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.
Steering, Electrical system, Apr 27, 2018
WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT I NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD START SHAKING AND TURNING ON ITS OWN. THEN A FEW DAYS LATER MY SERVICE ESC AND POWER STEERING LIGHTS STARTED COMING ON AND I WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE CAR LEFT OR RIGHT.. I WOULD TURN THE CAR OFF FOR A FEW THEN TURN IT BACK ON AND IT WOULD UNLOCK. THAT LASTED FOR A FEW MORE DAYS AND THEN THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED LOCKING UP WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS MY POWER STEERING SENSOR. ITS SEEMS TO BE WORKING FINE NOW HOWEVER I WILL NEVER BY ANOTHER CHEVY MALIIBU I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS SINCE I PURCHASE THIS CAR THE FIRST ISSUE WAS MY LIGHT CONSTANTLY KEPT GOING OUT. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY COMING HOME FROM AN OUT OFF TOWN TRIP AND CARS WERE FLASHING THERE LIGHTS. I PULLED OVER I HAD NO BACK LIGHTS. I TOOK IT THE DEALER THEY SAID IT WAS MY BATTERY CAUSING MY CAR TO SHORT CIRCUIT. IT COST ME $400. THEN THE SAME THING HAPPENED 20 DAYS LATER THE DEALER WANTED ME TO PAY TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT AGAIN NO WAY. COME TO FIND OUT IT WAS A #20 FUSE OVER THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE WHEEL THAT KEPT BLOWING. NEEDLES TO SAY I KNOW RIDE AROUND WITH A PACK OF FUSES IN MY CAR.. THE CAR HAS 87,858 MILES ON IT
Exterior lighting, Apr 25, 2018
TAKATA RECALL. PASSENGER HEADLIGHT HAS BEEN CHANGE 6 TIMES AND CONTINUES TO GO OUT. I WAS TOLD MY WIRES WERE FINE. I CAN'T SEEM TO FIND THE PROBLEM.
Steering, Apr 20, 2018
ESC LIGHT WENT ON. SUGGEST WAS TO GET ESC SERVICED BECAUSE OF POWER STEERING FAILURE. WHEN ENGINE WS TURNED OFF AND TURNED BACK ON, EVERYTHING WORKED. BUT THE SAME THING CONTINUED TO HAPPEN TIME AND TIME AGAIN. WENT ON THE INTERNET AND NOTICED THAT A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED SIMILAR TO WHAT I AM EXPERIENCING. THIS HAPPENED AT SLOW SPEED, HIGHER SPEEDS AND WHEN STOPPED. CAR WAS DRIVABLE WITHOUT POWER STEERING BUT DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER.
Steering, Apr 20, 2018
ESC CUT OUT WHILE DRIVING ON A THREE LANE HWY AT APPROX. 45MPH
Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Apr 14, 2018
MISFIRE CYL #1 AND ENG LT. WITH MISFIRE CODE, ATTEMPTED CHEV DEALER WARRANTY REPAIR WITH REMOVAL OF CYL HEAD AND REPLACEMNT VALVES [THE CHEAP FIX INSTEAD OF REPLACING CYL HEAD, IN RETROSPECT I BELIEVE CHEV SHOULD HAVE REPLACED THE CYL HEAD FOR A PERMANENT REPAIR, NOW THE CAR IS OUT OF 100K POWERTRAIN WARRANTY] BUT RECURRENCE 22K MILES LATER. I SUSPECT A DESIGN FLAW. ITERNET SHOWS MANY OWNERS WITH SAME COMPLAINT. TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME OFF AND ON.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Apr 12, 2018
THE LOW BEAM AND RUNNING LIGHTS ON DRIVER'S SIDE KEEP GOING OUT THE WIRING HARNESS AND BULB HAS BEEN CHANGED 5 TIMES NOW AND STILL GOES OUT EVER OTHER WEEK . AND TO TOP IT OFF THIS CAR HAS THE MOST REDICULOUS WAY TO GET AT THE HEADLIGHTS. SO TIME CONSUMING
Suspension, Apr 11, 2018
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HWY I EXPERIENCED MY FRONT WHEELS SHAKING VERY BAD WHEN I START SLOWING DOWN
Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 2, 2018
ON APRIL 1,2018 I WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY ROAD GOING 45MPH WHEN MY CAR SUDDENLY LOST THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. A COUPLE OF WARNING LIGHT FLASHED ON THE DASHBOARD ESC AS WELL AS THE ENGINE LIGHT. THE CAR BEGAN TO JERK AND DRIVE REALLY ROUGH, BEFORE THE ENGINE POWER LOST FLASHED ON THE DASH. I TURNED ON MY HAZARD LIGHTS AND TRIED TO GET THE CAR OFF THE ROAD TO A SAFE AREA. THE CAR COULD ONLY CRUISE BECAUSE I COULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE. THIS CAR JUST MADE IT TO 82000 MILES ON THE DASH, I SHOULD NOT BE HAVING AN ISSUE LIKE THIS WITH THIS CAR. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AS SOMEONE COULD BE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR EVEN WORST DEATH. PLEASE PLEASE BRING AWARENESS TO THIS ISSUE, WHICH A LOT OF OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE IS HAVING.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 1, 2018
AS I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON THE INTERSTATE 95 I NOTICED THE CAR VIOLENTLY SHAKING AND THROTTLING UNCONTROLLABLY, THE DASHBOARD READ SERVICE ESC AND THE TRACTION CONTROL SENSOR CAME ON. I LET OFF OF THE GAS AND THE CAR WAS STILL ACCELERATING, I PRESSED THE BAKES AND IT WOULDN'T STOP THE CAR FROM LUNGING FORWARD. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF HIGHWAY AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. I WAITED A COUPLE MINUTES AND THE PROBLEM WAS STILL THERE BUT NOT LUNGING FORWARD ANYMORE BUT THE SPEED WAS LIMITED TO 20 MPH I MADE IT TO WORK. AFTER A 9 HOUR SHIFT THE SHAKING STOPPED BUT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STILL ON.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 29, 2018
I WAS DRIVING ON THE OHIO TURNPIKE IN A WET SNOW, AND MY WIPERS QUIT WORKING. SO I PULLED TO THE SHOULDER TO TRY TO GET THEM TO START UP AGAIN AND THEY WOULD NOT. SO I HAD TO CALL A TOW COMPANY BECAUSE IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE, AND WAS TOWED TO A TRUCK STOP. I WAITED TILL THE SNOW STOPPED, AND I CHECKED THE WEATHER RADAR ON MY PHONE TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE TO MY FINAL DESTINATION. I TOOK IT TO GET REPAIRED. THE WIPER MOTOR/TRANSMISSION QUIT WORKING. CHEVY HAS REFUSED TO REIMBURSE ME FOR THE TOW COST AND THE REPAIR COST. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, BECAUSE I COULDN'T SEE TO DRIVE IN THE SNOW. THE SAME WOULD'VE HAPPENED HAD IT BEEN RAINING. I REPORTED THIS IN JANUARY, BUT I BELIEVE IT IS WORTH REPORTING AGAIN. I HAVE NEVER HAD WIPERS QUIT ON ME. AND I'VE BEEN TOLD IT HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER MALIBU OWNERS.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 26, 2018
THE CHECK ENGINE LINE AND SERVICE TRACTION LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME ON. MY CAR WAS SERVICED BY 2 CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP AND ANOTHER DEALERSHIP AND THEY PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE COILS BY MANASSAS CHEVROLET AND LINDSEY CHEVROLET . THE COILS, SPARK PLUGS AND CARBON BLOW OUT WAS COMPLETED. THE LIGHTS CONTINUE TO COME ON. IT APPEARS TO BE THE SAME ISSUE THAT THE 2009 MALIBU WAS RECALLED FOR. PLEASE MAKE CHEVROLET COMPLETE A RECALL ON THESE VEHICLES BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY ENGINEERED. ONE DEALERSHIP SAID THE ENGINES MAY BE BAD IN THESE CARS. THE CAR DRIVES ROUGH AND THE SERVICE TRACTION LIGHT COMES ON WHEN YOU BRAKE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON AT ALL TIMES.
Steering, Mar 26, 2018
WHILE STOPPED THE STEERING WHEEL BEGINS TO CLICK, SHAKE, AND MOVE ON ITS OWN. THIS CONTINUES TO HAPPEN EVEN WORSE WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY MAKING IT HARDER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THERE ARE NO LIGHTS ON. MECHANIC BELIEVES IT MAY BE THE SENSOR IN THE MOTOR FOR THE POWER STEERING BUT ISN'T SURE.
Steering, Mar 19, 2018
THE VALET PARKING ATTENDANT BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO ME AND STATED THE POWER STEERING WAS NO LONGER WORKING ON THE VEHICLE, BUT HE KNOWS IT WAS WORKING FINE WHEN HE PARKED IT. DROVE VEHICLE HOME WITH EXTREMELY DIFFICULT STEERING; RESTARTED VEHICLE AND POWER STEERING WORKED FOR 10 MINUTES AND WENT OUT AGAIN ALL WHILE STAYING IN MY DRIVEWAY. NOW SCARED TO DRIVE UNIT.
Steering, Mar 12, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE FOR EIGHT MONTHS, BUT HAD GOTTEN WORSE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER (MONTGOMERY CHEVROLET IN LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RACK AND PINION AND STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, Mar 12, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING, THE HEADLIGHTS AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO WORK. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED BEFORE OR DURING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO COULD NOT DIAGNOSIS THE FAILURE. THE DEALER (SUPERIOR CHEVROLET, 4770 COVINGTON HWY, DECATUR, GA 30035) WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Steering, Mar 12, 2018
THE STEERING WHEEL GETS HARD I KIND THINK THAT IT'S ELECTRIC STEERING MOTOR
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 8, 2018
OFF AND ON MY POWER STEERING GOES OUT, I CAN BE AT A REDLIGHT, PARKED OR EVEN DRIVING AND IT GOES OUT, I END UP HAVING TO TURN OFF CAR IF IM PARKED OR AT REDLIGHT, AND IF IM DRIVING I GO INTO NEUTRAL TO TURN CAR OFF AND THEN OFF... MY ESC GOES OFF ALS, THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE I FIRST PURCHASED THE CAR, SO SINCE 2012 IT MOST RECENTLY HAPPENED LAST NIGHT ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK WHILE AT A LIGHT
Exterior lighting, Mar 3, 2018
THE PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM LIGHT BURNS OUT OR STOPS WORKING FREQUENTLY. IT HAS BEEN CHANGED MORE THAN THREE TIMES. RECENTLY, IT WAS CHANGED ON FEBRUARY 17, 2018 AND STOPPED WORKING ON FEBRUARY 25, 2018.
Tires, Other or unspecified, Mar 2, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES ON THE VEHICLE WERE FAULTY WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE TIRE INFORMATION WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,987. NO FURTHER INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Feb 28, 2018
HEADLIGHT LAMP CONSTANTLY GOES OUT DESPITE CHANGING OUT THE BULB AND/OR THE FUSE MULTIPLE TIMES. IT IS BECOMING A HAZARD WHEN DRIVING ON THE ROADS.
Service brakes, Feb 27, 2018, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF A NISSAN TITAN. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: 8-3918629379. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.
Air bags, Feb 26, 2018, crash
TAKATA AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY WHILE IN FRONT END COLLISION. I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT ON A MAIN STREET WHEN I WAS HIT IN THE FRONT BY 2 CARS. THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY.
Other or unspecified, Feb 26, 2018
TAKATA RECALL MY VEHICLE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON BECAUSE OF A ACCELERATOR PEDAL SENSOR GOING OUT..I WAS ON THE STREET AND MY CAR GOT TO JERKING AND THEN IT SAYS REDUCE SPEED EVERY TIME I ACCELERATE IT BARLEY WANT TO DRIVE..
Steering, Feb 24, 2018
WHILE SITTING STILL THE WHEEL MOVES BY ITSELF. THEN WHEN DRIVING THE POWER STEERING GOES COMPLETELY OUT. MAKING IT HARD TO MOVE OFF THE ROAD. THEN U HAVE TKO SHUT IT OFF AND RESTART AND PRAY U MAKE IT HOME SAFELY. THIS WAS A CAR BOUGHT FOR MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER AND NOW I'M SCARED FOR HER TO DRIVE IT. NEEDS TO BE RECALLED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED
Electrical system, Feb 23, 2018
BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR REPLACED 3 TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR. HEAT HAS NO TEMP ADJUSTMENT STAYS HOT. CLIMATE CONTROL NOT WORKING. BLOWER MOTOR WAS NOT FACTORY WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR AT 17000 MI. I THINK SOMEONE ELSE HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE ME.