2012 Chevrolet Malibu
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 906 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 11th highest complaint count among 26 Malibu model years with reports.
Of the 2012 reports, 50 involved a crash and 13 involved a fire. 35 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Seat beltsMay 8, 2015
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured April 8, 2010, to October 11, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the flexible steel cables that connect the seat belts to the vehicle at the outside of the driver seat and the front passenger seat may be bent from being sat on while entering the vehicle. This repeated bending may result in the cable breaking.
If the cable breaks, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the outboard lap anchor mounting bracket and inspect the flexible steel cable, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on November 16, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15031.
Campaign 15V269000 on NHTSA.gov
SteeringJul 21, 2014
Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain replacement intermediate steering shafts sold under the Dorman, OE Solutions, and Solutions brand names, part numbers 425-167, 2425167, and 7-3074, for installation on 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6, and 2007-2009 Saturn Aura vehicles. The affected steering shafts may have a yoke that inadequately supports the u-joint bearing resulting in a premature failure.
A joint bearing that fails prematurely may cause separation of the u-joint resulting in a complete loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dorman will notify owners, and dealers will refund the purchase price or replace the steering shafts, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492.
Campaign 14E044000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, wiringMay 14, 2014
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.
Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 14V252000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
101 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, May 9, 2019
PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT FOR THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER ALWAYS INDICATES THAT THE AIRBAG IS OFF WHEN A PASSENGER IS IN THE FRONT SEAT. THE MESSAGE DOES NOT GO AWAY AND HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR A VERY LONG TIME
Air bags, May 9, 2019
THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT ALWAYS SAY IT IS OFF WHEN A PASSENGER IS RIDING IN THE FRONT
Air bags, Apr 1, 2019
RIGHT FRONT SEAT INDICATOR LIGHT TURNS OFF AND ON WHILE SAT ON
Air bags, Mar 29, 2019
WHEN CAR IS RUNNING, THE SERVICE AIR BAG SOON LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON WHILE THE CAR IS RUNNING.
Air bags, Mar 27, 2019
I NOTICED AN AIR BAG LIGHT THAT APPEARS ON THE CLUSTER OF MY 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU UPON STARTING THE CAR. IT'S NOT CLEAR WHY THIS AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON, SO I CONTACTED GM AND THEY CLAIM THEY DO NOT HAVE ANY INFORMATION ON IT. ALTHOUGH MY VEHICLE'S WARRANTY IS NO LONGER VALID SINCE IT IS MORE THAN 5 YEARS, BUT THE VEHICLE HAS VERY LOW MILES (ABOUT 22K) AND I BELIEVE GM SHOULD PAY FOR THE SERVICES FOR THIS ISSUE TO BE DIAGNOSED SINCE IT IS SAFETY RELATED BUT THEY REFUSED TO PAY FOR ANY SERVICES. I PLAN TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BUT I HAVE NO IDEA THE EXTENT OF HOW SERIOUS THE ISSUE IS, OR HOW MUCH IT WILL COST FOR THE REPAIRS
Air bags, Feb 18, 2019
MY SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AT LIKE EVERY 3-4 STARTS IT WILL TURN OFF AFTER I TURN THE CAR OFF I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS IS A RECALL THAT IS COVERED I JUST TOOK MY CAR IN BECAUSE THE ESC LIGHT WAS COMING ON AND OFF AND WHEN IT WOULD COME ON I WOULD LOSE STEERING I WAS ONCE HAPPY WITH MY CAR BUT NOW I KEEP HAVING ALL THESE LIGHT PIPING ON AND OFF
Steering, Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 27, 2019
THE STEERING WHEEL TENDS TO SHAKE AND TURN LEFT OR RIGHT WHILE YOU'RE DRIVING ALMOST CAUSED A WRECK IDLING IT SHAKES REALLY BAD
Electrical system, Air bags, Dec 7, 2018
1)AIR BAG SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON.12062018 (2) WINDOWS/ELECTRIC CONSTANT PROBLEMS. SEVERAL REPAIR AND CORRECTION SAME PROBLEM. )1ST TEAM MAZDA HPT VA) WINDOW STICKS, FREEZES, DOESN'T WORK. (3) DRIVES BUMPY. SOUNDS ROUGH. RAN SMOOTH BEFORE THEN SEVERAL REPEATED SAME PROBLEMS WITH CAR. (SEE MAINTAINABILITY. LOG)(3) DRIVE FELT AWKWARD. HAD NEW TIRES, ROTATION ETC. DRIVE IS OFF. (4) CAN FEEL ROUGH RUN WHILE STATIONARY, DRIVE IS NOT AS SMOOTH. (5) 1 RECENT INCIDENT. PARKING LOT FEMALE DRIVE ALONG DRIVERS SIDE FRONT BUMPER. REPAIR 1ST TEAM MAZDA HPT VA. 23666
Air bags, Seat belts, Nov 19, 2018, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A DITCH AND A TRUCK. THE FRONT END OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED, BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DURING THE CRASH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT MALFUNCTIONED AND UNLOCKED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BACK, NECK, AND STERNUM INJURIES AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL FOR MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED AWAY. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER AND AN UNKNOWN DEALER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Air bags, Engine, Nov 2, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND THE AIR BAG AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURES OCCURRED ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COX CHEVROLET (2900 CORTEZ RD W, BRADENTON, FL 34207, (941) 348-6417), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER MADE UNKNOWN REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE, BUT THE WARNING INDICATORS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL TIRE SHOP FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EVERY THREE MONTHS A DIFFERENT EXTERIOR LIGHT WOULD GO OUT AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Air bags, Nov 1, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON, THE SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND STAYED ON. THE DEALER WAS NOT CALLED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 145,000.
Steering, Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 15, 2018
MY POWER STEERING GOES OUT RANDOMLY. I CAN BE PARKED IT GOES OUT, I CAN HAVE MY FOOT ON THE BRAKIBG WHILE IN DRIVE , IT GOES OUT. I CAN BE DRIVING ANYWHERE AND IT GOES OUT. THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON RANDOMLY. AND THEN MY ESC WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AS WELL. IN ALL OF THESE INSTANCES IT'S ALL RANDOM WHEN IT HAPPENS.ON 10/13/2018 M Y POWER STEERING WENT OUT THAT IS THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT.
Steering, Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Oct 8, 2018
TAKATA RECALL. MY VEHICLE HAVE HAD THIS SYSTEM POP ON A FEW TIMES. AS OF SEPTEMBER THE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON ABD AND HAS NOT GONE OFF. IT ALSO AFFECT THE ESC SYSTEM.
Air bags, Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 17, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG SENSOR INDICATOR FLASHED OFF AND ON, WHICH WAS A SAFETY CONCERN. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING, THE REAR TRUNK LID WOULD ERRONEOUSLY UNLOCK AND OPEN. THE FAILURES WERE NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.
Electrical system, Air bags, Seat belts, Jul 31, 2018
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY THE CHIMES STARTED DINGING AND THE CABIN FILLED UP WITH SMOKE THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AFTER PULLING OVER IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT SEAT BELTS WERE LOCKED IN THE WEARING POSITION
Air bags, Jul 11, 2018
TAKATA RECALL MY AIRBAG SYSTEM WARNING COMES ON AND GOES OFF INTERMITTENTLY. MY LOCAL SHOP SAID THAT THEY HAVE RUN INTO MANY PROBLEMS SUCH AS THIS AND I WAS HOPING THAT IT WAS INCLUDED IN THE TAKATA RECALL.
Air bags, May 10, 2018
PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON WHEN CAR IS IN MOTION.
Air bags, May 3, 2018
MY SERVICE AIR BAG INDICATOR KEEPS COME GN ON AND GOING OFF
Air bags, May 2, 2018
I HAVE THE AIRBAG LIGHT GOING OFF AND STATES TO SERVICE THE AIRBAG. I HAVE 80,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THE AIRBAG LIGHT WILL NOT GO AWAY.
Air bags, Feb 26, 2018, crash
TAKATA AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY WHILE IN FRONT END COLLISION. I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT ON A MAIN STREET WHEN I WAS HIT IN THE FRONT BY 2 CARS. THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY.
Power train, Electrical system, Air bags, Jan 4, 2018
TAKATA RECALL I PURCHASED A 2012 CHEVY MALIBU 2 YEARS AGO FOR MY GRADUATING SENIOR AND THIS CAR HAS PRACTICALLY BEEN A NIGHTMARE SINCE THE DAY WE PURCHASED IT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 43,000 AND THERE HAS BEEN SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR. THE CAR PREVIOUSLY SHUT DOWN WHILE RIDING ON THE HIGHWAY, OUR MECHANIC STATED THE CAR HAS ELECTRICAL ISSUES. OKAY, SO HE TAMPERED WITH A FEW WIRES, AND THE CAR STARTED RIGHT UP. TWO DAYS AGO, THE CAR WOULDN'T START, IT'S CURRENTLY DISPLAYING "CHECK AIRBAG" EMERGENCY LIGHTS ARE FLASHING, WIPERS BEGAN GOING BACK AND FORWARD. MY HUSBAND BEGAN TO SHAKE A FEW WIRES (PER OUR MECHANIC) , AND LONG BEHOLD THE CAR HAS STARTED!!! TALK ABOUT BUYER'S REMORSE!!!! THIS CAR IS NOW PARKED IN OUR GARAGE UNTIL WE FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO WITH IT!!! I'M NOW CONCERNED FOR MY SON'S SAFETY AND WILL NOT ALLOW HIM TOO DRIVE THE 2012 CHEVY MALIBU.
Electrical system, Air bags, Sep 19, 2017
ONE DAY I TURNED ON MY CAR AND MY TIRE SENSOR WAS MALFUNCTIONING, MY AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON AND "AIRBAG SERVICE NEEDED" NOTIFICATION WAS SHOWING, AND THERE WAS NOTHING THAT HAPPENED OTHER THAN ME DRIVING TO WORK 3 MILES AWAY THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THE SMELL FUNCTIONS. IN ADDITION THESE, EARLIER IN THE YEAR THE WERE A FEW MONTHS WHERE I WAS BRINGING MY CAR IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHY IT WAS NOT STARTING AT TIMES. I'VE GOT THE FUSE BOX FIXED AND IT SEEMS TO HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM BUT I BELIEVE IT HAS SOMETHING MORE TO DO WITH THE COMPUTER PROCESSING UNIT
Air bags, Service brakes, May 10, 2017, crash
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.
Air bags, Service brakes, Apr 26, 2017, crash
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.
Air bags, Feb 27, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR RANDOMLY FLASHED. THE VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULED FOR AN APPOINTMENT ON MARCH 1, 2017 TO INSPECT AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.