2012 Chevrolet Malibu problems
Owners have filed 1,472 complaints about the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu with NHTSA. Electrical system accounts for 19.7% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of exterior lighting at 13.7%.
Complaints1,472
Crashes93
Fires24
Injuries66
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Electrical system 19.7% · 290
Exterior lighting 13.7% · 202
Steering 13.0% · 191
Electronic stability control (ESC) 8.8% · 129
Air bags 6.9% · 101
Engine 6.7% · 99
Service brakes 4.4% · 65
Vehicle speed control 3.5% · 52
Severity
Of those complaints, 93 describe a crash, 24 describe a fire and 66 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 27 model years of the Chevrolet Malibu in this data, 2012 sits 8th by complaint volume. 2009 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 84 in the last three years against 163 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 87,000 miles.
In owners' own words
The service engine light has been on for 3 years. Chevy has been unable to diagnose the issue despite changing out the sensors and clearing the codes. This effects the rest of the engine settings including fuel as it adjusts them based on a default. The rail support for the driver's seat has also broken loose and fallen down which makes the vehicle unsafe to drive. This seat issue was only notice earlier this year. Electrical system
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 times. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 93,000. Electrical system · reported at 93,000 miles
Low beam on passenger side goes out frequently and randomly. I thought it was just my luck. However according to https://www.Cargurus.Com/cars/discussion-t32066_ds667897 there are a lot of people with the same issue. Ive been lucky enough to keep getting stop by nice cops, but this is getting bad. I have a 1year old that I cant take out in the car because it isnt safe. For who knows what reason. Please help. Electrical system · reported at 125,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…