NHTSA has 907 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu[1]. The electrical system is the biggest group, with 291 complaints[2].
Most reported problems
Owner complaints for this Malibu fall into a few groups, and here they are from biggest to smallest.
- Electrical System. 291 complaints[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe sudden stalls, a car that will not start until it gets a jump, and several features dropping out at once. Some also mention the loss of power assist for steering and brakes.
- Exterior Lighting. 202 complaints[6]. Owners describe headlights that cut out on their own and a high mounted brake light that stopped working. One story tells of a rear end crash after the brake lights failed.
- Steering. 191 complaints[7]. Owners describe power steering that quit without warning, a front end wobble at highway speed, and repairs that did not hold.
- Electronic Stability Control. 129 complaints[8]. Owners describe a warning message that comes and goes, dealers who could not find the cause, and a car that slid on damp pavement when pulling away.
- Engine. 103 complaints[9].
- Air Bags. 101 complaints[10].
- Brakes. 74 complaints[11].
- Speed Control. 52 complaints[12].
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2012 Malibu is necessarily included.
- Seat Belts (15V269), May 2015. About 437,045 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[13]
- Electronic Stability Control (Esc) (14V252), May 2014. About 2,440,524 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[14]
Fuel economy
EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
| Version | City / highway / combined MPG | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| Malibu, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[4] | 22 / 32 / 26 | $2,600 |
| Malibu, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[15] | 17 / 25 / 20 | $3,350 |
| Malibu, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive[16] | 22 / 33 / 26 | $2,600 |
Safety ratings
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 DR FWD[5] | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 10.9% |
Engine and size
Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.
How 2012 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 446 | 4 |
| 1998 | 981 | 3 |
| 1999 | 793 | 1 |
| 2000 | 933 | 3 |
| 2001 | 734 | 2 |
| 2002 | 583 | 2 |
| 2003 | 585 | 2 |
| 2004 | 1,697 | 7 |
| 2005 | 1,393 | 4 |
| 2006 | 1,387 | 6 |
| 2007 | 1,036 | 3 |
| 2008 | 1,017 | 4 |
| 2009 | 1,534 | 5 |
| 2010 | 1,365 | 3 |
| 2011 | 978 | 3 |
| 2012 | 907 | 2 |
| 2013 | 924 | 11 |
| 2014 | 363 | 6 |
| 2015 | 270 | 3 |
| 2016 | 865 | 10 |
| 2017 | 725 | 4 |
| 2018 | 711 | 6 |
| 2019 | 195 | 1 |
| 2020 | 199 | 1 |
| 2021 | 90 | 2 |
| 2022 | 99 | 1 |
| 2023 | 71 | 2 |
| 2024 | 43 | 2 |
| 2025 | 11 | 1 |
NHTSA's counts for the Malibu show 907 complaints and 2 recalls for 2012[3]. Among the 29 model years listed, 17 have fewer complaints than 2012 and 11 have more[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2025 (11) and the most are for 2004 (1,697)[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.
Should you buy a used 2012 Malibu?
The complaint record for this Malibu is large, at 907 complaints[1]. The electrical system leads the list with 291 complaints[2], and lighting and steering follow close behind[6][7]. Some complaints involve crashes and fires, so the safety side is worth taking seriously[1]. Recalls exist for this model year, and they are listed in the Recalls section[3]. If you are shopping for one, check that the recall work was done and test the electrical features and steering on a drive.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu?
- Owners file the most complaints about the electrical system[2], then exterior lighting[6] and steering[7]. See the problems section for how owners describe each one.
- Does the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu have recalls?
- Yes. The by-year facts show recalls for this model year[3]. Details are in the Recalls section of this page.
- How many complaints does the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu have?
- NHTSA has 907 owner complaints on file[1].
- Is the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?
- The record shows a lot of electrical complaints[2] and steering complaints[7]. Read the problems section and compare years in the by-year section before you decide.
- What is the gas mileage of the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu?
- See the fuel economy section of this page for the figures.
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Chevrolet Malibu
Compare all model years of the Chevrolet Malibu
Other Chevrolet models from 2012
Similar cars from 2012: midsize cars
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 907 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu (50 mention a crash, 13 a fire, 35 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 291 complaints name the electrical system component group (5 crashes, 11 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 87,830). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Chevrolet Malibu model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Malibu, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 32 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 10.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
- 202 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (4 crashes, 6 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 99,750). NHTSA vehicle records
- 191 complaints name the steering component group (9 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 103,794). NHTSA vehicle records
- 129 complaints name the electronic stability control (esc) component group (6 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 93,437). NHTSA vehicle records
- 103 complaints name the engine component group (2 crashes, 2 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 84,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 101 complaints name the air bags component group (28 crashes, 0 fires, 25 injuries, median mileage at failure 67,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 74 complaints name the brakes component group (12 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 43,540). NHTSA vehicle records
- 52 complaints name the speed control component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 56,700). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 15V269, filed May 8, 2015: Seat Belts. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 14V252, filed May 14, 2014: Electronic Stability Control (Esc). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Malibu, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 25 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Malibu, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 33 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA Test Car List, 2012 Chevrolet Malibu with 2.4L 4-cylinder: rated 170 to 175 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
- EPA Test Car List, 2012 Chevrolet Malibu with 3.6L 6-cylinder: rated 250 hp. www.epa.gov