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2012 Chevrolet Malibu Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 907 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu, most often about the electrical (32% of complaints, typically around 88,000 miles). It is 10th of 26 Malibu model years by number of complaints and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2012 Chevrolet Malibu problems
Electrical
291 complaints · 32%Half of these problems showed up before 88,000 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, ignition, instrument cluster/panel, instrument panel.
For the past 2 weeks , I had a problem with my car starting. I would drive to work fine but when I would leave from work my car wouldn't start. Initially, I thought it was the battery so I had it jumped. I immediately took it to autozone to have the battery tested. I was told the battery was in excellent condition. My…
Hard to shift out of park and the traction control disable comes on and the brakes lights will quit working and the stability control shuts off while driving down the road. I researched and I see there was a recall for all this. Recall # 14v252000 is all the same symptoms I am experiencing and I called the dealer and…
Lights
202 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 100,000 miles. Parts named most often: headlights.
Takata recall. Passenger headlight has been change 6 times and continues to go out. I was told my wires were fine. I can't seem to find the problem.
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle's low beam headlamps failed to operate. Jeff wyler springfield Chevrolet (2237 w first street, springfield, oh) diagnosed that the wiring harness had melted and recommended it be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was…
Steering
191 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 104,000 miles. Parts named most often: linkages, column, steering wheel /handle bar.
I was driving my children to school, when without any warning my power steering went out. I almost got into an accident!!! It was very abrupt. A message saying "power steering" "service ESC" came up. I come to find out that earlier models of the Malibu were recalled for this very reason. I would recommend that you…
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 60 MPH, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering. The vehicle was difficult to maneuver and a loud noise was heard coming from the front driver side wheel. The traction warning indicator illuminated. After several minutes, the vehicle was able to operate…
Stability control
129 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 93,500 miles.
When driving, at low speed in the city, or on the highway at speed, power steering and power brakes intermittently fail without warning (according to the repairing dealer, vehicle is unsafe and should not be driven); dash gauges go on and off; traction control and electronic stability control turn own and off without…
"service ESC" light illuminates when making sharp turns, slowing down on the interstate, as well as breaking in bad weather. After replacing brakes twice and rotors once I scontinue to experience this problem . After a recent inquiry I learned of a recall on "service ESC" as well as "traction control".
Engine
103 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 84,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system.
While driving home one night last week, going about 60 MPH, my engine cut off. I had to steer the car off the road, and started it back up. Drove another half mile or so, and the car did the same thing. This time, the car would start then immediately shut off. Car would not stay cranked for more than 1 second or so.…
Car will not start.son was driving and it just stalled out fortunately he was not going fast. Tried to restart but no luck. Did research and found that there are hundreds of Malibu owners with this exact same issue. As a dad and a consumer I would like gm to fix this issue before someone gets hurt or killed because of…
Air bags
101 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 67,000 miles. Parts named most often: srs malfunction warning lamp/light.
My car won't go when stepping on the gas peddle in drive. When I stop at the light or to brake the car won't go when pushing the gas peddle in drive it doesn't do anything. I had to have the car towed 2x due to this issue. I only have 67k miles on this car. I've been told it's the transmission problem and need a new…
We have talked to out two different chevy dealers about this and even went through arbitration over our airbags. Nothing has ever been found to be wrong. The service air bag light has come on again. I was driving approximately 30 MPH and the service air bag light on the display come on momentarily (about 60 seconds)…
Brakes
74 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 47,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
Was driving on lake shore driving when I had to slow down only to have to push the bakes down to the floor and that should not be. This has happen a lot and I have not had this vehicle for a year yet. Now I'm scared to drive my car.
My son was driving my car down a two lane highway. It had been misting rain and the road was slightly damp... Approaching an intersection he reduced his speed to approx 40 MPH. Two cars ahead of him slammed on breaks when the light changed to yellow. This caused a chain reaction... Cars sliding to prevent hitting the…
Fuel system
56 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 89,500 miles. Parts named most often: delivery.
For the past 2 weeks , I had a problem with my car starting. I would drive to work fine but when I would leave from work my car wouldn't start. Initially, I thought it was the battery so I had it jumped. I immediately took it to autozone to have the battery tested. I was told the battery was in excellent condition. My…
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start and the security warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was diagnosed or repaired, but the failure recurred numerous…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2012 Chevrolet Malibu recalls
Seat belts
Risk: If the cable breaks, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Stability control: electronic stability control (esc)
Risk: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (291 complaints, typically around 88,000 miles); lights (202 complaints, typically around 100,000 miles); steering (191 complaints, typically around 104,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from May 8, 2015 (seat belts). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2012 a bad year for the Chevrolet Malibu?
- It is 10th of 26 Malibu model years by number of complaints, with 907 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.