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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
9 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
76,913 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 #120

Nov 202019

Malibu

  • 146,000 miles

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

Car would shimmy and shake. New tires new breaks etc. Made appoint. To fix recalls when power ster. Went out. Put new ps on and it didn't fix problem. Went back and forth to dealer. Had car diagnosed and service manager said there was a recall for so called GM, rep said they would fix and reinburse for the work already performed, gave a case number. Car sat a dealers weekend. Today GM rep said they would only pay 5% and denied other rep had said they'd fix. No power steering on car and it's dangerous to drive due to manufacturing defect and I'm expected to cover costs when I've already spent nearly 1000 on it and it's still not fixed. Please help

- Jonesboro, AR, USA

problem #119

Dec 032019

Malibu

  • 163,000 miles
164,00 miles. Temp 34 F. drove car 3 miles and stopped at intersection. Put signal on and attempted left turn. Steering became locked. Break and accelerator went to lowest position nearest floor. Engine stayed on but car would not move even after lifted foot off break and attempted to push accelerator.. put in park. Stopped engine. Restarted. No change after start. Again put in park pushed on break turned ignition it started. Was able to drive and steering back to normal. No noticeable problem after that.

- Sobieski, WI, USA

problem #118

Dec 022019

Malibu

  • 115,000 miles
The electronic power steering failed while driving. Service ESC light came on and car was nearly impossible to steer. After turning off the engine and restarting the car, the power steering came back on. I have looked it up and there is a recall for this problem but my car does not seem to be part of this recall.

- Council Bluffs, IA, USA

problem #117

Nov 192019

Malibu

  • 147,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. While the vehicle was stopped, the steering wheel vibrated and failed to steer. In addition, the power steering warning indicator illuminated. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 147,000. The VIN was invalid.

- Cascilla, MS, USA

problem #116

Nov 082019

Malibu

  • 204,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 70 mph, the power steering ecs activated warning indicator illuminated and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 14E044000 (steering). The contact called victorville Chevrolet (located at 15425 dos palmas rd, victorville, ca 92392, (760) 475-9098) and informed them of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 204,000.

- Victorville, CA, USA

problem #115

Aug 162019

Malibu

  • 126,000 miles
My power steering went out as I was exiting the highway at a bend and while I was turning to begin driving on the city streets. I had my 2 month old daughter and 6 year old son with me at the time this happened which frightened me tremendously.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #114

Feb 062019

Malibu

  • 143,600 miles

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

My 2012 Malibu 1lt has some of the same issues the recalls are for but my specific VIN number isn't included in the recalls. My driver seat moves when sitting in it and I need a rack-and-pinion. I'm also having issues with a 'rough' idle and when I put it in park the RPM's die down between 1&0 and the car acts like it's trying to cut off.

- Lumberton, NC, USA

problem #113

Jun 032019

Malibu

  • 65,000 miles
My vehicle is starting to show a power steering warning.there is a recall for this number 15356, 08/28/2015, campaign - electronic power steering failure warranty info. I called GM and they said my VIN number is not included. I feel it is going to lose power steering assist at any time. This could result in a serious accident. This is obviously the same problem as the Malibu covered by the recall. They refuse to admit this problem is more widespread to 2012 Malibu that are not included at this time.

- Joliet, IL, USA

problem #112

Feb 062019

Malibu

  • miles
There is a steering recall for my car but not for my specific VIN #. I'm having the same issue with mine as well. My racking pinion needs to be replaced.

- Lumberton, NC, USA

problem #111

Mar 292019

Malibu

  • 119,000 miles
The contact's daughter owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving at an unknown speed, the power steering failed without warning and the vehicle became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was taken to an unknown Chevrolet dealer in Kentucky where it was diagnosed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14E044000 (steering). The failure recurred several times. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 119,000.

- Augusta, KY, USA

problem #110

Mar 272019

Malibu

  • 110,000 miles

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

I was driving my car on a city road and my steering stopped working. Thankfully I wasn't too far from home so I did get home safely. I had it towed to a (xxxx) dealership because my mechanic said that my warranty should cover it and that there was a recall. The dealership called me and told me I need a new steering module and column and that it is not covered. If I was on the highway and this happened I would have been seriously injured. I am pregnant and due in a few weeks and I need a safe reliable vehicle for my son and I. please help us. 'parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Grand Rapids, MI, USA

problem #109

Mar 012019

Malibu

  • 120,000 miles
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
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
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

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