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2012 Chevrolet Malibu

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Malibu years

Owner complaints for the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu are substantially higher than the model-year median of 310.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

646 reports with mileage · 260 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 290 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 202 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 191 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

50 crash reports13 fire reports27 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

290 reports
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175,000 miles · Sep 5, 2019
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

GOT THE CAR FEW MONTHS AGO , CAR ONE DAY WOULDN'T START COULDN'T FIGURE OUT FINALLY FIGURED IT OUT, THE FUSE BOX IN MY TRUCK I CAN HIT IT AND THEN MY CAR STARTED JUST FINE IT HAPPENS ALOT TO WHERE I GOTTA HIT THE FUSE BOX IN MY TRUCK TO GET MY CAR STARTED THOUGHT IT WAS THE CRANK SENSOR BUT NOPE IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE F…

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GOT THE CAR FEW MONTHS AGO , CAR ONE DAY WOULDN'T START COULDN'T FIGURE OUT FINALLY FIGURED IT OUT, THE FUSE BOX IN MY TRUCK I CAN HIT IT AND THEN MY CAR STARTED JUST FINE IT HAPPENS ALOT TO WHERE I GOTTA HIT THE FUSE BOX IN MY TRUCK TO GET MY CAR STARTED THOUGHT IT WAS THE CRANK SENSOR BUT NOPE IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE FUSE BOX IN THE TRUCK & ALSO HEARD IT'S THE FUEL PUMP RELAY.

NHTSA ODI #11253441

56,000 miles · Sep 3, 2019
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

I HAVE A 2012 CHEVY MALIBU LT AND AT RANDOM TIMES THE CAR WILL SHUT DOWN, WHILE DRIVING, WHILE BEING STATIONARY, AND SOMETIMES IT DON'T EVEN START WHEN IT'S BEEN OFF I TOOK IT TO MULTIPLE MECHANICS AND THEY COULDN'T DETECT ANY CODES OR SEEM TO FIND THE PROBLEM THEY CHANGED THE FUEL PUMP, THE FUEL PUMP RELAY, THE FUSE, THE ECM ST…

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I HAVE A 2012 CHEVY MALIBU LT AND AT RANDOM TIMES THE CAR WILL SHUT DOWN, WHILE DRIVING, WHILE BEING STATIONARY, AND SOMETIMES IT DON'T EVEN START WHEN IT'S BEEN OFF I TOOK IT TO MULTIPLE MECHANICS AND THEY COULDN'T DETECT ANY CODES OR SEEM TO FIND THE PROBLEM THEY CHANGED THE FUEL PUMP, THE FUEL PUMP RELAY, THE FUSE, THE ECM STARTER IGNITION COIL, BATTERY, ALTERNATOR AND THE CAR STILL DOESN'T START RANDOMLY I HAVE TO TURN THE CAR TO THE ON POSITION THEN OFF MORE THAN 30 TIMES AND WAIT UNTIL I HEAR THE FUEL PUMP ACTIVATE THEN I KNOW IT WILL START I HAVE HAD THE CAR CUT OFF ON ME ON THE FREEWAY, IN THE MIDDLE OF MALIK A TURN ON BUSY STREETS I'VE BEEN OUT AT FAMILY EVENTS AND WHEN I TRIED TO GO HOME THE CAR WOULDN'T START I NEED HELP

NHTSA ODI #11253065

Mileage unknown · Aug 28, 2019
Electrical SystemEngineSeats

THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR 3 YEARS. CHEVY HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE DESPITE CHANGING OUT THE SENSORS AND CLEARING THE CODES. THIS EFFECTS THE REST OF THE ENGINE SETTINGS INCLUDING FUEL AS IT ADJUSTS THEM BASED ON A DEFAULT. THE RAIL SUPPORT FOR THE DRIVER'S SEAT HAS ALSO BROKEN LOOSE AND FALLEN DOWN WHI…

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THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR 3 YEARS. CHEVY HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE DESPITE CHANGING OUT THE SENSORS AND CLEARING THE CODES. THIS EFFECTS THE REST OF THE ENGINE SETTINGS INCLUDING FUEL AS IT ADJUSTS THEM BASED ON A DEFAULT. THE RAIL SUPPORT FOR THE DRIVER'S SEAT HAS ALSO BROKEN LOOSE AND FALLEN DOWN WHICH MAKES THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THIS SEAT ISSUE WAS ONLY NOTICE EARLIER THIS YEAR.

NHTSA ODI #11251903

160,000 miles · Aug 22, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior LightingCrashInjury

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NHTSA ODI #11245942

78,000 miles · Aug 19, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel/propulsion System

MY CAR WILL RANDOMLY NOT START. I HAVE BOUGHT A BRAND NEW BATTERY. THAT WASN'T THE PROBLEM. A WEEK LATER, MY GEAR SHIFT WOULDN'T MOVE. I HAD TO STAY IN MY VEHICLE AND MISS AN APPOINTMENT BECAUSE OF THIS. I COULDN'T GET IT TO MOVE FROM DRIVE TO PARK. AFTER SEVERAL TRIES AND 30 MINUTES, IT FINALLY MOVED. IT'S GOTTEN STUCK A FEW TI…

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MY CAR WILL RANDOMLY NOT START. I HAVE BOUGHT A BRAND NEW BATTERY. THAT WASN'T THE PROBLEM. A WEEK LATER, MY GEAR SHIFT WOULDN'T MOVE. I HAD TO STAY IN MY VEHICLE AND MISS AN APPOINTMENT BECAUSE OF THIS. I COULDN'T GET IT TO MOVE FROM DRIVE TO PARK. AFTER SEVERAL TRIES AND 30 MINUTES, IT FINALLY MOVED. IT'S GOTTEN STUCK A FEW TIMES TRYING TO MOVE IT FROM PARK TO DRIVE AS WELL. AND WHEN I'M DRIVING, THE EMERGENCY LIGHTS WILL RANDOMLY ILLUMINATE AND WIPERS WON'T WORK. I WAS DRIVING WHEN IT WAS POURING RAIN AND THE WIPERS WOULDN'T TURN ON WITH ALL EMERGENCY LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AS WELL. THIS CAN HAPPEN ANYTIME I'M ON A CITY STREET GOING FROM 25 TO 45 MPH. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED SEVERAL TIMES TO DIFFERENT SHOPS AND THEY CAN'T TELL ME WHAT'S WRONG.

NHTSA ODI #11245015

50,000 miles · Aug 16, 2019
Air BagsElectrical System

WHEN TURNING ON THE CAR AND WHEN DRIVING A MESSAGE COMES UP SAYING "SERVICE AIR BAG". THE CLOCK TURNS TO MILITARY TIME WITHOUT US CHANGING IT. SEAT BELTS SIGN COMES WHEN SEAT BELTS ARE BEING USED. POOR PERFORMANCE.

NHTSA ODI #11244460

100,000 miles · Aug 13, 2019
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

MY CAR WON'T TURN OVER AFTER I TURN IT OFF SOMETIMES. SOMETIMES IT WILL BE MOST OTHER TIMES IT DOESN'T. THE BATTERY IS NEW, SPARK PLUGS ARE NEW, SENSORS ARE NEW. STARTER ISN'T THE PROBLEM. DON'T KNOW WHAT IT COULD BE? IT WAS STATIONARY WHEN THIS HAPPENS, WHEN I TRY TO TURN THE CAR BACK ON.

NHTSA ODI #11243691

135,000 miles · Aug 11, 2019
Electrical System

THE FUSE BOX IN TRUNK OF CAR HAS A SHORT IN THE WIRE AND IT IS CAUSING A BURNING SMELL. THE VEHICLE DOESN'T START HALF OF THE TIME AND WHEN IT DOES START, THE CAR WILL STALL OUT OR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. THIS IS UNSAFE ESPECIALLY IN TRAFFIC WITH THE KIDS.

NHTSA ODI #11243100

94,000 miles · Aug 10, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior Lighting

AT 1ST MY CAR WOULDN'T CRANK EVERY SO OFTEN THEN STARTED GOING DRAG WHILE DRIVING I GOOGLED IT AND HAD TO BEAT ON FUSEBOX IN TRUNK OR WIGGLE WIRES SO HAD TO RUN WIRE STRAIGHT TO BATTERY TO FUEL PUMP. MY HEADLIGHTS ON DIM KEEP SHOOTING AND MY SPEAKERS WILL GO OUT SOMETIMES

NHTSA ODI #11242932

125,000 miles · Jul 29, 2019
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

WAS DRIVING AND MY CAR STOPPED ACCELERATING. I PUSHED ON THE GAS AND IT WOULD NOT GO. I WAS ON THE FREE WAY AND ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT. ALSO CAR WOULD NO LONGER START AFTER STOPPED. WOULD ACT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO START AND DOES NOT. I'VE HAD SEVERAL TOES WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE. A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN.

NHTSA ODI #11240468

Official recalls

2

15V269000 · Seat Belts

May 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the cable breaks, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy: 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.

14V252000 · Electrical System:wiring; Electronic Stability Control (esc); Exterior Lighting:brake Lights; Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch; Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control

May 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

Additional source detail variants (5)

Electronic Stability Control (esc)

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.

Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control

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.

Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

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.

Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

Exterior Lighting:brake Lights

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.

Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

Electrical System:wiring

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.

Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.