Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Chevrolet Malibu owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
GM Tech Bulletins say there is a Ghost Problem with Elect. Stability Controller. GM mentions there is no recall or known cure for this. .Components/contacts were cleaned at service shop but " Serv. ESC-ESC OFF" keeps appearing in "driver display" when hitting bumps -turning car.. i will mail service sheets. This option was available on 08-09-10 models of Malibu but Std. on my 2012 car. It is worthless when there is thick snow.. I will send , by mail, serv. records on this unsolvable problem... It continues to happen ,at slow speed - not just one time...I believe YOU can read the G.M.-TSBs, as it was shown to me.... Consumer stated it showed a bad steering column multi switch & Yaw sensor unit , part still available.. Unit fires off bad code when barely moving and turning to right... Unit gets damp and works for a while. …
I bought the car a year ago from a used car lot. Replaced the cam shaft positioning sensor as per diagnostic reading for check engine light. Since then, svc air bag light has stayed on. Traction control light stays on and is disengaged. When braking ESC warning goes on and off and sliding occurs. The low beam headlights go on and off intermittently and no way of knowing when it will happen. When turning cruise control on or off, the car will accelerate on its own and will increase speed until brake is applied. Regardless of whether cruise control was turned on or off. I have had it looked at at my local Mr.Tire and they cannot figure out what is happening.
I have a 2012 Chevy Malibu i bought it in 2014. I have had the Esc light come on in 2016 but no problem with it untill now of this year in 2022. Not knowing the problem i have already put ALOT into it. I took it to a machanic they told me it was the rack and pinion. So got that done . Apparently it wasn't it took it to another machanic they told me it was struts got that done too n still nothing so i looked it up online got CV joint, inner ,tie rod, wheel alignment. All those done n still nothing fix it. I didn't know what else to do until i made more scratch on my vehicle and i found that it could be a recall .
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 30 MPH, the brake pedal was applied, but the vehicle failed to respond. The brake pedal traveled to the floorboard without warning. The contact crashed into the rear of a Nissan titan. The air bags did not deploy. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and opened case number: 8-3918629379. No further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
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 repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 52,979.
This is the second time that I pressed the brakes and the car failed to stop. Both times resulted in collisions. The first time the car wss repaired and then given back to me. This time I was traveling approx 45 MPH and the person in front of me slammed on their brakes. I went to do the same and the brake pedal went to the floor without stopping the car at all. I collided with the car in front of me causing major damage to my car and injuries to my shoulder, neck and back.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 30 MPH and attempting to stop for traffic, the brake pedal was depressed, but failed to respond in time. The contact's vehicle rear ended another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to a body shop, but the cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
While driving a person slammed on brakes in front of me and I too hit mine. I did not feel the antilock while braking and after impacting with the car in front of me the airbags were not released. For as hard as we hit and for as much damage happened the police were surprised they did not deploy.
"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".
Traveling about 40 miles per hour on I-17 sb in phoenix. Vehicle in front of me hit brakes suddenly. When I slammed on my brakes,it didn't feel like my brakes were working properly. Brake pedal went all the way to the floor, didn't seem to be stopping car. Felt like there was an issue with the brakes.
Brake complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 74 complaints about the brakes of the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu, 8% of the model year's 907 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › rotor (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Chevrolet Malibu brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2012 Chevrolet Malibu brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles, and 38% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 12 crashes, 0 fires and 5 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.