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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.

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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

Electronic Stability Control (esc) complaints

129 reports
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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

Mileage unknown · Oct 23, 2017
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO MULTIPLE SAFETY DEFECTS WITH VEHICLE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS SEVERAL SAFETY DEFECTS INCLUDING THE ELECTRIC STABILITY CONTROL, BRAKES, SENSOR LIGHTS, STEERING, SUSPENSION, WHEELS, ENGINE LIGHTS, POWER TRAIN. UPDATED 10/23/2017*JS

NHTSA ODI #11035054

Mileage unknown · Oct 2, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

MY 2012 CHEVY MALIBU HAD A RECALL REPAIR DONE ON OCTOBER 3RD 2014 TO FIX A WIRING/ELECTRONIC TRACTION CONTROL MALFUNCTION. THE ISSUE HAS RETURNED, MEANING THE ORIGINAL PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED. IT MAKES THE CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE, HOWEVER THE MANUFACTURER LISTS THE ISSUE AS "CLOSED."

NHTSA ODI #11031413

17,000 miles · Sep 11, 2017
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior Lighting

THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE CONTINUOUSLY SHORTED OUT. I HAVE CHANGED THE HEADLIGHTS 3 TIMES IN A 3 WEEK SPAN AND THEY KEEP GOING OUT. I HAVE REPLACED FUSES AS WELL. THE TRACTION ON THE CAR IS CONSTANTLY SLOWING DOWN. THE ESC LIGHT COMES ON. THE CAR SLOWS DOWN ON ALL STREETS AND IT HAS DONE SO ON THE HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ODI #11022627

135,000 miles · Aug 25, 2017
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Power Train

AFTER OWNING THE CAR ONLY 3 WEEKS, THE CIRCUIT BOARD BLEW A WIRE CONNECTOR CAUSING MY FUEL PUMP TO GO OUT AFTER THE DEALERSHIP JUST HAD THESE EXACT PARTS REPLACED HIMSELF AT TIME OF PURCHASE. THE CAR HAS LOST POWER, HAS ISSUES WITH BLINKER STICKING OR RELAY. THE CAR DRAINS RAPIDLY WHEN A.C. IS TURNED ON. RADIO SOMETIMES SHUTS OF…

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AFTER OWNING THE CAR ONLY 3 WEEKS, THE CIRCUIT BOARD BLEW A WIRE CONNECTOR CAUSING MY FUEL PUMP TO GO OUT AFTER THE DEALERSHIP JUST HAD THESE EXACT PARTS REPLACED HIMSELF AT TIME OF PURCHASE. THE CAR HAS LOST POWER, HAS ISSUES WITH BLINKER STICKING OR RELAY. THE CAR DRAINS RAPIDLY WHEN A.C. IS TURNED ON. RADIO SOMETIMES SHUTS OFF SOUND. THE VEHICLE HAS COST ME OVER 3000 WITHIN MY 3 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP HAS ONLY 140000 MILES ON ENGINE. ELECTRICAL ISSUES EVERYWHERE AM FEARFUL IT MAY CATCH FIRE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH MY 3 CHILDREN! YOUTUBE HAS MANY COMPLAINTS ON SAME MAKE MODEL VEHICLE WITH SAME OCCURRING ISSUE'S! LUCKILY WHEN CIRCUIT BOARD BLEW A COMPACTOR THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN THE PARKING LOT AT DOLLAR GENERAL. WE WERE FORCED TO HAVE IT TOWED TO DESTINATION.

NHTSA ODI #11019476

120,000 miles · Jul 21, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

WHEN CAR IS AT IDLE THE TRACTION CONTROL AND ESC LIGHT COMES ON AND CAUSES CAR TO MISFIRE AND SHAKE

NHTSA ODI #11006710

94,000 miles · Jun 26, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesSteeringCrash

"SERVICE ESC" LIGHT ILLUMINATES WHEN MAKING SHARP TURNS, SLOWING DOWN ON THE INTERSTATE, AS WELL AS BREAKING IN BAD WEATHER. AFTER REPLACING BRAKES TWICE AND ROTORS ONCE I SCONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM . AFTER A RECENT INQUIRY I LEARNED OF A RECALL ON "SERVICE ESC" AS WELL AS "TRACTION CONTROL".

NHTSA ODI #11001410

95,000 miles · Apr 24, 2017
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Power Train

DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY @ 70 MPH DRY ROADS SERVICE ESC, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL MESSAGES FLASHING ALTERNATELY. PARKED THE VEHICLE NEXT MORNING 20 MINUTES OF DRIVING AGAIN ON THE FREEWAY @ 70 MPH DRY ROADS SAME 2 FLASHING MESSAGES. PARK THE VEHICLE. STARTED VEHICLE UNABLE TO MOVE SHIFTER FROM PARK WHILE DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL…

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DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY @ 70 MPH DRY ROADS SERVICE ESC, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL MESSAGES FLASHING ALTERNATELY. PARKED THE VEHICLE NEXT MORNING 20 MINUTES OF DRIVING AGAIN ON THE FREEWAY @ 70 MPH DRY ROADS SAME 2 FLASHING MESSAGES. PARK THE VEHICLE. STARTED VEHICLE UNABLE TO MOVE SHIFTER FROM PARK WHILE DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL. FLASHING MESSAGE LIGHTS APPEAR RANDOMLY AS WELL AS UNABLE TO MOVE SHIFTER OUT OF PARK. VERY FRIGHTENING AFTER PARKING VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #10980069

Mileage unknown · Apr 13, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE ESC LIGHT COMING ON SINCE BUYING THE CAR BRAND NEW AND WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP NOTHING WAS WRONG. NOW THE ESC LIGHT COMES ON AND THE ENGINE LIGHT AND THE TRACTION LIGHT. I WAS TOLD I NEED A THROTTLE BODY THIS CAR IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD AND IS NOT PAID OFF TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THERE HAS BEEN MULTIPLE C…

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I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE ESC LIGHT COMING ON SINCE BUYING THE CAR BRAND NEW AND WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP NOTHING WAS WRONG. NOW THE ESC LIGHT COMES ON AND THE ENGINE LIGHT AND THE TRACTION LIGHT. I WAS TOLD I NEED A THROTTLE BODY THIS CAR IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD AND IS NOT PAID OFF TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THERE HAS BEEN MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE WITH MALIBUS IN THE 2000'S THIS IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE CAR STALLS AND WILL SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL WITH AS MANY COMPLAINTS THAT HAS BEEN BROUGHT FORWARD REGARDING THIS ISSUE. THE TRACTION LIGHT COME ON AS WELL AT THE SAME TIME THESE LIGHTS COME ON. THIS IS DURING BRAKING, OR SITTING AT A STOP SIGN OR LIGHT, OR AS I AM APPLYING THE BRAKE TO STOP BEHIND OTHER DRIVERS IT WILL CONTINUOUSLY JERK AND ALMOST TAKE OFF ON ITS OWN.

NHTSA ODI #10972299

80,000 miles · Mar 22, 2017
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

I WAS DRIVING(IN MOTION) ON THE FREEWAY AND THE ESC SERVICE/TRACTION CONTROL SENSOR OR LIGHT POPS ON PUSHES MY CAR INTO ENGINE REDUCED POWER MODE THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED ON COMING TRAFFIC TO REAR END ME OR INJURE ME REAL BAD THIS MUST BE RECALLED TO BE FIXED BAD I MEAN ASAP THIS NEEDS TO BED REVISED AND FIXED BEFORE SOMEONE DIES.…

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I WAS DRIVING(IN MOTION) ON THE FREEWAY AND THE ESC SERVICE/TRACTION CONTROL SENSOR OR LIGHT POPS ON PUSHES MY CAR INTO ENGINE REDUCED POWER MODE THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED ON COMING TRAFFIC TO REAR END ME OR INJURE ME REAL BAD THIS MUST BE RECALLED TO BE FIXED BAD I MEAN ASAP THIS NEEDS TO BED REVISED AND FIXED BEFORE SOMEONE DIES. ALSO WHEN AT STOP LIGHT THIS HAPPENS TO. OMG PLEASE IM BEGGING YOU ALL TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS I HAVE SMALL CHILDREN WHO RIDE WITH ME .

NHTSA ODI #10967909

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.