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.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Oct 25, 2023
The brakes light keep going out they won’t blink the won’t turn on fuses are blowing
Steering, Sep 22, 2023
Attempting to pull out of my parking lot, I was suddenly unable to steer my car. Immediately warning lights went on in the dashboard the car would not move. Luckily, I was not in the middle of the street or driving down the highway as I would have lost control of the vehicle. I had the car towed to Meineke and they reported that the power steering assist motor had failed. Prior to the incident, no warning signs had come on in my car.
Electrical system, Aug 27, 2023
Since day one the ESC - Electronic Stability Control has constantly affected the performance of the car. The car is not able to reach its full power and causes sudden speed changes . This has happened for a long time with no fix
Steering, Electrical system, Jul 28, 2023
While I was making a right turn, I experienced a sudden loss of steering, the steering wheel became completely stiff and almost imposible to maneuver. The panel message was Service EPS and ESC off. According to information in this website, there was a special warranty extension, which expired on 2022, which covered this specific issue (the problem is related to the electric power steering assist (EPS), the steering column torque sensor or the EPS motor/controller). The special warranty code was 15356. I have taken my car to the dealership in the past for maintenance and other safety recalls, but I was not alerted about this very dangerous issue. I called GM today, and they said I was not alerted because this was not a recall but an extended warranty. This sounds like a lack of due diligence on GM´s end to address an issue that is extremely dangerous. I am now afraid to drive this car.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jul 28, 2023, fire
Passenger headlight caught fire while driving
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 26, 2023
The electronic stability control activates under normal driving conditions. Power to engine is reduced, car does not brake or accelerate appropriately with this happens. It appears to be a problem that is reported frequently and one that has been a recall on some vehicles but this VIN does not show that recall. It puts me and others at risk because the car suddenly stops going at speed and lurches when trying to stop. Scans were done at a local auto shop which indicate issues with ESC. Warning lights include ESC activated, Engine power reduced
Seat belts, Jul 17, 2023
Driver safety belt lap anchor cable has broke and recall 15031 was already done not fixing the problem.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jun 25, 2023
Passenger side low beam headlight wont work. Replace fuses relays and wiring harness. Ive read online where this is very common with these cars and even replacing the headlight assembky isnt a sure fix.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jun 12, 2023
Passenger headlight continues to go out, replaced bulb and wiring harness multiple times
Seat belts, Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, May 7, 2023
I’m having recalled issues in my car, but the car has no recall on it
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, May 5, 2023
The Instrument Cluster failed while driving. No gauges on dash work and the gear shift indicator light does not work. I have read online other owners with the same complaint. This should be on recall.
Steering, Apr 5, 2023
The power steering warning comes on, my steering wheel becomes very hard to turn…after turning the car on and off a few times, the warning goes away and the steering seems to go back to normal. It has been happening for a couple days now!
Seats, Mar 15, 2023
Driver seat frame bar broke. Is weld and the weld broke when I was on the road. Safety concern when I turn left or right driver seat moves a lot. I can’t drive my malibu like that, Im putting myself in risk and other drivers. First time happens to me this kind of situation. I had other oldest vehicles and driver seat never broke. Not good for a 2012 malibu with a broken frame bar driver seat. GM should fix this problem that comes from manufacure. I did a research about this and Im not alone there is a lot of people complaining about this safety concern issue that chevy malibus from 2009 and 2012 had and dealers dont want to pay attention to this problem.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Feb 23, 2023
As your driving along vehicle will shut off abruptly and have to remove and replace fuel pump relay until it shuts down again.
Steering, Suspension, Power train, Feb 15, 2023
My engine
Steering, Feb 5, 2023
The steering wheel power goes off, warning with "power steering" Service esc" and traction off. Making it almost impossible to steer. This should be covered by Chevy because everyone has the problem.
Other or unspecified, Jan 30, 2023
The Audible Chimes on the car a very faint, if the seat belt is not fastened the car notifies you with a Visual Alarm and Audible alarm the chimes - the chimes stopped working on this car. This car does not have auto seatbelts, if you forget to fasten the seat belt you are not aware of this fact as the visual display is in the dash, the audible alarm chimes warning you that there is no seatbelt. No mechanic needed to tell me that this is broken, the chimes don't work, pretty easy to diagnose. No inpection to date, really do not want to pay for this to occur. no.
Steering, Lane departure, Jan 27, 2023
The car strated with like a glitch on the steering wheel. I didnt know what it was maybe I thought it was a tire but it would do it while at a stop or parked. Know when I turn it on it started with the steering wheel being hard not being able to move easy. Know it does the same but it shows on the message center "power steering" I have to turn it off and on for a while. Then it will be "normal". The glitch on the steering wheel is more. I don't know what to do or if there is a recall.
Steering, Electrical system, Jan 25, 2023
The Electric steering has malfunctioned and the ESC has shut off and my steering has gone out it only has 138000 miles I know there was several recalls for this steering issue in several Chevy Malibu’s. I don’t understand why mine was not recalled. It’s the same problem that the ones that were recalled were having. Please let me know if it is recalled or why this problem is still happening. Thank you
Exterior lighting, Jan 17, 2023
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the low-beam headlights failed to properly illuminate the roadway. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where both headlights were replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact stated that the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the mechanic on two other occasions, where both headlights were replaced. After the repair, the contact stated that she became aware that the passenger’s side headlight again failed to properly illuminate. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 99,000.
Steering, Jan 13, 2023
The steering wheel begins to jerk while driving straight, causing involuntary and abrupt movement to the sides and poses risk for collision. The power steering mechanic intermittently loses ability to function causing difficulty in controlling the vehicle.
Steering, Jan 12, 2023
Service esc service traction esc off Light comes on and off randomly
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Nov 22, 2022
I bought my chevy Malibu in 2018 from a used car dealership. A couple months after I bought it the radio blew. I tried replacing fuses it would not work. The lights keep blowing. I keep replacing them and have had a new pigtail that's been grounded. That replacement happened last Thursday. Right light has blown again. Short in electrical system. Cause battery to go down. Windows will only work sometimes and the same goes for the door locks. I currently waiting for a tow truck. The new battery will not start.
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 16, 2022
Vehicle has intermittent periods where it won’t start. After replacing fuel pump relay it started after a week vehicle stalled while driving tested relay worked perfect after reading online forums found that this model car has an issue with the wiring to the fuse/fuse block in the trunk after pulling the fuse block out the wiring to the block is loose and very thin after adjusting the wires the car will start and run with no issues for several days to week where it will be fine the the wires will come lose again causing a crank. I start issue and stalling while driving.
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 13, 2022
Vehicle repeatedly shuts down due to wiring issue for fuel pump. Wire in rear fuse panel (in trunk) shows signs of overheating (discoloration). Vehicle shuts down without warning while driving. This causes an unsafe condition especially when travelling on busy roadways and highways. This seems to be a common problem with this model and year.