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, Equipment, Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 6, 2020
2012 MALIBU LOSES POWER STEERING AND ESC LIGHT COMES ON. VERY DANGEROUS. DON'T THINK 2012 MALIBU IS COVERED UNDER RECALL 15356, BUT IT SHOULD BE . PEOPLE WILL DIE ... PROBABLY ALREADY HAVE. *TR
Engine, Mar 30, 2020
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2012 MALIBU LT, WHICH IS HAVING THE SAME ISSUES, AS WAS REPORT; MAR 26, 2019 - KAUFMAN, TX - ENGINE WHEN DRIVING OR SITTING AT IDLE NOT MOVING SERVICE ESC AND TRACTION CONTROL FLASHES ON DASH. WHICH IS CAUSING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO STAY ON CAUSING MISFIRE ON CYLINDER #1 AND THEN RANDOM MISFIRE. THE CAR HASN+T BEEN ABLE TO BE INSPECTED IN 2 YEARS HAVE HAD AT 3 CHEVROLET DEALERSHIPS AND ALL CAN+T FIGURE OUT ISSUE . THE 1ST DEALERSHIP SAID WE HAVE NO IDEA WHAT+S WRONG WITH THE CAR. THE SECOND DEALERSHIP SAID THE CAR NEEDED #1 INJECTOR AND INJECTOR HARNESS AND THROTTLE BODY WHICH WAS REPLACED DIDN+T EVEN MAKE IT OFF THE LOT AND CHECK ENGINE AND TRACTION CONTROL AND ESC LIGHTS WAS FLASHING AGAIN THEY SAID MIGHT HAVE CRACKED HEAD CAR HAS BEEN PRESSURE TESTED DOESN+T USE WATER AND DOESN+T GET HOT. THEY ARE JUST TRYING TO THROW PARTS AT IT AT MY EXPENSE. THE 3RD DEALERSHIP WHICH CAR IS AT NOW IS TELLING ME POSSIBLE BURNT VALVE CAUSING ALL MY ISSUES WITH CAR SAID THEY DID COMPRESSION TEST AND ALL CYLINDERS HAVE 170 POUNDS IN ALL 4 CYLINDERS WHICH IS NOT POSSIBLE. I HAVE REPLACED MAP SENSOR, PCM, SPARK PLUGS, 1 INJECTOR, INJECTOR HARNESS, THROTTLE BODY AND NOTHING HAS HELPED CAR. THE CAR NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES WITH MISFIRE UNTIL THE ESC AND TRACTION CONTROL STARTED FLASHING AND IN 2 YEARS STILL HAS BEEN SOLVED AT ANY DEALERSHIP VERY DISAPPOINTED IN NEED OF HELP TO FIX ISSUE. HOW DO YOU FIX THE PROBLEM? [XXX]. PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*CC
Other or unspecified, Mar 27, 2020
I WAS DRIVING DOWN A HIGHWAY WITH NO TRAFFIC AROUND AND MY SUNROOF SHATTERED
Steering, Mar 23, 2020
WHEN IDLING IN PARK MY STEERING WHEEL WILL SHAKE BACK AND FORTH. AND THEN I KEEP LOSING MY POWER STEERING FUNCTION. AND THEN I HAVE TO RESTART THE CAR AND IT WILL COME BACK ON. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR 2 DAYS. WITH THE ESC LIGHT IN THE POWER STEERING LIGHTS COMING ON ON INTERMITTENT.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 14, 2020
ESC LIGHT COMES ON EITHER RIGHT AS I START THE CAR OR ONCE I START DRIVING AND I LOSE POWER STEERING HAVING TO STOP SEVERAL TIMES TO RESTART MY CAR. I FEAR DRIVING MY KIDS IN MY CAR BECAUSE IF THIS ONGOING ISSUE.
Steering, Mar 4, 2020
STATIONARY STEERING WHEEL SHAKES, ESC OFF LIGHT THEN IT'S SAYS POWER STEER STEERING WHEEL IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO MOVE
Other or unspecified, Mar 2, 2020
I AM CONTINUALLY HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT LOVE BEAM LIGHTS ON MY CAR. IN PARTICULAR THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT LOW BEAM. I HAVE CHANGED THE LIGHT AT LEASE EVERY 3 MOS FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS. I JUST RECENTLY CHANGED THE DS HEADLIGHT AND THE HARNESS AND IT WORK INITIALLY BUT 24 HOURS LATER IT WAS NOT WORKING AGAIN.
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 29, 2020
I PURCHASED THIS CAR USED AND 2 WEEKS AFTER I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC FROM WORK BECAUSE IT WOULDN'T START. MECHANIC SAID IT WAS FUEL PUMP SO HE REPLACED IT $685 AND THE TOW WAS $125. DROVE IT HOME AND THE NEXT DAY WENT OUT TO START IT BEFORE WORK AND WOULDN'T START BUT HAD CRANK. CALLED MECHANIC HE HAD IT TOWED BACK TO HIS SHOP, CLEANED THE FUSE BOX IN THE TRUNK AND SAID THE BROWN WIRE WAS LOOSE. STARTED UP THE NEXT DAY BUT THE FOLLOWING DAY IT STALLED ON ME WHILE ME AND MY SON WAS ON OUR WAY TO GET SOMETHING TO EAT AND I HIT THE BOX IN THE TRUNK AND IT STARTED. I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS IS NOT A RECALL YET FROM HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE WENT THROUGH THIS ELECTRICAL WIRING ISSUE. THIS WAS ALL ON CITY STREETS. HOW MANY TIMES AM I GOING TO HAVE TO BEAT ON THIS BOX TO GET IT STARTED AND HOW LONG WILL THAT LAST? THIS IS RIDICULOUS!
Wheels, Feb 27, 2020
FIXED SEVERAL TIMES AND STILL THE SERVICE TIRE MONITOR IS ON AS IF IT WAS THE TPMS.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 23, 2020
FOR ABOUT THE LAST TWO WEEKS WHEN I TURN MY CAR ON A ESC POWER STEERING MESSAGE HAS ILLUMINATED THE DASH. I HAVE TO TURN MY CAR OFF AND BACK ON SEVERAL TIMES TO GET THE MESSAGE TO DISAPPEAR. TONIGHT WHILE DRIVING THE SAME MESSAGE CAME ON. I ENDED UP HAVING TO PULL OVER SEVERAL TIMES DURING MY DRIVE EACH TIME LOSING POWER STEERING! VERY SCARY AND VERY UNSAFE. WHEN I SEARCH MY VIN NUMBER THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON IT, I FEEL THERE NEEDS TO BE BEFORE SOMEONE IS HURT OR KILLED IN A ACCIDENT.
Exterior lighting, Feb 23, 2020
PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT GOES OUT INTERMITTENTLY. BULB IS NOT BURNT OUT. HAVE REPLACED COMPLETE HARNESS, USUALLY SOLVES PROBLEM FOR A MONTH OR SO AND THEN LIGHT GOES OUT AGAIN. HAVE CHANGED GROUNDING ALSO BUT PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND HAVE BEEN PULLED OVER BY POLICE FOR 'BURNT OUT' HEADLIGHT SEVERAL TIMES NOW AND HAVE TO EXPLAIN HOW IT IS A VEHICLE FLAW, NOT A BAD BULB. I KNOW I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE, IT IS ALL OVER THE INTERNET WITH OTHERS HAVING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM.
Steering, Feb 23, 2020
2012 CHEVY MALIBU RECENTLY TURNED 98,000 MILES. I WAS TRYING TO MAKE A TURN AFTER STOPPING FOR A STOP SIGN AND THE POWER STEERING SERVICE, ESC LIGHT COMES ON. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF AND VERY HARD TO TURN. WAS ABLE TO GET CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURNED ENGINE OFF AND ON AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE. VERY SCARY, I HAVE READ THAT THIS HAPPENS A LOT WITH THESE CARS. HOW CAN THERE NOT BE A RECALL???
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Wheels, Feb 20, 2020
CAR WAS RUNNING ON FREEWAY AND LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING AND THEN CAR SO STALLED AND CAR DOESNT START ANYMORE
Steering, Feb 16, 2020
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR A FEW DAYS AGO ON A CITY STREET AND AFTER I MADE A TURN, THE POWER STEERING SERVICE ESC LIGHT CAME ON AS WELL AS THE TRACTION CONTROL PICTURE. MY STEERING WHEEL GOT SUPER STIFF AND IT WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN IT. AFTER I PULLED OVER AND TURNED MY CAR OFF, I TURNED IT BACK ON AND EVERYTHING WENT BACK TO NORMAL. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS BUT I CHECKED ON THE GM RECALL WEBSITE AND PUT IN MY VIN BUT MY CAR IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL WHICH DOESN'T SEEM TO MAKE MUCH SENSE IF OTHER 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU'S HAVE BEEN RECALLED BECAUSE OF THIS.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 15, 2020
MY ESC COMES ON WITH TRACTION EMBLEM AND POWER STEERING LIGHT. I THEN LOSE ALL POWER STEERING WHILE IN MOTION.
Other or unspecified, Feb 8, 2020
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND CAR JUST SHUT OFF, NO LIGHTS WERE ON IN VEHICLE NO SIGNS OF ANY ISSUES AT ALL. VEHICLE SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD.
Steering, Feb 7, 2020
ON 2/5/2020 WHILE DRIVING TO WORK MY STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO TWITCH WHILE DRIVING . AFTER I ARRIVED TO WORK AND PUT IT IN PARK THE STEERING WHEEL WAS SHAKING BACK AND FOURTH. NOW AFTER WORK I COME OUT IT HAD NO POWER STEERING ESC LIGHT ON AND A MESSAGE POWER STEERING PROBLEM. TOOK VIN TO DEALER NO RECALL FOR MY CAR. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE GM ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SYSTOMS. THERE ARE RECALLS OUT THERE FOR THIS PROBLEM. 2012 MALIBU INCLUDED JUST NOT MINE. VERY DANGEROUS
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 4, 2020
THE CAR SEEMS TO RUN FINE ONCE IT STARTS. THE PROBLEM IS GETTING IT TO START. SOMETIMES THE CAR STARTS WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS AND THEN SOMETIMES IT WON'T. IT HAS LEFT ME STRANDED MULTIPLE TIMES. WE REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, WHICH SEEMED TO FIX THE PROBLEM FOR A FEW DAYS AND THEN THE SAME THING STARTED TO HAPPEN. WE REPLACED A COUPLE OF FUSES. AGAIN THIS SEEMED TO FIX THE PROBLEM FOR A FEW DAYS AND THEN THE SAME THING STARTED TO HAPPEN. MY HUSBAND AND I NOTICED THAT THERE IS SOME WIRING THAT IS ALWAYS HOT LEADING FROM THE FUSE BOX TO THE FUEL PUMP. BASICALLY WE BELIEVE THAT CHEVROLET USED CHEAP CRAPPY THIN WIRING. BECAUSE OF THIS, THE CAR WON'T START. WE DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND IT SEEMS THAT EVERYONE WHO OWNS A 2012 CHEVY MALIBU HAS HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM THAT HAS COST CONSUMERS HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS. WE HAVE ALWAYS OWNED A CHEVY AND THIS IS THE FIRST VEHICLE THAT WE HAVE EVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH. WE ARE SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING SWITCHING TO TOYOTA OR NISSAN SINCE CHEVROLET HAS BEEN RECEIVING COMPLAINTS AND THUS FAR HAS CHOSEN NOT TO DO ANYTHING. CHEVROLET MANUFACTURED THE 2012 CHEVY MALIBU AND WAS AWARE OF THE ISSUES SURROUNDING THE FUSE BOX, FUEL PUMP, AND THE WIRING. ONE OF THESE DAYS, THE CAR IS GOING TO CATCH FIRE BECAUSE OF THE FAULTY SYSTEM. IT IS EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING TO SEE ALL OF THESE CHEVY MALIBU OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE AND CHEVROLET DOES NOTHING. WE NEVER KNOW IF THE CAR IS GOING TO START; IT'S LITERALLY A GUESSING GAME. SOMETIMES WE TAP THE FUSE BOX, SOMETIMES WE KICK THE SIDE OF THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR, AND SOMETIMES WE HAVE TO SIT AND WAIT 15 MINUTES AND THEN THE CAR WILL START. CHEVROLET NEEDS TO HAVE A RECALL AND FIX THE ISSUES SURROUNDING THE 2012 CHEVY MALIBU. EVENTUALLY THE WIRING IS GOING TO CATCH FIRE.
Steering, Feb 3, 2020
THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING. SERVICE ESC LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR WAS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. AFTER TURNING OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTING THE CAR, THE POWER STEERING CAME BACK ON. NOW IT IS GOING IN AND OUT. SOMETIMES I CAN STEER AND SOMETIMES IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE.
Steering, Feb 1, 2020, crash
SAME POWER STEERING PROBLEM. THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING GOES OUT SOMETIMES MIDTURN. IM AN ADULT MALE AND IVE HIT THE CURB A COUPLE TIMES IF THIS HAPPENED TO A FEMALE OR CHILD IT COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. IM SCARRED TO DRIVE IT. G.M. NEEDS TO STOP SELLING THESE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING UNITS. MINE IS 2012 MALIBU JUST TURNED 100000. THE ESC LIGHT COMES ON AND SAYS POWER STEERING ON DASH.
Exterior lighting, Jan 31, 2020
I HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM FOR MONTHS NOW. MY HEADLIGHT (BOTH SIDES AT DIFFERENT TIMES) KEEP GOING OUT. I'VE PROBABLY CHANGED MY HEADLIGHTS AT LEAST 6 TIMES IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS. I'VE HAD THE HEADLIGHT HARNESS CHANGED AS WELL BECAUSE THAT BURNED OUT. 2 MONTHS LATER THE NEW ONE BURNED OUT!!! I'VE READ SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE, CHEVY NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. I'M SO SICK OF BUYING HEADLIGHTS, HARNESSES, AND PAYING FOR SERVICE!! ITS NOT LIKE YOU JUST POP THE HEADLIGHT IN ON THIS STUPID CAR.
Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 30, 2020
HEADLAMPS KEEP GOING OUT WITHIN MONTHS AFTER SERVICE, LIGHTBULB SEEMS TO HAVE BLOWN BUT THEN COMES BACK ON LATER. HARNESS REPLACEMENT 2 TIMES IN 2 YEARS, PLASTIC CONNECTORS KEEP MELTING OR HEATING. BULB BLOWN ALSO ONE HOUR AFTER LEAVING DEALERSHIP SERVICING. MULTIPLE DATES OF INCIDENT WITH MOST RECENT 1/29/2020
Steering, Jan 26, 2020
THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING. SERVICE ESC LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR WAS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. AFTER TURNING OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTING THE CAR, THE POWER STEERING CAME BACK ON. NOW IT IS GOING IN AND OUT. SOMETIMES I CAN STEER AND SOMETIMES IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. I HAVE LOOKED IT UP AND THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT MY CAR DOES NOT SEEM TO BE PART OF THIS RECALL.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 26, 2020
VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. DEALERSHIP CHANGED FUSE BOX AND WIRING IN TRUNK DUE TO MELTING. NOW LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS NOT WORKING. REPLACED ONE MONTHS AGO, NOW BOTH NOT WORKING AGAIN. NOTICED SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON YOUR WEBSITE.
Exterior lighting, Jan 23, 2020
THE HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT I HAVE REPLACED THE BULBS AND CONNECTORS SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY ARE CURRENTLY OUT AGAIN FOR THE 8TH TIME