10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
9 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
81,919 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #49

Mar 142014

Malibu

  • 94,000 miles
"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".

- Roanoke, VA, USA

problem #48

Jun 012017

Malibu

  • 65,000 miles
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.

- Bronx, NY, USA

problem #47

Jan 122016

Malibu

  • 24,000 miles
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.

- Youngstown, OH, USA

problem #46

Mar 012017

Malibu

  • 79,900 miles
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.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #45

Mar 012017

Malibu

  • 90,000 miles
"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.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #44

Feb 062017

Malibu

  • 94,000 miles
My car is not working the steering wheel and brake

- Balch Springs, TX, USA

problem #43

Jan 032017

Malibu

  • 163,000 miles
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.

- Pinckneyville, IL, USA

problem #42

Feb 012017

Malibu

  • miles
Takata recall powersteering went our while driving.

- Spring Hill, TN, USA

problem #41

Nov 212016

Malibu

  • 55,000 miles
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.

- Flint, MI, USA

problem #40

Jan 172017

Malibu

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 60 mph, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering. The vehicle was difficult to maneuver and a loud noise was heard coming from the front driver side wheel. The traction warning indicator illuminated. After several minutes, the vehicle was able to operate normally, but was vibrating. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

- Heart Buttle, MT, USA

problem #39

Jan 092017

Malibu

  • 146,000 miles
While driving, car's power steering turns off. A message stating that service to ESC appears.

- South Bend, IN, USA

problem #38

Jan 072017

Malibu

  • 135,000 miles
Loss of power steering while driving on city streets. Power steering works for about 5 minutes then it goes out and I get 3 messages on dash back to back powering steering / service ESC/ no ESC. Power steering does not work at any time during the trip. When car is turned off cycle repeats.

- Lanesville, IN, USA

problem #37

Dec 122016

Malibu

  • 168,195 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. While at a stop light, the steering wheel shook violently. The dealer stated that the extended warranty had expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 168,195.

- Fernley, NV, USA

problem #36

Jun 012016

Malibu

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving various speeds and turning the steering wheel, the power steering indicator illuminated and it became very difficult to turn. As a result, the vehicle drove straight. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

- Shreveport, LA, USA

problem #35

Nov 012016

Malibu

  • miles
Letter from congresswoman foxx on behalf of constituent re 2012 Malibu steering column recall. The consumer was informed, his VIN was not included in the recall.

- Lexington, NC, USA

problem #34

Oct 302016

Malibu

  • 132,000 miles
Pulling out of a parking space, all of a sudden my steering wheel does a quick jerk, my traction light luminates and then service ESC comes up on the display and then power steering shows on the display and at that point iost power steering assist and at this point I could not turn the wheel at all, I had no control over the car at this point. I put the car in park, turned it off for several minutes and then turned it back on and power steering was back. This is unexceptable...what if I had been on the free way going 70 miles per hour and lost power steering. This very issue was a recall on the recalling certain model year 2004-2006 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu(s) and obviously it is still an issue with the 2012 model. I have had no issues with steering prior to ths day it happened 10/30/16 and no warring power steering assist was going to fail. Fix it once and for all GM. Do your customers have to be seriously injured or worse in order for you to get this right!!!! now we have to find the power steering unit and get it fixed because my car is literally a death trap. Also, the interior lights (dome) and headlights start flickering after 10 mins to 60 mins into my drive like there is an electrical issue. Also, the rear defrost stopped working and I can't see out the rear window, I have to drive with the windows down to try and hurry the process along and that is not fun when it is freezing out side!

- Buford, GA, USA

problem #33

Sep 012016

Malibu

  • 52,000 miles
Several systems have been affected. The systems affected are the radio controls on the steering wheel, the power steering, the traction control and the rear defrost. There seems to be a short that goes from system to system. Modern Chevrolet in winston salem, nc said it was a short in wires on the steering column that was causing this. There are three recalls that would deal with this. The recalls are for steering, traction control and finally wiring. Both modern Chevrolet and Chevrolet corporate have said my vehicle is not covered due to the VIN #. I do not see where that matters. If a part is bad then all vehicles that part is used on should be covered no matter what. The steering was the most affected. The power steering would go out and it was very difficult to steer the car. This happened on several different occasions.

- Welcome, NC, USA

problem #32

Aug 022016

Malibu

  • 32,000 miles
While making left hand turn engine stalled lost power for a moment then restarted several times in the last year.

- Appleton, WI, USA

problem #31

May 052016

Malibu 4-cyl

  • 47,607 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the steering wheel abruptly locked while attempting to turn at a low speed. The failure was experienced several times. While the bluetooth was in use, the radio and steering wheel simultaneously failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the battery cable was defective and caused the electrical system to lose charge. The vehicle was repaired. The battery cables were replaced and routed correctly. The manufacturer stated that the cable failure was due to wear and tear. The failure mileage was 47,607. Updated 09/20/16

- Eastham, MA, USA

problem #30

Jun 252016

Malibu

  • 98,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while making a right turn at approximately 5 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver as the ESC warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 98,000.

- Great Falls, MT, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »