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: vehicle speed control
52 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Feb 22, 2026
Was driving home on the parkway and the headlights shut off on their own had to call for roadside assistance to get my vehicle home they will work on dim but brights will not work and if I drive for more than an hour and a half they will not work at all the speed sensor keeps going bad after having it replaced multiple times
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.
Seat belts, Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, May 7, 2023
I’m having recalled issues in my car, but the car has no recall on it
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, May 5, 2023
The Instrument Cluster failed while driving. No gauges on dash work and the gear shift indicator light does not work. I have read online other owners with the same complaint. This should be on recall.
Steering, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Mar 30, 2022
The electric power steering and ESC systems. It is or was under recall for this type of vehicle. The steering becomes hard and vehicle shakes the tire rotation is being read wrong by computer. It doesn't want to stay 9n the road...the stability of vehicle is compromised.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Mar 20, 2022
ESC reduced power reads across my monitor's screen. It could be numerous of these that cause this. I've done what I can afford, but no luck. I've done research & it's very common for this to happen among these. Please help me out with at least pinpointing the problem, thanks!
Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Apr 28, 2021
I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE INTO A CHEVROLET CENTER NEAR ME TO HAVE A 'MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY FIX' DONE TO MY VEHICLE ON 04/17/2021, AS THE POWER STEERING HAD FAILED AND I WAS ABLE TO GET THIS FIXED FOR FREE. WHEN I TURNED MY VEHICLE ON AND NOTICED THE POWER STEERING NOTIFICATION ON MY DASH, I TRIED TO BACK MY CAR OUT OF WHERE I WAS PARKED AND MOVE MY WHEEL, BUT COULD NOT MOVE THE WHEEL. WHEN THE PART WAS REPLACED, I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WERE STILL SENSORS ON MY DASH INDICATING THAT I NEEDED THE ESC AND STABILITY TRACTION CONTROL SERVICED FOR MY CAR. ACCORDING TO THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP, THIS HAD 'NOTHING TO DO WITH THE SPECIAL POLICY FIX' AND NOT SOMETHING THEY WOULD BE FIXING FOR ME. AFTER CHECKING THE NHTSA.GOV FOR ANY RECALLS ON MY 2012 CHEVY MALIBU, I FOUND ONE FROM MAY 2014 THAT DESCRIBED EXACTLY THE PROBLEM I WAS HAVING WITH MY VEHICLE: LOSS OF VEHICLE STABILITY TRACTION CONTROL, CRUISE CONTROL AND RANDOM ILLUMINATION OF BRAKE LIGHTS. I CONTACTED CHEVY ONCE AGAIN ABOUT THIS RECALL, TO WHICH THEY SAID THERE 'WAS NO RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE, AND IF THERE WAS IT WAS ALREADY FIXED'. NOT ONLY WAS THIS COMPLETELY UNPROFESSIONAL AND LACKING CONCERN OF SAFETY FOR MY CHILD AND I, I DO NOT KNOW WHERE TO TURN TO FOR THIS TO BE REMEDIED. ATTACHED IS THE TICKET FOR THE INITIAL FIX I HAD DONE.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Apr 6, 2021
THE CAR HAD GM SERVICE BULLETIN 13036 (RECALL CAMPAIGN 14V252) PERFORMED ON SEPTEMBER 19, 2014 AND THE CAR IS EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME CONDITIONS AS DESCRIBED IN THE SERVICE BULLETIN[1] SO THE "FIX" DIDN'T RESOLVE WHAT IS NOW AN ON GOING SAFETY ISSUE. IT SHOULD BE NOTED IN THE RECALL "WHY" SECTION TO OWNERS THE USE OF "...OVER TIME...". THEREFORE, THE ISSUE IS KNOWN TO BE TIME DEPENDENT AND THE FIX DOESN'T APPEAR TO FULLY RESOLVE THE ISSUE INTO THE FUTURE. 1: WE ARE CURRENTLY SEEING THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS: - SERVICE BRAKE LAMPS MAY NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE SERVICE BRAKES ARE BEING APPLIED. - IF CRUISE CONTROL IS ENGAGED, ADDITIONAL SERVICE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL MAY BE REQUIRED TO DISENGAGE IT. - TRACTION CONTROL, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, AND PANIC BRAKING ASSIST FEATURES, IF EQUIPPED, MAY BE DISABLED. - SERVICE ESC AND/OR TRACTION CONTROL TELL-TALES MAY ILLUMINATE WITH THIS CONDITION.
Vehicle speed control, Dec 22, 2020
THE ESC SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON, WHILE I WAS DRIVING THEN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Nov 10, 2020
WHILE DRIVING PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM STOPPED WORKING, THEN CAME BACK ON AFTER A FEW DAYS. NOW BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVER LOW BEAMS ARE NOT WORKING. HIGH BEAMS ARE FINE. I ALWAYS USED THE AUTOMATIC LIGHTING TO HAVE THEM TURN ON/OFF FOR ANYTIME I DRIVE. LOW BEAMS REQUIRED NEW HEADLAMPS AND MELTED RELAY, REPLACED THAT AS WELL. SERVICE ESC AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS COME ON DASH, THEN TURN OFF, THEN COME BACK ON. IT IS INTERMITTENT AND WON'T EVER STAY ON LONG ENOUGH TO HAVE CHECKED. USUALLY IT HAPPENS WHEN STOPPED AT A STOPLIGHT AND THEN WHEN YOU START TO ACCELERATE AGAIN IT GOES OFF.
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.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, May 3, 2020
WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND CAR MESSAGE CENTER DISPLAYED ENGINE SPEED REDUCED THEN IT DISPLAYED WITHIN 5 MINUTES OF THE FIRST MESSAGE ENGINE DISABLED . CAR WHILE NOT START.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Wheels, Feb 20, 2020
CAR WAS RUNNING ON FREEWAY AND LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING AND THEN CAR SO STALLED AND CAR DOESNT START ANYMORE
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Dec 12, 2019
CAR SUDDENLY FAILED TO ACCELERATE AS I PULLED ON THE THE INTERSTATE. CAR FILLED WITH A BURNING SMELL. DEALER SAID THE REAR DEFROST MALFUNCTIONED AND MELTED THE FUSE BLOCK LOCATED IN THE TRUNK DAMAGING ALL WIRING ON THE FUSE BLOCK. I'M CONCERNED THAT THIS BYPASSED THE FUSE AND THE RELAY WITH SUCH A SURGE THAT IT WAS HOT ENOUGH TO MELT THE ENTIRE FUSE BLOCK. THIS COULD HAVE LED TO A VERY SERIOUS FIRE WHERE I WAS TRAPPED IN THE CAR. I WAS FORTUNATE TO BE ABLE TO PULL OFF THE INTERSTATE, BUT IF I WERE IN THE FAR LANE, I COULD HAVE BEEN STUCK IN A HIGH SPEED LANE RESULTING IN INJURY TO MYSELF OR OTHERS. THE CAR IS VERY LOW MILEAGE AND GARAGE STORED, SO IT IS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION AND MAINTAINED REGULARLY. WAS JUST IN TO THE DEALER LESS THAN 10 DAYS PRIOR (POWER STEERING ESC RECALL) WITH NO INDICATION THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. CAR CURRENTLY AT PHILLIPS CHEVY IN FRANKFORT, IL.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Oct 6, 2019
THE CAR STRUGGLES TO PICK UP SPEED. THE RPMS GO UP TO BETWEEN 4 AND 5 AND IT DOESNT SHIFT WHEN IT SHOULD. IT STRUGGLES ACCELERATING TO GO UP HILLS. THE SAME RPM ISSUE HAPPENS NO MATTER IF CAR WAS JUST STARTED OR HAD BEEN RUNNING FOR LONG TIME. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WONT SHUT OFF. MECHANIC HOOKED IT UP TO DIAGNOSE IT, RESULT SHOWED IT WAS SOLENOID. REPLACED SOLENOIDS AND LIGHT REMAINED ON. RESET CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. LIGHT CAME BACK ON. HOOKED IT UP TO DIAGNOSE, STILL REPORTED SOLENOID.
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.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 9, 2018
SERVICE ESC, TRACTION CONTROL INACTIVE, LOSS OF POWER/SLUGGISH WHEN DRIVING OR STOPPED AT A LIGHT. CODE 13036
Steering, Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Oct 8, 2018
TAKATA RECALL. MY VEHICLE HAVE HAD THIS SYSTEM POP ON A FEW TIMES. AS OF SEPTEMBER THE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON ABD AND HAS NOT GONE OFF. IT ALSO AFFECT THE ESC SYSTEM.
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.
Vehicle speed control, Traction control system, Service brakes, Engine, Jan 8, 2017
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND THE SERVICE TRACTION LIGHT CONTROL ILLUMINATES AND THEN IT ALSO READ ENGINE POWER CONTROL. THE ROADS WERE CLEAR AND THERE WERE NO ISSUES WITH THE DRIVE. I WAS THE ONLY PERSON ON THE HIGHWAY AND NO ISSUES. I HAD TO THEN DRIVE 30-40 MILES PER HOUR ON THE ROAD, EVEN WHEN I DROVE INTO TOWN THERE WERE CARS PASSING ME. UPHILL THE CAR WENT AS LOW AS 23 MILES PER HOUR. WHEN THE CAR WAS IDLE AT A STOP SIGN OR INTERSECTION THE CAR WOULD SHAKE BUT IT STAYED ON. AS I PUSHED ON THE GAS TO SPEED UP THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, May 17, 2016
I WAS DRIVING AT 60 MPH IN CRUISE CONTROL ON A STRAIGHT ROAD. AN AMBULANCE WAS HEADING TOWARDS ME SO I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN AND PULL OVER AND THE CAR ACCELERATED VERY QUICKLY. THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION BECAUSE I WAS MOVING TOWARDS THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD BECAUSE OF THE ONCOMING AMBULANCE. I HAD TO TURN OFF CRUISE CONTROL TO BE ABLE TO APPLY THE BRAKES. THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ALSO NOT COMING ON WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES. THE PROBLEM WITH THE LIGHTING HAPPENED PREVIOUSLY AND WAS REPAIRED ON 04/28/2015. I THOUGHT THE PROBLEM WAS INCLUDED IN RECALL #13036 BUT I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE SWITCH AND WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL HOWEVER WHEN I LOOK UP THE RECALL NUMBERS ON MY VEHICLE THIS RECALL NUMBER DOES NOT SHOW UP AS STILL NEEDING TO BE DONE. I PAID FOR THE REPAIR AND I AM NOW HAVING THE SERIOUS PROBLEM OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS NOT WORKING AGAIN PLUS THE EVEN MORE SERIOUS PROBLEM OF THE BRAKES NOT WORKING WHEN I AM IN CRUISE CONTROL. I DO NOT KNOW HOW TO PROCEED WITH HAVING THIS PROBLEM CORRECTED. THE RECALL PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED CORRECTLY OR THERE IS ANOTHER PROBLEM THAT IS OCCURRING. I HAVE ATTACHED A COPY OF MY RECEIPT OF THE REPAIR THAT WAS DONE ON 04/28/15.
Vehicle speed control, Traction control system, Engine, Apr 21, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE TRACTION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED BRIEFLY. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND WOULD REQUIRE MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO RESTART. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WAS NOT FOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 16, 2015
HARD TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK AND THE TRACTION CONTROL DISABLE COMES ON AND THE BRAKES LIGHTS WILL QUIT WORKING AND THE STABILITY CONTROL SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I RESEARCHED AND I SEE THERE WAS A RECALL FOR ALL THIS. RECALL # 14V252000 IS ALL THE SAME SYMPTOMS I AM EXPERIENCING AND I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY SAID MY VIN IS NOT LISTED. THIS NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED TWICE DUE TO THE BRAKE LIGHTS NOT WORKING WHEN IT ACTS UP
Air bags, Seat belts, Vehicle speed control, Dec 7, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD AND CAUSED THE CRUISE CONTROL TO MALFUNCTION. IN ADDITION, THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT LATCH AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD, BACK, AND LEGS INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN A MANUFACTURER RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Dec 7, 2015
WHILE DRIVING HOME ONE NIGHT LAST WEEK, GOING ABOUT 60 MPH, MY ENGINE CUT OFF. I HAD TO STEER THE CAR OFF THE ROAD, AND STARTED IT BACK UP. DROVE ANOTHER HALF MILE OR SO, AND THE CAR DID THE SAME THING. THIS TIME, THE CAR WOULD START THEN IMMEDIATELY SHUT OFF. CAR WOULD NOT STAY CRANKED FOR MORE THAN 1 SECOND OR SO. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP THE NEXT MORNING, CAR FIXED UNDER POWER TRAIN WARRANTY. THE VERY NEXT , DAY, ENGINE SHUT OFF WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP AT A RED LIGHT. CAR WOULD NOT START BACK UP, HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP HAS HAD THE CAR FOR 5 DAYS NOW, STILL CANNOT FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. THE CAR SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED, EVERY TIME I HAVE REPORTED TO DEALERSHIP, AND THEY CANNOT FIX MY ISSUE. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS MATTER, I HAVE INVOLVED CHEVROLET CUSTOMER CARE, AND WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM A GM CORPORATE REPRESENTATIVE.