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
906 reports, newest first.
Exterior lighting, Oct 25, 2019
BOTH LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS GO OUT TOO OFTEN. THE LIGHTS ARE NOT BURNED OUT BECAUSE THEY'LL WORK FOR A FEW WEEKS AND WILL NOT WORK FOR MONTHS AT A TIME; INDIVIDUALLY OR SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE PASSENGER HARNESS AND BULB WAS REPLACED AT WINTER CHEVY IN PITTSBURG CA IN 2018 AND WENT OUT AGAIN A FEW MONTHS LATER. THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS HAVE BEEN A CONSISTENT PROBLEM SINCE I PURCHASED THE USED CAR IN 2015. BOTH LOW BEAM LIGHTS HAD BULB REPLACEMENTS 3 TIMES EACH. BOTH LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN OUT FOR MONTHS.
Exterior lighting, Oct 18, 2019
FOR NEARLY 4 YEARS AFTER PURCHASE, I AM CONSTANTLY CHANGING MY PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT BULBS. I HAVE CHANGED MY BULBS MORE TIMES THAN I CAN COUNT. IT IS BECOMING VERY EXPENSIVE. WHILE DRIVING; MY DRIVER SIDE HIGHBEAM AND LOW BEAM WENT OUT WHILE IT WAS RAINING YESTERDAY. I LIVE IN A VERY MOUNTAINOUS AREA AND WITHOUT MY HEADLIGHTS THAT WORK PROPERLY IT IS VERY FEASIBLE THAT I COULD GET IN AN ACCIDENT EVEN DRIVING UNDER THE SPEED LIMIT WITHOUT PROPER HEADLIGHTS. MANY ONLINE CAR FORUMS MENTION A DAYTIME RUNNING LAMP RELAY CAUSES THESE ISSUES. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED FOR I WOULD LOVE TO LET MY NEWLY LICENSED SON DRIVE IT.
Electrical system, Air bags, Oct 16, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V224000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT CALLED APPLE CHEVROLET (8585 W 159TH ST, TINLEY PARK, IL 60487, 708-429-3000) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.
Power train, Oct 16, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUDDERED, BUT DID NOT COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. ALSO, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF, IT WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THREE TIMES, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,686.
Exterior lighting, Oct 15, 2019
FOR MONTHS I BEEN DEALING WITH MY LOW BEAMS AND HIGH BEAMS NOT WORKING ON MY PASSENGER SIDE THEN ONE DAY THE HIGH BEAM WORK FOR A FEW MINUTES I HAVE GOTTEN PULLED OVER BY THE POLICE, I HAVE CHANGED THE BULBS, I HAVE TOOK IT TO MIDAS TO GET IT CHECKED OUT AND THEY COULDN'T FIGURE OUT THE ISSUE. I'M TAKING IT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC TOMORROW. I SEE I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING THIS ISSUE
Exterior lighting, Oct 10, 2019
HEADLIGHTS BURN OUT REPEATEDLY! HAPPENS RANDOMLY, ON EITHER SIDE AFTER CAR HAS BEEN OFF. I AM AVERAGING 1 TO 6 MONTHS AFTER A HEADLIGHT CHANGE, IT IS VERY COSTLY ON THIS MODEL SINCE THE WHOLE FRONT BUMPER COVER MUST BE REMOVED TO CHANGE A BULB.
Exterior lighting, Oct 7, 2019
THE PASSENGER LOW-BEAM LIGHT HAS AN ISSUE. I'M NOT ALONE, THOUSANDS OF OTHER CHEVY MALIBU DRIVERS HAVE ALL REPORTED THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. THE WIRING HARNESS THAT CONNECTS TO THE LOW-BEAM BULB KEEPS OVER-HEATING AND MELTING, CAUSING THE BULB TO GO OUT. I HAVE REPLACED THE PIGTAIL THREE TIMES NOW, AND IT KEEPS GOING OUT. I HAVE EVEN PULLED THE DRL FUSE, WHICH MANY BELIEVE COULD HAVE BEEN THE PROBLEM, AND IT STILL KEEPS HAPPENING. PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE AS I AM NOT ALONE.
Tires, Oct 7, 2019, crash
NO TRACTION, CAR SLID INTO ANOTHER CAR. NOT THE FIRST TIME LOST TRACTION, JUST COULDN'T CONTROL IT. TIRES ARE ONLY 1 YR AND 3 MONTHS OLD. HAVE PASSED 2 STATE INSPECTIONS. ABOUT OF TREAD STILL ON THEM. HAVE LOST TRACTION EVEN IN GOOD WEATHER. WHEN I COMMENTED TO SOMEONE AT FIRESTONE THAT I KEPT LOSING TRACTION THEY REPLIED THEY AREN'T GOOD TIRES.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Oct 6, 2019
THE CAR STRUGGLES TO PICK UP SPEED. THE RPMS GO UP TO BETWEEN 4 AND 5 AND IT DOESNT SHIFT WHEN IT SHOULD. IT STRUGGLES ACCELERATING TO GO UP HILLS. THE SAME RPM ISSUE HAPPENS NO MATTER IF CAR WAS JUST STARTED OR HAD BEEN RUNNING FOR LONG TIME. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WONT SHUT OFF. MECHANIC HOOKED IT UP TO DIAGNOSE IT, RESULT SHOWED IT WAS SOLENOID. REPLACED SOLENOIDS AND LIGHT REMAINED ON. RESET CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. LIGHT CAME BACK ON. HOOKED IT UP TO DIAGNOSE, STILL REPORTED SOLENOID.
Exterior lighting, Oct 4, 2019
RECENTLY PURCHASED 2012 CHEVY MALIBU JULY 13, 2019. TWO WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE THE PASSENGER HEADLIGHT WENT OUT. CHANGED IT, AND NOW ITS OUT AGAIN 5 WEEKS LATER. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS. I HAVE FOUND ONLINE MANY PEOPLE COMPLAINING OF THE VERY SAME PROBLEM. (PASSENGER HEADLIGHT) SOME SAY TO CHANGE THE WIRING HARNESS AS THEY SEEM TO GET OVERLOADED AND MELT (BUT THAT FIX DOESN'T LAST LONG EITHER FROM WHAT I READ) OTHERS SAY THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT RELAY CAUSES AN ISSUE AND SHOULD BE TAKEN OUT OF THE CAR. IT SAYS IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL THAT DRL REDUCES THE LIGHT OUTPUT OF THE HEADLIGHTS FOR DAYTIME RUNNING BY 30%. THIS SEEMS TO BE WHAT IS CAUSING THE AMP DRAW FOR THE LOW BEAMS TO SKYROCKET IN DRL RELAY. THE MASSIVE AMP DRAW IS TOO MUCH FOR THE TERMINALS IN THE PLUG, SO THEY GET SUPER HOT AND MELT THE PLASTIC PLUG. THE METAL TERMINALS RELAX FROM THE HEAT AND STOP MAKING GOOD CONTACT,WHICH WORSENS THE AMP DRAW PROBLEM CAUSING THE LIGHT TO NOT WORK. ( BUT NOT NECESSARILY DUE TO THE BULB BURNING OUT, AS SOME HAVE POSTED THEY PUT THE PASSENGER BULB IN DRIVERS SIDE AND THE BULB STILL WORKS) THIS ISSUE COULD POTENTIALLY BE VERY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT IF BOTH HEADLIGHTS GO OUT AT THE SAME TIME DUE TO THE AMP SURGE. I BELIEVE THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW. I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY COMPLAINTS YOU HAVE TO RECEIVE FOR THIS TO BE CONSIDERED A SAFETY RECALL BUT PLEASE CONSIDER IT! THANKS
Exterior lighting, Oct 3, 2019
MY PASSENGER LOWBEAM LIGHT WILL NOT COME ON ONCE THE CAR IS STARTED. I HAVE CHANGED THE BULB AND WIRING HARNESS AND THE LIGHT WILL WORK FOR A FEW DAYS AND THEN WILL STOP WORKING. I HAVE TALKED TO OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE SAME ISSUE WITH THIS CAR AND CHEVROLET WANTS 160 DOLLARS TO EVEN LOOK AT IT.
Exterior lighting, Sep 25, 2019
PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM KEEPS GOING OUT
Electrical system, Sep 24, 2019
FOR NO REASON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF BY ITSELF. NEIGHBOR REPORTED CAR LIGHTS ON 3:30 AM. WE ALSO CAUGHT WHILE KEYS WERE ON TABLE AND LOCKED THE LIGHTS CAME ON AND OFF TWICE IN THE EVENING. THIS IS WHILE PARKED FOR THE NIGHT.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 22, 2019
2 WEEKS AGO MY CAR WAS IDLING AND STARTED SHAKING AND ESC NOTIFICATION CAME UP AND CAR CUT OFF. WOULD NOT CRANK UP UNTIL LATER. TODAY WAS DRIVING IN CVS PARKING LOT AND CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN AND I STEPPED ON THE BREAK AND THEN IT STARTED SHAKING AND DINGING AND ESC LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN. CAR KIND OF SOUNDED LIKE A LAWN MOWER WHEN IT WAS SHAKING AND JERKING. CAR WOULD NOT CRANK AGAIN FOR A WHILE.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Sep 21, 2019
LOW BEAM LIGHTS CONTINUOUSLY GOING OUT. BULB IS STILL GOOD. HAVE REPLACED BULB. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED SOME WIRING OR HARNESS. NOW PASSWNGER SIDE LOW BEAM IS OUT AGAIN!
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 20, 2019
MY CAR DIES WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. ELECTRICAL PROBLEM TO THE FUEL PUMP
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Sep 17, 2019
HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT AFTER BEING CHANGED MULTIPLE TIMES
Exterior lighting, Sep 17, 2019
PASSENGER LOW BEAM LIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT HAVE REPLACED 3 TIME WORKS FOR A COUPLE DAYS THEN GOES OUT AGAIN. VERY COSTLY WHEN YOU HAVE TO TAKE WHOLE BUMPER OFF TO REPLACE. HAVE SEEN MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ON MALIBU'S WITH SAME ISSUES.
Exterior lighting, Seats, Sep 13, 2019
PASSENGER LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT KEEPS FAILING EVERY COUPLE OF MONTHS THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM WITH ALL CHEVY MALIBUS. DRIVER SEAT BACK BREAKS AND CAUSES THE SEAT TO BE UNSAFE.
Exterior lighting, Sep 10, 2019
HEADLIGHTS CONTINUE TO BURN OUT REGULARLY (REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF BULTS MULTIPLE TIMES PER YEAR) AND THE WIRING HARNESS CONTINUES TO MELT. BECAUSE OF THE DESIGN OF THE CAR, THE WHOLE FRONT BUMPER HAS TO BE PULLED OFF TO GET ACCESS TO LIGHT TO REPLACE--OFTEN AT A HIGH COST AT THE REPAIR SHOP. THIS IS UNSAFE,AS THE FREQUENCY OF THE BURNOUTS RESULT IN HAVING TO DRIVE WITH BRIGHTS ON AT NIGHT WHEN BOTH LIGHTS UNEXPECTEDLY GO OUT. READING THE MANUAL, THE DRL REDUCES THE VOLTAGE TO THE LOW BEAMS, WHICH DRIVES UP THE AMPS CAUSING THE EXTRA HEAT TO MELT THE WIRING HARNESS. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT NEEDS TO BE REMEDIATED BY A RECALL.
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 5, 2019
GOT THE CAR FEW MONTHS AGO , CAR ONE DAY WOULDN'T START COULDN'T FIGURE OUT FINALLY FIGURED IT OUT, THE FUSE BOX IN MY TRUCK I CAN HIT IT AND THEN MY CAR STARTED JUST FINE IT HAPPENS ALOT TO WHERE I GOTTA HIT THE FUSE BOX IN MY TRUCK TO GET MY CAR STARTED THOUGHT IT WAS THE CRANK SENSOR BUT NOPE IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE FUSE BOX IN THE TRUCK & ALSO HEARD IT'S THE FUEL PUMP RELAY.
Engine, Sep 5, 2019
TIMING CHAIN CAME OFF @ 75K MILES. CALLED GM. THEY WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. KEPT TELLING ME TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER. I ALREADY HAD IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND CAN'T AFFORD TO TOW IT SOMEWHERE ELSE. JUST DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE CHAIN CAME OFF. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER CHEVY.
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 3, 2019
I HAVE A 2012 CHEVY MALIBU LT AND AT RANDOM TIMES THE CAR WILL SHUT DOWN, WHILE DRIVING, WHILE BEING STATIONARY, AND SOMETIMES IT DON'T EVEN START WHEN IT'S BEEN OFF I TOOK IT TO MULTIPLE MECHANICS AND THEY COULDN'T DETECT ANY CODES OR SEEM TO FIND THE PROBLEM THEY CHANGED THE FUEL PUMP, THE FUEL PUMP RELAY, THE FUSE, THE ECM STARTER IGNITION COIL, BATTERY, ALTERNATOR AND THE CAR STILL DOESN'T START RANDOMLY I HAVE TO TURN THE CAR TO THE ON POSITION THEN OFF MORE THAN 30 TIMES AND WAIT UNTIL I HEAR THE FUEL PUMP ACTIVATE THEN I KNOW IT WILL START I HAVE HAD THE CAR CUT OFF ON ME ON THE FREEWAY, IN THE MIDDLE OF MALIK A TURN ON BUSY STREETS I'VE BEEN OUT AT FAMILY EVENTS AND WHEN I TRIED TO GO HOME THE CAR WOULDN'T START I NEED HELP
Engine, Aug 30, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND IT TOOK MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER WHERE THE BATTERY PLUG WAS CLEANED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
Electrical system, Seats, Engine, Aug 28, 2019
THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR 3 YEARS. CHEVY HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE DESPITE CHANGING OUT THE SENSORS AND CLEARING THE CODES. THIS EFFECTS THE REST OF THE ENGINE SETTINGS INCLUDING FUEL AS IT ADJUSTS THEM BASED ON A DEFAULT. THE RAIL SUPPORT FOR THE DRIVER'S SEAT HAS ALSO BROKEN LOOSE AND FALLEN DOWN WHICH MAKES THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THIS SEAT ISSUE WAS ONLY NOTICE EARLIER THIS YEAR.