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, 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.
Exterior lighting, May 11, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO WORK WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE CHANGED THREE TIMES WITHIN A FEW WEEKS; HOWEVER, THE FULL BEAMS WORKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE BULBS WERE REPLACED EACH TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.
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.
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, 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.
Steering, Exterior lighting, Visibility/wiper, Oct 31, 2016
PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, ALL OF A SUDDEN MY STEERING WHEEL DOES A QUICK JERK, MY TRACTION LIGHT LUMINATES AND THEN SERVICE ESC COMES UP ON THE DISPLAY AND THEN POWER STEERING SHOWS ON THE DISPLAY AND AT THAT POINT IOST POWER STEERING ASSIST AND AT THIS POINT I COULD NOT TURN THE WHEEL AT ALL, I HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE CAR AT THIS POINT. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK, TURNED IT OFF FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AND THEN TURNED IT BACK ON AND POWER STEERING WAS BACK. THIS IS UNEXCEPTABLE...WHAT IF I HAD BEEN ON THE FREE WAY GOING 70 MILES PER HOUR AND LOST POWER STEERING. THIS VERY ISSUE WAS A RECALL ON THE RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 AND 2008-2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU(S) AND OBVIOUSLY IT IS STILL AN ISSUE WITH THE 2012 MODEL. I HAVE HAD NO ISSUES WITH STEERING PRIOR TO THS DAY IT HAPPENED 10/30/16 AND NO WARRING POWER STEERING ASSIST WAS GOING TO FAIL. FIX IT ONCE AND FOR ALL GM. DO YOUR CUSTOMERS HAVE TO BE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR WORSE IN ORDER FOR YOU TO GET THIS RIGHT!!!! NOW WE HAVE TO FIND THE POWER STEERING UNIT AND GET IT FIXED BECAUSE MY CAR IS LITERALLY A DEATH TRAP. ALSO, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS (DOME) AND HEADLIGHTS START FLICKERING AFTER 10 MINS TO 60 MINS INTO MY DRIVE LIKE THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE. ALSO, THE REAR DEFROST STOPPED WORKING AND I CAN'T SEE OUT THE REAR WINDOW, I HAVE TO DRIVE WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN TO TRY AND HURRY THE PROCESS ALONG AND THAT IS NOT FUN WHEN IT IS FREEZING OUT SIDE!
Exterior lighting, Sep 26, 2016
THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME I AM PUT IN A NEW HEAD LIGHT ON THIS DRIVER SIDE . I HAVE ALSO CHANGE THE WIRING ON BOTH SIDE . THE WIRING KEEP BURNING OUT . HAVE TO CHANGE THE WIRING ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AGAIN BURNED OUT AGAIN. THESE BULB ARE $ 21.00 EACH TITLE OF $ 80.00 PLUSE WIRING AT $18.00 EACH =$ 36.00. ALL THIS IN 3 MONTHS . THIS IS CRAZY. I AM ON A FIXED INCOME . PLEASE TELL ME THIS IS ON THE RECALL LIST . I CAN NOT KEEP PUTTING LIGHTS AND WIRING IN THIS CAR . I HAVE TO FINISH PAYING FOR IT AS WELL. RECALL NO. IS 13036.
Exterior lighting, Apr 27, 2016, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS MELTED THE HALOGEN CONNECTORS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Apr 7, 2016
LOW BEAMS ARE TO LOW FOR NIGHT TIME DRIVING CAN THEY BE ADJUSTED? CAN'T SEE VERY FAR SO HAVE TO USE BRIGHTS VERY DANGEROUS FOR ONCOMING TRAFFIC ALSO. ALSO THE INTERIOR LIGHTS, INSTRUMENT LIGHTS, GET REAL DIM EITHER DRIVING OR STOPPED, SO DIM GAUGES ARE HARD TO READ. AFTER A WHILE THEY COME BACK ON.
Exterior lighting, Feb 18, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED. THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 47,661.
Exterior lighting, Dec 16, 2015
WATER INSIDE HEADLIGHTS. RIGHT HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY REPLACED 6 MONTHS AGO, NOW HAVE WATER INSIDE LEFT HEADLIGHT, DIMS THE LIGHT, WILL HAVE TO REPLACE, WILL BE SERVICED 12-17-15. I HAVE NOTICED QUITE A FEW OF THE SAME MODEL WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY GM.
Exterior lighting, Nov 24, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE LIGHT SOCKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE REPAIRED HOWEVER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 18, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BCM MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000. UPDATED 02/12/16*LJ THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE SOLD THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 02/22/16.*JB
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jun 26, 2015
SINCE SEPTEMBER OF 2014, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ON MY MALIBU HAVE REPEATEDLY GONE OUT. THE LATEST TWO INCIDENTS IN MARCH 2015 (PASSENGER SIDE) AND JUNE 2015 (DRIVERS SIDE) HAVE RESULTED IN THE SOCKET BURNING OUT. THERE IS A FORUM WHERE MANY DRIVERS HAVE NOTED THIS SAME ISSUE. I WAS TOLD IT SOUNDS LIKE THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE WITH THE HARNESS AND THAT IT IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE AND COULD LEAD TO A VERY BAD SITUATION. I'VE CALLED AND COMPLAINED TO CHEVY BUT THEY CLAIM THAT THEY HAVE NO PRIOR COMPLAINTS WHICH I FIND HARD TO BELIEVE. THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE ISSUE BECAUSE OF HOW THEY HAVE CONSTRUCTED THE VEHICLE. PLEASE FORCE THEM TO FIX THIS ISSUE.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Apr 20, 2015
DO NOT REMEMBER WHEN I BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR CAMPAIGN 14V252000 MAYBE APPROX. A YEAR AGO. THE PROBLEMS THE CAR WAS HAVING BEFORE I HAD THE RECALL DONE HAVE STARTED AGAIN. UP UNTIL NOW HAVEN'T HAD ANY PROBLEMS. MY DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE ME TO FIX IT. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 23, 2015
2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BODY CONTROL MODULE SYSTEM/ BRAKE APPLY SENSOR RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAITED FOR THE DETAILS TO RESTORE THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, UNABLE TO WAIT ANY LONGER, HE WAS FORCED TO SELL THE VEHICLE. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 9, 2015
2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WANTS TO BE REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS DUE TO RECALL FOR VEHICLE. *TA
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Dec 31, 2014
THE INTERIOR LIGHT PANEL WENT COMPLETELY DARK, AFTER A FEW MINUTES IT LIT UP AGAIN. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY LATELY. THE RADIO STOPS PLAYING AND THE PANEL READS "AUXILLARY MODE"AND THEN BACK TO RADIO, THEN BACK TO "AUXILLARY MODE". I HAVE TO TURN THE RADIO OFF AND ON FOR IT TO START PLAYING AGAIN. IT IS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY. WHEN I PLUG IN MY AUXILLARY CORD TO LISTEN TO MY IPOD, IT SHORTS OUT. THE CLICKER TO UNLOCK/LOCK THE CAR STOPPED WORKING AS WELL, SO I WENT TO GET A NEW BATERY. THEY TESTED THE BATTERY AND SAID IT WAS FINE. ALSO MY REAR DEFROSTER DOES NOT WORK AT ALL NOW. *JS
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Nov 25, 2014
THE INTERIOR LIGHT PANEL WENT COMPLETELY DARK, AFTER A FEW MINUTES IT LIT UP AGAIN. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY LATELY. THE RADIO STOPS PLAYING AND THE PANEL READS"AUXILIARY MODE". I HAVE TO TURN THE RADIO OFF AND ON FOR IT TO START PLAYING AGAIN. IT IS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY. WHEN I PLUG IN MY AUXILIARY CORD TO LISTEN TO MY IPOD, IT SHORTS OUT. THE CLICKER TO UNLOCK/LOCK THE CAR STOPPED WORKING SO I WENT TO GET A NEW BATTERY. THEY TESTED THE BATTERY AND SAID IT WAS FINE. MY REAR DEFROSTER DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 14, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT IT WOULD TAKE MONTHS BEFORE AN APPOINTMENT COULD BE SCHEDULED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT DID NOT EXPERIENCE A FAILURE.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 4, 2014, crash
2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BODY CONTROL MODULE RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND CAUSED HIM TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER WAS INJURED. THE CONSUMER SENT IN A RECALL NOTICE ALONG WITH HIS COMPLAINT. *JB
Exterior lighting, Oct 14, 2014, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED CAUSING ANOTHER VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE REAR END OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. AFTER THE CRASH, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.
Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Oct 3, 2014, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) HAD EXCEEDED THE REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER STATED THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE DELAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Sep 22, 2014
VEHICLE HIGH MOUNT THIRD BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE AFTER 60,000 MILES. MAY AFFECT VISIBILITY WHEN STOPPING. *TR