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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
12,000 miles · Jul 15, 2014
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL AND THE SERVICE TRACTION WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE CHIMES SOUNDED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON FIVE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO RE-CALIBRATED THE BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE SENSOR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL AND THE SERVICE TRACTION WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE CHIMES SOUNDED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON FIVE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO RE-CALIBRATED THE BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE SENSOR. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.

NHTSA ODI #10610772

15,500 miles · Jul 12, 2014
Seat BeltsCrashInjury

MY HUSBAND AND WERE TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND ON I-95 AROUND WILMINGTON DE. TRAFFIC HAD COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, WE WERE AT A STANDSTILL WHEN WE WERE REAR-ENDED IN A FIVE CAR / TWO TRACTOR TRAILER PILE UP. MY HUSBAND, SEAT BELTED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, STRUCK HIS HEAD ON THE DASHBOARD CAUSING A CONCUSSION, WHIPLASH, AND BACK PAIN. …

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MY HUSBAND AND WERE TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND ON I-95 AROUND WILMINGTON DE. TRAFFIC HAD COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, WE WERE AT A STANDSTILL WHEN WE WERE REAR-ENDED IN A FIVE CAR / TWO TRACTOR TRAILER PILE UP. MY HUSBAND, SEAT BELTED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, STRUCK HIS HEAD ON THE DASHBOARD CAUSING A CONCUSSION, WHIPLASH, AND BACK PAIN. HIS SEATBELT FAILED TO LOCK INTO PLACE, RESULTING IN HIM BEING THROWN FORWARD INTO THE DASHBOARD AND SUSTAINING THE ABOVE INJURIES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10610037

17,000 miles · Jul 11, 2014
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE SERVICE STABILITY CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS AN UNKNOWN CHIME SOUNDED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUP…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE SERVICE STABILITY CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS AN UNKNOWN CHIME SOUNDED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 17,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 17,200. AFTER THE DEALER REMOVED THE PLASTIC ENGINE COVER, THE VEHICLE PERFORMED AS DESIGNED. UPDATED 11/17/14

NHTSA ODI #10609811

60,000 miles · Jul 10, 2014
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND WHILE PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN, THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL SENSOR LIGHT SUDDENLY ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT ONCE THE ESC SENSOR LIGHT TURNED OFF …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND WHILE PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN, THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL SENSOR LIGHT SUDDENLY ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT ONCE THE ESC SENSOR LIGHT TURNED OFF THE BRAKES OPERATED AS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #10609607

66,000 miles · Jul 9, 2014
Electrical System

I WAS DRIVING ON A SIDE ROAD, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR JUST SHUT DOWN AND I COASTED TO A STOP. I WAS STRANDED IN A TURN LANE FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES. DURING WHICH TIME I HAD ALREADY CALLED A TOW TRUCK AS I COULD NOT GET MY CAR STARTED AGAIN. AFTER THE 20 MINUTES I THOUGHT I WOULD GIVE IT ANOTHER TRY AND IT UP AND STARTED, AND…

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I WAS DRIVING ON A SIDE ROAD, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR JUST SHUT DOWN AND I COASTED TO A STOP. I WAS STRANDED IN A TURN LANE FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES. DURING WHICH TIME I HAD ALREADY CALLED A TOW TRUCK AS I COULD NOT GET MY CAR STARTED AGAIN. AFTER THE 20 MINUTES I THOUGHT I WOULD GIVE IT ANOTHER TRY AND IT UP AND STARTED, AND I DROVE BACK TO WORK. I MADE IT HOME THAT NIGHT, BUT WAS STRANDED AGAIN WHEN I LEFT THE PLACE. I WAS HEADED HOME AND IT STOPPED ONE MORE TIME BEFORE I MADE IT THERE. I TOOK IT TO AN AUTO SHOP THE NEXT DAY AND MADE IT FINE. THE AUTO SHOP DID A TEST DRIVE AND IT STOPPED ON A ROAD AND THEY FAILED TO GET IT STARTED. IT TURNS OUT IT IS FOR AN IGNITION SWITCH, WHICH THERE ARE RECALLS FOR OTHER GM VEHICLES FOR THE SAME PART, JUST NOT A 2012 MALIBU. SO I HAVE TO PAY TO GET IT REPLACED AND HOPE FOR AN EXTENSION OF THE RECALL FOR THE CHEVY MALIBU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10609300

Mileage unknown · Jul 1, 2014
Air Bags

I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY AIR BAG. I CAN HAVE A PASSENGER THAT WEIGHS OVER THE APPROPRIATE WEIGHT SIT IN THE SEAT AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT DOESN'T COME ON. I WAS DRIVING ONE DAY AND I MADE IT TO MY DESTINATION AND PARKED MY CAR. I GOT BACK IN MY VEHICLE AND STARTED IT UP AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON MY DASH JUST CAME ON AND I…

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I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY AIR BAG. I CAN HAVE A PASSENGER THAT WEIGHS OVER THE APPROPRIATE WEIGHT SIT IN THE SEAT AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT DOESN'T COME ON. I WAS DRIVING ONE DAY AND I MADE IT TO MY DESTINATION AND PARKED MY CAR. I GOT BACK IN MY VEHICLE AND STARTED IT UP AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON MY DASH JUST CAME ON AND IT WILL NOT GO OFF. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I WILL HAVE TO PAY $3000 TO GET THE VEHICLE REPAIRED BECAUSE THEY WILL NEED TO TAKE THE AIR BAG OUT AND FIND OUT WHAT THE ISSUE IT. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A DEFECT, I DID NOT HAVE A CRASH OR DID ANYONE HIT MY STEERING WHEEL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10607293

Mileage unknown · Jun 30, 2014
Electrical SystemPower Train

I WAS JUST ARRIVING HOME AND WHILE DRIVING I FELT A CHANGE IN THE GEARS OF MY CAR BUT WHEN I ARRIVED HOME AND PLACE THE CAR IN PARK THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN COMPLETELY OFF AND I HAD TO LEAVE MY CAR ON FOR APPROXIMATELY 4 HOURS BEFORE I LEFT FOR WORK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10607150

600 miles · Jun 18, 2014
Fuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

I HAVE TO PRESS GAS PEDAL DOWN MORE THEN NEEDED AS IT FEELS CAR LACKS POWER. TO GO UP A HILL IT LAGS I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PRESS ON PETAL HARDER TO GO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10599146

47,000 miles · Jun 16, 2014
Seats

I SAT IN THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT AND THE SEAT COMPLETELY BROKE ON THE RIGHT SIDE. I'M NOW SITTING SLANTED AND BEING SQUASHED AGAINST THE MIDDLE CONSOLE/ARM REST. WHENEVER I GET OUT OF THE CAR, WHICH IS VERY HARD TO DO AND DRIVES ME BAT CRAP CRAZY, I FEEL I NEED A CRANE. SITTING SLANTED IS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE AND IS VERY HARD WHEN…

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I SAT IN THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT AND THE SEAT COMPLETELY BROKE ON THE RIGHT SIDE. I'M NOW SITTING SLANTED AND BEING SQUASHED AGAINST THE MIDDLE CONSOLE/ARM REST. WHENEVER I GET OUT OF THE CAR, WHICH IS VERY HARD TO DO AND DRIVES ME BAT CRAP CRAZY, I FEEL I NEED A CRANE. SITTING SLANTED IS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE AND IS VERY HARD WHEN JUDGING MAKING TURNS/PARKING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10598578

39,000 miles · Jun 14, 2014
Unknown Or Other

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTS TURN ON AND OFF. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10598295

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.