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.
Air bags, Nov 20, 2024, crash
The contact called on behalf of her daughter's boyfriend who was driving alongside her daughter in a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that her daughter's boyfriend was driving on the highway at approximately 75 MPH in the left lane when a tractor-trailer in the right lane veered into their lane and the rear end of the tractor-trailer clipped the front end of their vehicle. The contact vehicle began to spin out of control until it came to a stop on the side of the road. The vehicle was totaled. The air bags were not deployed. The vehicle was towed to a local tow lot. No warning lights were illuminated prior to the crash. A police report was filed. The boyfriend seated in the driver's seat, and the contact's daughter seated in the rear passenger seat were both injured, and the infant in the rear driver's seat in a car seat was not harmed. No other individuals outside of the vehicle were injured. Medical treatment was needed for the daughter's boyfriend and the daughter. The boyfriend injured his nose on the steering wheel, and the daughter's shoulder was injured. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Nov 3, 2024
On [XXX], as I was leaving softball tournament in Poway Ca with my kiddos about 6 minutes into driving a message popped up on my dash "ENG PWR REDUCED & SERVICE TRACTION", I lost power to accelerate, I pulled over just before getting on the [XXX] freeway, turned car off and thought car would reset which it didn't. I was stranded with my kiddos. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Exterior lighting, Oct 30, 2024
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and driving over a pothole or an object on the roadway, the front driver’s side headlight became inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed; however, the contact was informed that there was a failure with the electrical wiring inside the front driver’s side headlight. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic and was diagnosed and determined that the wiring harness inside the front driver’s side headlight needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Air bags, Oct 22, 2024
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while a passenger was seated in the front passenger’s seat, the passenger’s side air bag warning light intermittently illuminated while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with an inoperable passenger’s side air bag sensor. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 146,000.
Electrical system, Seat belts, Other or unspecified, Oct 13, 2024
First, there is a problem with the transmission. The car will stall or stop abruptly while driving. Second, the automatic turn signals do not work. Third, the driver safety belt does tightly secure the driver.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Sep 16, 2024
The front exterior low beam bulbs / wiring harness keeps burning out. I have replaced them twice already and they have blown again. What is going on already a headache just to even get to the headlights, now have to spend MORE money to repair.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Aug 1, 2024
The headlights keep.going out. I've replaced everything amd it keeps happening and it's not easy to even get to the headlight. This is a hazard as my 16 year old drives this car. We fix it and then it's out all.over again. This has to be a recall as I've done some research and im.not the only one with this problem. We've been pulled over and we just explained our frustration and they've been nice enough to send us on our way.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Jul 13, 2024
For 4 years the car intermittently would turn on all warning lights, shake, become hard to steer and steer in unintended directions. We paid $1500 for the dealer to fix it and we still had the problem. Today, the car will drive less then a mile and die. When we start the car all warning lights come on, the vehicle vibrates and struggles to keep speed of 5 mph or so then will die.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jul 12, 2024
Electrical problem causing the passenger side low beam to keep burning out. Fourth time in one year. Vehicle is available for inspection upon request. This issue causes a safety concern because you can be driving down the highway at night and all of a sudden you have no headlight.
Steering, Jul 4, 2024
As I was driving my vehicle last Sunday the "Power Steering and the Service ESC" warnings came on my dashboard as well as the "Traction Control light" I audible sound came on and I lost power steering. When I went to drive my car to my service station everything worked fine for a few blocks the problem came back. I drove it to my local service mechanic and his scan tool gave an error code of CO545. I did some research on this issue and found that GM put out a Special Coverage #15356 for the power steering sensor. This coverage expired in 2021 however my vehicle did not have this problem until last week. My car only has 60,000 miles on it. Yesterday I took my vehicle to the GM dealer that I purchased my vehicle from and the said I have to pay $200.00 for them to diagnose the problem (which I understand) but the service writer told me that GM will probably not replace the parts needed because their "Special Coverage" expired in 2021. I am asking if the government can force GM to recall. I thank God that my wife nor my daughter was not driving the vehicle when this happened or they may have been hurt or worse fighting the steering wheel to keep the car going straight until I could stop it saftly.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Jun 10, 2024
Driving down the freeway and suddenly I get reduce engine power. I had to wait on the freeway until the car started up again
Exterior lighting, Apr 27, 2024
Passenger low beam keeps going out within a couple days charged wire harness and bulbs keeps happening.
Steering, Apr 26, 2024
ESC went out on vehicle on the interstate
Steering, Apr 11, 2024
1. While driving I will lose all steering capability and get a ESC Off 2. Physically difficult to turn the wheel when going around turns and this happens we would be unable to control the vehicle 3. The problem has produced itself by the dealership and there is a Bulletin that provided coverage incase this happens but did not happen until after coverage expired and should have been a recall. 4. No has not been inspected by anyone else 5. Lights that came on were traction control and a notification stating ESC is turned off on the dashboard Marquee.
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 19, 2024
Vehicle will intermittently not start, have to tap on trunk fuse box to get the Malibu to start, the wire is too small and burns up, can’t find anyone to replace it, is a big issue with this generation of Malibu. Vehicle has shut off while on highways and stoplights on MULTIPLE occasions
Steering, Feb 16, 2024
After reaching 120,000+ miles on this vehicle I have been receiving the following warnings on the driver information screen in this order: POWER STEERING SERVICE ESC ESC OFF As a result of these warnings the steering wheel becomes stiff and very hard to turn either left or right at low speeds.
Suspension, Wheels, Visibility/wiper, Feb 15, 2024
I purchased the vehicle in 2021 . It was running fine at first but recently . been having alot of issues with the vehicle. When parking the vehicle and you put it in park it moves forward . also been having alot of tire blow outs one after another for the past 8 months . also sometimes it drives proper and at times it starts swerving . the ride gets bumpy. I already replaced the arm controls also aligned the car . i believe there mechanically defaulted. Also having issues with the exhaust . fuel sensor also was replaced . Codes P0411 keep popping up. Literally I have put more money then I paid for the car. financially has drained me. When called the manufacturer about recalls they said those recalls were expired . The car has become somewhat dangerous. Also I believe When purchased the vehicle the emissions says 2013 on the bill of sale says 2012 . I just recently found the documents . Is there any way to find out right information for the vehicle . thank you my name is [XXX] phone number is [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Steering, Feb 13, 2024
While driving the car, the power steering system will randomly stop working. While driving in a parking lot the power steering stops working , the car becomes hard to steer. ESC (or ECS?) disabled light comes on and the power steering light comes on on the msg center. This leads to possible loss of control of the car leading to possible collisions.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Feb 13, 2024
My brake lights constantly go out. My fuses keep blowing. Every time I try to adjust my mirrors the fuses blow for the mirrors and brake lights. Also my headlights keep blowing and the headlight harness has been changed and everything. It is very dangerous not having brake lights, or being able to adjust my mirrors.
Steering, Feb 9, 2024
While driving i made a left turn and the vehicles steering wheel became stiff... hard to turn, while on coming traffic was headed my way. Almost got in an accident. Had to force to steering wheel to pull over to the side.They were a bunch of messages that said power steering ESC.
Steering, Jan 31, 2024
I Was driving and my power steering went out. I got it home turned it on and the power steering came back but the wheel keeps twitching. Tried to start it again and the power steering was out again.
Electrical system, Jan 29, 2024
The wiring to the fuel pump overheated and burned at the rear fuse box located in the trunk, melting the harness connector and charring the fuse box circuit board. This caused the vehicle to stop running. Luckily, it happened while idling and did not start a fire. This wire goes to the fuel tank and the fuse did not blow. The 30A fuse for the RR DEFOG was also burnt and not blown.There were no warnings or engine codes. After researching this online, it appears it is a common problem. This is the second time this happened. It also happened in 2017 with approximately 89,200 miles.
Air bags, Jan 25, 2024
Air bag disabled light came on got the code checked the connector for the air bag on the drivers side either came disconnected or is defective and it disabled all my air bags.
Steering, Air bags, Jan 21, 2024
POWER STEERING light shows on indicator panel sometimes without any problems steering. Sometimes it appears along with SERVICE ESC and some times power steering is lost. Turning the car off and back on usually resets the problem. It is extremley difficult to steer the car when this happens. It began intermittently about 3 years ago when a local mechanic looked at it but he couldn't find anything wrong. It's failing much more frequently (every other trip) now. It has about 62000 miles on it. So far, no accidents but a few close calls. Another problem is that the SERVICE AIR BAG indicator comes on when someone sits in the passenger seat and the car is started. It can be reset but it's an scary situation. I don't think this is related to the steering problem but not sure.
Seat belts, Dec 4, 2023
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while using the driver's side seat belt, the attachment on the seat belt fractured. The seat belt became inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the seat belt needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.