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
906 reports, newest first.
Air bags, Aug 21, 2014
PURCHASED CAR IN SAC 7/29/14.DIDN'T USE FOR 5 DAYS-OUT OF TOWN. UPON RETURN, CAR STRUGGLED TO START. TOOK TO OUR MECHANIC- BATTERY LOW. HERTZ SALES REPLACED AT NO COST. DAUGHTER/DRIVER THE ONLY PERSON IN THE CAR. ON(8/5),SON, 5'9",125LBS. IN FRONT PASSENGER SEAT-THE AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT DID NOT GO ON. CAR ON WHEN HE GOT IN. TURNED OFF CAR, GOT IN,RESTARTED BUT STILL DIDN'T REGISTER HIM. WENT FROM OFF-ON-OFF. ATTEMPTED SEVERAL TIMES BUT AIRBAG LIGHT DIDN'T GO ON. SON RODE IN BACK.WHEN DROPPED OFF CAR TO HAVE BATTERY REPLACED, TOLD SALESMAN RE:AIRBAG LIGHT.WE HAD EXPERIENCED SAME AIRBAG ISSUE IN ANOTHER MALIBU WHEN SHOPPING @DEALERSHIP IN SANTA CLARA& THEREFORE DIDN'T PURCHASE THAT CAR. PICKED UP CAR AFTER BATTERY REPLACED.SALESMAN TESTED SENSOR.DETECTED HIS PRESENCE WHEN SEATED AFTER ABOUT 15SEC.TESTED BY LEANING/PUSHING ON SEAT-SOMETIMES LIGHT WENT ON&SOMETIMES NOT (PRESUMABLY NOT ENOUGH WEIGHT TO TRIGGER IT).WAS TOLD IF HAD THIS PROBLEM AGAIN-BRING BACK&WOULD BE SENT TO THE DEALER TO BE FIXED.THOUGHT PERHAPS AIRBAG SENSOR ISSUE RELATED TO A LOW BATTERY.NO ISSUE FIRST FEW DAYS WHEN SON SAT IN FRONT.BUT HAVE SENSOR PROBLEM AGAIN.ONCE MORE,SON WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT&THE AIRBAG SENSOR DID NOT DETECT HIM.SAT IN BACK AGAIN BC DIDN'T WANT TO RISK AIR BAG NOT DEPLOYING IF ACCIDENT.DID INTERNET SEARCH-LEARNED RECALL ISSUED ON 5-14-14 FOR OTHER ISSUES.NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE DOCUMENTED ON THIS NHTSA WEBSITE.FOUND ARTICLE THAT SAID SOME 2012 MALIBUS WERE RECALLED FOR AN AIR BAG SENSOR ISSUE (RECALL #12V224000)BUT OTHER SEARCHES,SAY FOR 2013 MALIBUS?OUR TEENS USE THIS CAR FOR SCHOOL.SAFETY IS TOP PRIORITY.THE RISK FOR GREAT HARM IS UNNERVING.HAVE FILED REPORT WITH GM/CHEVY&GOT REF#.SAID DEALER WILL FIX USING THAT REFERENCE NUMBER.I HAVE WRITTEN TO THE HERTZ SALES DEALER WHERE WE PURCHASED THE CAR&AM AWAITING A RESPONSE FROM THEM AS TO WHAT ACTION WE SHOULD TAKE NEXT. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Aug 20, 2014
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY I USED THE CRUISE CONTROL. I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN BUT THE BRAKE WOULD NOT RELEASE. IT FRIGHTENED ME, I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE HARDER IT STILL DID NOT RELEASE I HAD TO PRESS OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL BUTTON ON THE CONSOLE. THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME NOW. IT IS AN INCONVENIENCE AND SCARY. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Aug 18, 2014
ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, WHEN I'M APPROACHING A YELLOW LIGHT AND/OR A CAR THAT'S IN FRONT OF ME WHILE ONLY DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20MPH, WHEN I ATTEMPT TO APPLY MY BRAKES I HAVE TO APPLY A LOT OF PRESSURE TO GET MY CAR TO SLOW DOWN AND IT HONESTLY FEELS AS THOUGH MY CAR ISN'T GOING TO STOP. I WOULD HATE TO BE DRIVING MY CAR ONE DAY AND MY CAR DOESN'T STOP AND I'M INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT THAT LEAVES ME SEVERELY INJURED OR TAKES MY LIFE AND/OR SOMEONE ELSE'S LIFE AS WELL. ALSO, MANY TIMES I HAVE TO APPLY A LOT OF PRESSURE TO MY GAS PEDAL IN ORDER FOR IT TO ACCELERATE AND ACTUALLY MOVE. I UNDERSTAND THAT MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN RECALLED AND THE DEALER IS WAITING FOR GM TO PROVIDE THEM THE PARTS IN ORDER TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE, BUT I DON'T THINK MY LIFE SHOULD BE AT SUCH RISK WHILE WAITING FOR GM TO RECEIVE PARTS. AM I SUPPOSE TO JUST KEEP DRIVING AROUND HOPING MY CAR DOESN'T GIVE OUT ON ME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A KNOWN EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD WITH MY VEHICLE? MY LIFE IS MORE VALUABLE THAN THAT. COULD I BE PROVIDED A RENTAL VEHICLE UNTIL GM PROVIDES THE PARTS TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE? OR COULD I BE REFUNDED FOR MY VEHICLE? SEEING THAT THERE HAS BEEN NUMEROUS CAR ACCIDENTS AND SERIOUS INJURIES RELATED TO THIS PARTICULAR DEFECT WITHIN THE VEHICLE, I SHOULD NOT BE DRIVING MY VEHICLE UNTIL IT IS FIXED. OTHERWISE, I COULD BE THE NEXT PERSON INVOLVED IN A SERIOUS CAR ACCIDENT. SO IN CLOSING, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF I COULD BE PLACED IN A RENTAL CAR UNTIL MY CAR IS REPAIRED OR REFUNDED FOR THE PRICE OF MY VEHICLE? *TR
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Aug 18, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER:14V252000 ( ELECTRICAL SYSTEM , ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL , EXTERIOR LIGHTING , SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC , VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Service brakes, Aug 18, 2014
AT APPROXIMATELY 9AM ON AUG 18, 2014, THE BRAKE SYSTEM STARTED TO FAIL. DRIVER NOTICED THAT WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED IT MAKE A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. ISSUE CONTINUED FOR THE NEXT FEW MILES WHERE IT TOOK AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF PRESSURE TO GET THE BRAKES TO ENGAGE. PEDAL GOES ALMOST ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR TO GET ANY BRAKING ACTION. *TR
Air bags, Structure, Service brakes, Engine, Aug 15, 2014, crash
MY CAR WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE MY FRIEND APPLIED THE BRAKES AND WAS FORCED INTO HYDROPLANING INTO A BARRIER, ANOTHER VEHICLE AND A PERSON. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AS THE SENSOR WAS NOT HIT NOR DID THE ONSTAR BECOME ALERTED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. AFTER FIGHTING WITH INSURANCE COMPANIES, MY CAR WAS TOTALED THEN DECLARED NOT TOTALED, AND REPAIRED. I RECEIVED THE NOTICE OF A RECALL MUCH LATER AFTER THE CAR WAS IN THE ACCIDENT. *TR
Air bags, Aug 12, 2014
DRIVING TO WORK,SUDDENLY HAD TO APPLY BRAKES HARD TO AVOID HITTING ANOTHER CAR .AFTER CAR CAME TO A STOP ,AIR BAG SERVICE LIGHT CAM ON. LIGHT STAYED UNTIL NEXT DAY THEN WENT OUT.NOW LIGHT COME ON AT REGULAR INTERVALS .ALSO HAD A HARD TIME STOPPING, SEEMED LIKE TO A LOT OF PRESSURE ,A GREAT AMOUNT OF PRESSURE,I DID NOT THINK CAR WAS GOING TO STOP. *TR
Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Aug 6, 2014, crash
MY SON WAS DRIVING MY CAR DOWN A TWO LANE HIGHWAY. IT HAD BEEN MISTING RAIN AND THE ROAD WAS SLIGHTLY DAMP... APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION HE REDUCED HIS SPEED TO APPROX 40 MPH. TWO CARS AHEAD OF HIM SLAMMED ON BREAKS WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGED TO YELLOW. THIS CAUSED A CHAIN REACTION... CARS SLIDING TO PREVENT HITTING THE FIRST CAR. MY SON SAID THAT HE WAS BREAKING VERY HARD WHEN THE ANTI-LOCK BREAKS ENGAGED... THEY PULSED 3-4 TIMES AND THEN RELEASED WHICH SHOT HIM STRAIGHT INTO THE BACK OF THE TRUCK. HE SAID THAT HE WAS PUSHING THE BREAK AS HARD AS HE COULD WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY NOR DID THE AUTOMATIC CRASH RESPONSE SYSTEM WORK. I CALLED ON STAR TO SEE IF THE SYSTEM EVEN SHOWS A CRASH AND IT DOESN'T. I THINK THAT CONSIDERING THE CRASH BENT THE FRAME IN THE FRONT END AND IS IN EXCESS OF $6,000 YOU WOULD THINK THE SENSORS WOULD HAVE PICKED UP ON SOMETHING. AFTER THE CRASH I CONTACTED MY DEALER TO ASK IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS ON THIS ISSUE AND WAS TOLD THERE WERE NOT. I AM VERY THANKFUL THAT THIS CRASH DID NOT RESULT IN A MORE SERIOUS INJURY / DEATH. *TR
Wheels, Jul 29, 2014
THE PLASTIC-COVERED LUG NUTS ON MY 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU DO NOT STAY TIGHT AGAINST THE WHEELS. THE OEM LUG NUTS VIBRATE LOOSE AND NEED TO BE CHECKED PERIODICALLY (I.E., MONTHLY). LOOSE LUG NUTS ARE A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD. I WAS UNABLE TO OBTAIN REPLACEMENT ALL-METAL LUG NUTS FOR THIS VEHICLE FROM A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP. I SUGGEST THAT CHEVROLET REPLACE THE PLASTIC-COVERED LUG NUTS WITH ALL-METAL LUG NUTS AT NO COST TO THE CUSTOMERS. *JS
Engine, Jul 28, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM WAS EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.
Service brakes, Jul 24, 2014
TL - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL, ETC). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PARTS TO COMPLETE THE RECALL REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE AND THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY HAZARD INVOLVED. THE CONTACT WANTED TO KNOW WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE AND STATED THAT IT WAS ABNORMALLY LONG FOR RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE DELAY. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 23, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FRONT ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,700.
Service brakes, Jul 22, 2014
I WAS REACHING OUT TO YOU BECAUSE OF THIS RECALL LETTER THAT I RECEIVED ON MY CAR. RECALL 13036. I BELIEVE THAT I WAS SOLD A LEMON. IT SHOULD NOT BE MY RESPONSIBILITY TO CONT. TO MAKE PAYMENTS ON A CAR THAT IS NOT AT THE QUALITY THAT I BELIEVE I WAS PURCHASING IT AT. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE ONE OF TWO THINGS DONE. YOU GUYS TAKE OVER THE PAYMENTS UNTIL THIS CAR CAN BE REPAIRED OR I BE UPGRADED TO A 2013 AT NO ADDITIONAL COST TO ME. THE LAW REQUIRES A MANUFACTURER TO REPAIR THE DEFECT, REPLACE THE VEHICLE, OR REFUND THE PURCHASE PRICE OF THE CAR MINUS THE DEPRECIATION . I'VE BEEN TO THE DEALER THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT REPAIR IT BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO PARTS AND GM DOES NOT EVEN KNOW WHEN THEY WILL GET THE PARTS. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PUT THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY IN DANGER BECAUSE OF THIS RECALL IT'S UNFAIR TO ME AS A CONSUMER. CAN YOU PLEASE CONTACT ME ASAP. THANKS *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Service brakes, Jul 18, 2014
DRIVING AND CAR HAD SEVERE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THAT CAUSED THE CAR TO RANDOMLY STALL WHILE DRIVING. WE LOST POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STARTING GOING CRAZY DISPLAYING ALL LIGHTS, SAYING DEVICE ESC AND THE DOORS LOCKED AND UNLOCKED. THE ENGINE STALLED AND TRANSMISSION STARTED JOLTING AROUND. THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN BACK ON AFTER TURNING IT OFF. TOOK THE CAR TO STARLING CHEVROLET TO GET IT FIXED THE FOLLOWING MONDAY SINCE CLOSED SUNDAY. BEFORE TAKING TO THE DEALER TOOK THE CAR TO AUTO ZONE TO CHECK THE BATTERY. AUTOZONE STATING BATTERY WAS GREAT. CHEVROLET DIDN'T LOOK AT THE CAR AT ALL MONDAY, AND TUESDAY STATED WE NEED NEW BATTERY. I ADVISED OF AUTO ZONE READING AND WAS TOLD AUTZONE WAS WRONG. PICKED UP THE CAR TUESDAY AFTER HAVING A BRAND NEW BATTERY PUT IN FOR $270. TODAY IS THE FOLLOWING FRIDAY AND THE CAR DID EVERYTHING AGAIN WHILE DRIVING AND WILL NOT START. NOW I HAVE TO TOW THE CAR TO CHEVY AGAIN. *TR
Service brakes, Jul 16, 2014
WHEN I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM MAC HAIK CHEVROLET IN 2012 WITH 30MILES ON IT. IT DROVE GREAT FOR THE FIRST 3 MONTHS. THEN WHEN I WOULD REVERSE THE CAR TO LEAVE I WOULD HERE A NOISE ON THE RIGHT REAR OF THE CAR. SO I TOOK OFF THINKING IT WAS THE RAIN THAT CAUSED THE NOISE ON THE BRAKES. THEN SOMETIMES I WOULD HEAR IT WHEN I START SLOWING DOWN. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER SHIP THEY TOLD ME NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. SO I LEFT EVERY MORNING I WOULD HEAR THE SAME NOISE FOR THE NEXT 6 MONTHS I TOOK IT TO A GARAGE WHERE THEY CHECK THE BRAKES FOR FREE. THEY LOOKED AT THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE ROTOR AND THEY TOLD ME IT HAD A GROOVE ON THE ROTOR CAUSED BY SOMETHING WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM. IT COULD BE A BAD BRAKE PAD. THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP SO I DID. ALL THEY TOLD ME WAS IT'S NOT THAT BAD AND THAT THERE'S NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT. I HAD THE GARAGE CHECK THE REST OF THE BRAKES THEY HAD NO GROOVES AT THE TIME I TOOK IT IN. IT'S 07/16/2014 AND STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I CALLED THEM TO SEE IF THERE IS A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE AND THEY SAID NO. PLEASE HELP ME OR LET ME KNOW WHAT I CAN DO. *TR
Service brakes, Jul 15, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL AND THE SERVICE TRACTION WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE CHIMES SOUNDED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON FIVE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO RE-CALIBRATED THE BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE SENSOR. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.
Seat belts, Jul 12, 2014, crash
MY HUSBAND AND WERE TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND ON I-95 AROUND WILMINGTON DE. TRAFFIC HAD COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, WE WERE AT A STANDSTILL WHEN WE WERE REAR-ENDED IN A FIVE CAR / TWO TRACTOR TRAILER PILE UP. MY HUSBAND, SEAT BELTED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, STRUCK HIS HEAD ON THE DASHBOARD CAUSING A CONCUSSION, WHIPLASH, AND BACK PAIN. HIS SEATBELT FAILED TO LOCK INTO PLACE, RESULTING IN HIM BEING THROWN FORWARD INTO THE DASHBOARD AND SUSTAINING THE ABOVE INJURIES. *TR
Power train, Jul 11, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE SERVICE STABILITY CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS AN UNKNOWN CHIME SOUNDED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 17,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 17,200. AFTER THE DEALER REMOVED THE PLASTIC ENGINE COVER, THE VEHICLE PERFORMED AS DESIGNED. UPDATED 11/17/14
Service brakes, Jul 10, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND WHILE PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN, THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL SENSOR LIGHT SUDDENLY ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT ONCE THE ESC SENSOR LIGHT TURNED OFF THE BRAKES OPERATED AS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Electrical system, Jul 9, 2014
I WAS DRIVING ON A SIDE ROAD, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR JUST SHUT DOWN AND I COASTED TO A STOP. I WAS STRANDED IN A TURN LANE FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES. DURING WHICH TIME I HAD ALREADY CALLED A TOW TRUCK AS I COULD NOT GET MY CAR STARTED AGAIN. AFTER THE 20 MINUTES I THOUGHT I WOULD GIVE IT ANOTHER TRY AND IT UP AND STARTED, AND I DROVE BACK TO WORK. I MADE IT HOME THAT NIGHT, BUT WAS STRANDED AGAIN WHEN I LEFT THE PLACE. I WAS HEADED HOME AND IT STOPPED ONE MORE TIME BEFORE I MADE IT THERE. I TOOK IT TO AN AUTO SHOP THE NEXT DAY AND MADE IT FINE. THE AUTO SHOP DID A TEST DRIVE AND IT STOPPED ON A ROAD AND THEY FAILED TO GET IT STARTED. IT TURNS OUT IT IS FOR AN IGNITION SWITCH, WHICH THERE ARE RECALLS FOR OTHER GM VEHICLES FOR THE SAME PART, JUST NOT A 2012 MALIBU. SO I HAVE TO PAY TO GET IT REPLACED AND HOPE FOR AN EXTENSION OF THE RECALL FOR THE CHEVY MALIBU. *TR
Air bags, Jul 1, 2014
I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY AIR BAG. I CAN HAVE A PASSENGER THAT WEIGHS OVER THE APPROPRIATE WEIGHT SIT IN THE SEAT AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT DOESN'T COME ON. I WAS DRIVING ONE DAY AND I MADE IT TO MY DESTINATION AND PARKED MY CAR. I GOT BACK IN MY VEHICLE AND STARTED IT UP AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON MY DASH JUST CAME ON AND IT WILL NOT GO OFF. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I WILL HAVE TO PAY $3000 TO GET THE VEHICLE REPAIRED BECAUSE THEY WILL NEED TO TAKE THE AIR BAG OUT AND FIND OUT WHAT THE ISSUE IT. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A DEFECT, I DID NOT HAVE A CRASH OR DID ANYONE HIT MY STEERING WHEEL. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Jun 30, 2014
I WAS JUST ARRIVING HOME AND WHILE DRIVING I FELT A CHANGE IN THE GEARS OF MY CAR BUT WHEN I ARRIVED HOME AND PLACE THE CAR IN PARK THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN COMPLETELY OFF AND I HAD TO LEAVE MY CAR ON FOR APPROXIMATELY 4 HOURS BEFORE I LEFT FOR WORK. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 18, 2014
I HAVE TO PRESS GAS PEDAL DOWN MORE THEN NEEDED AS IT FEELS CAR LACKS POWER. TO GO UP A HILL IT LAGS I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PRESS ON PETAL HARDER TO GO. *TR
Seats, Jun 16, 2014
I SAT IN THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT AND THE SEAT COMPLETELY BROKE ON THE RIGHT SIDE. I'M NOW SITTING SLANTED AND BEING SQUASHED AGAINST THE MIDDLE CONSOLE/ARM REST. WHENEVER I GET OUT OF THE CAR, WHICH IS VERY HARD TO DO AND DRIVES ME BAT CRAP CRAZY, I FEEL I NEED A CRANE. SITTING SLANTED IS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE AND IS VERY HARD WHEN JUDGING MAKING TURNS/PARKING. *TR
Other or unspecified, Jun 14, 2014
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTS TURN ON AND OFF. *JS