MYRModel Year Report

2012 Chevrolet Malibu

● Typical for this model
2012 Chevrolet Malibu
BUILT 2026-08-02

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Chevrolet Malibu Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2012 highlighted. 1980: 5 complaints 1980 1981: 3 complaints 1982: 2 complaints 1983: 1 complaints 1986: 1 complaints 1989: 3 complaints 1989 1997: 443 complaints 1998: 976 complaints 1999: 789 complaints 2000: 922 complaints 2001: 721 complaints 2001 2002: 566 complaints 2003: 569 complaints 2004: 1147 complaints 2005: 975 complaints 2006: 1115 complaints 2006 2007: 977 complaints 2008: 987 complaints 2009: 1509 complaints 2010: 1357 complaints 2011: 976 complaints 2011 2012: 904 complaints 2012 2013: 834 complaints 2014: 349 complaints 2015: 267 complaints 2016: 834 complaints 2016 2017: 696 complaints 2018: 687 complaints 2019: 188 complaints 2020: 190 complaints 2021: 74 complaints 2021 2022: 86 complaints 2023: 49 complaints 2024: 24 complaints 2025: 7 complaints 2025
2012: 904 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19805
19813
19822
19831
19861
19893
1997443
1998976
1999789
2000922
2001721
2002566
2003569
20041147
2005975
20061115
2007977
2008987
20091509
20101357
2011976
2012904
2013834
2014349
2015267
2016834
2017696
2018687
2019188
2020190
202174
202286
202349
202424
20257

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 31%

31% of complaints: electrical system — 281 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
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, 20250107

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, 20171107

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 22%

22% of complaints: exterior lighting — 195 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
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, 20250107

STEERING 21%

21% of complaints: steering — 188 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 14%

14% of complaints: electronic stability control (esc) — 129 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
ENGINE 11%

11% of complaints: engine — 99 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20140818 — electrical system, electronic stability control (esc), exterior lighting, vehicle speed control

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...

Campaign 14V252000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20140908 — steering

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.

Campaign 14E044000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20151116 — seat belts

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.

Campaign 15V269000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2012 Chevrolet Malibu — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (281 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for exterior lighting issues (195 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for steering issues (188 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control (esc), exterior lighting, vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14E044000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V269000 (seat belts) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2023 ▲ 2021 ▲ 2022

WORST YEARS

■ 2009 ◆ 2010 ◆ 2004

See all years ranked →

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 31% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu have?

3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.