Home · 2012 Chevrolet Malibu Hev · Complaints

What 904 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu Hev

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 (904)Crash / fire / injury (65)Electrical system (289)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 · 904 complaints · page 11 of 37

Oct 16, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUDDERED, BUT DID NOT COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. ALSO, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF, IT WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THREE TIMES, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,686.

NHTSA ODI 11268858

Oct 16, 2019Electrical systemAirbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V224000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT CALLED APPLE CHEVROLET (8585 W 159TH ST, TINLEY PARK, IL 60487, 708-429-3000) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.

NHTSA ODI 11268969

Oct 15, 2019Lights

FOR MONTHS I BEEN DEALING WITH MY LOW BEAMS AND HIGH BEAMS NOT WORKING ON MY PASSENGER SIDE THEN ONE DAY THE HIGH BEAM WORK FOR A FEW MINUTES I HAVE GOTTEN PULLED OVER BY THE POLICE, I HAVE CHANGED THE BULBS, I HAVE TOOK IT TO MIDAS TO GET IT CHECKED OUT AND THEY COULDN'T FIGURE OUT THE ISSUE. I'M TAKING IT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC TOMORROW. I SEE I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING THIS ISSUE

NHTSA ODI 11268789

Oct 10, 2019Lights

HEADLIGHTS BURN OUT REPEATEDLY! HAPPENS RANDOMLY, ON EITHER SIDE AFTER CAR HAS BEEN OFF. I AM AVERAGING 1 TO 6 MONTHS AFTER A HEADLIGHT CHANGE, IT IS VERY COSTLY ON THIS MODEL SINCE THE WHOLE FRONT BUMPER COVER MUST BE REMOVED TO CHANGE A BULB.

NHTSA ODI 11267576

Oct 7, 2019TiresCrash

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 COMMENTED TO SOMEONE AT FIRESTONE THAT I KEPT LOSING TRACTION THEY REPLIED THEY AREN'T GOOD TIRES.

NHTSA ODI 11266728

Oct 7, 2019Lights

THE PASSENGER LOW-BEAM LIGHT HAS AN ISSUE. I'M NOT ALONE, THOUSANDS OF OTHER CHEVY MALIBU DRIVERS HAVE ALL REPORTED THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. THE WIRING HARNESS THAT CONNECTS TO THE LOW-BEAM BULB KEEPS OVER-HEATING AND MELTING, CAUSING THE BULB TO GO OUT. I HAVE REPLACED THE PIGTAIL THREE TIMES NOW, AND IT KEEPS GOING OUT. I HAVE EVEN PULLED THE DRL FUSE, WHICH MANY BELIEVE COULD HAVE BEEN THE PROBLEM, AND IT STILL KEEPS HAPPENING. PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE AS I AM NOT ALONE.

NHTSA ODI 11266855

Oct 6, 2019Speed controlEngine

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 ENGINE LIGHT WONT SHUT OFF. MECHANIC HOOKED IT UP TO DIAGNOSE IT, RESULT SHOWED IT WAS SOLENOID. REPLACED SOLENOIDS AND LIGHT REMAINED ON. RESET CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. LIGHT CAME BACK ON. HOOKED IT UP TO DIAGNOSE, STILL REPORTED SOLENOID.

NHTSA ODI 11266561

Oct 4, 2019Lights

RECENTLY PURCHASED 2012 CHEVY MALIBU JULY 13, 2019. TWO WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE THE PASSENGER HEADLIGHT WENT OUT. CHANGED IT, AND NOW ITS OUT AGAIN 5 WEEKS LATER. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS. I HAVE FOUND ONLINE MANY PEOPLE COMPLAINING OF THE VERY SAME PROBLEM. (PASSENGER HEADLIGHT) SOME SAY TO CHANGE THE WIRING HARNESS AS THEY SEEM TO GET OVERLOADED AND MELT (BUT THAT FIX DOESN'T LAST LONG EITHER FROM WHAT I READ) OTHERS SAY THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT RELAY CAUSES AN ISSUE AND SHOULD BE TAKEN OUT OF THE CAR. IT SAYS IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL THAT DRL REDUCES THE LIGHT OUTPUT OF THE HEADLIGHTS FOR DAYTIME RUNNING BY 30%. THIS SEEMS TO BE WHAT IS CAUSING THE AMP DRAW FOR THE LOW BEAMS TO SKYROCKET IN DRL RELAY. THE MASSIVE AMP DRAW IS TOO MUCH FOR THE TERMINALS IN THE PLUG, SO THEY GET SUPER HOT AND MELT THE PLASTIC PLUG. THE METAL TERMINALS RELAX FROM THE HEAT AND STOP MAKING GOOD CONTACT,WHICH WORSENS THE AMP DRAW PROBLEM CAUSING THE LIGHT TO NOT WORK. ( BUT NOT NECESSARILY DUE TO THE BULB BURNING OUT, AS SOME HAVE POSTED THEY PUT THE PASSENGER BULB IN DRIVERS SIDE AND THE BULB STILL WORKS) THIS ISSUE COULD POTENTIALLY BE VERY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT IF BOTH HEADLIGHTS GO OUT AT THE SAME TIME DUE TO THE AMP SURGE. I BELIEVE THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW. I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY COMPLAINTS YOU HAVE TO RECEIVE FOR THIS TO BE CONSIDERED A SAFETY RECALL BUT PLEASE CONSIDER IT! THANKS

NHTSA ODI 11266128

Oct 3, 2019Lights

MY PASSENGER LOWBEAM LIGHT WILL NOT COME ON ONCE THE CAR IS STARTED. I HAVE CHANGED THE BULB AND WIRING HARNESS AND THE LIGHT WILL WORK FOR A FEW DAYS AND THEN WILL STOP WORKING. I HAVE TALKED TO OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE SAME ISSUE WITH THIS CAR AND CHEVROLET WANTS 160 DOLLARS TO EVEN LOOK AT IT.

NHTSA ODI 11265962

Sep 25, 2019Lights

PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM KEEPS GOING OUT

NHTSA ODI 11257930

Sep 24, 2019Electrical system

FOR NO REASON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF BY ITSELF. NEIGHBOR REPORTED CAR LIGHTS ON 3:30 AM. WE ALSO CAUGHT WHILE KEYS WERE ON TABLE AND LOCKED THE LIGHTS CAME ON AND OFF TWICE IN THE EVENING. THIS IS WHILE PARKED FOR THE NIGHT.

NHTSA ODI 11257842

Sep 22, 2019Electronic Stability Control (esc)

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 DINGING AND ESC LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN. CAR KIND OF SOUNDED LIKE A LAWN MOWER WHEN IT WAS SHAKING AND JERKING. CAR WOULD NOT CRANK AGAIN FOR A WHILE.

NHTSA ODI 11257226

Sep 21, 2019Electrical systemLights

LOW BEAM LIGHTS CONTINUOUSLY GOING OUT. BULB IS STILL GOOD. HAVE REPLACED BULB. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED SOME WIRING OR HARNESS. NOW PASSWNGER SIDE LOW BEAM IS OUT AGAIN!

NHTSA ODI 11257151

Sep 20, 2019Electrical systemEngineFuel system

MY CAR DIES WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. ELECTRICAL PROBLEM TO THE FUEL PUMP

NHTSA ODI 11256923

Sep 17, 2019Lights

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.

NHTSA ODI 11256059

Sep 17, 2019Electrical system

HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT AFTER BEING CHANGED MULTIPLE TIMES

NHTSA ODI 11256251

Sep 13, 2019LightsSeats

PASSENGER LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT KEEPS FAILING EVERY COUPLE OF MONTHS THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM WITH ALL CHEVY MALIBUS. DRIVER SEAT BACK BREAKS AND CAUSES THE SEAT TO BE UNSAFE.

NHTSA ODI 11255238

Sep 10, 2019Lights

HEADLIGHTS CONTINUE TO BURN OUT REGULARLY (REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF BULTS MULTIPLE TIMES PER YEAR) AND THE WIRING HARNESS CONTINUES TO MELT. BECAUSE OF THE DESIGN OF THE CAR, THE WHOLE FRONT BUMPER HAS TO BE PULLED OFF TO GET ACCESS TO LIGHT TO REPLACE--OFTEN AT A HIGH COST AT THE REPAIR SHOP. THIS IS UNSAFE,AS THE FREQUENCY OF THE BURNOUTS RESULT IN HAVING TO DRIVE WITH BRIGHTS ON AT NIGHT WHEN BOTH LIGHTS UNEXPECTEDLY GO OUT. READING THE MANUAL, THE DRL REDUCES THE VOLTAGE TO THE LOW BEAMS, WHICH DRIVES UP THE AMPS CAUSING THE EXTRA HEAT TO MELT THE WIRING HARNESS. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT NEEDS TO BE REMEDIATED BY A RECALL.

NHTSA ODI 11254363

Sep 5, 2019Engine

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 WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER CHEVY.

NHTSA ODI 11253388

Sep 5, 2019Electrical systemFuel system

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 THOUGHT IT WAS THE CRANK SENSOR BUT NOPE IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE FUSE BOX IN THE TRUCK & ALSO HEARD IT'S THE FUEL PUMP RELAY.

NHTSA ODI 11253441

Sep 3, 2019Electrical systemFuel system

I HAVE A 2012 CHEVY MALIBU LT AND AT RANDOM TIMES THE CAR WILL SHUT DOWN, WHILE DRIVING, WHILE BEING STATIONARY, AND SOMETIMES IT DON'T EVEN START WHEN IT'S BEEN OFF I TOOK IT TO MULTIPLE MECHANICS AND THEY COULDN'T DETECT ANY CODES OR SEEM TO FIND THE PROBLEM THEY CHANGED THE FUEL PUMP, THE FUEL PUMP RELAY, THE FUSE, THE ECM STARTER IGNITION COIL, BATTERY, ALTERNATOR AND THE CAR STILL DOESN'T START RANDOMLY I HAVE TO TURN THE CAR TO THE ON POSITION THEN OFF MORE THAN 30 TIMES AND WAIT UNTIL I HEAR THE FUEL PUMP ACTIVATE THEN I KNOW IT WILL START I HAVE HAD THE CAR CUT OFF ON ME ON THE FREEWAY, IN THE MIDDLE OF MALIK A TURN ON BUSY STREETS I'VE BEEN OUT AT FAMILY EVENTS AND WHEN I TRIED TO GO HOME THE CAR WOULDN'T START I NEED HELP

NHTSA ODI 11253065

Aug 30, 2019Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND IT TOOK MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER WHERE THE BATTERY PLUG WAS CLEANED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

NHTSA ODI 11252490

Aug 28, 2019Electrical systemSeatsEngine

THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR 3 YEARS. CHEVY HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE DESPITE CHANGING OUT THE SENSORS AND CLEARING THE CODES. THIS EFFECTS THE REST OF THE ENGINE SETTINGS INCLUDING FUEL AS IT ADJUSTS THEM BASED ON A DEFAULT. THE RAIL SUPPORT FOR THE DRIVER'S SEAT HAS ALSO BROKEN LOOSE AND FALLEN DOWN WHICH MAKES THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THIS SEAT ISSUE WAS ONLY NOTICE EARLIER THIS YEAR.

NHTSA ODI 11251903

Aug 27, 2019Speed controlElectronic Stability Control (esc)

THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE. THE CRUISE CONTROL IS BEING USED AND WHEN YOU GO TO APPLY THE BRAKES THE CAR DOES NOT SLOW DOWN BUT REVS THE MOTOR UP AND WILL NOT LET YOU SLOW DOWN. IT IS FRIGHTENING TO HAVE THIS HAPPEN. IF YOU TAP THE BRAKES BUT DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK OR HIT THE CRUISE OFF BUTTON IT WILL FINALLY STOP. THIS COULD BE PUTTING US IN A REALLY BAD SITUATION IF YOU CANT GET IT STOPPED. ALSO THE ESC LIGHT COMES ON FOR NO REASON WHILE DRIVING ON DRY ROADS. I CALLED MY CHEVY DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE RECALL 13036 WAS ALREADY DONE IN AUG 2014 IF THIS IS THE SAME ISSUE AS RECALL. IF SO IT DID NOT TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM AND NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF BEFORE IT COSTS SOMEONE THEIR LIFE.

NHTSA ODI 11246715

Aug 26, 2019Lights

PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT( LOW BEAM) CONTINUES TO GO OUT AFTER BEING REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES IN A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME, 2-3 WEEKS.

NHTSA ODI 11246328

← NewerOlder →

Working with the data? Download all 904 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 23, 2026

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 Hev verdict →