IllustrationTAKATA RECALL- SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY.
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 reportsMY CHEVY MALIBU 2012 STARTED GIVING ME SAFETY ISSUES, I HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR 4 MONTHS, I AM CURRENTLY FINANCING THE CAR THRU BRIDGECREST (DRIVE TIME). I WILL BE IN MOTIN GOING THE SPEED LIMIT ON A HIGHWAY, IN THE CITY, ON COUNTRY ROADS BACIALLY ANYWHERE AND THE CAR WILL SHUT OFF AND LOCK DOWN, THE KEY WILL STILL BE IN THE "ON" P…
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MY CHEVY MALIBU 2012 STARTED GIVING ME SAFETY ISSUES, I HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR 4 MONTHS, I AM CURRENTLY FINANCING THE CAR THRU BRIDGECREST (DRIVE TIME). I WILL BE IN MOTIN GOING THE SPEED LIMIT ON A HIGHWAY, IN THE CITY, ON COUNTRY ROADS BACIALLY ANYWHERE AND THE CAR WILL SHUT OFF AND LOCK DOWN, THE KEY WILL STILL BE IN THE "ON" POSITION BUT EVERYTHING ELSE CUTS OFF AS IN ALL LIGHTS, THE ENGINE, THE DOORS WILL LOCK AND I WILL PUT IT IN PARK, PUT THE SWITCH IN THE "OFF" POSITION AND SOMETIMES IT WILL CRANK RIGHT BACK UP AND OTHER TIMES IT WONT. SOMETIMES WHEN IT CRANKS BACK UP IT WILL DRIVE FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THEN SHUT OFF AGAIN. DOES THIS 5X IN A ROW SOMETIMES. WHEN THE CAR IS CRANKED AND BACK IN MOTION A WARNING SIGN OF A PAD LOCK AND A CAR POPS UP AND WILL EVENTUALLY GO AWAY. UNKNOWN
IN SEPT 2014 THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN AND SENSORS BECAUSE SERVICE ESC AND TRACTION LIGHT WAS ON AFTER TWICE I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP IT GOT FIXED AND KNOW GUESS WHAT IT'S ON AGAIN.BUT NOT ALL THE TIME IS BECOMING MORE FREQUENT. I HAVE THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY LEFT BUT THEY SAY IT IS ALMOST ALWAYS NEVER COV…
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IN SEPT 2014 THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN AND SENSORS BECAUSE SERVICE ESC AND TRACTION LIGHT WAS ON AFTER TWICE I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP IT GOT FIXED AND KNOW GUESS WHAT IT'S ON AGAIN.BUT NOT ALL THE TIME IS BECOMING MORE FREQUENT. I HAVE THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY LEFT BUT THEY SAY IT IS ALMOST ALWAYS NEVER COVERED ON THAT AND THE PARTS THEY PUT ON IN 2014 THE WARRANTY IS EXPIRED ON THOSE. I HAVE NOT HAD IT TESTED YET BUT THIS IS UNCALLED FOR. I HAVE HAD RECALL AFTER RECALL ON VARIOUS THINGS. FROM WHAT I HAVE SEEN ONLINE THERE SHOULD BE ONE ON THIS ALSO. I THINK NEXT CAR WILL BE OLDER CAR AND I WILL JUST WORK ON IT MYSELF.THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT A MONTH NOW.
WHILE MAKING LEFT HAND TURN ENGINE STALLED LOST POWER FOR A MOMENT THEN RESTARTED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR.
TAKATA RECALL - I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT ON JULY, 12 ON HWY 40 IN ST. LOUIS MO. BOTH OFFICERS ON THE SCENE AND THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SAID THE AIR BAG SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. I WAS GOING ABOUT 40 MPH ON THE HWY, I RAN INTO THE BACK OF A VAN, I WAS THE LAST CAR OF 4 CARS .
RECALL 13036. HAD RECALL WORK DONE 11-04-14. ON 6-17-16 HAD EXACT SYMPTOMS DESCRIBED IN THE ORIGINAL RECALL NOTICE. DEALER (KERBECK CHEVROLET OF ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) CHECKED AND SAID ONLY NEEDED TO REPROGRAM ECBM AND RECALIBRATE BRAKE PEDAL POSITION, PAID $143.59. CAR MADE IT 1 MILE THEN SAME PROBLEM. AFTER TRYING SEVERAL PARTS WH…
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RECALL 13036. HAD RECALL WORK DONE 11-04-14. ON 6-17-16 HAD EXACT SYMPTOMS DESCRIBED IN THE ORIGINAL RECALL NOTICE. DEALER (KERBECK CHEVROLET OF ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) CHECKED AND SAID ONLY NEEDED TO REPROGRAM ECBM AND RECALIBRATE BRAKE PEDAL POSITION, PAID $143.59. CAR MADE IT 1 MILE THEN SAME PROBLEM. AFTER TRYING SEVERAL PARTS WHICH HAD TO BE ORDERED FINAL BILL WAS ADDITIONAL $455.71 I FEEL THE REPAIR SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER RECALL BUT GM SAID IT WAS UP TO THE SERVICING DEALER WHETHER REPAIR QUALIFIED FOR COVERAGE! I FEEL THIS IS A CONFLICT OF INTEREST TO HAVE THE DEALERS SERVICE DEPARTMENT MAKE THE CALL. I'M HOPING TO BE REIMBURSED FOR ALL REPAIRS DUE TO THIS SAME PROBLEM. ALSO DUBIOUS AS TO WHETHER ALL THE PARTS WERE NEED! I ALSO WANTED TO GO ON RECORD ABOUT THIS IN CASE OTHER PEOPLE RUN INTO THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF I NEED TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM TO ANY OTHER AGENCY AS WELL. ERROR CODES SHOWED UP WHILE OPERATING VEHICLE.
TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 35MPH ON A CITY STREET. 2003 FORD PICKUP PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF OUR CAR. WE HIT DRIVERS FRONT FENDER. OUR CAR VEERED OFF OF TRUCK ROLLING ONTO DRIVERS SIDE UPRIGHTING BACK ONTO WHEELS AND STOPPED WHEN IT HIT A BARRIER FENCE WHILE CROSSING THREE TRAFFIC LANES OF THE FOUR LANE ROAD.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE HEATING MOTOR MALFUNCTIONED, WHICH CAUSED SMOKE TO FILTER INTO THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BLOWER MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE HEATING MOTOR MALFUNCTIONED, WHICH CAUSED SMOKE TO FILTER INTO THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BLOWER MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 44,000.
WHILE ON A TRIP THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS WHILE ON VACATION. THIS HAPPENED IN MAY 2016 AND ALSO MAY 2015 WHILE ON VACATION. I CHECKED ON LINE AND IT STATES THE AIR BAG IS DISABLED WHEN THE LEARNING LIGHT COMES ON. ON LINE IT STATED BACK IN 2004-UP THROUGH 2012 THEY HAD SEVERAL COMPLAIN…
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WHILE ON A TRIP THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS WHILE ON VACATION. THIS HAPPENED IN MAY 2016 AND ALSO MAY 2015 WHILE ON VACATION. I CHECKED ON LINE AND IT STATES THE AIR BAG IS DISABLED WHEN THE LEARNING LIGHT COMES ON. ON LINE IT STATED BACK IN 2004-UP THROUGH 2012 THEY HAD SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THIS, THEY FOUND A PROBLEM WITH THE WIRING HARNESS AND HAD TO DO UPGRADE CALLED A SOFT RECALL.I CALLED ON STAR AND ASKED ABOUT RECALLS REGARDING THE WARNING LIGHT FOR AIR BAG, THEY SAID NO RECALL ON THAT. I REQUESTED A CASE BE OPENED ON 6-2-2016 AND HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING. WHY WOULD THIS WARNING LIGHT COME ON FOR A WEEK EVERY MAY? WE DO SEVERAL MILES OF TRAVELING MOSTLY LESS THAN 300 ONE WAY TRIPS YET IT HAS ONLY COME ON IN MAY. I CALLED MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID NO RECALL ON THAT WARNING LIGHT EITHER. PREVIOUSLY I HAD A 2009 MALIBU WHICH I PURCHASED MAINLY BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY OF ALL THE AIRBAGS. IF I OR MAY PASSENGER IS IN DANGER AT ANY TIME WITH THE AIRBAG DISABLED IT'S NOT SAFE, PERIOD.
FOR THE SECOND TIME IN A YEAR THE ENTIRE FUSE BOX PANEL THAT MY FUEL RELAY PLUGS INTO HAS GONE BAD, NOT ONLY DOES THIS POSE A THREAT OF FIRE, BUT ALSO ACCIDENTAL INJURY IF THE CAR WERE TO LOSE POWER (WHICH IT DOES) SPORADICALLY AND INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING.
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.