Chevrolet Malibu Electronic Stability Control (esc) Problems
Owners have filed 1,236 complaints with NHTSA about electronic stability control (esc) problems on the Chevrolet Malibu across 23 model years. The 2009 model year has the most (255). The words owners use most often: “traction control” (19% of reports).
- 1,236electronic stability control (esc) complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 34mention a crash
- 17mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- 41%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Traction control: mentioned in 236 of 1,236 complaints (19%)
- Service ESC: mentioned in 230 of 1,236 complaints (19%)
- Engine power: mentioned in 126 of 1,236 complaints (10%)
At what mileage do electronic stability control (esc) problems happen?
Based on 1,015 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 1,236 complaints, 34 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 17 an injury.
Chevrolet Malibu electronic stability control (esc) complaints by model year
| Model year | Electronic Stability Control (esc) complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Malibu | 1 | 1% | 50,000 |
| 2020 Malibu | 2 | 1% | 13,650 |
| 2019 Malibu | 1 | 1% | 52,000 |
| 2018 Malibu | 21 | 3% | 50,000 |
| 2017 Malibu | 53 | 8% | 55,000 |
| 2016 Malibu | 76 | 9% | 55,000 |
| 2015 Malibu | 16 | 6% | 59,000 |
| 2014 Malibu | 31 | 9% | 68,500 |
| 2013 Malibu | 72 | 9% | 79,000 |
| 2012 Malibu | 129 | 14% | 93,438 |
| 2011 Malibu | 174 | 18% | 84,250 |
| 2010 Malibu | 227 | 17% | 85,125 |
| 2009 Malibu | 255 | 17% | 120,000 |
| 2008 Malibu | 68 | 7% | 100,000 |
| 2007 Malibu | 22 | 2% | 167,000 |
| 2006 Malibu | 29 | 3% | 107,100 |
| 2005 Malibu | 30 | 3% | 162,000 |
| 2004 Malibu | 21 | 2% | 129,662 |
| 2003 Malibu | 3 | 1% | 6,750 |
| 2002 Malibu | 1 | 0% | — |
| 2001 Malibu | 2 | 0% | 120,000 |
| 2000 Malibu | 1 | 0% | 170,000 |
| 1998 Malibu | 1 | 0% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Electronic stability control (esc)
Model years: 2016
Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured March 7, 2016, through March 12, 2016. The memory chip in the electronic brake control module (EBCM) may fail and cause the loss of electronically controlled brake systems including anti-lock brakes (ABS) and electronic stability control (ESC). As such, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
Risk: If the EBCM fails the primary braking system will still function, however, the loss of ABS and ESC increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a replacement EBCM, free of charge. The recall began on June 17, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020). GM's number for this recall is 39440.
Electronic stability control (esc); vehicle speed control:cruise control; exterior lighting:brake lights:switch; electrical system:wiring
Model years: 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012
Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.
Risk: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that after driving for 5 miles, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode, with the message "Service Traction" displayed. The contact stated that the vehicle operated as intended after cooling down; however, the failure recurred after driving 5…
The contact's wife owns a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the messages "ESC" and "Fuel Low" were displayed even though there was half a tank of fuel. The transmission failed to shift…
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling, it lost power steering functionality. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and restarted the vehicle, and the power steering functionality returned. The failure reoccurred every mile while…
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 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…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Chevrolet Malibus have electronic stability control (esc) problems?
No. NHTSA has 1,236 owner complaints about electronic stability control (esc) for the Chevrolet Malibu. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Chevrolet Malibu electronic stability control (esc)?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list electronic stability control (esc). Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about electronic stability control (esc) problems on the Chevrolet Malibu?
The most frequent phrase is “traction control”, in 236 of 1,236 complaints, followed by “service esc” (230).
Other Chevrolet Malibu problems
- Steering problems (5,556)
- Electrical System problems (4,722)
- Engine problems (2,168)
- Exterior Lighting problems (1,924)
- Power Train problems (1,666)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (1,315)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (1,181)
- Service Brakes problems (1,102)
See all Chevrolet Malibu problems.