IllustrationI WAS DRIVING AND THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE DRIVER SEAT COLLAPSED. AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE I BECAME AWARE THAT THE SEAT WAS LOOSE. I BEGAN TO INSPECT IT AND NOTICED THAT A BAR BROKE IN THE SEAT FRAME. SINCE THE SEATBELT IS ATTACHED TO THE SEAT THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE.
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
Seats complaints
36 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT TRAC FRACTURED, WHICH CAUSED THE SEAT TO MOVE WHILE DRIVING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 178,000.
DRIVER'S SEAT BRACKET ON RIGHT SIDE HAS BROKEN AND SEAT IS WOBBLY AND LEANING ON THE CENTER CONSOLE. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2012 MALIBU (AND OTHER YEARS) AND ISN'T BEING COVERED BY WARRANTY. MANY PEOPLE ARE SAYING THIS IS A $1000 REPAIR AT THE DEALER. THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED-…
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DRIVER'S SEAT BRACKET ON RIGHT SIDE HAS BROKEN AND SEAT IS WOBBLY AND LEANING ON THE CENTER CONSOLE. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2012 MALIBU (AND OTHER YEARS) AND ISN'T BEING COVERED BY WARRANTY. MANY PEOPLE ARE SAYING THIS IS A $1000 REPAIR AT THE DEALER. THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED-- CONSUMERS SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS DEFECT.
THE TRACK ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT IS BROKEN. THE SEAT MOVES ALL OVER AND HITS THE CENTER CONSOLE. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE AND IS A HUGE CONCERN. WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY.
TAMARA RECALL MY DRIVER SEAT HAS BROKEN WELDS ON THE FRAME WHERE IT BOLT TO THE FLOOR AND PULLS FORWARD AND BACKWARDS. AND THERE NO RECALL ON IT THE CAR ONLY HAS 130K MILES AND IT SEEMS LIKE IM NOT THE ONLY ON WITH THE ISSUE AND IT ALL SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING RIGHT AROUND THE SAME MILEAGE
DRIVERS SEAT HAS COLLAPSED IN THE RIGHT REAR. SEAT CAN NOT BE ADJUSTED WITH WEIGHT ON IT AS IT BINDS WITH CENTER CONSOLE. BLIND SPOT OVER LEFT SHOULDER CAN NOT BE PROPERLY CHECKED DUE TO THE BODY BEING TWISTED TO THE RIGHT WHILE SEATED. SEAT INTEGRITY IS SEVERELY COMPROMISED AS THE REAR RIGHT IS 'FLOATING' AND NOT ATTACHED…
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DRIVERS SEAT HAS COLLAPSED IN THE RIGHT REAR. SEAT CAN NOT BE ADJUSTED WITH WEIGHT ON IT AS IT BINDS WITH CENTER CONSOLE. BLIND SPOT OVER LEFT SHOULDER CAN NOT BE PROPERLY CHECKED DUE TO THE BODY BEING TWISTED TO THE RIGHT WHILE SEATED. SEAT INTEGRITY IS SEVERELY COMPROMISED AS THE REAR RIGHT IS 'FLOATING' AND NOT ATTACHED TO THE SEAT FRAME IN A COLLISION THE SEAT IS LIKELY TO RIP FREE OF THE FRAME SENDING THE DRIVER INTO THE WINDSHIELD. VERY UNSAFE SITUATION. DRIVING FATIGUE IS AN ISSUE DUE TO THE UNNATURAL POSITION OF THE DRIVER IN RELATION TO THE STEERING AND FOOT CONTROLS. *TR
WAS GETTING INTO MY PARKED VEHICLE, AND THE SEAT BROKE. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY SAID THE WELD THAT HELD THE SEAT TO THE RAILING BROKE.
DRIVERS SEAT BECAME DISENGAGED AT THE WELD POINT UNDERNEATH THE SEAT WHILE I WAS DRIVING. TOOK THE VEHICLE IN AND THE DEALER REWELDED THE SEAT. PICKED THE CAR UP HAD IT FOR LESS THAN A WEEK SEAT PRETTY MUCH DISENGAGED FROM THE BOTTOM AND THE BACK WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY. WHILE GM OFFERED SOME ASSISTANCE I AM STILL OUT …
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DRIVERS SEAT BECAME DISENGAGED AT THE WELD POINT UNDERNEATH THE SEAT WHILE I WAS DRIVING. TOOK THE VEHICLE IN AND THE DEALER REWELDED THE SEAT. PICKED THE CAR UP HAD IT FOR LESS THAN A WEEK SEAT PRETTY MUCH DISENGAGED FROM THE BOTTOM AND THE BACK WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY. WHILE GM OFFERED SOME ASSISTANCE I AM STILL OUT $500. FOR BOTH REPAIRS. AFTER RESEARCHING ON LINE IT APPEARS OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD SIMILAR COMPLAINTS WITH THIS MODEL YEAR. SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE! MY VEHICLE WAS NEVER BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENT THAT SHOULD HAVE CAUSED THIS PROBLEM. I'VE OWNED NUMEROUS CARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD A SEAT DISENGAGE. I TRULY BELIEVE THIS IS A DEFENCT IN THE VEHICLES SEAT FRAME.
THE WELD ON A BAR UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT BROKE WHILE I WAS DRIVING CAUSING THE DRIVER'S SEAT TO MOVE FORWARD AND TO THE RIGHT. THIS IS A 3 YR OLD VEHICLE WITH LOW MILEAGE IT SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN AND CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAD A PREVIOUS MALIBU AND THIS NEVER HAPPENED. PLEASE RECALL THIS PART. I CHECKED YOUR O…
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THE WELD ON A BAR UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT BROKE WHILE I WAS DRIVING CAUSING THE DRIVER'S SEAT TO MOVE FORWARD AND TO THE RIGHT. THIS IS A 3 YR OLD VEHICLE WITH LOW MILEAGE IT SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN AND CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAD A PREVIOUS MALIBU AND THIS NEVER HAPPENED. PLEASE RECALL THIS PART. I CHECKED YOUR OTHER COMPLAINTS AND IT IS COMMON!
SEAT SUPPORT WELDS BROKEN PREMATURELY CAUSING SEAT TO MOVE UNSAFELY WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. IF SEAT WELDS BREAK WHILE DRIVING, IT COULD CAUSE THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CAUSE A COLLISION. IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISON, DRIVERS SEAT MAY COME FREE AND BE UNABLE TO RESTRAIN THE DRIVER PROPERLY.
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.