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: electrical system
290 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Apr 7, 2019
BOTH HEADLIGHTS WILL NOT COME ON (LOW BEAM) HIGH BEAMS WORK FINE. BULBS ARE NEW AND FUSES ARE WORKING JUST FINE..SOMEONE NEEDS TO PUT IN A RECALL BECAUSE I SEE I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS ISSUE..THIS IS RIDICULOUS! CAN'T DRIVE WITHOUT HEADLIGHTS AND CAN'T DRIVE WITH HIGH BEAMS ON
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 5, 2019
THE ECS LIGHT CAME ON AND SHUT MY CAR OFF. THE CHROME DEALER SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WE COULD DO ABOUT IT BUT PURCHASE ANOUTHER CAR
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 4, 2019
MY CHEVY MALIBU WOULD TURN OVER SLIGHTLY, BUT THEN WOULD DIE. THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 3-4 TIMES AND THEN I HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED; THINKING IT WAS THAT. THE CAR CONTINUED TO FAIL, SO I HAD THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED AFTER CHECKING WITH A FUEL GAUGE AND THERE BEING NO FUEL PRESSURE. THE CAR RAN ABOUT 3 TIMES DRIVING IT FOR SHORTER AND A BIT LONGER DISTANCES, BUT THEN THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN OVER AT ALL. THE STARTER WOULD TRY, BUT THERE WAS NO IGNITION OF THE CAR. AT MY LOCAL CHEVY DEALER, DON MCCUE, THEY DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR FUSE BOX AND A FEW TERMINALS WERE BURNT OUT. THEY REPLACED THE REAR FUSE BOX AND A FEW TERMINALS, AND THE CAR NOW RUNS SUCCESSFULLY.
Electrical system, Engine, Apr 1, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55-60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY 20-60 MINUTES LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE AND ADDITIONAL DIAGNOSTIC TESTING NEEDED TO BE PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT STATED ON TWO SEPARATE OIL CHANGE INTERVALS, METAL SHAVINGS WERE FOUND IN THE OIL FILTER AND OIL PAN. CREWS CHEVROLET (LOCATED AT 8199 RIVERS AVE, NORTH CHARLESTON, SC 29406, (843) 820-7800) WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED FIVE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Mar 26, 2019
WHEN DRIVING OR SITTING AT IDLE NOT MOVING SERVICE ESC AND TRACTION CONTROL FLASHES ON DASH. WHICH IS CAUSING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO STAY ON CAUSING MISFIRE ON CYLINDER #1 AND THEN RANDOM MISFIRE. THE CAR HASN'T BEEN ABLE TO BE INSPECTED IN 2 YEARS HAVE HAD AT 3 CHEVROLET DEALERSHIPS AND ALL CAN'T FIGURE OUT ISSUE . THE 1ST DEALERSHIP SAID WE HAVE NO IDEA WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE CAR. THE SECOND DEALERSHIP SAID THE CAR NEEDED #1 INJECTOR AND INJECTOR HARNESS AND THROTTLE BODY WHICH WAS REPLACED DIDN'T EVEN MAKE IT OFF THE LOT AND CHECK ENGINE AND TRACTION CONTROL AND ESC LIGHTS WAS FLASHING AGAIN THEY SAID MIGHT HAVE CRACKED HEAD CAR HAS BEEN PRESSURE TESTED DOESN'T USE WATER AND DOESN'T GET HOT. THEY ARE JUST TRYING TO THROW PARTS AT IT AT MY EXPENSE. THE 3RD DEALERSHIP WHICH CAR IS AT NOW IS TELLING ME POSSIBLE BURNT VALVE CAUSING ALL MY ISSUES WITH CAR SAID THEY DID COMPRESSION TEST AND ALL CYLINDERS HAVE 170 POUNDS IN ALL 4 CYLINDERS WHICH IS NOT POSSIBLE. I HAVE REPLACED MAP SENSOR, PCM, SPARK PLUGS, 1 INJECTOR, INJECTOR HARNESS, THROTTLE BODY AND NOTHING HAS HELPED CAR. THE CAR NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES WITH MISFIRE UNTIL THE ESC AND TRACTION CONTROL STARTED FLASHING AND IN 2 YEARS STILL HAS BEEN SOLVED AT ANY DEALERSHIP VERY DISAPPOINTED IN NEED OF HELP TO FIX ISSUE
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 20, 2019
ON TWO OCCASSIONS THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY WENT COMPLETELY OUT WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. SINCE I GOT THE CAR 2 YEARS AGO I HAVE HAD MANY ISSUES WITH THE LIGHTING AMD ELECTRICAL. THE BRAKE LIGHT WORKS WHEN IT CHOOSES TO EVEN IF K DONE PUSH THE BRAKE AND WITH NEW BULBS IT MAY NOT WORK. THE HEADLIGHTS DO THE SAME. THEY COME ON AND GO OFF WHEN THEY CHOOSE TO. I HAVE REPLACED BULBS OVER 20 TIMES IN THE PAST 2 YEARS WHEN I DIDN'T ACTUALLY HAVE TO. MY SENSORS ALSO DON'T WORK WHICH I WAS TOLD WAS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE. I HAVE A FRONT LIGHT THAT WON'T GO OFF SO EACH TIME I CUT THE CAR OFF I HAVE TO UNPLUG MY BATTERY SO IT DOESN'T DIE. THE DATE POSTED ISNT THE ONLY DATE ITS HAPPENED IT WAS THE DAY IT ALL STARTED.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Mar 20, 2019
DRIVER SIDE HEADLAMPS GOING OUT. I'VE HAD TO REPLACE MY DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT 3 TIMES OVER THE LAST 2 MONTHS. NO AUTOMOBILE SHOULD GO THROUGH HEADLAMPS AT THAT RATE. TO COMPLICATE THIS ISSUE, THE ENTIRE FRONT BUMPER MUST BE REMOVED TO CHANGE THE HEADLIGHTS. I'VE READ ON THE FORUMS WHERE MANY MALIBU OWNERS ARE HAVING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE(S) WITH THE HEADLAMPS. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW AND GM/CHEVROLET SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL WITH CORRECTIVE ACTION.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 17, 2019
I'VE HAD READ SO MANY VEHICLES WITH SAME ISSUES ON ALL THESE MODELS I JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR PUT A HIGH DOWN PAYMENT TO BE GETTING LEFT EVERYWHERE ALL CHEVY DEALERS DONT KNOW WHERE TO START AND OVER PRICE IT ALL YOU ALL SHOULD LOOK INTO IT BECAUSE ITS SOMETHING SERIOUS . CAR WONT START AFTER BEING USED A WHILE, YOU HAVE TO MESS WITH CABLES AND WIRES FOR IT TO START MESS WITH FUSE BOXES AND ALSO SOMETIMES IT DOESNT WORK.. DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT I'M ANNOYED OF THIS CRAP
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 17, 2019
MY CAR WOULD TURN BUT NOT START SO I CHANGED THE FUEL PUMP. IT WAS STARTED FOR LIKE 5 DAYS THEN IT STARTED AGAIN WOULD TURN OVER BUT NOT START SO WE CHANGE THE FUEL BOX IN THE TRUNK. WORKED FOR LIKE A WEEK AND IT STARTED ACTING AGAIN. TOOK IT TO THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP AND THE DIDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. SO WE TOOK IT TO A TECHNICIAN AND THEY TOLD US IT WAS A WIRING PROBLEM. PAID TO GET IT FIX BUT IT STILL WASN'T IT. STILL HAVING THE PROBLEM
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Visibility/wiper, Mar 14, 2019
DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT MALFUNCTIONING MULTIPLE TIMES IN PAST YEAR. HEAD LIGHT WILL GO OUT, AT FIRST COULD TAP ON HEAD LIGHT AND IT WOULD COME BACK ON. HAVE CHANGED PIGTAIL AND BULBS ONLY TO HAVE IT WORK FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Mar 6, 2019
LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT GOING OUT. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN 2014 AND MY LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT A TOTAL OF 6 TIMES. CHANGED THE PIGTAILS LAST TIME AND IAM NOW HAVING TO CHANGE THE WIRING HARNESS COMPLETELY AND HOPEFULLY THAT WILL HELP. MY CARS LIGHTS ARE ALWAYS ON AUTO AND ALWAYS BEGINS WITH MY PASSANGER LOW BEAM LIGHT GOING OUT FIRST THEN THE DRIVER SIDE A COUPLE MONTHS AFTER, HAS HAPPENED WHEN TURNING ON THE VEHICLE AND DURING DRIVING. MY HIGH BEAMS WORK FINE WITH NO PROBLEMS AT ALL. THE FIRST TWO TIMES I HAVE HAD A PROFFESIONAL MECHANIC CHANGE THEM AND THE LAST COUPLE TIMES I'VE CHANGED THEM MYSELF NOW DUE TO COST. REMOVING THE WHOLE BUMPER REALLY MAKES THIS EVEN MORE DIFFICULT TO CHANGE. I HAVE READ MANY FORUMS AND THEY HAVE ALSO THE SAME PROBLEM, ITS ACTUALLY BECOME VERY COMMON TO SEE MANY CHEVY'S WITH A HEAD LIGHT OUT. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THIS IS NOTED CAUSE IT APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE COMPANY. PLEASE HELP!
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Mar 1, 2019
MY LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WILL NOT WORK. I HAVE CHANGED BULBS ONLY TO FIND OUT IT WASNT THE BULBS...THEY STILL WORK. I HAVE CHANGED ONE OF THE PIGTAILS AND IT WORKED FOR A WHILE AND STOPPED WITHIN A MONTH. IT STARTED WITH ONLY THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT AND NOW IT IS BOTH.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Feb 28, 2019
TAMARA RECALL MY LOW BEAMS LIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT AND ON, IT DOES THIS WHEN PARK, AND DRIVING THEY WORK SOMETIMES ONE OR THE OTHER SOMETIMES THEY WON’T COME ON AT ALL.
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 26, 2019
I'VE BEEN DEALING WITH MY CAR CUTTING ON AND OFF... I CHANGE MY FUEL PUMP I CHANGE THE SENSORS AND I'M STILLL HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR CUTTING OFF WHEN IT WANTS OR STARTING WHEN IT WANTS. I'M NOW ABOUT TO CHANGE MY FUSE BOX IN MY TRUNK TO SEE IF THAT WORKS. THE ONLY WAY THE CAR WILL START IS IF I MESS WITH THE FUSE BOX IN THE TRUNK. ALSO I'M HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY HEADLIGHTS. I CHANGED THEM ABOUT 3 TIMES ALREADY BUT THEY KEEP GOING OUT.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Feb 19, 2019
THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CAR ARE CONSTANTLY GOING OUT. I HAVE TO REPLACE THEM 3-4 TIMES A YEAR. I SPEND HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS ON HEADLAMPS, EVEN THOUGH I INSTALL THEM MYSELF. INSTALLING NEW HEADLAMPS REQUIRES YOU TO REMOVE THE FRONT BUMPER. THERE IS AN OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW WITH THE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS I HAVE SEEN WITH THIS SAME ISSUE.
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 18, 2019
STARTED OUT WHEN I'M JUST DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD MY STEERING WHEEL TWITCHES. NOW HAS GONE TO ESC POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL COMPLETELY LOCKS UP. MOST OF THE TIME JUST WHEN I START THE CAR HOWEVER HAS DONE IT WHEN I'M DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THANKFULLY IT WAS A SECLUDED ROAD AND I DIDN'T HIT ANYONE. THIS IS SUPER DANGEROUS AND ACCORDING TO MY SEARCH OF THE INTERNET I'M NOT ALONE.
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 3, 2019
CONSTANTLY HAVING ISSUES WITH THE ELECTICAL SYSTEM IN THIS VEHICLE, AND FROM FURTHER STUDIES AND INVESTICATION VIA INTERNET COMPLAINTS AND YOUTUBE CUSTOMERS/OWNERS...THIS IS A CONTINUAL ONGOING PROBLEM FOR A SUBSTAINTIAL AMOUNT OF CHEVY MALIBU OWNERS FROM THE YEAR OF 2009 TO 2013/2014 MODELS. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ASAP ON THESE MAKE AND MODELS. THE ISSUE IS THAT THE HEADLIGHTS CONSTANLY SHORT OUT AND BLOW OUT. MECHANICS AND SERVICE HAS FOUND THAT THE ELECTTICAL CONNECTORS FOR HLLIGHTBULB OVERHEATS, MELTS THE WIRING, AND BURNS OUT BULB> THIS IS VERY DANGEROUSE AND IS A FIRE HAZARD. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST THREE TIMES ON MY VEHICLE ALONE. ALSO CONSTAT PROBLEMS WITH REAR RIGHT WHEEL CONVERTOR SPEED AND TIRE SENSORS, AND THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM OVER ALL. THE WIRING IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE CONSTANTLY HAVE BLOW OUT FUSES, THE EMERGENCY LIGHT INDICATORS ALWAYS COMING ON, AND THE SENSORS ON AND OFF. THIS IS A WELL NOTED AND DOCUMENTED OCCURANS WITH THESE VEHICLES. THESE CARS NEED TO BE RECALLED DUE TO DANGER WITH POSSIBLE FIRE AND CAR STALLING OUT WHILE DRIVING DUE TO ELECTRICAL ISSUES AND HEATING/COOLING AC WIRES SHORTING OUT. IN ALL OVERVIEW THIS HAS CAUSED ME SEVERE FINACIL PROBLEMS DUE TO CONSTANT REPAIRS AND PART REPLACEMENT. IT IS A DANGER TO MYSELF AND OTHERS ON THE HIGHWAYS AND ROADS. I NEED THIS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY. I HAVE SOME OF THE MELTED FIRE SPARKED PARTS.PLEASE CONTACT ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. MANY DAYS I DONT HAVE NEEDED TRANSPORTATION DUE TO THESE ISSUES AND I GET REPAIRS ALL OF THE TIME WHILE STILL PAYING A CAR NOTE. I AM SCARED TO KEEP DRIVING THIUS CAR.
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 1, 2019
I WAS DRIVING 55 MPH ON HIGHWAY AND POWER STEERING WENT OUT STEERING WHEEL STIFFING UP AND I ALMOST WENT IN THE LANE NEXT TO ME./ SECOND TIME I JUST MADE IT TO WORK TR=URN THE STEERING WHEEL TO PARK AND IT WENT OUT AGAIN./REAR DEFROST DON'T WORK CHANGED FUSE AND STILL WONT WORK
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 29, 2019
TAKATA RECALL UNSAFE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WITH UNPREDICTABLE HEADLIGHT FUNTIONALITY AND UNKNOWN OTHER RESULTS MAY LEAD TO MORE EXTENSIVE DAFETY ISSUES, I.E FIRE CONCERNS.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 7, 2019
FUSE 6 BLOWS WHEN LEFT TURN SIGNAL IS ACTIVATED. IT FIRST BLEW IN OCT 2018, THEN NOT AGAIN UNTIL DECEMBER (SEVERAL TIMES) AND STILL HAPPENING AGAIN IN JAN 2019. SIGNALS WILL WORK FINE FOR A DAY OR TWO AFTER REPLACING FUSE, BUT THEN FUSE BLOWS AGAIN.
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 30, 2018
MY POWER STEERING JUST WENT OUT ON ME IN THE MIDDLE.OF DRIVING GOT REAL STIFF ON THE 10 FREEWAY GOING HOME FROM.REDLANDS TO HEMET AND MY POWER STEERING EIS ELECTRICAL AND ITS HARD MY MECHANIC SAID ITS TOO MUCH TO FIX AND TOLD ME THAT ITS A HIGH DEMAND IN RECALL FOR THIS AND THAT I NEED IT FIX I TURNED IT ON AND TI WORKS FOR 5 MINUTES A DRIVE OR TWO AND OUT OF NO WHERE EVEN WHILE DRIVING WILL STIFFEN UP AGAIN ON ME
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Dec 16, 2018
LOW BEAMS REPEATEDLY GOING OUT, BOTH SOCKETS REPLACED AND BULBS, NUMEROUS TIMES. FRONT BUMPER FACIA HAS TO COME OFF FOR REPLACEMENT
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 15, 2018
I HAVE ALL THE SAME ISSUES AS RECALL NUMBER 13036. RECALL ID 204828, 204826 AND 2 MORE. SOMETIMES BREAK LIGHT WONT WORK WHEN NEEDED AND COMES ON WHEN NOT BEING PRESSED. ALSO A FRONT BLINKER LIGHT STAYS ILLUMINATED UNLESS I UNHOOK THE BATTERY. JUST UNDOING THE LIGHT DOESNT WORK. ALSO MY ROGHT BLINKER DOESNT WORK. SOME WIRES IN MY FUSE BOX LOOK MELTED. IVE REPORT THIS BEFORE
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 10, 2018
HEAD LIGHT KEEPS POPPING OFF AND ON AND WHEN RUNNING AN OBD TEST AFTER CLEARING CODES SEVERAL TIMES IT 1ST PROVIDED ME WITH 2 CODES THEN 9. TWO HOURS LATER 32 CODES POPPED UP. THE BUTTONS ON THE STREINNG WHEEL CUT IN AND OUT AT RANDOM. ## VIN PASSED ## CHEVROLET MALIBU 2012 ##
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 9, 2018
SERVICE ESC, TRACTION CONTROL INACTIVE, LOSS OF POWER/SLUGGISH WHEN DRIVING OR STOPPED AT A LIGHT. CODE 13036