2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU

What owners reported to NHTSA, ranked by how often and how seriously.

This is complaint data, not a random sample.

It only includes owners who chose to file a federal complaint, so it over-represents dramatic and safety-related problems and under-represents minor issues an owner just had fixed without reporting. Read this as what NHTSA complainants report most, not as this vehicle's true failure rate. Full methodology.

Component ranking

  1. #1

    lighting exterior

    77 unsafe, 4 broken, 58 annoyance

    139
    incidents
    Typical range: 75,000–140,000 mi

    Median 105,000 mi, based on 119 reports (43% had no usable mileage)

    • "HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT AFTER BEING CHANGED MULTIPLE TIMES"~10,000 mi, complaint #1604007
    • "PASSENGER LOW BEAM LIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT HAVE REPLACED 3 TIME WORKS FOR A COUPLE DAYS THEN GOES OUT AGAIN. VERY COSTLY WHEN YOU HAVE TO TAKE WHOLE BUMPER OFF TO REPLACE. HAVE SEEN MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ON MALIBU'S WITH SAME ISSUES."~80,000 mi, complaint #1603726
    • "I AM AN AUTO MECHANIC AND THE OWNER OF A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE, 4 OF MY CUSTOMERS MALIBUS (2009 TO 2012) AND MANY MANY OTHER MALIBU OWNERS IS THAT WHILE DRIVING ONE OR BOTH HEADLIGHTS WILL CUT OFF LEAVING THE OPERATOR WITH LITTLE O…"~115,000 mi, complaint #1383943
    • "PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT GOES OUT INTERMITTENTLY. BULB IS NOT BURNT OUT. HAVE REPLACED COMPLETE HARNESS, USUALLY SOLVES PROBLEM FOR A MONTH OR SO AND THEN LIGHT GOES OUT AGAIN. HAVE CHANGED GROUNDING ALSO BUT PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. THIS IS A DANGEROU…"~140,000 mi, complaint #1648815
    • "I'VE REPLACED LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT BULBS 4 TIMES (3 ON PASSENGER SIDE) THE PAST 13 MONTHS; THE HIGH BEAMS 3 TIMES (2 ON PASSENGER SIDE). HAD TO RUN ON HIGH BEAMS ONLY FOR APPROX 2 MONTHS CAUSE BOTH LOW BEAMS WENT OUT A COUPLE OF MONTHS AFTER REPLACING THEM. BEEN…"~222,222 mi, complaint #1704862
  2. #2

    steering electric assist

    88 unsafe

    88
    incidents
    Typical range: 75,500–142,500 mi

    Median 116,000 mi, based on 117 reports (25% had no usable mileage)

    • "VEHICLE (2012 MALIBU) WAS PURCHASED APRIL 2012 - STARTING JULY 2012 VEHICLE WOULD STALL GOING DOWN THE ROAD, WITH LOSS OF ENGINE, POWER ASSIST STEERING AND POWER ASSIST BRAKES. DEALER REPLACED NUMEROUS MODULES, BUT IT OCCURRED AGAIN IN SEPT 2012 (3 TIMES) THEN…"~1,100 mi, complaint #960685
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH AND WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP POSITION, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMIN…"~88,000 mi, complaint #1469926
    • "WAS DRIVING DOWN A CROOKED ROAD WHEN STEERING FELT LIKE IT LOCKED UP. BARELY MADE IT TO SIDE OF ROAD WITHOUT CRASHING. FLASHED ECS AND POWERSTEERING ON DASH. AFTER I RESTARTED THE ENGINE IT QUIT BUT DID IT AGAIN ABOUT A WEEK LATER BUT THE 2ND TIME IT DIDN'T QU…"~120,000 mi, complaint #1538824
    • "WHILE STOPPED THE STEERING WHEEL BEGINS TO CLICK, SHAKE, AND MOVE ON ITS OWN. THIS CONTINUES TO HAPPEN EVEN WORSE WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY MAKING IT HARDER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THERE ARE NO LIGHTS ON. MECHANIC BELIEVES IT MAY BE THE SENSOR IN THE MOTOR…"~141,000 mi, complaint #1456857
    • "STEERING MALFUNCTION WHILE DRIVING. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED MAKING IT HARD TO STEER THE VEHICLE. MESSAGE FOR ESC AND POWER STEERING CAME ON. THE STEERING WHEEL CONTINUES TO JERK AND TWITCH WHEN DRIVING. "~245,000 mi, complaint #1519100
  3. #3

    wiring harness

    9 stranded, 59 unsafe, 7 annoyance

    75
    incidents
    Typical range: 53,500–126,000 mi

    Median 86,000 mi, based on 93 reports (32% had no usable mileage)

    • "I'VE BEEN DEALING WITH MY CAR CUTTING ON AND OFF... I CHANGE MY FUEL PUMP I CHANGE THE SENSORS AND I'M STILLL HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR CUTTING OFF WHEN IT WANTS OR STARTING WHEN IT WANTS. I'M NOW ABOUT TO CHANGE MY FUSE BOX IN MY TRUNK TO SEE IF THAT WORKS.…"~20,000 mi, complaint #1543104
    • "IN JUNE 2014 CAR WOULDN'T START AFTER SITTING 4 HOURS TOWED IN SAID THEFT SYSTEM MADE NEW KEY WHICH I HAD TO PAY FOR, TOWED IN AGAIN 3 DAYS LATER SAME PROBLEM, STARTED FOR DEALER IN AM ANOTHER $120. 4 DAYS APPROX LATER AGAIN GOT TO WORK THEN WOULDN'T START.…"~65,000 mi, complaint #1114274
    • "AT 1ST MY CAR WOULDN'T CRANK EVERY SO OFTEN THEN STARTED GOING DRAG WHILE DRIVING I GOOGLED IT AND HAD TO BEAT ON FUSEBOX IN TRUNK OR WIGGLE WIRES SO HAD TO RUN WIRE STRAIGHT TO BATTERY TO FUEL PUMP. MY HEADLIGHTS ON DIM KEEP SHOOTING AND MY SPEAKERS WILL GO O…"~94,000 mi, complaint #1592794
    • "PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT CONNECTION BETWEEN BULB AND HARNESS KEEPS MELTING CAUSING HEADLIGHT TO NOT TURN ON. HAVE CHANGED OUT WIRING HARNESS MANY, MANY TIMES IN A YEAR."~130,000 mi, complaint #1637506
    • "GOT THE CAR FEW MONTHS AGO , CAR ONE DAY WOULDN'T START COULDN'T FIGURE OUT FINALLY FIGURED IT OUT, THE FUSE BOX IN MY TRUCK I CAN HIT IT AND THEN MY CAR STARTED JUST FINE IT HAPPENS ALOT TO WHERE I GOTTA HIT THE FUSE BOX IN MY TRUCK TO GET MY CAR STARTED THOU…"~175,000 mi, complaint #1600250
  4. #4

    stability and traction control

    1 stranded, 68 unsafe

    69
    incidents
    Typical range: 45,500–120,000 mi

    Median 83,500 mi, based on 124 reports (22% had no usable mileage)

    • "WHEN THE TRACTION CONTROL IS ENGAGED WHEN YOU TOUCH THE GAS PEDAL AFTER A COMPLETE STOP IF THERE IS A LIGHT COATING OF MOISTURE ON THE ROAD SURFACE THE VEHICLE WILL SLIDE TO THE RIGHT. THIS HAPPENS ALL OF THE TIME. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS ISSUE TO THE DEALERS A…"~500 mi, complaint #1109527
    • "WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH, SERVICE ECS LIGHT CAME ON, REDUCED POWER WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR CAME TO A FULL STALL."~55,000 mi, complaint #1490291
    • "DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND SERVICE ESC LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR STARTED LOSING POWER. DEALER SAID IT WAS A FAULTY STEERING ANGLE TORQUE SENSOR."~88,000 mi, complaint #1254142
    • "WHILE IN MOTION CAR JERKS AND ALMOST STALLS. ROUGH IDLE AGAIN JERKING AND ALMOST STALLING. SERVICE ESC / SERVICE TRACTION /ENGINE LIGHT COME ON. IF CAR IS NOT USED FOR A FEW DAYS, WARNING LIGHT WILL NOT COME ON. THEN ABOUT [REDACTED ADDRESS] LIGHTS COME ON A…"~112,000 mi, complaint #1494090
    • "SERVICE ESC, TRACTION CONTROL INACTIVE, LOSS OF POWER/SLUGGISH WHEN DRIVING OR STOPPED AT A LIGHT. CODE 13036"~223,000 mi, complaint #1522245
  5. #5

    airbag system

    60 unsafe, 2 annoyance

    62
    incidents
    Typical range: 33,000–100,000 mi

    Median 59,500 mi, based on 85 reports (25% had no usable mileage)

    • "MY 2012 CHEVY MALIBU HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SYSTEM. AT RANDOM TIMES THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT WILL TURN ON WHEN THE SEAT IS OCCUPIED (BY SOMEONE >120 LBS) ALSO AT THE SAME TIME IF THE PASSENGER UNBUCKLES THE SEAT BELT THE SEAT BELT WARN…"~4,000 mi, complaint #981669
    • "I WAS REAR ENDED AND THE STEERING WHEEL AND SHAFT COMPLETELY DISLODGED ONTO MY LAP .THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I WAS PUSHED APPROXIMATELY 150 FT. AND THERE WAS NO WAY I COULD HAVE STEERED IF THERE WAS ANOTHER VEHICLE COMING UP THE HIGHWAY. IF AIRBAG WOULD HAV…"~33,000 mi, complaint #1123365
    • "PURCHASED CAR IN SAC 7/29/14.DIDN'T USE FOR 5 DAYS-OUT OF TOWN. UPON RETURN, CAR STRUGGLED TO START. TOOK TO OUR MECHANIC- BATTERY LOW. HERTZ SALES REPLACED AT NO COST. DAUGHTER/DRIVER THE ONLY PERSON IN THE CAR. ON(8/5),SON, 5'9",125LBS. IN FRONT PASSENGER SE…"~59,340 mi, complaint #1100703
    • "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 [REDACTED ADDRESS] when a tractor-trailer…"~100,000 mi, complaint #2041866
    • "I WAS IN A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT AND WAS BIT ON THE DRIVER SIDE. THE IMPACT PUSHED IN THE DOORS AND THE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I WAS TRAVELING APPROX 30 MPH AND THE CAR RAN A STOP SIGN ON A CITY STREET."~165,000 mi, complaint #1568438
  6. #6

    engine stall or no start

    15 stranded, 32 unsafe

    47
    incidents
    Typical range: 65,000–114,500 mi

    Median 87,500 mi, based on 100 reports (15% had no usable mileage)

    • "I HAVE A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. MY LAST NOTE WAS DO ON 11-03 MY CAR HAS NOT BE RUNNING SENT OCTOBER IT BENIGN CUT OFF ON ME WHILE I'M DRIVING WHEN IT CUT OOF I TRY TO START IT BACK UP IN IT WANT STAY CRANK I HAVE TO WAIT FOR DAYS BE FOR IT START BACK UP I HA…"~1,066 mi, complaint #1523386
    • "I WAS DRIVING ON I-70 TO COLUMBUS & MY CAR STALLED. WOULD START UP AND IDLE, BUT SERVICE ESC & TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS CAME ON. AS SOON AS CAR GOT WARMED UP, WOULD STALL AGAIN. *TT"~65,000 mi, complaint #1057714
    • "VEHICLE HAS DIED ON ME 5 TIMES WHILE DRIVING.IN MOTION ONE MOMENT AND DEAD THE NEXT, SO FAR IT HAS DIED ON CITY STREETS, IVE GOTTEN LUCKY WITH IT NOT BEING ON THE HIGHWAY AS I TRAVEL THAT FREQUENTLY FOR WORK. IT HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF REPAIR SHOP FOR MULTIPLE…"~83,000 mi, complaint #1722498
    • "ENGINE STALLS WHEN SLOWING DOWN OR WAITING FOR TRAFFIC LIGHT. CALLED MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC CHECK. HE SAID ECS NOT FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY. I WAS 10 MILES FROM MY HOME WHEN THE CAR STARTED TO STALL AND IT STOPPED 6 TIMES BEFORE GETTING HOME. ENGINE HESITATED,…"~117,676 mi, complaint #1688778
    • "CAR WAS RUNNING ON FREEWAY AND LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING AND THEN CAR SO STALLED AND CAR DOESNT START ANYMORE"~231,518 mi, complaint #1648070
  7. #7

    seat mechanism

    27 unsafe, 3 broken, 1 annoyance

    31
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=24, median 68,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "THE WELD ON A BAR UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT BROKE WHILE I WAS DRIVING CAUSING THE DRIVER'S SEAT TO MOVE FORWARD AND TO THE RIGHT. THIS IS A 3 YR OLD VEHICLE WITH LOW MILEAGE IT SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN AND CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAD A PREVIOUS MAL…"~24,800 mi, complaint #1234095
    • "DRIVER'S SEAT BRACKET ON RIGHT SIDE HAS BROKEN AND SEAT IS WOBBLY AND LEANING ON THE CENTER CONSOLE. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2012 MALIBU (AND OTHER YEARS) AND ISN'T BEING COVERED BY WARRANTY. MANY PEOPLE ARE SAYING THIS IS A $1000 REPAIR…"~52,000 mi, complaint #1423036
    • "SEAT SUPPORT WELDS BROKEN PREMATURELY CAUSING SEAT TO MOVE UNSAFELY WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. IF SEAT WELDS BREAK WHILE DRIVING, IT COULD CAUSE THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CAUSE A COLLISION. IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISON, DRIVERS SEAT MAY COME…"~66,052 mi, complaint #1228714
    • "THE TRACK ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT IS BROKEN. THE SEAT MOVES ALL OVER AND HITS THE CENTER CONSOLE. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE AND IS A HUGE CONCERN. WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY."~103,000 mi, complaint #1398541
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT TRAC FRACTURED, WHICH CAUSED THE SEAT TO MOVE WHILE DRIVING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTU…"~178,000 mi, complaint #1437090
  8. #8

    other

    15 unsafe, 7 annoyance

    22
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=9)

    • "MY WIFE WAS DRIVING EAST DOWN HWY-40 TOWARD SALINA, KS. SHE HAD THE CRUISE CONTROL SET ON 60 MPH. SHE BEGAN TO HAVE A EPILEPTIC SEIZURE (SHE WAS CLEARED BY HER DOCTOR TO DRIVE PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT) AT THAT POINT THE CAR BEGAN TO SLOWLY DRIFT OF TO THE RIGHT…"~13,000 mi, complaint #942844
    • "I WAS REACHING OUT TO YOU BECAUSE OF THIS RECALL LETTER THAT I RECEIVED ON MY CAR. RECALL 13036. I BELIEVE THAT I WAS SOLD A LEMON. IT SHOULD NOT BE MY RESPONSIBILITY TO CONT. TO MAKE PAYMENTS ON A CAR THAT IS NOT AT THE QUALITY THAT I BELIEVE I WAS PURCHASIN…"~19,264 mi, complaint #1088921
    • "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 C…"~53,000 mi, complaint #1298976
    • "WELDS HAVE BROKEN ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE DRIVERS SIDE CAUSING IT TO LEAN AND TILT TO THE SIDE. IT IS UNSAFE TO SUPPORT A PERSON AND COULD CAUSE ADDITIONAL BACK INJURY WHILE DRIVING. "~54,963 mi, complaint #1216346
    • "The contact owns a Chicco Kidfit quipped in 2012 Chevy Malibu. The contact stated that the harness strap that's on the base of the car seat became loose when he made a turn. The car seat was not inspected. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate fa…"~200,000 mi, complaint #1819057
  9. #9

    control module

    1 stranded, 17 unsafe

    18
    incidents
    Typical range: 49,500–136,000 mi

    Median 73,000 mi, based on 25 reports (40% had no usable mileage)

    • "WHILE DRIVING ON A STATE HIGHWAY, I HAD A NUMBER OF FUNCTIONS STOP WORKING. THE PROBLEM COULD COME AND GO FOR A WEEK BEFORE IT HAPPENED ON ALL IGNITION CYCLES. NOTE, THE PROBLEM COULD EVEN COME AND GO ON 1 IGNITION CYCLE. THE FOLLOWING STOPPED WORKING: WINDS…"~3,500 mi, complaint #959284
    • "I WAS SITTING IN PARKING LOT WITH CAR IN OFF STATE LISTENING TO RADIO WHEN IT WAS TIME TO LEAVE MY DASH LIGHTS FLICKERED, SYMBOLS WENT IN/OUT, CAR WOULDN'T START. HAD TO TOW HOME"~57,500 mi, complaint #1202877
    • "CAR RANDOMLY NOT STARTING HAD SOLENOIDS REPLACED AND FUEL PUMP. IT STARTED A FEW TIMES THEN WOULDN'T START ACTS LIKE IT'S GOING TO BUT NOT GETTING ENOUGH FUEL. HAD DIAGNOSTIC READING DONE WHEN IT WAS DOING THIS THE CODE READING WAS VEHICLE SUBMERSION. THE MECH…"~73,000 mi, complaint #1358811
    • "2012 MALIBU ESC WARNING LIGHT, TRACTION CONTROL GOES ON. BRAKE LIGHT STAYS ON WHILE DRIVING. WHEN I STOP AT LIGHT OR STOP SIGN NO BRAKE LIGHT. HAVE ALMOST BEEN HIT FROM BEHIND AT STOPLIGHT. IF I STOP AND SHUT CAR OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES IT WILL START WITHOUT WAR…"~108,000 mi, complaint #1714613
    • "ESC WARNING ON DASH COMING ON WILL DRIVING AND TURNING FORWARD OR BACKWARD. HVAC CONTROLLER NOT RESPONDING TO COMMANDS, HVAC RESISTOR AND BLOWER MOTOR WIRES GETTING VERY HOT AND NOT BLOWING FUSES WHEN DRIVING WITH AC OR HEATER RUNNING. HVAC RESISTOR BLOWING O…"~150,000 mi, complaint #1677939
  10. #10

    brake hydraulics

    16 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    17
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=22, median 34,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 15 MPH, HE TRIED TO APPLY THE BRAKES AT WHICH TIME AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF EFFORT HAD TO BE APPLIED AND A LOUD CRACKING NOISE COULD BE HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT END. THE VEH…"~1,800 mi, complaint #949192
    • "ON TWO SEPARATED OCCASIONS I HAVE HAD TO MAKE A HARD STOP. AFTER THESE STOPS MY BRAKES BECOME VERY SOFT AND LOW. I COULD NOT DRIVE ON FREEWAYS OR HIGHWAYS BECAUSE MY BRAKES WERE TOO WEAK AND TOO LOW TO STOP THE CAR AT THOSE SPEEDS.. AFTER THE FIRST OCCASION I…"~17,000 mi, complaint #1063325
    • "WAS DRIVING ON LAKE SHORE DRIVING WHEN I HAD TO SLOW DOWN ONLY TO HAVE TO PUSH THE BAKES DOWN TO THE FLOOR AND THAT SHOULD NOT BE. THIS HAS HAPPEN A LOT AND I HAVE NOT HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR A YEAR YET. NOW I'M SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR. *TR"~50,000 mi, complaint #1063958
    • "TRAVELING ABOUT 40 MILES PER HOUR ON I-17 SB IN PHOENIX. VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME HIT BRAKES SUDDENLY. WHEN I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES,IT DIDN'T FEEL LIKE MY BRAKES WERE WORKING PROPERLY. BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, DIDN'T SEEM TO BE STOPPING CAR. FEL…"~78,000 mi, complaint #1389120
    • "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 S…"~111,100 mi, complaint #1283357
  11. #11

    power steering hydraulic

    16 unsafe

    16
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=18, median 130,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "WE PURCHASED A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU SEPT. 2014 AND IT HAS BEEN SERVICED 3 X DUE TO THE POWER STEERING LOCKING UP WHILE DRIVING AND FAILURE TO START SEVERAL TIMES. THE CAR WOULD CHIME AND THE GAUGES WOULD ALL DROP TO 0 AND THE ENGINE LIGHT, POWER STEERING, LO…"~51,800 mi, complaint #1197779
    • "MY POWER STEERING IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. I HAVE TO TURN THE CAR ON AND OFF FOR THE POWER STEERING TO WORK. THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES AND THE ESC IS ON."~99,600 mi, complaint #1548339
    • "POWER STEERING FAILURE. POWER STEERING MOTOR/MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACE."~134,500 mi, complaint #1546699
    • ""POWER STEERING" MESSAGE COMES ON RANDOMLY AND THE POWER STEERING GOES DEAD WHILE I'M DRIVING. THIS SEEMS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS MALIBU AND SHOULD BE A RECALL. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THIS HAS OCCURRED IN APRIL 2020 AND MUL…"~154,000 mi, complaint #1661925
    • "POWER STEERING WENT OUT DRIVER THE [REDACTED ADDRESS]. LOCKED UP AND ALMOST WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO FAULTY POWER STEERING."~189,000 mi, complaint #1549324
  12. #12

    steering rack mechanical

    16 unsafe

    16
    incidents
    Typical range: 53,000–119,000 mi

    Median 74,000 mi, based on 30 reports (29% had no usable mileage)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE WANDERED OUT OF LANE INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO…"~16,000 mi, complaint #1109366
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A GUARDRAIL. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOY…"~52,979 mi, complaint #1172147
    • "WAS ACTUALLY DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AROUND THE CORNER FROM THE PLACE I RESIDE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE WHEEL STARTED TO JERK VIOLENTLY WHICH CAUSED US TO DRIVE INTO A CURB , CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO DRIVE UP ONTO A CURB FLATTENING BOTH SIDES OF THE RIGHT SIDE OF…"~93,875 mi, complaint #1546726
    • "WELL WHILE TURNING ON MY STREET THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND ESC LIGHT CAME ON WHICH ALMOST CAUSE ME TO HIT MY NEIGHBOR FENCE AND CAR TRYING TO TURN..I WAS VERY SCARED HAD CAR PUT IN SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME STEERING WAS GONE OUT..I DIDNT NO ABOUT THIS RECALL…"~120,000 mi, complaint #1551527
    • "AS TIME IS GOING ON THE STEERING IS GETTING LESS CONTROLLABLE. I HAVE YET TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT BUT I CAN FEEL THE CAR SWERVING A BIT WHEN I'M STEERING (SWERVING I DIDN'T DO). I LOOKED UP MY VIN ON ISEECARS.COM TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL AT ALL WITH THE ST…"~152,000 mi, complaint #1718590
  13. #13

    transmission automatic

    11 unsafe

    11
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=16, median 35,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "WHILE DRIVING CAR HAVE NOTICED THAT IT SHIFTS HARD EITHER UP OR DOWN. THIS HAS HAPPENED TOO MANY TIMES TO COUNT. ALSO CAR FEELS LIKE IT IS TRYING TO STALL AND I CAN NOT ACCELERATE. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES ONCE ON A VERY BUSY INTERSECTION IN MY CITY. HA…"~1,000 mi, complaint #1052560
    • "TRANSMISSION CONSTANTLY SLIPS, WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE IT DOES NOT CATCH UP AND REVS REALLY HIGH. TRANSMISSION HAS LOCKED UP ONCE AND IT HAS BEEN REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP; HOWEVER THAT ISSUE STILL HAPPENS ON A REGULAR BASIS. 2012 MALIBU LT, I WOULD LIKE TH…"~18,000 mi, complaint #1069890
    • "MY CAR WON'T GO WHEN STEPPING ON THE GAS PEDDLE IN DRIVE. WHEN I STOP AT THE LIGHT OR TO BRAKE THE CAR WON'T GO WHEN PUSHING THE GAS PEDDLE IN DRIVE IT DOESN'T DO ANYTHING. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED 2X DUE TO THIS ISSUE. I ONLY HAVE 67K MILES ON THIS CAR. I'…"~67,000 mi, complaint #1335702
    • "WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON AFTER IT FAILED. IN MOTION."~81,000 mi, complaint #1373672
    • "THE CAR STRUGGLES TO PICK UP SPEED. THE RPMS GO UP TO BETWEEN 4 AND 5 AND IT DOESNT SHIFT WHEN IT SHOULD. IT STRUGGLES ACCELERATING TO GO UP HILLS. THE SAME RPM ISSUE HAPPENS NO MATTER IF CAR WAS JUST STARTED OR HAD BEEN RUNNING FOR LONG TIME. THE CHECK EN…"~112,000 mi, complaint #1609565
  14. #14

    wiper and washer

    8 unsafe, 1 broken, 2 annoyance

    11
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=10, median 99,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE OTHER DAY WHILE IT WAS RAINING AND MY WIPERS STOPPED WORKING HAD IT LOOKED AT AND MY SMALL ARM ON MY LINKAGE DISCONNECTED DUE TO RUST ON THE BALL JOINT I LOOKED CONTACTED GM THEY KNEW NOTHING ABOUT IT BUT I GOOGLED IT AND IM NO…"~75,700 mi, complaint #1418857
    • "WHILE DRIVING IN SNOW ON 12/23/17, MY WIPERS QUIT WORKING. THE SNOW WAS LARGE FLAKES THAT TURNED TO WATER WHEN THEY HIT THE WINDSHIELD, SO IT WAS LIKE RAIN. I WAS ON THE OHIO TURNPIKE, SO RATE OF SPEED WAS FAST. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER. I COULD…"~94,000 mi, complaint #1438942
    • "I WAS DRIVING ON THE OHIO TURNPIKE IN A WET SNOW, AND MY WIPERS QUIT WORKING. SO I PULLED TO THE SHOULDER TO TRY TO GET THEM TO START UP AGAIN AND THEY WOULD NOT. SO I HAD TO CALL A TOW COMPANY BECAUSE IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE, AND WAS TOWED TO A TRUCK STOP. I W…"~98,000 mi, complaint #1457760
    • "IN 2016 THE WIPER MOTOR WENT UP AND I HAD IT REPLACED AT A CHEVY DEALERSHIP AND AGAIN IN 2019 THE WIPER MOTOR WENT UP AGAIN. I CAN LOAD UP THE DOCUMENTS IF NEEDED."~103,000 mi, complaint #1566128
    • "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…"~548,250 mi, complaint #1267565
  15. #15

    engine internal

    1 stranded, 9 unsafe

    10
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=13, median 33,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "DRIVING INTO TOWN, ALERTED BY PEDESTRIAN THAT MY CAR WAS ON FIRE UNDERNEATH. EVERYTHING FAILED, WHILE I TRIED TO PULL OFF THE ROADWAY. HAD TO KICK OUT THE WINDOW TO GET OUT. WHEN I BARELY GOT OUT, THE ENTIRE CAR WAS IN FULL BLAZE. *TR"~7,000 mi, complaint #1146891
    • "STOP AT LIGHT, KNOCKING NOISE STARTS & HESITATION AT NEXT LIGHT. A MILE LATER, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON.CODES P00011,P00014 P00366- FROM DEALERSHIP #1. HAD PREVIOUS ENGINE WORK DONE UNDER WARRANTY (WHICH DEARLERSHIP #1 TRIED TO CHARGE ME $400. UNTIL I PRESS…"~33,300 mi, complaint #1435838
    • "NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. I'M TRYING TO FIND OUT WHERE TO FILE COMPLAINTS ABOUT MANUFACTURING ISSUES TO START A RECALL. MY MALIBU DIDN'T START ONE AFTER WORK TOWED IT TO MECHANIC. HE SAID IT DIDN'T HAVE OIL PRESSURE. HE OPENED UP THE ENGINE AND FOUND PIECES OF O RI…"~90,000 mi, complaint #1537388
    • "I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2012 MALIBU LT, WHICH IS HAVING THE SAME ISSUES, AS WAS REPORT; MAR 26, 2019 - KAUFMAN, TX - ENGINE WHEN DRIVING OR SITTING AT IDLE NOT MOVING SERVICE ESC AND TRACTION CONTROL FLASHES ON DASH. WHICH IS CAUSING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO S…"~134,924 mi, complaint #1656662
    • "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."~147,000 mi, complaint #1465511
  16. #16

    fuel pump

    3 stranded, 7 unsafe

    10
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=10, median 104,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "DROVE TO WORK AFTER WORK CAME GOT INTO CAR WILL NOT START SO CALL THE MECHANIC TO COME HELP ME AND HE TOOK IT TO SHOP AND SAID SOMETHING GOING ON WITH THE FUSE BOX AND FUEL PUMP CAN'T FIGURE IT OUT DONE THIS MORE THAN ONE TIME HAVE TO OPEN TRUNK TOUCHED THE…"~43,750 mi, complaint #1413782
    • "THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I AM REPORTING THIS CAR AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO UNTIL SOMETHING IS DONE ABOUT IT! I HAVE PUT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS INTO THIS CAR ALL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, AS HAS MANY OTHERS. THERE ARE STARTING AND STOPPING ISSUES RELATED TO THE WIRIN…"~76,000 mi, complaint #1710676
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIANS DIAGNOSED THE FUEL PUMP MAIN CIRCUIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE…"~93,695 mi, complaint #1182729
    • "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 AN…"~111,000 mi, complaint #1650677
    • "MY CAR WOULD TURN BUT NOT START SO I CHANGED THE FUEL PUMP. IT WAS STARTED FOR LIKE 5 DAYS THEN IT STARTED AGAIN WOULD TURN OVER BUT NOT START SO WE CHANGE THE FUEL BOX IN THE TRUNK. WORKED FOR LIKE A WEEK AND IT STARTED ACTING AGAIN. TOOK IT TO THE CHEVROLET…"~112,000 mi, complaint #1549236
  17. #17

    hv system fault reduced power

    1 stranded, 9 unsafe

    10
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=16, median 61,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "VEHICLE HAS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON AND REDUCED POWER KICKS IN WITH NO WARNING. VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN AT SPEED ON HIGHWAYS WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND AUTOMATICALLY SLOWS TO 40 MPH. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND REPAIRS MADE THE FIRST 2 TIM…"~3,000 mi, complaint #1035869
    • "THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND A CODE READ ENGINE POWER REDUCED SERVICE ESC. MY CAR WAS SHAKING AND WOULD NOT GAIN SPEED. I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO MAKE IT OFF THE HIGHWAY AND STOPPED TO SEE IF I COULD FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG. COULD NOT SEE ANYTHING WRONG. WE GOT…"~37,000 mi, complaint #1218505
    • "I WAS DRIVING 45 THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT, AND ALL OF SUDDEN THE CAR CHIMED 4-5 TIMES AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AS WELL AS THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT AND THEN I WENT FROM 45 TO ABOUT 15 QUICK AND IT NOW SAYS ENGINE POWER REDUCED. THERE WASN'…"~61,308 mi, complaint #1181822
    • "WHILE DRIVING THE CAR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WARMING MESSAGE READ ENGINE POWER REDUCE ESC AND SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL.. THE CAR SHOOK AND DROPPED DOWN TO 30 MPH WHILE I WAS ON HIGHWAY ..I WAS BARELY ABLE TO GET TO SIDE OF HIGHWAY .. I WAITED A…"~110,000 mi, complaint #1496947
    • "I WAS DRIVING ON FREEWAY AND CAR WENT INTO ENGINE POWER REDUCE MODE, RAPIDLY SLOWED DOWN TO 35 MILES AN HOUR."~180,000 mi, complaint #1705688
  18. #18

    key fob and immobilizer

    3 stranded, 5 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    9
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "I HAVE A 2012 CHEVROLET MAILBU WHERE THE KEY IS GETTING STUCK IN THE IGNITION. REALLY HARD TO GET OFF OF ACC WITHOUT JIGGLING GEAR SHIFTER AND TURNING WHEELS. THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES. THERE IS A RECALL ALREADY INITIATED BUT NOT FOR MY YEAR OF CAR! *TR"~56,000 mi, complaint #1116511
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FAILED TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT LOCKSMITH WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A METAL PIECE INSIDE THE IGNITION CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURE…"~60,000 mi, complaint #1146938
    • "MY CAR WILL RANDOMLY NOT START WITH NO ENGINE CODES. IT APPEARS TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE KEY INSERT ALSO SAYS ANTI-THEFT. MOSTLY WHEN I AM PARKED"~62,210 mi, complaint #1400474
    • "THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM RANDOMLY ACTIVATES AND SHUTS DOWN THE CAR. IT PREVENTS ME FROM STARTING THE CAR. IT USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN I AM TRYING TO START THE CAR BUT I'VE READ POSTS ABOUT IT HAPPENING WHILE PEOPLE ARE DRIVING. *TR"~140,000 mi, complaint #1670189
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE BATTERY WAS JUMPSTARTED BY THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JAMES CORLEW CHEVROLET ([REDACTED ADDRESS], CL…"~180,000 mi, complaint #1506177
  19. #19

    throttle and pedal

    9 unsafe

    9
    incidents
    Typical range: 58,000–110,000 mi

    Median 98,500 mi, based on 48 reports (8% had no usable mileage)

    • "WHILE LIFTING OFF FROM FULL ACCELERATION, THE THROTTLE PEDAL HAD BEEN FULLY DEPRESSED, THE RIGHT SIDE TOE AREA OF MY RIGHT SHOE ( A TENNIS SHOE) BECAME WEDGED BETWEEN THE THROTTLE PEDAL AND THE SHARPLY CURVED RIGHT SIDE PANEL OF THE FOOT BOX, THE RESULT WAS T…"~12,600 mi, complaint #952251
    • "EXPERIENCING ERRATIC THROTTLE RESPONSE TIME AND HARD TRANSMISSION SHIFTS. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED YOU DON'T KNOW IF THE RESPONSE WILL BE IMMEDIATE OR DELAYED. THE INCONSISTENT DELAYS IN THE THROTTLE RESPONSE TIME POSE A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR"~30,000 mi, complaint #961651
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE ENGINE POWERING DOWN AND THE LOW TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT MENTIONE…"~82,000 mi, complaint #1067902
    • "VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AT ABOUT [REDACTED ADDRESS] 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 ABO…"~96,000 mi, complaint #1436049
    • "WHILE DRIVING I NOTICED MY LIGHTS SHOWING ENGINE POWER REDUCED FROM MY UNDERSTANDING THIS IS THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR."~115,000 mi, complaint #1490045
  20. #20

    seatbelt and pretensioner

    7 unsafe

    7
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "MY HUSBAND AND WERE TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND ON I-95 AROUND WILMINGTON DE. TRAFFIC HAD COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, WE WERE AT A STANDSTILL WHEN WE WERE REAR-ENDED IN A FIVE CAR / TWO TRACTOR TRAILER PILE UP. MY HUSBAND, SEAT BELTED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, STRUCK HIS…"~15,500 mi, complaint #1085649
    • "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…"~32,000 mi, complaint #1278224
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE TURNING THE VEHICLE AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT BEGAN TO MOVE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SLEEVE COVERING THE FLEXIBLE STEEL CABLES WERE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED.…"~48,000 mi, complaint #1193361
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT PREVIOUSLY RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V269000 (SEAT BELTS). THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO TERRE HAUTE CHEVROLET ([REDACTED ADDRESS] 41, TERRE HAUTE, IN 47802) AND HAD THE R…"~143,000 mi, complaint #1697553
    • "The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while using the driver's side seat belt, the attachment on the seat belt fractured. The seat belt became inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local…"~180,000 mi, complaint #1947683
  21. #21

    steering column

    6 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    7
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE NOISE COULD BE HEARD MORE WHILE DRIVING OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINA…"~50,000 mi, complaint #1447606
    • "BAD STEERING COLUMN PARTS. STEERING WHEEL SHAKES WHEN STATIONARY. SOMETIMES POWERSTEERING DOES NOT WORK."~90,000 mi, complaint #1735660
    • "I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON A CITY ROAD AND MY STEERING STOPPED WORKING. THANKFULLY I WASN'T TOO FAR FROM HOME SO I DID GET HOME SAFELY. I HAD IT TOWED TO A (XXXX) DEALERSHIP BECAUSE MY MECHANIC SAID THAT MY WARRANTY SHOULD COVER IT AND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL. TH…"~110,000 mi, complaint #1552652
    • "THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT AND MOTOR FAILED. I WAS ALMOST KILLED. THEY SAID IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER ANY RECALL OR EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE PART NUMBER IS 20821325. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER MALIBU. NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS ON THE 2012"~138,500 mi, complaint #1639913
  22. #22

    timing belt or chain

    1 stranded, 5 unsafe, 1 broken

    7
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "TIMING CHAIN CAME OFF @ 75K MILES. CALLED GM. THEY WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. KEPT TELLING ME TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER. I ALREADY HAD IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND CAN'T AFFORD TO TOW IT SOMEWHERE ELSE. JUST DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE CHAIN CAME OFF. I…"~75,000 mi, complaint #1600177
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START-UP WITH AN ABNORMAL CLUNKING AND BANGING SOUND COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN WAS SLIGHTLY DETAC…"~85,000 mi, complaint #1703359
    • "TIMING CHAIN JUST CAME OFF AT 86000 MILES. DRIVING FINE UNTIL ENGINE RPM SLOWED TO IDLE SPEED THEN SHUT OFF. WAS UNABLE TO START AND STRANDED. NO CODES OR WARNING. LUCKILY THIS HAPPENED IN A PARKING LOT BUT COULD HAVE EASILY HAPPENED ON A HIGHWAY."~86,000 mi, complaint #1622259
    • "TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. VEHICLE HAS 102,000 MILES ON IT"~102,000 mi, complaint #1549565
    • "VEHICLE STARTED IDLING ROUGH BUT RAN GOOD ON THE INTERSTATE OR SPEEDS ABOVE 40 MPH. CHECKED TIMING CHAINS. CHAINS WERE LOOSE AND JUMPED TIME."~109,655 mi, complaint #1467029
  23. #23

    acceleration loss or hesitation

    6 unsafe

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "I HAVE TO PRESS GAS PEDAL DOWN MORE THEN NEEDED AS IT FEELS CAR LACKS POWER. TO GO UP A HILL IT LAGS I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PRESS ON PETAL HARDER TO GO. *TR"~600 mi, complaint #1076749
    • "I WAS TURNING ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND WHEN I PUSHED THE GAS PEDAL THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT DELAY. I ALWAYS MAKE SURE I HAVE PLENTY OF TIME WHEN PULLING ONTO THE STREET BUT THIS COULD BECOME A MAJOR ISSUE WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE A 3 YEAR OLD SON AND I DO NOT WANT TO…"~16,111 mi, complaint #1002469
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO DEAN ARBOUR FORD LINCOLN (1001 US-23, ALPENA, MI 49707, [REDACTED PHONE]) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOS…"~68,000 mi, complaint #1563125
  24. #24

    starter

    2 stranded, 3 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "I WAS TRYING TO REMOTE START MY 2012 MALIBU IN THE MORNING BUT IT DIDN'T START. INSTEAD MY CAR WAS DOING A CLICKING NOISE AND MY HEADLIGHTS WHERE BLINKING. ONCE THAT STOPPED I WAS ABLE TO UNLOCK MY CAR AND THEN MY CAR WOULDN'T START AND THE ANTI THEFT LOCK LIG…"~58,000 mi, complaint #1218321
    • "AFTER COMING HOME FROM A BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT SHUT OFF MY CAR ON SATURDAY NIGHT ON SUNDAY MORNING WHEN I WENT TO GET IN MY VEHICLE TO DRIVE TO WORK IT WOULD NOT START. LET VEHICLE SIT ALL DAY SUNDAY THEN ON MONDAY TRIED AGAIN STILL WOULD NOT START AND THE CHE…"~59,000 mi, complaint #1182212
    • "EARLY OCTOBER 2014 I BEGIN TO SMELL A BURNING PLASTIC SMELL AFTER CAR IS STOPPED. SELF INSPECTION FOUND NOTHING, MECHANIC INSPECTION FOUND NOTHING. AROUND JANUARY I TOOK CAR IN FOR BRAKE LIGHT RECALL, HAD SERVICE TECH INSPECT; SAID THEY FOUND A MELTED BAG ON E…"~62,000 mi, complaint #1171865
    • "I WAS DRIVING ON A SIDE ROAD, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR JUST SHUT DOWN AND I COASTED TO A STOP. I WAS STRANDED IN A TURN LANE FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES. DURING WHICH TIME I HAD ALREADY CALLED A TOW TRUCK AS I COULD NOT GET MY CAR STARTED AGAIN. AFTER THE 20 MI…"~66,000 mi, complaint #1084619
    • "CAR WILL NOT START UNLESS YOU MESS WITH THE FUSE BOX IN THE TRUNK, ANYWHERE THE CAR SHUTS OFF, CAR SHUTS OFF WHILE IDLING AT A LIGHT OR STOP SIGN AND YOU HAVE TO GET OUT IN TRAFFIC AND MESS WITH THE FUSE BOX AND WIRES IN THE TRUNK TILL IT STARTS, STARTED OFF B…"~110,000 mi, complaint #1465197
  25. #25

    wheel or rim

    6 unsafe

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "WHILE DRIVING OUT OF PARKING GARAGE GOING MINIMAL SPEED, MY RIGHT REAR PASSENGER WHEEL DISLOCATED FROM MY VEHICLE. AFTER GETTING IT TO A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP AND FURTHER INSPECTION, LOOKS LIKE THE VEHICLE WAS ORIGINALLY ASSEMBLED WITH ONLY 2 OF THE NEEDED 4 B…"~25,500 mi, complaint #1027828
    • "THE PLASTIC-COVERED LUG NUTS ON MY 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU DO NOT STAY TIGHT AGAINST THE WHEELS. THE OEM LUG NUTS VIBRATE LOOSE AND NEED TO BE CHECKED PERIODICALLY (I.E., MONTHLY). LOOSE LUG NUTS ARE A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD. I WAS UNABLE TO OBTAIN REPLA…"~27,680 mi, complaint #1091893
    • " I HAVE HAD TWO RIM CRACK. THIS LEADS TO AIR PRESSURE LOSS. THE TIRE STORE THAT I GO. LES SCHWAB SAID THEY HAVE SEEN I ALREADY BOUGHT ONE NEW RIM. NOW I NEED ANOTHER ONE. I ASKED THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THEYHAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THESE WHEELS. I DON'T BELIE…"~52,000 mi, complaint #1171515
    • "CRACK IN THE WELD AT ONE OF THE SPOKES WHERE IT IS CONNECTED TO THE WHEEL. SO FAR 3 OF THE 4 WHEELS HAVE FAILED."~100,000 mi, complaint #1346767
    • "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 spok…"~200,160 mi, complaint #1838659
  26. #26

    door latch and hinge

    4 unsafe, 1 broken

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "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.…"~3,000 mi, complaint #1281466
    • "PASSENGER DOOR WON'T OPEN. DOOR LOCK GOES UP UND DOWN MANUALLY AND WITH POWER LOCK BUTTON OR FOB, DOOR WON'T OPEN. MANY REPORTS ONLINE OF THIS ISSUE. DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT."~65,000 mi, complaint #1358762
    • "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 REA…"~80,000 mi, complaint #1472792
    • "DRIVERS DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM EITHER INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE"~117,500 mi, complaint #1513575
    • "THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WILL LOCK AND UNLOCK BUT NOT OPEN"~135,574 mi, complaint #1640169
  27. #27

    glass and windshield

    5 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK. IT WAS 57 DEGREES OUTSIDE SO I TURNED MY REAR DEFROST ON. AFTER ABOUT 5MIN OF MY DEFROST BEING ON, MY BACK WINDOW COMPLETELY EXPLODED. IM NOT SURE IF THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE DEFROSTER OR WHAT BUT THERE WAS NO VISIBLE DAMAGE TO ANYTHIN…"~9,600 mi, complaint #987086
    • "I HAD MY REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER ON BECAUSE IT WAS A RAINY, HUMID NIGHT IT WAS ON FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES AND THEN MY REAR WINDOW SHATTERED. THERE WAS NO OTHER DAMAGE TO THE CAR EXCEPT FOR THE WINDOW. *TR"~23,000 mi, complaint #1022201
    • "BACK WINDSHIELD SHATTERED WHILE SITTING STILL."~75,641 mi, complaint #1517419
    • "CAR WAS PARKED WITH REAR DEFOGGER AND HEAT RUNNING, LOUD EXPLOSION CRACKING NOISE AND THE REAR WINDSHIELD HAD EXPLODED INTO SPIDERWEBS. GOT OUT OF THE CAR TO INSPECT THE DAMAGE -- OTHER PEOPLE PARKED SAW THE INCIDENT AND NO ONE SAW ANYTHING HIT THE WINDSHIELD…"~76,000 mi, complaint #1025935
    • "PARKED IN AN INTERSECTION OLD HWY US 301 OCALA FLORIDA WHEELS TURNED LEFT WHICH WAS DARK AND POORLY LIT BY THE CITY. NO ORANGE LIGHTS ONTO A MAJOR THIN 2 LANE INTERSECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS BRAKED DURING THE LEFT TURN SOUTH POSITION. THE FRONT HOOD IN THE MIDD…"~175,000 mi, complaint #1411486
  28. #28

    battery and charging

    1 stranded, 3 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "MY CAR CAN RUN FOR A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME AND THE BATTERY WILL DIE RANDOMLY. MY HEADLIGHT CONSTANTLY CUT OFF AND INTERIOR MY HOT AN COLD LEVEL STAY DOWN ON A REGLAR DAY. THE AC BLOWS OUT COLD AIR WHEN ON HEAT OR IT WILL JUST BLOW AIR. MY CAR WILL JUST STIFEN…"~35,000 mi, complaint #1509169
    • "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 SIMULTANEO…"~47,607 mi, complaint #1294575
    • "I HAVE A 2012 CHEVY MALIBU THAT DOES NOT START AFTER SITTING FOR FIVE MINUTES. NO POWER AT ALL IN VEHICLE. JUST AS SOON AS I PUT ON JUMPER CABLES ON, IT WILL START WITH NO PROBLEMS. I HAD BATT AND ALT TESTED. THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THOSE PARTS. WHAT…"~55,000 mi, complaint #1009830
    • "I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ONE MORNING GOING ABOUT 30MPH AND CAR JUST LOST ALL POWER , COULD NOT STEER THE CAR, PULLED OFF ROAD, WAITED ABOUT 20 MINUTES AND CAR STARTED BACK WITH NO PROBLEMS, THEN A FEW DAYS AGO WENT OUT TO START CAR AND WOULD NOT START, THE INSTRU…"~67,000 mi, complaint #1393264
  29. #29

    engine head gasket

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AS THE HOOD COLLAPSED AND FOLDED IN TWO WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE, THE HEADL…"~59,000 mi, complaint #1160373
    • "MY VEHICLE HAS 86,200 MILES ON IT AND I HAVE TO HAVE BOTH HEADS REBUILT BECAUSE OF A BURNT EXHAUST VALVE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD MULTIPLE TIMES THAT THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING AT THIS LOW MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE IDLES REALLY ROUGH WHEN IN PARK OR NOT…"~85,000 mi, complaint #1661961
    • "I HAVE TO REPLACE MY HEADLIGHTS EVERY TWO WEEKS AND HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE PLUG OUTLET. NOTICED THAT IT IS MELTING THE PLASTIC. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A YEAR NOW. NOW IT WILL NOT WORK IT HAS HAPPENED ON BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE. ALSO HAVE HAD MY CAM…"~99,000 mi, complaint #1516393
    • "The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, the temperature gauge began to indicate the vehicle was overheating after which the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadwa…"~113,000 mi, complaint #2054368
  30. #30

    instrument cluster

    2 unsafe, 2 annoyance

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTS TURN ON AND OFF. *JS"~39,000 mi, complaint #1075391
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS ABOVE 40 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING FAILED TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED AS THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LASORSA CHEVROLET BUICK DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WIT…"~65,000 mi, complaint #1384145
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WAS FAULTY AND WOULD NOT DISPLAY THE CORRECT DATA. PAT O'BRIEN CHEVROLET ([REDACTED ADDRESS], MEDINA, OH 44256, [REDACTED PHONE]) DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER…"~77,100 mi, complaint #1564271
  31. #31

    abs module

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "I'M HAVING PROBLEM WITH BRAKE PEDAL SENSOR - REPLACED TWICE ALREADY - WHILE DRIVING HIT BRAKES ERROR MESSAGE SERVICE ABS SERVICE TRACTION CRUISE CONTROL WANT DISENGAGE ALSO NOTICED THAT I COULD MOVE THE GEAR OUT OF PARK WITH OUT PUSHING THE BRAKE PEDAL A…"~10,856 mi, complaint #1478771
    • "MY SON WAS DRIVING MY CAR DOWN A TWO LANE HIGHWAY. IT HAD BEEN MISTING RAIN AND THE ROAD WAS SLIGHTLY DAMP... APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION HE REDUCED HIS SPEED TO APPROX 40 MPH. TWO CARS AHEAD OF HIM SLAMMED ON BREAKS WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGED TO YELLOW. THIS CAUS…"~43,540 mi, complaint #1094770
    • "THE LIGHTS RANDOMLY COME ON THEN THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WILL START TO ACT UP WHEN I GO TO STOP AS IF I WAS TO SLIDE ON ICE BUT I'M NOT I'M ON DRY PAVEMENT. ON CITY STREET."~83,997 mi, complaint #1542565
  32. #32

    brake pads and rotors

    2 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "WHEN I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM MAC HAIK CHEVROLET IN 2012 WITH 30MILES ON IT. IT DROVE GREAT FOR THE FIRST 3 MONTHS. THEN WHEN I WOULD REVERSE THE CAR TO LEAVE I WOULD HERE A NOISE ON THE RIGHT REAR OF THE CAR. SO I TOOK OFF THINKING IT WAS THE RAIN THAT C…"~1,000 mi, complaint #1087261
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FRONT ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT…"~42,700 mi, complaint #1089594
  33. #33

    exhaust system

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD CAUSES CARBON MONOXIDE FUMES TO ENTER THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT CAUSING ILLNESS. SYMTOMS INCLUDE, DIZZINESS, NAUSEA, HEADACHE, WATERING EYES, RUNNY NOSE. A DEFINITE HEALTH RISK."~79,000 mi, complaint #1534201
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKED IN HALF AND CAUSED EXHAUST FUMES TO ENTER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD HIMSELF. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEH…"~100,000 mi, complaint #1522515
  34. #34

    fuel tank and lines

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "WHILE TRANSPORTING SCHOOL AGED PASSENGERS IN MY CAR DURING THE HEAVY MORNING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC, MY CAR STARTING DECELERATING WITHOUT ANY TYPE OF PRIOR WARNING SIGNS. NO ICON LIGHTS (I.E. CHECK ENGINE, BATTERY, ETC.) ON THE DASHBOARD CAME ON TO INDICATE THAT T…"~77,000 mi, complaint #1344004
    • "WHEN FILLING GAS INTO TANK FLOW IS RESTRICTED TO THE POINT FUEL GUSHES OUT ONTO GROUND AND PERSON. SOME INTERNAL BLOCKAGE SLOWS ENTRY. HEARD SIMILAR FROM OTHER OWNERS. OCCURS ON EVERY FILLING. FIRE HAZZARD!"~120,000 mi, complaint #1341364
    • "TL* 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 ([REDACTED PHONE], LOCATED AT [RE…"~160,000 mi, complaint #1501263
  35. #35

    heater core and blower

    2 unsafe, 1 broken

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "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 MAN…"~44,000 mi, complaint #1298363
    • "HEATER CORE WAS REPLACED IN OCTOBER 2017 DUE TO ANTI-FREEZE LEAKING INSIDE OF CAR. THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD WAS REMOVED ($1050). IN OCTOBER 2018, THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT BEGAN TO APPEAR SO I HAD MY MECHANIC USE THE GM TESTING EQUIPMENT. TWO VALVE TIMING SOLE…"~48,282 mi, complaint #1514680
    • "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."~59,000 mi, complaint #1449996
  36. #36

    tire failure

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "I PURCHASED NEW IN 2012. IT HAS 25,000 MILES AND NEVER BEEN ABUSED OR IN AN ACCIDENT. ALL FOUR TIRES FIRESTONE FR 710 P215 55R 17 HAVE EXTENSIVE CRACKING ON SIDEWALL WHERE THE TREAD BEGINS ON CIRCUMFERENCE AND THE TREADED PART APPEARS TO BE SEPARATING FROM THE…"~25,000 mi, complaint #1337985
    • "THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AT THE SPEED LIMIT WHEN THE TIRE POPPED. THE IMPACT WAS AS MUCH AS A FRONT END COLLISION; THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED ALONG WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE BUMPER AND THE WHEEL WAS BENT. A MECHANIC SAID THAT BECAUSE THE SEAT BELTS LOCKED…"~28,080 mi, complaint #1191418
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES ON THE VEHICLE WERE FAULTY WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE TIRE INFOR…"~39,987 mi, complaint #1451642
  37. #37

    alignment and pull

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "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 COMM…"~161,900 mi, complaint #1609822
  38. #38

    fuel injector

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "FOR THE PAST 2 WEEKS , I HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY CAR STARTING. I WOULD DRIVE TO WORK FINE BUT WHEN I WOULD LEAVE FROM WORK MY CAR WOULDN'T START. INITIALLY, I THOUGHT IT WAS THE BATTERY SO I HAD IT JUMPED. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT TO AUTOZONE TO HAVE THE BATTERY T…"~86,000 mi, complaint #1150824
  39. #39

    power windows and locks

    1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDOWS AND THE DASHBOARD BECAME FROZEN ON THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THE CONTACT ALLOWED EXCESSIVE WATER MOISTURE TO GET INTO THE VEHICLE WHICH CAUSED THE WINDOWS AND…"~7,176 mi, complaint #1028448
  40. #40

    sunroof

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "WHILE DRIVING, THE SUNROOF SHATTERED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE ROOF WAS CLOSED AT THE TIME, AND THE HEADLINER WAS ALSO CLOSED. IT MADE A VERY LOUD NOISE AND THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED TO THE SIDE TO ASCERTAIN THE REASON FOR THE NOISE. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT T…"~38,159 mi, complaint #1215601
    • "I WAS DRIVING DOWN A HIGHWAY WITH NO TRAFFIC AROUND AND MY SUNROOF SHATTERED"~110,000 mi, complaint #1656347
  41. #41

    tpms

    2 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "FIXED SEVERAL TIMES AND STILL THE SERVICE TIRE MONITOR IS ON AS IF IT WAS THE TPMS."~100,000 mi, complaint #1649947
  42. #42

    ac compressor and refrigerant

    1 broken

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "I HAVE ONLY HAD MY CAR FOR 2 YEARS.. NO ISSUES. WELL MAINTAINED..RECENTLY MY A/C STOPPED WORKING. I WAS USING IT, TURNED IT OFF , TURNED MY CAR OFF FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES STARTED MY CAR AND THE A/C WOULD NOT WORK. DID NOT BLOW ANY AIR..IT'S NOT EVEN LIGHT…"~100,000 mi, complaint #1400542
  43. #43

    catalytic converter

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO GRISMER AUTOMOTIVE ([REDACTED ADDRESS], SPRINGBORO, OH 45066, [REDACTED PHONE]) WHERE IT WAS DIA…"~103,000 mi, complaint #1447236
  44. #44

    corrosion and rust

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "TAKATA RECALL IT CONSTANTLY SHAKES AND MY CAR IS CONSTANTLY PULLING AND RANDOM CODES POP UP ALL THE TIME . NOT TO MENTION IT'S A 2012 AND IT'S RUSTING MAJORLY. I AM DRIVING WHEN MY CAR SEEMS TO BE MISSING A BEAT IT WANTS TO JERK ON ME LIKE IT WANTS TO STOP RU…"complaint #1588766
  45. #45

    cruise control conventional

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED AT 65 MPH, THE SPEED SUDDENLY INCREASED TO 73 MPH INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALE…"~3,800 mi, complaint #975424
  46. #46

    driveshaft axle cv

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "TL* 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 MA…"complaint #1012633
  47. #47

    emissions aftertreatment

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND SERVICE TRACTION LIGHTS KEEP COMING ON WHILE I AM DRIVING AND COME TO A COMPLETED STOP. THE DEALERSHIP TECHS STATED BOTH LIGHTS ALWAYS COME ON TOGETHER WHEN IT IS SOMETHING WITH THE EMISSION CONTROLS. ON STAR DIAGNOSTIC RESULTS WERE…"~147,000 mi, complaint #1449943
  48. #48

    engine cooling

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE OVERHEATED, STALLED, AND VARIOUS WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND WAS LATER TAKEN TO MASTER CHEVROLET ([REDACTED ADDRESS] W, AI…"~99,500 mi, complaint #1482553
  49. #49

    lighting interior

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "THE CENTER BRAKE LIGHT DOESN'T WORK. I PUT IN A NEW LED LIGHT ASSEMBLY IN AND IT STILL DOESN'T WORK."~150,000 mi, complaint #1745814
  50. #50

    noise or vibration unspecified

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN WHEN IT IS COLD OUTSIDE, THE UNDERCARRIAGE SOMEWHERE SOUNDS LIKE IT IS LOOSE WHENEVER YOU HIT A SMALL HOLE IN THE ROAD, GO OVER RAILROAD TRACKS, REALLY ANYTHING. *TR"~4,000 mi, complaint #1143749
  51. #51

    suspension arms and bushings

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "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…"complaint #1967891
  52. #52

    unintended acceleration

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "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 ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN AND I STEPPED ON THE BREAK AND THEN IT STARTED SHAKING AND DIN…"~155,670 mi, complaint #1605288
  53. #53

    wheel bearing

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "WHILE DRIVING ON THE HWY I EXPERIENCED MY FRONT WHEELS SHAKING VERY BAD WHEN I START SLOWING DOWN"complaint #1461102

Search NHTSA's own recall and complaint database for CHEVROLET MALIBU directly.