2012 Chevrolet Malibu Steering Problems
- 125
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 125 stored complaint records:
- 8 indicate a crash
- 2 indicate injury
- 0 indicate fire
What owners report
- power steering · 113 records
- steering wheel · 56 records
- failure mileage · 15 records
- notified failure · 12 records
- light came · 10 records
- traction control · 10 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 100–150k mi | 37 |
| 60–100k mi | 30 |
| 30–60k mi | 17 |
| 150–400k mi | 12 |
| 1–30k mi | 12 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Electrical System · Electronic Stability Control · Steering
Driving down the city road at 55 mph, i heard three bells and on the dashboard it read "service esc...service esc...traction control off" the vehicle then simultaneously began to reduce engine power and the steering wheel locked and became unlocked within seconds. This caused swerving and a near accident. I see recalls for this issue but the vin does not show an open recall for this issue.
ODI 10817417
Steering
Received letters from gm that this car and two other family owned malibu's (2009 & 2012 model years) may experience loss of their electric power steering (eps) due to a malfunction in the steering column torque sensor or the eps motor/controller. These vehicles were not part of the earlier recall nhtsa campaign # 14v252000 ( electrical system problem) which could affect steering and several other systems. My…
ODI 10778233
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet malibu. While attempting to accelerate from a stop, the steering wheel seized and the power steering assist light illuminated. The contact coasted to the side of the road, waited a few minutes, and resumed driving. In addition, while driving 5 mph in the driveway, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The…
ODI 10846475
Electrical System · Electronic Stability Control · Steering
We purchased a 2012 chevrolet malibu sept. 2014 and it has been serviced 3 x due to the power steering locking up while driving and failure to start several times. The car would chime and the gauges would all drop to 0 and the engine light, power steering, low fuel and anti-theft light would all light up making the vehicle very difficult to maneuver.
ODI 10733397
Service Brakes · Steering
Tl* 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…
Crash reported · 1 injury
ODI 10703947
Electronic Stability Control · Service Brakes · Steering
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…
ODI 10689751
Electrical System · Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the steering failed on the vehicle. The failure caused the contact to drive into a snow bank. The contact stated that the power steering light illuminated on the instrument and the traction control light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the failure prevented the vehicle from being steered. The contact spoke with the…
ODI 10695098
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet malibu. While attempting to exit a residential driveway, the power steering failed without warning. The contact mentioned that the wheel locked, which made it extremely difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician performed unknown repairs and refused to provide any details. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not…
ODI 10808205
Air Bags · Steering
Tl* the contact owned a 2012 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while making a left turn, another vehicle crashed into the rear passenger side of the contact's vehicle. The contact stated that the steering wheel and steering column detached from the vehicle, which landed on the contact's lap. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact was concerned that if the steering air bag deployed, he would have…
Crash reported · 1 injury
ODI 10653107
Air Bags · Steering
I was rear ended and the steering wheel and shaft completely dislodged onto my lap .the air bag did not deploy. I was pushed approximately 150 ft. And there was no way i could have steered if there was another vehicle coming up the highway. If airbag would have deployed there would have been serious injury to myself. *tr
Crash reported
ODI 10649804
Electronic Stability Control · Steering
While driving the power steering would turn off and it is very difficult to drive (steer). The problem is that it has electronic steering control module which warms up and cuts out the power steering. It will display "power steering service esc" and symbol comes on. This is an unexpected ongoing problem like in the morning it will be o.k. But late in the afternoon it could happen while driving. *tr
ODI 10660036
Electrical System · Service Brakes · Steering
Driving and car had severe electrical problem that caused the car to randomly stall while driving. We lost power steering and power brakes. The instrument panel starting going crazy displaying all lights, saying device esc and the doors locked and unlocked. The engine stalled and transmission started jolting around. The car would not turn back on after turning it off. Took the car to starling chevrolet to get it…
ODI 10614572
Electronic Stability Control · Steering
Started my 2012 chevy malibu up and power steering light came on and also service esc. Car had no power steering. This was after the first night of events i was at. So i drove it to the hotel i was at. Found out when trying to correct the problem that it has a electronic power steering. Drove it to a dealership but they couldn't service it on the weekend. I was 3 hours from my home at an event. So i drove it back to…
ODI 10585372
Electronic Stability Control · Service Brakes · Steering
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".
Crash reported
ODI 11001410
Electronic Stability Control · Steering · Suspension
07/2013 service esc msg and symbol came on , dealer unable to find 01/07/2014 same 01/15/2014 again, gm paid half of the repair, because the first time it happen and was notice by dealer, i believe gm should paid the whole cost, as this is a safety issue , effects steering and stabilization of the vehicle. *tr
ODI 10560214
Steering
We own a 2012 chevrolet malibu that has a problem with excessive vibration (shuddering) in the steering of the car especially when turning a corner. But now the car is developing more abnormal issues like the steering wheeling is moving back and forth on its own while driving on a flat straight smooth road. Also noted are clicking noises now heard in the steering wheel hub. With the worsening condition of the…
ODI 10695477
Power Train · Steering · Vehicle Speed Control
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…
ODI 10553578
Steering
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…
ODI 10806291
Steering
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
ODI 10577202
Service Brakes · Steering
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…
ODI 10778748
Electrical System · Service Brakes · Steering
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…
ODI 10495304
Steering
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.
ODI 10462996
Service Brakes · Steering
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…
ODI 10807852
Power Train · Steering
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…
ODI 10496272
Steering
I just received a letter from gm, informing me of another defect built into my vehicle , only one of which was to recall this vehicle to make a repair, the others, as with this letter has been to warn me of a defect, this letter contains the vin number of my vehicle, explains what the defect is, however,even though it clearly states that gm is well aware of this defect, because in bold underlined type it states "do…
ODI 10780432