NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A HOUSE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD, NECK, RIB CAGE AND THE LOWER BACK. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND WAS NOT INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 10,000. *TR
I PURCHASED THE CAR IN MARCH 2013. IT ONLY HAD 18,000 MILES ON IT. WHILE SLOWING, SUCH AS EXITING THE INTERSTATE, AS THE CAR DOWN SHIFTS, IT DOWN SHIFTS HARD. ESPECIALLY GOING FROM 3RD GEAR TO 2ND AND THEN 1ST. IT SEEMS TO HAVE A SLIGHT DELAY WHEN TRYING TO PICK UP SPEED. MORE SO WHEN YOU HAVE SLOWED AND THEN SPED BACK UP, LIKE WHEN SOMEONE IS TURNING AND YOU HAVE TO SLOW FOR THEM. THERE IS AN AWFUL NOISE IN THE DASH AROUND THE STEERING COLUMN. IF YOU ARE ON A GRAVEL ROAD, IT SOUNDS LIKE THE DASH/STEERING COLUMN IS GOING TO FALL ONTO YOUR FEET. ITS A RATTLE TYPE SOUND. *TR
VEHICLE HAS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON AND REDUCED POWER KICKS IN WITH NO WARNING. VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN AT SPEED ON HIGHWAYS WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND AUTOMATICALLY SLOWS TO 40 MPH. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND REPAIRS MADE THE FIRST 2 TIMES, VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN BACK 3 MORE TIMES FOR THE SAME ISSUE, NO CODES SHOWING IN THE COMPUTER. ISSUE ALSO REPORTED THAT IF AT A STOP, VEHICLE HAS NO RESPONSE WHEN YOU STEP ON THE GAS. THE DEALERSHIP IS CURRENTLY TRYING TO REPORT THIS AS A DIFFERENT ISSUE SO THEY CAN AVOID DEALING WITH THE LEMON LAW IN THE STATE. *TR
MY CAR HAD HAD THE HEADS REPLACED IN THE FIRST MOTOR IT CAME WITH THEN THE WHOLE MOTOR REPLACED BEFORE 100K MILES NOW THE NEW MOTOR DOESNT BARELY HAVE 100K MILES ON IT AND THEY ARE TELLING ME MY CYLINDER 6 ISNT HOLDING COMPRESSION SO I'LL NEED ANOTHER MOTOR EVENTUALLY! MY TRANSMISSION IS LEAKING , ITS HAD A WHOLE NEW AIR CONDITIONING UNIT INSTALLED WHEN MY MOTOR WAS REPLACED BECAUSE IT WENT OUT. THE SPEAKERS ON MY PASSENGER SIDE DONT WORK AND MY HEATING SYSTEM ON MY SEAT ON THE DRIVER SIDE HAS WENT OUT!
I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK. IT WAS 57 DEGREES OUTSIDE SO I TURNED MY REAR DEFROST ON. AFTER ABOUT 5MIN OF MY DEFROST BEING ON, MY BACK WINDOW COMPLETELY EXPLODED. IM NOT SURE IF THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE DEFROSTER OR WHAT BUT THERE WAS NO VISIBLE DAMAGE TO ANYTHING ON THE VEHICLE EXCEPT THE WINDOW THAT COMPLETELY SPIDERWEBBED. *TR
I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE ESC LIGHT COMING ON SINCE BUYING THE CAR BRAND NEW AND WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP NOTHING WAS WRONG. NOW THE ESC LIGHT COMES ON AND THE ENGINE LIGHT AND THE TRACTION LIGHT. I WAS TOLD I NEED A THROTTLE BODY THIS CAR IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD AND IS NOT PAID OFF TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THERE HAS BEEN MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE WITH MALIBUS IN THE 2000'S THIS IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE CAR STALLS AND WILL SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL WITH AS MANY COMPLAINTS THAT HAS BEEN BROUGHT FORWARD REGARDING THIS ISSUE. THE TRACTION LIGHT COME ON AS WELL AT THE SAME TIME THESE LIGHTS COME ON. THIS IS DURING BRAKING, OR SITTING AT A STOP SIGN OR LIGHT, OR AS I AM APPLYING THE BRAKE TO STOP BEHIND OTHER DRIVERS IT WILL CONTINUOUSLY JERK AND ALMOST TAKE OFF ON ITS OWN.
ON MAY 30, 2013, I NOTICED THAT THE ON LIGHT FOR THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER AIRBAG WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN I SAT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OF OUR 2012 CHEVROLET MALLIBU. I AM 66 INCHES TALL AND WEIGH OVER 100 POUNDS. I AM AN OLDER ADULT - NOT A CHILD. MY HUSBAND AND I TOOK THE MALIBU TO HENDRICK CHEVROLET IN MERRIAM, KANSAS WHERE WE HAD PURCHASED THE CAR AND COMPLAINED THAT THE AIRBAG ON LIGHT WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN I WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE SERVICE ADVISOR INFORMED MY HUSBAND THAT WE SHOULD TURN THE AIRBAG ON. I WASN'T PRESENT AT THE SERVICE DESK TO EXPLAIN THAT THE AIRBAG WOULD NOT COME ON NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES I PUSHED THE ON AND OFF BUTTON WHILE SITTING IN THE CAR. SOME TIME LATER, I WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND MY HUSBAND HANDED ME OUR 17 POUND DOG. INSTANTLY THE AIRBAG ON LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WE RETURNED TO HENDRICK CHEVROLET ON NOVEMBER 6, AND EXPLAINED THAT THE ONLY TIME THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD COME ON WHEN I WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS WHEN I WAS HOLDING THE 17 POUND DOG. WE WERE INFORMED THAT THE AIRBAG WAS CONTROLLED BY A SENSOR THAT COULD NOT BE ADJUSTED. THE REPAIR REPORT STATED, "CUST STATES THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT WILL NOT RECOGNIZE HIS WIFE SITTING IN SEAT TO ENGAGE AIRBAG - SHE WEIGHS 100 LBS. SCANNED SYSTEM. NO CODES PRESENT, CK FOR PROGRAMMING UPDATES. CURRENT. NO REPAIRS MADE OR ATTEMPTED. THE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO DISABLE PASSENGER AIR BAG OPERATION OF (SIC) OCCUPANT IS LIGHTER THAN PRE DETERMINED LIMIT WITH IN THE CONTROL MODULE. OPERATING AS INTENDED AT THIS TIME." WE HAND DELVERED A LETTER TO THE HENDRICK SERVICE MANAGER STATING WE WERE NOT SATISFIED WITH THE SERVICE. WE WANTED A WORKING PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG. WE HAVE NOT HEARD BACK.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S FRONT END WAS CRASHED INTO BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE PASSENGER IN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE SUSTAINED MINOR BRUISING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000.
MY 2012 CHEVY MALIBU HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SYSTEM. AT RANDOM TIMES THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT WILL TURN ON WHEN THE SEAT IS OCCUPIED (BY SOMEONE >120 LBS) ALSO AT THE SAME TIME IF THE PASSENGER UNBUCKLES THE SEAT BELT THE SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON. I HAVE SEVERAL VIDEOS OF THIS FAILURE WHILE SITTING STILL AND WHILE DRIVING. DEALER REPLACED THE PASSENGER SENSING SENSOR AND CONTROL MODULE. THIS HAS NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM. DEALER SAID BECAUSE THE PASSENGER SITS WITH ONE LEG TUCKED UNDER THE OTHER THAT THIS IS THE CAUSE. NOT BUYING IT BECAUSE IT DOES NOT ALWAYS FAIL LIKE THAT. WE HAVE DUPLICATED THE PROBLEM AT THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE SERVICE ADVISER AND THE TECHNICIAN. I CAN GET THE SYSTEM TO RESET BY CYCLING THE KEY TO OFF AND THEN RESTART THE CAR. THIS IS NOT THE FIX JUST THE PATCH. SOMETIMES THE PROBLEM HAPPENS WHEN USING THE REMOTE START AND THE PASSENGER GETS IN BEFORE THE KEY IS TURNED IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH GM ABOUT THIS. *TR
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED AT 65 MPH, THE SPEED SUDDENLY INCREASED TO 73 MPH INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE INSPECTED. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO FAILURES FOUND WITHIN THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,800 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,200.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REBUILT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,128.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE ONLY HAPPENED INITIALLY AFTER DRIVING OFF. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14E044000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.
MY AUTO GOING THRU GREEN LIGHT INTERSECTION-STRUCK ON PASSENGER SIDE BY AUTO WHO RAN RED LIGHT-DAMAGED BOTH PASSENGER SIDE DOORS (BOTH REPLACED)-OTHER AUTO DOING APPROX 45MPH -DID $8000 DAMAGE TO MY CAR-RIGHT SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT INFLATE.
SINCE I PURCHASED MY CAR IN THE LATER PART OF 2012 (USED WITH 40000MI) I HAVE HAD SEVERAL INCIDENTS STARTING WITH THE RADIO, WHEN I TURNED ON THE REAR DEFROST THE RADIO WOULD GO TO COMPLETE STATIC ON ALL STATIONS. WHILE TRAVELING APPROX. 30MPH THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON THEN AFTER STOPPING THE CAR AND RESTARTING THE LIGHT WOULD GO OFF AS WELL AS MINIMAL TURNING TO THE RIGHT THE SERVICE ESC LIGHT WOULD DISPLAY, IN ADDITION TO THE REMOTE START NOT WORKING HALF THE TIME, I HAVE REPLACED THE KEY FOB AND GOTTEN A NEW KEY AND STILL THE SAME PROBLEM EXIST. THE DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACED THE RADIO WITH A BRAND NEW PART AND STILL THE STATIONS ARE NOT CLEAR AND WHILE SITTING IN THE CAR PARKED ALL OF THE LIGHTS IN THE DASH SOMETIMES COME ON FOR SERVICE AND THE CAR WOULD IDLE LOW THEN HIGH. THE LIGHTS IN THE DASH WILL SOMETIMES COMPLETELY DIM AND THE DISPLAY ON THE RADIO WILL BE DIGITAL. MY CAR NOW HAS ABOUT 65000 MILES ON IT, AND STILL THE CAR SOMETIMES STALLS AT STOP SIGNS, WILL BE WITHOUT POWER AND THE SERVICE ESC DISPLAYS AS WELL AS SERVICE ENGINE. THIS HAS HAPPENED TOO MANY TIMES TO COUNT AT THIS POINT. TUESDAY MAY 6 2014 MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING APPROX. 25MPH ALL THE LIGHTS IN DASH CAME ON AND ENGINE STALLED ON HIM SO HE RESTARTED THE CAR, UPON RESTARTING ALL THE LIGHTS IN THE DISPLAY TURNED OFF. SATURDAY MAY 10 2014 THE RADIO WAS COMPLETE STATIC...THIS IS A CONSTANT ISSUE, I KEEP MY GAS TANK PLENTIFUL AND HAVE ONLY OWNED GM VEHICLES. I AM RESEARCHING OTHER MAKES AT THIS POINT. *TR
I OWN A 2012 CHEVY MALIBU. I BOUGHT IT NEW 5 YEARS AGO. I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE CHECK ENGINE AND ESC LIGHTS COMING ON SINCE SHORTLY AFTER BUYING THE CAR BRAND NEW AND WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP NOTHING WAS WRONG. NOW, 5 YEARS LATER, THE ESC LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT. I WAS TOLD I NEEDED A $300 THROTTLE BODY, WHICH I GOT, BUT THAT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. SIX TRIPS TO 3 DIFFERENT GM DEALERS I AND $1500 POORER AND BEING TOLD "THERE IS NOTHING WRONG" THE CAR RUNS SO BADLY I FINALLY PARKED IT IN THE DRIVEWAY, AND THERE IT SITS. THERE HAS BEEN MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE WITH CHEVY MALIBUS IN THE 2000S. I PERSONALLY KNOW SEVERAL MALIBU OWNERS THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. THIS IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE CAR STALLS AND SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL WITH AS MANY COMPLAINTS THAT HAS BEEN BROUGHT FORWARD REGARDING THIS ISSUE. ALSO, WHILE SITTING AT A STOP SIGN OR STOP LIGHT, OR AS I AM APPLYING THE BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN, THE CAR WILL CONTINUOUSLY JERK, THE ENGINE SURGES AND THE VEHICLE TRIES TO TAKE OFF ON ITS OWN. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND THE AIR BAG AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURES OCCURRED ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COX CHEVROLET (2900 CORTEZ RD W, BRADENTON, FL 34207, (941) 348-6417), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER MADE UNKNOWN REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE, BUT THE WARNING INDICATORS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL TIRE SHOP FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EVERY THREE MONTHS A DIFFERENT EXTERIOR LIGHT WOULD GO OUT AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
I WAS HEADING SOUTHBOUND COLERAIN.. AS I WAS GOING THROUGH A GREEN LIGHT THIS YOUNG LADY KEPT ON COMING AT ME AND I SLAMMED MY BRAKES ON AND MOVE MY STEERING WHEEL IN A HARD WAY TO AVOID HER HITTING ME AND ALSO LAST YEAR SLAMMING MY BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING A CAR INFRONT OF ME THAT THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT ON 75 SOUTH BOUND IN KENTUCKY MY STEERING WHEEL HAS SOME PLAY IN IT. *TR
WHILE LIFTING OFF FROM FULL ACCELERATION, THE THROTTLE PEDAL HAD BEEN FULLY DEPRESSED, THE RIGHT SIDE TOE AREA OF MY RIGHT SHOE ( A TENNIS SHOE) BECAME WEDGED BETWEEN THE THROTTLE PEDAL AND THE SHARPLY CURVED RIGHT SIDE PANEL OF THE FOOT BOX, THE RESULT WAS THIS WAS STOPPING THE CAR FROM DECELERATING AS I WANTED IT TO DO. IN ORDER TO RELEASE MY FOOT I HAD TO FULLY DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THEN ROTATE MY RIGHT FOR COUNTER CLOCKWISE SO THAT WHEN I RELEASED THE PEDAL THE TOE AREA OF MY SHOE WOULD NOT BECOME TRAPPED AGAIN. I LOOKED AT THE FOOT BOX AREA AND THE SIDE PLASTIC PANEL HAS AN VERY ABRUPT CURVE SHAPE THAT ACTS AS A TRAP IF YOU HAPPEN TO ROTATE YOUR FOOT TO THE RIGHT UNDER FULL THROTTLE ACCELERATION. THIS WAS A CHEVROLET MALIBU 2012 RENTAL CAR FROM AVIS. *TR
AIRBAG SENSOR GOES OFF AND ON INTERMITTENTLY. HAS BEEN THAT WAY SINCE I PURCHASED IT FROM THE DEALERSHIP. IT APPEARS I WAS SOLD A VEHICLE WITH FAULTY WIRING. THIS POSES A HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUE AS THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE AIRBAG CLAIMING IT TO BE SOMETHING THAT WAS MY FAULT AND THAT I SHOULD ABSORB THE COST TO REPAIR IT. LUCKILY, I HAVE NOT HAD ANY ACCIDENTS HOWEVER, IN THE EVENT THAT ONE SHOULD OCCUR; THE CHANCES OF THE AIRBAG FUNCTIONING PROPERLY ARE SLIM TO NIL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SITTING AT A COMPLETE STOP, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WHILE TRAVELING 47 MPH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT TIGHTEN AROUND THE PASSENGERS. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED NECK, BACK AND HIP INJURIES. THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE PASSENGER SUSTAINED NECK, BACK AND ANKLE INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE MANUFACTURER HOWEVER, THE SEATBELT AND AIR BAG FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 15,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE LAP SEAT BELT FAILED TO TIGHTEN AND BECAME LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DETENSIONER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 770 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,200. *TR
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED BUT THE ENTIRE AIR BAG ASSEMBLY DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BURNS TO HER CHEST AND INJURIES TO THE FACE BECAUSE METAL PIECES FROM THE AIR BAG ASSEMBLY STRUCK HER IN THE FACE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD AND WAS DEEMED AS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,828. ..UPDATED 12/05/12 *BF UPDATED 12/07/2012 *JS..UPDATED 12/03/14 *BF UPDATED 06/1/2015 *JS
TAKATA RECALL. WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 60 MPH I LOST ALL POWER TO MY VEHICLE ALMOST CAUSING A FEW ACCIDENTS. I PULLED THE CAR OVER AND HAD IT TOWED TO A SHOP. THEY HAD TO PUSH THE CAR INTO THE SHOP DUE TO IT NOT STARTING. AFTER THROUGHLY LOOKING AND CHECKING EVERYTHING THE DIANOSIC TEST DID NOT REVEL ANYTHING. THE MECHANIC THEN BANGED ON THE REAR FUSE PANEL (TRUNK) THE CAR THEN STARTED. THE PANAL IS SHUTING MY FUEL PUMP OFF. THE FUEL PUMP HAS BEEN TESTED THE FUSE RELAYS HAVE BEEN TESTED. THE PROBLEM IS FAULTY FUSE BOX AND WIRES CONNECTED IM ASSUMING. AFTER 2 WEEKS AND 3 MECHCANICS MY CAR IS STILL NOT RUNNING.
IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN WHEN IT IS COLD OUTSIDE, THE UNDERCARRIAGE SOMEWHERE SOUNDS LIKE IT IS LOOSE WHENEVER YOU HIT A SMALL HOLE IN THE ROAD, GO OVER RAILROAD TRACKS, REALLY ANYTHING. *TR
PURCHASED CAR FROM ED BOZARTH ON OCTOBER 12. WITHIN 1 WEEK THE BRAKES WERE GRINDING AND YOU HAD TO STEP ON IT HARD FOR IT TO BRAKE. HAVE CHANGED BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS TWICE WITHIN 3 YEARS. HAVE COMPLAINED TO ED BOZARTH SINCE I PURCHASED IT. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO OTHER GM DEALERSHIPS AND COMPLAINED ABOUT THE BRAKES. SEPTEMBER 2015 TOOK IT TO FLETCHER JONES CHEVROLET AND HAD FILED A COMPLAIN WITH GM FOR APPROVAL TO HAVE THEM PAY FOR THE DIAGNOSTICS. AND AGAIN, THE DEALERSHIP AND GM CLAIM NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE BRAKES, BUT THEY GRIND HORRIBLY AND YOU HAVE TO HIT HARD ON THE BRAKES TO BE ABLE TO BRAKE. ANOTHER ISSUE IS THE RUBBER STEERING WHEEL. IT IS COMING APART AND IT CUTS YOU AS YOU ARE MAKING RIGHT TURN. BEING DIABETIC IT IS A HEALTH ISSUE.
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING EAST DOWN HWY-40 TOWARD SALINA, KS. SHE HAD THE CRUISE CONTROL SET ON 60 MPH. SHE BEGAN TO HAVE A EPILEPTIC SEIZURE (SHE WAS CLEARED BY HER DOCTOR TO DRIVE PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT) AT THAT POINT THE CAR BEGAN TO SLOWLY DRIFT OF TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CAR DROVE OVER A CULVER, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE OF THE CAR STRUCK AT CONCRETE FORM AND SENT THE CAR ROLLING OF INTO A FIELD THE CAR ROLLED FOUR TIMES. AFTER THE FOURTH ROLL THE CAR ROLLED BACK ON TO ITS WHEELS AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE DUE TO THE CRUISE CONTROL STILL BEING ENGAGED AND DROVE 100FT BEFORE COMING TO REST ONCE IT STRUCK A CONCRETE FENCE POST. AT NO TIME DID ANY OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOY NOR DID THE CRUISE CONTROL DISENGAGE. THE VEHICLE HAS A CRASH RESPONSE SYSTEM THREW ON-STAR, AT NO TIME DID THE CRASH RESPONSE ACTIVATE. THIS INFORMATION WAS PROVIDED TO ME VIA THE SALINE COUNTY SHERIFFS. MY WIFE ONLY SUFFERED MINOR CUTS AND BRUISES. *TR
WHEN THE TRACTION CONTROL IS ENGAGED WHEN YOU TOUCH THE GAS PEDAL AFTER A COMPLETE STOP IF THERE IS A LIGHT COATING OF MOISTURE ON THE ROAD SURFACE THE VEHICLE WILL SLIDE TO THE RIGHT. THIS HAPPENS ALL OF THE TIME. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS ISSUE TO THE DEALERS ATTENTION AND THEY MADE NOTE OF IT. AS A RESULT I TURN THE TRACTION CONTROL OFF AS I AM AFRAID AN ACCIDENT MAY OCCUR. *TR
TRANSMISSION CONSTANTLY SLIPS, WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE IT DOES NOT CATCH UP AND REVS REALLY HIGH. TRANSMISSION HAS LOCKED UP ONCE AND IT HAS BEEN REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP; HOWEVER THAT ISSUE STILL HAPPENS ON A REGULAR BASIS. 2012 MALIBU LT, I WOULD LIKE THIS ISSUE INVESTIGATED AND GM HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR SELLING ME A LEMON CAR WITH A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION THAT HAS NOT RUN CORRECTLY EVER SINCE MY PURCHASE IN 2011. I HAVE THE PAPER WORK THAT SHOWS THE REPLACEMENT OF A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION ON A NEW 2012 MALIBU THAT I PURCHASED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, WHILE APPROACHING A TRAFFIC STOP SIGNAL ANOTHER VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO TRAVEL ACROSS THE ROAD CAUSING THE FRONT END TO CRASH INTO AN EMBANKMENT AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER'S SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE FACILITY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,000.
TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR PRESSURE SENSOR ILLUMINATED MULTIPLE TIMES INTERMITTENTLY. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER RESET THE CODE AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT HAD DIFFICULTY ACTIVATING THE CRUISE CONTROL AND HAD TO MAKE MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO GET IT TO WORK. ALSO, THE BATTERY HAD DRAINED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE WINDOW WIPERS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5. PAM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDOWS AND THE DASHBOARD BECAME FROZEN ON THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THE CONTACT ALLOWED EXCESSIVE WATER MOISTURE TO GET INTO THE VEHICLE WHICH CAUSED THE WINDOWS AND DASHBOARD TO FREEZE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,176. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 25,000.
I AM JUST WANTING TO EXPRESS MY FEELINGS CONCERNING THE HEADRESTS. I AM 5' 4" TALL AND THE HEADREST IS THE MOST UNCOMFORTABLE THING, IT PUSHES YOUR HEAD FORWARD. IF I WERE HIT HARD, THERE ISN'T SUPPORT AND I WOULD PROBABLY BREAK MY NECK OR HAVE A NECK INJURY. . THE ONLY REMEDY, IS TO TURN IT AROUND AND THEN YOU HAVE NO SUPPORT. I DO NOT OWN THIS VEHICLE, IT IS A RENTAL. I WOULD NOT BUY ONE AT THIS POINT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE FOOT LEVER FAILED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHEN THE FOOT LEVER WAS DEPRESSED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE LEVER. THE REMEDY FAILED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 2,255.
EXPERIENCING ERRATIC THROTTLE RESPONSE TIME AND HARD TRANSMISSION SHIFTS. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED YOU DON'T KNOW IF THE RESPONSE WILL BE IMMEDIATE OR DELAYED. THE INCONSISTENT DELAYS IN THE THROTTLE RESPONSE TIME POSE A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR
VEHICLE (2012 MALIBU) WAS PURCHASED APRIL 2012 - STARTING JULY 2012 VEHICLE WOULD STALL GOING DOWN THE ROAD, WITH LOSS OF ENGINE, POWER ASSIST STEERING AND POWER ASSIST BRAKES. DEALER REPLACED NUMEROUS MODULES, BUT IT OCCURRED AGAIN IN SEPT 2012 (3 TIMES) THEN AGAIN IN JANUARY 2013. TWO BODY CONTROL MODULES HAVE BEEN REPLACED, ENGINE CONTROL MODULES, TWO POWER STEERING MODULES, ONSTAR MODULE, TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE, ETC. UNINTENDED POWER STEERING ASSIST OCCURS SUCH THAT WITHIN APPROXIMATELY 5 SECONDS WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, POWER STEERING COMES IN AND OUT AS MODULE FAILS (ALONG WITH ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION). VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. DEALER WOULD NOT REPLACE VEHICLE AND GM STATES THEY STAND BY LAST REPAIR. IT HAS BEEN REPAIRED 6 TIMES NOW, BUT WE REFUSE TO DRIVE VEHICLE, AS WE BELIEVE THERE MUST BE A SHORT SOMEWHERE. THEY KEEP STATING IT IS DEFECTIVE MODULES AND THEY JUST KEEP REPLACING THEM. PLEASE SEE YOUTUBE VIDEOS: "2012 CHEVY MALIBU - UNINTENDED POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILURE MODE?" "2012 CHEVY MALIBU DANGEROUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM - ANY IDEAS?" *TR
DRIVING INTO TOWN, ALERTED BY PEDESTRIAN THAT MY CAR WAS ON FIRE UNDERNEATH. EVERYTHING FAILED, WHILE I TRIED TO PULL OFF THE ROADWAY. HAD TO KICK OUT THE WINDOW TO GET OUT. WHEN I BARELY GOT OUT, THE ENTIRE CAR WAS IN FULL BLAZE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ENGAGING THE BRAKES, A GRINDING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE FRONT WHEELS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52.
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK WITH MY WIFE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND UPON APPROACHING A RED SIGNAL AT AN INTERSECTION I FELT A VIBRATION UNDER MY FOOT AS I CAME TO STOP. I THOUGHT IT MAY HAVE BEEN UNEVEN ROAD CONDITIONS OR SOMETHING IN THE ROAD AND DISREGARDED IT. LATER THAT DAY, I FELT THE SAME VIBRATION AS I HAD STOPPED AND HEARD A NOTICEABLE GRINDING NOISE. I WENT TO THE DEALER WHERE I HAD PURCHASED THE VEHICLE TO HAVE IT INSPECTED AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE ISSUE, NOR COULD THEY FIND A ROOT CAUSE. OVER THE COURSE OF THE NEXT 8 MONTHS, THE VIBRATIONS HAD GOTTEN WORSE AND MORE FREQUENT. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED 5 TIMES FOR THE ISSUE AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS WORSE THAN EVER. ONE DEALER, WHICH I HAVE RETURNED TO ON MULTIPLE INSTANCES FOR THIS PROBLEM, WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE, SMELL A NOTICEABLE AROMA OF BURNING BRAKES, IDENTIFY I HAD A SERIOUS BRAKE PROBLEM, BUT WERE NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE FOR THE FAILURE, THUS NOT CORRECTING ANY FAULTS. IT HAS PROGRESSED TO THE POINT WHERE THE PEDAL WILL GO ALMOST DOWN TO THE FLOOR BEFORE THE BRAKES WILL ENGAGE. IT HAS ALMOST CAUSED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS DUE TO THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE. THE MILEAGE OF THE FIRST FAILURE WAS ABOUT 6000 MILES AND IT CURRENTLY HAS 16,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE WITH NO RESOLUTION. SEVERAL ONLINE SEARCHES YIELD THE SAME ISSUE ON THE 2008-2012 CHEVY MALIBU AS WELL AS THE 2008-2010 SATURN AURA WHICH SHARE THE SAME PLATFORM. *TR
WHILE DRIVING ON A STATE HIGHWAY, I HAD A NUMBER OF FUNCTIONS STOP WORKING. THE PROBLEM COULD COME AND GO FOR A WEEK BEFORE IT HAPPENED ON ALL IGNITION CYCLES. NOTE, THE PROBLEM COULD EVEN COME AND GO ON 1 IGNITION CYCLE. THE FOLLOWING STOPPED WORKING: WINDSHIELD WIPERS, HEATED SEATS, POWER WINDOWS/SUNROOF, POWER DOORS, POWER MIRRORS, BLUE TOOTH INTERFACE, DOME LIGHTS AND MIRROR / COMPASS. DEALER HAS REPLACED BODY CONTROL MODULE AND VPM. FIXES SEEM TO WORK FOR APPROXIMATELY 10-12 WEEKS BEFORE ISSUES RESURFACE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING 10 MPH WHEN A CLICKING SOUND EMITTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 550.
WHILE DRIVING CAR HAVE NOTICED THAT IT SHIFTS HARD EITHER UP OR DOWN. THIS HAS HAPPENED TOO MANY TIMES TO COUNT. ALSO CAR FEELS LIKE IT IS TRYING TO STALL AND I CAN NOT ACCELERATE. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES ONCE ON A VERY BUSY INTERSECTION IN MY CITY. HAVE TAKEN CAR TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WAS PROBABLY BAD GAS AND TO PUT PREMIUM GAS IN. THIS DID NOT HELP EITHER. CAR CONTINUED TO HAVE SAME ISSUES. CALLED DEALER TO LET THEM KNOW. SAID NOTHING WRONG. I HAVE TWO SMALL CHILDREN AND WORRY ABOUT OUR SAFETY EACH TIME I DRIVE THIS CAR. HOPING THAT GM DOES SOMETHING TO FIX THIS ISSUE SOON. LOOKS LIKE WE ARE NOT ALONE WITH THIS ISSUE. *TR
I AM EXPERIENCING ERRATIC THROTTLE RESPONSE AND ERRATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTS IN MY 2012 MALIBU. THE INCONSISTENT DELAYS IN THROTTLE RESPONSE POSE A SAFETY HAZARD. THIS ISSUE IS COMPOUNDED WHEN IT AFFECTS THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS. WHEN YOU PUSH THE ACCELERATOR YOU DO NOT KNOW IF YOU WILL GET IMMEDIATE RESPONSE, OR DELAYED RESPONSE, NOR HOW SUDDEN THAT RESPONSE MIGHT BE TO THE EXTENT OF ALMOST LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS ARE NOT CONSISTENT. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE I HAVE HAD IT SHIFT 2 GEAR DOWN, AND OTHER TIMES IT HAS NOT SHIFTED UP TO A HIGHER GEAR. WHEN BOTH ISSUES OCCUR AT ONCE IT IS EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS. THE ONLY REASON THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT IS THE OTHER DRIVERS REALIZED SOMETHING WAS WRONG AND WERE ABLE TO SLOW DOWN AND AVOID HITTING ME BY DRIVING AROUND ME ON THE SHOULDER. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO MAKE A VIBRATING MOTION, AND STEERING WHEEL WAS SHAKING. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTS TURN ON AND OFF. *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE STARTED TO WOBBLE AT 55 MPH AND ABOVE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE DEALER DID AN ALIGNMENT FOUR TIMES AND REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN ONCE BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE REAR RIGHT WHEEL HAD BEEN LEANING OUTWARD FROM THE TIME THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AND HAD NOT BEEN CORRECTED BY THE ALIGNMENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 19,500. THE CONSUMER STATED FROM THE DAY SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. AS TIME WENT ON, THE PROBLEM BECAME WORSE. THE VEHICLE WAS WOBBLY, CHOPPY AND CAREENING . IT WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL ON UNEVEN PAVEMENT ROADS AND STREETS AND EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN AT 55 MPH AND HIGHER. EACH TIME THE CONSUMER WENT TO THE DEALER, THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT. AT TIMES, THE STEERING WAS VERY LOOSE. ALSO, THE SHIFTING WAS ERRATIC AND LAGGED. IT LAGGED FROM STOP SIGNS. IT OFTEN FAILED TO DOWN SHIFT TO GAIN POWER NEEDED ON HIGHWAY UPGRADES. WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO PASS SEMI-TRUCKS ON AN UNEVEN PAVEMENT ON THE INTERSTATE, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT, JERKED TO THE LEFT WITH ALMOST AN UNCONTROLLABLE SHIFTING AND SWAYING. IF THERE WERE CURVE , THE VEHICLE WOULD DANGEROUSLY SWING WIDE OUT INTO THE CURVES. THE STEERING WHEEL, WOULD THEN FREEZE UP AND WOULD BECOME DIFFICULT TO TURN AND STEER SAFELY. ON ONE OCCASION, WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, THE CONSUMER HAD JUST PASSED A SEMI AT A SPEED OF 70 MPH AND AS SHE WAS RETURNING TO THE RIGHT LANE, THE VEHICLE STUTTERED AND STARTED TO STOP. SHE PUSHED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND THERE WAS A DANGEROUS LAG BEFORE ENOUGH POWER CAME TO THE VEHICLE.
A BRAND NEW VEHICLE WITH 64 MILES. WHILE DRIVING ON A RURAL ROAD, THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL FAILURE LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN THE ACCELERATOR STOPPED WORKING. AFTER I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF, IT WOULD NOT COME BACK ON. THIS CERTAINLY COULD HAVE BEEN A SAFETY ISSUE HAD I LOST CONTROL ON A MORE TRAVELED STREET. COINCIDENTALLY, THE ONLY OTHER COMPLAINT LISTED ON NHTSA FOR THIS VEHICLE IS FOR THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, SHE HEARD A GRINDING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE AXLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED WITHOUT WARNING. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SENSOR AND TRANSMISSION SEALS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 600.