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, Jul 9, 2018
PASSENGER LOW BEAM CONSTANTLY GOING OUT, FOR A WHILE BOTH LOW BEAMS WOULD GO OUT THEN COME BACK ON.
Seats, Jul 9, 2018
THE DRIVER SEAT WELD BROKE. THIS IS A VERY WELL KNOWN PROBLEM WITH GM CARS AND WHAT IS IT GM IS GOING TO DO TO REPAIR MY CAR? I WANT IT FIXED ASAP AS IT IS VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I NEED MY CAR.
Electrical system, Engine, Jul 5, 2018
TIMING CHAIN CAUSING CAR TO MISFIRE AND ENGINE LIGHT ON
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jul 3, 2018
LOW BEAM ON PASSENGER SIDE GOES OUT FREQUENTLY AND RANDOMLY. I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST MY LUCK. HOWEVER ACCORDING TO HTTPS://WWW.CARGURUS.COM/CARS/DISCUSSION-T32066_DS667897 THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE. IVE BEEN LUCKY ENOUGH TO KEEP GETTING STOP BY NICE COPS, BUT THIS IS GETTING BAD. I HAVE A 1YEAR OLD THAT I CANT TAKE OUT IN THE CAR BECAUSE IT ISNT SAFE. FOR WHO KNOWS WHAT REASON. PLEASE HELP.
Power train, Jul 1, 2018
TRANSMISSION ONLY GO WHEN IT'S COOL
Exterior lighting, Jun 29, 2018
THE PASSENGER SIDE LOW-BEAM HEADLAMP HAS FAILED 4 TIMES IN THE LAST 18 MONTHS. THIS HAS NOT BEEN A RESULT OF ANY IMPROPER USE OR OVERUSE OF THE HEADLAMP AND PROPER REPLACEMENT HAS BEEN DONE.
Steering, Jun 28, 2018
POWER STEERING KEEPS TURNING OFF WHILE DRIVING AND I GET THIS 'WARNING' COME ON, SERVICE ESC POWER STEERING. REALLY SCARY DRIVING ON FREEWAY AND POWER STEERING SUDDENLY TURNING OFF. WHAT IS THE SOLUTION? IS THERE A RECALL?
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Jun 27, 2018
I'M HAVING PROBLEM WITH BRAKE PEDAL SENSOR - REPLACED TWICE ALREADY - WHILE DRIVING HIT BRAKES ERROR MESSAGE SERVICE ABS SERVICE TRACTION CRUISE CONTROL WANT DISENGAGE ALSO NOTICED THAT I COULD MOVE THE GEAR OUT OF PARK WITH OUT PUSHING THE BRAKE PEDAL ARE THERE ANY RECALLS FOR THESE ISSUES?
Exterior lighting, Jun 13, 2018
LOW BEAM LIGHTS STOP WORKING QUITE OFTEN. PASSENGER SIDE, FOLLOWED BY DRIVER'S SIDE. REPLACED BULBS SEVERAL TIMES OVER THIS PAST YEAR OR SO, ONLY TO FIND THIS LAST TIME THAT THE BULBS WEREN'T BLOWN, JUST NOT WORKING. CHANGED PIGTAIL ON PASSENGER SIDE, PUT SAME BULB BACK IN, LIGHT WORKED FOR A FEW WEEKS, BUT THEN STOPPED WORKING LAST WEEK. LAST NIGHT THE DRIVER'S SIDE STOPPED WORKING AGAIN AS WELL. THAT SEEMS TO BE THE PATTERN. PASSENGER SIDE STOPS, THEN NOT LONG AFTER, DRIVER SIDE STOPS. SEARCHED ONLINE FOR HELP. INSTEAD, I FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME ISSUE WITH SUGGESTIONS TO REPORT IT HERE IN CASE IT IS A WIDER INVOLVED ISSUE. THANK YOU.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Jun 7, 2018
TRACKING CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON AND SLOWS THE CAR, THE THE ENGINE WILL DISABLE . THE CAR WILL DO THIS WHILE IN MOTION. TODAY ON THE FREEWAY ENGINES DISABLED AND ALMOST REAR ENDED. NO MACHANIC KNOW HOW TO FIX IT WITHOUT CHANGING AND REPLACING MULTIPLE PARTS AND STILL HAPPENS. WE PURCHASED THE CAR IN MARCH 2018
Electrical system, Jun 7, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (CHAMPION CHEVROLET CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM, 921 SOUTH CLINTON STREET, ATHENS, AL 35611), BUT DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A FAILURE CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TEST DRIVEN, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. *TT UPDATED 9/24/18*JB
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jun 6, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.
Structure, Jun 2, 2018
THE PASSENGER DOOR OF MY VEHICLE WILL NOT OPEN. THE AUTOMATIC LOCK APPEARS TO BE WORKING BUT I CANNOT OPEN THE DOOR. THIS ALSO HAPPENED TO THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR A FEW TIMES BUT THANKFULLY I WAS ABLE TO USE THE ACTUAL KEY FROM THE OUTSIDE TO OPEN IT. I HAVE READ REVIEWS WHERE THIS IS COMMON IN THIS VEHICLE. THIS IS AN EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD AND I CANNOT EVEN GET THE DOOR FIXED BECAUSE IT WON'T OPEN. PLEASE CONSIDER MAKING THIS A MANUFACFURER RECALL.
Exterior lighting, May 30, 2018
DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES DUE TO LIGHTS BURNING OUT. (LOW/ REGULAR LIGHTS & HIGH BEAMS) UPON INSPECTION, MELTED BULB SOCKETS NOTED. WHEN LIGHTS, BULB SOCKETS REPLACED/ REPAIRED, LIGHTS WORK ONLY FOR A SHORT TIME & THE ISSUE REPEATS ITSELF. THIS IS A HUGE ANNOYANCE AS IT REQUIRES IMMEDIATE ATTENTION, FINANCIAL BURDEN, & MOST IMPORTANTLY, COMPROMISES DRIVER & PASSENGER SAFETY. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE PAST AND ONCE AGAIN WE ARE FACED WITH THIS ISSUE, TODAY. 5/30/18.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, May 24, 2018
THE PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM LIGHT BULB SOCKET KEEPS BURNING OUT. REPLACED THE BULB 3 TIMES IN ONE YEAR. THE SOCKET IS THE PROBLEM, KEEPS SHORTING OUT. WHEN I REPLACE THE BULB THE SOCKET WHERE THE BULB PLUGS IN TO IS BURNT AND MELTED.
Exterior lighting, May 22, 2018
I HAVE REPLACED MY HEADLIGHTS MULTIPLE TIMES THIS YEAR ALREADY AND NOTICED AND FEW TIMES A HEADLIGHT WOULD GO OUT THEN COME ON OCCASIONALLY THEN IT JUST GOES OUT PERMANENTLY UNTIL A REPAIR IS MADE
Steering, May 21, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH AND WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP POSITION, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER (MOTOR CITY BUICK GMC, 3101 PACHECO RD, BAKERSFIELD, CA 93313, (855) 393-2841) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS PERTAINING TO THE STEERING FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO SCHEDULE A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
Seats, May 15, 2018
DRIVERS SEAT COLLAPSE IN REAR FRAME AND IS LOOSE FROM FRAME. SEAT IS POWERED AND NO LONGER CAN BE ADJUSTED TO DESIRED POSITION. SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE ON RECALL BASED UPON THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS TO NHTSA AND INTERNET. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN SETTING DOWN INTO SEAT AND THEN SEAT LURCHED DOWN AND TO THE RIGHT IN THE BACK SIDE OF THE SEAT.
Exterior lighting, May 11, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT SHUT OFF. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES AND THE HEADLIGHT BULB WAS REPLACED ON SEVERAL DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.
Air bags, May 10, 2018
PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON WHEN CAR IS IN MOTION.
Other or unspecified, Engine, May 8, 2018
VEHICLE STARTED IDLING ROUGH BUT RAN GOOD ON THE INTERSTATE OR SPEEDS ABOVE 40 MPH. CHECKED TIMING CHAINS. CHAINS WERE LOOSE AND JUMPED TIME.
Air bags, May 3, 2018
MY SERVICE AIR BAG INDICATOR KEEPS COME GN ON AND GOING OFF
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, May 2, 2018
CYLINDER 2 KEEP MISS FIRING AND SERVICE TRACTION LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. I HAVE TAKEN THE CARE TO 3 REPAIR SHOP AND SPENT OVER $2500 IN REPAIRS OVER THE LAST YEAR.
Air bags, May 2, 2018
I HAVE THE AIRBAG LIGHT GOING OFF AND STATES TO SERVICE THE AIRBAG. I HAVE 80,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THE AIRBAG LIGHT WILL NOT GO AWAY.
Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 30, 2018
CAR WILL NOT START UNLESS YOU MESS WITH THE FUSE BOX IN THE TRUNK, ANYWHERE THE CAR SHUTS OFF, CAR SHUTS OFF WHILE IDLING AT A LIGHT OR STOP SIGN AND YOU HAVE TO GET OUT IN TRAFFIC AND MESS WITH THE FUSE BOX AND WIRES IN THE TRUNK TILL IT STARTS, STARTED OFF BY REPAIRING THE FUEL PUMP, THEN RELAYS, THEN FUSE BOX IN THE TRUNK, NOW I'M ON THE WIRING. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR 6 MONTHS OR MORE IT'S VERY PRICEY AND CONTINUES TO HAPPEN NEEDS TO BE RECALLED TOO MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUES.