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2012 Chevrolet Malibu: common problems and reliability
An average Malibu year.
906 owner complaints, most about electrical system. 3 recalls.
Should I buy a 2012 Malibu?The 2012 Chevrolet Malibu has 906 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are electrical system and exterior lighting. Owners most often flag engine problems: timing chain wear (2010–2016) leading to potential catastrophic damage; oil consumption/loss; turbocharger failures on 1.5l/2.0l engines; vacuum pump explosions; faulty sensors causing poor fuel economy and rough idle.
Safety record for the 2012 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Malibu years only. How we score it
Is 2012 a good year for the Malibu?
Across the 29 Malibu model years we track, complaint volume runs from 69 (2023) to 3,043 (2009). With 906 complaints, the 2012 Malibu sits about the same as the model's median of 848.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2012 Malibu
seat belts
Campaign 15V269000General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured April 8, 2010, to October 11, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the flexible steel cables that connect the seat belts to the vehicle at the outside of the driver seat and the front passenger seat may be bent from being sat on while entering the vehicle. This repeated bending may result in the cable breaking.
electrical system:wiring
Campaign 14V252000General 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 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.
steering
Campaign 14E044000Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain replacement intermediate steering shafts sold under the Dorman, OE Solutions, and Solutions brand names, part numbers 425-167, 2425167, and 7-3074, for installation on 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6, and 2007-2009 Saturn Aura vehicles. The affected steering shafts may have a yoke that inadequately supports the u-joint bearing resulting in a premature failure.
What owners say across generations
Sentiment is sharply divided by generation and is heavily dependent on model year. The 2013 model year is universally panned, described as so poorly received that it required an emergency refresh for 2014 and was replaced by a new generation for 2016.
- Very frequentEngine problems
Timing chain wear (2010–2016) leading to potential catastrophic damage; oil consumption/loss; turbocharger failures on 1.5L/2.0L engines; vacuum pump explosions; faulty sensors causing poor fuel economy and rough idle.
- Very frequentElectrical glitches
Includes "shift to park" errors draining battery (2016 cited), infotainment/Apple CarPlay connectivity issues, failure to start, key fob system resets, low-beam headlight failures due to corroded harnesses (2009–2012).
Owner insights cover all generations of the Malibu. See the full Malibu owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used Malibu listings typically run $13,498–$19,476 across 2016 to 2025 model years.
Other Malibu model years
Compare every Malibu year side by side to see how 2012 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Malibu against its rivals
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