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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

Exterior Lighting complaints

202 reports
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Mileage unknown · Dec 15, 2018
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior Lighting

I HAVE ALL THE SAME ISSUES AS RECALL NUMBER 13036. RECALL ID 204828, 204826 AND 2 MORE. SOMETIMES BREAK LIGHT WONT WORK WHEN NEEDED AND COMES ON WHEN NOT BEING PRESSED. ALSO A FRONT BLINKER LIGHT STAYS ILLUMINATED UNLESS I UNHOOK THE BATTERY. JUST UNDOING THE LIGHT DOESNT WORK. ALSO MY ROGHT BLINKER DOESNT WORK. SOME WIRES IN MY…

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I HAVE ALL THE SAME ISSUES AS RECALL NUMBER 13036. RECALL ID 204828, 204826 AND 2 MORE. SOMETIMES BREAK LIGHT WONT WORK WHEN NEEDED AND COMES ON WHEN NOT BEING PRESSED. ALSO A FRONT BLINKER LIGHT STAYS ILLUMINATED UNLESS I UNHOOK THE BATTERY. JUST UNDOING THE LIGHT DOESNT WORK. ALSO MY ROGHT BLINKER DOESNT WORK. SOME WIRES IN MY FUSE BOX LOOK MELTED. IVE REPORT THIS BEFORE

NHTSA ODI #11161734

Mileage unknown · Dec 15, 2018
Exterior Lighting

LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHTS GO OUT EVERY MONTH. BULBS AND PIGTAILS HAVE BEEN REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES BUT THEY KEEP GOING OUT. I'M AM UNAWARE THAT THEY ARE OUT UNTIL I'M DRIVING AT NIGHT OR PULLED OVER BY POLICE AND TOLD THAT IT'S OUT. THEY SEEM TO ALTERNATE, ONE GOES OUT, I GET IT REPAIRED AND THEN THE OTHER GOES OUT.

NHTSA ODI #11161490

Mileage unknown · Dec 11, 2018
Exterior Lighting

MY LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT GOES OUT UNEXPECTEDLY I HAVE CHANGED IT ALREADY AND NOW ITS OUT AGAIN..IM NOT THE ONLY MALIBU OWNER WITH THIS PROBLEM. SO I THINK SOMEONE WITH CHEVROLET NEEDS TO FIND AN ANSWER FOR THEIR CAR OWNERS FOR A RECALL SOLUTION..PLEASE DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO TRADE MY MALIBU IN BECAUSE OF A HEADLIGHT ISSUE BUT EVERYT…

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MY LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT GOES OUT UNEXPECTEDLY I HAVE CHANGED IT ALREADY AND NOW ITS OUT AGAIN..IM NOT THE ONLY MALIBU OWNER WITH THIS PROBLEM. SO I THINK SOMEONE WITH CHEVROLET NEEDS TO FIND AN ANSWER FOR THEIR CAR OWNERS FOR A RECALL SOLUTION..PLEASE DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO TRADE MY MALIBU IN BECAUSE OF A HEADLIGHT ISSUE BUT EVERYTIME A NEW BULB GETS PUT IN IT WORKS FOR A LIMITED TIME AND THEN I AM DRIVING AROUND WITH ONE HEADLIGHT!

NHTSA ODI #11160753

136,000 miles · Dec 10, 2018
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior Lighting

HEAD LIGHT KEEPS POPPING OFF AND ON AND WHEN RUNNING AN OBD TEST AFTER CLEARING CODES SEVERAL TIMES IT 1ST PROVIDED ME WITH 2 CODES THEN 9. TWO HOURS LATER 32 CODES POPPED UP. THE BUTTONS ON THE STREINNG WHEEL CUT IN AND OUT AT RANDOM. ## VIN PASSED ## CHEVROLET MALIBU 2012 ##

NHTSA ODI #11160574

43,000 miles · Dec 5, 2018
Exterior Lighting

MY LOW BEAM PASSENGER AND DRIVER HEADLIGHT GOES OUT EVERY 2 TO THREE MONTHS. I HAVE CHANGED MORE HEADLIGHT BULBS AS MUCH AS OIL CHANGES. BELOW IS A LINK LISTING MANY OTHER CONSUMERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THE REPAIR CAN COST UP TO $200 AT THE SHOP. I'VE ALMOST BEEN GIVEN A TICKET, BUT LUCKILY I WAS LEAVING AUTOZONE WITH MY LIGHT…

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MY LOW BEAM PASSENGER AND DRIVER HEADLIGHT GOES OUT EVERY 2 TO THREE MONTHS. I HAVE CHANGED MORE HEADLIGHT BULBS AS MUCH AS OIL CHANGES. BELOW IS A LINK LISTING MANY OTHER CONSUMERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THE REPAIR CAN COST UP TO $200 AT THE SHOP. I'VE ALMOST BEEN GIVEN A TICKET, BUT LUCKILY I WAS LEAVING AUTOZONE WITH MY LIGHT AND RECIEPT WHEN I GOT STOPPED. THIS HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING. MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME CAR HAS FIXED THE HARNESS AND STILL HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. PLEASE HELP US GET THIS RESOLVED TO KEEP SAFETY AND VISIBILITY ON THE STREETS AND TO PREVENT UNNECCESSARY TICKETS FOR HARD WORKING PEOPLE. HERE IS THE FORUM LINK. THANKS. HTTPS://WWW.CARGURUS.COM/CARS/DISCUSSION-T32066_DS667897 THIS ISSUE SEEMS TO HAPPEN RANDOMLY. ONE DAY I TURN THE CAR ON AND IT'S JUST OFF. THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN POLICE CHEVY'S DRIVING AROUND WITH ONE HEADLIGHT LIGHT ON.

NHTSA ODI #11156460

Mileage unknown · Dec 4, 2018
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

THE PASSENGER LOW BEAM KEEPS GOING OUT ITS NOT THE BULB I'VE CHANGED IT ATLEAST 4 UNLESS THIS YEAR YET IT STILLS GOES OUT AND EVERYBODY ELSE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM ON SAME SIDE OF THE SAME CAR. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL FOR THIS.

NHTSA ODI #11156031

150,000 miles · Dec 3, 2018
Exterior Lighting

MAIN HEADLIGHTS CONTINUALLY STOP WORKING. WIRING ISSUE AS HEADLIGHT HARNESS BURNS OUT. HEADLIGHTS NOT BURNING OUT. HAVE REPLACED HARNESSES TWICE IN A YEAR WITH FACTORY HARNESS FROM CHEVY DEALERSHIP, AND SAME PROBLEM BOTH TIMES. OUT AGAIN. HAVE TO DRIVE WITH HIGH BEAMS ONLY. SEE THIS LINK FOR OTHERS WITH SAME PROBLEM! SO FRUSTR…

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MAIN HEADLIGHTS CONTINUALLY STOP WORKING. WIRING ISSUE AS HEADLIGHT HARNESS BURNS OUT. HEADLIGHTS NOT BURNING OUT. HAVE REPLACED HARNESSES TWICE IN A YEAR WITH FACTORY HARNESS FROM CHEVY DEALERSHIP, AND SAME PROBLEM BOTH TIMES. OUT AGAIN. HAVE TO DRIVE WITH HIGH BEAMS ONLY. SEE THIS LINK FOR OTHERS WITH SAME PROBLEM! SO FRUSTRATING AND DANGEROUS. WE NEED A RECALL!! HTTPS://WWW.CARGURUS.COM/CARS/DISCUSSION-T32066_DS667897 THIS VEHICLE IS NOT EASY TO REPLACE HEADLIGHTS OR HARNESS AS ENTIRE FRONT BUMPER MUST BE REMOVED, AND I HAVE HAD TO DO IT 3 TIMES IN A YEAR SINCE I BOUGHT, AND HAVE TO DO AGAIN. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DO SOMETHING. THANK YOU. GLEN

NHTSA ODI #11155571

Mileage unknown · Nov 29, 2018
Exterior Lighting

LOW BEAM ON PASSENGER SIDE KEEPS TURNING OFF. LIGHT BULB WAS REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES BUT THE ISSUE RETURNS. THE WIRING AND EVERYTHING LOOKS IN GOOD CONDITION. MULTIPLE VEHICLE OWNERS COMPLAING OF THE SAME SITUATION.

NHTSA ODI #11154656

190,000 miles · Nov 20, 2018
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES BUT NOW FAIL TO OPERATE.

NHTSA ODI #11152768

Mileage unknown · Nov 16, 2018
Exterior Lighting

THE PASSENGER LOW-BEAM HEAD LIGHT GOES OUT. IF I GO OVER A BUMP IT SOMETIMES COMES BACK ON. WENT TO GET LIGHT CHANGED AND SAME PROBLEM STARTED A WEEK OR 2 LATER. NOW BOTH LOW BEAM LIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT. ALL OTHER LIGHTS WORK FINE. THIS HAPPENS AT ANY TIME, STATIONARY OR IN MOTION.

NHTSA ODI #11152092

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.