2012 Chevrolet Malibu
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 906 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 11th highest complaint count among 26 Malibu model years with reports.
Of the 2012 reports, 50 involved a crash and 13 involved a fire. 35 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Seat beltsMay 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.
If the cable breaks, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 15V269000 on NHTSA.gov
SteeringJul 21, 2014
Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain replacement intermediate steering shafts sold under the Dorman, OE Solutions, and Solutions brand names, part numbers 425-167, 2425167, and 7-3074, for installation on 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6, and 2007-2009 Saturn Aura vehicles. The affected steering shafts may have a yoke that inadequately supports the u-joint bearing resulting in a premature failure.
A joint bearing that fails prematurely may cause separation of the u-joint resulting in a complete loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dorman will notify owners, and dealers will refund the purchase price or replace the steering shafts, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492.
Campaign 14E044000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, wiringMay 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.
Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 14V252000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electronic stability control (esc)
129 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 13, 2026
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the power steering warning light was illuminated, and the message "ESC OFF" was displayed. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced an intermittent loss of power steering while driving. The contact stated that upon restarting the vehicle, the vehicle operated as intended; however, the failure initially became a persistent failure upon restarting the vehicle and then became a permanent failure. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to an independent mechanic for a tire replacement, the contact was also informed that the steering failure was related to Chevrolet Special Coverage Number: 15356. The contact was referred to the dealer, who informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Steering, Aug 11, 2025
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle briefly lost motive power and came to a complete stop. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The contact stated that the ESC warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the steering wheel angle sensor. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 25, 2025
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH and following a slight right turn on the highway, the ESC warning illuminated, and the vehicle slowed down without the brake pedal being depressed. The failure was intermittent but became a recurring failure. The contact stated that the vehicle also slowed down unintentionally while making a left or right turn at slow speeds. The contact stated that in the middle of the turn, the vehicle slowed to a stop without the brake pedal being depressed. The ESC warning light illuminated while the vehicle was still in drive(D) and running. The vehicle came to a stop, and the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle continued driving. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer and was diagnosed with PSCM failure. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was not taken back to the dealer. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V252000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting, Vehicle Speed Control, Electronic Stability Control (ESC). The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 166,000.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Traction control system, Apr 4, 2025
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) and 15V269000 ( SEAT BELTS); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the steering wheel vibrated and seized. The "ESC" and “Traction Control" warning lights were illuminated. The contact used a scanner and diagnosed the vehicle with steering failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The dealer was made aware of the issue and wanted to charge the contact for the parts. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 30, 2021
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH in the middle lane, she inadvertently lost control of the steering wheel and the vehicle turned all the way to the left and to the left lane. The contact depressed the brake pedal, but it failed to respond. The contact stated that as she was steering the steering wheel to straighten the vehicle, the vehicle turned all the way to the to the right and to the right lane. The ESC warning light illuminated. The contact continued to depress the brake pedal until it responded. The contact was able to continue to drive the vehicle at a slower speed. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V252000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting, Vehicle Speed Control, Electronic Stability Control). The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 68,000.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 9, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING, THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ESC WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUBURBAN CHEVROLET CADILLAC COLLISION OF ANN ARBOR (3515 JACKSON RD STE B, ANN ARBOR, MI 48103, (734) 663-3321) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING BATTERY, AND NEGATIVE BATTERY TERMINAL TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 66,017.*DT THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD SLOW DOWN WITH A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND ELECTRICAL ISSUES AND SPUTTERING ENGINE. THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED TWICE AND WAS RECOMMENDED TO BE REPLACED THIRD TIME.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 1, 2020
WHEN I GET IN MY CAR I NOTICE THAT MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON IN AN ARE WHERE CERTAIN PEOPLE DON'T LIKE ME AT LIKE CUBA MO THERE IS A CONSPIRACY GOING ON OUT HERE EVER SENSE THEY TOOK MY KIDS ILLEGALLY IT'S BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS AND I DON'T WANT TO GET HURT OR HURT NOBODY PLEASE HELP MY GAS LEAVES QUICK ALSO I KNOW MY CAR IS BEING HACKED BECAUSE THEY DO THAT A LOT OUT THERE AND SURROUNDING CITIES THE ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON WHILE I'M DRIVING AND WHEN I'M OUT THE CAR IT'LL COME ON THERE IS ALSO A TRACKING DEVICE ON IT THAT I DIDN'T PUT ON THERE ALSO I PUT GAS IN MY CAR THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT GOES DOWN TO LOW FUEL I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR FROM THE DEALERSHIP AT JD BY RIDER IN ROLLA MO*DT*JB
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 18, 2020
I WAS DRIVING TO TOWN AND EVERYTHING STOP WORKING. IT SCARD THE CRAP OUT OF ME. I TOOK IT TO SMITH CHEVY IN TURLOCK CA THEY SAID THEY DIDNT KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT AND CHARAGED ME 489.00. LUCKY IT DIDNT KILL ME. GM MOTORS NEED TO DO A RECALL ON IT BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR LOSE THERE LIFE.
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 18, 2020
ESC WARNING ON DASH COMING ON WILL DRIVING AND TURNING FORWARD OR BACKWARD. HVAC CONTROLLER NOT RESPONDING TO COMMANDS, HVAC RESISTOR AND BLOWER MOTOR WIRES GETTING VERY HOT AND NOT BLOWING FUSES WHEN DRIVING WITH AC OR HEATER RUNNING. HVAC RESISTOR BLOWING OUT. HIGH MOTOR OIL CONSUMPTION , EVERY 1000 MILES ITS LOW A QUART.
Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Jun 16, 2020
SINCE BUYING THIS VEHICLE, I'VE HAD TROUBLE WITH THE BRAKES, AIRBAG SENSORS, ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, SEATBELT ISSUES AND ALSO THE AIRBAG LIGHT, HAD A MECHANIC REPLACE THE AIRBAG SENSORS IN THE REAR, BUT THE LIGHT STILL COMES ON. THE BRAKES ARE NOW SHUTTERING WORSE WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES AND IT FEELS LIKE THE WHEELS ARE GOING TO FALL APART. *TR
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 15, 2020
MY FUSE BOX IN MY TRUNK CAME BACK FAIL BAD ONE SO CHANGED IT OUT WITH ANOTHER ONE WELL THAT WORKED FOR 1 MONTH MY CAR STALLS OR DON'T START UNLESS I HIT THE FUSE BOX GOT ANOTHER FUSE BOX THAT DID THE SAME EXACT THINGS NOW SOME TIMES WHEN I HIT THE FUSE BOX MY CAR WILL START THEN AGAIN WON'T SOMETHINGS MAKING THE FUSE BOX TO GO BAD I BELIEVE IT'S SOMETHING TO DO THE WIRING OR FUEL PUMP RELAY FUSE. I'VE HAD MY CAR STALL ON THE HIGH WAY TO MANY TIMES THIS NEED TO BE RECALLED ITS A HAZARD PROBLEM NOT SAFE. *TR
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), May 27, 2020
FOR A LONG TIME NOW, A YEAR, I'VE BEEN GETTING THE ESC WARNING EVERY TIME I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. IT JUST A NUISANCE ALARM. IT SHUTS OFF THE ESC. NOW HOWEVER EVERY TIME I START THE CAR LATELY AND I'M GETTING THE POWER STEERING WARNING, I MOVE THE WHEEL A LITTLE AND IT GOES AWAY. I'M AFRAID IT'S GOING TO GET WORSE AND I'LL START LOSING MY POWER STEERING. GM WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE THEY SAY THE VIN NUMBER ISN'T PART OF THE RECALL. I HAVE A 2012 WITH THE 2.4L. IT HAS 73,000 MILES ON IT. THE RECALL IF THAT'S WHAT IT IS (# 15356: SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT - LOSS OF ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSIST - (AUG 28, 2015).*DT*JB
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, May 11, 2020
"POWER STEERING" MESSAGE COMES ON RANDOMLY AND THE POWER STEERING GOES DEAD WHILE I'M DRIVING. THIS SEEMS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS MALIBU AND SHOULD BE A RECALL. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THIS HAS OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE A RECALL PURCHASED VEHICLE IN 2013 SINCE THAN HAS HAPPEN CLOSE TO 10 TIMES. *TR
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 22, 2020
AT RANDOM I WILL BE DRIVING DOWN ANY ROAD AND THE POWER STEERING, TRACTION CONTROL, ECS LIGHTS WILL COME ON AND I WILL LOSE POWER STEERING. I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND COMPLETELY STOP AND TURN OFF IGNITION AND WAIT A FEW MINUTES AND TURN BACK ON AND THE PROBLEM IS RESET. THIS HAPPENS AT RANDOM WITH NO PATTERN.
Steering, Equipment, Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 6, 2020
2012 MALIBU LOSES POWER STEERING AND ESC LIGHT COMES ON. VERY DANGEROUS. DON'T THINK 2012 MALIBU IS COVERED UNDER RECALL 15356, BUT IT SHOULD BE . PEOPLE WILL DIE ... PROBABLY ALREADY HAVE. *TR
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 14, 2020
ESC LIGHT COMES ON EITHER RIGHT AS I START THE CAR OR ONCE I START DRIVING AND I LOSE POWER STEERING HAVING TO STOP SEVERAL TIMES TO RESTART MY CAR. I FEAR DRIVING MY KIDS IN MY CAR BECAUSE IF THIS ONGOING ISSUE.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 23, 2020
FOR ABOUT THE LAST TWO WEEKS WHEN I TURN MY CAR ON A ESC POWER STEERING MESSAGE HAS ILLUMINATED THE DASH. I HAVE TO TURN MY CAR OFF AND BACK ON SEVERAL TIMES TO GET THE MESSAGE TO DISAPPEAR. TONIGHT WHILE DRIVING THE SAME MESSAGE CAME ON. I ENDED UP HAVING TO PULL OVER SEVERAL TIMES DURING MY DRIVE EACH TIME LOSING POWER STEERING! VERY SCARY AND VERY UNSAFE. WHEN I SEARCH MY VIN NUMBER THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON IT, I FEEL THERE NEEDS TO BE BEFORE SOMEONE IS HURT OR KILLED IN A ACCIDENT.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 15, 2020
MY ESC COMES ON WITH TRACTION EMBLEM AND POWER STEERING LIGHT. I THEN LOSE ALL POWER STEERING WHILE IN MOTION.
Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 30, 2020
HEADLAMPS KEEP GOING OUT WITHIN MONTHS AFTER SERVICE, LIGHTBULB SEEMS TO HAVE BLOWN BUT THEN COMES BACK ON LATER. HARNESS REPLACEMENT 2 TIMES IN 2 YEARS, PLASTIC CONNECTORS KEEP MELTING OR HEATING. BULB BLOWN ALSO ONE HOUR AFTER LEAVING DEALERSHIP SERVICING. MULTIPLE DATES OF INCIDENT WITH MOST RECENT 1/29/2020
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 9, 2020
DRIVING MY VEHICLE WITH MY 3 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER IN THE CAR. TURNED THE WHEEL AS I WAS TAKING A TURN AND THE POWER STEERING COMPLETELY STOPPED. THIS FORCED ME TO APPLY THE BRAKE BECAUSE I ALMOST WEMT OFF THE ROAD!! I SEE THIS ISN'T THE ONLY INCIDENT INVOLVING THE ESC AND POWER STEERING!! VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS "SERVICE ESC" AND "POWER STEERING" MESSAGES DISPLAYED IN THE INFO MESSAGES.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 29, 2019
I BOUGHT A 2012 MALIBU FOR MY DAUGHTER WHO IS 15 YEARS OLD. NICE CAR, BUT WHEN SHE WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT, "SERVICE ETC" ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH AND SHE COMPLETELY LOST POWER STEERING. HIT A CURB.
Steering, Suspension, Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 16, 2019
CAR WOULD SHIMMY AND SHAKE. NEW TIRES NEW BREAKS ETC. MADE APPOINT. TO FIX RECALLS WHEN POWER STER. WENT OUT. PUT NEW PS ON AND IT DIDN'T FIX PROBLEM. WENT BACK AND FORTH TO DEALER. HAD CAR DIAGNOSED AND SERVICE MANAGER SAID THERE WAS A RECALL FOR SO CALLED GM, REP SAID THEY WOULD FIX AND REINBURSE FOR THE WORK ALREADY PERFORMED, GAVE A CASE NUMBER. CAR SAT A DEALERS WEEKEND. TODAY GM REP SAID THEY WOULD ONLY PAY 5% AND DENIED OTHER REP HAD SAID THEY'D FIX. NO POWER STEERING ON CAR AND IT'S DANGEROUS TO DRIVE DUE TO MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND I'M EXPECTED TO COVER COSTS WHEN I'VE ALREADY SPENT NEARLY 1000 ON IT AND IT'S STILL NOT FIXED. PLEASE HELP
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 8, 2019
ELECTRICAL PART SHUTS DOWN THE CAR CAN'T GO SOMETIMES YOU CAN CHANGE FUSE WILL GO AND HERE WE GO AGAIN HAVE IT IN AND OUT OF SHOP TO BE WORK ON NO BODY CAN'T FIGURE IT OUT . AND EVEN SHUTS DOWN WHEN DRIVING DOWN ROAD IN TRAFFIC VERY DANGEROUS ON HIGHWAY. HAD IN DIFFERENT SHOPS FOR HELP.GETTING VERY SICK OF IT READ OTHER HAVE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SAME TYPE CAR.WHY ISN'T SOMETHING BEING DONE ABOUT IT READY TO START BUYING HONDA CARS.THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON ALL SUMMER STILL NOVEMBER. SO TIRED OF IT AND WASTING MONEY ON IT. THIS HAS HAPPEN MORE THAN ONE TIME
Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 22, 2019
2 WEEKS AGO MY CAR WAS IDLING AND STARTED SHAKING AND ESC NOTIFICATION CAME UP AND CAR CUT OFF. WOULD NOT CRANK UP UNTIL LATER. TODAY WAS DRIVING IN CVS PARKING LOT AND CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN AND I STEPPED ON THE BREAK AND THEN IT STARTED SHAKING AND DINGING AND ESC LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN. CAR KIND OF SOUNDED LIKE A LAWN MOWER WHEN IT WAS SHAKING AND JERKING. CAR WOULD NOT CRANK AGAIN FOR A WHILE.
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 27, 2019
THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE. THE CRUISE CONTROL IS BEING USED AND WHEN YOU GO TO APPLY THE BRAKES THE CAR DOES NOT SLOW DOWN BUT REVS THE MOTOR UP AND WILL NOT LET YOU SLOW DOWN. IT IS FRIGHTENING TO HAVE THIS HAPPEN. IF YOU TAP THE BRAKES BUT DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK OR HIT THE CRUISE OFF BUTTON IT WILL FINALLY STOP. THIS COULD BE PUTTING US IN A REALLY BAD SITUATION IF YOU CANT GET IT STOPPED. ALSO THE ESC LIGHT COMES ON FOR NO REASON WHILE DRIVING ON DRY ROADS. I CALLED MY CHEVY DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE RECALL 13036 WAS ALREADY DONE IN AUG 2014 IF THIS IS THE SAME ISSUE AS RECALL. IF SO IT DID NOT TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM AND NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF BEFORE IT COSTS SOMEONE THEIR LIFE.