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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43,000 miles · Nov 23, 2015

Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE ONLY HAPPENED INITIALLY AFTER DRIVING OFF. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 1…

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NHTSA ODI #10806291

Mileage unknown · Oct 7, 2015

Steering

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I JUST RECEIVED A LETTER FROM GM, INFORMING ME OF ANOTHER DEFECT BUILT INTO MY VEHICLE , ONLY ONE OF WHICH WAS TO RECALL THIS VEHICLE TO MAKE A REPAIR, THE OTHERS, AS WITH THIS LETTER HAS BEEN TO WARN ME OF A DEFECT, THIS LETTER CONTAINS THE VIN NUMBER OF MY VEHICLE, EXPLAINS WHAT THE DEFECT IS, HOWEVER,EVEN THOUGH IT CLEARLY STATES THAT GM IS WELL AWARE OF THIS DEFECT, BECAUSE IN BOLD UNDERLINED TYPE IT STATES "DO NOT TAKE THIS VEHICLE TO YOUR CHEVROLET DEALER AS A RESULT OF THIS LETTER UNLESS YOU BELIEVE THAT YOUR VEHICLE HAS THE CONDITION AS DESCRIBED ABOVE". THIS IS VERY DISTURBING TO ME BECAUSE LONG BEFORE THE IGNITION SWITCH ON THE CHEVROLET COBALT MODEL CAUSED THE DEATHS THAT FORCED NHTSA TO FORCE GM TO RECALL THAT VEHICLE TO MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIR, I HAD THE IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEM A COBALT I OWNED AND WHEN TOLD IT WOULD COST ME OVER $400.00 TO HAVE THAT IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED, I CREATED SUCH A COMMOTION IN THAT DEALERSHIP, THAT THEY REPLACED THAT IGNITION SWITCH W/O COST TO ME, WHICH PROVES THAT THEY WERE WELL OF OFF THAT DEADLY DEFECT BEFORE IT CAUSED THOSE DEATHS, SO THE FACT THAT THIS LETTER CLEARLY STATES THE VIN NUMBER OF THIS VEHICLE, AS DID THEY OF THE DEADLY IGNITION SWITCH, ' SO MY PLEA TO YOU IS TO FORCE GM TO RECALL THIS VEHICLE TO MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS MENTIONED IN ALL FOUR OF THE LETTERS THEY HAVE SENT TO ME. BECAUSE THE ONLY WAY I WOULD KNOW WHETHER OR NOT MY VEHICLE HAS THIS DEADLY DEFECT, IS TO EXPERIENCE THE DEATH THAT COULD RESULT FROM THAT DEFECT..

NHTSA ODI #10780432

Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 2015

Service BrakesSteering

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PURCHASED CAR FROM ED BOZARTH ON OCTOBER 12. WITHIN 1 WEEK THE BRAKES WERE GRINDING AND YOU HAD TO STEP ON IT HARD FOR IT TO BRAKE. HAVE CHANGED BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS TWICE WITHIN 3 YEARS. HAVE COMPLAINED TO ED BOZARTH SINCE I PURCHASED IT. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO OTHER GM DEALERSHIPS AND COMPLAINED ABOUT THE BRAKES. SEPTEMBER 2015 TOOK IT TO FLETCHER JONES CHEVROLET AND HAD FILED A COMPLAIN WITH GM FOR APPROVAL TO HAVE THEM PAY FOR THE DIAGNOSTICS. AND AGAIN, THE DEALERSHIP AND GM CLAIM NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE BRAKES, BUT THEY GRIND HORRIBLY AND YOU HAVE TO HIT HARD ON THE BRAKES TO BE ABLE TO BRAKE. ANOTHER ISSUE IS THE RUBBER STEERING WHEEL. IT IS COMING APART AND IT CUTS YOU AS YOU ARE MAKING RIGHT TURN. BEING DIABETIC IT IS A HEALTH ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #10778748

18,000 miles · Sep 28, 2015

Steering

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RECEIVED LETTERS FROM GM THAT THIS CAR AND TWO OTHER FAMILY OWNED MALIBU'S (2009 & 2012 MODEL YEARS) MAY EXPERIENCE LOSS OF THEIR ELECTRIC POWER STEERING (EPS) DUE TO A MALFUNCTION IN THE STEERING COLUMN TORQUE SENSOR OR THE EPS MOTOR/CONTROLLER. THESE VEHICLES WERE NOT PART OF THE EARLIER RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 14V252000 ( ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM) WHICH COULD AFFECT STEERING AND SEVERAL OTHER SYSTEMS. MY COMPLAINT IS HOW CAN THIS COMPANY WHO COVERED UP THE IGNITION PROBLEM WHICH KILLED OVER 100 PEOPLE BE ALLOWED NOT TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE READ HORROR STORIES ON THE NHTSA AND ARFC.ORG. WEB SITES OF PEOPLE WHO ALSO WERE NOT PART OF THE EARLIER RECALL CRASHING WHEN THEIR POWER STEERING FAILED. DO I HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL MY WIFE OR MY TWO DAUGHTERS GET KILLED, AS WELL AS MY GRANDSON BEFORE MY CARS ARE FIXED. THIS LEADS ME TO QUESTION WHY HAS THE NHTSA NOT GONE AFTER GM FOR THIS WHEN IT IS JUST AS DANGEROUS FOR THIS POSSIBLE MALFUNCTION TO OCCUR AS IT DID WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM? ALSO THE NHTSA NEEDS TO FIND OUT IF THERE ARE REPLACEMENT PARTS THAT DO NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM OR ELSE CHANGING THEM WILL SERVE NO PURPOSE OTHER THAN GIVING THE DEALERSHIPS MONEY TO DO USELESS DIAGNOSTIC TESTS WHICH RUN OVER $100 EACH WHICH GM TOLD ME I HAVE TO PAY FOR. THIS LETTER WAS SENT TO OWNERS FOR MODEL YEARS 2007 TO 2012 FOR WHICH THE 3 YEAR WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED, PROMISING FREE REPAIR FOR 10 YEARS FROM THE DATE OF PURCHASE "IF" YOU HAVE TROUBLE WITH YOUR EPS. THE LETTER STATED NOT TO BRING THE CAR TO THE DEALER UNLESS YOU ARE EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM? SO IF YOU HAVE TROUBLE AND GET KILLED IN A CRASH THEY WILL FIX YOUR CAR. I WONDER IF ANY LETTERS WERE SENT TO OWNERS OF NEWER VEHICLES IF THE SAME DEFECTS ARE STILL IN THEIR CARS? I HAVE CONTACTED MY LOCAL PAPER AND THE FTC ON THIS MATTER AND I URGE EVERYONE WHO GETS THIS OUTRAGEOUS LETTER TO DO THE SAME.

NHTSA ODI #10778233

51,800 miles · Jul 11, 2015

Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

WE PURCHASED A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU SEPT. 2014 AND IT HAS BEEN SERVICED 3 X DUE TO THE POWER STEERING LOCKING UP WHILE DRIVING AND FAILURE TO START SEVERAL TIMES. THE CAR WOULD CHIME AND THE GAUGES WOULD ALL DROP TO 0 AND THE ENGINE LIGHT, POWER STEERING, LOW FUEL AND ANTI-THEFT LIGHT WOULD ALL LIGHT UP MAKING THE VEHICLE VERY…

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NHTSA ODI #10733397

52,979 miles · Apr 6, 2015

Service BrakesSteeringCrashInjury

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A GUARDRAIL. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR CUTS, BRUISES, AND WRIST INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,979.

NHTSA ODI #10703947

26,783 miles · Mar 19, 2015

Steering

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WE OWN A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU THAT HAS A PROBLEM WITH EXCESSIVE VIBRATION (SHUDDERING) IN THE STEERING OF THE CAR ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING A CORNER. BUT NOW THE CAR IS DEVELOPING MORE ABNORMAL ISSUES LIKE THE STEERING WHEELING IS MOVING BACK AND FORTH ON ITS OWN WHILE DRIVING ON A FLAT STRAIGHT SMOOTH ROAD. ALSO NOTED ARE CLICKING NOISES NOW HEARD IN THE STEERING WHEEL HUB. WITH THE WORSENING CONDITION OF THE STEERING I AM BECOMING RELUCTANT TO DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE STEERING FAILING WHILE OPERATING THE CAR. I HAVE NOTIFIED CHEVROLET AND I AM WAITING FOR THEM TO GET BACK TO ME. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN THE CHEVROLET SERVICE DEPT. AT LEAST 6 TIMES SINCE 9/05/2013 FOR THIS PROBLEM AND WITH 3 OF THOSE TIMES WAS WITH A CHEVROLET ENGINEER. BUT CHEVROLET CANNOT FIX THE PROBLEM AND IT IS GETTING WORSE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10695477

61,000 miles · Mar 18, 2015

Electrical SystemSteering

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING FAILED ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE CONTACT TO DRIVE INTO A SNOW BANK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE PREVENTED THE VEHICLE FROM BEING STEERED. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STEERING MODULE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL AND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) EVEN THOUGH THE BODY CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THIS INFORMATION FROM A SENIOR SAFETY SUPERVISOR FROM GM. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOUR TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000.

NHTSA ODI #10695098

76,800 miles · Feb 21, 2015

Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesSteering

VEHICLE HAS RANDOM LOSS OF ELECTRONIC STEERING ASSIST, WHICH LEAVES NO POWER STEERING. ALSO SERVICE ABS, ESC AND TRACTION WARNING LIGHTS, EPS CAUSES VEHICLES STEERING WHEEL TO SHAKE WITHOUT VEHICLE BEING IN MOTION. GM RECALLED THOUSANDS OF MALIBU'S IN FEB. OF 2015 FOR EPS ISSUES BUT MY YEAR IS NOT INCLUDED. COINCIDENCE? HIGHLY …

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NHTSA ODI #10689751

51,250 miles · Nov 21, 2014

Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

WHILE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING WOULD TURN OFF AND IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE (STEER). THE PROBLEM IS THAT IT HAS ELECTRONIC STEERING CONTROL MODULE WHICH WARMS UP AND CUTS OUT THE POWER STEERING. IT WILL DISPLAY "POWER STEERING SERVICE ESC" AND SYMBOL COMES ON. THIS IS AN UNEXPECTED ONGOING PROBLEM LIKE IN THE MORNING IT WI…

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NHTSA ODI #10660036

Official recalls

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)