MYRModel Year Report

2012 Chevrolet Malibu

● Typical for this model
2012 Chevrolet Malibu
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
907
Recalls
3

Campaigns on file for 2012

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Electrical system

32% of complaints

Complaints per year

1980: 5 complaints 1980 1981: 3 complaints 1982: 2 complaints 1983: 1 complaint 1986: 1 complaint 1989: 3 complaints 1989 1997: 443 complaints 1998: 976 complaints 1999: 789 complaints 2000: 922 complaints 2001: 721 complaints 2001 2002: 567 complaints 2003: 569 complaints 2004: 1,147 complaints 2005: 975 complaints 2006: 1,116 complaints 2006 2007: 977 complaints 2008: 987 complaints 2009: 1,509 complaints 2010: 1,360 complaints 2011: 978 complaints 2012: 907 complaints 2012 907 2013: 836 complaints 2014: 351 complaints 2015: 270 complaints 2016: 836 complaints 2016 2017: 703 complaints 2018: 697 complaints 2019: 190 complaints 2020: 196 complaints 2021: 88 complaints 2021 2022: 97 complaints 2023: 66 complaints 2024: 41 complaints 2025: 10 complaints
1980: 5 complaints 1980 1981: 3 complaints 1982: 2 complaints 1983: 1 complaint 1983 1986: 1 complaint 1989: 3 complaints 1997: 443 complaints 1997 1998: 976 complaints 1999: 789 complaints 2000: 922 complaints 2000 2001: 721 complaints 2002: 567 complaints 2003: 569 complaints 2003 2004: 1,147 complaints 2005: 975 complaints 2006: 1,116 complaints 2006 2007: 977 complaints 2008: 987 complaints 2009: 1,509 complaints 2009 2010: 1,360 complaints 2011: 978 complaints 2012: 907 complaints 2012 907 2013: 836 complaints 2014: 351 complaints 2015: 270 complaints 2015 2016: 836 complaints 2017: 703 complaints 2018: 697 complaints 2018 2019: 190 complaints 2020: 196 complaints 2021: 88 complaints 2021 2022: 97 complaints 2023: 66 complaints 2024: 41 complaints 2024 2025: 10 complaints
1980: 5 complaints 1980 1981: 3 complaints 1982: 2 complaints 1982 1983: 1 complaint 1986: 1 complaint 1986 1989: 3 complaints 1997: 443 complaints 1997 1998: 976 complaints 1999: 789 complaints 1999 2000: 922 complaints 2001: 721 complaints 2001 2002: 567 complaints 2003: 569 complaints 2003 2004: 1,147 complaints 2005: 975 complaints 2005 2006: 1,116 complaints 2007: 977 complaints 2007 2008: 987 complaints 2009: 1,509 complaints 2009 2010: 1,360 complaints 2011: 978 complaints 2012: 907 complaints 2012 907 2013: 836 complaints 2014: 351 complaints 2015: 270 complaints 2015 2016: 836 complaints 2017: 703 complaints 2017 2018: 697 complaints 2019: 190 complaints 2019 2020: 196 complaints 2021: 88 complaints 2021 2022: 97 complaints 2023: 66 complaints 2023 2024: 41 complaints 2025: 10 complaints 2025

2012: 907 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19805
19813
19822
19831
19861
19893
1997443
1998976
1999789
2000922
2001721
2002567
2003569
20041,147
2005975
20061,116
2007977
2008987
20091,509
20101,360
2011978
2012907
2013836
2014351
2015270
2016836
2017703
2018697
2019190
2020196
202188
202297
202366
202441
202510

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Electrical system

32% · 291 reports

Most commonly citing wiring and control module.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Passenger and or driver side low beam headlight continues to go out. Mechanic has found connector keeps burning out the socket. Light is fine but connector is shorting out. Fire and safety issue.

NHTSA ODI report, 2025-01-07

Also filed under Exterior lighting

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-11-07

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-09-30

Also filed under Engine and engine cooling

Exterior lighting

22% · 202 reports

Most commonly citing headlights.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Steering

21% · 191 reports

Most commonly citing yaw/angle sensor and tie rod assembly.

CRASHINJURY

Electronic stability control (esc)

14% · 129 reports
CRASHINJURY

Air bags

11% · 101 reports

Most commonly citing srs malfunction warning lamp/light.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The contact called on behalf of her daughter's boyfriend who was driving alongside her daughter in a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-11-20

Takata airbag did not deploy while in front end collision. I was driving straight on a main street when I was hit in the front by 2 cars. The driver side airbag did not deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-02-26

My wife was driving east down hwy-40 toward salina, ks. She had the cruise control set on 60 MPH.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-10-05

Also filed under Vehicle speed control

Safety timeline

3 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2014-08-18Electrical system, electronic stability control (esc), exterior lighting, vehicle speed control14V252000 General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6...

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of...

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2014-09-08Steering14E044000 Dorman Products, Inc.

    Remedy: Dorman will notify owners, and dealers will refund the purchase price or replace the steering shafts, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2015-11-16Seat belts15V269000 General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured April 8, 2010, to October 11, 2012.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the outboard lap anchor mounting bracket and inspect the flexible steel cable, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on November 16, 2015.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2012 Chevrolet Malibu — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Electrical system: 291 reports on file for this year.
  • Exterior lighting: 202 reports on file for this year.
  • Steering: 191 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 14V252000 · Electrical system, electronic stability control (esc), exterior lighting, vehicle speed control
  • Recall 14E044000 · Steering
  • Recall 15V269000 · Seat belts
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 32% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu have?
3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.