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: steering
191 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Feb 19, 2018
I STARTED MY CAR AND THE POWER STEERING FAILURE MESSAGE CAME ACROSS THE SCREEN, THEN THE ESC AND TRACTION LOGOS POPPED UP. I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED IT AGAIN AND IT WENT AWAY.. IT DID THIS AGAIN WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND I ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT WITH MY YOUNG KIDS IN THE CAR.. I HAVE SEEN MULTIPLE OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ERROR. THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL!
Steering, Feb 13, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE NOISE COULD BE HEARD MORE WHILE DRIVING OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GENGRAS CHEVROLET (585 CONNECTICUT BLVD, EAST HARTFORD, CT 06108, (860) 748-4388) WHERE AN UNKNOWN FAILURE WAS DETECTED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AS HE FOUND RECALLS ONLINE FOR THE STEERING COLUMN FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 5, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. IN ADDITION, THE "ESC" INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED, BUT THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000. *TT *TR
Steering, Jan 20, 2018
MY 2012 CHEVY MALIBU 4 CYLINDER POWER STEERING KEEPS GOING IN AND OUT. THE SERVICE ESC WARNING COMES ON THE TRACTION LIGHT COMES ON. I RESTART CAR AND IT GOES AWAY BUT COMES BACK LATER. DOES THIS WHOLE DRIVING. CAN CAUSE ACCIDENT.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 8, 2018
LEFT STORE AND CARE WAS DRIVING FINE, LOST POWER STEERING AND ESC LIGHT CAME ON. WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER. CUT CAR OFF AND TURNED BACK ON AND ISSUE WAS FIXED. AS SOON I AS PULLED IN MY GARAGE, I LOST POWER STEERING AGAIN. IT'S DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IN TRAFFIC.
Steering, Jan 1, 2018
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.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 29, 2017
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.
Steering, Dec 18, 2017
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.
Steering, Traction control system, Dec 1, 2017
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.
Steering, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Nov 13, 2017
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.
Steering, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Nov 11, 2017
MY HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT, MY CAR WILL NOT ALIGN AND THE ELECTRICAL PLUG WILL NOT WORK
Steering, Oct 31, 2017
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
Steering, Suspension, Power train, Electrical system, Wheels, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Engine, Oct 23, 2017
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
Steering, Service brakes, Engine, Sep 27, 2017
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
Steering, Electrical system, Sep 21, 2017
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.
Steering, Electrical system, Jul 19, 2017
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ONE MORNING GOING ABOUT 30MPH AND CAR JUST LOST ALL POWER , COULD NOT STEER THE CAR, PULLED OFF ROAD, WAITED ABOUT 20 MINUTES AND CAR STARTED BACK WITH NO PROBLEMS, THEN A FEW DAYS AGO WENT OUT TO START CAR AND WOULD NOT START, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD LIGHT UP BUT WOULD NOT START, HAD TO HAVE IN JUMPED OFF, TOOK IT TO AUTO PLACE TO HAVE BATTERY CHECKED, BATTERY WAS FINE, DROVE IT HOME, DROVE IT THE NEXT MORNING TO WORK WITH NO PROBLEMS, THEN THAT AFTERNOON, WOULD NOT START AGAIN, HAD TO HAVE IT JUMPED OFF AGAIN, TOOK IT TO AUTO PLACE AGAIN, AND BATTERY OK, ALLTERNATOR OK , I HAVE READ SEVERAL REVIEWS ON THIS CAR AND ALL SEEM TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS, HAVE NOT TOOK IT TO MECHANIC YET, BUT AFRAID TO DRIVE IT
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Jun 26, 2017, crash
"SERVICE ESC" LIGHT ILLUMINATES WHEN MAKING SHARP TURNS, SLOWING DOWN ON THE INTERSTATE, AS WELL AS BREAKING IN BAD WEATHER. AFTER REPLACING BRAKES TWICE AND ROTORS ONCE I SCONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM . AFTER A RECENT INQUIRY I LEARNED OF A RECALL ON "SERVICE ESC" AS WELL AS "TRACTION CONTROL".
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Jun 12, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS ABOVE 40 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING FAILED TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED AS THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LASORSA CHEVROLET BUICK DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH AN OIL PRESSURE VALVE MALFUNCTION. THE DEALER WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE OIL PRESSURE VALVE, BUT THE DEALER FAILED TO DIAGNOSE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND STEERING WHEEL FAILURES. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND STEERING WHEEL FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER. THE DIAGNOSIS WAS UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000.
Steering, Mar 20, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LOW AND NEEDED TO BE FILLED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 24,000.
Steering, Mar 8, 2017
AS I WAS DRIVING MY CAR I HEARD A POP IN MY STEERING WHEEL AND FELT IT IN THE GAS PEDAL, AND IT KEEPS POPPING. MY STEERING WHEEL SHOULD NOT GO OUT! AS I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN IT LOCKED UP ON ME AND JUST KEEPS POPPING.
Steering, Mar 4, 2017
"TAKATA RECALL" STEERING WHEEL MOVING ON ITS ON LOST OF POWER STEERING OLIN AND OUT AND TRACTION WARNING ON AND OFF. STEERING WHEEL PULSATING AND TURNING ON ITS OWN WHILE STATIONARY.
Steering, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Feb 7, 2017
MY CAR IS NOT WORKING THE STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKE
Steering, Feb 3, 2017, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 10 TO 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST STEERING POWER. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE VEERED LEFT AND CRASHED INTO A DITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED OUT OF THE DITCH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ONLY DURING THE FAILURE. AFTER THE CRASH, THE STEERING COLUMN SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING MODULE AND THE POWER TORQUE MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 163,000.
Steering, Feb 2, 2017
TAKATA RECALL POWERSTEERING WENT OUR WHILE DRIVING. *TR
Steering, Jan 24, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE AND STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED VIOLENTLY. IN ADDITION, WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AND SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING RACK AND PINION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14E044000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.