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10.0

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

steering problem

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2012 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Comments (Page 4 of 9)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #109

Mar 012019

Malibu

  • 120,000 miles

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

Well while turning on my street the steering wheel locked up and ESC light came on which almost cause me to hit my neighbor fence and car trying to turn..I was very scared had car put in shop and they told me steering was gone out..I didnt no about this recall stuff because I had to pay close to 1000 to get thos repaired..how can I get refunded for something that was a recall

- Lansing, IL, USA

problem #108

Mar 172019

Malibu

  • 189,000 miles
Power steering went out driver the 2012 Malibu on the street. Locked up and almost was involved in an accident due to faulty power steering.

- Nashport, OH, USA

problem #107

Mar 022019

Malibu

  • 99,600 miles
My power steering is not working properly. I have to turn the car on and off for the power steering to work. The steering wheel shakes and the ESC is on.

- Salisbury, MD, USA

problem #106

Mar 012019

Malibu

  • 148,222 miles

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

The steering wheel is very difficult to turn requiring vehicle to be restarted frequently.

- Rochester Hills, MI, USA

problem #105

Jan 202018

Malibu

  • 93,875 miles
Was actually driving down the street around the corner from the place I reside and all of a sudden the wheel started to jerk violently which caused us to drive into a curb, causing the vehicle to drive up onto a curb flattening both sides of the right side of the car as well almost clipping a car at the light to our left...the kids on back seat were completely terrified because they had no idea what was going on and are still scared to get into a vehicle...as well have a pplice report could probably obtain if need be.. we just want car foxed right way not trying to sue anybody or get aome outrageous settlement....

- Weymouth, MA, USA

problem #104

Mar 012019

Malibu

  • 134,500 miles
Power steering failure. Power steering motor/module needs to be replace.

- Harlem, MT, USA

problem #103

Feb 202019

Malibu

  • 110,000 miles

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

Takata recall, my cars power steering keeps going out while driving, I have to pull over and turn my car off then on and it will work again. It usually happens at least once or twice a day. The steering wheel does not move unless I use all my strength which is very difficult and scary. It has happened on the highway and on a city street while driving causing me to pull over.

- Lake In The Hills, IL, USA

problem #102

Feb 012019

Malibu

  • 140,000 miles
Takata recall: I'm having the same issue that's attached to GM recall 13036. I just took it to the Chevy dealer and this recall wasn't attached to my VIN, even though my car was manufactured in the same year listed in the 13036 recall. My vehicle is dangerous to drive ! the ESC light flashed 'off' then it says service ESC. The check engines illuminates and flashes as well as the service traction. I've replaced spark plugs, injectors and wiring attached to the cylinders, to fix the codes being shot out (P0302 / P0352) and the problem continues. The steering is rough and makes noise while turning, especially when vehicle is cold. The sound is really loud. My vehicle has stalled a few times has I came to a stop at stop signs and intersections. This needs to be fixed asap !!

- San Bernardino, CA, USA

problem #101

Jan 012018

Malibu

  • miles
'takata recall' at start up, a loud noise comes from the left side of the engine compartment. As you drive it, there's a loud noise coming from engine compartment as you turn. Definitely a steering issue. Meanwhile, the ESC off, service traction and the service ESC warning sign illuminates. The check engine light flashes as the car misfires from cylinder 2. I have changed all spark plugs and the injector to cylinder 2 and the same issue happens. The vehicles has shut off on me as I came to a stop at a red light at an intersection. All these issues occur as your drive the car and go away sometimes, but never for good. This has been an ongoing problem for over a year now

- San Bernardino, CA, USA

problem #100

Feb 202019

Malibu

  • 102,000 miles
I was driving to pull out of grocery store and all of a sudden lost my power steering. It goes in and out of working and steering is very difficult.

- Torrington, WY, USA

problem #99

Feb 262019

Malibu

  • 149,850 miles

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

I have been having problems with my steering nearly everytime I would start my car. After starting it repeatedly it usual would steer but today as I was driving the steering froze! it was very scary and could have turned out dangerously. I am not sure what the problem is but I see that many others are having the same problem with the steering of this year and model/.

- Tinley Park, IL, USA

problem #98

Jan 302019

Malibu

  • 73,630 miles
Wanted to update my case 11173286. I took the car to Chevrolet dealer to have car repaired 02/05/2019. Apparently Chevrolet knows they have a problem with the steering because it was covered under a special warranty. They replaced the steering torque sensor and motor part numbers 23232310 sensor kit and 22837369 module. I think this is a serious problem because if it had happened when my wife was driving she would of had a real problem because the steering wheel is very hard to turn. She would not know if you restart the car the steering works again. She probably would just stopped the car where ever she was and cause a traffic problem. Also there was not any warning that steering was going to go bad. It happened to me 5 times before I had it fixed. The problem would any place. I have happen on the street going 45 mph, turning a corner, backing our of my driveway, 2 times on a city street under 30 mph. If you go online there are other people complaining about the same problem.

- Omaha, NE, USA

problem #97

Feb 152019

Malibu

  • 133,602 miles
Started out when I'm just driving down the road my steering wheel twitches. Now has gone to ESC power steering warning indicated and the steering wheel completely locks up. Most of the time just when I start the car however has done it when I'm driving down the road. Thankfully it was a secluded road and I didn't hit anyone. This is super dangerous and according to my search of the internet I'm not alone.

- Fridley, MN, USA

problem #96

Feb 092019

Malibu

  • 120,000 miles
Was driving down a crooked road when steering felt like it locked up. Barely made it to side of road without crashing. Flashed ecs and powersteering on dash. After I restarted the engine it quit but did it again about a week later but the 2nd time it didn't quit after turning the car off, but the next day it waa driving fine again.

- Fayetteville, AR, USA

problem #95

Sep 082018

Malibu

  • miles
Constantly having issues with the electical system in this vehicle, and from further studies and investication via internet complaints and youtube customers/owners...this is a continual ongoing problem for a substaintial amount of Chevy Malibu owners from the year of 2009 to 2013/2014 models. There should be a recall asap on these make and models. The issue is that the headlights constanly short out and blow out. Mechanics and service has found that the electtical connectors for hllightbulb overheats, melts the wiring, and burns out bulb> this is very dangerouse and is a fire hazard. This has happened at least three times on my vehicle alone. Also constat problems with rear right wheel convertor speed and tire sensors, and the entire electrical system over all. The wiring in this make and model vehicle constantly have blow out fuses, the emergency light indicators always coming on, and the sensors on and off. This is a well noted and documented occurans with these vehicles. These cars need to be recalled due to danger with possible fire and car stalling out while driving due to electrical issues and heating/cooling ac wires shorting out. In all overview this has caused me severe finacil problems due to constant repairs and part replacement. It is a danger to myself and others on the highways and roads. I need this to be addressed immediately. I have some of the melted fire sparked parts.please contact me as soon as possible. Many days I dont have needed transportation due to these issues and I get repairs all of the time while still paying a car note. I am scared to keep driving thius car.

- Maricopa, AZ, USA

problem #94

Dec 142018

Malibu

  • 91,000 miles
"takata recall " im having problems with my 2012 Malibu when im driving down the street my vehicles steering wheel locks up and " service ESC " pops up making it hard to turn so I have to stop in the the middle of the street to restart my car it happened a month and a half ago and just recently started again it stopped for a day and now its back even worse. Took it to the repair shop the think its my torque sensor and intake and exhaust camshaft

- Decatur, IL, USA

problem #93

Jan 302018

Malibu

  • 55 miles
I was driving 55 mph on highway and power steering went out steering wheel stiffing up and I almost went in the lane next to me./ second time I just made it to work TR=urn the steering wheel to park and it went out again./rear defrost don't work changed fuse and still wont work

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #92

Jan 312019

Malibu

  • 73,610 miles
When driving the car the dash will display " ESC power steering" and the power steering stops working. Shutting the engine off and restarting the car will turn the power steering back on. For how long? maybe 1 mile or 100 miles. There is no warning that the power steering is going to fail. This has happened while driving on a street, turning and sitting still.

- Omaha, NE, USA

problem #91

Sep 192018

Malibu

  • 94,000 miles
Power steering, lights, electrical stability, engine, transmission

- Roosevelt, NY, USA

problem #90

Jan 112019

Malibu

  • 50 miles
The steering wheel tends to shake and turn left or right while you're driving almost caused a wreck idling it shakes really bad

- Galveston, TX, USA

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