IllustrationTHE PASSENGER SIDE LOW-BEAM HEADLAMP HAS FAILED 4 TIMES IN THE LAST 18 MONTHS. THIS HAS NOT BEEN A RESULT OF ANY IMPROPER USE OR OVERUSE OF THE HEADLAMP AND PROPER REPLACEMENT HAS BEEN DONE.
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 reportsPOWER STEERING KEEPS TURNING OFF WHILE DRIVING AND I GET THIS 'WARNING' COME ON, SERVICE ESC POWER STEERING. REALLY SCARY DRIVING ON FREEWAY AND POWER STEERING SUDDENLY TURNING OFF. WHAT IS THE SOLUTION? IS THERE A RECALL?
I'M HAVING PROBLEM WITH BRAKE PEDAL SENSOR - REPLACED TWICE ALREADY - WHILE DRIVING HIT BRAKES ERROR MESSAGE SERVICE ABS SERVICE TRACTION CRUISE CONTROL WANT DISENGAGE ALSO NOTICED THAT I COULD MOVE THE GEAR OUT OF PARK WITH OUT PUSHING THE BRAKE PEDAL ARE THERE ANY RECALLS FOR THESE ISSUES?
LOW BEAM LIGHTS STOP WORKING QUITE OFTEN. PASSENGER SIDE, FOLLOWED BY DRIVER'S SIDE. REPLACED BULBS SEVERAL TIMES OVER THIS PAST YEAR OR SO, ONLY TO FIND THIS LAST TIME THAT THE BULBS WEREN'T BLOWN, JUST NOT WORKING. CHANGED PIGTAIL ON PASSENGER SIDE, PUT SAME BULB BACK IN, LIGHT WORKED FOR A FEW WEEKS, BUT THEN STOPPED WORKING …
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LOW BEAM LIGHTS STOP WORKING QUITE OFTEN. PASSENGER SIDE, FOLLOWED BY DRIVER'S SIDE. REPLACED BULBS SEVERAL TIMES OVER THIS PAST YEAR OR SO, ONLY TO FIND THIS LAST TIME THAT THE BULBS WEREN'T BLOWN, JUST NOT WORKING. CHANGED PIGTAIL ON PASSENGER SIDE, PUT SAME BULB BACK IN, LIGHT WORKED FOR A FEW WEEKS, BUT THEN STOPPED WORKING LAST WEEK. LAST NIGHT THE DRIVER'S SIDE STOPPED WORKING AGAIN AS WELL. THAT SEEMS TO BE THE PATTERN. PASSENGER SIDE STOPS, THEN NOT LONG AFTER, DRIVER SIDE STOPS. SEARCHED ONLINE FOR HELP. INSTEAD, I FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME ISSUE WITH SUGGESTIONS TO REPORT IT HERE IN CASE IT IS A WIDER INVOLVED ISSUE. THANK YOU.
TRACKING CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON AND SLOWS THE CAR, THE THE ENGINE WILL DISABLE . THE CAR WILL DO THIS WHILE IN MOTION. TODAY ON THE FREEWAY ENGINES DISABLED AND ALMOST REAR ENDED. NO MACHANIC KNOW HOW TO FIX IT WITHOUT CHANGING AND REPLACING MULTIPLE PARTS AND STILL HAPPENS. WE PURCHASED THE CAR IN MARCH 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (CHAMPION CHEVROLET CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (CHAMPION CHEVROLET CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM, 921 SOUTH CLINTON STREET, ATHENS, AL 35611), BUT DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A FAILURE CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TEST DRIVEN, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. *TT UPDATED 9/24/18*JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.
THE PASSENGER DOOR OF MY VEHICLE WILL NOT OPEN. THE AUTOMATIC LOCK APPEARS TO BE WORKING BUT I CANNOT OPEN THE DOOR. THIS ALSO HAPPENED TO THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR A FEW TIMES BUT THANKFULLY I WAS ABLE TO USE THE ACTUAL KEY FROM THE OUTSIDE TO OPEN IT. I HAVE READ REVIEWS WHERE THIS IS COMMON IN THIS VEHICLE. THIS IS AN EXTREME SAF…
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THE PASSENGER DOOR OF MY VEHICLE WILL NOT OPEN. THE AUTOMATIC LOCK APPEARS TO BE WORKING BUT I CANNOT OPEN THE DOOR. THIS ALSO HAPPENED TO THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR A FEW TIMES BUT THANKFULLY I WAS ABLE TO USE THE ACTUAL KEY FROM THE OUTSIDE TO OPEN IT. I HAVE READ REVIEWS WHERE THIS IS COMMON IN THIS VEHICLE. THIS IS AN EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD AND I CANNOT EVEN GET THE DOOR FIXED BECAUSE IT WON'T OPEN. PLEASE CONSIDER MAKING THIS A MANUFACFURER RECALL.
DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES DUE TO LIGHTS BURNING OUT. (LOW/ REGULAR LIGHTS & HIGH BEAMS) UPON INSPECTION, MELTED BULB SOCKETS NOTED. WHEN LIGHTS, BULB SOCKETS REPLACED/ REPAIRED, LIGHTS WORK ONLY FOR A SHORT TIME & THE ISSUE REPEATS ITSELF. THIS IS A HUGE ANNOYANCE AS IT REQUIRES IMMEDIATE ATTENTION, FINANCI…
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DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES DUE TO LIGHTS BURNING OUT. (LOW/ REGULAR LIGHTS & HIGH BEAMS) UPON INSPECTION, MELTED BULB SOCKETS NOTED. WHEN LIGHTS, BULB SOCKETS REPLACED/ REPAIRED, LIGHTS WORK ONLY FOR A SHORT TIME & THE ISSUE REPEATS ITSELF. THIS IS A HUGE ANNOYANCE AS IT REQUIRES IMMEDIATE ATTENTION, FINANCIAL BURDEN, & MOST IMPORTANTLY, COMPROMISES DRIVER & PASSENGER SAFETY. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE PAST AND ONCE AGAIN WE ARE FACED WITH THIS ISSUE, TODAY. 5/30/18.
THE PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM LIGHT BULB SOCKET KEEPS BURNING OUT. REPLACED THE BULB 3 TIMES IN ONE YEAR. THE SOCKET IS THE PROBLEM, KEEPS SHORTING OUT. WHEN I REPLACE THE BULB THE SOCKET WHERE THE BULB PLUGS IN TO IS BURNT AND MELTED.
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.