Home · 2012 Chevrolet Malibu Eco · Complaints

What 905 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu Eco

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (905)Crash / fire / injury (65)Electrical system (290)Lights (202)Steering (191)Electronic Stability Control (esc) (129)Airbags (101)Engine (99)Brakes (73)Fuel system (56)Speed control (52)Transmission & drivetrain (49)

Newest first · 905 complaints · page 28 of 37

Apr 24, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

WHEN GOING FROM 0 TO 20 MILES PER HOUR VEHICLE SHIFTS CONSTANTLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY. I HAD THE PROBLEM DIAGNOSED BY RICK HENDRICKS CHEVROLET @ 6252 VIRGINIA BEACH BLVD NORFOLK, VIRGINIA. THE DEALER PRINTED OUT THE DIAGNOSIS STATING THE TRANSMISSION COOLER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO PRIORITY CHEVROLET @ 1495 SOUTH MILITARY HIGHWAY CHESAPEAKE,VIRGINIA TO HAVE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM REPAIRED AND THIS DEALER DIAGNOSED THE LOWER COOLER LINE AND RADIATOR TRANSMISSION COOLER LINES NEEDED REPLACEMENT WHICH I HAD DONE BY PRIORITY CHEVROLET THAT DAY HOWEVER THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM STILL EXISTS .

NHTSA ODI 10861138

Apr 21, 2016Speed controlTraction Control SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE TRACTION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED BRIEFLY. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND WOULD REQUIRE MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO RESTART. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WAS NOT FOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000.

NHTSA ODI 10860832

Apr 12, 2016Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) AND 15V269000 (SEAT BELT), THE STEERING WHEEL CEASED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000.

NHTSA ODI 10855094

Apr 7, 2016Electrical systemLights

LOW BEAMS ARE TO LOW FOR NIGHT TIME DRIVING CAN THEY BE ADJUSTED? CAN'T SEE VERY FAR SO HAVE TO USE BRIGHTS VERY DANGEROUS FOR ONCOMING TRAFFIC ALSO. ALSO THE INTERIOR LIGHTS, INSTRUMENT LIGHTS, GET REAL DIM EITHER DRIVING OR STOPPED, SO DIM GAUGES ARE HARD TO READ. AFTER A WHILE THEY COME BACK ON.

NHTSA ODI 10854237

Mar 28, 2016Electrical systemEngine

CAR WILL NOT START.SON WAS DRIVING AND IT JUST STALLED OUT FORTUNATELY HE WAS NOT GOING FAST. TRIED TO RESTART BUT NO LUCK. DID RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF MALIBU OWNERS WITH THIS EXACT SAME ISSUE. AS A DAD AND A CONSUMER I WOULD LIKE GM TO FIX THIS ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR KILLED BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE . WE CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD 400$ TO FIX.LOOKS LIKE US CONSUMERS ARE GETTING SCREWED AGAIN CAN U HELP?

NHTSA ODI 10852061

Mar 23, 2016SteeringElectronic Stability Control (esc)Brakes

WHEN DRIVING, AT LOW SPEED IN THE CITY, OR ON THE HIGHWAY AT SPEED, POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES INTERMITTENTLY FAIL WITHOUT WARNING (ACCORDING TO THE REPAIRING DEALER, VEHICLE IS UNSAFE AND SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN); DASH GAUGES GO ON AND OFF; TRACTION CONTROL AND ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL TURN OWN AND OFF WITHOUT WARNING; DASH LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF WITHOUT WARNING; BELLS AND BUZZERS RING; DOOR LOCKS CYCLE, AND THEFT DETERRENT WARNINGS ILLUMINATE. DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED MULTIPLE TIMES TO REPAIR IT BY REPLACING THE BODY CONTROL MODULE. IT IS AT THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT NOW, HAS BEEN THERE FOR A FULL WEEK AND AT THIS POINT IS STILL UNSAFE

NHTSA ODI 10851273

Mar 22, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED WITHOUT WARNING. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SENSOR AND TRANSMISSION SEALS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 600.

NHTSA ODI 10851107

Mar 21, 2016Electrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, THE ESC WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE IGNITION TO THE OFF POSITION AND BACK ON THREE TIMES BEFORE THE VEHICLE STARTED OPERATING CORRECTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000.

NHTSA ODI 10850684

Mar 19, 2016Seats

WAS GETTING INTO MY PARKED VEHICLE, AND THE SEAT BROKE. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY SAID THE WELD THAT HELD THE SEAT TO THE RAILING BROKE.

NHTSA ODI 10850518

Mar 18, 2016Seats

DRIVERS SEAT BECAME DISENGAGED AT THE WELD POINT UNDERNEATH THE SEAT WHILE I WAS DRIVING. TOOK THE VEHICLE IN AND THE DEALER REWELDED THE SEAT. PICKED THE CAR UP HAD IT FOR LESS THAN A WEEK SEAT PRETTY MUCH DISENGAGED FROM THE BOTTOM AND THE BACK WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY. WHILE GM OFFERED SOME ASSISTANCE I AM STILL OUT $500. FOR BOTH REPAIRS. AFTER RESEARCHING ON LINE IT APPEARS OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD SIMILAR COMPLAINTS WITH THIS MODEL YEAR. SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE! MY VEHICLE WAS NEVER BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENT THAT SHOULD HAVE CAUSED THIS PROBLEM. I'VE OWNED NUMEROUS CARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD A SEAT DISENGAGE. I TRULY BELIEVE THIS IS A DEFENCT IN THE VEHICLES SEAT FRAME.

NHTSA ODI 10850455

Mar 14, 2016Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE POWER STEERING ASSIST LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WAITED A FEW MINUTES, AND RESUMED DRIVING. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 164,000.

NHTSA ODI 10846475

Mar 13, 2016Visibility & wipers

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 FROM WORK IN RAIN I HEARD A COUPLE OF BANG AND THE WIPERS STOPPED WORKING AGAIN THE SAME PROBLEM AND WIPER LINKAGE WAS REPLACE PART WAS UNDER WARRANTY THIS TIME IT ONLY COST 72.00 DOLLARS FOR THE LABOR.

NHTSA ODI 10846340

Mar 9, 2016Seat belts

TAKATA RECALL.

NHTSA ODI 10845744

Mar 8, 2016Engine

2012 CHEVY MALIBU 1ST OCCURRENCE'. PARKED BUT RUNNING THE CAR DIES AND WILL NOT START BACK. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ARE ON. LET THEM CAR SET FOR 20 OR SO MIN AND IT STARTED BACK WITH NO ISSUES. 2ND OCCURRENCE'. A FEW DAYS LATER WE STOPPED AT THE STORE AND CAME BACK OUT AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS OR ANYTHING. KINDA SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS OUT OF FUEL WHEN YOU TRIED TO START IT. WE HAD SOMEONE PICK US UP AND WENT BACK IN AN HR OR SO AND THE CAR STARTED. TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND THEY SAID THE ONLY CODE IT WAS THROWING WAS LOW VOLTAGE. WE REPLACED THE BATTERY. 3RD OCCURRENCE.. A WEEK LATER I USED THE FOB TO START THE CAR. WHEN I WENT OUT THE CAR WAS SHUT OFF AND WOULD NOT START BACK. SAME AS BEFORE JUST ACTED LIKE IT WAS OUT OF FUEL. TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND THE COMPUTER WAS STILL NOT SHOWING CODES. HE REPLACED THE FUEL RELAY. 4RD OCCURRENCE.. A WEEK LATER I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK AND IT ACTED LIKE I WASN'T PRESSING THE FUEL PETAL AND BY THE TIME I GOT OVER TO GET TO THE SHOULDER IT STARTED WORKING AGAIN. I DROVE IT TO HOME DEPOT ON MY LUNCH BREAK AND CAME BACK OUT AND IT WOULD NOT START. SAME AS BEFORE. I CALLED A CO-WORKER TO PICK ME UP THEN WENT BACK A FEW HOURS LATER. IT STARTED SO I TOOK IT BACK TO THE SHOP. IT DID NOT HAVE ANY CODES THROWN. HE REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. 5TH OCCURRENCE' 4 DAYS LATER I LEFT TO TAKE THE KIDS TO SCHOOL AND THE CAR DIED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I WAS ABLE TO GET TO A SAFE PULL OFF AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START BACK. I HAD IT TOWED STRAIGHT TO THE SHOP AND THEY SAID THE CAR STARTED ONCE IT GOT THERE AND THE COMPUTER DIDN'T THROW ANY CODES.. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. WHEN I SEARCH MY PROB ON THE WEB THERE ARE SEVERAL THAT HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. I

NHTSA ODI 10845521

Mar 3, 2016Seat belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V269000 (SEAT BELTS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 10839638

Feb 18, 2016Lights

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED. THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 47,661.

NHTSA ODI 10836853

Feb 16, 2016Visibility & wipers

WHILE DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEED (70 MPH) IN A RAINSTORM IN TRAFFIC, THE WIPER INTERNAL DRIVE ASSEMBLY FAILED WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING LOSS OF WIPER FUNCTION, RESULTING IN LOSS OF VISION OF OTHER TRAFFIC REQUIRING EMERGENCY STOP.

NHTSA ODI 10836318

Feb 12, 2016Seat belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V269000 (SEAT BELTS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI 10825814

Feb 12, 2016Seat belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V269000 (SEAT BELTS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI 10825815

Feb 1, 2016Electrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,535.

NHTSA ODI 10823387

Jan 27, 2016Traction Control SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE LOW TRACTION, SERVICE ESC, AND LOW ENGINE POWER WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED SIX TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE COVER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000. UPDATED 05/11/16*LJ *CN

NHTSA ODI 10822515

Jan 21, 2016Steering

I WAS DRIVING MY CHILDREN TO SCHOOL, WHEN WITHOUT ANY WARNING MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT. I ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT!!! IT WAS VERY ABRUPT. A MESSAGE SAYING "POWER STEERING" "SERVICE ESC" CAME UP. I COME TO FIND OUT THAT EARLIER MODELS OF THE MALIBU WERE RECALLED FOR THIS VERY REASON. I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT YOU CHECK THIS PROBLEM OUT VERY SERIOUSLY ON THE 2012 MODEL BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED!!! I HAD ALL I COULD DO TO STEER THE CAR MANUALLY! MY CHILDREN AND I WERE VERY LUCKY THAT WE DIDN'T END UP IN AN ACCIDENT. THE NEXT PERSON MIGHT NOT BE SO LUCKY. BEFORE CHEVROLET GETS SUED, THEY MIGHT WANT TO LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM. MY WIFE DRIVES THIS CAR ON THE EXPRESSWAY. I CAN'T EVEN IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED HAD THIS OCCURRED WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING. I THANK GOD THAT I WAS BEHIND THE WHEEL AT THE TIME.

NHTSA ODI 10821497

Jan 19, 2016Electronic Stability Control (esc)

DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND SERVICE ESC LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR STARTED LOSING POWER. DEALER SAID IT WAS A FAULTY STEERING ANGLE TORQUE SENSOR.

NHTSA ODI 10821023

Jan 14, 2016Steering

I WAS DRIVING MY CHILDREN TO SCHOOL, WHEN WITHOUT ANY WARNING MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT. I ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT!!! IT WAS VERY ABRUPT. A MESSAGE SAYING "POWER STEERING" "SERVICE ESC" CAME UP. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE I STILL HAVE A WARRANTY AND I WAS TOLD THEY WOULD HAVE TO DO A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK ON IT (150.00) BEFORE THEY COULD LET ME KNOW IF IT WAS COVERED UNDER MY WARRANTY. I COME TO FIND OUT THAT EARLIER MODELS OF THE MALIBU WERE RECALLED FOR THIS VERY REASON. I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT YOU CHECK THIS PROBLEM OUT VERY SERIOUSLY ON THE 2012 MODEL BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED!!! I HAD ALL I COULD DO TO STEER THE CAR MANUALLY! MY CHILDREN AND I WERE VERY LUCKY THAT WE DIDN'T END UP IN AN ACCIDENT. THE NEXT PERSON MIGHT NOT BE SO LUCKY. BEFORE CHEVROLET GETS SUED, THEY MIGHT WANT TO LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM. MY CHILDREN ALSO DRIVE THIS CAR. UNLIKE ME, WHO KNOWS ABOUT MANUAL STEERING AND WAS ABLE TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM, YOUNG ADULTS HAVE NO IDEA WHAT MANUAL STEERING IS. MY DAUGHTER DRIVES THIS CAR ON THE EXPRESSWAY. I CAN'T EVEN IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED HAD THIS OCCURRED WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING. I THANK GOD THAT I WAS BEHIND THE WHEEL AT THE TIME. I DID CONTACT GM AND THEY ARE HELPING ME RECTIFY THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 10820167

Jan 7, 2016Electrical systemBrakesEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE. APPROXIMATELY FIVE SECONDS LATER, THE ENGINE LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND A DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE LOST ENGINE POWER, BUT THE HEADLIGHTS AND AIR CONDITIONING STILL FUNCTIONED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000.

NHTSA ODI 10818712

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How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2012 Chevrolet Malibu Eco verdict →