT POPPED UP THE CAR WAS NOT MOVING AND MOTOR STARTED SHAKING TRY TO PUT THE FOOT ON THE GAS GENTLY AND IT STARTED STALLING AGAIN. CAR BEEN PARKED EVER SINCE.

NHTSA ODI #11218927

150,000 miles · May 2, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

WILL BE DRIVING AND AFTER APPLYING THE BRAKE THE SERVICE ESC WILL COME ON AND THEN MY CAR DOES NOT WANT TO STOP.

NHTSA ODI #11205395

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

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

Mileage unknown · Mar 20, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior Lighting

ON TWO OCCASSIONS THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY WENT COMPLETELY OUT WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. SINCE I GOT THE CAR 2 YEARS AGO I HAVE HAD MANY ISSUES WITH THE LIGHTING AMD ELECTRICAL. THE BRAKE LIGHT WORKS WHEN IT CHOOSES TO EVEN IF K DONE PUSH THE BRAKE AND WITH NEW BULBS IT MAY NOT WORK. THE HEADLIGHTS DO THE SAME. THEY COME ON AND …

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ON TWO OCCASSIONS THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY WENT COMPLETELY OUT WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. SINCE I GOT THE CAR 2 YEARS AGO I HAVE HAD MANY ISSUES WITH THE LIGHTING AMD ELECTRICAL. THE BRAKE LIGHT WORKS WHEN IT CHOOSES TO EVEN IF K DONE PUSH THE BRAKE AND WITH NEW BULBS IT MAY NOT WORK. THE HEADLIGHTS DO THE SAME. THEY COME ON AND GO OFF WHEN THEY CHOOSE TO. I HAVE REPLACED BULBS OVER 20 TIMES IN THE PAST 2 YEARS WHEN I DIDN'T ACTUALLY HAVE TO. MY SENSORS ALSO DON'T WORK WHICH I WAS TOLD WAS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE. I HAVE A FRONT LIGHT THAT WON'T GO OFF SO EACH TIME I CUT THE CAR OFF I HAVE TO UNPLUG MY BATTERY SO IT DOESN'T DIE. THE DATE POSTED ISNT THE ONLY DATE ITS HAPPENED IT WAS THE DAY IT ALL STARTED.

NHTSA ODI #11190378

120,000 miles · Mar 20, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

SERVICE ESC TRACTION ALERTS AND ENGINE SOUNDS AS THOUGHT IT WILL STALL - HAD MAP SENSOR REPLACED, A FEW MONTHS LATER ISSUE HAS RETURNED. OCCURS WHILE DRIVING AND WHEN PARKED.

NHTSA ODI #11190363

93,875 miles · Mar 9, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)SteeringSuspensionCrash

WAS ACTUALLY DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AROUND THE CORNER FROM THE PLACE I RESIDE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE WHEEL STARTED TO JERK VIOLENTLY WHICH CAUSED US TO DRIVE INTO A CURB , CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO DRIVE UP ONTO A CURB FLATTENING BOTH SIDES OF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR AS WELL ALMOST CLIPPING A CAR AT THE LIGHT TO OUR LEFT...THE …

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WAS ACTUALLY DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AROUND THE CORNER FROM THE PLACE I RESIDE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE WHEEL STARTED TO JERK VIOLENTLY WHICH CAUSED US TO DRIVE INTO A CURB , CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO DRIVE UP ONTO A CURB FLATTENING BOTH SIDES OF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR AS WELL ALMOST CLIPPING A CAR AT THE LIGHT TO OUR LEFT...THE KIDS ON BACK SEAT WERE COMPLETELY TERRIFIED BECAUSE THEY HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS GOING ON AND ARE STILL SCARED TO GET INTO A VEHICLE...AS WELL HAVE A PPLICE REPORT COULD PROBABLY OBTAIN IF NEED BE.. WE JUST WANT CAR FOXED RIGHT WAY NOT TRYING TO SUE ANYBODY OR GET AOME OUTRAGEOUS SETTLEMENT ....

NHTSA ODI #11185493

146,000 miles · Mar 4, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineService Brakes

"TAKATA RECALL" IF I HIT A BUMP SMALL OR ANY SIZE ACTUALLY MY ENGINE REDUCES AND I HAVE TO PULL OVER...AND TURN THE CAR OFF FOR UP TO 10 MINS SOMETIMES... I CANT DRIVE ON THE FREEWAY AT ALL BECAUSE I DONT WANT THE ENGINE TO REDUCE WHILE DOING 60 MPH LATELY IT WILL GO INTO ENGINE POWER REDUCE WHILE IM PARKED IN A DRIVEWAY SO…

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"TAKATA RECALL" IF I HIT A BUMP SMALL OR ANY SIZE ACTUALLY MY ENGINE REDUCES AND I HAVE TO PULL OVER...AND TURN THE CAR OFF FOR UP TO 10 MINS SOMETIMES... I CANT DRIVE ON THE FREEWAY AT ALL BECAUSE I DONT WANT THE ENGINE TO REDUCE WHILE DOING 60 MPH LATELY IT WILL GO INTO ENGINE POWER REDUCE WHILE IM PARKED IN A DRIVEWAY SO I DONT GET IT

NHTSA ODI #11183915

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.