IllustrationP2138 THROTTLE/ PEDAL POSITION SENSOR SECOND TIME SAME PROBLEM THE POWER WAS REDUCE WHEN I WAS DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY.
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
Unknown Or Other complaints
51 reportsVEHICLE STARTED IDLING ROUGH BUT RAN GOOD ON THE INTERSTATE OR SPEEDS ABOVE 40 MPH. CHECKED TIMING CHAINS. CHAINS WERE LOOSE AND JUMPED TIME.
ON APRIL 1,2018 I WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY ROAD GOING 45MPH WHEN MY CAR SUDDENLY LOST THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. A COUPLE OF WARNING LIGHT FLASHED ON THE DASHBOARD ESC AS WELL AS THE ENGINE LIGHT. THE CAR BEGAN TO JERK AND DRIVE REALLY ROUGH, BEFORE THE ENGINE POWER LOST FLASHED ON THE DASH. I TURNED ON MY HAZARD LIGHTS AND TRIED …
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ON APRIL 1,2018 I WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY ROAD GOING 45MPH WHEN MY CAR SUDDENLY LOST THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. A COUPLE OF WARNING LIGHT FLASHED ON THE DASHBOARD ESC AS WELL AS THE ENGINE LIGHT. THE CAR BEGAN TO JERK AND DRIVE REALLY ROUGH, BEFORE THE ENGINE POWER LOST FLASHED ON THE DASH. I TURNED ON MY HAZARD LIGHTS AND TRIED TO GET THE CAR OFF THE ROAD TO A SAFE AREA. THE CAR COULD ONLY CRUISE BECAUSE I COULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE. THIS CAR JUST MADE IT TO 82000 MILES ON THE DASH, I SHOULD NOT BE HAVING AN ISSUE LIKE THIS WITH THIS CAR. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AS SOMEONE COULD BE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR EVEN WORST DEATH. PLEASE PLEASE BRING AWARENESS TO THIS ISSUE, WHICH A LOT OF OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE IS HAVING.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES ON THE VEHICLE WERE FAULTY WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE TIRE INFORMATION WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,987. NO FUR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES ON THE VEHICLE WERE FAULTY WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE TIRE INFORMATION WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,987. NO FURTHER INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE.
TAKATA RECALL MY VEHICLE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON BECAUSE OF A ACCELERATOR PEDAL SENSOR GOING OUT..I WAS ON THE STREET AND MY CAR GOT TO JERKING AND THEN IT SAYS REDUCE SPEED EVERY TIME I ACCELERATE IT BARLEY WANT TO DRIVE..
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND SERVICE TRACTION LIGHTS KEEP COMING ON WHILE I AM DRIVING AND COME TO A COMPLETED STOP. THE DEALERSHIP TECHS STATED BOTH LIGHTS ALWAYS COME ON TOGETHER WHEN IT IS SOMETHING WITH THE EMISSION CONTROLS. ON STAR DIAGNOSTIC RESULTS WERE: THROUGH YOUR RECENT ON-DEMAND DIAGNOSTIC, ONSTAR DETECTED AN ISSUE …
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THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND SERVICE TRACTION LIGHTS KEEP COMING ON WHILE I AM DRIVING AND COME TO A COMPLETED STOP. THE DEALERSHIP TECHS STATED BOTH LIGHTS ALWAYS COME ON TOGETHER WHEN IT IS SOMETHING WITH THE EMISSION CONTROLS. ON STAR DIAGNOSTIC RESULTS WERE: THROUGH YOUR RECENT ON-DEMAND DIAGNOSTIC, ONSTAR DETECTED AN ISSUE WITH YOUR 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU.THE CODE(S) AND EXPLANATION(S) ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ISSUE IS/ARE: P0300 THE EMISSIONS SYSTEM IS NOT PERFORMING AS EXPECTED. AN ISSUE HAS BEEN DETECTED IN THE EXHAUST EMISSIONS SYSTEM WHICH MONITORS AND CONTROLS EXHAUST GASES RELEASED INTO THE AIR FROM THE ENGINE. IF THE VEHICLE IS CONTINUALLY DRIVEN WITH THIS LIGHT ON, THE EMISSION CONTROLS MIGHT NOT WORK AS WELL, THE VEHICLE FUEL ECONOMY MIGHT NOT BE AS GOOD, THE ENGINE MIGHT NOT RUN AS SMOOTHLY AND COULD LEAD TO FUTURE REPAIRS. BASED ON THE RESULTS, YOU SHOULD SERVICE YOUR CHEVROLET WITHIN 7 DAYS.IF YOU REQUIRE ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE PLEASE CONTACT (866) 415-5838. PLEASE BRING THIS EMAIL WITH YOU WHEN YOU GO FOR SERVICE.LAST 8 CHARACTERS OF VIN: [XXX] I TOOK THE CAR TO MANASSAS CHEVROLET 1ST AND WAS TOLD THAT THE THEY NEEDED TO CONDUCT A CARBON FLUSH AND THAT COIL 1 WAS BAD WHICH CAUSE THE LIGHTS TO COME. PAID A TUNE UP. AFTER PAYING OVER $600 THE LIGHTS CAME BACK ON. I TOOK IT BACK 3 TIMES AND WAS TOLD IT NEEDED TO BURN THE CARBON OFF AND COIL 2 NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I TOOK THE CAR TO LINDSAY CHEVROLET FOR A 2ND OPINION BECAUSE BOTH LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN. I WAS TOLD THAT COIL 2 WAS REPLACED BY THE MANASSAS CHEVY AND WAS BAD. I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. I THEN TOOK IT TO REPAIR SHOP IN GAITHERSBURG AND WAS TOLD COIL 2 WAS BAD, BAD A SPARK PLUG AND CYCLINDER GASKETS WERE BAD. I DID NOT NEED A NEW ENGINE. THE COMPUTER IS GOING BAD AND THUS THE REASON THE CHECK ENGINE AND SERVICE TRACTION LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AFTER ALL OF THE ABOVE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED. PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 55
CAR WILL START AND THEN START SHAKING AND MAKING NOISES THEN DIES OFF. BREAK AND ACCELARETOR LOCKS AFTER THAT
PARKED IN AN INTERSECTION OLD HWY US 301 OCALA FLORIDA WHEELS TURNED LEFT WHICH WAS DARK AND POORLY LIT BY THE CITY. NO ORANGE LIGHTS ONTO A MAJOR THIN 2 LANE INTERSECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS BRAKED DURING THE LEFT TURN SOUTH POSITION. THE FRONT HOOD IN THE MIDDLE OF NORTH BOUND LANE FRONT BUMPER AND PLATE WERE IN THE HIGHWAY DIVI…
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PARKED IN AN INTERSECTION OLD HWY US 301 OCALA FLORIDA WHEELS TURNED LEFT WHICH WAS DARK AND POORLY LIT BY THE CITY. NO ORANGE LIGHTS ONTO A MAJOR THIN 2 LANE INTERSECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS BRAKED DURING THE LEFT TURN SOUTH POSITION. THE FRONT HOOD IN THE MIDDLE OF NORTH BOUND LANE FRONT BUMPER AND PLATE WERE IN THE HIGHWAY DIVIDING LINE. UP TO THE REAR DRIVERSIDE PASSENGER DOOR AT THE JOINT OF THE SIDE STREET AND HIGHWAY OUTSIDE LINE. A BICYCLIST STRUCK THE VEHICLE HIS LIGHT WAS THROWN INTO THE INTERSECTION. HE IS BLEEDING HES ON THE GROUND. ANOTHER FEMALE IS HELPING HIM. THE MIRROR OF THE VEHICLE DRIVERSIDE TORN OFF AND THE FRONT WINSHIELD SHATTERED ABOVE DRIVERSIDE TOP. THROWN BY IMPACT FROM HIS BICYCLE TO THE MALIBU HIS BACKPACK ON THE GROUND. HES AMBULATORY TRANSPORTED SHERIFFS RESPONDED FHP CAME OUT
MY CAR WILL RANDOMLY NOT START WITH NO ENGINE CODES. IT APPEARS TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE KEY INSERT ALSO SAYS ANTI-THEFT. MOSTLY WHEN I AM PARKED
CAR STARTS AND AFTER 2 SECONDS TURNS BACK OFF. CAR WILL START AGAIN AND DRIVE FINE FOR HOURS AND THEN IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT BUT NO ONE CAN FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM AND DIAGNOSTIC WON'T READ THE PROBLEM. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT.
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.