IllustrationBLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR REPLACED 3 TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR. HEAT HAS NO TEMP ADJUSTMENT STAYS HOT. CLIMATE CONTROL NOT WORKING. BLOWER MOTOR WAS NOT FACTORY WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR AT 17000 MI. I THINK SOMEONE ELSE HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE ME.
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
Electrical System complaints
290 reportsBOTH HEADLAMPS HAVE GONE OUT WITHIN A NINE MONTH PERIOD. THE DRIVER SIDE HAS BEEN CHANGED TWICE, THE PASSENGER SIDE ONCE. IT SEEMS EVERY THREE MONTHS A HEADLIGHT BURNS OUT ON MY CAR. AS FOR THE WIPERS, WHEN THEY ARE TURNED ON, THEY SWIPE HALFWAY AND STOP UNTIL I TURN THEM OFF AND BACK ON OR TO A HIGHER SWIPING SPEED. THIS HAS HA…
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BOTH HEADLAMPS HAVE GONE OUT WITHIN A NINE MONTH PERIOD. THE DRIVER SIDE HAS BEEN CHANGED TWICE, THE PASSENGER SIDE ONCE. IT SEEMS EVERY THREE MONTHS A HEADLIGHT BURNS OUT ON MY CAR. AS FOR THE WIPERS, WHEN THEY ARE TURNED ON, THEY SWIPE HALFWAY AND STOP UNTIL I TURN THEM OFF AND BACK ON OR TO A HIGHER SWIPING SPEED. THIS HAS HAPPENED AS THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AND DRIVE. ALSO, THE KEY FOB BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND WORKS SELDOMLY. THE LOCKS HAVE RECENTLY STARTING LOCKING ON THEIR OWN AFTER THE VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF AND THE DRIVER DOOR IS SHUT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT OPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS AND FUEL PUMP WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS STILL NOT OPERABLE. THE VEHI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT OPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS AND FUEL PUMP WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS STILL NOT OPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS RE-INSPECTED BY THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUSE BOX AND RELAYS WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. GUSWEILER GM CENTER (1132 STATE RTE 41, WASHINGTON COURT HOUSE, OH) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE FUSE BOX WAS FAULTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 46,000.
TAKATA RECALL I PURCHASED A 2012 CHEVY MALIBU 2 YEARS AGO FOR MY GRADUATING SENIOR AND THIS CAR HAS PRACTICALLY BEEN A NIGHTMARE SINCE THE DAY WE PURCHASED IT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 43,000 AND THERE HAS BEEN SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR. THE CAR PREVIOUSLY SHUT DOWN WHILE RIDING ON THE HIGHWAY, OUR MECHANIC STATED THE CAR HA…
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TAKATA RECALL I PURCHASED A 2012 CHEVY MALIBU 2 YEARS AGO FOR MY GRADUATING SENIOR AND THIS CAR HAS PRACTICALLY BEEN A NIGHTMARE SINCE THE DAY WE PURCHASED IT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 43,000 AND THERE HAS BEEN SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR. THE CAR PREVIOUSLY SHUT DOWN WHILE RIDING ON THE HIGHWAY, OUR MECHANIC STATED THE CAR HAS ELECTRICAL ISSUES. OKAY, SO HE TAMPERED WITH A FEW WIRES, AND THE CAR STARTED RIGHT UP. TWO DAYS AGO, THE CAR WOULDN'T START, IT'S CURRENTLY DISPLAYING "CHECK AIRBAG" EMERGENCY LIGHTS ARE FLASHING, WIPERS BEGAN GOING BACK AND FORWARD. MY HUSBAND BEGAN TO SHAKE A FEW WIRES (PER OUR MECHANIC) , AND LONG BEHOLD THE CAR HAS STARTED!!! TALK ABOUT BUYER'S REMORSE!!!! THIS CAR IS NOW PARKED IN OUR GARAGE UNTIL WE FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO WITH IT!!! I'M NOW CONCERNED FOR MY SON'S SAFETY AND WILL NOT ALLOW HIM TOO DRIVE THE 2012 CHEVY MALIBU.
THIS IS MY SECOND INCIDENT REPORT FOR THE SAME VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST ALL MOBILITY. NO WARNING AT ALL JUST STOPPED RUNNING. FORTUNATLY I WAS NOT AT A VERY HIGH RATE OF SPEED BUT WAS GETTING READY TO MAKE A TURN OFF THE HIGHWAY. NO INDICATION THAT ANYTHING WAS WRONG AT ALL. MY CONCERN IS W…
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THIS IS MY SECOND INCIDENT REPORT FOR THE SAME VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST ALL MOBILITY. NO WARNING AT ALL JUST STOPPED RUNNING. FORTUNATLY I WAS NOT AT A VERY HIGH RATE OF SPEED BUT WAS GETTING READY TO MAKE A TURN OFF THE HIGHWAY. NO INDICATION THAT ANYTHING WAS WRONG AT ALL. MY CONCERN IS WHY DOES SOMEONE NEED TO GET HURT OR KILLED BEFORE THIS PROLEM IS ADDRESSED? HAVING TAKEN THIS TO BE SERVICED I ENCOUNTERED OTHERS WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCE WITH THEIR VEHICLES, ALL CHEVROLETS OF ONE MODEL OR SIMILAR TO IT. BASICALLY THE SAME MOTOR. THIS HAPPENED TO ME BEFORE AND I HAVE NOT BEEN GIVEN A REASON FOR THE PROBLEM.
VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AT ABOUT 60 MPH ON A HIGHWAY AND THE RPMS DROPPED DRASTICALLY, THE ANTI SKID INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER TEMPORARILLY. I PULLED OVER AND SLOWED DOWN AND THE CAR RETURNED TO NORMAL. SAME EVENING VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ABOUT 55 MPH ON A HIGHWAY WHEN THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER, STEERING GOT S…
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VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AT ABOUT 60 MPH ON A HIGHWAY AND THE RPMS DROPPED DRASTICALLY, THE ANTI SKID INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER TEMPORARILLY. I PULLED OVER AND SLOWED DOWN AND THE CAR RETURNED TO NORMAL. SAME EVENING VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ABOUT 55 MPH ON A HIGHWAY WHEN THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER, STEERING GOT SLUGGISH,ALL INDICATORLIGHTS ON DASH BLINKED ON AND OFF ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON, ANTI SKID INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON, WAS KNOCKING IN MOTOR AND CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 20 MPH. COMPLETED A DIAGNOSIS OF THE VEHICLE AND A CODE P0068 WAS NOTED BY DIAGNOSTICS. P0068 THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION SYSTEM IS NOT PERFORMING AS EXPECTED. AN ISSUE HAS BEEN DETECTED IN THE THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM THAT CONNECTS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WITH THE THROTTLE AND INTEGRATES FEATURES SUCH AS CRUISE CONTROL, TRACTION CONTROL, STABILITY CONTROL, AND PRE-CRASH SYSTEMS. IF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS FLASHING, A MISFIRE CONDITION HAS BEEN DETECTED. A MISFIRE INCREASES VEHICLE EMISSIONS AND COULD DAMAGE THE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM ON THE VEHICLE. PLEASE REDUCE VEHICLE SPEED, AVOID HARD ACCELERATIONS, AVOID STEEP UPHILL GRADES, AND REDUCE ANY CARGO LOADS SUCH AS A TRAILER. IF THE VEHICLE IS CONTINUALLY DRIVEN WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, THE EMISSION CONTROLS MIGHT NOT WORK AS WELL, THE VEHICLE FUEL ECONOMY MIGHT NOT BE AS GOOD, AND THE ENGINE MIGHT NOT RUN AS SMOOTHLY. THIS COULD LEAD TO FUTURE REPAIRS
HEADLAMPS CONSTANTLY BURNING OUT FUZES BLOWN DANGEROUS WHEN LIGHTS GO OUT AT NIGHT. SAFETY HAZARD.
RANDOMLY DOESN'T WHAT TO START BEEN TO SHOP SEVERAL TIMES MECHANIC GOES TO FUSE BOX AND MESS WITH WIRING AND STARTS UP I GO THROUGH THIS PROBLEM SEVERAL TIMES FOR MONTHS NOW. TIRED NOT HAVING A CAR TO GET TO WORK MECHANIC CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHY IT DONG THIS NEED RECALL ON IT SEVERAL COMPLAINTS I READ ABOUT ALREADY SAME AS ME. AL…
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RANDOMLY DOESN'T WHAT TO START BEEN TO SHOP SEVERAL TIMES MECHANIC GOES TO FUSE BOX AND MESS WITH WIRING AND STARTS UP I GO THROUGH THIS PROBLEM SEVERAL TIMES FOR MONTHS NOW. TIRED NOT HAVING A CAR TO GET TO WORK MECHANIC CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHY IT DONG THIS NEED RECALL ON IT SEVERAL COMPLAINTS I READ ABOUT ALREADY SAME AS ME. ALSO ONE TIME ACT LIKE WAS GOING TO STOP DOWNTOWN IN TRAFFIC PULL OFF SIDE ROAD CALL ED MECHANIC.
CAR WILL START AND THEN START SHAKING AND MAKING NOISES THEN DIES OFF. BREAK AND ACCELARETOR LOCKS AFTER THAT
TAKATA RECALL FOR A CHEVROLET CHEVY MALIBU 2012, YOU CANT TELL HOW FAST YOUR GOING THE HEAD LIGHT ELECTRICAL FUSE NEEDS REPLACEMENT, DRIVER PEDALS NEED TO BE REPLACED ALSO.
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.