Chevrolet Malibu 8th generation (2012–2016)
Generation-specific owner insights from 107+ substantive owner discussions, with US complaint and recall records.
Should I buy a 2012–2016 Malibu?
6,187
US owner complaints (NHTSA), 2012–2016
31
recall campaigns
electrical system
most-complained area
What owners say about this generation
Our take, from owner reports
Owner sentiment for this generation is mixed and leans cautious.
16 problems reported (6 recurrent, 10 isolated) · high confidence
Problems owners report
- RecurrentTransmission failure or slipping
Including total failure at 76k miles and partial failure with slipping in 2nd and 3rd at 96k miles.
- RecurrentTiming chain stretch, rattle, or timing issues on the 2.4L Ecotec
- RecurrentOil consumption on the 2.4L Ecotec
+ 13 more issuesShow fewer
- RecurrentElectrical problems and electrical gremlins generally
- RecurrentBluetooth and infotainment connectivity issues, including audio cutting out every few seconds
- RecurrentHeadlight issues
Including overheating that melted wire harnesses and difficult headlight replacement requiring raising the vehicle.
- IsolatedDriver information center screen going blank or menus becoming inaccessible
- IsolatedBody control module faults from moisture, causing mirror and lock switch failures
- IsolatedTemperature sensor or thermostat faults producing a code 4 and loss of air conditioning
- IsolatedTraction control sensor fault causing vibration and disabling traction control
- IsolatedDriver seat frame breaking
- IsolatedEngine head replacement at 100,000 miles
- IsolatedWheel bearing replacement
- IsolatedSerpentine belt and tensioner problems on the eAssist system
- IsolatedEngine codes related to the hybrid system on the Eco model
- IsolatedTemperature gauge problems after repair
The version owners recommend
Insufficient owner data available to declare a consensus. The strongest partial signal favors the 2.5L engine over the 2.4L, and the 2014-2016 cars over the 2013, with one owner stating the 2.4L is the worse engine and another saying the 2.5L does not suffer the 2.4L's oil consumption issue. One owner argued the turbo drivetrain is more reliable than the base engine, but this was not echoed by others.
Competitors to consider
Owners compare it most often with the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Ford Fusion, Mazda6 and Nissan Altima.
Is a 2012–2016 Malibu right for you?
Get an answer for your year, mileage and budget.
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Overall sentiment
Owner sentiment for this generation is mixed and leans cautious. The most consistent praise centers on comfort, a quiet and well-insulated ride, good highway fuel economy, and the MyLink infotainment system being strong for its price point; several owners describe it as a solid, unexciting "A to B" car and one long-term owner called it underrated and possibly one of GM's last gems. Criticism concentrates on transmission failures at higher mileage, timing chain and oil consumption concerns on the 2.4L Ecotec, electrical and infotainment gremlins, and poor resale value. Owners who distinguish model years generally treat the later 2014-2016 cars more favorably than the 2013, and the 2.5L engine is repeatedly described as avoiding the 2.4L's oil consumption problem.
Positioning vs competitors
Owners position this generation as the value pick rather than the best pick: comfortable, quiet, and cheap used, but behind the Camry and Accord on reliability and behind the Mazda6 on build quality. Several owners say most competitors make better midsize sedans and that the Malibu is only worth it at a discount. Against the Ford Fusion it is framed as cheaper and easier to repair, and against the Nissan Rogue it is clearly preferred because of the Rogue's CVT reputation. The turbo version drew praise from one owner for feeling comfortable, smooth, and quiet compared with a same-era Accord, while others called the car merely average.
Recommended configurations
Owners specifically steer buyers toward the 2.5L over the 2.4L Ecotec, and toward 2014-2016 examples over the 2013. One owner recommends the turbo models over the base engine for drivetrain reliability. Several owners advise against the 2.4L outright, and one advises avoiding the first year of a redesign. No consensus emerged on trim levels.
General recommendations
This generation suits buyers who want inexpensive, comfortable basic transportation and have modest expectations, and who will accept that it is not a reliability leader. Owners repeatedly advise a pre-purchase inspection, a scan tool check, a cold-start listen for timing chain noise, checking for oil consumption and fuel smell on the dipstick, checking for water in the passenger footwell from clogged sunroof drains, and verifying transmission fluid service history. Owners warn that ultra-low-mileage examples can mean dried seals and gummy fluids, and that the car's weak resale means paying a premium for low miles is a poor value. Prefer 2014-2016 and the 2.5L; approach the 2013 and the 2.4L with extra caution.
Remarks
A recurring theme is that this generation's value proposition depends heavily on price: owners repeatedly say the car depreciates worse than almost anything else and should only be bought cheap. Several owners note that low mileage on an eight-year-old example is not automatically a plus. One owner reported the car has held up well past 180k miles with only a wheel bearing needed, while others reported transmission failures well under 100k miles, so experiences diverge sharply. Analysis based on approximately 107 substantive owner discussions about this generation.
Complaints and recalls by model year
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 2,481 | 9 | engine |
| 2015 | 270 | 3 | engine |
| 2014 | 713 | 6 | engine |
| 2013 | 1,817 | 10 | electrical system |
| 2012 | 906 | 3 | electrical system |
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Higher-selling years naturally accumulate more complaints.
Recall notices for this generation
2016 · air bags:sensor:occupant classificationcampaign 18V400000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. During servicing, a Passenger Presence System (PPS) may have been installed that was not correctly calibrated to the vehicle's seat type. As a result, the PPS may not properly identify an adult passenger from a child passenger in the front passenger seat, potentially causing the air bag to not deploy when it should, or causing the air bag to deploy when it shouldn't.
2016 · fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pumpcampaign 18V358000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2018 GMC Canyon, 2016-2017 Buick Envision, 2016-2018 Chevrolet Colorado and Malibu, 2017-2018 GMC Acadia, 2018 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Equinox, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line.
2016 · electronic stability control (esc)campaign 16V272000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured March 7, 2016, through March 12, 2016. The memory chip in the electronic brake control module (EBCM) may fail and cause the loss of electronically controlled brake systems including anti-lock brakes (ABS) and electronic stability control (ESC). As such, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
2016 · air bags:side/windowcampaign 16V781000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured November 18, 2015, to June 7, 2016. The fabric of the side-impact air bag cushion may tear during deployment.
2016 · electrical system:ignitioncampaign 16V502000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
2016 · electrical system:softwarecampaign 16V084000
Genera Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Camaro, Malibu, Silverado and GMC Sierra vehicles. The radio may intermittently fail to provide an audio warning when the key has been left in the ignition and the door is opened or when the driver does not fasten their seat belt. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection", and/or 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
2016 · air bags:side/windowcampaign 16V151000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016 Malibu vehicles manufactured February 16, 2016, to March 5, 2016. The two weld studs that mount the front and rear side impact air bags may fracture and separate from the air bag during deployment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 214, "Side Impact Protection."
2016 · air bags:frontalcampaign 16V125000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Colorado vehicles manufactured January 19, 2016, to February 2, 2016, Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured January 9, 2016, to January 26, 2016, and 2016 GMC Canyon vehicles manufactured January 21, 2016, to February 4, 2016. The driver frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash.
2016 · seat belts:critical fastenerscampaign 21V649000
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2021 Chevrolet Malibu and 2019-2021 Cadillac XT4 vehicles. The rear seat belt retractors may be improperly secured with loose or missing fasteners.
2015 · electrical system:ignitioncampaign 16V502000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
2015 · air bags:side/windowcampaign 15V666000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac XTS, Chevrolet Camaro, Equinox, Malibu, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The affected vehicles have front seat-mounted side impact air bags whose inflator may rupture upon its deployment.
2015 · visibility:sun/moon roof assemblycampaign 15V164000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles October 24, 2011, to March 5, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the Slide or Tilt switch for the roof panel may not be adequately recessed to prevent the switch from inadvertently being pressed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 118, "Power-Operated Window, Partition, and Roof Panel Systems."
15 more recalls not shown. Check nhtsa.gov with your VIN for the full history.
Owner insights summarize real ownership discussions for this generation only. Complaint and recall data is public NHTSA (US) information. Always verify recalls against your VIN at nhtsa.gov.