Problems · by component
2012 Chevrolet Malibu electronic stability control (esc) problems
129 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu cite electronic stability control (esc), 14% of all 907 complaints for this model year.
Complaints
129
14% of all complaints
Crashes
6
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
Reported by owners
What owners say about the electronic stability control (esc)
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the power steering warning light was illuminated, and the message "ESC OFF" was displayed. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced an intermittent loss of power steering while driving. The contact stated that upon restarting the vehicle, the vehicle operated as intended; however, the failure initially became a persistent failure upon restarting the vehicle and then became a permanent failure. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to an independent mechanic for a tire replacement, the contact was also informed that the steering failure was related to Chevrolet Special Coverage Number: 15356. The contact was referred to the dealer, who informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.”
“The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle briefly lost motive power and came to a complete stop. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The contact stated that the ESC warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the steering wheel angle sensor. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.”
“The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH and following a slight right turn on the highway, the ESC warning illuminated, and the vehicle slowed down without the brake pedal being depressed. The failure was intermittent but became a recurring failure. The contact stated that the vehicle also slowed down unintentionally while making a left or right turn at slow speeds. The contact stated that in the middle of the turn, the vehicle slowed to a stop without the brake pedal being depressed. The ESC warning light illuminated while the vehicle was still in drive(D) and running. The vehicle came to a stop, and the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle continued driving. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer and was diagnosed with PSCM failure. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was not taken back to the dealer. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V252000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting, Vehicle Speed Control, Electronic Stability Control (ESC). The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure…”
“The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact received notifications of NHTSA 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.”
“The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH in the middle lane, she inadvertently lost control of the steering wheel and the vehicle turned all the way to the left and to the left lane. The contact depressed the brake pedal, but it failed to respond. The contact stated that as she was steering the steering wheel to straighten the vehicle, the vehicle turned all the way to the to the right and to the right lane. The ESC warning light illuminated. The contact continued to depress the brake pedal until it responded. The contact was able to continue to drive the vehicle at a slower speed. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V252000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting, Vehicle Speed Control, Electronic Stability Control). The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 68,000.”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING, THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ESC WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUBURBAN CHEVROLET CADILLAC COLLISION OF ANN ARBOR (3515 JACKSON RD STE B, ANN ARBOR, MI 48103, (734) 663-3321) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING BATTERY, AND NEGATIVE BATTERY TERMINAL TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 66,017.*DT THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD SLOW DOWN WITH A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND ELECTRICAL ISSUES AND SPUTTERING ENGINE. THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED TWICE AND WAS RECOMMENDED TO BE REPLACED THIRD TIME.”
Showing 6 of 129 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.