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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

Steering complaints

191 reports
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146,000 miles · Dec 16, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)SteeringSuspension

CAR WOULD SHIMMY AND SHAKE. NEW TIRES NEW BREAKS ETC. MADE APPOINT. TO FIX RECALLS WHEN POWER STER. WENT OUT. PUT NEW PS ON AND IT DIDN'T FIX PROBLEM. WENT BACK AND FORTH TO DEALER. HAD CAR DIAGNOSED AND SERVICE MANAGER SAID THERE WAS A RECALL FOR SO CALLED GM, REP SAID THEY WOULD FIX AND REINBURSE FOR THE WORK ALREADY PERFORME…

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CAR WOULD SHIMMY AND SHAKE. NEW TIRES NEW BREAKS ETC. MADE APPOINT. TO FIX RECALLS WHEN POWER STER. WENT OUT. PUT NEW PS ON AND IT DIDN'T FIX PROBLEM. WENT BACK AND FORTH TO DEALER. HAD CAR DIAGNOSED AND SERVICE MANAGER SAID THERE WAS A RECALL FOR SO CALLED GM, REP SAID THEY WOULD FIX AND REINBURSE FOR THE WORK ALREADY PERFORMED, GAVE A CASE NUMBER. CAR SAT A DEALERS WEEKEND. TODAY GM REP SAID THEY WOULD ONLY PAY 5% AND DENIED OTHER REP HAD SAID THEY'D FIX. NO POWER STEERING ON CAR AND IT'S DANGEROUS TO DRIVE DUE TO MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND I'M EXPECTED TO COVER COSTS WHEN I'VE ALREADY SPENT NEARLY 1000 ON IT AND IT'S STILL NOT FIXED. PLEASE HELP

NHTSA ODI #11289408

163,000 miles · Dec 3, 2019
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemSteering

164,00 MILES. TEMP 34 F. DROVE CAR 3 MILES AND STOPPED AT INTERSECTION. PUT SIGNAL ON AND ATTEMPTED LEFT TURN. STEERING BECAME LOCKED. BREAK AND ACCELERATOR WENT TO LOWEST POSITION NEAREST FLOOR. ENGINE STAYED ON BUT CAR WOULD NOT MOVE EVEN AFTER LIFTED FOOT OFF BREAK AND ATTEMPTED TO PUSH ACCELERATOR. . PUT IN PARK. STOPP…

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164,00 MILES. TEMP 34 F. DROVE CAR 3 MILES AND STOPPED AT INTERSECTION. PUT SIGNAL ON AND ATTEMPTED LEFT TURN. STEERING BECAME LOCKED. BREAK AND ACCELERATOR WENT TO LOWEST POSITION NEAREST FLOOR. ENGINE STAYED ON BUT CAR WOULD NOT MOVE EVEN AFTER LIFTED FOOT OFF BREAK AND ATTEMPTED TO PUSH ACCELERATOR. . PUT IN PARK. STOPPED ENGINE. RESTARTED. NO CHANGE AFTER START. AGAIN PUT IN PARK PUSHED ON BREAK TURNED IGNITION IT STARTED. WAS ABLE TO DRIVE AND STEERING BACK TO NORMAL. NO NOTICEABLE PROBLEM AFTER THAT.

NHTSA ODI #11286736

115,000 miles · Dec 2, 2019
Steering

THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING. SERVICE ESC LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR WAS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. AFTER TURNING OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTING THE CAR, THE POWER STEERING CAME BACK ON. I HAVE LOOKED IT UP AND THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT MY CAR DOES NOT SEEM TO BE PART OF THIS RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #11286374

147,000 miles · Nov 19, 2019
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED AND FAILED TO STEER. IN ADDITION, THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000. THE VIN WAS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED AND FAILED TO STEER. IN ADDITION, THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.

NHTSA ODI #11281048

204,000 miles · Nov 12, 2019
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ECS ACTIVATED WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14E044000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT CALLED VICTORVILLE CHEVROLET (LOCATED AT 15425 DOS PA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ECS ACTIVATED WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14E044000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT CALLED VICTORVILLE CHEVROLET (LOCATED AT 15425 DOS PALMAS RD, VICTORVILLE, CA 92392, (760) 475-9098) AND INFORMED THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 204,000.

NHTSA ODI #11279533

126,000 miles · Aug 17, 2019
Steering

MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT AS I WAS EXITING THE HIGHWAY AT A BEND AND WHILE I WAS TURNING TO BEGIN DRIVING ON THE CITY STREETS. I HAD MY 2 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER AND 6 YEAR OLD SON WITH ME AT THE TIME THIS HAPPENED WHICH FRIGHTENED ME TREMENDOUSLY.

NHTSA ODI #11244606

143,600 miles · Jul 14, 2019
SeatsSteering

MY 2012 MALIBU 1LT HAS SOME OF THE SAME ISSUES THE RECALLS ARE FOR BUT MY SPECIFIC VIN NUMBER ISN'T INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS. MY DRIVER SEAT MOVES WHEN SITTING IN IT AND I NEED A RACK-AND-PINION. I'M ALSO HAVING ISSUES WITH A 'ROUGH' IDLE AND WHEN I PUT IT IN PARK THE RPM'S DIE DOWN BETWEEN 1&0 AND THE CAR ACTS LIKE IT'S TRYING T…

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MY 2012 MALIBU 1LT HAS SOME OF THE SAME ISSUES THE RECALLS ARE FOR BUT MY SPECIFIC VIN NUMBER ISN'T INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS. MY DRIVER SEAT MOVES WHEN SITTING IN IT AND I NEED A RACK-AND-PINION. I'M ALSO HAVING ISSUES WITH A 'ROUGH' IDLE AND WHEN I PUT IT IN PARK THE RPM'S DIE DOWN BETWEEN 1&0 AND THE CAR ACTS LIKE IT'S TRYING TO CUT OFF.

NHTSA ODI #11231798

65,000 miles · Jun 25, 2019
Steering

MY VEHICLE IS STARTING TO SHOW A POWER STEERING WARNING.THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS NUMBER 15356, 08/28/2015, CAMPAIGN - ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING FAILURE WARRANTY INFO. I CALLED GM AND THEY SAID MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT INCLUDED. I FEEL IT IS GOING TO LOSE POWER STEERING ASSIST AT ANY TIME. THIS COULD RESULT IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. T…

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MY VEHICLE IS STARTING TO SHOW A POWER STEERING WARNING.THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS NUMBER 15356, 08/28/2015, CAMPAIGN - ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING FAILURE WARRANTY INFO. I CALLED GM AND THEY SAID MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT INCLUDED. I FEEL IT IS GOING TO LOSE POWER STEERING ASSIST AT ANY TIME. THIS COULD RESULT IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE MALIBUS COVERED BY THE RECALL. THEY REFUSE TO ADMIT THIS PROBLEM IS MORE WIDESPREAD TO 2012 MALIBUS THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED AT THIS TIME.

NHTSA ODI #11222564

Mileage unknown · May 14, 2019
SeatsSteering

THERE IS A STEERING RECALL FOR MY CAR BUT NOT FOR MY SPECIFIC VIN #. I'M HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH MINE AS WELL. MY RACKING PINION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI #11207496

119,000 miles · Apr 4, 2019
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN CHEVROLET DEALER IN KENTUCKY WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WA…

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TL* THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN CHEVROLET DEALER IN KENTUCKY WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14E044000 (STEERING). THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000.

NHTSA ODI #11193884

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.