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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 →

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

Service Brakes complaints

65 reports
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76,800 miles · Feb 21, 2015
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesSteering

VEHICLE HAS RANDOM LOSS OF ELECTRONIC STEERING ASSIST, WHICH LEAVES NO POWER STEERING. ALSO SERVICE ABS, ESC AND TRACTION WARNING LIGHTS, EPS CAUSES VEHICLES STEERING WHEEL TO SHAKE WITHOUT VEHICLE BEING IN MOTION. GM RECALLED THOUSANDS OF MALIBU'S IN FEB. OF 2015 FOR EPS ISSUES BUT MY YEAR IS NOT INCLUDED. COINCIDENCE? HIGHLY …

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VEHICLE HAS RANDOM LOSS OF ELECTRONIC STEERING ASSIST, WHICH LEAVES NO POWER STEERING. ALSO SERVICE ABS, ESC AND TRACTION WARNING LIGHTS, EPS CAUSES VEHICLES STEERING WHEEL TO SHAKE WITHOUT VEHICLE BEING IN MOTION. GM RECALLED THOUSANDS OF MALIBU'S IN FEB. OF 2015 FOR EPS ISSUES BUT MY YEAR IS NOT INCLUDED. COINCIDENCE? HIGHLY DOUBTFUL. VEHICLE IT'S SCHEDULED FOR DIAGNOSIS ON WEDNESDAY. CAR WAS REPAIRED FOR AN EARLIER RECALL CONCERNING BRAKE SYSTEMS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10689751

52 miles · Nov 7, 2014
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ENGAGING THE BRAKES, A GRINDING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE FRONT WHEELS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52.

NHTSA ODI #10653482

74,300 miles · Oct 14, 2014
Air BagsService BrakesWheels

WAS DRIVING IN THE RAIN, VEHICLE DOES NOT HANDLE WELL IN INCLEMENT WEATHER. HAS ISSUE WITH BRAKING, TIRES SKID. WHEN I HIT THE GAS PEDAL AFTER A STOP, THE TIRES SKID. . RECENTLY HAS A ALIGNMENT DONE, AND THE TIRES ARE IN VERY GOOD CONDITION. THOUGHT MAYBE THAT WAS THE ISSUE, I WAS WRONG. VEHICLE HAD RECENT INSPECTION "BRAKES A…

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WAS DRIVING IN THE RAIN, VEHICLE DOES NOT HANDLE WELL IN INCLEMENT WEATHER. HAS ISSUE WITH BRAKING, TIRES SKID. WHEN I HIT THE GAS PEDAL AFTER A STOP, THE TIRES SKID. . RECENTLY HAS A ALIGNMENT DONE, AND THE TIRES ARE IN VERY GOOD CONDITION. THOUGHT MAYBE THAT WAS THE ISSUE, I WAS WRONG. VEHICLE HAD RECENT INSPECTION "BRAKES ARE IN VERY GOOD CONDITION. VEHICLE HAS HAD ISSUES SINCE PURCHASE. MY FAMILY AND I WERE BELTED IN AS ALWAYS, WHILE DRIVING THE DASH CONSOLE LIGHT CAME ON "SERVICE AIR BAG" THE LIGHT STAYED ON CONSTANT FOR APPROX. 30 MIN THEN WENT OUT. I HAVE CALLED THE DEALER AND WILL HAVE VEHICLE CHECKED AT APPOINTMENT IN 2 WEEKS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10644500

Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 2014
Exterior LightingService BrakesCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) HAD EXCEEDED THE REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER STATED THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) HAD EXCEEDED THE REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER STATED THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE DELAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10641318

Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 2014
Service Brakes

I GOT A RECALL ON MY CAR AND WAS TOLD BY MY DEALER, BEST CHEVROLET, MY VEHICLE WAS NOT ON THE RECALL. THEN I RECEIVE A SECOND NOTICE ALONG WITH A REIMBURSEMENT FORM. I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW I DON'T FEEL VERY COMFORTABLE DRIVING AROUND IN A CAR THAT MAY BE A ACCIDENT LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO HAPPEN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10640343

66,846 miles · Sep 22, 2014
Exterior LightingService Brakes

VEHICLE HIGH MOUNT THIRD BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE AFTER 60,000 MILES. MAY AFFECT VISIBILITY WHEN STOPPING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10637934

16,251 miles · Aug 20, 2014
Service BrakesVehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY I USED THE CRUISE CONTROL. I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN BUT THE BRAKE WOULD NOT RELEASE. IT FRIGHTENED ME, I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE HARDER IT STILL DID NOT RELEASE I HAD TO PRESS OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL BUTTON ON THE CONSOLE. THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME NOW. IT IS AN INCONVENIENCE AND SCARY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10626902

34,000 miles · Aug 18, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel System, GasolineService Brakes

ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, WHEN I'M APPROACHING A YELLOW LIGHT AND/OR A CAR THAT'S IN FRONT OF ME WHILE ONLY DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20MPH, WHEN I ATTEMPT TO APPLY MY BRAKES I HAVE TO APPLY A LOT OF PRESSURE TO GET MY CAR TO SLOW DOWN AND IT HONESTLY FEELS AS THOUGH MY CAR ISN'T GOING TO STOP. I WOULD HATE TO BE DRIVING MY CAR ONE DAY…

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ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, WHEN I'M APPROACHING A YELLOW LIGHT AND/OR A CAR THAT'S IN FRONT OF ME WHILE ONLY DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20MPH, WHEN I ATTEMPT TO APPLY MY BRAKES I HAVE TO APPLY A LOT OF PRESSURE TO GET MY CAR TO SLOW DOWN AND IT HONESTLY FEELS AS THOUGH MY CAR ISN'T GOING TO STOP. I WOULD HATE TO BE DRIVING MY CAR ONE DAY AND MY CAR DOESN'T STOP AND I'M INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT THAT LEAVES ME SEVERELY INJURED OR TAKES MY LIFE AND/OR SOMEONE ELSE'S LIFE AS WELL. ALSO, MANY TIMES I HAVE TO APPLY A LOT OF PRESSURE TO MY GAS PEDAL IN ORDER FOR IT TO ACCELERATE AND ACTUALLY MOVE. I UNDERSTAND THAT MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN RECALLED AND THE DEALER IS WAITING FOR GM TO PROVIDE THEM THE PARTS IN ORDER TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE, BUT I DON'T THINK MY LIFE SHOULD BE AT SUCH RISK WHILE WAITING FOR GM TO RECEIVE PARTS. AM I SUPPOSE TO JUST KEEP DRIVING AROUND HOPING MY CAR DOESN'T GIVE OUT ON ME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A KNOWN EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD WITH MY VEHICLE? MY LIFE IS MORE VALUABLE THAN THAT. COULD I BE PROVIDED A RENTAL VEHICLE UNTIL GM PROVIDES THE PARTS TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE? OR COULD I BE REFUNDED FOR MY VEHICLE? SEEING THAT THERE HAS BEEN NUMEROUS CAR ACCIDENTS AND SERIOUS INJURIES RELATED TO THIS PARTICULAR DEFECT WITHIN THE VEHICLE, I SHOULD NOT BE DRIVING MY VEHICLE UNTIL IT IS FIXED. OTHERWISE, I COULD BE THE NEXT PERSON INVOLVED IN A SERIOUS CAR ACCIDENT. SO IN CLOSING, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF I COULD BE PLACED IN A RENTAL CAR UNTIL MY CAR IS REPAIRED OR REFUNDED FOR THE PRICE OF MY VEHICLE? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10626202

8,500 miles · Aug 18, 2014
Electrical SystemService BrakesVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER:14V252000 ( ELECTRICAL SYSTEM , ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL , EXTERIOR LIGHTING , SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC , VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER:14V252000 ( ELECTRICAL SYSTEM , ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL , EXTERIOR LIGHTING , SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC , VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10626056

39,200 miles · Aug 18, 2014
Service Brakes

AT APPROXIMATELY 9AM ON AUG 18, 2014, THE BRAKE SYSTEM STARTED TO FAIL. DRIVER NOTICED THAT WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED IT MAKE A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. ISSUE CONTINUED FOR THE NEXT FEW MILES WHERE IT TOOK AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF PRESSURE TO GET THE BRAKES TO ENGAGE. PEDAL GOES ALMOST ALL THE WAY DOWN T…

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AT APPROXIMATELY 9AM ON AUG 18, 2014, THE BRAKE SYSTEM STARTED TO FAIL. DRIVER NOTICED THAT WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED IT MAKE A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. ISSUE CONTINUED FOR THE NEXT FEW MILES WHERE IT TOOK AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF PRESSURE TO GET THE BRAKES TO ENGAGE. PEDAL GOES ALMOST ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR TO GET ANY BRAKING ACTION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10626039

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.