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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
62,000 miles · Mar 18, 2019
Seats

DRIVER'S SEAT SUDDENLY BECAME WOBBLY AND LEANS TO RIGHT SIDE. NOTICED BAR IN UNDERNEATH FRAME OF SEAT HAS BROKEN AT A WELD, MAKING THE DRIVER'S SEAT VERY SHAKY AND UNSTABLE WHEN DRIVING. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS STYLE OF MALIBU SEATS AND A VERY COSTLY REPAIR. THIS ISSUE SHOULD PROVOKE A RECALL AND REPLACEMENT BY G…

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DRIVER'S SEAT SUDDENLY BECAME WOBBLY AND LEANS TO RIGHT SIDE. NOTICED BAR IN UNDERNEATH FRAME OF SEAT HAS BROKEN AT A WELD, MAKING THE DRIVER'S SEAT VERY SHAKY AND UNSTABLE WHEN DRIVING. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS STYLE OF MALIBU SEATS AND A VERY COSTLY REPAIR. THIS ISSUE SHOULD PROVOKE A RECALL AND REPLACEMENT BY GM.

NHTSA ODI #11189837

102,000 miles · Mar 18, 2019
EngineUnknown Or Other

TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. VEHICLE HAS 102,000 MILES ON IT

NHTSA ODI #11189717

Mileage unknown · Mar 17, 2019
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

I'VE HAD READ SO MANY VEHICLES WITH SAME ISSUES ON ALL THESE MODELS I JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR PUT A HIGH DOWN PAYMENT TO BE GETTING LEFT EVERYWHERE ALL CHEVY DEALERS DONT KNOW WHERE TO START AND OVER PRICE IT ALL YOU ALL SHOULD LOOK INTO IT BECAUSE ITS SOMETHING SERIOUS . CAR WONT START AFTER BEING USED A WHILE, YOU HAVE TO MESS…

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I'VE HAD READ SO MANY VEHICLES WITH SAME ISSUES ON ALL THESE MODELS I JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR PUT A HIGH DOWN PAYMENT TO BE GETTING LEFT EVERYWHERE ALL CHEVY DEALERS DONT KNOW WHERE TO START AND OVER PRICE IT ALL YOU ALL SHOULD LOOK INTO IT BECAUSE ITS SOMETHING SERIOUS . CAR WONT START AFTER BEING USED A WHILE, YOU HAVE TO MESS WITH CABLES AND WIRES FOR IT TO START MESS WITH FUSE BOXES AND ALSO SOMETIMES IT DOESNT WORK.. DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT I'M ANNOYED OF THIS CRAP

NHTSA ODI #11187408

189,000 miles · Mar 17, 2019
Steering

POWER STEERING WENT OUT DRIVER THE 2012 MALIBU ON THE STREET. LOCKED UP AND ALMOST WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO FAULTY POWER STEERING.

NHTSA ODI #11187393

112,000 miles · Mar 17, 2019
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

MY CAR WOULD TURN BUT NOT START SO I CHANGED THE FUEL PUMP. IT WAS STARTED FOR LIKE 5 DAYS THEN IT STARTED AGAIN WOULD TURN OVER BUT NOT START SO WE CHANGE THE FUEL BOX IN THE TRUNK. WORKED FOR LIKE A WEEK AND IT STARTED ACTING AGAIN. TOOK IT TO THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP AND THE DIDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. SO WE TOOK IT TO A TECHNIC…

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MY CAR WOULD TURN BUT NOT START SO I CHANGED THE FUEL PUMP. IT WAS STARTED FOR LIKE 5 DAYS THEN IT STARTED AGAIN WOULD TURN OVER BUT NOT START SO WE CHANGE THE FUEL BOX IN THE TRUNK. WORKED FOR LIKE A WEEK AND IT STARTED ACTING AGAIN. TOOK IT TO THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP AND THE DIDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. SO WE TOOK IT TO A TECHNICIAN AND THEY TOLD US IT WAS A WIRING PROBLEM. PAID TO GET IT FIX BUT IT STILL WASN'T IT. STILL HAVING THE PROBLEM

NHTSA ODI #11187331

90,000 miles · Mar 14, 2019
Electrical SystemExterior LightingVisibility/wiper

DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT MALFUNCTIONING MULTIPLE TIMES IN PAST YEAR. HEAD LIGHT WILL GO OUT, AT FIRST COULD TAP ON HEAD LIGHT AND IT WOULD COME BACK ON. HAVE CHANGED PIGTAIL AND BULBS ONLY TO HAVE IT WORK FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME.

NHTSA ODI #11186955

99,600 miles · Mar 14, 2019
Steering

MY POWER STEERING IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. I HAVE TO TURN THE CAR ON AND OFF FOR THE POWER STEERING TO WORK. THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES AND THE ESC IS ON.

NHTSA ODI #11186715

123,000 miles · Mar 12, 2019
Exterior Lighting

PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM GOES OUT EVERY COUPLE DAYS TO 2 WEEKS. BULB AND WIRE HARNESS HAS BEEN REPLACED AND ONLY CORRECTED THE ISSUE FOR A SHORT TIME.

NHTSA ODI #11186224

148,222 miles · Mar 9, 2019
Steering

THE STEERING WHEEL IS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN REQUIRING VEHICLE TO BE RESTARTED FREQUENTLY.

NHTSA ODI #11185553

93,875 miles · Mar 9, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)SteeringSuspensionCrash

WAS ACTUALLY DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AROUND THE CORNER FROM THE PLACE I RESIDE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE WHEEL STARTED TO JERK VIOLENTLY WHICH CAUSED US TO DRIVE INTO A CURB , CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO DRIVE UP ONTO A CURB FLATTENING BOTH SIDES OF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR AS WELL ALMOST CLIPPING A CAR AT THE LIGHT TO OUR LEFT...THE …

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WAS ACTUALLY DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AROUND THE CORNER FROM THE PLACE I RESIDE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE WHEEL STARTED TO JERK VIOLENTLY WHICH CAUSED US TO DRIVE INTO A CURB , CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO DRIVE UP ONTO A CURB FLATTENING BOTH SIDES OF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR AS WELL ALMOST CLIPPING A CAR AT THE LIGHT TO OUR LEFT...THE KIDS ON BACK SEAT WERE COMPLETELY TERRIFIED BECAUSE THEY HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS GOING ON AND ARE STILL SCARED TO GET INTO A VEHICLE...AS WELL HAVE A PPLICE REPORT COULD PROBABLY OBTAIN IF NEED BE.. WE JUST WANT CAR FOXED RIGHT WAY NOT TRYING TO SUE ANYBODY OR GET AOME OUTRAGEOUS SETTLEMENT ....

NHTSA ODI #11185493

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.