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
Steering, Electrical system, Jul 19, 2017
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ONE MORNING GOING ABOUT 30MPH AND CAR JUST LOST ALL POWER , COULD NOT STEER THE CAR, PULLED OFF ROAD, WAITED ABOUT 20 MINUTES AND CAR STARTED BACK WITH NO PROBLEMS, THEN A FEW DAYS AGO WENT OUT TO START CAR AND WOULD NOT START, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD LIGHT UP BUT WOULD NOT START, HAD TO HAVE IN JUMPED OFF, TOOK IT TO AUTO PLACE TO HAVE BATTERY CHECKED, BATTERY WAS FINE, DROVE IT HOME, DROVE IT THE NEXT MORNING TO WORK WITH NO PROBLEMS, THEN THAT AFTERNOON, WOULD NOT START AGAIN, HAD TO HAVE IT JUMPED OFF AGAIN, TOOK IT TO AUTO PLACE AGAIN, AND BATTERY OK, ALLTERNATOR OK , I HAVE READ SEVERAL REVIEWS ON THIS CAR AND ALL SEEM TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS, HAVE NOT TOOK IT TO MECHANIC YET, BUT AFRAID TO DRIVE IT
Electrical system, Jul 18, 2017
BLOWER MOTOR PULLED SO MUCH AMPERAGE FROM ENGINE/BATTERY THAT IT MELTED THE WIRING HARNESS AND BLEW THE BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR. WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE, AND HAD THE AIR CONDITIONING ON. WHEN ACCELERATING, THE BLOWER CUT OFF AND I COULD ONLY FEEL THE AIR SLIGHTLY COMING FROM THE AC VENT. HAD IT DIAGNOSED AT MY MECHANIC AND HE INDICATED THAT HE'D SEEN THIS MANY TIMES IN CHEVYS AND THAT THERE HAD TO BE SOME DEFECT IN THE BLOWER MOTOR FOR IT TO PULL SO MUCH AMPERAGE -- ENOUGH TO MELT THE WIRING HARNESS, WHICH SUBSEQUENTLY BLEW THE RESISTOR.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Jul 10, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. AFTER DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED AND FLASHED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACTED CALLED AN UNKNOWN DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE BCM BRAKE SENSOR MODULE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE PART WOULD BE REPLACED. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Jun 12, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS ABOVE 40 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING FAILED TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED AS THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LASORSA CHEVROLET BUICK DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH AN OIL PRESSURE VALVE MALFUNCTION. THE DEALER WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE OIL PRESSURE VALVE, BUT THE DEALER FAILED TO DIAGNOSE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND STEERING WHEEL FAILURES. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND STEERING WHEEL FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER. THE DIAGNOSIS WAS UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jun 10, 2017
I AM AN AUTO MECHANIC AND THE OWNER OF A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE, 4 OF MY CUSTOMERS MALIBUS (2009 TO 2012) AND MANY MANY OTHER MALIBU OWNERS IS THAT WHILE DRIVING ONE OR BOTH HEADLIGHTS WILL CUT OFF LEAVING THE OPERATOR WITH LITTLE OR NO VISIBILITY WHILE STILL IN MOTION, THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED TO ME ONE NIGHT ON A RURAL HIGHWAY WITH NO STREET LIGHTS. AFTER MUCH TROUBLESHOOTING I HAVE DISCOVERED THE CULPRIT TO BE THAT THE HEADLIGHT SOCKETS OVERHEAT AND MELT CAUSING A LOOSE OR OPEN CONNECTION FROM THE WIRING HARNESS TO THE HEADLIGHT. SINCE THEN I HAVE REPLACED MANY SOCKETS (INCLUDING MY OWN) AND THEY HAVE BEEN 100% SUCCESSFUL. IN SUMMATION I BELIEVE DRIVER AND OCCUPANT SAFETY IS SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED DUE TO THE POOR MANUFACTURING AND THE SUBPAR INTEGRITY OF THE HEADLIGHT SOCKETS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION.
Electrical system, May 18, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT. SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE WOULD IMMEDIATELY RESTART AND OTHER TIMES THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO WAIT SEVERAL HOURS BEFORE RESTARTING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. AFTER THE LAST FAILURE OCCURRED, THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT OPERABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND A FEW CASES WERE OPENED REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, May 14, 2017
DRIVING AND BOTH LOW AND HIGH BEAMS GO OUT AT NIGHT. DAYS LATER IT CAME BACK ON, THEN A DAY LATER WENT OUT AGAIN.REPLACED LIGHTS BULBS AND A WEEK LATER IT GOES OUT AGAIN! THIS IS DANGEROUS AND CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE! I ALMOST CRASH THE FIRST TIME THEY WENT OUT ON THE FREEWAY.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, May 3, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE AND THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 62,000.
Power train, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 24, 2017
DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY @ 70 MPH DRY ROADS SERVICE ESC, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL MESSAGES FLASHING ALTERNATELY. PARKED THE VEHICLE NEXT MORNING 20 MINUTES OF DRIVING AGAIN ON THE FREEWAY @ 70 MPH DRY ROADS SAME 2 FLASHING MESSAGES. PARK THE VEHICLE. STARTED VEHICLE UNABLE TO MOVE SHIFTER FROM PARK WHILE DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL. FLASHING MESSAGE LIGHTS APPEAR RANDOMLY AS WELL AS UNABLE TO MOVE SHIFTER OUT OF PARK. VERY FRIGHTENING AFTER PARKING VEHICLE.
Electrical system, Apr 3, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE VEHICLE BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,557.
Electrical system, Engine, Mar 31, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ORDER TO RESTART THE VEHICLE ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT, THE CONTACT HAD TO LOCK AND UNLOCK THE DOORS; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. ALSO, ONCE THE VEHICLE RESTARTED, THE SECURITY AND CHECK ENGINE SENSORS ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 28,000.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 22, 2017
I WAS DRIVING(IN MOTION) ON THE FREEWAY AND THE ESC SERVICE/TRACTION CONTROL SENSOR OR LIGHT POPS ON PUSHES MY CAR INTO ENGINE REDUCED POWER MODE THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED ON COMING TRAFFIC TO REAR END ME OR INJURE ME REAL BAD THIS MUST BE RECALLED TO BE FIXED BAD I MEAN ASAP THIS NEEDS TO BED REVISED AND FIXED BEFORE SOMEONE DIES. ALSO WHEN AT STOP LIGHT THIS HAPPENS TO. OMG PLEASE IM BEGGING YOU ALL TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS I HAVE SMALL CHILDREN WHO RIDE WITH ME .
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Mar 8, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT WITH THE WIRING ASSOCIATED WITH THE HEADLIGHTS. THE LOW BEAMS, HIGH BEAMS, RUNNING LIGHTS, AND TURN SIGNALS FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED, DIAGNOSED, AND REPAIRED BY A MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Feb 27, 2017
HEAD LIGHTS BEEN REPAIRED 3 TIMES COSTING 220 EACH TIME... SEEMS TO BE NO KNOWN FIX FOR THIS POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL ERROR....
Electrical system, Engine, Feb 7, 2017
I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND MY CAR WENT INTO REDUCED POWER AND SHAKING VIOLENTLY. I WAS ALMOST HIT FROM THE BACK BY A SEMI.
Steering, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Feb 7, 2017
MY CAR IS NOT WORKING THE STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKE
Electrical system, Dec 9, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT. ON SOME OCCASIONS, A JUMP START WAS REQUIRED. ADDITIONALLY, AN UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Dec 8, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS MELTED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 29, 2016
TAKATA RECALL. WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 60 MPH I LOST ALL POWER TO MY VEHICLE ALMOST CAUSING A FEW ACCIDENTS. I PULLED THE CAR OVER AND HAD IT TOWED TO A SHOP. THEY HAD TO PUSH THE CAR INTO THE SHOP DUE TO IT NOT STARTING. AFTER THROUGHLY LOOKING AND CHECKING EVERYTHING THE DIANOSIC TEST DID NOT REVEL ANYTHING. THE MECHANIC THEN BANGED ON THE REAR FUSE PANEL (TRUNK) THE CAR THEN STARTED. THE PANAL IS SHUTING MY FUEL PUMP OFF. THE FUEL PUMP HAS BEEN TESTED THE FUSE RELAYS HAVE BEEN TESTED. THE PROBLEM IS FAULTY FUSE BOX AND WIRES CONNECTED IM ASSUMING. AFTER 2 WEEKS AND 3 MECHCANICS MY CAR IS STILL NOT RUNNING.
Electrical system, Nov 16, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER WHILE BEING OPERATED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 56,332.
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 25, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND THE SECURITY WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.
Electrical system, Traction control system, Engine, Oct 17, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRACTION CONTROL AND CHECK ENGINE INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING, THE ESC AND TRACTION CONTROL WERE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VALVE SPRING FAILED OR FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 10, 2016
SEVERAL SYSTEMS HAVE BEEN AFFECTED. THE SYSTEMS AFFECTED ARE THE RADIO CONTROLS ON THE STEERING WHEEL, THE POWER STEERING, THE TRACTION CONTROL AND THE REAR DEFROST. THERE SEEMS TO BE A SHORT THAT GOES FROM SYSTEM TO SYSTEM. MODERN CHEVROLET IN WINSTON SALEM, NC SAID IT WAS A SHORT IN WIRES ON THE STEERING COLUMN THAT WAS CAUSING THIS. THERE ARE THREE RECALLS THAT WOULD DEAL WITH THIS. THE RECALLS ARE FOR STEERING, TRACTION CONTROL AND FINALLY WIRING. BOTH MODERN CHEVROLET AND CHEVROLET CORPORATE HAVE SAID MY VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED DUE TO THE VIN #. I DO NOT SEE WHERE THAT MATTERS. IF A PART IS BAD THEN ALL VEHICLES THAT PART IS USED ON SHOULD BE COVERED NO MATTER WHAT. THE STEERING WAS THE MOST AFFECTED. THE POWER STEERING WOULD GO OUT AND IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER THE CAR. THIS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL DIFFERENT OCCASIONS.
Electrical system, Oct 2, 2016
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK IT TOO SEVERAL PLACES WHERE THEY SAY THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE BUT THEY CAN NOT LOCATE THE PROBLEM.
Electrical system, Sep 14, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED AND NO DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES WERE SHOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.