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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 8
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
59,029 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 9 of 14)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #113

May 232018

Malibu

  • 70,000 miles

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

The passenger side low beam light bulb socket keeps burning out. Replaced the bulb 3 times in one year. The socket is the problem, keeps shorting out. When I replace the bulb the socket where the bulb plugs in to is burnt and melted.

- Victorville, CA, USA

problem #112

Apr 162018

Malibu

  • 147,000 miles
Cylinder 2 keep miss firing and service traction light keeps coming on. I have taken the care to 3 repair shop and spent over $2500 in repairs over the last year.

- Woodbridge, VA, USA

problem #111

Apr 132018

Malibu

  • 87,830 miles
While stopped at a red light I noticed that the steering wheel would start shaking and turning on its own. Then a few days later my service ESC and power steering lights started coming on and I was unable to turn the car left or right.. I would turn the car off for a few then turn it back on and it would unlock. That lasted for a few more days and then the steering wheel started locking up while I was driving. I took the car to the dealer and they said it was my power steering sensor. Its seems to be working fine now however I will never by another Chevy maliibu I have had nothing but problems since I purchase this car the first issue was my light constantly kept going out. I was on the highway coming home from an out off town trip and cars were flashing there lights. I pulled over I had no back lights. I took it the dealer they said it was my battery causing my car to short circuit. It cost me $400. Then the same thing happened 20 days later the dealer wanted me to pay to have it looked at again no way. Come to find out it was a #20 fuse over the rear driver side tire wheel that kept blowing. Needles to say I know ride around with a pack of fuses in my car.. the car has 87,858 miles on

- Akron, OH, USA

problem #110

Nov 012017

Malibu

  • 80,000 miles

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

The low beam and running lights on driver's side keep going out the wiring harness and bulb has been changed 5 times now and still goes out ever other week. And to top it off this car has the most rediculous way to get at the headlights. So time consuming

- Topsham, ME, USA

problem #109

Mar 122018

Malibu

  • 141,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving, the headlights and windshield wipers failed to work. There were no warning indicators illuminated before or during the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who could not diagnosis the failure. The dealer (superior Chevrolet, 4770 covington hwy, Decatur, ga 30035) was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 141,000. The VIN was not available.

- Lithonia, GA, USA

problem #108

Feb 012018

Malibu

  • 130,000 miles
Headlight lamp constantly goes out despite changing out the bulb and/or the fuse multiple times. It is becoming a hazard when driving on the roads.

- Oak Park, MI, USA

problem #107

Feb 232018

Malibu

  • 59,000 miles

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

Blower motor resistor replaced 3 times in the last year. Heat has no temp adjustment stays hot. Climate control not working. Blower motor was not factory when I bought the car at 17000 mi. I think someone else had this problem before me.

- Attleboro, MA, USA

problem #106

Feb 112018

Malibu

  • miles
Both headlamps have gone out within a nine month period. The driver side has been changed twice, the passenger side once. It seems every three months a headlight burns out on my car. As for the wipers, when they are turned on, they swipe halfway and stop until I turn them off and back on or to a higher swiping speed. This has happened as the vehicle was in park and drive. Also, the key fob battery has been replaced twice and works seldomly. The locks have recently starting locking on their own after the vehicle is shut off and the driver door is shut.

- Clover, SC, USA

problem #105

Jul 032017

Malibu

  • 46,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle was not operable. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic were it was diagnosed that the wiring harness and fuel pump were defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the vehicle was still not operable. The vehicle was re-inspected by the independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the fuse box and relays were defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Gusweiler GM center (1132 state rte 41, Washington court house, oh) where it was confirmed that the fuse box was faulty. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was approximately 46,000.

- Greenfield, OH, USA

problem #104

Jan 012018

Malibu

  • 43,000 miles
Takata recall I purchased a 2012 Chevy Malibu 2 years ago for my graduating senior and this car has practically been a nightmare since the day we purchased it. The current mileage is 43,000 and there has been so many problems with this car. The car previously shut down while riding on the highway, our mechanic stated the car has electrical issues. Okay, so he tampered with a few wires, and the car started right up. Two days ago, the car wouldn't start, it's currently displaying "check airbag" emergency lights are flashing, wipers began going back and forward. My husband began to shake a few wires (per our mechanic), and long behold the car has started!!! talk about buyer's remorse!!!! this car is now parked in our garage until we figure out what to do with it!!! I'm now concerned for my son's safety and will not allow him too drive the 2012 Chevy Malibu.

- Fresno, TX, USA

problem #103

Jan 012018

Malibu

  • 96,000 miles

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

This is my second incident report for the same vehicle. While driving on the highway the vehicle suddenly lost all mobility. No warning at all just stopped running. Fortunatly I was not at a very high rate of speed but was getting ready to make a turn off the highway. No indication that anything was wrong at all. My concern is why does someone need to get hurt or killed before this prolem is addressed? having taken this to be serviced I encountered others who have had the same experience with their vehicles, all Chevrolet of one model or similar to it. Basically the same motor. This happened to me before and I have not been given a reason for the problem.

- Dayton, OH, USA

problem #102

Dec 272017

Malibu

  • 96,000 miles
Vehicle was in motion at about 60 mph on a highway and the rpms dropped drastically, the anti skid indicator light came on, the vehicle lost power temporarilly. I pulled over and slowed down and the car returned to normal. Same evening vehicle was in motion about 55 mph on a highway when there was a loss of power, steering got sluggish, all indicatorlights on dash blinked on and off engine light came on and stayed on, anti skid indicator light came on, was knocking in motor and car would not accelerate over 20 mph. Completed a diagnosis of the vehicle and a code P0068 was noted by diagnostics. P0068 the engine and transmission system is not performing as expected. An issue has been detected in the throttle control system that connects the accelerator pedal with the throttle and integrates features such as cruise control, traction control, stability control, and pre-crash systems. If the check engine light is flashing, a misfire condition has been detected. A misfire increases vehicle emissions and could damage the emission control system on the vehicle. Please reduce vehicle speed, avoid hard accelerations, avoid steep uphill grades, and reduce any cargo loads such as a trailer. If the vehicle is continually driven with the check engine light on, the emission controls might not work as well, the vehicle fuel economy might not be as good, and the engine might not run as smoothly. This could lead to future repairs

- Dayton, OH, USA

problem #101

Feb 152017

Malibu

  • 70,000 miles
Headlamps constantly burning out fuzes blown dangerous when lights go out at night. Safety hazard.

- Camby, IN, USA

problem #100

Nov 252017

Malibu

  • 43,837 miles
Randomly doesn't what to start been to shop several times mechanic goes to fuse box and mess with wiring and starts up I go through this problem several times for months now. Tired not having a car to get to work mechanic can't figure out why it dong this need recall on it several complaints I read about already same as me. Also one time act like was going to stop downtown in traffic pull off side road call ed mechanic.

- Fairfax, OK, USA

problem #99

May 292017

Malibu

  • 99,800 miles
Car will start and then start shaking and making noises then dies off. Break and accelaretor locks after that

- Marion, OH, USA

problem #98

Aug 242017

Malibu

  • 94,600 miles
Takata recall for a Chevrolet Chevy Malibu 2012, you cant tell how fast your going the head light electrical fuse needs replacement, driver pedals need to be replaced also.

- Laurinburg, NC, USA

problem #97

Nov 022017

Malibu

  • miles
My headlights keep going out, my car will not align and the electrical plug will not work

- Stafford, VA, USA

problem #96

Nov 012017

Malibu

  • 74,000 miles
While driving my 2012 Chevy Malibu on a highway, the car suddenly turned off in motion. I then looked to the rear of the car while trying to maneuver the car to the side of the road and noticed the entire rear of the car engulfed in flames. When the car came to a stop I was able to jump out and run for some aid. I was able to put the fire out with a fire extinguisher before the the police and fire departments arrived. Upon investigation, it was concluded that the fire was cause by a faulty fuse box located in the drivers side of the trunk. The car is totaled.

- Mundelein, IL, USA

problem #95

Jan 012017

Malibu

  • miles
2012 Chevrolet Malibu. Consumer writes in regards to multiple safety defects with vehicle. The consumer stated the vehicle has several safety defects including the electric stability control, brakes, sensor lights, steering, suspension, wheels, engine lights, power train. Updated 10/23/2017

- Maricopa, AZ, USA

problem #94

Sep 192017

Malibu

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. When the engine was started, the steering wheel failed to turn left or right. The power steering, ESC, and traction warning indicators illuminated. The contact turned the vehicle off, restarted the engine, and the vehicle returned to normal. The dealer (southern Chevrolet Cadillac, 5845 coliseum blvd, alexandria, la 71303) was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

- Deville, LA, USA

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