Page 14 of 19 · complaints 651–700 of 907

2012 Chevrolet Malibu complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2012 record →

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Sep 12, 201675,000 milesIL

WHILE IN MOTION MORE THAN TWO DOZEN TIMES ON CITY STREETS, ON BUSY HIGHWAYS AND WHILE TURNING IN A BUSY INTERSECTION WITH CHILDREN IN THE CAR. 2012 CHEVY MALIBU STOPS WHILE IN MOTION ON THE ABOVE STATED STREETS, HIGHWAYS AND INTERSECTIONS. READ WHERE SOMEONE BEAT ON THE REAR FUSE BOX THEN CAR STARTS SO I TRIED IT AND IT WORKS FOR A LITTLE WHILE BUT DOESNT SOLVE SAID PROBLEM. CHECKED BATTERY. BATTERY IS GOOD. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND ESC LIGHT STAYS ON. ESC LIGHT ONLY GOES OFF AT HIGH MPH. HAVE TO LET CAR SIT FOR AWHILE TO START BEFORE KNEW ABOUT FUSE BOX TRICK. SOMEONE THAT TRIED TO HELP ME GET OFF MIDDLE OF BUSY STREET SAID IT SOUNDS LIKE A FUEL DELIVERY PROBLEM.

Air Bags
Filed Sep 10, 201686,000 milesMI

TAKATA RECALL- SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Sep 3, 2016101 milesNC

MY CHEVY MALIBU 2012 STARTED GIVING ME SAFETY ISSUES, I HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR 4 MONTHS, I AM CURRENTLY FINANCING THE CAR THRU BRIDGECREST (DRIVE TIME). I WILL BE IN MOTIN GOING THE SPEED LIMIT ON A HIGHWAY, IN THE CITY, ON COUNTRY ROADS BACIALLY ANYWHERE AND THE CAR WILL SHUT OFF AND LOCK DOWN, THE KEY WILL STILL BE IN THE "ON" POSITION BUT EVERYTHING ELSE CUTS OFF AS IN ALL LIGHTS, THE ENGINE, THE DOORS WILL LOCK AND I WILL PUT IT IN PARK, PUT THE SWITCH IN THE "OFF" POSITION AND SOMETIMES IT WILL CRANK RIGHT BACK UP AND OTHER TIMES IT WONT. SOMETIMES WHEN IT CRANKS BACK UP IT WILL DRIVE FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THEN SHUT OFF AGAIN. DOES THIS 5X IN A ROW SOMETIMES. WHEN THE CAR IS CRANKED AND BACK IN MOTION A WARNING SIGN OF A PAD LOCK AND A CAR POPS UP AND WILL EVENTUALLY GO AWAY. UNKNOWN

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Aug 31, 2016VA

IN SEPT 2014 THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN AND SENSORS BECAUSE SERVICE ESC AND TRACTION LIGHT WAS ON AFTER TWICE I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP IT GOT FIXED AND KNOW GUESS WHAT IT'S ON AGAIN.BUT NOT ALL THE TIME IS BECOMING MORE FREQUENT. I HAVE THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY LEFT BUT THEY SAY IT IS ALMOST ALWAYS NEVER COVERED ON THAT AND THE PARTS THEY PUT ON IN 2014 THE WARRANTY IS EXPIRED ON THOSE. I HAVE NOT HAD IT TESTED YET BUT THIS IS UNCALLED FOR. I HAVE HAD RECALL AFTER RECALL ON VARIOUS THINGS. FROM WHAT I HAVE SEEN ONLINE THERE SHOULD BE ONE ON THIS ALSO. I THINK NEXT CAR WILL BE OLDER CAR AND I WILL JUST WORK ON IT MYSELF.THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT A MONTH NOW.

Engine
Filed Aug 3, 201632,000 milesWI

WHILE MAKING LEFT HAND TURN ENGINE STALLED LOST POWER FOR A MOMENT THEN RESTARTED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR.

Air BagsCrash
Filed Jul 22, 201633,000 milesMO

TAKATA RECALL - I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT ON JULY, 12 ON HWY 40 IN ST. LOUIS MO. BOTH OFFICERS ON THE SCENE AND THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SAID THE AIR BAG SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. I WAS GOING ABOUT 40 MPH ON THE HWY, I RAN INTO THE BACK OF A VAN, I WAS THE LAST CAR OF 4 CARS .

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Jul 18, 201651,048 milesNJ

RECALL 13036. HAD RECALL WORK DONE 11-04-14. ON 6-17-16 HAD EXACT SYMPTOMS DESCRIBED IN THE ORIGINAL RECALL NOTICE. DEALER (KERBECK CHEVROLET OF ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) CHECKED AND SAID ONLY NEEDED TO REPROGRAM ECBM AND RECALIBRATE BRAKE PEDAL POSITION, PAID $143.59. CAR MADE IT 1 MILE THEN SAME PROBLEM. AFTER TRYING SEVERAL PARTS WHICH HAD TO BE ORDERED FINAL BILL WAS ADDITIONAL $455.71 I FEEL THE REPAIR SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER RECALL BUT GM SAID IT WAS UP TO THE SERVICING DEALER WHETHER REPAIR QUALIFIED FOR COVERAGE! I FEEL THIS IS A CONFLICT OF INTEREST TO HAVE THE DEALERS SERVICE DEPARTMENT MAKE THE CALL. I'M HOPING TO BE REIMBURSED FOR ALL REPAIRS DUE TO THIS SAME PROBLEM. ALSO DUBIOUS AS TO WHETHER ALL THE PARTS WERE NEED! I ALSO WANTED TO GO ON RECORD ABOUT THIS IN CASE OTHER PEOPLE RUN INTO THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF I NEED TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM TO ANY OTHER AGENCY AS WELL. ERROR CODES SHOWED UP WHILE OPERATING VEHICLE.

Air BagsCrash
Filed Jul 17, 201653,000 milesWA

TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 35MPH ON A CITY STREET. 2003 FORD PICKUP PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF OUR CAR. WE HIT DRIVERS FRONT FENDER. OUR CAR VEERED OFF OF TRUCK ROLLING ONTO DRIVERS SIDE UPRIGHTING BACK ONTO WHEELS AND STOPPED WHEN IT HIT A BARRIER FENCE WHILE CROSSING THREE TRAFFIC LANES OF THE FOUR LANE ROAD.

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Fan/Motor
Filed Jul 14, 201644,000 milesNC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE HEATING MOTOR MALFUNCTIONED, WHICH CAUSED SMOKE TO FILTER INTO THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BLOWER MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 44,000.

Electrical System
Filed Jul 6, 2016132,377 milesKY

FOR THE SECOND TIME IN A YEAR THE ENTIRE FUSE BOX PANEL THAT MY FUEL RELAY PLUGS INTO HAS GONE BAD, NOT ONLY DOES THIS POSE A THREAT OF FIRE, BUT ALSO ACCIDENTAL INJURY IF THE CAR WERE TO LOSE POWER (WHICH IT DOES) SPORADICALLY AND INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING.

Air Bags
Filed Jul 6, 201610 milesWI

WHILE ON A TRIP THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS WHILE ON VACATION. THIS HAPPENED IN MAY 2016 AND ALSO MAY 2015 WHILE ON VACATION. I CHECKED ON LINE AND IT STATES THE AIR BAG IS DISABLED WHEN THE LEARNING LIGHT COMES ON. ON LINE IT STATED BACK IN 2004-UP THROUGH 2012 THEY HAD SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THIS, THEY FOUND A PROBLEM WITH THE WIRING HARNESS AND HAD TO DO UPGRADE CALLED A SOFT RECALL.I CALLED ON STAR AND ASKED ABOUT RECALLS REGARDING THE WARNING LIGHT FOR AIR BAG, THEY SAID NO RECALL ON THAT. I REQUESTED A CASE BE OPENED ON 6-2-2016 AND HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING. WHY WOULD THIS WARNING LIGHT COME ON FOR A WEEK EVERY MAY? WE DO SEVERAL MILES OF TRAVELING MOSTLY LESS THAN 300 ONE WAY TRIPS YET IT HAS ONLY COME ON IN MAY. I CALLED MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID NO RECALL ON THAT WARNING LIGHT EITHER. PREVIOUSLY I HAD A 2009 MALIBU WHICH I PURCHASED MAINLY BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY OF ALL THE AIRBAGS. IF I OR MAY PASSENGER IS IN DANGER AT ANY TIME WITH THE AIRBAG DISABLED IT'S NOT SAFE, PERIOD.

Electrical System
Filed Jul 1, 201647,607 milesMA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL ABRUPTLY LOCKED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN AT A LOW SPEED. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES. WHILE THE BLUETOOTH WAS IN USE, THE RADIO AND STEERING WHEEL SIMULTANEOUSLY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY CABLE WAS DEFECTIVE AND CAUSED THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TO LOSE CHARGE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE BATTERY CABLES WERE REPLACED AND ROUTED CORRECTLY. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE CABLE FAILURE WAS DUE TO WEAR AND TEAR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,607. UPDATED 09/20/16*LJ *AS

Air Bags
Filed Jun 30, 201632,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE SERVICE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 08/03/16*LJ ACCORDING TO THE REPAIR INVOICE, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG COIL FAILED. UPDATED 08/10/16.*JB

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Jun 29, 201653,000 milesKS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL AND TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.

Air Bags
Filed Jun 27, 201695,261 milesMS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER SOME TIME. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START INTERMITTENTLY. THE AIR BAG AND ANTI THEFT WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,261. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Jun 27, 201698,000 milesMT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AS THE ESC WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

Electrical System
Filed Jun 23, 201664,000 milesMI

MY STATIONARY CAR WOULD NOT START ONE MORNING , AFTER HAVING IT TOWED TO A INDEPENDENT AUTO SHOP I WAS TOLD THE RELAY SWITCH WAS REPLACED BUT THE CAR HAD AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THAT MIGHT REOCCUR AND SHOULD BE TAKEN TO A GM DEALERSHIP. TWO WEEKS LATER THE STATIONARY CAR WOULD NOT START AGAIN AND I CONTACTED GM CUSTOMER CARE LINE AND SCHEDULED TO HAVE THE CAR INSPECTED, BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO ARRIVE AT THE DEALERSHIP THE CAR STARTED WITHOUT ISSUE AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR. I TOOK THE CARE TO THE GM DEALERSHIP AND THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE FOUND. ANOTHER 4 DAYS PASSED AND AFTER I STARTED MY CAR AND WHILE IN MOTION IT SHUT COMPLETELY DOWN AND WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY START, I SAT FOR MAYBE 10MINS AND THE CAR STARTED UP WITHOUT AN ISSUE. ANOTHER WEEK PASSED AFTER THAT AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START AFTER I PARKED IT FOR AROUND 1 HOUR. THE CAR WAS TAKEN BACK THE GM DEALERSHIPS WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THERE WERE 2 SHORTAGES . THERE IS A FAULTY SECTION OF THE REAR TERMINAL AND MY TERMINAL IN SECTION A10 HAD TO BE REPLACED.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Jun 10, 2016136,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20-25 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND THE ESC AND POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE POWER STEERING FUNCTIONED NORMALLY AFTER A BRIEF PERIOD OF TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 136,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.

Service Brakes
Filed Jun 5, 201692,000 milesCO

MY CAR HAS BEEN MAKING A HORRIBLE SOUND FOR A COUPLE MONTHS NOW AND THE LAST WEEK IT'S GOTTEN REALLY LOUD WHEN I GO OVER 20 IT SOUNDS THE WORST OF SLOW DOWN I CAN'T GO OVER 40 WITHOUT IT SOUNDING LIKE IT'S TAKING OFF AND MY FRONT END SHAKES LIKE MY TIRES GONNA COME OFF I REPLACED THE BREAKS AND IT'S STILL MAKING THE SOUND IT'S TO THE POINT I CAN'T DRIVE MY CAR BECAUSE I DON'T WANT IT TO DIE ON ME MY BATTERY HAS BEEN DYING A LOT AND MY SERVICE ESC LIGHT COMES ON AND GOES OFF PLEASE CAN SOMEONE TELL ME WHY MY CAR IS DOING THIS OR AN IDEA IT SOUNDS LIKE AN AIRPLANE THAT'S THE BEST WAY I CAN DESCRIBE IT AND MY RIGHT REAR TIRE IS ALWAYS SAYING MY TIRE IS LOW I ROTATED MY TIRES AND IT'S STILL NOT READING IT RIGHT THERE BRAND NEW TIRES TO BOOT PLEASE PLEASE HELP ME

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed May 23, 2016120,000 milesAZ

I HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU 2 TIMES NOW IN THE PAST 2 WEEKS. THE CAR BEGINS TO IDLE EXTREMELY ROUGH AND LOOSES NEARLY ALL OF THE ENGINE POWER AS IF IT IS RUNNING ON 1 OR 2 CYLINDERS. THE SERVICE ESC , SERVICE TRACTION AND ENGINE PWR REDUCED NOTIFICATIONS DISPLAY ON MY DASH AS PICTURED. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND LET IT SIT AND THEN RESTARTED THE CAR TO FIND IT RUNS PERFECT AND HAS NO WARNING MESSAGES OR SYMBOLS ON. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM THAT GM NEEDS TO ADDRESS. I SEARCHED THIS ISSUE ONLINE JUST TO FIND IT IS VERY COMMON AND NOBODY PROVIDES A FIX.. I REALLY WISH THAT I HAD NEVER PURCHASED A GM VEHICLE.

Service Brakes
Filed May 19, 201652,300 milesMI

BRAKE LIGHT MALFUNCTION, DIFFICULTY MOVING THE GEAR SHIFTER OUT OF "PARK", ECS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS GOING ON-AND-OFF. THESE ARE THE EXACT SAME ISSUES OCCURRING IN THE 2014 RECALL (WE HAD TO ABOUT 3 MONTHS TO GET INTO THE DEALER BACK THEN). BOTTOM LINE IS THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED, MY CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND THE DEALER SAID THEY CAN RE-FIX THE PROBLEM FOR A LOT OF MONEY AS THE RECALL IS NO LONGER VALID BECAUSE "THEY FIXED IT" ON NOVEMBER 28, 2014. WHEN WE CALLED GM (MAY 19, 2016), THE OPERATOR SAID SHE SHARED OUR FRUSTRATION BUT COULD ONLY SPEAK TO THE DEALER ABOUT IT. (AMAZINGLY, THE DEALER DID NOT RESPOND TO HER). IN READING FORUMS AND SPEAKING WITH THE GM OPERATOR, APPEARS THAT GM DOES NOT HAVE A PERMANENT FIX FOR THE ISSUE. SO THE RECALL DID NOTING TO SOLVE THE ISSUE. IN THE MEANTIME, WE AWAIT A DECISION/CALL FROM THE DEALER/GM. THE GM OPERATOR DID OFFER A VOUCHER FOR SERVICE ANALYSIS FOR USE AT A DEALERSHIP - BUT NOT FOR A FIX. WE ARE LOOKING FOR RESOLUTION TO THE ISSUE. THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO USE.

Service Brakes
Filed May 17, 2016111,100 milesNY

I WAS DRIVING AT 60 MPH IN CRUISE CONTROL ON A STRAIGHT ROAD. AN AMBULANCE WAS HEADING TOWARDS ME SO I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN AND PULL OVER AND THE CAR ACCELERATED VERY QUICKLY. THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION BECAUSE I WAS MOVING TOWARDS THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD BECAUSE OF THE ONCOMING AMBULANCE. I HAD TO TURN OFF CRUISE CONTROL TO BE ABLE TO APPLY THE BRAKES. THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ALSO NOT COMING ON WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES. THE PROBLEM WITH THE LIGHTING HAPPENED PREVIOUSLY AND WAS REPAIRED ON 04/28/2015. I THOUGHT THE PROBLEM WAS INCLUDED IN RECALL #13036 BUT I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE SWITCH AND WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL HOWEVER WHEN I LOOK UP THE RECALL NUMBERS ON MY VEHICLE THIS RECALL NUMBER DOES NOT SHOW UP AS STILL NEEDING TO BE DONE. I PAID FOR THE REPAIR AND I AM NOW HAVING THE SERIOUS PROBLEM OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS NOT WORKING AGAIN PLUS THE EVEN MORE SERIOUS PROBLEM OF THE BRAKES NOT WORKING WHEN I AM IN CRUISE CONTROL. I DO NOT KNOW HOW TO PROCEED WITH HAVING THIS PROBLEM CORRECTED. THE RECALL PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED CORRECTLY OR THERE IS ANOTHER PROBLEM THAT IS OCCURRING. I HAVE ATTACHED A COPY OF MY RECEIPT OF THE REPAIR THAT WAS DONE ON 04/28/15.

Service Brakes
Filed May 13, 2016TX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER A MANUFACTURER RECALL FOR THE BRAKE CONTROL MODULE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE MANUFACTURERS RECALL WAS NOT COMPLETED DUE TO THE OLD BRAKE MODULE STILL BEING INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed May 10, 201645,000 milesNY

WHEN SLOWING DOWN, OR PARKED WITH CAR RUNNING, THE RPM BOUNCES FROM 1-2 RPMS. LIGHT ON DASHBOARD SAYS "SERVICE ESC". AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS COME ON BRIEFLY. PROBLEM IS, THIS WAS A RECALL IN 2014, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT IT, HAD IT REPAIRED. NOW, ALMOST A YEAR LATER ITS ACTING UP AGAIN! I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, THEY SAID NOW I'M RESPONSIBLE TO FIX IT. I FEEL IF THEY DIDNT FIX IT THE FIRST TIME, THEY SHOULD FIX IT AGAIN. IT MAY HAVE BEEN A FAULTY REPLACEMENT PART FOR ALL I KNOW. I STILL HAVE 2 YEARS LEFT ON THE PAYMENTS, NOW LOOKING AT ELECTRICAL REPAIR??? ITS A SAFETY HAZARD, AND SHOULD BE COVERED IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON IT, AND SHOULD REMAIN OPEN.

Structure › Body › Door
Filed May 9, 20163,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM UNLOCKED, BUT THE DOOR ITSELF WOULD NOT OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.

Exterior LightingFire
Filed Apr 27, 201610,000 milesMD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS MELTED THE HALOGEN CONNECTORS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.

Seat Belts
Filed Apr 26, 201632,000 milesNJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE SEAT BELTS WERE FRAYED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V269000 (SEAT BELTS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 32,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT....UPDATED 06/30/16 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. UPDATED 07/06/16.*JB

Power Train
Filed Apr 24, 201688,201 milesVA

WHEN GOING FROM 0 TO 20 MILES PER HOUR VEHICLE SHIFTS CONSTANTLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY. I HAD THE PROBLEM DIAGNOSED BY RICK HENDRICKS CHEVROLET @ 6252 VIRGINIA BEACH BLVD NORFOLK, VIRGINIA. THE DEALER PRINTED OUT THE DIAGNOSIS STATING THE TRANSMISSION COOLER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO PRIORITY CHEVROLET @ 1495 SOUTH MILITARY HIGHWAY CHESAPEAKE,VIRGINIA TO HAVE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM REPAIRED AND THIS DEALER DIAGNOSED THE LOWER COOLER LINE AND RADIATOR TRANSMISSION COOLER LINES NEEDED REPLACEMENT WHICH I HAD DONE BY PRIORITY CHEVROLET THAT DAY HOWEVER THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM STILL EXISTS .

Traction Control System
Filed Apr 21, 2016107,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE TRACTION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED BRIEFLY. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND WOULD REQUIRE MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO RESTART. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WAS NOT FOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000.

Steering
Filed Apr 12, 2016137,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) AND 15V269000 (SEAT BELT), THE STEERING WHEEL CEASED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000.

Electrical System
Filed Apr 7, 201650,000 milesNM

LOW BEAMS ARE TO LOW FOR NIGHT TIME DRIVING CAN THEY BE ADJUSTED? CAN'T SEE VERY FAR SO HAVE TO USE BRIGHTS VERY DANGEROUS FOR ONCOMING TRAFFIC ALSO. ALSO THE INTERIOR LIGHTS, INSTRUMENT LIGHTS, GET REAL DIM EITHER DRIVING OR STOPPED, SO DIM GAUGES ARE HARD TO READ. AFTER A WHILE THEY COME BACK ON.

Electrical System
Filed Mar 28, 201680,000 milesVA

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 THIS ISSUE . WE CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD 400$ TO FIX.LOOKS LIKE US CONSUMERS ARE GETTING SCREWED AGAIN CAN U HELP?

Service Brakes
Filed Mar 23, 201694,000 milesOK

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 WARNING; DASH LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF WITHOUT WARNING; BELLS AND BUZZERS RING; DOOR LOCKS CYCLE, AND THEFT DETERRENT WARNINGS ILLUMINATE. DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED MULTIPLE TIMES TO REPAIR IT BY REPLACING THE BODY CONTROL MODULE. IT IS AT THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT NOW, HAS BEEN THERE FOR A FULL WEEK AND AT THIS POINT IS STILL UNSAFE

Power Train
Filed Mar 22, 2016600 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED WITHOUT WARNING. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SENSOR AND TRANSMISSION SEALS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 600.

Electrical System
Filed Mar 21, 201690,000 milesAR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, THE ESC WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE IGNITION TO THE OFF POSITION AND BACK ON THREE TIMES BEFORE THE VEHICLE STARTED OPERATING CORRECTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000.

Seats
Filed Mar 19, 201669,500 milesIN

WAS GETTING INTO MY PARKED VEHICLE, AND THE SEAT BROKE. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY SAID THE WELD THAT HELD THE SEAT TO THE RAILING BROKE.

Seats
Filed Mar 18, 201663,921 milesMA

DRIVERS SEAT BECAME DISENGAGED AT THE WELD POINT UNDERNEATH THE SEAT WHILE I WAS DRIVING. TOOK THE VEHICLE IN AND THE DEALER REWELDED THE SEAT. PICKED THE CAR UP HAD IT FOR LESS THAN A WEEK SEAT PRETTY MUCH DISENGAGED FROM THE BOTTOM AND THE BACK WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY. WHILE GM OFFERED SOME ASSISTANCE I AM STILL OUT $500. FOR BOTH REPAIRS. AFTER RESEARCHING ON LINE IT APPEARS OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD SIMILAR COMPLAINTS WITH THIS MODEL YEAR. SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE! MY VEHICLE WAS NEVER BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENT THAT SHOULD HAVE CAUSED THIS PROBLEM. I'VE OWNED NUMEROUS CARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD A SEAT DISENGAGE. I TRULY BELIEVE THIS IS A DEFENCT IN THE VEHICLES SEAT FRAME.

Steering
Filed Mar 14, 2016164,000 milesNC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE POWER STEERING ASSIST LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WAITED A FEW MINUTES, AND RESUMED DRIVING. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 164,000.

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Mar 13, 2016548,250 milesMI

ON 11/18/2015 MY WIPER BLADES STOPPED WORKING IN HEAVY DOWN POUR OF RAIN ,HAD TO TURN AROUND AND GO TO THE CLOSEST REPAIR GARAGE TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT. THEY REPLACE THE WIPER LINKAGE. SO 225.69 DOLLARS LATER I WAS ON MY WAY. THAN ON 3/10/2016 UPON DRIVING HOME FROM WORK IN RAIN I HEARD A COUPLE OF BANG AND THE WIPERS STOPPED WORKING AGAIN THE SAME PROBLEM AND WIPER LINKAGE WAS REPLACE PART WAS UNDER WARRANTY THIS TIME IT ONLY COST 72.00 DOLLARS FOR THE LABOR.

Seat Belts
Filed Mar 9, 2016OH

TAKATA RECALL.

Engine
Filed Mar 8, 201678,000 milesTN

2012 CHEVY MALIBU 1ST OCCURRENCE'. PARKED BUT RUNNING THE CAR DIES AND WILL NOT START BACK. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ARE ON. LET THEM CAR SET FOR 20 OR SO MIN AND IT STARTED BACK WITH NO ISSUES. 2ND OCCURRENCE'. A FEW DAYS LATER WE STOPPED AT THE STORE AND CAME BACK OUT AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS OR ANYTHING. KINDA SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS OUT OF FUEL WHEN YOU TRIED TO START IT. WE HAD SOMEONE PICK US UP AND WENT BACK IN AN HR OR SO AND THE CAR STARTED. TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND THEY SAID THE ONLY CODE IT WAS THROWING WAS LOW VOLTAGE. WE REPLACED THE BATTERY. 3RD OCCURRENCE.. A WEEK LATER I USED THE FOB TO START THE CAR. WHEN I WENT OUT THE CAR WAS SHUT OFF AND WOULD NOT START BACK. SAME AS BEFORE JUST ACTED LIKE IT WAS OUT OF FUEL. TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND THE COMPUTER WAS STILL NOT SHOWING CODES. HE REPLACED THE FUEL RELAY. 4RD OCCURRENCE.. A WEEK LATER I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK AND IT ACTED LIKE I WASN'T PRESSING THE FUEL PETAL AND BY THE TIME I GOT OVER TO GET TO THE SHOULDER IT STARTED WORKING AGAIN. I DROVE IT TO HOME DEPOT ON MY LUNCH BREAK AND CAME BACK OUT AND IT WOULD NOT START. SAME AS BEFORE. I CALLED A CO-WORKER TO PICK ME UP THEN WENT BACK A FEW HOURS LATER. IT STARTED SO I TOOK IT BACK TO THE SHOP. IT DID NOT HAVE ANY CODES THROWN. HE REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. 5TH OCCURRENCE' 4 DAYS LATER I LEFT TO TAKE THE KIDS TO SCHOOL AND THE CAR DIED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I WAS ABLE TO GET TO A SAFE PULL OFF AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START BACK. I HAD IT TOWED STRAIG

Seat Belts
Filed Mar 3, 2016NY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V269000 (SEAT BELTS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Feb 18, 201647,661 milesWA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED. THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 47,661.

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Feb 16, 201687,000 milesWA

WHILE DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEED (70 MPH) IN A RAINSTORM IN TRAFFIC, THE WIPER INTERNAL DRIVE ASSEMBLY FAILED WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING LOSS OF WIPER FUNCTION, RESULTING IN LOSS OF VISION OF OTHER TRAFFIC REQUIRING EMERGENCY STOP.

Seat Belts
Filed Feb 12, 2016PA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V269000 (SEAT BELTS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

Seat Belts
Filed Feb 12, 2016PA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V269000 (SEAT BELTS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

Electrical System
Filed Feb 1, 201665,535 milesNC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,535.

Engine
Filed Jan 27, 201658,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE LOW TRACTION, SERVICE ESC, AND LOW ENGINE POWER WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED SIX TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE COVER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000. UPDATED 05/11/16*LJ *CN

Steering
Filed Jan 21, 2016102,000 milesOH

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 CHECK THIS PROBLEM OUT VERY SERIOUSLY ON THE 2012 MODEL BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED!!! I HAD ALL I COULD DO TO STEER THE CAR MANUALLY! MY CHILDREN AND I WERE VERY LUCKY THAT WE DIDN'T END UP IN AN ACCIDENT. THE NEXT PERSON MIGHT NOT BE SO LUCKY. BEFORE CHEVROLET GETS SUED, THEY MIGHT WANT TO LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM. MY WIFE DRIVES THIS CAR ON THE EXPRESSWAY. I CAN'T EVEN IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED HAD THIS OCCURRED WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING. I THANK GOD THAT I WAS BEHIND THE WHEEL AT THE TIME.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Jan 19, 201688,000 milesWI

DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND SERVICE ESC LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR STARTED LOSING POWER. DEALER SAID IT WAS A FAULTY STEERING ANGLE TORQUE SENSOR.

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu → · Every Malibu year → · How the figures are calculated →