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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
Mileage unknown · Oct 16, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM , ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL , EXTERIOR LIGHTING , SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC , VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE DEALER DID NOT GIV…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM , ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL , EXTERIOR LIGHTING , SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC , VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT DID NOT EXPERIENCE A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10645042

10,000 miles · Oct 15, 2014
Air Bags

REPAIR AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON WHEN TURNING CAR ON. THE LIGHT BEEPS MAJORITY OF THE TIME THE CAR IS RUNNING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10644748

58,000 miles · Oct 14, 2014
Exterior LightingCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED CAUSING ANOTHER VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE REAR END OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. AFTER THE CRASH, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED CAUSING ANOTHER VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE REAR END OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. AFTER THE CRASH, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

NHTSA ODI #10644666

74,300 miles · Oct 14, 2014
Air BagsService BrakesWheels

WAS DRIVING IN THE RAIN, VEHICLE DOES NOT HANDLE WELL IN INCLEMENT WEATHER. HAS ISSUE WITH BRAKING, TIRES SKID. WHEN I HIT THE GAS PEDAL AFTER A STOP, THE TIRES SKID. . RECENTLY HAS A ALIGNMENT DONE, AND THE TIRES ARE IN VERY GOOD CONDITION. THOUGHT MAYBE THAT WAS THE ISSUE, I WAS WRONG. VEHICLE HAD RECENT INSPECTION "BRAKES A…

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WAS DRIVING IN THE RAIN, VEHICLE DOES NOT HANDLE WELL IN INCLEMENT WEATHER. HAS ISSUE WITH BRAKING, TIRES SKID. WHEN I HIT THE GAS PEDAL AFTER A STOP, THE TIRES SKID. . RECENTLY HAS A ALIGNMENT DONE, AND THE TIRES ARE IN VERY GOOD CONDITION. THOUGHT MAYBE THAT WAS THE ISSUE, I WAS WRONG. VEHICLE HAD RECENT INSPECTION "BRAKES ARE IN VERY GOOD CONDITION. VEHICLE HAS HAD ISSUES SINCE PURCHASE. MY FAMILY AND I WERE BELTED IN AS ALWAYS, WHILE DRIVING THE DASH CONSOLE LIGHT CAME ON "SERVICE AIR BAG" THE LIGHT STAYED ON CONSTANT FOR APPROX. 30 MIN THEN WENT OUT. I HAVE CALLED THE DEALER AND WILL HAVE VEHICLE CHECKED AT APPOINTMENT IN 2 WEEKS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10644500

83,000 miles · Oct 9, 2014
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE FROM A TRAFFIC STOP WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. HOWEVE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE FROM A TRAFFIC STOP WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.

NHTSA ODI #10643629

Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 2014
Exterior LightingService BrakesCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) HAD EXCEEDED THE REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER STATED THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) HAD EXCEEDED THE REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER STATED THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE DELAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10641318

70,000 miles · Oct 3, 2014
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ODI #10641295

56,000 miles · Oct 3, 2014
Electrical System

I HAVE A 2012 CHEVROLET MAILBU WHERE THE KEY IS GETTING STUCK IN THE IGNITION. REALLY HARD TO GET OFF OF ACC WITHOUT JIGGLING GEAR SHIFTER AND TURNING WHEELS. THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES. THERE IS A RECALL ALREADY INITIATED BUT NOT FOR MY YEAR OF CAR! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10641092

Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 2014
Service Brakes

I GOT A RECALL ON MY CAR AND WAS TOLD BY MY DEALER, BEST CHEVROLET, MY VEHICLE WAS NOT ON THE RECALL. THEN I RECEIVE A SECOND NOTICE ALONG WITH A REIMBURSEMENT FORM. I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW I DON'T FEEL VERY COMFORTABLE DRIVING AROUND IN A CAR THAT MAY BE A ACCIDENT LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO HAPPEN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10640343

65,000 miles · Sep 27, 2014
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

IN JUNE 2014 CAR WOULDN'T START AFTER SITTING 4 HOURS TOWED IN SAID THEFT SYSTEM MADE NEW KEY WHICH I HAD TO PAY FOR, TOWED IN AGAIN 3 DAYS LATER SAME PROBLEM, STARTED FOR DEALER IN AM ANOTHER $120. 4 DAYS APPROX LATER AGAIN GOT TO WORK THEN WOULDN'T START. REPLACED REAR U-BEC, WIRING HARNESS JUNCTION BLOCK, RELAY, BECAUSE ME…

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IN JUNE 2014 CAR WOULDN'T START AFTER SITTING 4 HOURS TOWED IN SAID THEFT SYSTEM MADE NEW KEY WHICH I HAD TO PAY FOR, TOWED IN AGAIN 3 DAYS LATER SAME PROBLEM, STARTED FOR DEALER IN AM ANOTHER $120. 4 DAYS APPROX LATER AGAIN GOT TO WORK THEN WOULDN'T START. REPLACED REAR U-BEC, WIRING HARNESS JUNCTION BLOCK, RELAY, BECAUSE MELTED CONNECTOR WITH FIVE LEADS 30 AMP FUSE. THEN 9/23/2014 CAR STARTED GOT TO DAYCARE WITHIN 5 MINUTES OF BEING OFF NO START. WAITED THEN STARTED TEN MINUTES LATER. 9/272014 GOT TO WORK LUNCH TIME NO START SAME WANTED TO START LIKE GETTING NO FUEL THEN 3 HOURS LATER STARTED DROVE TO DEALER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10639566

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.