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, Dec 18, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE TRACTION CONTROL INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
Steering, Traction control system, Dec 1, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN SEIZED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN VARIOUS SPEEDS. ALSO, THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE OPERATED AFTER BEING MANUALLY RESTARTED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED REGARDING THE FAILURE, BUT RECEIVED NO RESPONSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 180,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 30, 2017
RANDOMLY DOESN'T WHAT TO START BEEN TO SHOP SEVERAL TIMES MECHANIC GOES TO FUSE BOX AND MESS WITH WIRING AND STARTS UP I GO THROUGH THIS PROBLEM SEVERAL TIMES FOR MONTHS NOW. TIRED NOT HAVING A CAR TO GET TO WORK MECHANIC CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHY IT DONG THIS NEED RECALL ON IT SEVERAL COMPLAINTS I READ ABOUT ALREADY SAME AS ME. ALSO ONE TIME ACT LIKE WAS GOING TO STOP DOWNTOWN IN TRAFFIC PULL OFF SIDE ROAD CALL ED MECHANIC.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 24, 2017
CAR WILL START AND THEN START SHAKING AND MAKING NOISES THEN DIES OFF. BREAK AND ACCELARETOR LOCKS AFTER THAT
Steering, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Nov 13, 2017
TAKATA RECALL FOR A CHEVROLET CHEVY MALIBU 2012, YOU CANT TELL HOW FAST YOUR GOING THE HEAD LIGHT ELECTRICAL FUSE NEEDS REPLACEMENT, DRIVER PEDALS NEED TO BE REPLACED ALSO.
Steering, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Nov 11, 2017
MY HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT, MY CAR WILL NOT ALIGN AND THE ELECTRICAL PLUG WILL NOT WORK
Seats, Nov 7, 2017
DRIVER'S SEAT BRACKET ON RIGHT SIDE HAS BROKEN AND SEAT IS WOBBLY AND LEANING ON THE CENTER CONSOLE. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2012 MALIBU (AND OTHER YEARS) AND ISN'T BEING COVERED BY WARRANTY. MANY PEOPLE ARE SAYING THIS IS A $1000 REPAIR AT THE DEALER. THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED-- CONSUMERS SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS DEFECT.
Electrical system, Nov 7, 2017, fire
WHILE DRIVING MY 2012 CHEVY MALIBU ON A HIGHWAY, THE CAR SUDDENLY TURNED OFF IN MOTION. I THEN LOOKED TO THE REAR OF THE CAR WHILE TRYING TO MANEUVER THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THE ENTIRE REAR OF THE CAR ENGULFED IN FLAMES. WHEN THE CAR CAME TO A STOP I WAS ABLE TO JUMP OUT AND RUN FOR SOME AID. I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE FIRE OUT WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER BEFORE THE THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS ARRIVED. UPON INVESTIGATION, IT WAS CONCLUDED THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSE BY A FAULTY FUSE BOX LOCATED IN THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE TRUNK. THE CAR IS TOTALED.
Exterior lighting, Nov 3, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKERED OFF AND ON WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TUSCALOOSA CHEVROLET IN TUSCALOOSA, AL, (205-758-4451) AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.
Steering, Oct 31, 2017
WHILE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT SAYS POWER STEERING OFF SERVICE ESC TURN CAR OFF AND RESTART WENT AWAY I TAKE IT IN AND NO CODE STORED. MY WIFE IS AFFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR
Visibility/wiper, Oct 27, 2017
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE OTHER DAY WHILE IT WAS RAINING AND MY WIPERS STOPPED WORKING HAD IT LOOKED AT AND MY SMALL ARM ON MY LINKAGE DISCONNECTED DUE TO RUST ON THE BALL JOINT I LOOKED CONTACTED GM THEY KNEW NOTHING ABOUT IT BUT I GOOGLED IT AND IM NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS HAD THIS ISSUE DEFINITELY SHOULD BE A RECALL JUST LIKE 2013 TERRAIN. PARTS ARE VERY SIMILAR IF NOT THE SAME.
Steering, Suspension, Power train, Electrical system, Wheels, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Engine, Oct 23, 2017
2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO MULTIPLE SAFETY DEFECTS WITH VEHICLE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS SEVERAL SAFETY DEFECTS INCLUDING THE ELECTRIC STABILITY CONTROL, BRAKES, SENSOR LIGHTS, STEERING, SUSPENSION, WHEELS, ENGINE LIGHTS, POWER TRAIN. UPDATED 10/23/2017*JS
Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 11, 2017
DROVE TO WORK AFTER WORK CAME GOT INTO CAR WILL NOT START SO CALL THE MECHANIC TO COME HELP ME AND HE TOOK IT TO SHOP AND SAID SOMETHING GOING ON WITH THE FUSE BOX AND FUEL PUMP CAN'T FIGURE IT OUT DONE THIS MORE THAN ONE TIME HAVE TO OPEN TRUNK TOUCHED THE FUEL PUMP RELAY TO GET GOING . I HAVEN'T HAD THE CAR BUT 2 YEARS IT NEEDS TO BE RECALL ON THE PROBLEM. TO MANY HAVING THIS PROBLEM SOMEONE GOING TO GET HURT FROM THIS .
Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 2, 2017
MY 2012 CHEVY MALIBU HAD A RECALL REPAIR DONE ON OCTOBER 3RD 2014 TO FIX A WIRING/ELECTRONIC TRACTION CONTROL MALFUNCTION. THE ISSUE HAS RETURNED, MEANING THE ORIGINAL PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED. IT MAKES THE CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE, HOWEVER THE MANUFACTURER LISTS THE ISSUE AS "CLOSED."
Structure, Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Sep 30, 2017, crash
PARKED IN AN INTERSECTION OLD HWY US 301 OCALA FLORIDA WHEELS TURNED LEFT WHICH WAS DARK AND POORLY LIT BY THE CITY. NO ORANGE LIGHTS ONTO A MAJOR THIN 2 LANE INTERSECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS BRAKED DURING THE LEFT TURN SOUTH POSITION. THE FRONT HOOD IN THE MIDDLE OF NORTH BOUND LANE FRONT BUMPER AND PLATE WERE IN THE HIGHWAY DIVIDING LINE. UP TO THE REAR DRIVERSIDE PASSENGER DOOR AT THE JOINT OF THE SIDE STREET AND HIGHWAY OUTSIDE LINE. A BICYCLIST STRUCK THE VEHICLE HIS LIGHT WAS THROWN INTO THE INTERSECTION. HE IS BLEEDING HES ON THE GROUND. ANOTHER FEMALE IS HELPING HIM. THE MIRROR OF THE VEHICLE DRIVERSIDE TORN OFF AND THE FRONT WINSHIELD SHATTERED ABOVE DRIVERSIDE TOP. THROWN BY IMPACT FROM HIS BICYCLE TO THE MALIBU HIS BACKPACK ON THE GROUND. HES AMBULATORY TRANSPORTED SHERIFFS RESPONDED FHP CAME OUT
Steering, Service brakes, Engine, Sep 27, 2017
ALL LIGHTS ON THE DASH BOARD HAD BRAKE PADS INSTALLED VEHICLE MAKING NOISE WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE PULLING TO THE RIGHT, HAD THREE SENSORS REPLACED DASH BOARD LIGHT STILL ON05
Engine, Sep 26, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AT TIMES; HOWEVER, WHEN DRIVING, IT RUNS FOR A WHILE AND THEN STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER (BUFF WHELAN CHEVROLET, 40445 VAN DYKE AVE, STERLING HEIGHTS, MI 48313) WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BECAUSE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE AND RETURNED IT TO THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,500.
Steering, Electrical system, Sep 21, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN THE ENGINE WAS STARTED, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT. THE POWER STEERING, ESC, AND TRACTION WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, RESTARTED THE ENGINE, AND THE VEHICLE RETURNED TO NORMAL. THE DEALER (SOUTHERN CHEVROLET CADILLAC, 5845 COLISEUM BLVD, ALEXANDRIA, LA 71303) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Electrical system, Air bags, Sep 19, 2017
ONE DAY I TURNED ON MY CAR AND MY TIRE SENSOR WAS MALFUNCTIONING, MY AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON AND "AIRBAG SERVICE NEEDED" NOTIFICATION WAS SHOWING, AND THERE WAS NOTHING THAT HAPPENED OTHER THAN ME DRIVING TO WORK 3 MILES AWAY THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THE SMELL FUNCTIONS. IN ADDITION THESE, EARLIER IN THE YEAR THE WERE A FEW MONTHS WHERE I WAS BRINGING MY CAR IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHY IT WAS NOT STARTING AT TIMES. I'VE GOT THE FUSE BOX FIXED AND IT SEEMS TO HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM BUT I BELIEVE IT HAS SOMETHING MORE TO DO WITH THE COMPUTER PROCESSING UNIT
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 11, 2017
THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE CONTINUOUSLY SHORTED OUT. I HAVE CHANGED THE HEADLIGHTS 3 TIMES IN A 3 WEEK SPAN AND THEY KEEP GOING OUT. I HAVE REPLACED FUSES AS WELL. THE TRACTION ON THE CAR IS CONSTANTLY SLOWING DOWN. THE ESC LIGHT COMES ON. THE CAR SLOWS DOWN ON ALL STREETS AND IT HAS DONE SO ON THE HIGHWAY.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 7, 2017
2012 MALIBU INTERMITTENT NO START . HARD CRANK BUT WON'T START. PROBLEM STARTED A MONTH AGO, RANDOMLY WOULDN'T START HAD IT TOWED TO MECHANIC BUT THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE PROBLEM. 2 DAYS LATER SAME THING, HAD IT TOWED AGAIN. STARTED NEXT DAY FOR MECHANIC. AFTER 3RD TOW IT WOULDN'T START AND THEY REPLACED FUEL PUMP. 4 DAYS LATER NO START AGAIN, HAD IT TOWED BUT OF COURSE IT STARTED THE 4 DAYS MECHANIC HAD IT. I PICKED IT UP AND DROVE IT ALL DAY. TRIED TO LEAVE IN THE EVENING AND NO START. IT'S BACK AT THE MECHANICS, GOING TO REPLACE FUSS BOX. HOPEFULLY THIS WORKS. IT HAS NEVER STALLED WHILE OPERATING BUT IT DOES LOSE POWER WHILE DRIVING AND HESITATES. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED A TOTAL OF 4 TIMES AND 1500$ LATER CAR STILL ISN'T FIXED. MECHANIC IS HAVING HARD TIME PIN POINTING PROBLEM. I TRAVEL OUT OF TOWN ON BUSINESS FREQUENTLY AND CAN'T DEPEND ON THIS VEHICLE. I'VE READ MULTIPLE POSTS ABOUT SAME ISSUE IT SEEMS CHEVY WOULD TRY TO RESOLVE IT.
Power train, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 25, 2017
AFTER OWNING THE CAR ONLY 3 WEEKS, THE CIRCUIT BOARD BLEW A WIRE CONNECTOR CAUSING MY FUEL PUMP TO GO OUT AFTER THE DEALERSHIP JUST HAD THESE EXACT PARTS REPLACED HIMSELF AT TIME OF PURCHASE. THE CAR HAS LOST POWER, HAS ISSUES WITH BLINKER STICKING OR RELAY. THE CAR DRAINS RAPIDLY WHEN A.C. IS TURNED ON. RADIO SOMETIMES SHUTS OFF SOUND. THE VEHICLE HAS COST ME OVER 3000 WITHIN MY 3 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP HAS ONLY 140000 MILES ON ENGINE. ELECTRICAL ISSUES EVERYWHERE AM FEARFUL IT MAY CATCH FIRE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH MY 3 CHILDREN! YOUTUBE HAS MANY COMPLAINTS ON SAME MAKE MODEL VEHICLE WITH SAME OCCURRING ISSUE'S! LUCKILY WHEN CIRCUIT BOARD BLEW A COMPACTOR THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN THE PARKING LOT AT DOLLAR GENERAL. WE WERE FORCED TO HAVE IT TOWED TO DESTINATION.
Electrical system, Aug 19, 2017
CAR WOULD NOT START JUST CRANKED. HAD CAR LOOKED AT SAID IT WAS MY FUEL PUMP. SO I HAD IT CHANGED. WELL THE NEXT DAY SAME THING. SO I SEEN THAT THE FUEL PUMP RELAY WAS IN TRUCK REPLACED THAT AS WELL. WELL THEN TWO DAYS LATER CAR DID THE SAME THING. WENT TO FUSE BOX IN TRUNK AND OPENED THE FUSE BOX TOUCHED THE FUEL PUMP RELAY AND MY CAR STARTED RIGHT UP. I CONTINUE TO DO THIS ON A DAILY AND ITS ALSO STALLED AT A RED LIGHT AND I ALSO MESSED WITH THE FUSE BOX AGAIN AND IT STARTED RIGHT UP. I BEEN SEEING WHERE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE FUSE BOX IN THE TRUNK AND THE WIRING IN THE TRUNK. I FEEL I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS TO BE FIXED I HAVE ONLY HAD THIS CAR FOR A YEAR AND A HALF AND BOUGHT IT USED.
Electrical system, Aug 15, 2017
I HAVE ONLY HAD MY CAR FOR 2 YEARS.. NO ISSUES. WELL MAINTAINED..RECENTLY MY A/C STOPPED WORKING. I WAS USING IT, TURNED IT OFF , TURNED MY CAR OFF FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES STARTED MY CAR AND THE A/C WOULD NOT WORK. DID NOT BLOW ANY AIR..IT'S NOT EVEN LIGHTING UP WHEN SELECTING DIFFERENT SETTINGS. IT'S AS IF THE A/C CONTROL PANEL DOES NOT WORK. I HAVE READ MANY OTHERS COMPLAINTS SIMILAR TO MINE, AND I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THE 2012 CHEVY MALIBU WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE 2013-2014 RECALL FOR A/C ISSUES SINCE THIS IS SUCH A REOCCURRING PROBLEM.
Other or unspecified, Aug 14, 2017
MY CAR WILL RANDOMLY NOT START WITH NO ENGINE CODES. IT APPEARS TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE KEY INSERT ALSO SAYS ANTI-THEFT. MOSTLY WHEN I AM PARKED