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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 →
906Owner complaints

Model-year median: 310.5

2Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
1,509
20091,360
2010977
2011906
2012835
2013351
2014270
2015
Compare all Malibu years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Electrical System
290Exterior Lighting
202Steering
191Electronic Stability Control (esc)
129Air Bags
101
All reported categories
Engine
99Service Brakes
65Vehicle Speed Control
52Fuel/propulsion System
51Unknown Or Other
51Power Train
49Seat Belts
47Seats
36Visibility/wiper
27Wheels
19Structure
16Suspension
10Traction Control System
10Service Brakes, Hydraulic
8Fuel System, Gasoline
5Visibility
4Engine And Engine Cooling
3Tires
2Child Seat
1Equipment
1Lane Departure
1Latches/locks/linkages
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

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

Exterior Lighting complaints

202 reports
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Mileage unknown · Oct 29, 2019
Air BagsElectrical SystemExterior Lighting

I BOUGHT MY 2012 MALIBU ABOUT 2YEARS AGO AND AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRATION I STARTED HAVING CODES SAYING TO SERVICE AIR BAGS BUT THE CODES WON'T STAY CONSTANT AND NO ONE KNOWS WHY FOR SOME ODD REASON. ON TOP OF THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE HEAD LIGHT HAS BEEN CHANGED 5 TIME IN LESS THEN A YEAR AND A HALF AND ONCE AGAIN NO ONE KNOWS W…

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I BOUGHT MY 2012 MALIBU ABOUT 2YEARS AGO AND AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRATION I STARTED HAVING CODES SAYING TO SERVICE AIR BAGS BUT THE CODES WON'T STAY CONSTANT AND NO ONE KNOWS WHY FOR SOME ODD REASON. ON TOP OF THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE HEAD LIGHT HAS BEEN CHANGED 5 TIME IN LESS THEN A YEAR AND A HALF AND ONCE AGAIN NO ONE KNOWS WHY. I'M NOT THE ONLY PERSON WITH CONSTANT ISSUES THE MANUFACTURER NEEDS TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR FAULTY EQUIPMENT

NHTSA ODI #11276868

Mileage unknown · Oct 25, 2019
Exterior Lighting

BOTH LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS GO OUT TOO OFTEN. THE LIGHTS ARE NOT BURNED OUT BECAUSE THEY'LL WORK FOR A FEW WEEKS AND WILL NOT WORK FOR MONTHS AT A TIME; INDIVIDUALLY OR SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE PASSENGER HARNESS AND BULB WAS REPLACED AT WINTER CHEVY IN PITTSBURG CA IN 2018 AND WENT OUT AGAIN A FEW MONTHS LATER. THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS HAVE…

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BOTH LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS GO OUT TOO OFTEN. THE LIGHTS ARE NOT BURNED OUT BECAUSE THEY'LL WORK FOR A FEW WEEKS AND WILL NOT WORK FOR MONTHS AT A TIME; INDIVIDUALLY OR SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE PASSENGER HARNESS AND BULB WAS REPLACED AT WINTER CHEVY IN PITTSBURG CA IN 2018 AND WENT OUT AGAIN A FEW MONTHS LATER. THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS HAVE BEEN A CONSISTENT PROBLEM SINCE I PURCHASED THE USED CAR IN 2015. BOTH LOW BEAM LIGHTS HAD BULB REPLACEMENTS 3 TIMES EACH. BOTH LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN OUT FOR MONTHS.

NHTSA ODI #11271101

152,000 miles · Oct 18, 2019
Exterior Lighting

FOR NEARLY 4 YEARS AFTER PURCHASE, I AM CONSTANTLY CHANGING MY PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT BULBS. I HAVE CHANGED MY BULBS MORE TIMES THAN I CAN COUNT. IT IS BECOMING VERY EXPENSIVE. WHILE DRIVING; MY DRIVER SIDE HIGHBEAM AND LOW BEAM WENT OUT WHILE IT WAS RAINING YESTERDAY. I LIVE IN A VERY MOUNTAINOUS AREA AND WITHOUT M…

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FOR NEARLY 4 YEARS AFTER PURCHASE, I AM CONSTANTLY CHANGING MY PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT BULBS. I HAVE CHANGED MY BULBS MORE TIMES THAN I CAN COUNT. IT IS BECOMING VERY EXPENSIVE. WHILE DRIVING; MY DRIVER SIDE HIGHBEAM AND LOW BEAM WENT OUT WHILE IT WAS RAINING YESTERDAY. I LIVE IN A VERY MOUNTAINOUS AREA AND WITHOUT MY HEADLIGHTS THAT WORK PROPERLY IT IS VERY FEASIBLE THAT I COULD GET IN AN ACCIDENT EVEN DRIVING UNDER THE SPEED LIMIT WITHOUT PROPER HEADLIGHTS. MANY ONLINE CAR FORUMS MENTION A DAYTIME RUNNING LAMP RELAY CAUSES THESE ISSUES. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED FOR I WOULD LOVE TO LET MY NEWLY LICENSED SON DRIVE IT.

NHTSA ODI #11269302

Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 2019
Exterior Lighting

FOR MONTHS I BEEN DEALING WITH MY LOW BEAMS AND HIGH BEAMS NOT WORKING ON MY PASSENGER SIDE THEN ONE DAY THE HIGH BEAM WORK FOR A FEW MINUTES I HAVE GOTTEN PULLED OVER BY THE POLICE, I HAVE CHANGED THE BULBS, I HAVE TOOK IT TO MIDAS TO GET IT CHECKED OUT AND THEY COULDN'T FIGURE OUT THE ISSUE. I'M TAKING IT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC …

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FOR MONTHS I BEEN DEALING WITH MY LOW BEAMS AND HIGH BEAMS NOT WORKING ON MY PASSENGER SIDE THEN ONE DAY THE HIGH BEAM WORK FOR A FEW MINUTES I HAVE GOTTEN PULLED OVER BY THE POLICE, I HAVE CHANGED THE BULBS, I HAVE TOOK IT TO MIDAS TO GET IT CHECKED OUT AND THEY COULDN'T FIGURE OUT THE ISSUE. I'M TAKING IT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC TOMORROW. I SEE I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING THIS ISSUE

NHTSA ODI #11268789

60,000 miles · Oct 10, 2019
Exterior Lighting

HEADLIGHTS BURN OUT REPEATEDLY! HAPPENS RANDOMLY, ON EITHER SIDE AFTER CAR HAS BEEN OFF. I AM AVERAGING 1 TO 6 MONTHS AFTER A HEADLIGHT CHANGE, IT IS VERY COSTLY ON THIS MODEL SINCE THE WHOLE FRONT BUMPER COVER MUST BE REMOVED TO CHANGE A BULB.

NHTSA ODI #11267576

Mileage unknown · Oct 7, 2019
Exterior Lighting

THE PASSENGER LOW-BEAM LIGHT HAS AN ISSUE. I'M NOT ALONE, THOUSANDS OF OTHER CHEVY MALIBU DRIVERS HAVE ALL REPORTED THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. THE WIRING HARNESS THAT CONNECTS TO THE LOW-BEAM BULB KEEPS OVER-HEATING AND MELTING, CAUSING THE BULB TO GO OUT. I HAVE REPLACED THE PIGTAIL THREE TIMES NOW, AND IT KEEPS GOING OUT. I HAVE EV…

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THE PASSENGER LOW-BEAM LIGHT HAS AN ISSUE. I'M NOT ALONE, THOUSANDS OF OTHER CHEVY MALIBU DRIVERS HAVE ALL REPORTED THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. THE WIRING HARNESS THAT CONNECTS TO THE LOW-BEAM BULB KEEPS OVER-HEATING AND MELTING, CAUSING THE BULB TO GO OUT. I HAVE REPLACED THE PIGTAIL THREE TIMES NOW, AND IT KEEPS GOING OUT. I HAVE EVEN PULLED THE DRL FUSE, WHICH MANY BELIEVE COULD HAVE BEEN THE PROBLEM, AND IT STILL KEEPS HAPPENING. PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE AS I AM NOT ALONE.

NHTSA ODI #11266855

Mileage unknown · Oct 4, 2019
Exterior Lighting

RECENTLY PURCHASED 2012 CHEVY MALIBU JULY 13, 2019. TWO WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE THE PASSENGER HEADLIGHT WENT OUT. CHANGED IT, AND NOW ITS OUT AGAIN 5 WEEKS LATER. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS. I HAVE FOUND ONLINE MANY PEOPLE COMPLAINING OF THE VERY SAME PROBLEM. (PASSENGER HEADLIGHT) SOME SAY TO…

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RECENTLY PURCHASED 2012 CHEVY MALIBU JULY 13, 2019. TWO WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE THE PASSENGER HEADLIGHT WENT OUT. CHANGED IT, AND NOW ITS OUT AGAIN 5 WEEKS LATER. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS. I HAVE FOUND ONLINE MANY PEOPLE COMPLAINING OF THE VERY SAME PROBLEM. (PASSENGER HEADLIGHT) SOME SAY TO CHANGE THE WIRING HARNESS AS THEY SEEM TO GET OVERLOADED AND MELT (BUT THAT FIX DOESN'T LAST LONG EITHER FROM WHAT I READ) OTHERS SAY THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT RELAY CAUSES AN ISSUE AND SHOULD BE TAKEN OUT OF THE CAR. IT SAYS IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL THAT DRL REDUCES THE LIGHT OUTPUT OF THE HEADLIGHTS FOR DAYTIME RUNNING BY 30%. THIS SEEMS TO BE WHAT IS CAUSING THE AMP DRAW FOR THE LOW BEAMS TO SKYROCKET IN DRL RELAY. THE MASSIVE AMP DRAW IS TOO MUCH FOR THE TERMINALS IN THE PLUG, SO THEY GET SUPER HOT AND MELT THE PLASTIC PLUG. THE METAL TERMINALS RELAX FROM THE HEAT AND STOP MAKING GOOD CONTACT,WHICH WORSENS THE AMP DRAW PROBLEM CAUSING THE LIGHT TO NOT WORK. ( BUT NOT NECESSARILY DUE TO THE BULB BURNING OUT, AS SOME HAVE POSTED THEY PUT THE PASSENGER BULB IN DRIVERS SIDE AND THE BULB STILL WORKS) THIS ISSUE COULD POTENTIALLY BE VERY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT IF BOTH HEADLIGHTS GO OUT AT THE SAME TIME DUE TO THE AMP SURGE. I BELIEVE THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW. I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY COMPLAINTS YOU HAVE TO RECEIVE FOR THIS TO BE CONSIDERED A SAFETY RECALL BUT PLEASE CONSIDER IT! THANKS

NHTSA ODI #11266128

Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 2019
Exterior Lighting

MY PASSENGER LOWBEAM LIGHT WILL NOT COME ON ONCE THE CAR IS STARTED. I HAVE CHANGED THE BULB AND WIRING HARNESS AND THE LIGHT WILL WORK FOR A FEW DAYS AND THEN WILL STOP WORKING. I HAVE TALKED TO OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE SAME ISSUE WITH THIS CAR AND CHEVROLET WANTS 160 DOLLARS TO EVEN LOOK AT IT.

NHTSA ODI #11265962

90,000 miles · Sep 25, 2019
Exterior Lighting

PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM KEEPS GOING OUT

NHTSA ODI #11257930

110,000 miles · Sep 21, 2019
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

LOW BEAM LIGHTS CONTINUOUSLY GOING OUT. BULB IS STILL GOOD. HAVE REPLACED BULB. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED SOME WIRING OR HARNESS. NOW PASSWNGER SIDE LOW BEAM IS OUT AGAIN!

NHTSA ODI #11257151

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.