IllustrationREPLACED LOW BEAM LIGHTS MULTIPLE TIMES, HAD THE WIRING HARNESS REPLACED DUE TO A SHORTAGE THAT WAS SUPPOSEDLY LEADING TO THE LOW BEAMS LIGHT BLOWING OUT CONSTANTLY. LOW BEAM LIGHTS STILL KEEP GOING OUT. ONGOING ISSUE
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Malibu years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
880–25K
7125–50K
11250–75K
12475–100K
187100–150K
64150K+
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
Exterior Lighting complaints
202 reportsPASSENGER LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT CONTINUALLY BURNS OUT. HAVE CHANGED BULB MULTIPLE TIMES. THE LAST TIME THE BULB LITERALLY BLEW UP. THE NEW BULB WOULD LAST AN HOUR OR A DAY OR TWO.
I OWN TWO 2012 CHEVY MALIBUS--THE HEADLIGHTS ON EACH HAVE WENT OUT NO LESS THAN 4 TIMES EACH. THIS HAS TO BE A DESIGN OR MANUFACTURE ISSUE. EVEN WITH THE PIGTALS BEING REPLACED THE HEADLIGHTS CONTINUE TO GO OUT.
WE HAVE HAD THE DRIVERS SIDE WIRING HARNESS REPLACED THREE TIMES. AND THE OTHER ONE ONCE. MY SON HAS THE EXACT MAKE AND MODEL AND HAS SAME ISSUES. REPLACED TWICE. LOCAL REPAIR SHOP SAYS THIS IS A KNOW. ISSUE
HIGH AND LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE HEADLIGHTS ON MY CAR 3 TIMES WITHIN 3 MONTHS. I SEARCHED FOR A PROBLEM WITH THAT CAR AND ANY COMPLAINTS. I FOUND NO RECALL BUT GM BUT 274 COMPLAINTS ABOUT HEADLIGHT PROBLEMS. THE HEADLIGHTS WILL JUST GO OFF DURING DRIVING. VERY DANGEROUS. WHAT CAN BE DONE. IT VERY EXPENSIVE …
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HIGH AND LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE HEADLIGHTS ON MY CAR 3 TIMES WITHIN 3 MONTHS. I SEARCHED FOR A PROBLEM WITH THAT CAR AND ANY COMPLAINTS. I FOUND NO RECALL BUT GM BUT 274 COMPLAINTS ABOUT HEADLIGHT PROBLEMS. THE HEADLIGHTS WILL JUST GO OFF DURING DRIVING. VERY DANGEROUS. WHAT CAN BE DONE. IT VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE BULBS BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO DROP THE BUMPER BUT THE BULB IS NOT THE PROBLEM. HOW CAN WE GET GENERAL MOTORS TO RECALL AND FIX THIS PROBLEM FOR 274 PEOPLE? I CAN TELL YOU THE VERY LAST TIME THIS HAPPEN.
PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED EVERY YEAR. SOMETIMES SOONER. THE PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM CONNECTOR MELTED.
IS HAVING TO CONSTANTLY REPLACE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT. MY HEADLIGHTS HAVE BOTH WENT OUT 3 TIMES WITHIN 6 MONTHS. THIS IS VERY COSTLY REPAIR BECAUSE THE FRONT BUMPER HAS TO BE REMOVED IN ORDER TO GET TO THE HEADLIGHT.
MY LOW BEAMS AND NOW HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT. REPLACED THREE TIMES AND TWO ON THE OTHER SIDE. COSTS OVER 150 EACH TIME. DRIVING OR WHEN I GO TO START CAR IS WHEN THEY GO OUT AND ONLY ONCE AFTER HITTING BUMP IT CAME ON. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE REPORTING SAME PROBLEM ON CAR GURU. TYPE IN YOUR CAR MAKE AND MODEL A…
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MY LOW BEAMS AND NOW HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT. REPLACED THREE TIMES AND TWO ON THE OTHER SIDE. COSTS OVER 150 EACH TIME. DRIVING OR WHEN I GO TO START CAR IS WHEN THEY GO OUT AND ONLY ONCE AFTER HITTING BUMP IT CAME ON. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE REPORTING SAME PROBLEM ON CAR GURU. TYPE IN YOUR CAR MAKE AND MODEL AND YEAR WITH HEADLIGHT PROBLEMS AND YOU WILL SEE HOW MANY DRIVERS ARE EFFECTED BY THIS AND HAVE TO KEEP PAYING. I ALSO GOT PULLED OVER 5 TIMES IN 2 MONTHS FOR HEADLIGHTS. THIS IS A PROBLEM AND NEEDS THE MAKER TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. I ALSO CAN GET RECORDS FROM DEALERSHIP OF ALL WORK PAID FOR.
ON TWO OCCASSIONS THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY WENT COMPLETELY OUT WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. SINCE I GOT THE CAR 2 YEARS AGO I HAVE HAD MANY ISSUES WITH THE LIGHTING AMD ELECTRICAL. THE BRAKE LIGHT WORKS WHEN IT CHOOSES TO EVEN IF K DONE PUSH THE BRAKE AND WITH NEW BULBS IT MAY NOT WORK. THE HEADLIGHTS DO THE SAME. THEY COME ON AND …
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ON TWO OCCASSIONS THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY WENT COMPLETELY OUT WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. SINCE I GOT THE CAR 2 YEARS AGO I HAVE HAD MANY ISSUES WITH THE LIGHTING AMD ELECTRICAL. THE BRAKE LIGHT WORKS WHEN IT CHOOSES TO EVEN IF K DONE PUSH THE BRAKE AND WITH NEW BULBS IT MAY NOT WORK. THE HEADLIGHTS DO THE SAME. THEY COME ON AND GO OFF WHEN THEY CHOOSE TO. I HAVE REPLACED BULBS OVER 20 TIMES IN THE PAST 2 YEARS WHEN I DIDN'T ACTUALLY HAVE TO. MY SENSORS ALSO DON'T WORK WHICH I WAS TOLD WAS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE. I HAVE A FRONT LIGHT THAT WON'T GO OFF SO EACH TIME I CUT THE CAR OFF I HAVE TO UNPLUG MY BATTERY SO IT DOESN'T DIE. THE DATE POSTED ISNT THE ONLY DATE ITS HAPPENED IT WAS THE DAY IT ALL STARTED.
DRIVER SIDE HEADLAMPS GOING OUT. I'VE HAD TO REPLACE MY DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT 3 TIMES OVER THE LAST 2 MONTHS. NO AUTOMOBILE SHOULD GO THROUGH HEADLAMPS AT THAT RATE. TO COMPLICATE THIS ISSUE, THE ENTIRE FRONT BUMPER MUST BE REMOVED TO CHANGE THE HEADLIGHTS. I'VE READ ON THE FORUMS WHERE MANY MALIBU OWNERS ARE HAVING THE EX…
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DRIVER SIDE HEADLAMPS GOING OUT. I'VE HAD TO REPLACE MY DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT 3 TIMES OVER THE LAST 2 MONTHS. NO AUTOMOBILE SHOULD GO THROUGH HEADLAMPS AT THAT RATE. TO COMPLICATE THIS ISSUE, THE ENTIRE FRONT BUMPER MUST BE REMOVED TO CHANGE THE HEADLIGHTS. I'VE READ ON THE FORUMS WHERE MANY MALIBU OWNERS ARE HAVING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE(S) WITH THE HEADLAMPS. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW AND GM/CHEVROLET SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL WITH CORRECTIVE ACTION.
Official recalls
215V269000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.