IllustrationThe brake caplier screw came out why driving the vehicle and broke the brake line and the vehicle lost control try to use the emergency brake and it didn't work vehicle crash
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
Service Brakes complaints
65 reportsI bought the car a year ago from a used car lot. Replaced the cam shaft positioning sensor as per diagnostic reading for check engine light. Since then, svc air bag light has stayed on. Traction control light stays on and is disengaged. When braking ESC warning goes on and off and sliding occurs. The low beam headlights go on an…
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I bought the car a year ago from a used car lot. Replaced the cam shaft positioning sensor as per diagnostic reading for check engine light. Since then, svc air bag light has stayed on. Traction control light stays on and is disengaged. When braking ESC warning goes on and off and sliding occurs. The low beam headlights go on and off intermittently and no way of knowing when it will happen. When turning cruise control on or off, the car will accelerate on its own and will increase speed until brake is applied. Regardless of whether cruise control was turned on or off. I have had it looked at at my local Mr.Tire and they cannot figure out what is happening.
I have a 2012 Chevy Malibu i bought it in 2014. I have had the Esc light come on in 2016 but no problem with it untill now of this year in 2022. Not knowing the problem i have already put ALOT into it. I took it to a machanic they told me it was the rack and pinion. So got that done . Apparently it wasn't it took it to another m…
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I have a 2012 Chevy Malibu i bought it in 2014. I have had the Esc light come on in 2016 but no problem with it untill now of this year in 2022. Not knowing the problem i have already put ALOT into it. I took it to a machanic they told me it was the rack and pinion. So got that done . Apparently it wasn't it took it to another machanic they told me it was struts got that done too n still nothing so i looked it up online got CV joint, inner ,tie rod, wheel alignment. All those done n still nothing fix it. I didn't know what else to do until i made more scratch on my vehicle and i found that it could be a recall .
GM Tech Bulletins say there is a Ghost Problem with Elect. Stability Controller. GM mentions there is no recall or known cure for this. .Components/contacts were cleaned at service shop but " Serv. ESC-ESC OFF" keeps appearing in "driver display" when hitting bumps -turning car.. i will mail service sheets. This option wa…
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GM Tech Bulletins say there is a Ghost Problem with Elect. Stability Controller. GM mentions there is no recall or known cure for this. .Components/contacts were cleaned at service shop but " Serv. ESC-ESC OFF" keeps appearing in "driver display" when hitting bumps -turning car.. i will mail service sheets. This option was available on 08-09-10 models of Malibu but Std. on my 2012 car. It is worthless when there is thick snow.. I will send , by mail, serv. records on this unsolvable problem... It continues to happen ,at slow speed - not just one time...I believe YOU can read the G.M.-TSBs, as it was shown to me.... Consumer stated it showed a bad steering column multi switch & Yaw sensor unit , part still available.. Unit fires off bad code when barely moving and turning to right... Unit gets damp and works for a while. Turns out: Plastic Yaw coil in steering column broke up against the shaft, and the multi reed switch is probably bad, in there. The consumer stated after a new multi switch was installed, the bracket of the plastic broke again.
THE CENTER BRAKE LIGHT DOESN'T WORK. I PUT IN A NEW LED LIGHT ASSEMBLY IN AND IT STILL DOESN'T WORK.
I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE INTO A CHEVROLET CENTER NEAR ME TO HAVE A 'MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY FIX' DONE TO MY VEHICLE ON 04/17/2021, AS THE POWER STEERING HAD FAILED AND I WAS ABLE TO GET THIS FIXED FOR FREE. WHEN I TURNED MY VEHICLE ON AND NOTICED THE POWER STEERING NOTIFICATION ON MY DASH, I TRIED TO BACK MY CAR OUT OF WHERE I WAS PA…
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I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE INTO A CHEVROLET CENTER NEAR ME TO HAVE A 'MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY FIX' DONE TO MY VEHICLE ON 04/17/2021, AS THE POWER STEERING HAD FAILED AND I WAS ABLE TO GET THIS FIXED FOR FREE. WHEN I TURNED MY VEHICLE ON AND NOTICED THE POWER STEERING NOTIFICATION ON MY DASH, I TRIED TO BACK MY CAR OUT OF WHERE I WAS PARKED AND MOVE MY WHEEL, BUT COULD NOT MOVE THE WHEEL. WHEN THE PART WAS REPLACED, I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WERE STILL SENSORS ON MY DASH INDICATING THAT I NEEDED THE ESC AND STABILITY TRACTION CONTROL SERVICED FOR MY CAR. ACCORDING TO THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP, THIS HAD 'NOTHING TO DO WITH THE SPECIAL POLICY FIX' AND NOT SOMETHING THEY WOULD BE FIXING FOR ME. AFTER CHECKING THE NHTSA.GOV FOR ANY RECALLS ON MY 2012 CHEVY MALIBU, I FOUND ONE FROM MAY 2014 THAT DESCRIBED EXACTLY THE PROBLEM I WAS HAVING WITH MY VEHICLE: LOSS OF VEHICLE STABILITY TRACTION CONTROL, CRUISE CONTROL AND RANDOM ILLUMINATION OF BRAKE LIGHTS. I CONTACTED CHEVY ONCE AGAIN ABOUT THIS RECALL, TO WHICH THEY SAID THERE 'WAS NO RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE, AND IF THERE WAS IT WAS ALREADY FIXED'. NOT ONLY WAS THIS COMPLETELY UNPROFESSIONAL AND LACKING CONCERN OF SAFETY FOR MY CHILD AND I, I DO NOT KNOW WHERE TO TURN TO FOR THIS TO BE REMEDIED. ATTACHED IS THE TICKET FOR THE INITIAL FIX I HAD DONE.
THE CAR HAD GM SERVICE BULLETIN 13036 (RECALL CAMPAIGN 14V252) PERFORMED ON SEPTEMBER 19, 2014 AND THE CAR IS EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME CONDITIONS AS DESCRIBED IN THE SERVICE BULLETIN[1] SO THE "FIX" DIDN'T RESOLVE WHAT IS NOW AN ON GOING SAFETY ISSUE. IT SHOULD BE NOTED IN THE RECALL "WHY" SECTION TO OWNERS THE USE OF "...OV…
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THE CAR HAD GM SERVICE BULLETIN 13036 (RECALL CAMPAIGN 14V252) PERFORMED ON SEPTEMBER 19, 2014 AND THE CAR IS EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME CONDITIONS AS DESCRIBED IN THE SERVICE BULLETIN[1] SO THE "FIX" DIDN'T RESOLVE WHAT IS NOW AN ON GOING SAFETY ISSUE. IT SHOULD BE NOTED IN THE RECALL "WHY" SECTION TO OWNERS THE USE OF "...OVER TIME...". THEREFORE, THE ISSUE IS KNOWN TO BE TIME DEPENDENT AND THE FIX DOESN'T APPEAR TO FULLY RESOLVE THE ISSUE INTO THE FUTURE. 1: WE ARE CURRENTLY SEEING THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS: - SERVICE BRAKE LAMPS MAY NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE SERVICE BRAKES ARE BEING APPLIED. - IF CRUISE CONTROL IS ENGAGED, ADDITIONAL SERVICE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL MAY BE REQUIRED TO DISENGAGE IT. - TRACTION CONTROL, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, AND PANIC BRAKING ASSIST FEATURES, IF EQUIPPED, MAY BE DISABLED. - SERVICE ESC AND/OR TRACTION CONTROL TELL-TALES MAY ILLUMINATE WITH THIS CONDITION.
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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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 FALL APART. *TR
TAKATA RECALL WHEN I'M DRIVING MY VEHICLE, THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKER AS IF I'M THE POLICE. I TOOK IT TO FIRESTONE AND THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER THE CAR ONLY HAS 160,000+ AND IT JUST STARTED EVERY TIME I ACCELERATE OR DRIVE IT DOES THIS AND I'M AFRAID THAT I WILL EITHER GET PULLED OVER BY THE POLICE, HIT SOMEONE OR SOM…
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TAKATA RECALL WHEN I'M DRIVING MY VEHICLE, THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKER AS IF I'M THE POLICE. I TOOK IT TO FIRESTONE AND THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER THE CAR ONLY HAS 160,000+ AND IT JUST STARTED EVERY TIME I ACCELERATE OR DRIVE IT DOES THIS AND I'M AFRAID THAT I WILL EITHER GET PULLED OVER BY THE POLICE, HIT SOMEONE OR SOMEONE HITS ME OR/AND THE LIGHTS GO COMPLETELY OUT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. IS THIS DUE BECAUSE WHENEVER YOU HAVE TO CHANGE THE BUILD, THE WHOLE BUMPER HAS TO COME OFF TO REPLACE IT? I LIKE MY CAR BUT THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. I SEE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS
"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
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.