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

Fuel/propulsion System complaints

51 reports

Clear category filter

160,000 miles · Sep 24, 2018

Fuel/propulsion System

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, FUEL LEAKED ONTO THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND WENT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO STIVERS CHEVROLET (803-254-1431, LOCATED AT 111 NEWLAND RD, COLUMBIA, SC 29229) AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

NHTSA ODI #11130945

55,000 miles · Aug 11, 2018

Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineFuel/propulsion System

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH, SERVICE ECS LIGHT CAME ON, REDUCED POWER WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR CAME TO A FULL STALL.

NHTSA ODI #11119329

147,000 miles · May 2, 2018

Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

CYLINDER 2 KEEP MISS FIRING AND SERVICE TRACTION LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. I HAVE TAKEN THE CARE TO 3 REPAIR SHOP AND SPENT OVER $2500 IN REPAIRS OVER THE LAST YEAR.

NHTSA ODI #11091335

110,000 miles · Apr 30, 2018

Fuel/propulsion System

Read full complaint

CAR WILL NOT START UNLESS YOU MESS WITH THE FUSE BOX IN THE TRUNK, ANYWHERE THE CAR SHUTS OFF, CAR SHUTS OFF WHILE IDLING AT A LIGHT OR STOP SIGN AND YOU HAVE TO GET OUT IN TRAFFIC AND MESS WITH THE FUSE BOX AND WIRES IN THE TRUNK TILL IT STARTS, STARTED OFF BY REPAIRING THE FUEL PUMP, THEN RELAYS, THEN FUSE BOX IN THE TRUNK, NOW I'M ON THE WIRING. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR 6 MONTHS OR MORE IT'S VERY PRICEY AND CONTINUES TO HAPPEN NEEDS TO BE RECALLED TOO MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUES.

NHTSA ODI #11091105

60 miles · Mar 26, 2018

Electronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel/propulsion SystemService Brakes

Read full complaint

THE CHECK ENGINE LINE AND SERVICE TRACTION LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME ON. MY CAR WAS SERVICED BY 2 CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP AND ANOTHER DEALERSHIP AND THEY PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE COILS BY MANASSAS CHEVROLET AND LINDSEY CHEVROLET . THE COILS, SPARK PLUGS AND CARBON BLOW OUT WAS COMPLETED. THE LIGHTS CONTINUE TO COME ON. IT APPEARS TO BE THE SAME ISSUE THAT THE 2009 MALIBU WAS RECALLED FOR. PLEASE MAKE CHEVROLET COMPLETE A RECALL ON THESE VEHICLES BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY ENGINEERED. ONE DEALERSHIP SAID THE ENGINES MAY BE BAD IN THESE CARS. THE CAR DRIVES ROUGH AND THE SERVICE TRACTION LIGHT COMES ON WHEN YOU BRAKE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON AT ALL TIMES.

NHTSA ODI #11081322

147,000 miles · Feb 23, 2018

Electronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

Read full complaint

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND SERVICE TRACTION LIGHTS KEEP COMING ON WHILE I AM DRIVING AND COME TO A COMPLETED STOP. THE DEALERSHIP TECHS STATED BOTH LIGHTS ALWAYS COME ON TOGETHER WHEN IT IS SOMETHING WITH THE EMISSION CONTROLS. ON STAR DIAGNOSTIC RESULTS WERE: THROUGH YOUR RECENT ON-DEMAND DIAGNOSTIC, ONSTAR DETECTED AN ISSUE WITH YOUR 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU.THE CODE(S) AND EXPLANATION(S) ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ISSUE IS/ARE: P0300 THE EMISSIONS SYSTEM IS NOT PERFORMING AS EXPECTED. AN ISSUE HAS BEEN DETECTED IN THE EXHAUST EMISSIONS SYSTEM WHICH MONITORS AND CONTROLS EXHAUST GASES RELEASED INTO THE AIR FROM THE ENGINE. IF THE VEHICLE IS CONTINUALLY DRIVEN WITH THIS LIGHT ON, THE EMISSION CONTROLS MIGHT NOT WORK AS WELL, THE VEHICLE FUEL ECONOMY MIGHT NOT BE AS GOOD, THE ENGINE MIGHT NOT RUN AS SMOOTHLY AND COULD LEAD TO FUTURE REPAIRS. BASED ON THE RESULTS, YOU SHOULD SERVICE YOUR CHEVROLET WITHIN 7 DAYS.IF YOU REQUIRE ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE PLEASE CONTACT (866) 415-5838. PLEASE BRING THIS EMAIL WITH YOU WHEN YOU GO FOR SERVICE.LAST 8 CHARACTERS OF VIN: [XXX] I TOOK THE CAR TO MANASSAS CHEVROLET 1ST AND WAS TOLD THAT THE THEY NEEDED TO CONDUCT A CARBON FLUSH AND THAT COIL 1 WAS BAD WHICH CAUSE THE LIGHTS TO COME. PAID A TUNE UP. AFTER PAYING OVER $600 THE LIGHTS CAME BACK ON. I TOOK IT BACK 3 TIMES AND WAS TOLD IT NEEDED TO BURN THE CARBON OFF AND COIL 2 NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I TOOK THE CAR TO LINDSAY CHEVROLET FOR A 2ND OPINION BECAUSE BOTH LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN. I WAS TOLD THAT COIL 2 WAS REPLACED BY THE MANASSAS CHEVY AND WAS BAD. I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. I THEN TOOK IT TO REPAIR SHOP IN GAITHERSBURG AND WAS TOLD COIL 2 WAS BAD, BAD A SPARK PLUG AND CYCLINDER GASKETS WERE BAD. I DID NOT NEED A NEW ENGINE. THE COMPUTER IS GOING BAD AND THUS THE REASON THE CHECK ENGINE AND SERVICE TRACTION LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AFTER ALL OF THE ABOVE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED. PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 55

NHTSA ODI #11074466

46,000 miles · Feb 14, 2018

Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

Read full complaint

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.

NHTSA ODI #11072915

99,800 miles · Nov 24, 2017

Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

CAR WILL START AND THEN START SHAKING AND MAKING NOISES THEN DIES OFF. BREAK AND ACCELARETOR LOCKS AFTER THAT

NHTSA ODI #11048190

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…

Read full complaint

NHTSA ODI #11033000

63,000 miles · Sep 7, 2017

EngineFuel/propulsion System

Read full complaint

2012 MALIBU INTERMITTENT NO START . HARD CRANK BUT WON'T START. PROBLEM STARTED A MONTH AGO, RANDOMLY WOULDN'T START HAD IT TOWED TO MECHANIC BUT THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE PROBLEM. 2 DAYS LATER SAME THING, HAD IT TOWED AGAIN. STARTED NEXT DAY FOR MECHANIC. AFTER 3RD TOW IT WOULDN'T START AND THEY REPLACED FUEL PUMP. 4 DAYS LATER NO START AGAIN, HAD IT TOWED BUT OF COURSE IT STARTED THE 4 DAYS MECHANIC HAD IT. I PICKED IT UP AND DROVE IT ALL DAY. TRIED TO LEAVE IN THE EVENING AND NO START. IT'S BACK AT THE MECHANICS, GOING TO REPLACE FUSS BOX. HOPEFULLY THIS WORKS. IT HAS NEVER STALLED WHILE OPERATING BUT IT DOES LOSE POWER WHILE DRIVING AND HESITATES. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED A TOTAL OF 4 TIMES AND 1500$ LATER CAR STILL ISN'T FIXED. MECHANIC IS HAVING HARD TIME PIN POINTING PROBLEM. I TRAVEL OUT OF TOWN ON BUSINESS FREQUENTLY AND CAN'T DEPEND ON THIS VEHICLE. I'VE READ MULTIPLE POSTS ABOUT SAME ISSUE IT SEEMS CHEVY WOULD TRY TO RESOLVE IT.

NHTSA ODI #11022105

Official recalls

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)