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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
95,000 miles · Nov 16, 2015
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE TRACTION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. IN ADDITION, THE "ENGINE DISABLED" WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE TRACTION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. IN ADDITION, THE "ENGINE DISABLED" WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

NHTSA ODI #10790756

Mileage unknown · Nov 9, 2015
Seat Belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V269000 (SEAT BELTS). THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V269000 (SEAT BELTS). THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10789166

24,800 miles · Oct 31, 2015
Seats

THE WELD ON A BAR UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT BROKE WHILE I WAS DRIVING CAUSING THE DRIVER'S SEAT TO MOVE FORWARD AND TO THE RIGHT. THIS IS A 3 YR OLD VEHICLE WITH LOW MILEAGE IT SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN AND CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAD A PREVIOUS MALIBU AND THIS NEVER HAPPENED. PLEASE RECALL THIS PART. I CHECKED YOUR O…

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THE WELD ON A BAR UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT BROKE WHILE I WAS DRIVING CAUSING THE DRIVER'S SEAT TO MOVE FORWARD AND TO THE RIGHT. THIS IS A 3 YR OLD VEHICLE WITH LOW MILEAGE IT SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN AND CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAD A PREVIOUS MALIBU AND THIS NEVER HAPPENED. PLEASE RECALL THIS PART. I CHECKED YOUR OTHER COMPLAINTS AND IT IS COMMON!

NHTSA ODI #10787440

58,800 miles · Oct 28, 2015
Air BagsEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED. THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE SERVICE AIR BAGS SOON WARNING MESSAGE APPEARED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED. THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE SERVICE AIR BAGS SOON WARNING MESSAGE APPEARED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 58,800.

NHTSA ODI #10786778

60,000 miles · Oct 27, 2015
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineVehicle Speed Control

POWER ESC, TRACTION CONTROL, REDUCED POWER TO ENGINE, AND TIRE LIGHTS ALL CAME ON. CAR WOULD NOT GO OVER 30 MPH. CAR WAS HESITATING AND CUTTING OFF AND ONCE PLACED IN DRIVE CAR TOOK OFF BY ITSELF WITH RPMS AT 3 AND SAME WITH REVERSE, I TOOK FOOT OFF BRAKE AND CAR TOOK OFF IN REVERSE WITH RPMS A BIT OVER 2. AIR CONDITIONING WILL …

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POWER ESC, TRACTION CONTROL, REDUCED POWER TO ENGINE, AND TIRE LIGHTS ALL CAME ON. CAR WOULD NOT GO OVER 30 MPH. CAR WAS HESITATING AND CUTTING OFF AND ONCE PLACED IN DRIVE CAR TOOK OFF BY ITSELF WITH RPMS AT 3 AND SAME WITH REVERSE, I TOOK FOOT OFF BRAKE AND CAR TOOK OFF IN REVERSE WITH RPMS A BIT OVER 2. AIR CONDITIONING WILL NOT WORK STEADILY AND ITS BEEN TO A FEW SHOPS AND BRAKES WILL NOT WORK PROPERLY AND THEY HAVE BEEN CHANGED TWICE.

NHTSA ODI #10786218

Mileage unknown · Oct 26, 2015
Unknown Or Other

I RECEIVED THE ATTACHED LETTER FROM GM. TO ME THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. HOW IS THIS NOT A RECALL. OR REPAIRABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10786071

Mileage unknown · Oct 22, 2015
Seat Belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V269000 (SEAT BELTS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V269000 (SEAT BELTS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10785276

66,000 miles · Oct 16, 2015
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Unknown Or Other

A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, I WAS DRIVING. 10MPH OR LOWER AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CARS ESC TURNED ITSELF OFF. I HAD DIFFICULTY STEERING IT AND VEERED OFF THE ROAD. THANKFULLY I WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL. I REPORTED IT TO THE DEALER, AND WHEN MY CAR WENT IN FOR IT'S 3RD RECALL IN 2 YEARS, THEY LOOKED AT IT. THEY TOLD ME THEY COULD N…

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A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, I WAS DRIVING. 10MPH OR LOWER AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CARS ESC TURNED ITSELF OFF. I HAD DIFFICULTY STEERING IT AND VEERED OFF THE ROAD. THANKFULLY I WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL. I REPORTED IT TO THE DEALER, AND WHEN MY CAR WENT IN FOR IT'S 3RD RECALL IN 2 YEARS, THEY LOOKED AT IT. THEY TOLD ME THEY COULD NOT GET THE PROBLEM TO DUPLICATE. THEN TODAY, AS I WAS PARKING IN NY DRIVEWAY, I STARTED ROLLING MY WINDOWS UP WHEN I NOTICED THEY WERE PARTICULLARY SLOW. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK,TURNED MY CAR OFF, BUT THE KEY BACK IN AND TRIED TO RESTART IT, ONLY TO HEAR CLICKING AND MY STEERING WHEEL TO BE COMPLETELY LOCKED UP. ALOT OF INDICATORS CAME ON, INCLUDING THE CARS SECURITY INDICATOR. MY CAR IS AT 66K MILES, BUT WE DO ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND IT HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI #10782607

66,052 miles · Oct 14, 2015
Seats

SEAT SUPPORT WELDS BROKEN PREMATURELY CAUSING SEAT TO MOVE UNSAFELY WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. IF SEAT WELDS BREAK WHILE DRIVING, IT COULD CAUSE THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CAUSE A COLLISION. IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISON, DRIVERS SEAT MAY COME FREE AND BE UNABLE TO RESTRAIN THE DRIVER PROPERLY.

NHTSA ODI #10782219

Mileage unknown · Oct 11, 2015
Unknown Or Other

THE KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. I COULD NOT TAKE THE KEY OUT ONE DAY AND LEFT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH AS FAR AS IT COULD TURN AND LOCKED THE CAR WITH THE SPARE KEY. MY CAR BATTERY ENDED UP DYING BECAUSE THE KEY WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH. I FINALLY GOT THE KEY OUT AND GOT MY CAR STARTED. IT IS A …

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THE KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. I COULD NOT TAKE THE KEY OUT ONE DAY AND LEFT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH AS FAR AS IT COULD TURN AND LOCKED THE CAR WITH THE SPARE KEY. MY CAR BATTERY ENDED UP DYING BECAUSE THE KEY WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH. I FINALLY GOT THE KEY OUT AND GOT MY CAR STARTED. IT IS A CONSTANT STRUGGLE TO GET THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH. I CAN START THE CAR OK IT'S JUST WHEN I STOP AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TRY TO TURN THE CAR COMPLETELY OFF THE KEY WILL NOT TURN ALL THE WAY FOR ME TO BE ABLE TO PULL THE KEY OUT. THIS CAR IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD AND TOO SOON FOR THIS TO BE HAPPENING.

NHTSA ODI #10781344

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.