IllustrationTHE 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.
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
What owners actually said
906 reportsTHE LOW BEAM LIGHT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE KEEPS GOING OUT I'VE CHANGED IT TWICE AND ITS STILL GOING OUT AS IF THERE IS A SHORTAGE
TIMING CHAIN JUST CAME OFF AT 86000 MILES. DRIVING FINE UNTIL ENGINE RPM SLOWED TO IDLE SPEED THEN SHUT OFF. WAS UNABLE TO START AND STRANDED. NO CODES OR WARNING. LUCKILY THIS HAPPENED IN A PARKING LOT BUT COULD HAVE EASILY HAPPENED ON A HIGHWAY.
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.
THREE TIMES IN TWO MONTHS THE PASSENGER LOW BEAM HAS GONE OUT. I WORK NIGHTS AND EACH TIME IT HAS GONE OUT IT HAS BEEN WHILE I AM DRIVING TO WORK IN THE DARK. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE ISSUE AND NO CLEAR ANSWER HAS BEEN GIVEN ON HOW TO FIX THE ISSUE.
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.
DRIVER SEAT WELD BROKE AT THE RIGJT REAR AND LEFT FRONT WITHOUT BEING IN AN ACCIDENT. I WAS SITTING IN THE SEAT AND WENT TO ADJUST IT AND IT BROKE ON THE WAY UP, THEN THE LEFT SIDE ON THE WAY DOWN. I HAVE SEEM ON THE INTERNET THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS TO GM AND NEARLY ALL ARE DENIED TO BE REPAIRED AT DEALERS COST. THIS I…
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DRIVER SEAT WELD BROKE AT THE RIGJT REAR AND LEFT FRONT WITHOUT BEING IN AN ACCIDENT. I WAS SITTING IN THE SEAT AND WENT TO ADJUST IT AND IT BROKE ON THE WAY UP, THEN THE LEFT SIDE ON THE WAY DOWN. I HAVE SEEM ON THE INTERNET THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS TO GM AND NEARLY ALL ARE DENIED TO BE REPAIRED AT DEALERS COST. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE LOOKED AT ASAP.
ELECTRICAL PART SHUTS DOWN THE CAR CAN'T GO SOMETIMES YOU CAN CHANGE FUSE WILL GO AND HERE WE GO AGAIN HAVE IT IN AND OUT OF SHOP TO BE WORK ON NO BODY CAN'T FIGURE IT OUT . AND EVEN SHUTS DOWN WHEN DRIVING DOWN ROAD IN TRAFFIC VERY DANGEROUS ON HIGHWAY. HAD IN DIFFERENT SHOPS FOR HELP.GETTING VERY SICK OF IT READ OTHER HAVE SA…
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ELECTRICAL PART SHUTS DOWN THE CAR CAN'T GO SOMETIMES YOU CAN CHANGE FUSE WILL GO AND HERE WE GO AGAIN HAVE IT IN AND OUT OF SHOP TO BE WORK ON NO BODY CAN'T FIGURE IT OUT . AND EVEN SHUTS DOWN WHEN DRIVING DOWN ROAD IN TRAFFIC VERY DANGEROUS ON HIGHWAY. HAD IN DIFFERENT SHOPS FOR HELP.GETTING VERY SICK OF IT READ OTHER HAVE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SAME TYPE CAR.WHY ISN'T SOMETHING BEING DONE ABOUT IT READY TO START BUYING HONDA CARS.THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON ALL SUMMER STILL NOVEMBER. SO TIRED OF IT AND WASTING MONEY ON IT. THIS HAS HAPPEN MORE THAN ONE TIME
THE HEADLIGHTS ON THIS VEHICLE GO OUT BUT THE BULBS ARE NOT BLOWN. THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE CONNECTORS THAT CAUSE THE HEADLIGHTS TO GO OUT AND COME ON SPORADICALLY. SOMETIMES THE LIGHT WILL COME OFF OR ON IF IT IS HIT OR KICKED, OR IF A BUMP IN THE ROAD IS HIT. THIS CAUSES THE PREMATURE TRASHING OF BULBS THAT SEEM TO HAVE BLOW…
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THE HEADLIGHTS ON THIS VEHICLE GO OUT BUT THE BULBS ARE NOT BLOWN. THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE CONNECTORS THAT CAUSE THE HEADLIGHTS TO GO OUT AND COME ON SPORADICALLY. SOMETIMES THE LIGHT WILL COME OFF OR ON IF IT IS HIT OR KICKED, OR IF A BUMP IN THE ROAD IS HIT. THIS CAUSES THE PREMATURE TRASHING OF BULBS THAT SEEM TO HAVE BLOWN. THIS IS A PROBLEM UNTO ITSELF BUT EVEN MORE PROBLEMATIC SINCE THE ENTIRE BUMPER MUST BE REMOVED IN ORDER TO REPLACE (ANY COMPONENT OF) A HEADLIGHT. MECHANICS ARE FAMILIAR WITH THIS ISSUE FOR SEVERAL GM VEHICLES WITHIN A CERTAIN TIME FRAME. I HAVE CHATTED WITH SEVERAL OWNERS OF CADILLACS, IMPALAS, AND MALIBUS THAT EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEM.
I BOUGHT MY 2012 MALIBU ABOUT 2YEARS AGO AND AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRATION I STARTED HAVING CODES SAYING TO SERVICE AIR BAGS BUT THE CODES WON'T STAY CONSTANT AND NO ONE KNOWS WHY FOR SOME ODD REASON. ON TOP OF THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE HEAD LIGHT HAS BEEN CHANGED 5 TIME IN LESS THEN A YEAR AND A HALF AND ONCE AGAIN NO ONE KNOWS W…
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I BOUGHT MY 2012 MALIBU ABOUT 2YEARS AGO AND AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRATION I STARTED HAVING CODES SAYING TO SERVICE AIR BAGS BUT THE CODES WON'T STAY CONSTANT AND NO ONE KNOWS WHY FOR SOME ODD REASON. ON TOP OF THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE HEAD LIGHT HAS BEEN CHANGED 5 TIME IN LESS THEN A YEAR AND A HALF AND ONCE AGAIN NO ONE KNOWS WHY. I'M NOT THE ONLY PERSON WITH CONSTANT ISSUES THE MANUFACTURER NEEDS TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR FAULTY EQUIPMENT
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.