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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
10 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
38,559 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Chevrolet Malibu brakes problems

brakes problem

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2012 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Comments (Page 2 of 4)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #44

Jun 142017

Malibu

  • 78,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Traveling about 40 miles per hour on I-17 sb in phoenix. Vehicle in front of me hit brakes suddenly. When I slammed on my brakes, it didn't feel like my brakes were working properly. Brake pedal went all the way to the floor, didn't seem to be stopping car. Felt like there was an issue with the brakes.

- Sun City, AZ, USA

problem #43

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 #42

May 172017

Malibu

  • miles
I recieved a notice from gmconcerning the body control module (BCM) warning me that my brake lights could malfunction, but warning me not to take my car to the dealer because of this warning. Now I have talked to an insurance representative a member of my family who happens to be a lawyer also a member of the police dept and I have been told that since I got thois warning that makes me aware of a serious, dangerous and possibly a deadly defect in this automobile, therefore if I was in an accident and some body got killed, not only would it be my fault, but in fact I would and/or copuld be charged and found responsible and charged with that death. Not only that, but in fact my insurance company could leagally and therefore would possibly pay ffor any damages period. Now, since I have had this car, I have recieved a simaliar notice about the steering machanism on this car to which I was told the same thing, a recall on the seat belts, a notice about the headlights on this car and if I am not mistaken an earlier notice about to headlights. So everytime I drive this car, I am not sure that I will accidently have a wreck, kill someone or even be killed myself; I have contacted the NHTSA about this problems previously about some of those deadly defects, yet this car is still allowed to be on the road, so why, why, why, why hasn't this company been forced to recall this dangerous safty hazzard vehicle ?? when even though on the top of this letter, it's dated "March 2017" yet I didn't recieve this letter until May 2017/

- Yorktown, IN, USA

problem #41

May 102017

Malibu

  • 5 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

This is the second time that I pressed the brakes and the car failed to stop. Both times resulted in collisions. The first time the car wss repaired and then given back to me. This time I was traveling approx 45 mph and the person in front of me slammed on their brakes. I went to do the same and the brake pedal went to the floor without stopping the car at all. I collided with the car in front of me causing major damage to my car and injuries to my shoulder, neck and back.

- Camby, IN, USA

problem #40

Apr 212017

Malibu

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 30 mph and attempting to stop for traffic, the brake pedal was depressed, but failed to respond in time. The contact's vehicle rear ended another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to a body shop, but the cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

- Greenville, NC, USA

problem #39

Jan 082017

Malibu 4-cyl

  • 60 miles
I was driving to work and the service traction light control illuminates and then it also read engine power control. The roads were clear and there were no issues with the drive. I was the only person on the highway and no issues. I had to then drive 30-40 miles per hour on the road, even when I drove into town there were cars passing me. Uphill the car went as low as 23 miles per hour. When the car was idle at a stop sign or intersection the car would shake but it stayed on. As I pushed on the gas to speed up the vehicle would jerk.

- Shiprock, NM, USA

problem #38

Jun 052016

Malibu

  • 92,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My car has been making a horrible sound for a couple months now and the last week it's gotten really loud when I go over 20 it sounds the worst of slow down I can't go over 40 without it sounding like it's taking off and my front end shakes like my tires gonna come off I replaced the breaks and it's still making the sound it's to the point I can't drive my car because I don't want it to die on me my battery has been dying a lot and my service ESC light comes on and goes off please can someone tell me why my car is doing this or an idea it sounds like an airplane that's the best way I can describe it and my right rear tire is always saying my tire is low I rotated my tires and it's still not reading it right there brand new tires to boot please please help

- Aurora, CO, USA

problem #37

May 172016

Malibu

  • 52,300 miles
Brake light malfunction, difficulty moving the gear shifter out of "park", ecs and traction control lights going on-and-off. These are the exact same issues occurring in the 2014 recall (we had to about 3 months to get into the dealer back then). Bottom line is the problem has not been corrected, my car is unsafe to drive and the dealer said they can re-fix the problem for a lot of money as the recall is no longer valid because "they fixed it" on November 28, 2014. When we called GM (May 19, 2016), the operator said she shared our frustration but could only speak to the dealer about it. (amazingly, the dealer did not respond to her). In reading forums and speaking with the GM operator, appears that GM does not have a permanent fix for the issue. So the recall did noting to solve the issue. In the meantime, we await a decision/call from the dealer/GM. The GM operator did offer a voucher for service analysis for use at a dealership - but not for a fix. We are looking for resolution to the issue. The car is unsafe to use.

- Macomb Township, MI, USA

problem #36

May 162016

Malibu

  • 111,100 miles
I was driving at 60 mph in cruise control on a straight road. An ambulance was heading towards me so I stepped on the brakes to slow down and pull over and the car accelerated very quickly. This was a very dangerous situation because I was moving towards the shoulder of the road because of the oncoming ambulance. I had to turn off cruise control to be able to apply the brakes. The brake lights are also not coming on when I apply the brakes. The problem with the lighting happened previously and was repaired on 04/28/2015. I thought the problem was included in recall #13036 but I was told that it was a problem with the brake switch and was not part of the recall however when I look up the recall numbers on my vehicle this recall number does not show up as still needing to be done. I paid for the repair and I am now having the serious problem of the brake lights not working again plus the even more serious problem of the brakes not working when I am in cruise control. I do not know how to proceed with having this problem corrected. The recall problem has not been repaired correctly or there is another problem that is occurring. I have attached a copy of my receipt of the repair that was done on 04/28/15.

- Ellenburg Depot, NY, USA

problem #35

Jan 012016

Malibu

  • miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was previously repaired under a manufacturer recall for the brake control module. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who confirmed that the manufacturers recall was not completed due to the old brake module still being installed in the vehicle. The contact had not experienced a failure.

- Lufkin, TX, USA

problem #34

Mar 112016

Malibu

  • 94,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When driving, at low speed in the city, or on the highway at speed, power steering and power brakes intermittently fail without warning (according to the repairing dealer, vehicle is unsafe and should not be driven); dash gauges go on and off; traction control and electronic stability control turn own and off without warning; dash lights go on and off without warning; bells and buzzers ring; door locks cycle, and theft deterrent warnings illuminate. Dealer has attempted multiple times to repair it by replacing the body control module. It is at the dealer service department now, has been there for a full week and at this point is still unsafe

- Tulsa, OK, USA

problem #33

Dec 232015

Malibu

  • 110,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle began to decelerate. Approximately five seconds later, the engine lost power without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the failure could not be diagnosed or repaired. The failure recurred and the brakes failed to function properly. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic and a dealer, but they could not diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle lost engine power, but the headlights and air conditioning still functioned. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

- Hope Mills, NC, USA

problem #32

Dec 022015

Malibu

  • miles
2012 Chevy Malibu on 3rd recall list. 1. brakes 2. seat belts. 3. throttle-position sensor. But you say your not going to repair 3rd item unless I have a problem.

- Bakersfield, CA, USA

problem #31

Apr 112012

Malibu

  • 12,000 miles
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.

- Henderson, NV, USA

problem #30

Oct 152012

Malibu

  • miles
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.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #29

Sep 102014

Malibu

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control) and 15V269000 (seat belts). The part to do the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle shook excessively and stalled in a parking lot. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.

- Roscoe, IL, USA

problem #28

Apr 202015

Malibu

  • 19,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving at approximately 45 mph, the service ESC and service traction warning indicators illuminated. On one occasion, the vehicle did not shift out of the park position. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the brake modulator sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control). The failure mileage was approximately 19,000.

- North Chesterfield , VA, USA

problem #27

May 042015

Malibu 4-cyl

  • 53,300 miles
While driving a person slammed on brakes in front of me and I too hit mine. I did not feel the antilock while braking and after impacting with the car in front of me the airbags were not released. For as hard as we hit and for as much damage happened the police were surprised they did not deploy.

- Dallas , TX, USA

problem #26

Mar 292015

Malibu

  • 52,979 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 65 mph, the steering wheel seized. The brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to stop. As a result, the contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a guardrail. The air bags deployed. The driver sustained minor cuts, bruises, and wrist injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 52,979.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #25

Feb 182015

Malibu 4-cyl

  • 76,800 miles
Vehicle has random loss of electronic steering assist, which leaves no power steering. Also service ABS, ESC and traction warning lights, eps causes vehicles steering wheel to shake without vehicle being in motion. GM recalled thousands of Malibu's in Feb. Of 2015 for eps issues but my year is not included. Coincidence? highly doubtful. Vehicle it's scheduled for diagnosis on Wednesday. Car was repaired for an earlier recall concerning brake systems.

- Bismarck, ND, USA

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