IllustrationMY 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.
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 reportsWHEN TURNING ON THE CAR AND WHEN DRIVING A MESSAGE COMES UP SAYING "SERVICE AIR BAG". THE CLOCK TURNS TO MILITARY TIME WITHOUT US CHANGING IT. SEAT BELTS SIGN COMES WHEN SEAT BELTS ARE BEING USED. POOR PERFORMANCE.
MY CAR WON'T TURN OVER AFTER I TURN IT OFF SOMETIMES. SOMETIMES IT WILL BE MOST OTHER TIMES IT DOESN'T. THE BATTERY IS NEW, SPARK PLUGS ARE NEW, SENSORS ARE NEW. STARTER ISN'T THE PROBLEM. DON'T KNOW WHAT IT COULD BE? IT WAS STATIONARY WHEN THIS HAPPENS, WHEN I TRY TO TURN THE CAR BACK ON.
ANTITHEFT SYSTEM IS CAUSING MY CAR NOT TO START. I HAVE CONTACT GM THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO HELP. I RESEARCH ONLINE LINE WHERE CHEVROLET KNOWS ABOUT THE ISSUE BUT WANT CUSTOMER TO FIX THE PROBLEM THEMSELVES. I WAS STRANDED FOR 4 HOURS IN THE HOUSTON HEAT WITH MY KIDS. THE CAR WILL STOP IN TRAFFIC AS WELL
THE FUSE BOX IN TRUNK OF CAR HAS A SHORT IN THE WIRE AND IT IS CAUSING A BURNING SMELL. THE VEHICLE DOESN'T START HALF OF THE TIME AND WHEN IT DOES START, THE CAR WILL STALL OUT OR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. THIS IS UNSAFE ESPECIALLY IN TRAFFIC WITH THE KIDS.
MY 2012 CHEVY MALIBU PASSENGER HEADLIGHT HAS GONE OUT 4 TIMES IN A YEAR AND A HALF. IT IS REDICULOUS THAT IT COSTS A MINIMUM OF 80.00 TO HAVE THIS WORK DONE AND IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE THE OWNER CANNOT PERFORM THE BULB REPLACEMENT WITHOUT REMOVING THE ENTIRE FRONT OF THE CAR.
AT 1ST MY CAR WOULDN'T CRANK EVERY SO OFTEN THEN STARTED GOING DRAG WHILE DRIVING I GOOGLED IT AND HAD TO BEAT ON FUSEBOX IN TRUNK OR WIGGLE WIRES SO HAD TO RUN WIRE STRAIGHT TO BATTERY TO FUEL PUMP. MY HEADLIGHTS ON DIM KEEP SHOOTING AND MY SPEAKERS WILL GO OUT SOMETIMES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ACCELERATION FAILURE AND STALLED. IN ADDITION, THE GEAR HAD A DIFFICULT TIME SHIFTING FROM PARK INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MOVE OUT OF A PARKED POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BERGSTROM CHEVROLET OF MADISON (1345 APPLEGAT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ACCELERATION FAILURE AND STALLED. IN ADDITION, THE GEAR HAD A DIFFICULT TIME SHIFTING FROM PARK INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MOVE OUT OF A PARKED POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BERGSTROM CHEVROLET OF MADISON (1345 APPLEGATE RD, MADISON, WI 53713, (608) 271-2212) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BODY CONTROL MODULE AND AN ELECTRIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED. IN ADDITION, A REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR ALTERNATOR CIRCUIT NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT THE DEALER SINCE JULY 16, 2019 AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REPAIR WOULD COST $2,700. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO A MANAGER. THE CONTACT HAD NOT YET SPOKEN WITH THE MANAGER. THE CONTACT WAS TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER AND WAS CONCERNED THAT THE REPAIRS WERE NOT DONE PROPERLY. THE DEALER COULD NOT PROVIDE A SERVICE REPAIR HISTORY FOR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
2012 CHEVY MALIBU, WINDSHIELD WIPER TRANSMISSION I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY TODAY, DURING A RAINSTORM, WHEN THE WIPERS FAILED TO OPERATE WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON MI 696. I WAS ON A 4 LANE HIGHWAY AND COULD NOT SEE AT ALL DO TO THE FAILED WIPER TRANSMISSION BUSHING. THIS NOT ONLY PUT MYSELF IN DANGER BUT OTHER DRIVERS AS WE…
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2012 CHEVY MALIBU, WINDSHIELD WIPER TRANSMISSION I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY TODAY, DURING A RAINSTORM, WHEN THE WIPERS FAILED TO OPERATE WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON MI 696. I WAS ON A 4 LANE HIGHWAY AND COULD NOT SEE AT ALL DO TO THE FAILED WIPER TRANSMISSION BUSHING. THIS NOT ONLY PUT MYSELF IN DANGER BUT OTHER DRIVERS AS WELL. I COULD NOT SEE AT ALL AND CAUSED MANY OTHER DRIVERS TO SWERVE OUT OF THEIR LANES AT 70 MPH. PLASTIC BUSHINGS ARE USED ON THE WIPER TRANSMISSION (LINKAGE) WHICH HAS BEEN A COMMONLY REPORTED EVENT. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW WHICH IS CAUSING THE WIPERS TO FAIL, MAKING VISIBILITY DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER IMPOSSIBLE. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. GM ONLY OFFERS A REPLACEMENT WIPER TRANSMISSION WITH THE SAME PLASTIC BUSHINGS THAT KEEP FAILING. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT WOULD HAVE A MINIMAL COST IF THEY USED METAL BUSHINGS. THIS PLASTIC BUSHING MAY EVENTUALLY KILL SOMEONE FROM FAILED WIPER USAGE.
WAS DRIVING AND MY CAR STOPPED ACCELERATING. I PUSHED ON THE GAS AND IT WOULD NOT GO. I WAS ON THE FREE WAY AND ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT. ALSO CAR WOULD NO LONGER START AFTER STOPPED. WOULD ACT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO START AND DOES NOT. I'VE HAD SEVERAL TOES WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE. A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN.
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.