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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.

About this comparison →
906Owner complaints

Model-year median: 310.5

2Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
1,509
20091,360
2010977
2011906
2012835
2013351
2014270
2015
Compare all Malibu years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Electrical System
290Exterior Lighting
202Steering
191Electronic Stability Control (esc)
129Air Bags
101
All reported categories
Engine
99Service Brakes
65Vehicle Speed Control
52Fuel/propulsion System
51Unknown Or Other
51Power Train
49Seat Belts
47Seats
36Visibility/wiper
27Wheels
19Structure
16Suspension
10Traction Control System
10Service Brakes, Hydraulic
8Fuel System, Gasoline
5Visibility
4Engine And Engine Cooling
3Tires
2Child Seat
1Equipment
1Lane Departure
1Latches/locks/linkages
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

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

Exterior Lighting complaints

202 reports
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Mileage unknown · Feb 17, 2019
Exterior Lighting

HEADLIGHTS WORK INTERMITTENTLY, I'VE REPLACED BOTH BULBS AROUND 4 TIMES IN A YEAR. THE DRIVER SIDE GOES OUT I CHANGE IT THEN THE PASSENGER WOULD GO OUT THEN CHANGE IT THEN BOOM THERE GOES THE DRIVER SIDE AGAIN AFTER THE LAST TIME CHANGING IT I NOTICED THE BULBS AREN'T BLOWING OUT. EVERYONE THAT HAS THIS MAKE AND MODEL CAR IS HAV…

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HEADLIGHTS WORK INTERMITTENTLY, I'VE REPLACED BOTH BULBS AROUND 4 TIMES IN A YEAR. THE DRIVER SIDE GOES OUT I CHANGE IT THEN THE PASSENGER WOULD GO OUT THEN CHANGE IT THEN BOOM THERE GOES THE DRIVER SIDE AGAIN AFTER THE LAST TIME CHANGING IT I NOTICED THE BULBS AREN'T BLOWING OUT. EVERYONE THAT HAS THIS MAKE AND MODEL CAR IS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AND I BELIEVE IT IS A FACTORY DEFECT WITH THE WIRING HARNESSES. RUNNING TO THE CHEVY DEALER TO HAVE THIS ISSUE DIAGNOSED AND THEN THE INSANE BILL AFTERWARDS TO FIX SOMETHING THAT I'M PRETTY SURE GM WAS AND IS ALREADY AWARE IS NOT ONLY RIDICULOUS BUT A DISRESPECTFUL SLAP IN THE FACE TO THEIR FAITHFUL CONSUMERS.

NHTSA ODI #11180583

Mileage unknown · Feb 15, 2019
Exterior Lighting

THIS WILL BE MY 5TH ATTEMPT WITH CHANGING THE PASSENGER SIDE LOW-BEAN. I RECENTLY TOOK AGAIN TO MY MECHANIC ON JANUARY 7, 2019 TO REPLACE THE BULB AND EXACTLY JANUARY 24 IT WENT BACK OUT AGAIN. THIS ISSUE NEED TO BE REPORTED AND TO BE RECALL. THIS ISSUE WILL KEEP HAPPENING OVER AND OVER AND ITS OBVIOUSLY NOT THE BULB IS THE PROB…

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THIS WILL BE MY 5TH ATTEMPT WITH CHANGING THE PASSENGER SIDE LOW-BEAN. I RECENTLY TOOK AGAIN TO MY MECHANIC ON JANUARY 7, 2019 TO REPLACE THE BULB AND EXACTLY JANUARY 24 IT WENT BACK OUT AGAIN. THIS ISSUE NEED TO BE REPORTED AND TO BE RECALL. THIS ISSUE WILL KEEP HAPPENING OVER AND OVER AND ITS OBVIOUSLY NOT THE BULB IS THE PROBLEM. I GOT PULLED OVER AND WAS ISSUED A REPAIR ORDER BY THE POLICE ON ANOTHER BULB ISSUE AND THEN ANOTHER A TICKET EVEN WHEN I HAD SHOWED POLICE I HAD BROUGHT A BLUB TO REPLACED IT. THIS IS BEYOND FRUSTRATING PLUS TO REMOVED THE FRONT BUMPER TO REPLACE THE BULB CREATES AN EXTRA CHARGES.

NHTSA ODI #11180335

Mileage unknown · Jan 29, 2019
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

TAKATA RECALL UNSAFE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WITH UNPREDICTABLE HEADLIGHT FUNTIONALITY AND UNKNOWN OTHER RESULTS MAY LEAD TO MORE EXTENSIVE DAFETY ISSUES, I.E FIRE CONCERNS.

NHTSA ODI #11172777

94,000 miles · Jan 28, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior LightingSteering

POWER STEERING, LIGHTS, ELECTRICAL STABILITY, ENGINE, TRANSMISSION

NHTSA ODI #11172464

170,000 miles · Jan 18, 2019
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 170,000.

NHTSA ODI #11170762

97,000 miles · Jan 10, 2019
Exterior Lighting

DIM LIGHTS BURNING OUT EVERY FEW MONTHS. HAPPENS ON START UP LEAVING ME NO CHOICE BUT TO USE MY HIGH BEAMS TO GET VEHICLE HOME CAUSING A SAFETY HAZARD.

NHTSA ODI #11166375

75,000 miles · Jan 7, 2019
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

FUSE 6 BLOWS WHEN LEFT TURN SIGNAL IS ACTIVATED. IT FIRST BLEW IN OCT 2018, THEN NOT AGAIN UNTIL DECEMBER (SEVERAL TIMES) AND STILL HAPPENING AGAIN IN JAN 2019. SIGNALS WILL WORK FINE FOR A DAY OR TWO AFTER REPLACING FUSE, BUT THEN FUSE BLOWS AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #11164883

26,000 miles · Jan 4, 2019
Exterior Lighting

MY PASSENGER SIDE LOWBEAM. HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT NOW I GOT PULLED OVER AND NEED TO TAKE MY CAR INTO THE MECANIC SHOP. FOR WHAT I WAS TOLD IS ATLEAST 200 DOLLARS. RIGHT AFTER THE HOIDAYS. MY 1997 CHEVY SILVERADO HASN'T NEEDED A HEADLIGHT REPLACEMENT IN 6 YEARS BUT THIS CAR I CHANGED THE BULB 4 TIMES LAST YEAR? NOT TO MENTION…

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MY PASSENGER SIDE LOWBEAM. HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT NOW I GOT PULLED OVER AND NEED TO TAKE MY CAR INTO THE MECANIC SHOP. FOR WHAT I WAS TOLD IS ATLEAST 200 DOLLARS. RIGHT AFTER THE HOIDAYS. MY 1997 CHEVY SILVERADO HASN'T NEEDED A HEADLIGHT REPLACEMENT IN 6 YEARS BUT THIS CAR I CHANGED THE BULB 4 TIMES LAST YEAR? NOT TO MENTION ITS SO HARD TO EVEN GET TO THE BULB YOU HAVE TO TAKE INTO THE SHOP.

NHTSA ODI #11165763

105,000 miles · Dec 18, 2018
Exterior Lighting

DRIVER SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT. REPLACED 2X IN LESS THAN 90 DAYS, STILL NOT WORKING. LIGHT WORKS JUST BEFORE THE NEW BULB CLICKS INTO PLACE IN THE CONNECTOR, BUT THEN AS SOON AS THE CONNECTOR CLICKS IN PLACE, THE BULB GOES OUT. HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES, SAME THING. NO OTHER ISSUES WITH LIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS, HA…

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DRIVER SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT. REPLACED 2X IN LESS THAN 90 DAYS, STILL NOT WORKING. LIGHT WORKS JUST BEFORE THE NEW BULB CLICKS INTO PLACE IN THE CONNECTOR, BUT THEN AS SOON AS THE CONNECTOR CLICKS IN PLACE, THE BULB GOES OUT. HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES, SAME THING. NO OTHER ISSUES WITH LIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS, HAZARDS, ETC...ONLY THE DRIVER SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT. HAPPENS REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.

NHTSA ODI #11162175

163,000 miles · Dec 16, 2018
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

LOW BEAMS REPEATEDLY GOING OUT, BOTH SOCKETS REPLACED AND BULBS, NUMEROUS TIMES. FRONT BUMPER FACIA HAS TO COME OFF FOR REPLACEMENT

NHTSA ODI #11161834

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.