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, 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.
Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 24, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, FUEL LEAKED ONTO THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND WENT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO STIVERS CHEVROLET (803-254-1431, LOCATED AT 111 NEWLAND RD, COLUMBIA, SC 29229) AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 21, 2018
INTERMITTENT STARTING ISSUES ON THIS VEHICLE. WILL RANDOMLY TURN OVER BUT NOT START. IF WE LET IT SIT FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS IT WILL THEN START, BUT LEAVES US STRANDED. THIS HAPPENS EVERY 2-3 MONTHS. LIGHTS START BLINKING RANDOMLY AS DRIVING, TRACTION CONTROL WILL TURN ON AS WE ARE DRIVING CAUSING REDUCTION IN POWER. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS ISSUE.
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.
Air bags, Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 17, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG SENSOR INDICATOR FLASHED OFF AND ON, WHICH WAS A SAFETY CONCERN. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING, THE REAR TRUNK LID WOULD ERRONEOUSLY UNLOCK AND OPEN. THE FAILURES WERE NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.
Exterior lighting, Sep 11, 2018
THE FRONT HEADLAMP CONSTANTLY GOES OUT. THIS IS THE 4TH REPLACEMENT IN A YEAR.
Electrical system, Sep 8, 2018
HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT
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.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 5, 2018
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WARMING MESSAGE READ ENGINE POWER REDUCE ESC AND SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL.. THE CAR SHOOK AND DROPPED DOWN TO 30 MPH WHILE I WAS ON HIGHWAY ..I WAS BARELY ABLE TO GET TO SIDE OF HIGHWAY .. I WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND STARTED CAR BACK UP AGAIN MESSAGE CLEARED BUT RIGHT BEFORE I GOT HOME CAR DID THE SAME THING .. I CALLED TRIPLE A AND HAS IT TOWED HOME
Exterior lighting, Sep 5, 2018
I HAVE HAD TO CHANGE MY HEADLIGHT OVER 10 TIMES THIS YEAR. EVERY MODEL OF THIS CAR I SEE DRIVING HAS THE SAME ISSUE.
Exterior lighting, Aug 31, 2018
I KEEP HAVING TO CHANGE MY HEADLIGHTS ON BOTH SIDES WAY TOO FREQUENTLY AND IT'S WAY TOO EXPENSIVE TO KEEP REPLACING THEM IT HAS GOT TO BE SOMETHING WRONG HERE!!!!
Electrical system, Aug 24, 2018
WHILE IN MOTION CAR JERKS AND ALMOST STALLS. ROUGH IDLE AGAIN JERKING AND ALMOST STALLING. SERVICE ESC / SERVICE TRACTION /ENGINE LIGHT COME ON. IF CAR IS NOT USED FOR A FEW DAYS, WARNING LIGHT WILL NOT COME ON. THEN ABOUT 30 MILES INTO DRIVE LIGHTS COME ON AND CONDITION DESCRIBED ABOVE OCCUR. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION.
Exterior lighting, Aug 15, 2018
THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM LIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT. I CHANGED THE LIGHT ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO AND IT'S OUT AGAIN. NO BUMPS, ACCIDENTS, NOTHING. ITS JUST GOES OUT.
Engine, Aug 13, 2018
AS I WAS DRIVING IN IN CHICAGO INTERSTATE 94 DOING ABOUT 60MPH THE MOTOR JUST STOPPED RUNNING THE STEERING WAS HARD I HAD DIFFICULTY GOING TO THE SHOLDER THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHTS LIKE IF I JUST TURNED THE SWITCH TO OFF AFTER I GOT TO THE SHOLDER THE CAR JUST DIDN'T WANT TO START..I CALLED MY MECHANIC HE SAID TRY TO REBOOT THE PC. UNPLUG THE BATTERY. I DID THE CAR STARTED BUT STARTED WITH A TICKING NOISE. IN THE ENGINE I CANCELLED MY PLAN TURNED AROUND STARTED TO GO HEME 20 MINUTES LATER ON THE SAME INTERSTATE 94 THE CAR DID IT AGAIN THIS TIME ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. BUT TJIS TIME IT WAS HARDER TO STEER THE CAR ...CAN YOU IMAGINE DRIVING IN THE FREEWAY WITH YOUR FAMILY ON BOARD NEXT TO SEMI TRUCKS AND YOUR CAR JUST STOPS RESPONDING.....I THING THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE LOOKED AT BEFORE A DEADLY ACCIDENT HAPPENS.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 11, 2018
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH, SERVICE ECS LIGHT CAME ON, REDUCED POWER WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR CAME TO A FULL STALL.
Electrical system, Aug 10, 2018
WHILE DRIVING I NOTICED MY LIGHTS SHOWING ENGINE POWER REDUCED FROM MY UNDERSTANDING THIS IS THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR.
Electrical system, Aug 6, 2018, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SMOKE ENTERED THE VEHICLE NEAR THE FRONT OF THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE AREA AND NOTICED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT COMING FROM THE AREA OF THE ENGINE, BUT RATHER THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF BURNING WIRES. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH OURISMAN CHEVROLET OF BOWIE (16610 GOVERNOR BRIDGE RD, BOWIE, MD 20716, (301) 262-7600) FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Aug 2, 2018
THE CAR TELLS ME TO SERVICE ESC AND TO SERVICE TRACTION. WHEN THE CAR IS IN CRUISE CONTROL THE BRAKE DOES NOT DISENGAGE CRUISE CONTROL.
Electrical system, Air bags, Seat belts, Jul 31, 2018
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY THE CHIMES STARTED DINGING AND THE CABIN FILLED UP WITH SMOKE THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AFTER PULLING OVER IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT SEAT BELTS WERE LOCKED IN THE WEARING POSITION
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Engine, Jul 25, 2018
P2138 THROTTLE/ PEDAL POSITION SENSOR SECOND TIME SAME PROBLEM THE POWER WAS REDUCE WHEN I WAS DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY.
Exterior lighting, Jul 23, 2018
BOTH LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS (FRONT LEFT AND FRONT RIGHT) STOPPED WORKING AT THE SAME TIME. THIS OCCURRED WHEN I WAS DRIVING WITH A PASSENGER AWAY FROM HOME AT NIGHT IN THE DARK.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 23, 2018
ANTI THEFT SYSTEM, WENT TO GET IN MY CAR IN MY DRIVEWAY TO GO TO WORK AND IT WON'T TURN ON HAS LIGHTS AND POWER BUT JUST HEAR A CLICK IN MOTOR, NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS BEFORE NO OTHER LIGHTS ON AND NOW IT WON'T START SHOWS THE ANTI THEFT LOCK LIGHT
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Jul 13, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE OVERHEATED, STALLED, AND VARIOUS WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND WAS LATER TAKEN TO MASTER CHEVROLET (3625 RICHLAND AVE W, AIKEN, SC 29801, (806) 353-6343) FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REPAIRS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE A SPECIFIC CAUSE OF THE FAILURES, BUT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS A FLOOD VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD ELECTRICAL WIRING ISSUES, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SWITCH GEARS CORRECTLY, AND THE BRAKES HAD BEEN REPLACED AT LEAST TWICE SINCE OWNING THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,500.
Air bags, Jul 11, 2018
TAKATA RECALL MY AIRBAG SYSTEM WARNING COMES ON AND GOES OFF INTERMITTENTLY. MY LOCAL SHOP SAID THAT THEY HAVE RUN INTO MANY PROBLEMS SUCH AS THIS AND I WAS HOPING THAT IT WAS INCLUDED IN THE TAKATA RECALL.