2012 Chevrolet Malibu Complaint Log

On March 4, 2026, my wife was driving the vehicle when she suddenly lost power steering. The steering wheel became extremely difficult to turn, creating a dangerous situation that could have resulted in serious injury. She was able to safely pull over and contact me. I carefully drove the vehicle home. The vehicle was taken to Jeff Wyler Chevrolet of Columbus for diagnosis and repair. The dealership confirmed that the problem involved the power steering system. The repair cost was 1,513.03. After researching the issue, I discovered that this 2012 Malibu is subject to a special coverage related to the steering torque sensor. General Motors had reportedly sent notification letters to owners, but we never received one. Had we been aware, we would have addressed the issue immediately. This defect represents a significant safety risk, as sudden loss of power steering could cause an accident or serious injury.

My airbag warning light and notification have came on and sometimes seat belt lights come on unexpectedly and will not go off I feel like this is a safety issue

i was driving and the steering wheel locked, the whole steering column has to be replaced it brought up a code saying torque input sensor i've only put 10,000 miles on this car and have only had it for 11 months

The “service ESC” light came on while I was driving on the freeway causing the steering wheel to lock up and I couldn’t turn the wheel. It was really stiff after it said “Service ESC” and “ESC Off”

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

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle briefly lost motive power and came to a complete stop. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The contact stated that the ESC warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the steering wheel angle sensor. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.

I have tried since July of 2025 to have a recall fixed I have been in contact with multiple dealerships for Chevy and none have contacted me to fix my recall I've left messages and still no response

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.

The power steering assist has cause the steering wheel to move to its let by its self when not holding the steering wheel. I must hold the steering wheel firmly to keep it strait when driving. If i would let go the car will abruptly turn left and possibly drive off the road or hit a car, pedestrian, or whatever is in the way. It started with uncontrolled vibrating at a stand still motion. The car is 165,000 miles that's 15,000 miles from the recall. The car has been repaired a couple times I think only to have the same power steering assist internal parts break down and fail multiple times. I believe the amount of power (amps) the power steering assist draws is needed is to much and the system fails within a short time. The alternative hydraulic version on the V 6 doesn't put so much stress on the electrical system. This could be also why the headlights bulb sockets melt and why I see a 15 volt constant charge is being created from the charging system. Ruining the alternator and battery. Putting high levels of amps on the wiring. Leading to malfunctioning components that is filed for complaints. A major safety hazard for others. Fires and uncontrolled crash since the power steering assist moves the car into dangerous life threating crashes.

Rear windowed defroster suddenly start working upon inspection the rear electrical block that's inside the trunk had melted in the fuse to the defroster had gotten stuck and went on pulling it out it broke and after looking up complaints it seems to be an issue with Malibu and it could cause a fire but GM is doing nothing about it you have to pay for it yourself they released a bulletin to bypass the block but you have to install a whole new block which costs hundreds of dollars

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) and 15V269000 ( SEAT BELTS); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the steering wheel vibrated and seized. The "ESC" and “Traction Control" warning lights were illuminated. The contact used a scanner and diagnosed the vehicle with steering failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The dealer was made aware of the issue and wanted to charge the contact for the parts. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Loss of power steering assist while driving. Safety issue puts driver and others at risk. Problem confirmed to be known by dealer service bulletin 15356. Special coverage has expired however many vehicles with issue still on the road. ESC light accompanies failure, restarting the vehicle resets system and allows function for short period until loss of steering while moving occurs again. Request GM extend the special coverage to all vehicles still in service or recall.

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while his son was driving at an undisclosed speed, he became aware that the electronic power steering assist was not functioning properly, requiring an increased effort to maneuver the vehicle. The service power steering warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed failures with the power steering control module and power steering torque sensor. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin: 15356; however, the vehicle had previously been repaired in 2019 and again in 2020, under the special coverage program. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 130,000.

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, the temperature gauge began to indicate the vehicle was overheating after which the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The check engine and air bag warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the oil pan gasket; resulting in damage to the engine, and ABS control module resulting in the air bag warning light. The contact was informed that the engine would need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic, who again diagnosed a failure with the oil pan gasket. The vehicle was repaired, but again the failure occurred for the third time. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 113,000.

The contact called on behalf of her daughter's boyfriend who was driving alongside her daughter in a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that her daughter's boyfriend was driving on the highway at approximately 75 MPH in the left lane when a tractor-trailer in the right lane veered into their lane and the rear end of the tractor-trailer clipped the front end of their vehicle. The contact vehicle began to spin out of control until it came to a stop on the side of the road. The vehicle was totaled. The air bags were not deployed. The vehicle was towed to a local tow lot. No warning lights were illuminated prior to the crash. A police report was filed. The boyfriend seated in the driver's seat, and the contact's daughter seated in the rear passenger seat were both injured, and the infant in the rear driver's seat in a car seat was not harmed. No other individuals outside of the vehicle were injured. Medical treatment was needed for the daughter's boyfriend and the daughter. The boyfriend injured his nose on the steering wheel, and the daughter's shoulder was injured. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

On [XXX], as I was leaving softball tournament in Poway Ca with my kiddos about 6 minutes into driving a message popped up on my dash "ENG PWR REDUCED & SERVICE TRACTION", I lost power to accelerate, I pulled over just before getting on the [XXX] freeway, turned car off and thought car would reset which it didn't. I was stranded with my kiddos. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

First, there is a problem with the transmission. The car will stall or stop abruptly while driving. Second, the automatic turn signals do not work. Third, the driver safety belt does tightly secure the driver.

For 4 years the car intermittently would turn on all warning lights, shake, become hard to steer and steer in unintended directions. We paid $1500 for the dealer to fix it and we still had the problem. Today, the car will drive less then a mile and die. When we start the car all warning lights come on, the vehicle vibrates and struggles to keep speed of 5 mph or so then will die.

Electrical problem causing the passenger side low beam to keep burning out. Fourth time in one year. Vehicle is available for inspection upon request. This issue causes a safety concern because you can be driving down the highway at night and all of a sudden you have no headlight.

As I was driving my vehicle last Sunday the "Power Steering and the Service ESC" warnings came on my dashboard as well as the "Traction Control light" I audible sound came on and I lost power steering. When I went to drive my car to my service station everything worked fine for a few blocks the problem came back. I drove it to my local service mechanic and his scan tool gave an error code of CO545. I did some research on this issue and found that GM put out a Special Coverage #15356 for the power steering sensor. This coverage expired in 2021 however my vehicle did not have this problem until last week. My car only has 60,000 miles on it. Yesterday I took my vehicle to the GM dealer that I purchased my vehicle from and the said I have to pay $200.00 for them to diagnose the problem (which I understand) but the service writer told me that GM will probably not replace the parts needed because their "Special Coverage" expired in 2021. I am asking if the government can force GM to recall. I thank God that my wife nor my daughter was not driving the vehicle when this happened or they may have been hurt or worse fighting the steering wheel to keep the car going straight until I could stop it saftly.

Passenger and or driver side low beam headlight continues to go out. Mechanic has found connector keeps burning out the socket. Light is fine but connector is shorting out. Fire and safety issue. This issue is on a lot of chevrolet malibu and needs a recall fix.

Driving down the freeway and suddenly I get reduce engine power. I had to wait on the freeway until the car started up again

Passenger side headlamp burned out took off bumper to inspect and the wiring pigtail to the headlight has melted causing it to malfunction so now in order to make it work you have to disconnect the daytime running lights so that the melting stops this is supposedly happened to a lot of Malibu's why there isn't a recall on this fire hazard is beyond me and it is a safety issue cuz you can't use your daytime running lights any longer. This issue has not been reported because upon investigation it's been reported many times and nothing gets done about it you have to pay for it yourself. This will be the last GM product.

The front exterior low beam bulbs / wiring harness keeps burning out. I have replaced them twice already and they have blown again. What is going on already a headache just to even get to the headlights, now have to spend MORE money to repair.

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the power steering warning light was illuminated, and the message "ESC OFF" was displayed. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced an intermittent loss of power steering while driving. The contact stated that upon restarting the vehicle, the vehicle operated as intended; however, the failure initially became a persistent failure upon restarting the vehicle and then became a permanent failure. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to an independent mechanic for a tire replacement, the contact was also informed that the steering failure was related to Chevrolet Special Coverage Number: 15356. The contact was referred to the dealer, who informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.

ESC went out on vehicle on the interstate

Passenger low beam keeps going out within a couple days charged wire harness and bulbs keeps happening.

1. While driving I will lose all steering capability and get a ESC Off 2. Physically difficult to turn the wheel when going around turns and this happens we would be unable to control the vehicle 3. The problem has produced itself by the dealership and there is a Bulletin that provided coverage incase this happens but did not happen until after coverage expired and should have been a recall. 4. No has not been inspected by anyone else 5. Lights that came on were traction control and a notification stating ESC is turned off on the dashboard Marquee.

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and driving over a pothole or an object on the roadway, the front driver’s side headlight became inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed; however, the contact was informed that there was a failure with the electrical wiring inside the front driver’s side headlight. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic and was diagnosed and determined that the wiring harness inside the front driver’s side headlight needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

After reaching 120,000+ miles on this vehicle I have been receiving the following warnings on the driver information screen in this order: POWER STEERING SERVICE ESC ESC OFF As a result of these warnings the steering wheel becomes stiff and very hard to turn either left or right at low speeds.

Vehicle will intermittently not start, have to tap on trunk fuse box to get the Malibu to start, the wire is too small and burns up, can’t find anyone to replace it, is a big issue with this generation of Malibu. Vehicle has shut off while on highways and stoplights on MULTIPLE occasions

While driving the car, the power steering system will randomly stop working. While driving in a parking lot the power steering stops working , the car becomes hard to steer. ESC (or ECS?) disabled light comes on and the power steering light comes on on the msg center. This leads to possible loss of control of the car leading to possible collisions.

The problem started with the steering wheel jerking by itself then the power steering went out. The only way to get power steering back is to turn the car off then turn it back on while turning the steering wheel manually then it’s hard to say how long you have power steering for. To get it fixed is around 1,500 for a 3 hour job.

While driving i made a left turn and the vehicles steering wheel became stiff... hard to turn, while on coming traffic was headed my way. Almost got in an accident. Had to force to steering wheel to pull over to the side.They were a bunch of messages that said power steering ESC.

I Was driving and my power steering went out. I got it home turned it on and the power steering came back but the wheel keeps twitching. Tried to start it again and the power steering was out again.

Air bag disabled light came on got the code checked the connector for the air bag on the drivers side either came disconnected or is defective and it disabled all my air bags.

My brake lights constantly go out. My fuses keep blowing. Every time I try to adjust my mirrors the fuses blow for the mirrors and brake lights. Also my headlights keep blowing and the headlight harness has been changed and everything. It is very dangerous not having brake lights, or being able to adjust my mirrors.

The wiring to the fuel pump overheated and burned at the rear fuse box located in the trunk, melting the harness connector and charring the fuse box circuit board. This caused the vehicle to stop running. Luckily, it happened while idling and did not start a fire. This wire goes to the fuel tank and the fuse did not blow. The 30A fuse for the RR DEFOG was also burnt and not blown.There were no warnings or engine codes. After researching this online, it appears it is a common problem. This is the second time this happened. It also happened in 2017 with approximately 89,200 miles.

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving at 40 MPH the traction warning illuminated. The contact stated that the ABS and the traction control were disabled. The contact stated that the failure was occurring at any speed. Additionally, the contact stated that the brake lights were randomly illuminating when he depressed the brake pedal. The contact stated that he had to depress the brake pedal with force for the brake lights to illuminate. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic was diagnosed and determined that the vehicle needed to have all four brake pads and rotors replaced and two front tires replaced. The vehicle was repaired, however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while using the driver's side seat belt, the attachment on the seat belt fractured. The seat belt became inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the seat belt needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

The brakes light keep going out they won’t blink the won’t turn on fuses are blowing

Attempting to pull out of my parking lot, I was suddenly unable to steer my car. Immediately warning lights went on in the dashboard the car would not move. Luckily, I was not in the middle of the street or driving down the highway as I would have lost control of the vehicle. I had the car towed to Meineke and they reported that the power steering assist motor had failed. Prior to the incident, no warning signs had come on in my car.

Since day one the ESC - Electronic Stability Control has constantly affected the performance of the car. The car is not able to reach its full power and causes sudden speed changes . This has happened for a long time with no fix

Passenger headlight caught fire while driving

Driver safety belt lap anchor cable has broke and recall 15031 was already done not fixing the problem.

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while a passenger was seated in the front passenger’s seat, the passenger’s side air bag warning light intermittently illuminated while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with an inoperable passenger’s side air bag sensor. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 146,000.

While I was making a right turn, I experienced a sudden loss of steering, the steering wheel became completely stiff and almost imposible to maneuver. The panel message was Service EPS and ESC off. According to information in this website, there was a special warranty extension, which expired on 2022, which covered this specific issue (the problem is related to the electric power steering assist (EPS), the steering column torque sensor or the EPS motor/controller). The special warranty code was 15356. I have taken my car to the dealership in the past for maintenance and other safety recalls, but I was not alerted about this very dangerous issue. I called GM today, and they said I was not alerted because this was not a recall but an extended warranty. This sounds like a lack of due diligence on GM´s end to address an issue that is extremely dangerous. I am now afraid to drive this car.

Passenger side low beam headlight wont work. Replace fuses relays and wiring harness. Ive read online where this is very common with these cars and even replacing the headlight assembky isnt a sure fix.

Passenger headlight continues to go out, replaced bulb and wiring harness multiple times

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.