9.2

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
100,450 miles
Total Complaints:
8 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (6 reports)
  2. replace esc assist (2 reports)
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problem #8

Dec 252019

Malibu I4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 138,000 miles

I bought this used car from a reputable dealer and I was happy to get a "good deal" on it. (I'm not blaming the dealership at all). I bought it as my 15 year old daughters first car. She was so happy with it. On the ride home from the dealers the dash lit up "SERVICE ETC" (electronic traction control). Didn't think much of it as it continued to drive just fine and I figured I'd just have our mechanic look at it.

A couple days later, my daughter was driving the car and my husband was with her. The warning light again illuminated and she totally lost all power steering when turning into a parking lot... and hit the curb and went over it. Fortunately, we now know that this car is dangerous before allowing her to drive it alone when she is 16. I've read that this car had a recall, but not for our VIN number.

I will buy her a different car when she is 16 and driving alone. I should have bought a Toyota Camry.

- srhonda, Allegan, US

problem #7

Feb 012020

Malibu LS 2.4L V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 104,200 miles

2012 Malibu. The power steering totally went out and smacked a curb. This electric power steering seems to be junk.

- Jay F., Three Rivers, MI, US

problem #6

Feb 122020

Malibu LT 2.4L

  • CVT transmission
  • 128,000 miles

Wheel started twitching. I thought it was a tie rod, but every time I would stop at a stop light, the wheel would just keep twitching. Eventually I lost power steering. I turned the car on and power steering popped up along with service ESC. I turned the car off and back on eventually it came back.

This car is very hard to steer. I've lost power steering in other cars and none of them felt like this... looked up the Vin and there is no active recalls about it. Bulls***. GM should've never put electronic steering in these cars.

- Kelseyy B., Robesonia, PA, US

problem #5

Feb 142020

Malibu LS 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

A power steering message with esc - it's in the shop but appears to be related to the torque sensor which Chevy has a bulletin out on. It's not a recall - but if they confirm the problem, they will fix up to 150,000 mi or 10 years (2022).

A dealership fix - taking a long time a week to get it fixed - but that is probably dealership related, not car related.

- David B., Saint Louis, US

problem #4

Nov 222018

Malibu LT 2.4L V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,530 miles

Power steering completely failed yesterday as I rolled up to an intersection. I immediately restarted the car but did not regain power steering. Dashboard message displayed "Power Steering Failure Esc" and my traction light was on as well. I was able to drive a short distance to a lot where I parked, turned off the car, waited 15 minutes, then restarted the car. This seems to have reset something because the power steering was regained and the error messages/light went away...but now I wonder for how long? This is a really dangerous problem that will cause me to replace this car with another if it can't be resolved.

- Ronald L., Brooklyn, NY, US

problem #3

Apr 192018

Malibu LT 2.4L V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles

I was driving on a three lane hwy when the car started to pull a bit toward the left, while making this clunking noise. After a couple of minutes the power steering (ESC) just went out and the steering wheel was super stiff. The service ESC and traction control lights came on. I pulled over and restarted the car and the ESC worked for about two minutes until it went out again. This keeps happening now.

- Vincent M., Audubon, NJ, US

problem #2

Jun 232017

Malibu LS 5.7L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,000 miles

Wife comes to me frantic sobbing, said she and my 14 yr old were on their way home and the car, without warning, jerked the steering wheel out of her hands and would not complete the turn she was in. It locked in a forward position almost sending her and the boy into on coming traffic. This is the first I hear of such a thing. Evidently, it's common knowledge for Chevy owners this not the first time it has happened. I had the car towed home and now sits there with Service ESC light on and the no traction indicator light on. The car is fine, you just can't turn it.

- John R., Riverside, CA, US

problem #1

Nov 052016

Malibu LS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 150,495 miles

I feel that this is a safety issue, I was driving along to go pay some bills, when I made a turn to the left, I thought the car is turn off, but the ESC light came on, saying lost of traction and the power steering light came on, then I had no power steering. I was afraid that I would hit another car or crash. I was still able to drive the car, after I went to the store, I guess it reset it self, power steering was back working. call the dealership, was told that I was over the 150,000 miles, told to call GM that they would make it right, Call GM on 11/7/2016, was told that I was over the 150,000 miles marker, there was nothing they could do, would have to pay out of pocket to see what was wrong and to get it fixed. I feel that GM knows that this is a problem and they should repair it. what if I had my grandchildren in the car, what if I hit another car or killed myself.

- Carol M., Stockbridge, GA, US