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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 →
906Owner complaints

Model-year median: 310.5

2Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
1,509
20091,360
2010977
2011906
2012835
2013351
2014270
2015
Compare all Malibu years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Electrical System
290Exterior Lighting
202Steering
191Electronic Stability Control (esc)
129Air Bags
101
All reported categories
Engine
99Service Brakes
65Vehicle Speed Control
52Fuel/propulsion System
51Unknown Or Other
51Power Train
49Seat Belts
47Seats
36Visibility/wiper
27Wheels
19Structure
16Suspension
10Traction Control System
10Service Brakes, Hydraulic
8Fuel System, Gasoline
5Visibility
4Engine And Engine Cooling
3Tires
2Child Seat
1Equipment
1Lane Departure
1Latches/locks/linkages
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

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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110,000 miles · Mar 28, 2019
Steering

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON A CITY ROAD AND MY STEERING STOPPED WORKING. THANKFULLY I WASN'T TOO FAR FROM HOME SO I DID GET HOME SAFELY. I HAD IT TOWED TO A (XXXX) DEALERSHIP BECAUSE MY MECHANIC SAID THAT MY WARRANTY SHOULD COVER IT AND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL. THE DEALERSHIP CALLED ME AND TOLD ME I NEED A NEW STEERING MODULE AND CO…

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I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON A CITY ROAD AND MY STEERING STOPPED WORKING. THANKFULLY I WASN'T TOO FAR FROM HOME SO I DID GET HOME SAFELY. I HAD IT TOWED TO A (XXXX) DEALERSHIP BECAUSE MY MECHANIC SAID THAT MY WARRANTY SHOULD COVER IT AND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL. THE DEALERSHIP CALLED ME AND TOLD ME I NEED A NEW STEERING MODULE AND COLUMN AND THAT IT IS NOT COVERED. IF I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND THIS HAPPENED I WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED. I AM PREGNANT AND DUE IN A FEW WEEKS AND I NEED A SAFE RELIABLE VEHICLE FOR MY SON AND I. PLEASE HELP US. 'PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI #11192150

120,000 miles · Mar 25, 2019
Steering

WELL WHILE TURNING ON MY STREET THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND ESC LIGHT CAME ON WHICH ALMOST CAUSE ME TO HIT MY NEIGHBOR FENCE AND CAR TRYING TO TURN..I WAS VERY SCARED HAD CAR PUT IN SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME STEERING WAS GONE OUT..I DIDNT NO ABOUT THIS RECALL STUFF BECAUSE I HAD TO PAY CLOSE TO 1000 TO GET THOS REPAIRED..HOW CA…

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WELL WHILE TURNING ON MY STREET THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND ESC LIGHT CAME ON WHICH ALMOST CAUSE ME TO HIT MY NEIGHBOR FENCE AND CAR TRYING TO TURN..I WAS VERY SCARED HAD CAR PUT IN SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME STEERING WAS GONE OUT..I DIDNT NO ABOUT THIS RECALL STUFF BECAUSE I HAD TO PAY CLOSE TO 1000 TO GET THOS REPAIRED..HOW CAN I GET REFUNDED FOR SOMETHING THAT WAS A RECALL ON

NHTSA ODI #11191250

189,000 miles · Mar 17, 2019
Steering

POWER STEERING WENT OUT DRIVER THE 2012 MALIBU ON THE STREET. LOCKED UP AND ALMOST WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO FAULTY POWER STEERING.

NHTSA ODI #11187393

99,600 miles · Mar 14, 2019
Steering

MY POWER STEERING IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. I HAVE TO TURN THE CAR ON AND OFF FOR THE POWER STEERING TO WORK. THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES AND THE ESC IS ON.

NHTSA ODI #11186715

148,222 miles · Mar 9, 2019
Steering

THE STEERING WHEEL IS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN REQUIRING VEHICLE TO BE RESTARTED FREQUENTLY.

NHTSA ODI #11185553

93,875 miles · Mar 9, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)SteeringSuspensionCrash

WAS ACTUALLY DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AROUND THE CORNER FROM THE PLACE I RESIDE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE WHEEL STARTED TO JERK VIOLENTLY WHICH CAUSED US TO DRIVE INTO A CURB , CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO DRIVE UP ONTO A CURB FLATTENING BOTH SIDES OF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR AS WELL ALMOST CLIPPING A CAR AT THE LIGHT TO OUR LEFT...THE …

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WAS ACTUALLY DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AROUND THE CORNER FROM THE PLACE I RESIDE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE WHEEL STARTED TO JERK VIOLENTLY WHICH CAUSED US TO DRIVE INTO A CURB , CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO DRIVE UP ONTO A CURB FLATTENING BOTH SIDES OF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR AS WELL ALMOST CLIPPING A CAR AT THE LIGHT TO OUR LEFT...THE KIDS ON BACK SEAT WERE COMPLETELY TERRIFIED BECAUSE THEY HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS GOING ON AND ARE STILL SCARED TO GET INTO A VEHICLE...AS WELL HAVE A PPLICE REPORT COULD PROBABLY OBTAIN IF NEED BE.. WE JUST WANT CAR FOXED RIGHT WAY NOT TRYING TO SUE ANYBODY OR GET AOME OUTRAGEOUS SETTLEMENT ....

NHTSA ODI #11185493

134,500 miles · Mar 9, 2019
Steering

POWER STEERING FAILURE. POWER STEERING MOTOR/MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACE.

NHTSA ODI #11185473

110,000 miles · Mar 3, 2019
Steering

TAKATA RECALL, MY CARS POWER STEERING KEEPS GOING OUT WHILE DRIVING, I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND TURN MY CAR OFF THEN ON AND IT WILL WORK AGAIN. IT USUALLY HAPPENS AT LEAST ONCE OR TWICE A DAY. THE STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT MOVE UNLESS I USE ALL MY STRENGTH WHICH IS VERY DIFFICULT AND SCARY. IT HAS HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY AND ON A CIT…

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TAKATA RECALL, MY CARS POWER STEERING KEEPS GOING OUT WHILE DRIVING, I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND TURN MY CAR OFF THEN ON AND IT WILL WORK AGAIN. IT USUALLY HAPPENS AT LEAST ONCE OR TWICE A DAY. THE STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT MOVE UNLESS I USE ALL MY STRENGTH WHICH IS VERY DIFFICULT AND SCARY. IT HAS HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY AND ON A CITY STREET WHILE DRIVING CAUSING ME TO PULL OVER.

NHTSA ODI #11183766

140,000 miles · Feb 28, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

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 …

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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 !!

NHTSA ODI #11183119

Mileage unknown · Feb 27, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

'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

NHTSA ODI #11182903

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.