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: engine
102 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Engine, Apr 2, 2014
WHILE DRIVING CAR HAVE NOTICED THAT IT SHIFTS HARD EITHER UP OR DOWN. THIS HAS HAPPENED TOO MANY TIMES TO COUNT. ALSO CAR FEELS LIKE IT IS TRYING TO STALL AND I CAN NOT ACCELERATE. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES ONCE ON A VERY BUSY INTERSECTION IN MY CITY. HAVE TAKEN CAR TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WAS PROBABLY BAD GAS AND TO PUT PREMIUM GAS IN. THIS DID NOT HELP EITHER. CAR CONTINUED TO HAVE SAME ISSUES. CALLED DEALER TO LET THEM KNOW. SAID NOTHING WRONG. I HAVE TWO SMALL CHILDREN AND WORRY ABOUT OUR SAFETY EACH TIME I DRIVE THIS CAR. HOPING THAT GM DOES SOMETHING TO FIX THIS ISSUE SOON. LOOKS LIKE WE ARE NOT ALONE WITH THIS ISSUE. *TR
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jan 31, 2014
VEHICLE HAS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON AND REDUCED POWER KICKS IN WITH NO WARNING. VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN AT SPEED ON HIGHWAYS WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND AUTOMATICALLY SLOWS TO 40 MPH. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND REPAIRS MADE THE FIRST 2 TIMES, VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN BACK 3 MORE TIMES FOR THE SAME ISSUE, NO CODES SHOWING IN THE COMPUTER. ISSUE ALSO REPORTED THAT IF AT A STOP, VEHICLE HAS NO RESPONSE WHEN YOU STEP ON THE GAS. THE DEALERSHIP IS CURRENTLY TRYING TO REPORT THIS AS A DIFFERENT ISSUE SO THEY CAN AVOID DEALING WITH THE LEMON LAW IN THE STATE. *TR