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, 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
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Dec 4, 2018
THE PASSENGER LOW BEAM KEEPS GOING OUT ITS NOT THE BULB I'VE CHANGED IT ATLEAST 4 UNLESS THIS YEAR YET IT STILLS GOES OUT AND EVERYBODY ELSE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM ON SAME SIDE OF THE SAME CAR. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL FOR THIS.
Electrical system, Nov 26, 2018
REAR FUSE BLOCK MELTED AT FUSE LOCATION 23 FOR REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER 2ND OCCURRENCE ON VEHICLE. REAR DEFOGGER ILLUMINATED ON DASH INDICATING THAT DEFOGGER WAS ON. WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. OPENED REAR FUSE BLOCK IN TRUCK TO EXAMINE FUSE AND FOUND FUSE HAD MELTED AND FUSE BLOCK IS ALSO MELTED SHOWING POTENTIAL FOR FIRE HAZARD. FUSE WAS CHARRED AND BLACKED AND HARD TO DISTINGUISH 30 AMP RATING ON FUSE. FUSE BLOCK PLASTIC AT WIRES IS ALSO MELTED. PULLED FUSE AND DEFOGGER RELAY TO PREVENT FURTHER DAMAGE TO FUSE BLOCK. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MY VEHICLE AS FIRST WAS STILL UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY (2015). KNOWN TIMELINE FOR FUSE FINALLY BLOWING AND PREVENTING SYSTEM TO WORK IS 11/24/18. SYSTEM WORKED PRIOR TO THAT. SEARCH OF INTERNET HAS REVILED MORE VEHICLES HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEM. POSSIBLE SAFETY ISSUE. CAN PROVIDE PICTURES OF FUSE AND BLOCK UPON REQUEST.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Nov 20, 2018
LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES BUT NOW FAIL TO OPERATE.
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.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Oct 30, 2018
MY CAR HAD HAD THE HEADS REPLACED IN THE FIRST MOTOR IT CAME WITH THEN THE WHOLE MOTOR REPLACED BEFORE 100K MILES NOW THE NEW MOTOR DOESNT BARELY HAVE 100K MILES ON IT AND THEY ARE TELLING ME MY CYLINDER 6 ISNT HOLDING COMPRESSION SO I'LL NEED ANOTHER MOTOR EVENTUALLY! MY TRANSMISSION IS LEAKING , ITS HAD A WHOLE NEW AIR CONDITIONING UNIT INSTALLED WHEN MY MOTOR WAS REPLACED BECAUSE IT WENT OUT. THE SPEAKERS ON MY PASSENGER SIDE DONT WORK AND MY HEATING SYSTEM ON MY SEAT ON THE DRIVER SIDE HAS WENT OUT!
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Oct 24, 2018
CAR WILL SHUT DOWN. HEAD LIGHTS STOP WORKING LESS THEN EVERY TWO MONTHS. FUSE INSIDE THE CAR WHERE TO CHARGE THE PHONE ISN'T WORKING BOTH FRONT AND MIDDLE. CAR DIES RANDOMLY AFTER BEING LEFT ON FOR A LITTLE WHILE. HOT AND COLD RATE STAYS ON COLD ALL DAY AND HAS THE AC UNIT BLOW OUT COLD AIR WHEN ON HEAT AND IF ON COLD IT JUST BLOWS AIR. CAR WONT DRIVE FASTER THEN 5 MPH AFTER HAVING THE BATERY REBOOTED DEPENDING ON IF TE CAR WAS ALLOWED TO SIT IDOL OR A WHILE. CAR WILL PLACE IT'S SELF IN SHUT DOWN DE TO ELECRICAL PROBLEMS. ONCE ONE STARTS ACTING UP THEY ALL START ACTING UP.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Oct 24, 2018
MY CAR CAN RUN FOR A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME AND THE BATTERY WILL DIE RANDOMLY. MY HEADLIGHT CONSTANTLY CUT OFF AND INTERIOR MY HOT AN COLD LEVEL STAY DOWN ON A REGLAR DAY. THE AC BLOWS OUT COLD AIR WHEN ON HEAT OR IT WILL JUST BLOW AIR. MY CAR WILL JUST STIFEN UP AND NOT DRIVE AFTER RESTARTING THE BATTERY.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Oct 24, 2018
IN LESS THEN ONE YEAR THE PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM LIGHT IS OUT. I LOOK ON LINE AND A LOT OF 2012 MALIBU ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. IT COST OVER $100 TO CHANGE IT BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO REMOVE THE BUMPER TO DO IT.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Other or unspecified, Oct 18, 2018
LOW BEAMS BOTH HEADLIGHTS REPEATEDLY GO OUT. HEATER/AIR CONDITIONER TURNS OFF AND ON BY ITSELF. MOTOR HAS BEEN CHANGED AND TESTED. IS THERE A WIRING PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE ACROSS THE BOARD. I READ A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THIS VEHICLE HAVE THE EXACT SAME ISSUES. HEATER/AIR TURNS OFF WHILE IN PARK OR DRIVE RANDOMLY.
Electrical system, Oct 12, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE BATTERY WAS JUMPSTARTED BY THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JAMES CORLEW CHEVROLET (722 COLLEGE ST, CLARKSVILLE, TN 37040, (931) 552-2020) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE RESET. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Oct 4, 2018
THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT I'M CHANGING THESE OUT EVERY COUPLE MONTHS I'VE RESEARCHED AND FOUND SEVERAL OTHER DRIVERS ARE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 21, 2018
INTERMITTENT STARTING ISSUES ON THIS VEHICLE. WILL RANDOMLY TURN OVER BUT NOT START. IF WE LET IT SIT FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS IT WILL THEN START, BUT LEAVES US STRANDED. THIS HAPPENS EVERY 2-3 MONTHS. LIGHTS START BLINKING RANDOMLY AS DRIVING, TRACTION CONTROL WILL TURN ON AS WE ARE DRIVING CAUSING REDUCTION IN POWER. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS ISSUE.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Sep 20, 2018, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S LOW BEAM HEADLAMPS FAILED TO OPERATE. JEFF WYLER SPRINGFIELD CHEVROLET (2237 W FIRST STREET, SPRINGFIELD, OH) DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS HAD MELTED AND RECOMMENDED IT BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.
Electrical system, Sep 8, 2018
HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 5, 2018
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WARMING MESSAGE READ ENGINE POWER REDUCE ESC AND SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL.. THE CAR SHOOK AND DROPPED DOWN TO 30 MPH WHILE I WAS ON HIGHWAY ..I WAS BARELY ABLE TO GET TO SIDE OF HIGHWAY .. I WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND STARTED CAR BACK UP AGAIN MESSAGE CLEARED BUT RIGHT BEFORE I GOT HOME CAR DID THE SAME THING .. I CALLED TRIPLE A AND HAS IT TOWED HOME
Electrical system, Aug 24, 2018
WHILE IN MOTION CAR JERKS AND ALMOST STALLS. ROUGH IDLE AGAIN JERKING AND ALMOST STALLING. SERVICE ESC / SERVICE TRACTION /ENGINE LIGHT COME ON. IF CAR IS NOT USED FOR A FEW DAYS, WARNING LIGHT WILL NOT COME ON. THEN ABOUT 30 MILES INTO DRIVE LIGHTS COME ON AND CONDITION DESCRIBED ABOVE OCCUR. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION.
Electrical system, Aug 10, 2018
WHILE DRIVING I NOTICED MY LIGHTS SHOWING ENGINE POWER REDUCED FROM MY UNDERSTANDING THIS IS THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR.
Electrical system, Aug 6, 2018, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SMOKE ENTERED THE VEHICLE NEAR THE FRONT OF THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE AREA AND NOTICED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT COMING FROM THE AREA OF THE ENGINE, BUT RATHER THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF BURNING WIRES. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH OURISMAN CHEVROLET OF BOWIE (16610 GOVERNOR BRIDGE RD, BOWIE, MD 20716, (301) 262-7600) FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
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
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Jul 13, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE OVERHEATED, STALLED, AND VARIOUS WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND WAS LATER TAKEN TO MASTER CHEVROLET (3625 RICHLAND AVE W, AIKEN, SC 29801, (806) 353-6343) FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REPAIRS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE A SPECIFIC CAUSE OF THE FAILURES, BUT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS A FLOOD VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD ELECTRICAL WIRING ISSUES, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SWITCH GEARS CORRECTLY, AND THE BRAKES HAD BEEN REPLACED AT LEAST TWICE SINCE OWNING THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,500.
Electrical system, Engine, Jul 5, 2018
TIMING CHAIN CAUSING CAR TO MISFIRE AND ENGINE LIGHT ON
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jul 3, 2018
LOW BEAM ON PASSENGER SIDE GOES OUT FREQUENTLY AND RANDOMLY. I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST MY LUCK. HOWEVER ACCORDING TO HTTPS://WWW.CARGURUS.COM/CARS/DISCUSSION-T32066_DS667897 THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE. IVE BEEN LUCKY ENOUGH TO KEEP GETTING STOP BY NICE COPS, BUT THIS IS GETTING BAD. I HAVE A 1YEAR OLD THAT I CANT TAKE OUT IN THE CAR BECAUSE IT ISNT SAFE. FOR WHO KNOWS WHAT REASON. PLEASE HELP.
Electrical system, Jun 7, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (CHAMPION CHEVROLET CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM, 921 SOUTH CLINTON STREET, ATHENS, AL 35611), BUT DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A FAILURE CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TEST DRIVEN, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. *TT UPDATED 9/24/18*JB
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, May 24, 2018
THE PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM LIGHT BULB SOCKET KEEPS BURNING OUT. REPLACED THE BULB 3 TIMES IN ONE YEAR. THE SOCKET IS THE PROBLEM, KEEPS SHORTING OUT. WHEN I REPLACE THE BULB THE SOCKET WHERE THE BULB PLUGS IN TO IS BURNT AND MELTED.