← New search

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 →

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

What owners actually said

906 reports
149,850 miles · Feb 26, 2019
Steering

I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY STEERING NEARLY EVERYTIME I WOULD START MY CAR. AFTER STARTING IT REPEATEDLY IT USUAL WOULD STEER BUT TODAY AS I WAS DRIVING THE STEERING FROZE! IT WAS VERY SCARY AND COULD HAVE TURNED OUT DANGEROUSLY. I AM NOT SURE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS BUT I SEE THAT MANY OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WIT…

Read full complaint

I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY STEERING NEARLY EVERYTIME I WOULD START MY CAR. AFTER STARTING IT REPEATEDLY IT USUAL WOULD STEER BUT TODAY AS I WAS DRIVING THE STEERING FROZE! IT WAS VERY SCARY AND COULD HAVE TURNED OUT DANGEROUSLY. I AM NOT SURE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS BUT I SEE THAT MANY OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING OF THIS YEAR AND MODEL/.

NHTSA ODI #11182677

20,000 miles · Feb 26, 2019
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

I'VE BEEN DEALING WITH MY CAR CUTTING ON AND OFF... I CHANGE MY FUEL PUMP I CHANGE THE SENSORS AND I'M STILLL HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR CUTTING OFF WHEN IT WANTS OR STARTING WHEN IT WANTS. I'M NOW ABOUT TO CHANGE MY FUSE BOX IN MY TRUNK TO SEE IF THAT WORKS. THE ONLY WAY THE CAR WILL START IS IF I MESS WITH THE FUSE BOX IN THE…

Read full complaint

I'VE BEEN DEALING WITH MY CAR CUTTING ON AND OFF... I CHANGE MY FUEL PUMP I CHANGE THE SENSORS AND I'M STILLL HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR CUTTING OFF WHEN IT WANTS OR STARTING WHEN IT WANTS. I'M NOW ABOUT TO CHANGE MY FUSE BOX IN MY TRUNK TO SEE IF THAT WORKS. THE ONLY WAY THE CAR WILL START IS IF I MESS WITH THE FUSE BOX IN THE TRUNK. ALSO I'M HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY HEADLIGHTS. I CHANGED THEM ABOUT 3 TIMES ALREADY BUT THEY KEEP GOING OUT.

NHTSA ODI #11182476

180,000 miles · Feb 25, 2019
Exterior Lighting

ON APPROXIMATELY WEDNESDAY 2/20/2019 AND AT 3 POINTS IN 2018 A HEADLIGHT WENT OUT ON MY 2012 CHEVY MALIBU. ON 2/24/18 I RECEIVED A TICKET FOR IT. BUT THE ONLY REASON I DID AND THE 0NLY REASON A KEY SAFETY FEATURE WAS DISABLED FOR SO LONG IS DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW BY CHEVY. YOU HAVE TO REMOVE APPROX 30 BOLTS AND THE ENTIRE FRONT CL…

Read full complaint

ON APPROXIMATELY WEDNESDAY 2/20/2019 AND AT 3 POINTS IN 2018 A HEADLIGHT WENT OUT ON MY 2012 CHEVY MALIBU. ON 2/24/18 I RECEIVED A TICKET FOR IT. BUT THE ONLY REASON I DID AND THE 0NLY REASON A KEY SAFETY FEATURE WAS DISABLED FOR SO LONG IS DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW BY CHEVY. YOU HAVE TO REMOVE APPROX 30 BOLTS AND THE ENTIRE FRONT CLIP OF THE VEHICLE TO CHANGE A HEADLIGHT. THIS DESIGN FLAW NOT ONLY DISENFRANCHISES PEOPLE BUT ALSO MAKES THE ROAD LESS SAFE DUE TO THE FACT THE AVERAGE NON MECHANICALLY INCLINED PERSON WOULD LIKELY GO TO A MECHANIC AND USUALLY WAIT TO DO THAT BECAUSE OF THE COSTS. I THINK RATHER THAN FINE THEM. ISSUE A RECALL FOR THE TICKETS PEOPLE HAVE GOTTEN BECAUSE OF THEM IN ADDITION TO MAKING THEM OFFER FREE SERVICE ON HEADLIGHT CHANGES. MAYBE THEY WON'T DO STUPID STUFF THAT ENDANGERS THE ROAD AGAIN IF THEY HAVE TO PAY EVERY SINGLE PETTY LITTLE TICKET.

NHTSA ODI #11182393

Mileage unknown · Feb 23, 2019
Exterior Lighting

BOTH HEADLIGHT GO OUT. REPLACED THE BULB 5 TIMES LAST YEAR AND 1 TIME THIS YEAR. IF I AM DRIVING MY CAR AND HIT A BUMP THE LIGHT WILL TURN OFF OR IF IT IS OFF IT WILL TURN ON.

NHTSA ODI #11182165

83,997 miles · Feb 23, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesUnknown Or Other

THE LIGHTS RANDOMLY COME ON THEN THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WILL START TO ACT UP WHEN I GO TO STOP AS IF I WAS TO SLIDE ON ICE BUT I'M NOT I'M ON DRY PAVEMENT. ON CITY STREET.

NHTSA ODI #11182113

36,000 miles · Feb 19, 2019
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CAR ARE CONSTANTLY GOING OUT. I HAVE TO REPLACE THEM 3-4 TIMES A YEAR. I SPEND HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS ON HEADLAMPS, EVEN THOUGH I INSTALL THEM MYSELF. INSTALLING NEW HEADLAMPS REQUIRES YOU TO REMOVE THE FRONT BUMPER. THERE IS AN OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW WITH THE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS I …

Read full complaint

THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CAR ARE CONSTANTLY GOING OUT. I HAVE TO REPLACE THEM 3-4 TIMES A YEAR. I SPEND HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS ON HEADLAMPS, EVEN THOUGH I INSTALL THEM MYSELF. INSTALLING NEW HEADLAMPS REQUIRES YOU TO REMOVE THE FRONT BUMPER. THERE IS AN OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW WITH THE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS I HAVE SEEN WITH THIS SAME ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11181043

120,000 miles · Feb 18, 2019
Air Bags

MY SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AT LIKE EVERY 3-4 STARTS IT WILL TURN OFF AFTER I TURN THE CAR OFF I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS IS A RECALL THAT IS COVERED I JUST TOOK MY CAR IN BECAUSE THE ESC LIGHT WAS COMING ON AND OFF AND WHEN IT WOULD COME ON I WOULD LOSE STEERING I WAS ONCE HAPPY WITH MY CAR BUT NOW I KEEP HAVING ALL THE…

Read full complaint

MY SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AT LIKE EVERY 3-4 STARTS IT WILL TURN OFF AFTER I TURN THE CAR OFF I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS IS A RECALL THAT IS COVERED I JUST TOOK MY CAR IN BECAUSE THE ESC LIGHT WAS COMING ON AND OFF AND WHEN IT WOULD COME ON I WOULD LOSE STEERING I WAS ONCE HAPPY WITH MY CAR BUT NOW I KEEP HAVING ALL THESE LIGHT PIPING ON AND OFF

NHTSA ODI #11180878

73,630 miles · Feb 18, 2019
Steering

WANTED TO UPDATE MY CASE 11173286. I TOOK THE CAR TO CHEVROLET DEALER TO HAVE CAR REPAIRED 02/05/2019. APPARENTLY CHEVROLET KNOWS THEY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING BECAUSE IT WAS COVERED UNDER A SPECIAL WARRANTY. THEY REPLACED THE STEERING TORQUE SENSOR AND MOTOR PART NUMBERS 23232310 SENSOR KIT AND 22837369 MODULE. I THINK…

Read full complaint

WANTED TO UPDATE MY CASE 11173286. I TOOK THE CAR TO CHEVROLET DEALER TO HAVE CAR REPAIRED 02/05/2019. APPARENTLY CHEVROLET KNOWS THEY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING BECAUSE IT WAS COVERED UNDER A SPECIAL WARRANTY. THEY REPLACED THE STEERING TORQUE SENSOR AND MOTOR PART NUMBERS 23232310 SENSOR KIT AND 22837369 MODULE. I THINK THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM BECAUSE IF IT HAD HAPPENED WHEN MY WIFE WAS DRIVING SHE WOULD OF HAD A REAL PROBLEM BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL IS VERY HARD TO TURN. SHE WOULD NOT KNOW IF YOU RESTART THE CAR THE STEERING WORKS AGAIN. SHE PROBABLY WOULD JUST STOPPED THE CAR WHERE EVER SHE WAS AND CAUSE A TRAFFIC PROBLEM. ALSO THERE WAS NOT ANY WARNING THAT STEERING WAS GOING TO GO BAD. IT HAPPENED TO ME 5 TIMES BEFORE I HAD IT FIXED. THE PROBLEM WOULD ANY PLACE. I HAVE HAPPEN ON THE STREET GOING 45 MPH, TURNING A CORNER, BACKING OUR OF MY DRIVEWAY, 2 TIMES ON A CITY STREET UNDER 30 MPH. IF YOU GO ONLINE THERE ARE OTHER PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #11180857

133,602 miles · Feb 18, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

STARTED OUT WHEN I'M JUST DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD MY STEERING WHEEL TWITCHES. NOW HAS GONE TO ESC POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL COMPLETELY LOCKS UP. MOST OF THE TIME JUST WHEN I START THE CAR HOWEVER HAS DONE IT WHEN I'M DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THANKFULLY IT WAS A SECLUDED ROAD AND I DIDN'T HIT ANYONE. …

Read full complaint

STARTED OUT WHEN I'M JUST DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD MY STEERING WHEEL TWITCHES. NOW HAS GONE TO ESC POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL COMPLETELY LOCKS UP. MOST OF THE TIME JUST WHEN I START THE CAR HOWEVER HAS DONE IT WHEN I'M DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THANKFULLY IT WAS A SECLUDED ROAD AND I DIDN'T HIT ANYONE. THIS IS SUPER DANGEROUS AND ACCORDING TO MY SEARCH OF THE INTERNET I'M NOT ALONE.

NHTSA ODI #11180723

Mileage unknown · Feb 17, 2019
Exterior Lighting

HEADLIGHTS WORK INTERMITTENTLY, I'VE REPLACED BOTH BULBS AROUND 4 TIMES IN A YEAR. THE DRIVER SIDE GOES OUT I CHANGE IT THEN THE PASSENGER WOULD GO OUT THEN CHANGE IT THEN BOOM THERE GOES THE DRIVER SIDE AGAIN AFTER THE LAST TIME CHANGING IT I NOTICED THE BULBS AREN'T BLOWING OUT. EVERYONE THAT HAS THIS MAKE AND MODEL CAR IS HAV…

Read full complaint

HEADLIGHTS WORK INTERMITTENTLY, I'VE REPLACED BOTH BULBS AROUND 4 TIMES IN A YEAR. THE DRIVER SIDE GOES OUT I CHANGE IT THEN THE PASSENGER WOULD GO OUT THEN CHANGE IT THEN BOOM THERE GOES THE DRIVER SIDE AGAIN AFTER THE LAST TIME CHANGING IT I NOTICED THE BULBS AREN'T BLOWING OUT. EVERYONE THAT HAS THIS MAKE AND MODEL CAR IS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AND I BELIEVE IT IS A FACTORY DEFECT WITH THE WIRING HARNESSES. RUNNING TO THE CHEVY DEALER TO HAVE THIS ISSUE DIAGNOSED AND THEN THE INSANE BILL AFTERWARDS TO FIX SOMETHING THAT I'M PRETTY SURE GM WAS AND IS ALREADY AWARE IS NOT ONLY RIDICULOUS BUT A DISRESPECTFUL SLAP IN THE FACE TO THEIR FAITHFUL CONSUMERS.

NHTSA ODI #11180583

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.