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

Visibility complaints

4 reports

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44,000 miles · Jul 14, 2016

Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE HEATING MOTOR MALFUNCTIONED, WHICH CAUSED SMOKE TO FILTER INTO THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BLOWER MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXI…

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NHTSA ODI #10884911

48,000 miles · Jun 18, 2015

Electrical SystemSeat BeltsVisibilityFire

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE REAR DEFROSTED FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE FUSES AND NOTICED SPARKS. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO REPLACED THE FUSE OR JUNCTION BOX. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE WINDSHIELD WIPER TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V269000 (SEAT BELTS) AND WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000. ...UPDATED 02/19/16 *BF UPDATED 10/25/2017*CN

NHTSA ODI #10726082

23,000 miles · Nov 17, 2013

Visibility

I HAD MY REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER ON BECAUSE IT WAS A RAINY, HUMID NIGHT IT WAS ON FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES AND THEN MY REAR WINDOW SHATTERED. THERE WAS NO OTHER DAMAGE TO THE CAR EXCEPT FOR THE WINDOW. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10552606

9,600 miles · Jun 18, 2013

Visibility

I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK. IT WAS 57 DEGREES OUTSIDE SO I TURNED MY REAR DEFROST ON. AFTER ABOUT 5MIN OF MY DEFROST BEING ON, MY BACK WINDOW COMPLETELY EXPLODED. IM NOT SURE IF THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE DEFROSTER OR WHAT BUT THERE WAS NO VISIBLE DAMAGE TO ANYTHING ON THE VEHICLE EXCEPT THE WINDOW THAT COMPLETELY SPIDERWEBBED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10520351

Official recalls

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)