2012 Chevrolet Malibu: engine failure

Filed Apr 4, 2025 · Driver assistance, Steering · 107,000 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact received notifications of the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) and 15V269000 ( SEAT BELTS); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the steering wheel vibrated and seized. The "ESC" and “Traction Control" warning lights were illuminated. The contact used a scanner and diagnosed the vehicle with steering failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The dealer was made aware of the issue and wanted to charge the contact for the parts. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed May 21, 2018 · Steering · 88,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet malibu. While driving 50 MPH and while accelerating from a stop position, the steering wheel seized and an abnormal noise was heard. The steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact called the dealer (motor city buick gmc, 3101 pacheco rd, bakersfield, ca 93313, (855) 393-2841) and was informed that there were no recalls pertaining to the steering failure. The contact was advised to schedule a diagnostic appointment. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 88,000.

Filed Feb 23, 2018 · Driver assistance, Fuel system · 147,000 miles · VA

The check engine light and service traction lights keep coming on while I am driving and come to a completed stop. The dealership techs stated both lights always come on together when it is something with the emission controls. On star diagnostic results were: through your recent on-demand diagnostic, onstar detected an issue with your 2012 chevrolet malibu.the code(s) and explanation(s) associated with this issue is/are: p0300 the emissions system is not performing as expected. An issue has been detected in the exhaust emissions system which monitors and controls exhaust gases released into the air from the engine. If the vehicle is continually driven with this light on, the emission controls might not work as well, the vehicle fuel economy might not be as good, the engine might not run as smoothly and could lead to future repairs. Based on the results, you should service your chevrolet within 7 days.if you require roadside assistance please contact (866) 415-5838. Please bring this email with you when you go for service.last 8 characters of VIN: [xxx] I took the car to manassas chevrolet 1st and was told that the they needed to conduct a carbon flush and that coil 1 was bad which cause the lights to come. Paid a tune up. After paying over $600 the lights came back on. I took it back 3 times and was told it needed to burn the carbon off and coil 2 needed to be replaced. I took the car to lindsay chevrolet for a 2nd opinion because both lights came on again. I was told that coil 2 was replaced by the manassas chevy and was bad. I needed a new engine. I then took it to repair shop in gaithersburg and was told coil 2 was bad, bad a spark plug and cyclinder gaskets were bad. I did not need a new engine. The computer is going bad and thus the reason the check engine and service traction light keeps coming on after all of the above repairs were completed. Parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 55

Filed Dec 1, 2017 · Driver assistance, Steering · 180,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the steering column seized while the vehicle was being driven various speeds. Also, the traction control warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was able to be operated after being manually restarted. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted regarding the failure, but received no response. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000. The VIN was not provided.

Filed Jun 12, 2017 · Electrical, Engine · 65,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet malibu. While driving various speeds above 40 MPH, the instrument panel lighting failed to remain illuminated as the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was towed to lasorsa chevrolet buick dealer where it was diagnosed with an oil pressure valve malfunction. The dealer was also informed that the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was repaired for the oil pressure valve, but the dealer failed to diagnose the instrument panel and steering wheel failures. The instrument panel and steering wheel failure recurred and the vehicle was towed back to the dealer. The diagnosis was unknown. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

Filed May 8, 2017 · Engine · 130,000 miles · VA · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet malibu. The contact was in a collision with a large dog, which damaged the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the vehicle was safe to drive. Three days later, the vehicle experienced a complete loss of power. The vehicle was towed back to the independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the radiator and the air conditioner condenser needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the contact heard an abnormal sound. The vehicle was returned to the independent mechanic for diagnostic testing and twelve engine failure codes appeared. The vehicle was transferred to a new independent mechanic who stated that the timing chain was defective. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The crash details were not provided. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

Filed Jan 24, 2017 · Steering · 55,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet malibu. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle and steering wheel vibrated violently. In addition, when making a left turn, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver and seized. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering rack and pinion failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14e044000 (steering). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 55,000.

Filed Mar 14, 2016 · Steering · 164,000 miles · NC

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 failure mileage was 164,000.

Filed Apr 6, 2015 · Brakes, Steering · 52,979 miles · TX · crash · 1 injury

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.