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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 · Dec 6, 2021
Electrical SystemExterior LightingService Brakes

I bought the car a year ago from a used car lot. Replaced the cam shaft positioning sensor as per diagnostic reading for check engine light. Since then, svc air bag light has stayed on. Traction control light stays on and is disengaged. When braking ESC warning goes on and off and sliding occurs. The low beam headlights go on an…

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I bought the car a year ago from a used car lot. Replaced the cam shaft positioning sensor as per diagnostic reading for check engine light. Since then, svc air bag light has stayed on. Traction control light stays on and is disengaged. When braking ESC warning goes on and off and sliding occurs. The low beam headlights go on and off intermittently and no way of knowing when it will happen. When turning cruise control on or off, the car will accelerate on its own and will increase speed until brake is applied. Regardless of whether cruise control was turned on or off. I have had it looked at at my local Mr.Tire and they cannot figure out what is happening.

NHTSA ODI #11442865

Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 2021
Exterior Lighting

Headlights (low beam)keep going out. Bulbs have been changed repeatedly but immediately go out. Sometimes it will go on when I drive over a bump but will be out next time I start my car. Researching message boards this is a known issue with this model.

NHTSA ODI #11438412

Mileage unknown · Aug 14, 2021
Electrical SystemExterior LightingService Brakes

I have a 2012 Chevy Malibu i bought it in 2014. I have had the Esc light come on in 2016 but no problem with it untill now of this year in 2022. Not knowing the problem i have already put ALOT into it. I took it to a machanic they told me it was the rack and pinion. So got that done . Apparently it wasn't it took it to another m…

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I have a 2012 Chevy Malibu i bought it in 2014. I have had the Esc light come on in 2016 but no problem with it untill now of this year in 2022. Not knowing the problem i have already put ALOT into it. I took it to a machanic they told me it was the rack and pinion. So got that done . Apparently it wasn't it took it to another machanic they told me it was struts got that done too n still nothing so i looked it up online got CV joint, inner ,tie rod, wheel alignment. All those done n still nothing fix it. I didn't know what else to do until i made more scratch on my vehicle and i found that it could be a recall .

NHTSA ODI #11429076

150,000 miles · May 7, 2021
Electrical SystemExterior LightingService Brakes

THE CENTER BRAKE LIGHT DOESN'T WORK. I PUT IN A NEW LED LIGHT ASSEMBLY IN AND IT STILL DOESN'T WORK.

NHTSA ODI #11415495

144,000 miles · Apr 28, 2021
Exterior LightingService BrakesVehicle Speed Control

I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE INTO A CHEVROLET CENTER NEAR ME TO HAVE A 'MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY FIX' DONE TO MY VEHICLE ON 04/17/2021, AS THE POWER STEERING HAD FAILED AND I WAS ABLE TO GET THIS FIXED FOR FREE. WHEN I TURNED MY VEHICLE ON AND NOTICED THE POWER STEERING NOTIFICATION ON MY DASH, I TRIED TO BACK MY CAR OUT OF WHERE I WAS PA…

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I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE INTO A CHEVROLET CENTER NEAR ME TO HAVE A 'MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY FIX' DONE TO MY VEHICLE ON 04/17/2021, AS THE POWER STEERING HAD FAILED AND I WAS ABLE TO GET THIS FIXED FOR FREE. WHEN I TURNED MY VEHICLE ON AND NOTICED THE POWER STEERING NOTIFICATION ON MY DASH, I TRIED TO BACK MY CAR OUT OF WHERE I WAS PARKED AND MOVE MY WHEEL, BUT COULD NOT MOVE THE WHEEL. WHEN THE PART WAS REPLACED, I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WERE STILL SENSORS ON MY DASH INDICATING THAT I NEEDED THE ESC AND STABILITY TRACTION CONTROL SERVICED FOR MY CAR. ACCORDING TO THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP, THIS HAD 'NOTHING TO DO WITH THE SPECIAL POLICY FIX' AND NOT SOMETHING THEY WOULD BE FIXING FOR ME. AFTER CHECKING THE NHTSA.GOV FOR ANY RECALLS ON MY 2012 CHEVY MALIBU, I FOUND ONE FROM MAY 2014 THAT DESCRIBED EXACTLY THE PROBLEM I WAS HAVING WITH MY VEHICLE: LOSS OF VEHICLE STABILITY TRACTION CONTROL, CRUISE CONTROL AND RANDOM ILLUMINATION OF BRAKE LIGHTS. I CONTACTED CHEVY ONCE AGAIN ABOUT THIS RECALL, TO WHICH THEY SAID THERE 'WAS NO RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE, AND IF THERE WAS IT WAS ALREADY FIXED'. NOT ONLY WAS THIS COMPLETELY UNPROFESSIONAL AND LACKING CONCERN OF SAFETY FOR MY CHILD AND I, I DO NOT KNOW WHERE TO TURN TO FOR THIS TO BE REMEDIED. ATTACHED IS THE TICKET FOR THE INITIAL FIX I HAD DONE.

NHTSA ODI #11414319

140,000 miles · Mar 24, 2021
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT CONNECTORS WERE MELTED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED 7 TIMES WITHIN THE PAST THREE MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS TOO MUCH VOLTS GOING TO THE HEADLIGHT WIRING CONNECTORS CAUSING THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT CONNECTORS WERE MELTED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED 7 TIMES WITHIN THE PAST THREE MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS TOO MUCH VOLTS GOING TO THE HEADLIGHT WIRING CONNECTORS CAUSING THE CONNECTORS TO MELT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VAN CHEVROLET (100 NW VIVION RD, KANSAS CITY, MO 64118, 816-527-8564) TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, A WEEK LATER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT EMAILED THE MANUFACTURER AND RECEIVED A RESPONSE WHICH STATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, NO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA ODI #11404656

143,575 miles · Mar 10, 2021
Exterior Lighting

I HAVE CHANGED MY PASSENGER HEADLIGHT 3 TIMES AND PIGTAIL ONCE AND IT STILL KEEPS GOING OUT CALLED CHEVY THEY KNOW ITS A COMMON PROBLEM BUT CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT UNLESS I PAY NOT FAIR TO THE CONSUMER

NHTSA ODI #11400155

Mileage unknown · Feb 17, 2021
Exterior Lighting

MY LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT EVEN AFTER I CHANGE THEM. THE DRIVER SIDE HAS BEEN CHANGED 3 TIMES, EVERYTIME IT WENT OUT IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS. THIS LAST TIME IT WENT OUT WITHIN TWO HOURS AFTER CHANGING IT. IT DOESN'T HELP THAT I HAVE TO DO TAKE THE ENTIRE BUMPER OFF TO CHANGE THE HEADLIGHT; NOT MAKING IT THE EASIEST TAS…

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MY LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT EVEN AFTER I CHANGE THEM. THE DRIVER SIDE HAS BEEN CHANGED 3 TIMES, EVERYTIME IT WENT OUT IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS. THIS LAST TIME IT WENT OUT WITHIN TWO HOURS AFTER CHANGING IT. IT DOESN'T HELP THAT I HAVE TO DO TAKE THE ENTIRE BUMPER OFF TO CHANGE THE HEADLIGHT; NOT MAKING IT THE EASIEST TASK.

NHTSA ODI #11396618

154,000 miles · Jan 21, 2021
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

HAVING ISSUE WITH PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM LIGHT AFTER REPLACING IT STILL SEE THE LIGHT GOES IN AND OUT I LOOKED UP THE ISSUE ONLINE AND SEE MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE ON THE SAME SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE LIGHT AND EVERYBODY EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM THE LIGHT WILL GO IN AND OUT EVEN AFTER YOU RE…

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HAVING ISSUE WITH PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM LIGHT AFTER REPLACING IT STILL SEE THE LIGHT GOES IN AND OUT I LOOKED UP THE ISSUE ONLINE AND SEE MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE ON THE SAME SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE LIGHT AND EVERYBODY EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM THE LIGHT WILL GO IN AND OUT EVEN AFTER YOU REPLACE THE BULB.

NHTSA ODI #11389287

64,850 miles · Jan 19, 2021
Exterior Lighting

I'VE BEEN SEEING MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT HEADLIGHT FAILURE.LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT ON THE RIGHT SIDE ...PLUS YOU HAVE TO TAKE OFF THE FRONT TRIM PANEL TO ACCESS THE BULB. VERY BAD DESIGN.

NHTSA ODI #11388887

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.