IllustrationWARNING ON DASHBOARD SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. BRAKE LIGHTS DOES NOT COME ON WHEN THE SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL COME ON. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE PREVIOUSLY AND ISSUE STILL OCCURRING.
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
Electronic Stability Control (esc) complaints
129 reportsTAKATA RECALL: I'M HAVING THE SAME ISSUE THAT'S ATTACHED TO GM RECALL 13036. I JUST TOOK IT TO THE CHEVY DEALER AND THIS RECALL WASN'T ATTACHED TO MY VIN, EVEN THOUGH MY CAR WAS MANUFACTURED IN THE SAME YEAR LISTED IN THE 13036 RECALL. MY VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE ! THE ESC LIGHT FLASHED 'OFF' THEN IT SAYS SERVICE ESC . THE …
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TAKATA RECALL: I'M HAVING THE SAME ISSUE THAT'S ATTACHED TO GM RECALL 13036. I JUST TOOK IT TO THE CHEVY DEALER AND THIS RECALL WASN'T ATTACHED TO MY VIN, EVEN THOUGH MY CAR WAS MANUFACTURED IN THE SAME YEAR LISTED IN THE 13036 RECALL. MY VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE ! THE ESC LIGHT FLASHED 'OFF' THEN IT SAYS SERVICE ESC . THE CHECK ENGINES ILLUMINATES AND FLASHES AS WELL AS THE SERVICE TRACTION . I'VE REPLACED SPARK PLUGS , INJECTORS AND WIRING ATTACHED TO THE CYLINDERS, TO FIX THE CODES BEING SHOT OUT (P0302 / P0352) AND THE PROBLEM CONTINUES . THE STEERING IS ROUGH AND MAKES NOISE WHILE TURNING , ESPECIALLY WHEN VEHICLE IS COLD . THE SOUND IS REALLY LOUD . MY VEHICLE HAS STALLED A FEW TIMES HAS I CAME TO A STOP AT STOP SIGNS AND INTERSECTIONS . THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED ASAP !!
'TAKATA RECALL' AT START UP , A LOUD NOISE COMES FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT . AS YOU DRIVE IT , THERE'S A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT AS YOU TURN. DEFINITELY A STEERING ISSUE. MEANWHILE, THE ESC OFF, SERVICE TRACTION AND THE SERVICE ESC WARNING SIGN ILLUMINATES . THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHES AS …
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'TAKATA RECALL' AT START UP , A LOUD NOISE COMES FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT . AS YOU DRIVE IT , THERE'S A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT AS YOU TURN. DEFINITELY A STEERING ISSUE. MEANWHILE, THE ESC OFF, SERVICE TRACTION AND THE SERVICE ESC WARNING SIGN ILLUMINATES . THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHES AS THE CAR MISFIRES FROM CYLINDER 2. I HAVE CHANGED ALL SPARK PLUGS AND THE INJECTOR TO CYLINDER 2 AND THE SAME ISSUE HAPPENS. THE VEHICLES HAS SHUT OFF ON ME AS I CAME TO A STOP AT A RED LIGHT AT AN INTERSECTION. ALL THESE ISSUES OCCUR AS YOUR DRIVE THE CAR AND GO AWAY SOMETIMES, BUT NEVER FOR GOOD. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR OVER A YEAR NOW
THE LIGHTS RANDOMLY COME ON THEN THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WILL START TO ACT UP WHEN I GO TO STOP AS IF I WAS TO SLIDE ON ICE BUT I'M NOT I'M ON DRY PAVEMENT. ON CITY STREET.
STARTED OUT WHEN I'M JUST DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD MY STEERING WHEEL TWITCHES. NOW HAS GONE TO ESC POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL COMPLETELY LOCKS UP. MOST OF THE TIME JUST WHEN I START THE CAR HOWEVER HAS DONE IT WHEN I'M DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THANKFULLY IT WAS A SECLUDED ROAD AND I DIDN'T HIT ANYONE. …
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STARTED OUT WHEN I'M JUST DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD MY STEERING WHEEL TWITCHES. NOW HAS GONE TO ESC POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL COMPLETELY LOCKS UP. MOST OF THE TIME JUST WHEN I START THE CAR HOWEVER HAS DONE IT WHEN I'M DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THANKFULLY IT WAS A SECLUDED ROAD AND I DIDN'T HIT ANYONE. THIS IS SUPER DANGEROUS AND ACCORDING TO MY SEARCH OF THE INTERNET I'M NOT ALONE.
CONSTANTLY HAVING ISSUES WITH THE ELECTICAL SYSTEM IN THIS VEHICLE, AND FROM FURTHER STUDIES AND INVESTICATION VIA INTERNET COMPLAINTS AND YOUTUBE CUSTOMERS/OWNERS...THIS IS A CONTINUAL ONGOING PROBLEM FOR A SUBSTAINTIAL AMOUNT OF CHEVY MALIBU OWNERS FROM THE YEAR OF 2009 TO 2013/2014 MODELS. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ASAP ON THE…
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CONSTANTLY HAVING ISSUES WITH THE ELECTICAL SYSTEM IN THIS VEHICLE, AND FROM FURTHER STUDIES AND INVESTICATION VIA INTERNET COMPLAINTS AND YOUTUBE CUSTOMERS/OWNERS...THIS IS A CONTINUAL ONGOING PROBLEM FOR A SUBSTAINTIAL AMOUNT OF CHEVY MALIBU OWNERS FROM THE YEAR OF 2009 TO 2013/2014 MODELS. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ASAP ON THESE MAKE AND MODELS. THE ISSUE IS THAT THE HEADLIGHTS CONSTANLY SHORT OUT AND BLOW OUT. MECHANICS AND SERVICE HAS FOUND THAT THE ELECTTICAL CONNECTORS FOR HLLIGHTBULB OVERHEATS, MELTS THE WIRING, AND BURNS OUT BULB> THIS IS VERY DANGEROUSE AND IS A FIRE HAZARD. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST THREE TIMES ON MY VEHICLE ALONE. ALSO CONSTAT PROBLEMS WITH REAR RIGHT WHEEL CONVERTOR SPEED AND TIRE SENSORS, AND THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM OVER ALL. THE WIRING IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE CONSTANTLY HAVE BLOW OUT FUSES, THE EMERGENCY LIGHT INDICATORS ALWAYS COMING ON, AND THE SENSORS ON AND OFF. THIS IS A WELL NOTED AND DOCUMENTED OCCURANS WITH THESE VEHICLES. THESE CARS NEED TO BE RECALLED DUE TO DANGER WITH POSSIBLE FIRE AND CAR STALLING OUT WHILE DRIVING DUE TO ELECTRICAL ISSUES AND HEATING/COOLING AC WIRES SHORTING OUT. IN ALL OVERVIEW THIS HAS CAUSED ME SEVERE FINACIL PROBLEMS DUE TO CONSTANT REPAIRS AND PART REPLACEMENT. IT IS A DANGER TO MYSELF AND OTHERS ON THE HIGHWAYS AND ROADS. I NEED THIS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY. I HAVE SOME OF THE MELTED FIRE SPARKED PARTS.PLEASE CONTACT ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. MANY DAYS I DONT HAVE NEEDED TRANSPORTATION DUE TO THESE ISSUES AND I GET REPAIRS ALL OF THE TIME WHILE STILL PAYING A CAR NOTE. I AM SCARED TO KEEP DRIVING THIUS CAR.
"TAKATA RECALL " IM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY 2012 MALIBU WHEN IM DRIVING DOWN THE STREET MY VEHICLES STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP AND " SERVICE ESC " POPS UP MAKING IT HARD TO TURN SO I HAVE TO STOP IN THE THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET TO RESTART MY CAR IT HAPPENED A MONTH AND A HALF AGO AND JUST RECENTLY STARTED AGAIN IT STOPPED FOR A DAY…
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"TAKATA RECALL " IM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY 2012 MALIBU WHEN IM DRIVING DOWN THE STREET MY VEHICLES STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP AND " SERVICE ESC " POPS UP MAKING IT HARD TO TURN SO I HAVE TO STOP IN THE THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET TO RESTART MY CAR IT HAPPENED A MONTH AND A HALF AGO AND JUST RECENTLY STARTED AGAIN IT STOPPED FOR A DAY AND NOW ITS BACK EVEN WORSE. TOOK IT TO THE REPAIR SHOP THE THINK ITS MY TORQUE SENSOR AND INTAKE AND EXHAUST CAMSHAFT
I WAS DRIVING 55 MPH ON HIGHWAY AND POWER STEERING WENT OUT STEERING WHEEL STIFFING UP AND I ALMOST WENT IN THE LANE NEXT TO ME./ SECOND TIME I JUST MADE IT TO WORK TR=URN THE STEERING WHEEL TO PARK AND IT WENT OUT AGAIN./REAR DEFROST DON'T WORK CHANGED FUSE AND STILL WONT WORK
POWER STEERING, LIGHTS, ELECTRICAL STABILITY, ENGINE, TRANSMISSION
THE STEERING WHEEL TENDS TO SHAKE AND TURN LEFT OR RIGHT WHILE YOU'RE DRIVING ALMOST CAUSED A WRECK IDLING IT SHAKES REALLY BAD
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.