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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 7
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
60,195 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Chevrolet Malibu electrical problems

electrical problem

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2012 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Comments (Page 4 of 14)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #206

May 162019

Malibu 4-cyl

  • 170,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My fuse box in my trunk came back fail bad one so changed it out with another one well that worked for 1 month my car stalls or don't start unless I hit the fuse box got another fuse box that did the same exact things now some times when I hit the fuse box my car will start then again won't somethings making the fuse box to go bad I believe it's something to do the wiring or fuel pump relay fuse. I've had my car stall on the high way to many times this need to be recalled its a hazard problem not safe.

- Flint, MI, USA

problem #205

Apr 282020

Malibu

  • 130,000 miles
This is my third complaint because my car has electrical issues that need repaired. The vehicle would not start, would have to tap on fuel box located in trunk to get it to start. In the middle of driving the car, the car would lose power and ESC, traction control, check engine light would come on and power steering would lock up. Took it to nearest Chevy dealer and they said 'the wiring is burnt up from the fuel pump/fuse box located in trunk' this is because GM used cheap wiring. My passenger headlight keeps going out, rear defrost doesn't work, and my door speakers doesn't not work. This is all because of the wiring located in the trunk. I refuse to pay over $2,000 to fix myself when this is clearly a GM issue. Everybody on here has the same problem with their Malibu's. and it really sucks because I'm making payments on a car I cannot drive. This is really dangerous especially when I have my kids in the car and it just loses power and cut off in the middle of traffic.

- Youngstown, OH, USA

problem #204

Apr 232020

Malibu

  • 136,000 miles
I have a 2012 Chevy Malibu lt and my car has the same problem as everybody else's. it would cut off and lose power while driving and at first I would beat the fuse box in the trunk and it would run. Now it doesn't even work at all. Had it diagnosed at my local Chevy dealer and they said the wiring leading from the fuel pump and fuel box is all burnt up. I refuse to pay $2000 or more to fix when this is clearly a GM issues. It needs a recall on this vehicle because they used cheap wiring. This is my second complaint and I will continue to write complains until it is fixed. ESC, power steering would lock up which makes it very dangerous especially with kids in the vehicle.

- Youngstown, OH, USA

problem #203

May 192019

Malibu

  • 95,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Car would randomly not start up. Starter would engage with key turned, but engine would not fire off and run. No codes from diagnostics. Never heard fuel pump energize with problem present. Car would eventually successfully start. Bench tested fuel pump relay with no issues. Disassembled fuse box in trunk and found the brown wire connecting the fuel pump to its relay was significantly heat stressed. The black plastic wire harness that houses the brown fuel pump wire was also stressed and deformed, and was no longer retaining the crimped connector for the brown wire. I had to clean up the metal crimp connector and pinch down on the end so that it would "grab" the relay terminal once reassembled. Car has yet to repeat the starting problem a year later.

- Clayton, NC, USA

problem #202

Apr 192020

Malibu

  • miles
Doors keep unlocking and locking on their own. Does it constantly no matter what I do.. the alarm doesnt do anything and the doors just keep unlocking and locking back and forth all day and night even without the keys inside while parked

- Nuevo, CA, USA

problem #201

Feb 212020

Malibu

  • 111,000 miles
I purchased this car used and 2 weeks after I had to have it towed to a mechanic from work because it wouldn't start. Mechanic said it was fuel pump so he replaced it $685 and the tow was $125. Drove it home and the next day went out to start it before work and wouldn't start but had crank. Called mechanic he had it towed back to his shop, cleaned the fuse box in the trunk and said the brown wire was loose. Started up the next day but the following day it stalled on me while me and my son was on our way to get something to eat and I hit the box in the trunk and it started. I cannot believe this is not a recall yet from how many people have went through this electrical wiring issue. This was all on city streets. How many times am I going to have to beat on this box to get it started and how long will that last? this is ridiculous!

- Carlisle, OH, USA

problem #200

Aug 012019

Malibu

  • 122,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The car seems to run fine once it starts. The problem is getting it to start. Sometimes the car starts without any problems and then sometimes it won't. it has left me stranded multiple times. We replaced the fuel pump, which seemed to fix the problem for a few days and then the same thing started to happen. We replaced a couple of fuses. Again this seemed to fix the problem for a few days and then the same thing started to happen. My husband and I noticed that there is some wiring that is always hot leading from the fuse box to the fuel pump. Basically we believe that Chevrolet used cheap crappy thin wiring. Because of this, the car won't start. We did some research online and it seems that everyone who owns a 2012 Chevy Malibu has had a similar problem that has cost consumers hundreds of dollars. We have always owned a Chevy and this is the first vehicle that we have ever had a problem with. We are seriously considering switching to Toyota or Nissan since Chevrolet has been receiving complaints and thus far has chosen not to do anything. Chevrolet manufactured the 2012 Chevy Malibu and was aware of the issues surrounding the fuse box, fuel pump, and the wiring. One of these days, the car is going to catch fire because of the faulty system. It is extremely frustrating to see all of these Chevy Malibu owners experiencing the same issue and Chevrolet does nothing. We never know if the car is going to start; it's literally a guessing game. Sometimes we tap the fuse box, sometimes we kick the side of the rear passenger door, and sometimes we have to sit and wait 15 minutes and then the car will start. Chevrolet needs to have a recall and fix the issues surrounding the 2012 Chevy Malibu. Eventually the wiring is going to catch fire.

- Bryan, TX, USA

problem #199

Jan 152020

Malibu

  • 95,000 miles
Vehicle would not start. Dealership changed fuse box and wiring in trunk due to melting. Now low beam headlights not working. Replaced one months ago, now both not working again. Noticed similar complaints on your website.

- Canton, MI, USA

problem #198

Jan 062020

Malibu

  • 130,000 miles
Driver side headlight kept going in and out until completely going out and not working. When getting a new bulb put it it did the same thing a week later. The wiring in the headlight is faulty. The same thing goes for the front speakers of the car. The front speakers will come on and off on their own as well.

- Evansville, IN, USA

problem #197

Jan 092020

Malibu

  • 144,000 miles
Driving my vehicle with my 3 month old daughter in the car. Turned the wheel as I was taking a turn and the power steering completely stopped. This forced me to apply the brake because I almost wemt off the road!! I see this isn't the only incident involving the ESC and power steering!! vehicle currently has "service ESC" and "power steering" messages displayed in the info messages.

- Pottsville, PA, USA

problem #196

Jan 022020

Malibu

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have replace my headlights about 10 within two years. Firestone have replaced the wiring, and my headlight still goes out. I'm beyond frustrated. If you go to cargurus.com, everyone is having the same problem. This is ridiculous!

- Louisville, GA, USA

problem #195

Dec 212019

Malibu

  • 94,000 miles
I was sold a car priced at $4,995 but when the initial contract was signed the car representative failed to keep the price the same and without consent overcharged me for the car $10,000 I called back a week later to notify them the car had went out, was in bad condition, wasn't driving, and put me and my family in harms way. Car shutoff twice in motion once while actually driving on the freeway. I asked to have it repaired due to the fact that I was forced into purchasing their warranty that he stated came with the car but put in the contract later that I would pay $1000+ dollars for it when it's an expired warranty from 2017 when the dealer first got the car so it's only a extended warranty and doesn't help with anything. He came once to repair the car by putting some fluid inside to make it run & instead told me he changed the battery which turned out to be false the car kept cutting off and going out I kept seeking help it was david and abn motors who refused to fix any mechanical issue I was having with the vehicle and in return the car put me and my family in harms way it is a danger to have or drive with my kids cops said so also it cut off on the highway while driving and leaked an extremely large amount of oil while me and my kids were inside the vehicle I was forced to merge over completely to get out the way of traffic as the car just stopped motion. Something under the hood popped and the vehicle was smoky state officials order me and my family out the vehicle in toledo a hour drive away from my home. They stated it was a safety hazard and that I could not enter my vehicle and took it away. I had even sent over a message to the dealer representative I purchased the car from a month earlier stating I was having problems he refused to respond or help he stated that I already signed the contract and I should deal with it myself.

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #194

Dec 192019

Malibu

  • 49,000 miles
Service air bag light on all the time car was in park when it first appear

- Bellflower, CA, USA

problem #193

Dec 102019

Malibu

  • miles
Passenger side low beam headlight keep going out I have replaced bulb and socket several times..it work only for 2 weeks and problem keep coming..this is fifth time I'm having to fix the issues

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #192

Dec 092019

Malibu

  • 78,000 miles
Car suddenly failed to accelerate as I pulled on the the interstate. Car filled with a burning smell. Dealer said the rear defrost malfunctioned and melted the fuse block located in the trunk damaging all wiring on the fuse block. I'm concerned that this bypassed the fuse and the relay with such a surge that it was hot enough to melt the entire fuse block. This could have led to a very serious fire where I was trapped in the car. I was fortunate to be able to pull off the interstate, but if I were in the far lane, I could have been stuck in a high speed lane resulting in injury to myself or others. The car is very low mileage and garage stored, so it is in very good condition and maintained regularly. Was just in to the dealer less than 10 days prior (power steering ESC recall) with no indication that there was a problem. This is a very serious safety issue. Car currently at phillips Chevy in frankfort, il.

- Mokena, IL, USA

problem #191

Nov 012019

Malibu

  • 115,000 miles
Three times in two months the passenger low beam has gone out. I work nights and each time it has gone out it has been while I am driving to work in the dark. I have researched the issue and no clear answer has been given on how to fix the issue.

- Carl Junction, MO, USA

problem #190

Jun 152019

Malibu

  • 45,000 miles
Electrical part shuts down the car can't go sometimes you can change fuse will go and here we go again have it in and out of shop to be work on no body can't figure it out. And even shuts down when driving down road in traffic very dangerous on highway. Had in different shops for help.getting very sick of it read other have same problem with the same type car.why isn't something being done about it ready to start buying Honda cars.this has been going on all summer still November. So tired of it and wasting money on it. This has happen more than one time

- Fairfax, OK, USA

problem #189

Oct 292019

Malibu

  • 0 miles
I bought my 2012 Malibu about 2years ago and after warranty expiration I started having codes saying to service air bags but the codes won't stay constant and no one knows why for some odd reason. On top of that the passenger side head light has been changed 5 time in less then a year and a half and once again no one knows why. I'm not the only person with constant issues the manufacturer needs to be held responsible for faulty equipment

- Circle Pines, MN, USA

problem #188

Jun 152019

Malibu

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated upon starting the vehicle. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 12V224000 (electrical system). The contact called apple Chevrolet (8585 w 159th St, tinley park, il 60487, 708-429-3000) and was informed that the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

- Tinley Park, IL, USA

problem #187

Sep 242019

Malibu

  • 136,000 miles
For no reason interior and exterior lights go on and off by itself. Neighbor reported car lights on 3:30 am. We also caught while keys were on table and locked the lights came on and off twice in the evening. This is while parked for the night.

- Morris Plains, NJ, USA

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