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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

What owners actually said

906 reports
75,700 miles · Oct 27, 2017
Visibility/wiper

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE OTHER DAY WHILE IT WAS RAINING AND MY WIPERS STOPPED WORKING HAD IT LOOKED AT AND MY SMALL ARM ON MY LINKAGE DISCONNECTED DUE TO RUST ON THE BALL JOINT I LOOKED CONTACTED GM THEY KNEW NOTHING ABOUT IT BUT I GOOGLED IT AND IM NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS HAD THIS ISSUE DEFINITELY SHOULD BE A RECALL J…

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I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE OTHER DAY WHILE IT WAS RAINING AND MY WIPERS STOPPED WORKING HAD IT LOOKED AT AND MY SMALL ARM ON MY LINKAGE DISCONNECTED DUE TO RUST ON THE BALL JOINT I LOOKED CONTACTED GM THEY KNEW NOTHING ABOUT IT BUT I GOOGLED IT AND IM NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS HAD THIS ISSUE DEFINITELY SHOULD BE A RECALL JUST LIKE 2013 TERRAIN. PARTS ARE VERY SIMILAR IF NOT THE SAME.

NHTSA ODI #11040602

Mileage unknown · Oct 23, 2017
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO MULTIPLE SAFETY DEFECTS WITH VEHICLE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS SEVERAL SAFETY DEFECTS INCLUDING THE ELECTRIC STABILITY CONTROL, BRAKES, SENSOR LIGHTS, STEERING, SUSPENSION, WHEELS, ENGINE LIGHTS, POWER TRAIN. UPDATED 10/23/2017*JS

NHTSA ODI #11035054

43,750 miles · Oct 11, 2017
Fuel/propulsion System

DROVE TO WORK AFTER WORK CAME GOT INTO CAR WILL NOT START SO CALL THE MECHANIC TO COME HELP ME AND HE TOOK IT TO SHOP AND SAID SOMETHING GOING ON WITH THE FUSE BOX AND FUEL PUMP CAN'T FIGURE IT OUT DONE THIS MORE THAN ONE TIME HAVE TO OPEN TRUNK TOUCHED THE FUEL PUMP RELAY TO GET GOING . I HAVEN'T HAD THE CAR BUT 2 YEARS IT…

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DROVE TO WORK AFTER WORK CAME GOT INTO CAR WILL NOT START SO CALL THE MECHANIC TO COME HELP ME AND HE TOOK IT TO SHOP AND SAID SOMETHING GOING ON WITH THE FUSE BOX AND FUEL PUMP CAN'T FIGURE IT OUT DONE THIS MORE THAN ONE TIME HAVE TO OPEN TRUNK TOUCHED THE FUEL PUMP RELAY TO GET GOING . I HAVEN'T HAD THE CAR BUT 2 YEARS IT NEEDS TO BE RECALL ON THE PROBLEM. TO MANY HAVING THIS PROBLEM SOMEONE GOING TO GET HURT FROM THIS .

NHTSA ODI #11033000

Mileage unknown · Oct 2, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

MY 2012 CHEVY MALIBU HAD A RECALL REPAIR DONE ON OCTOBER 3RD 2014 TO FIX A WIRING/ELECTRONIC TRACTION CONTROL MALFUNCTION. THE ISSUE HAS RETURNED, MEANING THE ORIGINAL PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED. IT MAKES THE CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE, HOWEVER THE MANUFACTURER LISTS THE ISSUE AS "CLOSED."

NHTSA ODI #11031413

175,000 miles · Sep 30, 2017
StructureUnknown Or OtherVisibility/wiperCrashInjury

PARKED IN AN INTERSECTION OLD HWY US 301 OCALA FLORIDA WHEELS TURNED LEFT WHICH WAS DARK AND POORLY LIT BY THE CITY. NO ORANGE LIGHTS ONTO A MAJOR THIN 2 LANE INTERSECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS BRAKED DURING THE LEFT TURN SOUTH POSITION. THE FRONT HOOD IN THE MIDDLE OF NORTH BOUND LANE FRONT BUMPER AND PLATE WERE IN THE HIGHWAY DIVI…

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PARKED IN AN INTERSECTION OLD HWY US 301 OCALA FLORIDA WHEELS TURNED LEFT WHICH WAS DARK AND POORLY LIT BY THE CITY. NO ORANGE LIGHTS ONTO A MAJOR THIN 2 LANE INTERSECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS BRAKED DURING THE LEFT TURN SOUTH POSITION. THE FRONT HOOD IN THE MIDDLE OF NORTH BOUND LANE FRONT BUMPER AND PLATE WERE IN THE HIGHWAY DIVIDING LINE. UP TO THE REAR DRIVERSIDE PASSENGER DOOR AT THE JOINT OF THE SIDE STREET AND HIGHWAY OUTSIDE LINE. A BICYCLIST STRUCK THE VEHICLE HIS LIGHT WAS THROWN INTO THE INTERSECTION. HE IS BLEEDING HES ON THE GROUND. ANOTHER FEMALE IS HELPING HIM. THE MIRROR OF THE VEHICLE DRIVERSIDE TORN OFF AND THE FRONT WINSHIELD SHATTERED ABOVE DRIVERSIDE TOP. THROWN BY IMPACT FROM HIS BICYCLE TO THE MALIBU HIS BACKPACK ON THE GROUND. HES AMBULATORY TRANSPORTED SHERIFFS RESPONDED FHP CAME OUT

NHTSA ODI #11030670

101 miles · Sep 27, 2017
EngineService BrakesSteering

ALL LIGHTS ON THE DASH BOARD HAD BRAKE PADS INSTALLED VEHICLE MAKING NOISE WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE PULLING TO THE RIGHT, HAD THREE SENSORS REPLACED DASH BOARD LIGHT STILL ON05

NHTSA ODI #11030246

46,500 miles · Sep 26, 2017
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AT TIMES; HOWEVER, WHEN DRIVING, IT RUNS FOR A WHILE AND THEN STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER (BUFF WHELAN CHEVROLET, 40445 VAN DYKE AVE, STERLING HEIGHTS, MI 48313) WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BECAUS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AT TIMES; HOWEVER, WHEN DRIVING, IT RUNS FOR A WHILE AND THEN STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER (BUFF WHELAN CHEVROLET, 40445 VAN DYKE AVE, STERLING HEIGHTS, MI 48313) WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BECAUSE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE AND RETURNED IT TO THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,500.

NHTSA ODI #11029972

120,000 miles · Sep 21, 2017
Electrical SystemSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN THE ENGINE WAS STARTED, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT. THE POWER STEERING, ESC, AND TRACTION WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, RESTARTED THE ENGINE, AND THE VEHICLE RETURNED TO NORMAL. THE DEALER (SOUTHERN CHEVROLET CADILLAC, 5…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN THE ENGINE WAS STARTED, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT. THE POWER STEERING, ESC, AND TRACTION WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, RESTARTED THE ENGINE, AND THE VEHICLE RETURNED TO NORMAL. THE DEALER (SOUTHERN CHEVROLET CADILLAC, 5845 COLISEUM BLVD, ALEXANDRIA, LA 71303) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ODI #11024839

Mileage unknown · Sep 19, 2017
Air BagsElectrical System

ONE DAY I TURNED ON MY CAR AND MY TIRE SENSOR WAS MALFUNCTIONING, MY AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON AND "AIRBAG SERVICE NEEDED" NOTIFICATION WAS SHOWING, AND THERE WAS NOTHING THAT HAPPENED OTHER THAN ME DRIVING TO WORK 3 MILES AWAY THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THE SMELL FUNCTIONS. IN ADDITION THESE, EARLIER IN THE YEAR THE WERE A FEW MONTHS WHE…

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ONE DAY I TURNED ON MY CAR AND MY TIRE SENSOR WAS MALFUNCTIONING, MY AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON AND "AIRBAG SERVICE NEEDED" NOTIFICATION WAS SHOWING, AND THERE WAS NOTHING THAT HAPPENED OTHER THAN ME DRIVING TO WORK 3 MILES AWAY THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THE SMELL FUNCTIONS. IN ADDITION THESE, EARLIER IN THE YEAR THE WERE A FEW MONTHS WHERE I WAS BRINGING MY CAR IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHY IT WAS NOT STARTING AT TIMES. I'VE GOT THE FUSE BOX FIXED AND IT SEEMS TO HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM BUT I BELIEVE IT HAS SOMETHING MORE TO DO WITH THE COMPUTER PROCESSING UNIT

NHTSA ODI #11024135

17,000 miles · Sep 11, 2017
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior Lighting

THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE CONTINUOUSLY SHORTED OUT. I HAVE CHANGED THE HEADLIGHTS 3 TIMES IN A 3 WEEK SPAN AND THEY KEEP GOING OUT. I HAVE REPLACED FUSES AS WELL. THE TRACTION ON THE CAR IS CONSTANTLY SLOWING DOWN. THE ESC LIGHT COMES ON. THE CAR SLOWS DOWN ON ALL STREETS AND IT HAS DONE SO ON THE HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ODI #11022627

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.