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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 →

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
Mileage unknown · Jul 29, 2019
Electrical SystemExterior LightingService Brakes

TAKATA RECALL WHEN I'M DRIVING MY VEHICLE, THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKER AS IF I'M THE POLICE. I TOOK IT TO FIRESTONE AND THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER THE CAR ONLY HAS 160,000+ AND IT JUST STARTED EVERY TIME I ACCELERATE OR DRIVE IT DOES THIS AND I'M AFRAID THAT I WILL EITHER GET PULLED OVER BY THE POLICE, HIT SOMEONE OR SOM…

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TAKATA RECALL WHEN I'M DRIVING MY VEHICLE, THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKER AS IF I'M THE POLICE. I TOOK IT TO FIRESTONE AND THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER THE CAR ONLY HAS 160,000+ AND IT JUST STARTED EVERY TIME I ACCELERATE OR DRIVE IT DOES THIS AND I'M AFRAID THAT I WILL EITHER GET PULLED OVER BY THE POLICE, HIT SOMEONE OR SOMEONE HITS ME OR/AND THE LIGHTS GO COMPLETELY OUT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. IS THIS DUE BECAUSE WHENEVER YOU HAVE TO CHANGE THE BUILD, THE WHOLE BUMPER HAS TO COME OFF TO REPLACE IT? I LIKE MY CAR BUT THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. I SEE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS

NHTSA ODI #11240284

140 miles · Jul 27, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineStructure

TAKATA RECALL IT CONSTANTLY SHAKES AND MY CAR IS CONSTANTLY PULLING AND RANDOM CODES POP UP ALL THE TIME . NOT TO MENTION IT'S A 2012 AND IT'S RUSTING MAJORLY. I AM DRIVING WHEN MY CAR SEEMS TO BE MISSING A BEAT IT WANTS TO JERK ON ME LIKE IT WANTS TO STOP RUNNING. I WAS ON A CITY STREET IT HAPPENS A LOT .

NHTSA ODI #11235218

Mileage unknown · Jul 19, 2019
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeat Belts

MY CAR WOULDN'T CRANK THEN IT WOULD CRANK. TILL I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND IT JUST DIED ON ME GOING AROUND A CURVE LOST CONTROL OF STEERING AND BRAKES THANK GOD I DIDN'T WRECK SO I GOT IN LINE AND RESEARCHED AND COME TO FIND OUT THAT IT WAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH FUEL PUMP RELAY CONNECTION TO FUEL PUMP RELAY BOX. THE WIRES AW…

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MY CAR WOULDN'T CRANK THEN IT WOULD CRANK. TILL I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND IT JUST DIED ON ME GOING AROUND A CURVE LOST CONTROL OF STEERING AND BRAKES THANK GOD I DIDN'T WRECK SO I GOT IN LINE AND RESEARCHED AND COME TO FIND OUT THAT IT WAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH FUEL PUMP RELAY CONNECTION TO FUEL PUMP RELAY BOX. THE WIRES AWARE TOO LITTLE VOLTAGE FOR THE FUEL PUMP AND BURNT WIRES TO FUEL PUMP RELAY BOX. I SEE THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ON SAME CAR AS LINE. SO I'M FILING A COMPLAINT CUASE THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS.

NHTSA ODI #11233418

Mileage unknown · Jul 15, 2019
Exterior LightingVisibility/wiper

I HAVE A 2012 CHEVY MALIBU. THUS IS MY EVERYDAY VEHICLE AND WHEN I HAVE HEADLIGHT PROBLEMS IT IS VERY FRUSTRATING. WE HAVE HAD THE BUMPER OFF THIS CAR MULTIPLE TIMES WHICH IS A REAL PAIN. WE HAVE CHANGED HEADLIGHTS, WIRING HARNESS AND EVEN UNDOING THE BATTERY. THE PASSENGER LIGHT COMES ON FOR A BIT THEM WILL GO OFF AND NOT COME …

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I HAVE A 2012 CHEVY MALIBU. THUS IS MY EVERYDAY VEHICLE AND WHEN I HAVE HEADLIGHT PROBLEMS IT IS VERY FRUSTRATING. WE HAVE HAD THE BUMPER OFF THIS CAR MULTIPLE TIMES WHICH IS A REAL PAIN. WE HAVE CHANGED HEADLIGHTS, WIRING HARNESS AND EVEN UNDOING THE BATTERY. THE PASSENGER LIGHT COMES ON FOR A BIT THEM WILL GO OFF AND NOT COME BACK ON. I HAVE A LOAN ON THIS CAR AND CAN'T EVEN GET RID OF IT CAUSE I CAN'T KEEP THE LIGHTS ON. WORSE CHEVY CAR I HAVE EVER OWNED. I HAVE BEEN PULLED OVER FOR IT BEING OUT AND HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO EXPLAIN IT. READING THE REVIEWS OF THIS CAR ONLINE I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON THAT HAS HEADLIGHT PROBLEMS.

NHTSA ODI #11232135

Mileage unknown · Jul 15, 2019
Electrical System

2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO NHTSA SAFETY RECALL 14V-252. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL, THE FAILURE RECURRED. * JS

NHTSA ODI #11231317

143,600 miles · Jul 14, 2019
SeatsSteering

MY 2012 MALIBU 1LT HAS SOME OF THE SAME ISSUES THE RECALLS ARE FOR BUT MY SPECIFIC VIN NUMBER ISN'T INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS. MY DRIVER SEAT MOVES WHEN SITTING IN IT AND I NEED A RACK-AND-PINION. I'M ALSO HAVING ISSUES WITH A 'ROUGH' IDLE AND WHEN I PUT IT IN PARK THE RPM'S DIE DOWN BETWEEN 1&0 AND THE CAR ACTS LIKE IT'S TRYING T…

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MY 2012 MALIBU 1LT HAS SOME OF THE SAME ISSUES THE RECALLS ARE FOR BUT MY SPECIFIC VIN NUMBER ISN'T INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS. MY DRIVER SEAT MOVES WHEN SITTING IN IT AND I NEED A RACK-AND-PINION. I'M ALSO HAVING ISSUES WITH A 'ROUGH' IDLE AND WHEN I PUT IT IN PARK THE RPM'S DIE DOWN BETWEEN 1&0 AND THE CAR ACTS LIKE IT'S TRYING TO CUT OFF.

NHTSA ODI #11231798

Mileage unknown · Jul 13, 2019
Electrical System

I HAVE A 2012 CHEVY MALIBU AND SINCE NOVEMBER WE HAVE HAD HEADLIGHT PROBLEMS AND CHANGES BULBS AND GOT A NEW WIRE HARNESS AND WE STILL HAVE PROBLEMS WITH PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM LIGHT GOING OUT. IT IS A REAL PAIN CAUSE IT TAKES A BIT TO EVEN GET TO THE HEADLIGHT. HAVE TO TAKE THE BUMBER OFF AND REAL FRUSTRATING.

NHTSA ODI #11231646

Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2019
Air Bags

AIR BAGS LIGHT KEEP COMING ON HAD A RECALL TO HAVE IT REPLACE BEFORE BUT LIGHT CAME BACK ON

NHTSA ODI #11230980

100,000 miles · Jul 8, 2019
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

PASSENGER HEAD LIGHT HAS BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES IT KEEPS TURNING OFF. LIGHT BULB IS NOT BURNED. WHEN TAPING ON OR MOVING WIRES LIGHT GOES ON REPLACED WIRES AND STILL HAVING SAME ISSUE. VEHICLE CAN NOT BE DRIVEN AT NIGHT TIME. ALL THIS HAPPENS WHEN VEHICLE IS TURNED ON.

NHTSA ODI #11230140

118,000 miles · Jul 6, 2019
Exterior Lighting

LEFT LOW BEAM KEEPS GOING OUT AND BULB NOT BURNT OUT. REPLACED 3X IN THE PASSED YEAR

NHTSA ODI #11229782

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.