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.
Power train, May 2, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO DEAN ARBOUR FORD LINCOLN (1001 US-23, ALPENA, MI 49707, (989) 356-6366) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED TWICE, BUT THE DETAILS WERE UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, May 1, 2019
CAR WOULD TURN OVER BUT NOT CRANK. GO BACK A LITTLE LATER AND IT CRANK FINE. AFTER THIS HAPPENING SEVERAL TIMES HAD SOMEONE TAKE A LOOK AT IT AND THERE WAS NO CODES AND THE CAR WOULD CRANK FINE SO COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. THEN WHEN I WAS OUT SOMEWHERE IT WOULD CRANK AND RUN SLUGGISH AND GO DEAD AND AFTER A WHILE IT WOULD CRANK AND RUN. GOT TO RESEARCHING IT AND PEOPLE HAVING SAME PROBLEM. SAID THAT YOU COULD WIGGLE FUEL PUMP RELAY AND IT WOULD CRANK. SURE ENOUGH TRIED THIS AND IT WORKED. I'M PRETTY SURE THIS IS SAME PROBLEM. AND ALSO IF YOU HAD BEEN RUNNING THE CAR AND IT WOULDNT CRANK THE FUEL PUMP RELAY WILL BE HOT WHICH SUGGEST THE WIRING AND OR FUSE BOX IS PROBLEM. PEOPLE TALK ABOUT REPLACING FUEL PUMP , FUSE BOX , AND CHEAP LOW GAUGE WIRING FROM FUEL PUMP TO FUSE BOX. NOW I'M TAKING TO MECHANIC TO TRY TO GET THIS FIXED BEFORE IT CATCHES FIRE AND SOMEONE GETS HURT . TRY TO GET FIXED AND BUY A HONDA OR ANYTHING EXCEPT GM.
Seats, Apr 29, 2019
WHILE CAR WAS PARKED I GOT INTO THE DRIVERS SEAT, THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE SEAT SHIFTED. WHEN I WENT TO RE-ADJUST THE SEAT HEIGHT/ POSITION. THE SEAT LEANED TO ONE SIDE AND WAS LOOSE. I TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP WHO REFUSED TO EVEN LOOK AT IT AFTER I DESCRIBED THE ISSUE. I FOUND 3 DIFFERENT WEBSITES LISTING THE SAME PROBLEM. IT BOILS DOWN TO CRACKED WELDS. A CAR UNDER 7YRS OLD SHOULD NOT HAVE A FAILURE LIKE THIS. I DROVE A 1981 BUICK CENTURY (PURCHASED 1995) WITH OVER 87,000 MILES AND THE SEATS WHERE FINE UP TO WHEN I SOLD IT IN 2001. ALL I CAN RECALL IS THAT THIS HAPPENED SOMETIME IN 2018. WHY HAS GM AND NHTSA NOT ISSUED RECALLS. THIS IS A HIGHLY DANGEROUS, EVEN FATAL FLAW IN THEIR VEHICLES.
Exterior lighting, Apr 28, 2019
PASSENGER LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT CONTINUALLY BURNS OUT. HAVE CHANGED BULB MULTIPLE TIMES. THE LAST TIME THE BULB LITERALLY BLEW UP. THE NEW BULB WOULD LAST AN HOUR OR A DAY OR TWO.
Exterior lighting, Apr 15, 2019
I OWN TWO 2012 CHEVY MALIBUS--THE HEADLIGHTS ON EACH HAVE WENT OUT NO LESS THAN 4 TIMES EACH. THIS HAS TO BE A DESIGN OR MANUFACTURE ISSUE. EVEN WITH THE PIGTALS BEING REPLACED THE HEADLIGHTS CONTINUE TO GO OUT.
Exterior lighting, Apr 14, 2019
WE HAVE HAD THE DRIVERS SIDE WIRING HARNESS REPLACED THREE TIMES. AND THE OTHER ONE ONCE. MY SON HAS THE EXACT MAKE AND MODEL AND HAS SAME ISSUES. REPLACED TWICE. LOCAL REPAIR SHOP SAYS THIS IS A KNOW. ISSUE
Exterior lighting, Apr 12, 2019
HIGH AND LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE HEADLIGHTS ON MY CAR 3 TIMES WITHIN 3 MONTHS. I SEARCHED FOR A PROBLEM WITH THAT CAR AND ANY COMPLAINTS. I FOUND NO RECALL BUT GM BUT 274 COMPLAINTS ABOUT HEADLIGHT PROBLEMS. THE HEADLIGHTS WILL JUST GO OFF DURING DRIVING. VERY DANGEROUS. WHAT CAN BE DONE. IT VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE BULBS BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO DROP THE BUMPER BUT THE BULB IS NOT THE PROBLEM. HOW CAN WE GET GENERAL MOTORS TO RECALL AND FIX THIS PROBLEM FOR 274 PEOPLE? I CAN TELL YOU THE VERY LAST TIME THIS HAPPEN.
Electrical system, Apr 7, 2019
BOTH HEADLIGHTS WILL NOT COME ON (LOW BEAM) HIGH BEAMS WORK FINE. BULBS ARE NEW AND FUSES ARE WORKING JUST FINE..SOMEONE NEEDS TO PUT IN A RECALL BECAUSE I SEE I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS ISSUE..THIS IS RIDICULOUS! CAN'T DRIVE WITHOUT HEADLIGHTS AND CAN'T DRIVE WITH HIGH BEAMS ON
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 5, 2019
THE ECS LIGHT CAME ON AND SHUT MY CAR OFF. THE CHROME DEALER SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WE COULD DO ABOUT IT BUT PURCHASE ANOUTHER CAR
Steering, Apr 4, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN CHEVROLET DEALER IN KENTUCKY WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14E044000 (STEERING). THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000.
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 4, 2019
MY CHEVY MALIBU WOULD TURN OVER SLIGHTLY, BUT THEN WOULD DIE. THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 3-4 TIMES AND THEN I HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED; THINKING IT WAS THAT. THE CAR CONTINUED TO FAIL, SO I HAD THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED AFTER CHECKING WITH A FUEL GAUGE AND THERE BEING NO FUEL PRESSURE. THE CAR RAN ABOUT 3 TIMES DRIVING IT FOR SHORTER AND A BIT LONGER DISTANCES, BUT THEN THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN OVER AT ALL. THE STARTER WOULD TRY, BUT THERE WAS NO IGNITION OF THE CAR. AT MY LOCAL CHEVY DEALER, DON MCCUE, THEY DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR FUSE BOX AND A FEW TERMINALS WERE BURNT OUT. THEY REPLACED THE REAR FUSE BOX AND A FEW TERMINALS, AND THE CAR NOW RUNS SUCCESSFULLY.
Exterior lighting, Apr 3, 2019
PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED EVERY YEAR. SOMETIMES SOONER. THE PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM CONNECTOR MELTED.
Air bags, Apr 1, 2019
RIGHT FRONT SEAT INDICATOR LIGHT TURNS OFF AND ON WHILE SAT ON
Electrical system, Engine, Apr 1, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55-60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY 20-60 MINUTES LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE AND ADDITIONAL DIAGNOSTIC TESTING NEEDED TO BE PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT STATED ON TWO SEPARATE OIL CHANGE INTERVALS, METAL SHAVINGS WERE FOUND IN THE OIL FILTER AND OIL PAN. CREWS CHEVROLET (LOCATED AT 8199 RIVERS AVE, NORTH CHARLESTON, SC 29406, (843) 820-7800) WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED FIVE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
Air bags, Mar 29, 2019
WHEN CAR IS RUNNING, THE SERVICE AIR BAG SOON LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON WHILE THE CAR IS RUNNING.
Exterior lighting, Mar 29, 2019
IS HAVING TO CONSTANTLY REPLACE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT. MY HEADLIGHTS HAVE BOTH WENT OUT 3 TIMES WITHIN 6 MONTHS. THIS IS VERY COSTLY REPAIR BECAUSE THE FRONT BUMPER HAS TO BE REMOVED IN ORDER TO GET TO THE HEADLIGHT.
Steering, Mar 28, 2019
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON A CITY ROAD AND MY STEERING STOPPED WORKING. THANKFULLY I WASN'T TOO FAR FROM HOME SO I DID GET HOME SAFELY. I HAD IT TOWED TO A (XXXX) DEALERSHIP BECAUSE MY MECHANIC SAID THAT MY WARRANTY SHOULD COVER IT AND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL. THE DEALERSHIP CALLED ME AND TOLD ME I NEED A NEW STEERING MODULE AND COLUMN AND THAT IT IS NOT COVERED. IF I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND THIS HAPPENED I WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED. I AM PREGNANT AND DUE IN A FEW WEEKS AND I NEED A SAFE RELIABLE VEHICLE FOR MY SON AND I. PLEASE HELP US. 'PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Air bags, Mar 27, 2019
I NOTICED AN AIR BAG LIGHT THAT APPEARS ON THE CLUSTER OF MY 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU UPON STARTING THE CAR. IT'S NOT CLEAR WHY THIS AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON, SO I CONTACTED GM AND THEY CLAIM THEY DO NOT HAVE ANY INFORMATION ON IT. ALTHOUGH MY VEHICLE'S WARRANTY IS NO LONGER VALID SINCE IT IS MORE THAN 5 YEARS, BUT THE VEHICLE HAS VERY LOW MILES (ABOUT 22K) AND I BELIEVE GM SHOULD PAY FOR THE SERVICES FOR THIS ISSUE TO BE DIAGNOSED SINCE IT IS SAFETY RELATED BUT THEY REFUSED TO PAY FOR ANY SERVICES. I PLAN TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BUT I HAVE NO IDEA THE EXTENT OF HOW SERIOUS THE ISSUE IS, OR HOW MUCH IT WILL COST FOR THE REPAIRS
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Mar 26, 2019
WHEN DRIVING OR SITTING AT IDLE NOT MOVING SERVICE ESC AND TRACTION CONTROL FLASHES ON DASH. WHICH IS CAUSING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO STAY ON CAUSING MISFIRE ON CYLINDER #1 AND THEN RANDOM MISFIRE. THE CAR HASN'T BEEN ABLE TO BE INSPECTED IN 2 YEARS HAVE HAD AT 3 CHEVROLET DEALERSHIPS AND ALL CAN'T FIGURE OUT ISSUE . THE 1ST DEALERSHIP SAID WE HAVE NO IDEA WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE CAR. THE SECOND DEALERSHIP SAID THE CAR NEEDED #1 INJECTOR AND INJECTOR HARNESS AND THROTTLE BODY WHICH WAS REPLACED DIDN'T EVEN MAKE IT OFF THE LOT AND CHECK ENGINE AND TRACTION CONTROL AND ESC LIGHTS WAS FLASHING AGAIN THEY SAID MIGHT HAVE CRACKED HEAD CAR HAS BEEN PRESSURE TESTED DOESN'T USE WATER AND DOESN'T GET HOT. THEY ARE JUST TRYING TO THROW PARTS AT IT AT MY EXPENSE. THE 3RD DEALERSHIP WHICH CAR IS AT NOW IS TELLING ME POSSIBLE BURNT VALVE CAUSING ALL MY ISSUES WITH CAR SAID THEY DID COMPRESSION TEST AND ALL CYLINDERS HAVE 170 POUNDS IN ALL 4 CYLINDERS WHICH IS NOT POSSIBLE. I HAVE REPLACED MAP SENSOR, PCM, SPARK PLUGS, 1 INJECTOR, INJECTOR HARNESS, THROTTLE BODY AND NOTHING HAS HELPED CAR. THE CAR NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES WITH MISFIRE UNTIL THE ESC AND TRACTION CONTROL STARTED FLASHING AND IN 2 YEARS STILL HAS BEEN SOLVED AT ANY DEALERSHIP VERY DISAPPOINTED IN NEED OF HELP TO FIX ISSUE
Steering, Mar 25, 2019
WELL WHILE TURNING ON MY STREET THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND ESC LIGHT CAME ON WHICH ALMOST CAUSE ME TO HIT MY NEIGHBOR FENCE AND CAR TRYING TO TURN..I WAS VERY SCARED HAD CAR PUT IN SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME STEERING WAS GONE OUT..I DIDNT NO ABOUT THIS RECALL STUFF BECAUSE I HAD TO PAY CLOSE TO 1000 TO GET THOS REPAIRED..HOW CAN I GET REFUNDED FOR SOMETHING THAT WAS A RECALL ON
Exterior lighting, Mar 21, 2019
MY LOW BEAMS AND NOW HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT. REPLACED THREE TIMES AND TWO ON THE OTHER SIDE. COSTS OVER 150 EACH TIME. DRIVING OR WHEN I GO TO START CAR IS WHEN THEY GO OUT AND ONLY ONCE AFTER HITTING BUMP IT CAME ON. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE REPORTING SAME PROBLEM ON CAR GURU. TYPE IN YOUR CAR MAKE AND MODEL AND YEAR WITH HEADLIGHT PROBLEMS AND YOU WILL SEE HOW MANY DRIVERS ARE EFFECTED BY THIS AND HAVE TO KEEP PAYING. I ALSO GOT PULLED OVER 5 TIMES IN 2 MONTHS FOR HEADLIGHTS. THIS IS A PROBLEM AND NEEDS THE MAKER TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. I ALSO CAN GET RECORDS FROM DEALERSHIP OF ALL WORK PAID FOR.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 20, 2019
ON TWO OCCASSIONS THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY WENT COMPLETELY OUT WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. SINCE I GOT THE CAR 2 YEARS AGO I HAVE HAD MANY ISSUES WITH THE LIGHTING AMD ELECTRICAL. THE BRAKE LIGHT WORKS WHEN IT CHOOSES TO EVEN IF K DONE PUSH THE BRAKE AND WITH NEW BULBS IT MAY NOT WORK. THE HEADLIGHTS DO THE SAME. THEY COME ON AND GO OFF WHEN THEY CHOOSE TO. I HAVE REPLACED BULBS OVER 20 TIMES IN THE PAST 2 YEARS WHEN I DIDN'T ACTUALLY HAVE TO. MY SENSORS ALSO DON'T WORK WHICH I WAS TOLD WAS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE. I HAVE A FRONT LIGHT THAT WON'T GO OFF SO EACH TIME I CUT THE CAR OFF I HAVE TO UNPLUG MY BATTERY SO IT DOESN'T DIE. THE DATE POSTED ISNT THE ONLY DATE ITS HAPPENED IT WAS THE DAY IT ALL STARTED.
Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 20, 2019
SERVICE ESC TRACTION ALERTS AND ENGINE SOUNDS AS THOUGHT IT WILL STALL - HAD MAP SENSOR REPLACED, A FEW MONTHS LATER ISSUE HAS RETURNED. OCCURS WHILE DRIVING AND WHEN PARKED.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Mar 20, 2019
DRIVER SIDE HEADLAMPS GOING OUT. I'VE HAD TO REPLACE MY DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT 3 TIMES OVER THE LAST 2 MONTHS. NO AUTOMOBILE SHOULD GO THROUGH HEADLAMPS AT THAT RATE. TO COMPLICATE THIS ISSUE, THE ENTIRE FRONT BUMPER MUST BE REMOVED TO CHANGE THE HEADLIGHTS. I'VE READ ON THE FORUMS WHERE MANY MALIBU OWNERS ARE HAVING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE(S) WITH THE HEADLAMPS. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW AND GM/CHEVROLET SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL WITH CORRECTIVE ACTION.
Exterior lighting, Mar 19, 2019
MY DIM HEADLIGHT KEEPS BURNING OUT AND I KEPT HAVING TO CHANGE MY BULBS. TO COME TO FIND OUT IT WAS MY WIRING HARNESS AND I'VE HAD TO CHANGE IT TWICE. MY BRIGHT LIGHTS DO GOOD. IT'S JUST THE DIM LIGHTS. PLEASE RECALL THIS. IT'S A HEADACHE TRYING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM ONCE OR TWICE A MONTH. I'VE ALSO READ THAT SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE'S CHEVY MALIBUS HEADLIGHTS ARE MESSING UP TOO. EVERYTIME I PASS A MALIBU ONE OF THE HEADLIGHTS ARE BURNED OUT. PLEASE FIX THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU.