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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
170,000 miles · Dec 18, 2017
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE TRACTION CONTROL INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE TRACTION CONTROL INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

NHTSA ODI #11055343

180,000 miles · Dec 1, 2017
SteeringTraction Control System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN SEIZED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN VARIOUS SPEEDS. ALSO, THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE OPERATED AFTER BEING MANUALLY RESTARTED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN SEIZED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN VARIOUS SPEEDS. ALSO, THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE OPERATED AFTER BEING MANUALLY RESTARTED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED REGARDING THE FAILURE, BUT RECEIVED NO RESPONSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 180,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.

NHTSA ODI #11051767

43,837 miles · Nov 30, 2017
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

RANDOMLY DOESN'T WHAT TO START BEEN TO SHOP SEVERAL TIMES MECHANIC GOES TO FUSE BOX AND MESS WITH WIRING AND STARTS UP I GO THROUGH THIS PROBLEM SEVERAL TIMES FOR MONTHS NOW. TIRED NOT HAVING A CAR TO GET TO WORK MECHANIC CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHY IT DONG THIS NEED RECALL ON IT SEVERAL COMPLAINTS I READ ABOUT ALREADY SAME AS ME. AL…

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RANDOMLY DOESN'T WHAT TO START BEEN TO SHOP SEVERAL TIMES MECHANIC GOES TO FUSE BOX AND MESS WITH WIRING AND STARTS UP I GO THROUGH THIS PROBLEM SEVERAL TIMES FOR MONTHS NOW. TIRED NOT HAVING A CAR TO GET TO WORK MECHANIC CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHY IT DONG THIS NEED RECALL ON IT SEVERAL COMPLAINTS I READ ABOUT ALREADY SAME AS ME. ALSO ONE TIME ACT LIKE WAS GOING TO STOP DOWNTOWN IN TRAFFIC PULL OFF SIDE ROAD CALL ED MECHANIC.

NHTSA ODI #11051539

99,800 miles · Nov 24, 2017
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

CAR WILL START AND THEN START SHAKING AND MAKING NOISES THEN DIES OFF. BREAK AND ACCELARETOR LOCKS AFTER THAT

NHTSA ODI #11048190

94,600 miles · Nov 13, 2017
Electrical SystemSteeringVehicle Speed Control

TAKATA RECALL FOR A CHEVROLET CHEVY MALIBU 2012, YOU CANT TELL HOW FAST YOUR GOING THE HEAD LIGHT ELECTRICAL FUSE NEEDS REPLACEMENT, DRIVER PEDALS NEED TO BE REPLACED ALSO.

NHTSA ODI #11045613

Mileage unknown · Nov 11, 2017
Electrical SystemExterior LightingSteering

MY HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT, MY CAR WILL NOT ALIGN AND THE ELECTRICAL PLUG WILL NOT WORK

NHTSA ODI #11045381

52,000 miles · Nov 7, 2017
Seats

DRIVER'S SEAT BRACKET ON RIGHT SIDE HAS BROKEN AND SEAT IS WOBBLY AND LEANING ON THE CENTER CONSOLE. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2012 MALIBU (AND OTHER YEARS) AND ISN'T BEING COVERED BY WARRANTY. MANY PEOPLE ARE SAYING THIS IS A $1000 REPAIR AT THE DEALER. THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED-…

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DRIVER'S SEAT BRACKET ON RIGHT SIDE HAS BROKEN AND SEAT IS WOBBLY AND LEANING ON THE CENTER CONSOLE. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2012 MALIBU (AND OTHER YEARS) AND ISN'T BEING COVERED BY WARRANTY. MANY PEOPLE ARE SAYING THIS IS A $1000 REPAIR AT THE DEALER. THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED-- CONSUMERS SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS DEFECT.

NHTSA ODI #11044376

74,000 miles · Nov 7, 2017
Electrical SystemFire

WHILE DRIVING MY 2012 CHEVY MALIBU ON A HIGHWAY, THE CAR SUDDENLY TURNED OFF IN MOTION. I THEN LOOKED TO THE REAR OF THE CAR WHILE TRYING TO MANEUVER THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THE ENTIRE REAR OF THE CAR ENGULFED IN FLAMES. WHEN THE CAR CAME TO A STOP I WAS ABLE TO JUMP OUT AND RUN FOR SOME AID. I WAS ABLE TO…

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WHILE DRIVING MY 2012 CHEVY MALIBU ON A HIGHWAY, THE CAR SUDDENLY TURNED OFF IN MOTION. I THEN LOOKED TO THE REAR OF THE CAR WHILE TRYING TO MANEUVER THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THE ENTIRE REAR OF THE CAR ENGULFED IN FLAMES. WHEN THE CAR CAME TO A STOP I WAS ABLE TO JUMP OUT AND RUN FOR SOME AID. I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE FIRE OUT WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER BEFORE THE THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS ARRIVED. UPON INVESTIGATION, IT WAS CONCLUDED THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSE BY A FAULTY FUSE BOX LOCATED IN THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE TRUNK. THE CAR IS TOTALED.

NHTSA ODI #11044275

130,000 miles · Nov 3, 2017
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKERED OFF AND ON WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TUSCALOOSA CHEVROLET IN TUSCALOOSA, AL, (205-758-4451) AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKERED OFF AND ON WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TUSCALOOSA CHEVROLET IN TUSCALOOSA, AL, (205-758-4451) AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.

NHTSA ODI #11042897

95,000 miles · Oct 31, 2017
Steering

WHILE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT SAYS POWER STEERING OFF SERVICE ESC TURN CAR OFF AND RESTART WENT AWAY I TAKE IT IN AND NO CODE STORED. MY WIFE IS AFFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR

NHTSA ODI #11041611

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.