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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
87,830 miles · Apr 27, 2018
Electrical SystemSteering

WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT I NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD START SHAKING AND TURNING ON ITS OWN. THEN A FEW DAYS LATER MY SERVICE ESC AND POWER STEERING LIGHTS STARTED COMING ON AND I WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE CAR LEFT OR RIGHT.. I WOULD TURN THE CAR OFF FOR A FEW THEN TURN IT BACK ON AND IT WOULD UNLOCK. THAT LASTED FOR …

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WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT I NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD START SHAKING AND TURNING ON ITS OWN. THEN A FEW DAYS LATER MY SERVICE ESC AND POWER STEERING LIGHTS STARTED COMING ON AND I WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE CAR LEFT OR RIGHT.. I WOULD TURN THE CAR OFF FOR A FEW THEN TURN IT BACK ON AND IT WOULD UNLOCK. THAT LASTED FOR A FEW MORE DAYS AND THEN THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED LOCKING UP WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS MY POWER STEERING SENSOR. ITS SEEMS TO BE WORKING FINE NOW HOWEVER I WILL NEVER BY ANOTHER CHEVY MALIIBU I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS SINCE I PURCHASE THIS CAR THE FIRST ISSUE WAS MY LIGHT CONSTANTLY KEPT GOING OUT. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY COMING HOME FROM AN OUT OFF TOWN TRIP AND CARS WERE FLASHING THERE LIGHTS. I PULLED OVER I HAD NO BACK LIGHTS. I TOOK IT THE DEALER THEY SAID IT WAS MY BATTERY CAUSING MY CAR TO SHORT CIRCUIT. IT COST ME $400. THEN THE SAME THING HAPPENED 20 DAYS LATER THE DEALER WANTED ME TO PAY TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT AGAIN NO WAY. COME TO FIND OUT IT WAS A #20 FUSE OVER THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE WHEEL THAT KEPT BLOWING. NEEDLES TO SAY I KNOW RIDE AROUND WITH A PACK OF FUSES IN MY CAR.. THE CAR HAS 87,858 MILES ON IT

NHTSA ODI #11090400

99,000 miles · Apr 25, 2018
Exterior Lighting

TAKATA RECALL. PASSENGER HEADLIGHT HAS BEEN CHANGE 6 TIMES AND CONTINUES TO GO OUT. I WAS TOLD MY WIRES WERE FINE. I CAN'T SEEM TO FIND THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #11090196

94,764 miles · Apr 20, 2018
Steering

ESC LIGHT WENT ON. SUGGEST WAS TO GET ESC SERVICED BECAUSE OF POWER STEERING FAILURE. WHEN ENGINE WS TURNED OFF AND TURNED BACK ON, EVERYTHING WORKED. BUT THE SAME THING CONTINUED TO HAPPEN TIME AND TIME AGAIN. WENT ON THE INTERNET AND NOTICED THAT A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED SIMILAR TO WHAT I AM EXPERIENCING. TH…

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ESC LIGHT WENT ON. SUGGEST WAS TO GET ESC SERVICED BECAUSE OF POWER STEERING FAILURE. WHEN ENGINE WS TURNED OFF AND TURNED BACK ON, EVERYTHING WORKED. BUT THE SAME THING CONTINUED TO HAPPEN TIME AND TIME AGAIN. WENT ON THE INTERNET AND NOTICED THAT A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED SIMILAR TO WHAT I AM EXPERIENCING. THIS HAPPENED AT SLOW SPEED, HIGHER SPEEDS AND WHEN STOPPED. CAR WAS DRIVABLE WITHOUT POWER STEERING BUT DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER.

NHTSA ODI #11089130

75,000 miles · Apr 20, 2018
Steering

ESC CUT OUT WHILE DRIVING ON A THREE LANE HWY AT APPROX. 45MPH

NHTSA ODI #11089057

Mileage unknown · Apr 14, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineExterior Lighting

MISFIRE CYL #1 AND ENG LT. WITH MISFIRE CODE, ATTEMPTED CHEV DEALER WARRANTY REPAIR WITH REMOVAL OF CYL HEAD AND REPLACEMNT VALVES [THE CHEAP FIX INSTEAD OF REPLACING CYL HEAD, IN RETROSPECT I BELIEVE CHEV SHOULD HAVE REPLACED THE CYL HEAD FOR A PERMANENT REPAIR, NOW THE CAR IS OUT OF 100K POWERTRAIN WARRANTY] BUT RECURRENCE 22K…

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MISFIRE CYL #1 AND ENG LT. WITH MISFIRE CODE, ATTEMPTED CHEV DEALER WARRANTY REPAIR WITH REMOVAL OF CYL HEAD AND REPLACEMNT VALVES [THE CHEAP FIX INSTEAD OF REPLACING CYL HEAD, IN RETROSPECT I BELIEVE CHEV SHOULD HAVE REPLACED THE CYL HEAD FOR A PERMANENT REPAIR, NOW THE CAR IS OUT OF 100K POWERTRAIN WARRANTY] BUT RECURRENCE 22K MILES LATER. I SUSPECT A DESIGN FLAW. ITERNET SHOWS MANY OWNERS WITH SAME COMPLAINT. TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME OFF AND ON.

NHTSA ODI #11085058

80,000 miles · Apr 12, 2018
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

THE LOW BEAM AND RUNNING LIGHTS ON DRIVER'S SIDE KEEP GOING OUT THE WIRING HARNESS AND BULB HAS BEEN CHANGED 5 TIMES NOW AND STILL GOES OUT EVER OTHER WEEK . AND TO TOP IT OFF THIS CAR HAS THE MOST REDICULOUS WAY TO GET AT THE HEADLIGHTS. SO TIME CONSUMING

NHTSA ODI #11084714

Mileage unknown · Apr 11, 2018
Suspension

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HWY I EXPERIENCED MY FRONT WHEELS SHAKING VERY BAD WHEN I START SLOWING DOWN

NHTSA ODI #11084640

Mileage unknown · Apr 2, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Unknown Or Other

ON APRIL 1,2018 I WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY ROAD GOING 45MPH WHEN MY CAR SUDDENLY LOST THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. A COUPLE OF WARNING LIGHT FLASHED ON THE DASHBOARD ESC AS WELL AS THE ENGINE LIGHT. THE CAR BEGAN TO JERK AND DRIVE REALLY ROUGH, BEFORE THE ENGINE POWER LOST FLASHED ON THE DASH. I TURNED ON MY HAZARD LIGHTS AND TRIED …

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ON APRIL 1,2018 I WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY ROAD GOING 45MPH WHEN MY CAR SUDDENLY LOST THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. A COUPLE OF WARNING LIGHT FLASHED ON THE DASHBOARD ESC AS WELL AS THE ENGINE LIGHT. THE CAR BEGAN TO JERK AND DRIVE REALLY ROUGH, BEFORE THE ENGINE POWER LOST FLASHED ON THE DASH. I TURNED ON MY HAZARD LIGHTS AND TRIED TO GET THE CAR OFF THE ROAD TO A SAFE AREA. THE CAR COULD ONLY CRUISE BECAUSE I COULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE. THIS CAR JUST MADE IT TO 82000 MILES ON THE DASH, I SHOULD NOT BE HAVING AN ISSUE LIKE THIS WITH THIS CAR. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AS SOMEONE COULD BE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR EVEN WORST DEATH. PLEASE PLEASE BRING AWARENESS TO THIS ISSUE, WHICH A LOT OF OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE IS HAVING.

NHTSA ODI #11082589

85,600 miles · Apr 1, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

AS I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON THE INTERSTATE 95 I NOTICED THE CAR VIOLENTLY SHAKING AND THROTTLING UNCONTROLLABLY, THE DASHBOARD READ SERVICE ESC AND THE TRACTION CONTROL SENSOR CAME ON. I LET OFF OF THE GAS AND THE CAR WAS STILL ACCELERATING, I PRESSED THE BAKES AND IT WOULDN'T STOP THE CAR FROM LUNGING FORWARD. I PULLED TO THE S…

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AS I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON THE INTERSTATE 95 I NOTICED THE CAR VIOLENTLY SHAKING AND THROTTLING UNCONTROLLABLY, THE DASHBOARD READ SERVICE ESC AND THE TRACTION CONTROL SENSOR CAME ON. I LET OFF OF THE GAS AND THE CAR WAS STILL ACCELERATING, I PRESSED THE BAKES AND IT WOULDN'T STOP THE CAR FROM LUNGING FORWARD. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF HIGHWAY AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. I WAITED A COUPLE MINUTES AND THE PROBLEM WAS STILL THERE BUT NOT LUNGING FORWARD ANYMORE BUT THE SPEED WAS LIMITED TO 20 MPH I MADE IT TO WORK. AFTER A 9 HOUR SHIFT THE SHAKING STOPPED BUT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STILL ON.

NHTSA ODI #11082409

98,000 miles · Mar 29, 2018
Visibility/wiper

I WAS DRIVING ON THE OHIO TURNPIKE IN A WET SNOW, AND MY WIPERS QUIT WORKING. SO I PULLED TO THE SHOULDER TO TRY TO GET THEM TO START UP AGAIN AND THEY WOULD NOT. SO I HAD TO CALL A TOW COMPANY BECAUSE IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE, AND WAS TOWED TO A TRUCK STOP. I WAITED TILL THE SNOW STOPPED, AND I CHECKED THE WEATHER RADAR ON MY PHO…

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I WAS DRIVING ON THE OHIO TURNPIKE IN A WET SNOW, AND MY WIPERS QUIT WORKING. SO I PULLED TO THE SHOULDER TO TRY TO GET THEM TO START UP AGAIN AND THEY WOULD NOT. SO I HAD TO CALL A TOW COMPANY BECAUSE IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE, AND WAS TOWED TO A TRUCK STOP. I WAITED TILL THE SNOW STOPPED, AND I CHECKED THE WEATHER RADAR ON MY PHONE TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE TO MY FINAL DESTINATION. I TOOK IT TO GET REPAIRED. THE WIPER MOTOR/TRANSMISSION QUIT WORKING. CHEVY HAS REFUSED TO REIMBURSE ME FOR THE TOW COST AND THE REPAIR COST. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, BECAUSE I COULDN'T SEE TO DRIVE IN THE SNOW. THE SAME WOULD'VE HAPPENED HAD IT BEEN RAINING. I REPORTED THIS IN JANUARY, BUT I BELIEVE IT IS WORTH REPORTING AGAIN. I HAVE NEVER HAD WIPERS QUIT ON ME. AND I'VE BEEN TOLD IT HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER MALIBU OWNERS.

NHTSA ODI #11081950

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.