One of the worst Malibu years
Owners filed about 1.7 times as many complaints as a typical Malibu year. The main thing to watch is the electrical system, which half of owners reported by about 88,000 miles. Years with fewer complaints: 2019, 2020 and 2021.
Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Malibu years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
Owners have filed 907 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The most reported problem area is the electrical system (291, 32% of complaints), followed by the lights, wipers and visibility and the steering. That is the most complaints of any Malibu year from 2012 to 2024. It has 3 recalls.
1 of these complaints came from Utah owners.
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Start my car searchMost reported problems
Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu before you buy.
Electrical system
291 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 88,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
- Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
- Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.
Tools that help
What owners said
Electrical system problems that create unsafe driving conditions!! Vehicle has electrical glitches. Internal warning lights flicker on and off. Battery drains. Car randomly will not start. Multiple incidents. Car stalled on roadway without warning and would not crank. Luckily I was in a residential neighborhood with little to no traffic…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Rear defrost stopped working. Hasn't worked in years. I took it to GM, they had a print out of a kit that I had to purchase to repair. This stopped working back around 2016.Owner complaint, filed 2026
Lights, wipers and visibility
226 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 99,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
- Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and driving over a pothole or an object on the roadway, the front driver’s side headlight became inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed; however, the contact was…Owner complaint, filed 2024
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the low-beam headlights failed to properly illuminate the roadway. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where both headlights were replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 99,000 miles
Steering
191 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 104,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
- On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
- A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
On March 4, 2026, my wife was driving the vehicle when she suddenly lost power steering. The steering wheel became extremely difficult to turn, creating a dangerous situation that could have resulted in serious injury. She was able to safely pull over and contact me. I carefully drove the vehicle home. The vehicle was taken to Jeff Wyler…Owner complaint, filed 2026
i was driving and the steering wheel locked, the whole steering column has to be replaced it brought up a code saying torque input sensor i've only put 10,000 miles on this car and have only had it for 11 monthsOwner complaint, filed 2026
Brakes and stability control
187 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 78,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
- The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
- Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH in the middle lane, she inadvertently lost control of the steering wheel and the vehicle turned all the way to the left and to the left lane. The contact depressed the brake pedal, but it failed to respond. The contact stated that as she was…Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 68,000 miles
2 weeks ago my car was idling and started shaking and ESC notification came up and car cut off. Would not crank up until later. Today was driving in cvs parking lot and car [VIN] on its own and I stepped on the break and then it started shaking and dinging and ESC lights came on again. Car kind of sounded like a lawn mower when it was…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 155,670 miles
Engine and cooling
103 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 84,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
- Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
- Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
- Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle started to lose motive power. The contact was able to stop and turn the vehicle off. When the contact attempted to restart the vehicle the starter motor made noises however, the vehicle would not restart. The contact stated that…Owner complaint, filed 2022, at 137,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the ESC traction warning light, service traction warning light, and the reduced engine power warning light were illuminated. The vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road. The vehicle…Owner complaint, filed 2022, at 140,000 miles
Air bags
101 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 67,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
- Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact called on behalf of her daughter's boyfriend who was driving alongside her daughter in a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that her daughter's boyfriend was driving on the highway at approximately 75 MPH in the left lane when a tractor-trailer in the right lane veered into their lane and the rear end of the…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while a passenger was seated in the front passenger’s seat, the passenger’s side air bag warning light intermittently illuminated while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with an inoperable passenger’s side air bag sensor.…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 146,000 miles
Seats and seat belts
83 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 66,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
- Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.
Tools that help
What owners said
Car has 161,848 miles and the seat frame broke on the drivers side of my 2012 Chevy Malibu. It had a slight tilt to the right. It was taken to the Chevrolet Dealership and they inspected and verified that the frame welding was broken. I have a video from the service tech showing the broken frame. I took a screen shot of the video and…Owner complaint, filed 2026
I have tried since July of 2025 to have a recall fixed I have been in contact with multiple dealerships for Chevy and none have contacted me to fix my recall I've left messages and still no responseOwner complaint, filed 2026
Fuel system
56 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 90,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
- On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
- Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
I had been out running errands and I picked my mother up from church. Pulled up to the stoplight, light turned green, I pressed the gas pedal and nothing. I'm sitting at a major intersection and my car won't move I just put the pedal to the floor and my car creeped forward. Which if someone had been coming up behind me that wasn't…Owner complaint, filed 2022
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 [VIN]. The…Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 160,000 miles
Cruise control and acceleration
52 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 57,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
- Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.
Tools that help
What owners said
On 12/26/13 myself and two other ladies were heading home early morning when all of a sudden my vehicle just shut down in the middle of the hwy. Without warning, luckily no traffic was coming because we had to push the vehicle off the hwy. After it sat for awhile it cranked back up and we managed to get it home. I drove it to work…Owner complaint, filed 2014, at 53,400 miles
The contact owns a 2012 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle [VIN] without the accelerator pedal being depressed. The contact was unable to stop the vehicle and crashed into a house. The contact sustained injuries to the head, neck, rib cage and the lower back. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed and was…Owner complaint, filed 2013, at 10,000 miles
Transmission and drivetrain
49 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 74,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
- Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
- Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
- If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.
Tools that help
What owners said
The problem started with the steering wheel jerking by itself then the power steering went out. The only way to get power steering back is to turn the car off then turn it back on while turning the steering wheel manually then it’s hard to say how long you have power steering for. To get it fixed is around 1,500 for a 3 hour job.Owner complaint, filed 2025
The contact owns a 2012 chevrolet malibu. While driving 35 MPH, the vehicle shuddered, but did not completely shut off. Also, when the vehicle was turned off, it would not restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic three times, but the cause of the failures could not be determined. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 97,686 miles
Wheels and tires
21 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 83,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
- Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
- The tire pressure light should go out after startup.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while his daughter was operating the vehicle, there was a loud sound coming from the front driver’s side of the vehicle. Upon inspection it was discovered that the front driver’s side wheel spokes were cracked and damaged. The contact indicated that four of the five-wheel…Owner complaint, filed 2022, at 200,160 miles
No traction, car slid into another car. Not the first time lost traction, just couldn't control it. Tires are only 1 yr and 3 months old. Have passed 2 state inspections. About of tread still on them. Have lost traction even in good weather. When I commented to someone at firestone that I kept losing traction they replied they aren't…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 161,900 miles
Body, doors and structure
17 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 69,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (14).
What to check before you buy
- Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
- Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2012 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the driver's seat metal frame fractured, causing the seat to collapse while driving. The contact was concerned that the failure was due to a [VIN]'s defect. The dealer was not called. The [VIN] was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 73,000 miles
The passenger door of my vehicle will not open. The automatic lock appears to be working but I cannot open the door. This also happened to the drivers side door a few times but thankfully I was able to use the actual key from the outside to open it. I have read reviews where this is common in this vehicle. This is an extreme safety…Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 80,000 miles
Suspension
10 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 94,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
- Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
- Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2012 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, she heard a grinding noise. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection and they stated that the axle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The [VIN] was notified. The failure mileage was 6.Owner complaint, filed 2013, at 6 miles
I purchased the vehicle in 2021 . It was running fine at first but recently . been having alot of issues with the vehicle. When parking the vehicle and you put it in park it moves forward . also been having alot of tire blow outs one after another for the past 8 months . also sometimes it drives proper and at times it starts swerving .…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Driver assist systems
1 complaintPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
- Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
- Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.
Tools that help
What owners said
The car strated with like a glitch on the steering wheel. I didnt know what it was maybe I thought it was a tire but it would do it while at a stop or parked. Know when I turn it on it started with the steering wheel being hard not being able to move easy. Know it does the same but it shows on the message center "power steering" I have…Owner complaint, filed 2023
Chevrolet Malibu complaints by year
Compare the 2012 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2012 midsize cars
Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.
| Car | Vs. its other years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 Chevrolet Malibu | Among the worst years | 3 |
| 2012 Toyota Camry | Among the worst years | 2 |
| 2012 Honda Accord | One of the better years | 8 |
| 2012 Hyundai Sonata | Among the worst years | 8 |
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.
Full recall 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.
Steering
- Risk
- A joint bearing that fails prematurely may cause separation of the u-joint resulting in a complete loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dorman will notify owners, and dealers will refund the purchase price or replace the steering shafts, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain replacement intermediate steering shafts sold under the Dorman, OE Solutions, and Solutions brand names, part numbers 425-167, 2425167, and 7-3074, for installation on 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6, and 2007-2009 Saturn Aura vehicles. The affected steering shafts may have a yoke that inadequately supports the u-joint bearing resulting in a premature failure.
Electrical system Wiring
- 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…
Full recall 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 avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.
2012 Chevrolet Malibu questions
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu?
The most reported problem areas on the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu are the electrical system (291 complaints), the lights, wipers and visibility (226 complaints) and the steering (191 complaints).
Is the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu a good year to buy?
One of the worst Malibu years. Owners filed about 1.7 times as many complaints as a typical Malibu year. The main thing to watch is the electrical system, which half of owners reported by about 88,000 miles. Years with fewer complaints: 2019, 2020 and 2021. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Malibu years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
How many recalls does the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu have?
NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The most recent, from May 2015, covers the seat belts. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.
At what mileage do 2012 Chevrolet Malibu problems start?
Half of the owners who reported a problem with the electrical system gave a mileage of about 88,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the lights, wipers and visibility gave a mileage of about 99,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.
Which Chevrolet Malibu years should I avoid?
The Malibu years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2012. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2019, 2020 and 2021. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.
Check the exact car
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