Skip to main content

2012 CHEVROLET Malibu

3 recalls Risk Grade: C- Most severe issue: Critical

All recalls are free to repair at your local dealership. Contact your dealer to schedule service.

Known Safety Recalls

Critical #14E044000 Plain English
Component

STEERING

Manufacturer
Dorman Products, Inc.
What Happened
The intermediate steering shaft in your vehicle is a long rod that connects the steering column to the wheels. In some cases, the part you got from Dorman may not have a strong enough joint that could fail prematurely.
Risk if Unfixed
If the joint on your steering shaft fails, the u-joint could come apart while you're driving, making it impossible to control your vehicle. This could lead to a serious accident.
Free Fix
You should contact Dorman to get a refund for the part or have it replaced for free, and they'll also notify your dealer to replace it for you, also free of charge. You can reach Dorman at 1-800-523-2492 to get started.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain replacement intermediate steering shafts sold under the Dorman, OE Solutions, and Solutions brand names, part numbers 425-167, 2425167, and 7-3074, for installation on 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6, and 2007-2009 Saturn Aura vehicles. The affected steering shafts may have a yoke that inadequately supports the u-joint bearing resulting in a premature failure.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
A joint bearing that fails prematurely may cause separation of the u-joint resulting in a complete loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Original — Remedy
Dorman will notify owners, and dealers will refund the purchase price or replace the steering shafts, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
High Priority #15V269000 Plain English
Component

SEAT BELTS

Manufacturer
General Motors LLC
What Happened
The seat belts in your Malibu have a metal cable that connects to the seat and keeps you safe. This cable can bend and break if someone sits on it while getting in the car, especially if it happens a lot.
Risk if Unfixed
If the cable breaks, you could be at risk of serious injury in a crash because you might not be properly restrained. This could happen even if you're wearing your seatbelt.
Free Fix
Your Chevrolet dealer will inspect the seat belt cable, replace the bracket that holds it, and fix or replace the cable if it's damaged - all at no cost to you.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured April 8, 2010, to October 11, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the flexible steel cables that connect the seat belts to the vehicle at the outside of the driver seat and the front passenger seat may be bent from being sat on while entering the vehicle. This repeated bending may result in the cable breaking.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
If the cable breaks, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Original — Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the outboard lap anchor mounting bracket and inspect the flexible steel cable, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on November 16, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15031.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
Moderate #14V252000 Plain English
Component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

Manufacturer
General Motors LLC
What Happened
The wiring in your Malibu, G6, or Aura is responsible for sending signals to your car's systems. In some models, the connection between the wiring and the Body Control Module could be faulty, causing problems with your brake lights, cruise control, and other safety features.
Risk if Unfixed
If the wiring fails, your brake lights might turn on without you pressing the brake, or they might not turn on at all when you do press it. This could confuse other drivers, and it also means you might have trouble disengaging the cruise control or getting your car out of park without pressing the brake. Most critically, it could disable safety features that help prevent accidents.
Free Fix
Your dealer will fix the wiring issue by adding a spacer to secure the wiring harness, applying lubricant to the connectors, and resetting the brake pedal position – all for free.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
Original — Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →

Browse by Component

STEERING
1 recall
SEAT BELTS
1 recall
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1 recall

Other CHEVROLET Malibu Years

2025
1 recall
2024
2 recalls
2023
2 recalls
2022
1 recall
2021
2 recalls
2020
1 recall
2019
1 recall
2018
6 recalls
2017
4 recalls
2016
9 recalls
2015
3 recalls
2014
6 recalls
2013
10 recalls
2011
4 recalls
2010
4 recalls
2009
6 recalls
2008
5 recalls
2007
6 recalls
2006
9 recalls
2005
6 recalls
2003
3 recalls
2002
4 recalls
2001
4 recalls
2000
5 recalls

Related Pages

2012 Ford F-150 Recalls 2012 Ram 1500 Recalls 2011 CHEVROLET Malibu Recalls 2013 CHEVROLET Malibu Recalls All CHEVROLET Recalls CHEVROLET Malibu Recall History