2012 Chevrolet Malibu Electronic stability control Problems
- Complaints
- 129about this part
- Share
- 14%of 907 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 93,438miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 129 complaints about the electronic stability control of the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu, 14% of the 907 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 93,438 miles. 6 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Since buying this vehicle, I've had trouble with the brakes, airbag sensors, electrical problems, seatbelt issues and also the airbag light, had a mechanic replace the airbag sensors in the rear, but the light still comes on. The brakes are now shuttering worse when I apply the brakes and it feels like the wheels are going to fall apart.”
NHTSA complaint #11329120, filed 2020-06, 120,000 miles“Takata recall if I hit a bump small or any size actually my engine reduces and I have to pull over...and turn the car off for up to 10 mins sometimes... I cant drive on the freeway at all because I dont want the engine to reduce while doing 60 MPH lately it will go into engine power reduce while im parked in a driveway so I dont get it”
NHTSA complaint #11183915, filed 2019-03, 146,000 miles“Driving my vehicle with my 3 month old daughter in the car. Turned the wheel as I was taking a turn and the power steering completely stopped. This forced me to apply the brake because I almost wemt off the road!! I see this isn't the only incident involving the ESC and power steering!! Vehicle currently has service ESC and power steering messages displayed in the info messages.”
NHTSA complaint #11298170, filed 2020-01, 144,000 miles“Car has had same issue for months spending over $1,000. Gm and dealer state my VIN does not fall under a certain bulletin even though my car is having the same issues as other vehicles like mine that fall under the year make and model of bulletin #14582. Car is currently in shop receiving new throttle body due to code p2135 and kiss of engine power.”
NHTSA complaint #11061236, filed 2018-01, 109,000 miles“At random I will be driving down any road and the power steering, traction control, ecs lights will come on and I will lose power steering. I have to pull over and completely stop and turn off ignition and wait a few minutes and turn back on and the problem is reset. This happens at random with no pattern.”
NHTSA complaint #11321909, filed 2020-04, 140,000 milesRelated recalls
- 14V252000May 14, 2014General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007…Covers: Chevrolet Malibu 2004–2012, Pontiac G6 2005–2010, Chevrolet Malibu Maxx 2004–2007 +1 more
Electronic stability control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 1% |
| 2020 | 2 | 1% |
| 2019 | 1 | 1% |
| 2018 | 21 | 3% |
| 2017 | 53 | 8% |
| 2016 | 76 | 9% |
| 2015 | 16 | 6% |
| 2014 | 31 | 9% |
| 2013 | 72 | 9% |
| 2012 | 129 | 14% |
| 2011 | 174 | 18% |
| 2010 | 227 | 17% |
| 2009 | 255 | 17% |
| 2008 | 68 | 7% |
| 2007 | 22 | 2% |
| 2006 | 29 | 3% |
| 2005 | 30 | 3% |
| 2004 | 22 | 2% |
| 2003 | 3 | 1% |
| 2002 | 1 | 0% |
| 2001 | 2 | 0% |
| 2000 | 1 | 0% |
| 1999 | 1 | 0% |
| 1998 | 1 | 0% |
Other parts of the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu
291 complaintsExterior lighting
202 complaintsSteering
191 complaintsAir bags
101 complaintsEngine
99 complaintsBrakes
74 complaintsOther or unknown
62 complaintsFuel system
56 complaintsVehicle speed control
52 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
49 complaintsSeat belts
47 complaintsSeats
36 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology