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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

Steering complaints

191 reports
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136,034 miles · Jan 1, 2018
Steering

MY POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON AND I AM NOT ABLE TO TURN MY STEERING WHEEL. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE LAST WEEK WHILE MY CAR WAS STATIONARY. ALSO WHILE I WAS DRIVING TONIGHT THE CAR MADE A SOUND WARNING AND RIGHT AFTER THAT MY POWER STEERING LOCKED UP WHILE MY CAR WAS IN MOTION DRIVING ON A CITY STREET. I HAD TO P…

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MY POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON AND I AM NOT ABLE TO TURN MY STEERING WHEEL. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE LAST WEEK WHILE MY CAR WAS STATIONARY. ALSO WHILE I WAS DRIVING TONIGHT THE CAR MADE A SOUND WARNING AND RIGHT AFTER THAT MY POWER STEERING LOCKED UP WHILE MY CAR WAS IN MOTION DRIVING ON A CITY STREET. I HAD TO PUT MY CAR IN NEUTRAL TURN MY IGNITION OFF AND THEN BACK ON TO GET THE STEERING BACK IN MY CONTROL. I BELIEVE THIS HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE POWER STEERING. MY STEERING WHEEL SHAKES EVER SINCE I FIRST NOTICED THIS ISSUE AND THE STEERING ON THIS VEHICLE SOMETIMES JUST ALL OF A SUDDEN PULLS OFF TO THE LEFT OR TO THE RIGHT FOR NO REASON. MY TIRES HAVE THE PROPER INFLATION AND ARE ONLY 3 MONTHS OLD. I DRIVE DOWN A MOUNTAIN WITH LOTS OF CURVES IN THE ROAD TO GET TO AND FROM WORK IF THE STEERING DECIDES TO LOCK UP WHILE I AM DRIVING ON A CURVE THIS COULD CAUSE A VERY BAD AND POSSIBLY FATAL ACCIDENT. THIS CAR DOES NOT HAVE A PLACE TO ADD POWER STEERING FLUID THE MANUAL STATES TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP IF THIS KEEPS OCCURRING.

NHTSA ODI #11057902

138,000 miles · Dec 29, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH DOWN THE ROAD MY STEERING STIFFENED AND I HEARD A CHIME AND SERVICE ESC ACROSS THE DASH WARNING SYSTEM, I COULD NOT TURN THE WHEEL. THE ELECTRONIC STEERING CONTROL WAS NOT WORKING AND I HAD TO TRY TO MANUALLY STEER. I HAD MY 1 YR OLD AND 4 YR OLD IN MY VEHICLE AND THE ROADS WERE SNOWY AND ICY, AND NO…

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DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH DOWN THE ROAD MY STEERING STIFFENED AND I HEARD A CHIME AND SERVICE ESC ACROSS THE DASH WARNING SYSTEM, I COULD NOT TURN THE WHEEL. THE ELECTRONIC STEERING CONTROL WAS NOT WORKING AND I HAD TO TRY TO MANUALLY STEER. I HAD MY 1 YR OLD AND 4 YR OLD IN MY VEHICLE AND THE ROADS WERE SNOWY AND ICY, AND NO WAY TO STEER MY VEHICLE SAFELY.

NHTSA ODI #11057462

170,000 miles · Dec 18, 2017
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE TRACTION CONTROL INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE TRACTION CONTROL INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

NHTSA ODI #11055343

180,000 miles · Dec 1, 2017
SteeringTraction Control System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN SEIZED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN VARIOUS SPEEDS. ALSO, THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE OPERATED AFTER BEING MANUALLY RESTARTED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN SEIZED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN VARIOUS SPEEDS. ALSO, THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE OPERATED AFTER BEING MANUALLY RESTARTED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED REGARDING THE FAILURE, BUT RECEIVED NO RESPONSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 180,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.

NHTSA ODI #11051767

94,600 miles · Nov 13, 2017
Electrical SystemSteeringVehicle Speed Control

TAKATA RECALL FOR A CHEVROLET CHEVY MALIBU 2012, YOU CANT TELL HOW FAST YOUR GOING THE HEAD LIGHT ELECTRICAL FUSE NEEDS REPLACEMENT, DRIVER PEDALS NEED TO BE REPLACED ALSO.

NHTSA ODI #11045613

Mileage unknown · Nov 11, 2017
Electrical SystemExterior LightingSteering

MY HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT, MY CAR WILL NOT ALIGN AND THE ELECTRICAL PLUG WILL NOT WORK

NHTSA ODI #11045381

95,000 miles · Oct 31, 2017
Steering

WHILE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT SAYS POWER STEERING OFF SERVICE ESC TURN CAR OFF AND RESTART WENT AWAY I TAKE IT IN AND NO CODE STORED. MY WIFE IS AFFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR

NHTSA ODI #11041611

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

101 miles · Sep 27, 2017
EngineService BrakesSteering

ALL LIGHTS ON THE DASH BOARD HAD BRAKE PADS INSTALLED VEHICLE MAKING NOISE WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE PULLING TO THE RIGHT, HAD THREE SENSORS REPLACED DASH BOARD LIGHT STILL ON05

NHTSA ODI #11030246

120,000 miles · Sep 21, 2017
Electrical SystemSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN THE ENGINE WAS STARTED, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT. THE POWER STEERING, ESC, AND TRACTION WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, RESTARTED THE ENGINE, AND THE VEHICLE RETURNED TO NORMAL. THE DEALER (SOUTHERN CHEVROLET CADILLAC, 5…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN THE ENGINE WAS STARTED, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT. THE POWER STEERING, ESC, AND TRACTION WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, RESTARTED THE ENGINE, AND THE VEHICLE RETURNED TO NORMAL. THE DEALER (SOUTHERN CHEVROLET CADILLAC, 5845 COLISEUM BLVD, ALEXANDRIA, LA 71303) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ODI #11024839

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.