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: exterior lighting
202 reports, newest first. Show all
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.
Exterior lighting, Dec 3, 2018
MAIN HEADLIGHTS CONTINUALLY STOP WORKING. WIRING ISSUE AS HEADLIGHT HARNESS BURNS OUT. HEADLIGHTS NOT BURNING OUT. HAVE REPLACED HARNESSES TWICE IN A YEAR WITH FACTORY HARNESS FROM CHEVY DEALERSHIP, AND SAME PROBLEM BOTH TIMES. OUT AGAIN. HAVE TO DRIVE WITH HIGH BEAMS ONLY. SEE THIS LINK FOR OTHERS WITH SAME PROBLEM! SO FRUSTRATING AND DANGEROUS. WE NEED A RECALL!! HTTPS://WWW.CARGURUS.COM/CARS/DISCUSSION-T32066_DS667897 THIS VEHICLE IS NOT EASY TO REPLACE HEADLIGHTS OR HARNESS AS ENTIRE FRONT BUMPER MUST BE REMOVED, AND I HAVE HAD TO DO IT 3 TIMES IN A YEAR SINCE I BOUGHT, AND HAVE TO DO AGAIN. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DO SOMETHING. THANK YOU. GLEN
Exterior lighting, Nov 29, 2018
LOW BEAM ON PASSENGER SIDE KEEPS TURNING OFF. LIGHT BULB WAS REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES BUT THE ISSUE RETURNS. THE WIRING AND EVERYTHING LOOKS IN GOOD CONDITION. MULTIPLE VEHICLE OWNERS COMPLAING OF THE SAME SITUATION.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Nov 20, 2018
LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES BUT NOW FAIL TO OPERATE.
Exterior lighting, Nov 16, 2018
THE PASSENGER LOW-BEAM HEAD LIGHT GOES OUT. IF I GO OVER A BUMP IT SOMETIMES COMES BACK ON. WENT TO GET LIGHT CHANGED AND SAME PROBLEM STARTED A WEEK OR 2 LATER. NOW BOTH LOW BEAM LIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT. ALL OTHER LIGHTS WORK FINE. THIS HAPPENS AT ANY TIME, STATIONARY OR IN MOTION.
Exterior lighting, Nov 14, 2018
PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT (LOW BEAM) HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED 4 TIMES IN THE LAST 2 YEARS.
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.
Exterior lighting, Oct 26, 2018
THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME MY PASSENGER LOW BEAM HAS WENT OUT THE THIRD TIME I CHANGED THE LOW BEAM WIRING AND IN LESS THAN A MONTH IT HAS GONE OUT AGAIN SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT I HAVE HEARD MANY PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT THE PASSENGER LOW BEAM KEEPS GOING OUT SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ASAP
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.
Exterior lighting, Oct 24, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT BULBS FAILED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE BULBS WERE REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT A FAILURE CODE FOR THE HEADLIGHT WIRING SYSTEM COULD NOT BE LOCATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
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.
Exterior lighting, Oct 21, 2018
MY HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT I HAD THE BULB REPLACED AND ELECTRICAL SOCKETS AND IT KEEPS GOING OUT THIS IS THE 4TH TIME I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE SAME WORK COMPLETED.
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.
Exterior lighting, Oct 15, 2018
I'VE CHANGED MY DRIVER'S SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT 3 TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR.
Exterior lighting, Oct 12, 2018
CHANGED MY HEADLIGHTS 4 TIMES WITHIN 2 YEARS
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
Exterior lighting, Sep 28, 2018
MY PASSENGER LOW BEAM KEEPS GOING OUT THIS IS THE THIRD TIME IN A YEAR AND A HALF
Exterior lighting, Sep 28, 2018
THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT ON THE PASSENGER CONTINUOUSLY GOES OUT AFTER REPAIRING. I HAD THE BULB REPLACED 3 TIMES, WITHIN A MONTHS TIME. I ENDED UP GETTING AN EXPENSIVE DIAGNOSTIC TEST, REPLACED THE SOCKET, AS SUGGESTED. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE BULB WENT OUT AGAIN. REPLACED, THEN IT WENT OUT AGAIN. I DROVE AROUND WITH MY HIGH BEAM ON (SO I CAN SEE) UNTIL I BURNT THAT OUT TOO. I JUST GOT IT REPLACED AND NOT EVEN A WEEK LATER IT'S OUT AGAIN. I CAN'T CONTINUE PAYING FOR THIS DEFECT. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE ADVISE OF RESOLUTION? I SEE THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH A LOT OF THE OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE. PLEASE HELP.
Exterior lighting, Sep 28, 2018
LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT. THIS IS SEPT 18 AND I'VE REPLACED THE RIGHT SIDE 4 TIMES THIS YEAR AND THE LEFT 2 TIMES. AT THE MOMENT THE LEFT IS OUT. I'VE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND THE DIAGNOSTIC CHARGE IS $130. THE ONLY THING ABOUT IT IS PAYING $130 TO TELL ME WHAT'S WRONG AND GOING IN BLIND NOT KNOWING HOW MUCH IT WILL COST TO REPAIR. I'VE BEEN WATCHING TO SEE IF THERE WILL BE A RECALL ISSUED ON THIS. I LOVE MY CAR AND DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO GET RID OF IT. IT'S PAID FOR AND I ONLY HAVE $118K MILES. THANK YOU
Exterior lighting, Sep 26, 2018
FREQUENTLY, MORE THAN 6 TIMES IN A YEAR HEADLIGHTS BURNOUT PT QUIT WORKING. SEE THERE ARE NUMEROUS OTHERS WITH SAME PROBLEM
Exterior lighting, Sep 25, 2018
FIRST MY PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT WENT OUT SO I REPLACED THE BULB AND THE NEXT DAY IT WASN'T WORKING AGAIN. NOW MY DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT IS ALSO GOING IN AND OUT WITHOUT THE BULBS BURNING OUT. THE LIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT WHILE RIDING AND WHILE STATIONARY, SOMETIME THERE ON WHEN I PARK THE CAR AND OFF WHEN I CRANK IT BACK UP AGAIN.
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.
Exterior lighting, Sep 11, 2018
THE FRONT HEADLAMP CONSTANTLY GOES OUT. THIS IS THE 4TH REPLACEMENT IN A YEAR.
Exterior lighting, Sep 6, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO OPERATE EVERY THREE MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VALENTI AUTO SALES (399 N COLONY ST, WALLINGFORD, CT 06492, 203-774-4035) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT NO FAILURE COULD BE FOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.