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, Jul 23, 2020
MY 2012 CHEVY MALIBU PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM HAS GONE OUT FOR THE SECOND TIME IN LESS THAN A YEAR. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I FOUND THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE FOR THE CHEVY MALIBU. ENTRIES STATING SIMILAR ISSUES SPECIFICALLY EFFECTING THE SAME PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM, TOTALED MORE THAN 300 ON CARPROBLEMZOO.COM THIS IS NOT ONLY A MONETARY ISSUE, NOT ONLY A RESOURCE ISSUE, BUT A SIGNIFICANT RISK TO OPERATOR AND BYSTANDER SAFETY. IF GM DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THEY HAVE SUPPLIED A FAULTY PRODUCT, AS DESCRIBED BY THE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS LISTED ONLINE, THEY ARE COMPLICIT TO ANY ACCIDENTS OR INJURY CAUSED BY THEIR LACK OF ACTION AND CONCERN. MY OWN EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN FRIGHTENING, NOTICING A LACK OF POWER AFTER I'M ALREADY ON THE ROAD, ONLY SEEING ONE LIGHT FROM MY CAR REFLECTING ON ANOTHER CAR OR SURFACE. THE GENERAL PUBLIC TAKES GREAT CARE TO MAKE SURE THEIR VEHICLES CAN BOTH SAFELY OPERATE AND TRANSPORT THEMSELVES AND OTHERS. WITH THIS DAMAGED PART IN CHEVY'S MALIBU, MAKING GREAT STRIDES FOR A SAFE VEHICLE COULD BE FOR NOTHING IF THE LIGHT DOES NOT DO ITS JOB. WITH THIS IN MIND, PLEASE CONSIDER THE CLIMATE WE LIVE IN TODAY. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A FAULTY HEADLIGHT, AND A RELIABLE LIGHT, COULD MEAN LIFE OR DEATH NOT ONLY FOR THOSE ON THE ROAD, BUT FOR POC, TARGETED BY POLICE, FOR A FAULTY HEADLIGHT. IN 2015, DARRIUS STEWART WAS A PASSENGER IN A 2009 CHEVY MALIBU. HE UNJUSTLY LOST HIS LIFE TO A POLICE OFFICER AFTER THE DRIVER WAS PULLED OVER FOR WHAT DO YOU ASK? A HEADLIGHT OUT. DARRIUS STEWART. GENERAL MOTORS- RECALL. HTTP://CHNG.IT/RPXWYMBW9V
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 18, 2020
ESC WARNING ON DASH COMING ON WILL DRIVING AND TURNING FORWARD OR BACKWARD. HVAC CONTROLLER NOT RESPONDING TO COMMANDS, HVAC RESISTOR AND BLOWER MOTOR WIRES GETTING VERY HOT AND NOT BLOWING FUSES WHEN DRIVING WITH AC OR HEATER RUNNING. HVAC RESISTOR BLOWING OUT. HIGH MOTOR OIL CONSUMPTION , EVERY 1000 MILES ITS LOW A QUART.
Steering, Jul 14, 2020
STEERING WHEEL STICKS ON OCCASION AND IS HARD TO MOVE. SOMETIMES IT WILL JERK SIDE TO SIDE IN A SHAKING MOTION BEFORE STICKING. MY CAR GOES OUT OF LANE.
Exterior lighting, Jul 10, 2020
HEADLIGHTS REPEATEDLY GO OUT, EVEN AFTER CHANGING THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS ALMOST EVERY MONTH. LOW BEAMS WILL RANDOMLY GO ON AND OFF, STATIONARY OR IN MOVEMENT. I LIVE IN THE CITY, MOST TIMES DRIVING IN DARKNESS. VERY DANGEROUS.
Exterior lighting, Jun 22, 2020
THE LEFT HEADLIGHT DOESN'T GET POWER. THE LOW BEAMS TO BE EXACT. BUT NOW BOTH LOW BEAMS AREN'T GETTING POWER. THE RADIO DOESN'T GET POWER EITHER. I BELIEVE IT'S A FAULTY WIRE HARNESS. PLEASE RECALL THIS VEHICLE. THE LIGHTS GO OUT AT RANDOM TIMES BOTH MOVING AND STATIONARY. IT'S UNCONTROLLABLE, ALSO VERY UNSAFE FOR WHO EVER IS IN THE VEHICLE. *TR
Electrical system, Jun 18, 2020
THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM RANDOMLY ACTIVATES AND SHUTS DOWN THE CAR. IT PREVENTS ME FROM STARTING THE CAR. IT USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN I AM TRYING TO START THE CAR BUT I'VE READ POSTS ABOUT IT HAPPENING WHILE PEOPLE ARE DRIVING. *TR
Structure, Jun 16, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT METAL FRAME FRACTURED, CAUSING THE SEAT TO COLLAPSE WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. THE DEALER WAS NOT CALLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 73,000. *LN THE CONSUMER PROVIDED PHOTOS. *TR
Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Jun 16, 2020
SINCE BUYING THIS VEHICLE, I'VE HAD TROUBLE WITH THE BRAKES, AIRBAG SENSORS, ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, SEATBELT ISSUES AND ALSO THE AIRBAG LIGHT, HAD A MECHANIC REPLACE THE AIRBAG SENSORS IN THE REAR, BUT THE LIGHT STILL COMES ON. THE BRAKES ARE NOW SHUTTERING WORSE WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES AND IT FEELS LIKE THE WHEELS ARE GOING TO FALL APART. *TR
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 15, 2020
MY FUSE BOX IN MY TRUNK CAME BACK FAIL BAD ONE SO CHANGED IT OUT WITH ANOTHER ONE WELL THAT WORKED FOR 1 MONTH MY CAR STALLS OR DON'T START UNLESS I HIT THE FUSE BOX GOT ANOTHER FUSE BOX THAT DID THE SAME EXACT THINGS NOW SOME TIMES WHEN I HIT THE FUSE BOX MY CAR WILL START THEN AGAIN WON'T SOMETHINGS MAKING THE FUSE BOX TO GO BAD I BELIEVE IT'S SOMETHING TO DO THE WIRING OR FUEL PUMP RELAY FUSE. I'VE HAD MY CAR STALL ON THE HIGH WAY TO MANY TIMES THIS NEED TO BE RECALLED ITS A HAZARD PROBLEM NOT SAFE. *TR
Engine, Jun 13, 2020
I WAS DRIVING AND IT SAID ENGINE POWER REDUCED .COULDN'T PICK UP SPEED. *TR
Exterior lighting, May 28, 2020
UPON STARTING MY VEHICLE, THE LEFT LOWBEAM HEADLIGHT WAS OUT, I TAPPED ON THE CAR NEXT TO THE LIGHT AND IT CAME BACK ON, THE NEXT DAY I STARTED MY VEHICLE IT WAS OUT AGAIN BUT WOULDN'T WORK AFTER TAPPING, GOT IT REPAIRED BUT LESS THAN A MONTH IT WENT OUT AGAIN ALONG WITH THE RIGHT SIDE, THEY REPAIRED IT BY INSTALLING MULTI PURPOSE CONNECTORS AND NOW THE LEFT LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT IS OUT AGAIN, THIS IS GETTING WAY TOO PRICEY AND TIME CONSUMING. *TR
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), May 27, 2020
FOR A LONG TIME NOW, A YEAR, I'VE BEEN GETTING THE ESC WARNING EVERY TIME I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. IT JUST A NUISANCE ALARM. IT SHUTS OFF THE ESC. NOW HOWEVER EVERY TIME I START THE CAR LATELY AND I'M GETTING THE POWER STEERING WARNING, I MOVE THE WHEEL A LITTLE AND IT GOES AWAY. I'M AFRAID IT'S GOING TO GET WORSE AND I'LL START LOSING MY POWER STEERING. GM WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE THEY SAY THE VIN NUMBER ISN'T PART OF THE RECALL. I HAVE A 2012 WITH THE 2.4L. IT HAS 73,000 MILES ON IT. THE RECALL IF THAT'S WHAT IT IS (# 15356: SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT - LOSS OF ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSIST - (AUG 28, 2015).*DT*JB
Exterior lighting, May 24, 2020
REPEATEDLY FIXING LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT. PASSENGER SIDE FIRST NOW BOTH LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS. SWITCHED TO LOW BEAM ON SECONDARY ROAD TO HAVE NO LIGHTS. PITCH DARK. *TR
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, May 11, 2020
"POWER STEERING" MESSAGE COMES ON RANDOMLY AND THE POWER STEERING GOES DEAD WHILE I'M DRIVING. THIS SEEMS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS MALIBU AND SHOULD BE A RECALL. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THIS HAS OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE A RECALL PURCHASED VEHICLE IN 2013 SINCE THAN HAS HAPPEN CLOSE TO 10 TIMES. *TR
Visibility/wiper, May 10, 2020
THE WINDSHIELD WIPER TRANSMISSION / LINKAGE SEEMS TO HAVE A WEAK POINT IN THE PLASTIC / NYLON SNAPS. THE LINKAGE ARM DISCONNECTS AT THE SNAP FREQUENTLY DURING USE OF THE WIPERS CAUSING THEM TO BE COMPLETELY UNUSABLE, WHICH CREATES AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN DRIVING IN THE RAIN OR SNOW AS YOU CANNOT SEE SINCE THE WINDSHIELD IS NOT ABLE TO BE CLEARED. *TR
Exterior lighting, May 10, 2020
PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT INTERMITTENTLY GOES OUT FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE VEHICLE COULD BE STATIONARY OR IN MOTION AND IT DOES NOT MATTER. SOMETIMES THE LIGHT WILL GO OUT AND BACK ON WHEN MOVING OVER A BUMPY ROAD. *TR
Other or unspecified, Engine, May 7, 2020
MY VEHICLE HAS 86,200 MILES ON IT AND I HAVE TO HAVE BOTH HEADS REBUILT BECAUSE OF A BURNT EXHAUST VALVE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD MULTIPLE TIMES THAT THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING AT THIS LOW MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE IDLES REALLY ROUGH WHEN IN PARK OR NOT IN DRIVE OR MOTION. WHEN STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT, THE "SERVICE TRACTION, SERVICE ESC, ESC OFF" COMES ON. THIS GOES AWAY ONCE YOU START DRIVING AGAIN. *TR
Steering, May 7, 2020
"POWER STEERING" MESSAGE COMES ON RANDOMLY AND THE POWER STEERING GOES DEAD WHILE I'M DRIVING. THIS SEEMS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS MALIBU AND SHOULD BE A RECALL. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THIS HAS OCCURRED IN APRIL 2020 AND MULTIPLE TIMES IN MAY 2020. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE A RECALL. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Engine, May 3, 2020
WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND CAR MESSAGE CENTER DISPLAYED ENGINE SPEED REDUCED THEN IT DISPLAYED WITHIN 5 MINUTES OF THE FIRST MESSAGE ENGINE DISABLED . CAR WHILE NOT START.
Electrical system, Apr 28, 2020
THIS IS MY THIRD COMPLAINT BECAUSE MY CAR HAS ELECTRICAL ISSUES THAT NEED REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, WOULD HAVE TO TAP ON FUEL BOX LOCATED IN TRUNK TO GET IT TO START. IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING THE CAR, THE CAR WOULD LOSE POWER AND ESC, TRACTION CONTROL, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND POWER STEERING WOULD LOCK UP. TOOK IT TO NEAREST CHEVY DEALER AND THEY SAID 'THE WIRING IS BURNT UP FROM THE FUEL PUMP/FUSE BOX LOCATED IN TRUNK' THIS IS BECAUSE GM USED CHEAP WIRING. MY PASSENGER HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT, REAR DEFROST DOESN'T WORK, AND MY DOOR SPEAKERS DOESN'T NOT WORK. THIS IS ALL BECAUSE OF THE WIRING LOCATED IN THE TRUNK. I REFUSE TO PAY OVER $2,000 TO FIX MYSELF WHEN THIS IS CLEARLY A GM ISSUE. EVERYBODY ON HERE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR MALIBU'S. AND IT REALLY SUCKS BECAUSE I'M MAKING PAYMENTS ON A CAR I CANNOT DRIVE. THIS IS REALLY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY WHEN I HAVE MY KIDS IN THE CAR AND IT JUST LOSES POWER AND CUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC.
Electrical system, Apr 23, 2020
I HAVE A 2012 CHEVY MALIBU LT AND MY CAR HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS EVERYBODY ELSE'S. IT WOULD CUT OFF AND LOSE POWER WHILE DRIVING AND AT FIRST I WOULD BEAT THE FUSE BOX IN THE TRUNK AND IT WOULD RUN. NOW IT DOESN'T EVEN WORK AT ALL. HAD IT DIAGNOSED AT MY LOCAL CHEVY DEALER AND THEY SAID THE WIRING LEADING FROM THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL BOX IS ALL BURNT UP. I REFUSE TO PAY $2000 OR MORE TO FIX WHEN THIS IS CLEARLY A GM ISSUES. IT NEEDS A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE THEY USED CHEAP WIRING. THIS IS MY SECOND COMPLAINT AND I WILL CONTINUE TO WRITE COMPLAINS UNTIL IT IS FIXED. ESC, POWER STEERING WOULD LOCK UP WHICH MAKES IT VERY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY WITH KIDS IN THE VEHICLE.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 22, 2020
AT RANDOM I WILL BE DRIVING DOWN ANY ROAD AND THE POWER STEERING, TRACTION CONTROL, ECS LIGHTS WILL COME ON AND I WILL LOSE POWER STEERING. I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND COMPLETELY STOP AND TURN OFF IGNITION AND WAIT A FEW MINUTES AND TURN BACK ON AND THE PROBLEM IS RESET. THIS HAPPENS AT RANDOM WITH NO PATTERN.
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 20, 2020
CAR WOULD RANDOMLY NOT START UP. STARTER WOULD ENGAGE WITH KEY TURNED, BUT ENGINE WOULD NOT FIRE OFF AND RUN. NO CODES FROM DIAGNOSTICS. NEVER HEARD FUEL PUMP ENERGIZE WITH PROBLEM PRESENT. CAR WOULD EVENTUALLY SUCCESSFULLY START. BENCH TESTED FUEL PUMP RELAY WITH NO ISSUES. DISASSEMBLED FUSE BOX IN TRUNK AND FOUND THE BROWN WIRE CONNECTING THE FUEL PUMP TO ITS RELAY WAS SIGNIFICANTLY HEAT STRESSED. THE BLACK PLASTIC WIRE HARNESS THAT HOUSES THE BROWN FUEL PUMP WIRE WAS ALSO STRESSED AND DEFORMED, AND WAS NO LONGER RETAINING THE CRIMPED CONNECTOR FOR THE BROWN WIRE. I HAD TO CLEAN UP THE METAL CRIMP CONNECTOR AND PINCH DOWN ON THE END SO THAT IT WOULD "GRAB" THE RELAY TERMINAL ONCE REASSEMBLED. CAR HAS YET TO REPEAT THE STARTING PROBLEM A YEAR LATER.
Electrical system, Seat belts, Other or unspecified, Apr 19, 2020
DOORS KEEP UNLOCKING AND LOCKING ON THEIR OWN. DOES IT CONSTANTLY NO MATTER WHAT I DO.. THE ALARM DOESNT DO ANYTHING AND THE DOORS JUST KEEP UNLOCKING AND LOCKING BACK AND FORTH ALL DAY AND NIGHT EVEN WITHOUT THE KEYS INSIDE WHILE PARKED
Other or unspecified, Apr 8, 2020
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND WHEN I HIT A STOPPED LIGHT IT SUDDENLY MY CAR TURNED OFF AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT, ENGINE LIGHT COME ON. ALSO SERVICE TRACTION, SERVICE ESC, ESC OFF ON THE HEADBOARD. I ALREADY FIXED THE THROTTLE BODY, MAP SENSOR, CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR, GAS PEDAL, ALTENATOR, AND ITS STILL DOING THE SAME PROBLEM. I NEED HELP ON FINDING OUT WHAT THE REAL PROBLEM IS. I'VE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR FOR ALMOST A YEAR NOW.