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.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Feb 19, 2019
THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CAR ARE CONSTANTLY GOING OUT. I HAVE TO REPLACE THEM 3-4 TIMES A YEAR. I SPEND HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS ON HEADLAMPS, EVEN THOUGH I INSTALL THEM MYSELF. INSTALLING NEW HEADLAMPS REQUIRES YOU TO REMOVE THE FRONT BUMPER. THERE IS AN OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW WITH THE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS I HAVE SEEN WITH THIS SAME ISSUE.
Air bags, Feb 18, 2019
MY SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AT LIKE EVERY 3-4 STARTS IT WILL TURN OFF AFTER I TURN THE CAR OFF I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS IS A RECALL THAT IS COVERED I JUST TOOK MY CAR IN BECAUSE THE ESC LIGHT WAS COMING ON AND OFF AND WHEN IT WOULD COME ON I WOULD LOSE STEERING I WAS ONCE HAPPY WITH MY CAR BUT NOW I KEEP HAVING ALL THESE LIGHT PIPING ON AND OFF
Steering, Feb 18, 2019
WANTED TO UPDATE MY CASE 11173286. I TOOK THE CAR TO CHEVROLET DEALER TO HAVE CAR REPAIRED 02/05/2019. APPARENTLY CHEVROLET KNOWS THEY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING BECAUSE IT WAS COVERED UNDER A SPECIAL WARRANTY. THEY REPLACED THE STEERING TORQUE SENSOR AND MOTOR PART NUMBERS 23232310 SENSOR KIT AND 22837369 MODULE. I THINK THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM BECAUSE IF IT HAD HAPPENED WHEN MY WIFE WAS DRIVING SHE WOULD OF HAD A REAL PROBLEM BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL IS VERY HARD TO TURN. SHE WOULD NOT KNOW IF YOU RESTART THE CAR THE STEERING WORKS AGAIN. SHE PROBABLY WOULD JUST STOPPED THE CAR WHERE EVER SHE WAS AND CAUSE A TRAFFIC PROBLEM. ALSO THERE WAS NOT ANY WARNING THAT STEERING WAS GOING TO GO BAD. IT HAPPENED TO ME 5 TIMES BEFORE I HAD IT FIXED. THE PROBLEM WOULD ANY PLACE. I HAVE HAPPEN ON THE STREET GOING 45 MPH, TURNING A CORNER, BACKING OUR OF MY DRIVEWAY, 2 TIMES ON A CITY STREET UNDER 30 MPH. IF YOU GO ONLINE THERE ARE OTHER PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM.
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 18, 2019
STARTED OUT WHEN I'M JUST DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD MY STEERING WHEEL TWITCHES. NOW HAS GONE TO ESC POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL COMPLETELY LOCKS UP. MOST OF THE TIME JUST WHEN I START THE CAR HOWEVER HAS DONE IT WHEN I'M DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THANKFULLY IT WAS A SECLUDED ROAD AND I DIDN'T HIT ANYONE. THIS IS SUPER DANGEROUS AND ACCORDING TO MY SEARCH OF THE INTERNET I'M NOT ALONE.
Exterior lighting, Feb 17, 2019
HEADLIGHTS WORK INTERMITTENTLY, I'VE REPLACED BOTH BULBS AROUND 4 TIMES IN A YEAR. THE DRIVER SIDE GOES OUT I CHANGE IT THEN THE PASSENGER WOULD GO OUT THEN CHANGE IT THEN BOOM THERE GOES THE DRIVER SIDE AGAIN AFTER THE LAST TIME CHANGING IT I NOTICED THE BULBS AREN'T BLOWING OUT. EVERYONE THAT HAS THIS MAKE AND MODEL CAR IS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AND I BELIEVE IT IS A FACTORY DEFECT WITH THE WIRING HARNESSES. RUNNING TO THE CHEVY DEALER TO HAVE THIS ISSUE DIAGNOSED AND THEN THE INSANE BILL AFTERWARDS TO FIX SOMETHING THAT I'M PRETTY SURE GM WAS AND IS ALREADY AWARE IS NOT ONLY RIDICULOUS BUT A DISRESPECTFUL SLAP IN THE FACE TO THEIR FAITHFUL CONSUMERS.
Exterior lighting, Feb 15, 2019
THIS WILL BE MY 5TH ATTEMPT WITH CHANGING THE PASSENGER SIDE LOW-BEAN. I RECENTLY TOOK AGAIN TO MY MECHANIC ON JANUARY 7, 2019 TO REPLACE THE BULB AND EXACTLY JANUARY 24 IT WENT BACK OUT AGAIN. THIS ISSUE NEED TO BE REPORTED AND TO BE RECALL. THIS ISSUE WILL KEEP HAPPENING OVER AND OVER AND ITS OBVIOUSLY NOT THE BULB IS THE PROBLEM. I GOT PULLED OVER AND WAS ISSUED A REPAIR ORDER BY THE POLICE ON ANOTHER BULB ISSUE AND THEN ANOTHER A TICKET EVEN WHEN I HAD SHOWED POLICE I HAD BROUGHT A BLUB TO REPLACED IT. THIS IS BEYOND FRUSTRATING PLUS TO REMOVED THE FRONT BUMPER TO REPLACE THE BULB CREATES AN EXTRA CHARGES.
Steering, Feb 11, 2019
WAS DRIVING DOWN A CROOKED ROAD WHEN STEERING FELT LIKE IT LOCKED UP. BARELY MADE IT TO SIDE OF ROAD WITHOUT CRASHING. FLASHED ECS AND POWERSTEERING ON DASH. AFTER I RESTARTED THE ENGINE IT QUIT BUT DID IT AGAIN ABOUT A WEEK LATER BUT THE 2ND TIME IT DIDN'T QUIT AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF, BUT THE NEXT DAY IT WAA DRIVING FINE AGAIN.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Feb 6, 2019
NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. I'M TRYING TO FIND OUT WHERE TO FILE COMPLAINTS ABOUT MANUFACTURING ISSUES TO START A RECALL. MY MALIBU DIDN'T START ONE AFTER WORK TOWED IT TO MECHANIC. HE SAID IT DIDN'T HAVE OIL PRESSURE. HE OPENED UP THE ENGINE AND FOUND PIECES OF O RINGS/RTV SEALANT BLOCKING FLOW AND BUSTED RODS, LIFTERS, AND LOOSE BEARINGS OBVIOUSLY. I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY ONE OPEN THAT ENGINE. I FEEL THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. CAR ONLY HAS 90,000 MILES. A/C COMPRESSOR WENT OUT AT 40,000 MILES, REAR DEFROST OUT REAR FUSE BOX CORRODED AND BURNED WIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED, WHEEL BEARINGS OUT IN THE FRONT AT 50,000 MILES. THIS SHOULDN'T HAPPEN WITH A NEWER CAR. DEALER NO HELP OUT OF WARRANTY.
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 3, 2019
CONSTANTLY HAVING ISSUES WITH THE ELECTICAL SYSTEM IN THIS VEHICLE, AND FROM FURTHER STUDIES AND INVESTICATION VIA INTERNET COMPLAINTS AND YOUTUBE CUSTOMERS/OWNERS...THIS IS A CONTINUAL ONGOING PROBLEM FOR A SUBSTAINTIAL AMOUNT OF CHEVY MALIBU OWNERS FROM THE YEAR OF 2009 TO 2013/2014 MODELS. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ASAP ON THESE MAKE AND MODELS. THE ISSUE IS THAT THE HEADLIGHTS CONSTANLY SHORT OUT AND BLOW OUT. MECHANICS AND SERVICE HAS FOUND THAT THE ELECTTICAL CONNECTORS FOR HLLIGHTBULB OVERHEATS, MELTS THE WIRING, AND BURNS OUT BULB> THIS IS VERY DANGEROUSE AND IS A FIRE HAZARD. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST THREE TIMES ON MY VEHICLE ALONE. ALSO CONSTAT PROBLEMS WITH REAR RIGHT WHEEL CONVERTOR SPEED AND TIRE SENSORS, AND THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM OVER ALL. THE WIRING IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE CONSTANTLY HAVE BLOW OUT FUSES, THE EMERGENCY LIGHT INDICATORS ALWAYS COMING ON, AND THE SENSORS ON AND OFF. THIS IS A WELL NOTED AND DOCUMENTED OCCURANS WITH THESE VEHICLES. THESE CARS NEED TO BE RECALLED DUE TO DANGER WITH POSSIBLE FIRE AND CAR STALLING OUT WHILE DRIVING DUE TO ELECTRICAL ISSUES AND HEATING/COOLING AC WIRES SHORTING OUT. IN ALL OVERVIEW THIS HAS CAUSED ME SEVERE FINACIL PROBLEMS DUE TO CONSTANT REPAIRS AND PART REPLACEMENT. IT IS A DANGER TO MYSELF AND OTHERS ON THE HIGHWAYS AND ROADS. I NEED THIS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY. I HAVE SOME OF THE MELTED FIRE SPARKED PARTS.PLEASE CONTACT ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. MANY DAYS I DONT HAVE NEEDED TRANSPORTATION DUE TO THESE ISSUES AND I GET REPAIRS ALL OF THE TIME WHILE STILL PAYING A CAR NOTE. I AM SCARED TO KEEP DRIVING THIUS CAR.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 2, 2019
"TAKATA RECALL " IM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY 2012 MALIBU WHEN IM DRIVING DOWN THE STREET MY VEHICLES STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP AND " SERVICE ESC " POPS UP MAKING IT HARD TO TURN SO I HAVE TO STOP IN THE THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET TO RESTART MY CAR IT HAPPENED A MONTH AND A HALF AGO AND JUST RECENTLY STARTED AGAIN IT STOPPED FOR A DAY AND NOW ITS BACK EVEN WORSE. TOOK IT TO THE REPAIR SHOP THE THINK ITS MY TORQUE SENSOR AND INTAKE AND EXHAUST CAMSHAFT
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 1, 2019
I WAS DRIVING 55 MPH ON HIGHWAY AND POWER STEERING WENT OUT STEERING WHEEL STIFFING UP AND I ALMOST WENT IN THE LANE NEXT TO ME./ SECOND TIME I JUST MADE IT TO WORK TR=URN THE STEERING WHEEL TO PARK AND IT WENT OUT AGAIN./REAR DEFROST DON'T WORK CHANGED FUSE AND STILL WONT WORK
Steering, Jan 31, 2019
WHEN DRIVING THE CAR THE DASH WILL DISPLAY " ESC POWER STEERING" AND THE POWER STEERING STOPS WORKING. SHUTTING THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTARTING THE CAR WILL TURN THE POWER STEERING BACK ON. FOR HOW LONG? MAYBE 1 MILE OR 100 MILES. THERE IS NO WARNING THAT THE POWER STEERING IS GOING TO FAIL. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON A STREET, TURNING AND SITTING STILL.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 29, 2019
TAKATA RECALL UNSAFE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WITH UNPREDICTABLE HEADLIGHT FUNTIONALITY AND UNKNOWN OTHER RESULTS MAY LEAD TO MORE EXTENSIVE DAFETY ISSUES, I.E FIRE CONCERNS.
Steering, Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 28, 2019
POWER STEERING, LIGHTS, ELECTRICAL STABILITY, ENGINE, TRANSMISSION
Steering, Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 27, 2019
THE STEERING WHEEL TENDS TO SHAKE AND TURN LEFT OR RIGHT WHILE YOU'RE DRIVING ALMOST CAUSED A WRECK IDLING IT SHAKES REALLY BAD
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Jan 26, 2019
ESC & TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT COMES ON WHEN THE VEHICLE COMES TO A STOP,BUT GOES AWAY AFTER 15 MPH ALSO ROUGH IDLING .ANTI LOCK BRAKES DISENGAGE NOT WORKING AT ALL.ENGINE DISABLED WARNING LIGHT CAR WON'T START.AFTER A SHORT WHILE IT WILL START
Other or unspecified, Jan 25, 2019
CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD CAUSES CARBON MONOXIDE FUMES TO ENTER THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT CAUSING ILLNESS. SYMTOMS INCLUDE, DIZZINESS, NAUSEA, HEADACHE, WATERING EYES, RUNNY NOSE. A DEFINITE HEALTH RISK.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 24, 2019
LOSS OF STEERING.TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON
Exterior lighting, Jan 18, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 170,000.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 13, 2019
WHILE DRIVING POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING AND ESC LIGHT CAME ON. TURNED CAR OFF AND IS WORKING AGAIN. STEERING PULLS AND I'M UNCOMFORTABLE DRIVING. RECALLS WERE MADE TO YEAR AND MODEL OF MY CAR BUT MY VIN DOESN'T MATCH UP TO RECALL.
Exterior lighting, Jan 10, 2019
DIM LIGHTS BURNING OUT EVERY FEW MONTHS. HAPPENS ON START UP LEAVING ME NO CHOICE BUT TO USE MY HIGH BEAMS TO GET VEHICLE HOME CAUSING A SAFETY HAZARD.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 7, 2019
FUSE 6 BLOWS WHEN LEFT TURN SIGNAL IS ACTIVATED. IT FIRST BLEW IN OCT 2018, THEN NOT AGAIN UNTIL DECEMBER (SEVERAL TIMES) AND STILL HAPPENING AGAIN IN JAN 2019. SIGNALS WILL WORK FINE FOR A DAY OR TWO AFTER REPLACING FUSE, BUT THEN FUSE BLOWS AGAIN.
Steering, Jan 7, 2019
I HAVE ONLY HAD MY CAR IN MY CARE FOR GOING ON 3 YEARS. THE STEERING WHEEL POPS WHEN MAKING A RIGHT OR LEFT TURN. AFTER ABOUT 6 TURNS THE STEERING WHEEL FAILS TO TURN AND GETS STUCK. I HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT IT AND HE SAID IT IS THE RACK AND PINION. AGTER GETTING AN OPINION I HAVE OTHER PEOPLE I KNOW SAYING THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE IN THE RACK AND PINION IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF VEHICLE YET NO ONE HAS ISSUED A RECALL FOR MY PARTICULAR VIN NUMBER/VEHICLE MAKE AND MODEL.
Exterior lighting, Jan 4, 2019
MY PASSENGER SIDE LOWBEAM. HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT NOW I GOT PULLED OVER AND NEED TO TAKE MY CAR INTO THE MECANIC SHOP. FOR WHAT I WAS TOLD IS ATLEAST 200 DOLLARS. RIGHT AFTER THE HOIDAYS. MY 1997 CHEVY SILVERADO HASN'T NEEDED A HEADLIGHT REPLACEMENT IN 6 YEARS BUT THIS CAR I CHANGED THE BULB 4 TIMES LAST YEAR? NOT TO MENTION ITS SO HARD TO EVEN GET TO THE BULB YOU HAVE TO TAKE INTO THE SHOP.
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 30, 2018
MY POWER STEERING JUST WENT OUT ON ME IN THE MIDDLE.OF DRIVING GOT REAL STIFF ON THE 10 FREEWAY GOING HOME FROM.REDLANDS TO HEMET AND MY POWER STEERING EIS ELECTRICAL AND ITS HARD MY MECHANIC SAID ITS TOO MUCH TO FIX AND TOLD ME THAT ITS A HIGH DEMAND IN RECALL FOR THIS AND THAT I NEED IT FIX I TURNED IT ON AND TI WORKS FOR 5 MINUTES A DRIVE OR TWO AND OUT OF NO WHERE EVEN WHILE DRIVING WILL STIFFEN UP AGAIN ON ME