IllustrationLOSS OF STEERING WHEN TURNING. DRIVER INFO PANEL SAYING ESC AND SERVICE POWER STEERING . !
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
Steering complaints
191 reportsTHE STEERING WHEEL IS HARD TO TURN AND IT'S GETTING WORSE AND WORSE WHEN IT IS UNLOCKED THE WHEEL SHAKES LIKE CRAZY AND IT HAS NO GRIP WHEN U TURN IN THE CAR IT IS UNLOCKED BUT AS U DRIVING IT IT LOCKS IT'S SELFNL. AT A INTERSECTION AS I WAS AT A A COMPLETE STOP ONCE I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BREAKER THE STEERING WHEEL ALMOST HIT T…
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THE STEERING WHEEL IS HARD TO TURN AND IT'S GETTING WORSE AND WORSE WHEN IT IS UNLOCKED THE WHEEL SHAKES LIKE CRAZY AND IT HAS NO GRIP WHEN U TURN IN THE CAR IT IS UNLOCKED BUT AS U DRIVING IT IT LOCKS IT'S SELFNL. AT A INTERSECTION AS I WAS AT A A COMPLETE STOP ONCE I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BREAKER THE STEERING WHEEL ALMOST HIT THE THE CAR IN THE NEXT LANE
WHILE DRIVING TO SCHOOL GOING ROUGHLY FROM IDLE TO 10MPH AS STARTED TO GET ON THE HIGHWAY THE ESC SERVICES POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND I LOST ALL POWER STEERING. NEEDLESS TO SAY ME BEING 5'3" AND 98 POUNDS DIDN'T HELP ME MUCH TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. I SLOWLY PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND GATHERED MYSELF NOT KNOWI…
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WHILE DRIVING TO SCHOOL GOING ROUGHLY FROM IDLE TO 10MPH AS STARTED TO GET ON THE HIGHWAY THE ESC SERVICES POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND I LOST ALL POWER STEERING. NEEDLESS TO SAY ME BEING 5'3" AND 98 POUNDS DIDN'T HELP ME MUCH TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. I SLOWLY PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND GATHERED MYSELF NOT KNOWING WHAT JUST HAPPENED. I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND GATHERED MY THOUGHTS. LUCKILY I WAS ON STRAIGHT AWAY WITH NO TURNS WHEN THIS HAPPENED. SO I PRECEEDED TO TURN THE CAR ON AND NOTICED THE MESSAGE WAS GONE SO I CHECKED THE STEERING AND THE PROBLEM LIGHT WAS GONE. WELL WITH THAT SAID, THAT WAS THE FIRST THIS HAD HAPPENED. AND NOW IT HAS PROGRESSED DURING THE WINTER. I DON'T KNOW IF THE COLD HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT. BUT THIS IS SCARY AND GM SHOULD TRY TO ADDRESS IT. I BELIEVE THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE BUT MY VIN DOESN'T SHOW THAT RECALL. CAN YOU PLEASE HELP. THE PROBLEM IS STARTING TO HAPPEN WHEN I START MY CAR NOW.
POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON AND MY STEERING WHEEL IS TWITCHING AND JERKING.
ESC LIGHT CAME ON, LOST POWER STEERING WHILE MANEUVERING ON EXTREMELY ICY CURVE ON FREEWAY. FORTUNATELY WAS ABLE MUSCLE THE CAR TO SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT ACCIDENT. FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINANTS ON NHTSA WEB SITE FOR THIS EXACT SAME ISSUE, BUT COULDN'T FIND WHERE THERE WAS ANY RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE PER MY CARS VIN NUMBER. EX…
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ESC LIGHT CAME ON, LOST POWER STEERING WHILE MANEUVERING ON EXTREMELY ICY CURVE ON FREEWAY. FORTUNATELY WAS ABLE MUSCLE THE CAR TO SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT ACCIDENT. FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINANTS ON NHTSA WEB SITE FOR THIS EXACT SAME ISSUE, BUT COULDN'T FIND WHERE THERE WAS ANY RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE PER MY CARS VIN NUMBER. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS PROBLEM THAT MANUFACTURER NEEDS TO ADDRESS.
ON WEDNESDAY JANUARY 6, 2021, I WAS ON MY WAY HOME FROM PICKING MY SON UP FROM SCHOOL WHEN I WENT TO MAKE A LEFT TURN FROM THE CENTER DIVIDER AND MY STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN! THIS CAUSED ME TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BUSY CITY STREET AND TO PARK UP ON THE CURB TO AVOID ONGOING TRAFFIC. I TRIED TO TURN TH…
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ON WEDNESDAY JANUARY 6, 2021, I WAS ON MY WAY HOME FROM PICKING MY SON UP FROM SCHOOL WHEN I WENT TO MAKE A LEFT TURN FROM THE CENTER DIVIDER AND MY STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN! THIS CAUSED ME TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BUSY CITY STREET AND TO PARK UP ON THE CURB TO AVOID ONGOING TRAFFIC. I TRIED TO TURN THE WHEEL MANUALLY WITH A LOT OF STRENGTH BUT IT DID NOT MOVE. THEN A WARNING SIGNAL APPEARED SAYING (POWER STEERING). I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON TO SEE IF THIS HELPED, IT DID. AFTER I GOT HOME I DID NOT DRIVE THE CAR ANYMORE. I AM WAITING TO SEE IF THIS REPAIR IS COVERED UNDER CHEVROLET'S WARRANTY REGARDING EPS (ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING) VEHICLES.
AS TIME IS GOING ON THE STEERING IS GETTING LESS CONTROLLABLE. I HAVE YET TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT BUT I CAN FEEL THE CAR SWERVING A BIT WHEN I'M STEERING (SWERVING I DIDN'T DO). I LOOKED UP MY VIN ON ISEECARS.COM TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL AT ALL WITH THE STEERING AND THERE WAS IN 2014 . I BOUGHT THIS CAR LAST YEAR SO I AM THE…
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AS TIME IS GOING ON THE STEERING IS GETTING LESS CONTROLLABLE. I HAVE YET TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT BUT I CAN FEEL THE CAR SWERVING A BIT WHEN I'M STEERING (SWERVING I DIDN'T DO). I LOOKED UP MY VIN ON ISEECARS.COM TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL AT ALL WITH THE STEERING AND THERE WAS IN 2014 . I BOUGHT THIS CAR LAST YEAR SO I AM THE OWNER AND AM NOT SURE HOW TO GO ABOUT THIS. I GOT IT CHECKED OUT AND THE MECHANIC SAID THERE IS DEFINITELY AN ISSUE WITH THE RACK AND PINION AND SHAFT . ALSO MY PASSENGER SEATBELT LIGHT REMAINS ON AT ALL TIMES AND THERE HAVE BEEN MINOR ISSUES WITH THEM.
POWER STEERING GOES OUT LOW TRAC LIGHT COMES ON SERVICE LIGHT COMES ON WHILE CAR WAS IN MOTION
I WAS DRIVING TO TOWN AND EVERYTHING STOP WORKING. IT SCARD THE CRAP OUT OF ME. I TOOK IT TO SMITH CHEVY IN TURLOCK CA THEY SAID THEY DIDNT KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT AND CHARAGED ME 489.00. LUCKY IT DIDNT KILL ME. GM MOTORS NEED TO DO A RECALL ON IT BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR LOSE THERE LIFE.
ESC WARNING ON DASH COMING ON WILL DRIVING AND TURNING FORWARD OR BACKWARD. HVAC CONTROLLER NOT RESPONDING TO COMMANDS, HVAC RESISTOR AND BLOWER MOTOR WIRES GETTING VERY HOT AND NOT BLOWING FUSES WHEN DRIVING WITH AC OR HEATER RUNNING. HVAC RESISTOR BLOWING OUT. HIGH MOTOR OIL CONSUMPTION , EVERY 1000 MILES ITS LOW A QUART.
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.