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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 6
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
62,547 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Chevrolet Malibu electrical problems

electrical problem

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2012 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Comments (Page 3 of 13)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #216

Oct 012020

Malibu 4-cyl

  • 151,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When I get in my car I notice that my check engine light comes on in an are where certain people don't like me at like cuba mo there is a conspiracy going on out here ever sense they took my kids illegally it's been nothing but problems and I don't want to get hurt or hurt nobody please help my gas leaves quick also I know my car is being hacked because they do that a lot out there and surrounding cities the engine light will come on while I'm driving and when I'm out the car it'll come on there is also a tracking device on it that I didn't put on there also I put gas in my car then all of a sudden it goes down to low fuel I just bought the car from the dealership at jd by rider in rolla

- Sullivan, MO, USA

problem #215

Apr 202020

Malibu

  • miles
In 2019, my vehicle's tail lights, blinkers, headlights, & interior lights went out. I began to receive dashboard notifications from my car about traction control in early 2018 and earlier this year I started receiving notifications of problems with my airbags. I bought new bulbs, but that didn't solve my lighting problems. I took my car to a Chevy dealership and was charged/paid a large sum of money to be told I needed a new fuse panel and headlight bulbs. I was told the panel wasn't available due to a strike at the plant & to come back later to have the panel installed. I returned later to be told that the tech didn't record his findings on my profile so no one knew what was wrong with my vehicle and was asked to pay out more money. Therefore, I took my vehicle to a different dealership and it was documented that my vehicle required a substantial amount of wiring which includes, but not limited to, body control module (BCM), body harness, a new fuse block, labor, etc., the price tag is in the thousands. I conducted online research and learned of recalls on my vehicle. I contacted Chevrolet and was told there was no recall on my particular VIN although there is a recall on the year, make and model of my car and there was nothing Chevrolet could do to assist me. However, for every single issue I am experiencing with my car there is a recall for it. I am unable to drive my financed vehicle due to safety hazards and the possibility of being ticketed by the police or worse. I received notice for one recall after purchasing my car and that was for a seat belt. From my understanding 13036 is the BCM Chevy recall number. Please let me know if more information is needed.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #214

Jul 282020

Malibu

  • 112,470 miles
This vehicle and many other year models have been having same issues and costing lots of money trying to pin point real issue. The car will turn off at stop lights, melt wires and is related to fuel pump wiring. The wire gage is to small to pull proper amps that lead to blown fuses, melted wires, car stalling and won't crank, and according to other complaints-done to GM personally by a lot of people, has quit while going down hwy. These are serious safety issues! I just bought this car from private party 3 months ago. Been having issues with motor cranking multiple times. Took it to dealership previous owner bought it from to fix jssues-seatbelt recall, new fob due to original 'dead'-it's battery still good. Check out cranking issues and doors not locking. They did not find crank issue and supposedly 4 door locking modulators were messed up. If car cranks they can't diagnose S problem. They got new fob to work. My personal mechanic had replace fuel relay, still stops cranking, just replaced the trunks fuse box. It cranks now, but for how long? GM needs to do a recall on fuel pump wiring from box to pump! put correct wire gage so this won't happen again! the last time car didn't crank was on 7/28/20. My mechanic replaced fuse box and I have not driven it since! I have cranked it several times though. Pease help us little people get justice before it causes a wreck or takes a life! thank you.

- Oak City, NC, USA

problem #213

May 212020

Malibu

  • 81,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The vehicle have no check engine codes but won't start and cuts off I traffic and in highway. The fuse box in trunk gets got and the fuel pump relay gets hot. After the car stalls the only way to start is shake wiretap fuse box in trunk and tap on rear fuse box

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #212

Aug 122020

Malibu

  • 81,000 miles
Engine losses power shuts off wont restat

- College Point, NY, USA

problem #211

Aug 192020

Malibu

  • 106,000 miles
Car stops while driving loses power. Start and stop intermittently. Fuses hot in trunk fuse box. Was nearly rear ended multiple times.this has been an ongoing problem and have had many parts replaced which has not fixed the problem. This is however, the third time it has happened while driving. This is a very dangerous situation! I have heard of many other vehicle owners of the same make and model having these issues. This is a wiring issue with General Motors. Someone is going to get injured or worse due to this issue.

- Westland, MI, USA

problem #210

Aug 072020

Malibu

  • 120,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The low-beam headlights keep burning out. A melted socket was the first issue. It was repaired a month ago and now the same problem is again at play. There must be an electrical short. This is a common problem with these vehicles that many have reported. It costs dearly to have a mechanic take apart the front of the vehicle and work on the lights since you must take off the whole front bumper to access the headlights. I have paid for repair and bulb replacement already in the past 2 months. To see it happening again is very discouraging.

- Nixa, MO, USA

problem #209

Jun 222020

Malibu

  • 97,000 miles
My 2012 Chevy Malibu passenger side low beam has gone out for the second time in less than a year. After doing some research, I found this is a common issue for the Chevy Malibu. Entries stating similar issues specifically effecting the same passenger side low beam, totaled more than 300 on carproblemzoo.com this is not only a monetary issue, not only a resource issue, but a significant risk to operator and bystander safety. If GM does not acknowledge they have supplied a faulty product, as described by the hundreds of complaints listed online, they are complicit to any accidents or injury caused by their lack of action and concern. My own experience has been frightening, noticing a lack of power after I'm already on the road, only seeing one light from my car reflecting on another car or surface. The general public takes great care to make sure their vehicles can both safely operate and Transport themselves and others. With this damaged part in Chevy's Malibu, making great strides for a safe vehicle could be for nothing if the light does not do its job. With this in mind, please consider the climate we live in today. The difference between a faulty headlight, and a reliable light, could mean life or death not only for those on the road, but for poc, targeted by police, for a faulty headlight. In 2015, darrius stewart was a passenger in a 2009 Chevy Malibu. He unjustly lost his life to a police officer after the driver was pulled over for what do you ask? a headlight out. Darrius stewart. General Motors- recall. chng.it/rpxwymbw9V

- Biddeford, ME, USA

problem #208

Jun 302020

Malibu 6-cyl

  • 150,000 miles
ESC warning on dash coming on will driving and turning forward or backward. HVAC controller not responding to commands, HVAC resistor and blower motor wires getting very hot and not blowing fuses when driving with ac or heater running. HVAC resistor blowing out. High motor oil consumption, every 1000 miles its low a quart.

- Pleasant Unity, PA, USA

problem #207

Jun 162020

Malibu 4-cyl

  • 140,000 miles
The anti-theft system randomly activates and shuts down the car. It prevents me from starting the car. It usually happens when I am trying to start the car but I've read posts about it happening while people are driving.

- Raymond, NH, USA

problem #206

May 162019

Malibu 4-cyl

  • 170,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My fuse box in my trunk came back fail bad one so changed it out with another one well that worked for 1 month my car stalls or don't start unless I hit the fuse box got another fuse box that did the same exact things now some times when I hit the fuse box my car will start then again won't somethings making the fuse box to go bad I believe it's something to do the wiring or fuel pump relay fuse. I've had my car stall on the high way to many times this need to be recalled its a hazard problem not safe.

- Flint, MI, USA

problem #205

Apr 282020

Malibu

  • 130,000 miles
This is my third complaint because my car has electrical issues that need repaired. The vehicle would not start, would have to tap on fuel box located in trunk to get it to start. In the middle of driving the car, the car would lose power and ESC, traction control, check engine light would come on and power steering would lock up. Took it to nearest Chevy dealer and they said 'the wiring is burnt up from the fuel pump/fuse box located in trunk' this is because GM used cheap wiring. My passenger headlight keeps going out, rear defrost doesn't work, and my door speakers doesn't not work. This is all because of the wiring located in the trunk. I refuse to pay over $2,000 to fix myself when this is clearly a GM issue. Everybody on here has the same problem with their Malibu's. and it really sucks because I'm making payments on a car I cannot drive. This is really dangerous especially when I have my kids in the car and it just loses power and cut off in the middle of traffic.

- Youngstown, OH, USA

problem #204

Apr 232020

Malibu

  • 136,000 miles
I have a 2012 Chevy Malibu lt and my car has the same problem as everybody else's. it would cut off and lose power while driving and at first I would beat the fuse box in the trunk and it would run. Now it doesn't even work at all. Had it diagnosed at my local Chevy dealer and they said the wiring leading from the fuel pump and fuel box is all burnt up. I refuse to pay $2000 or more to fix when this is clearly a GM issues. It needs a recall on this vehicle because they used cheap wiring. This is my second complaint and I will continue to write complains until it is fixed. ESC, power steering would lock up which makes it very dangerous especially with kids in the vehicle.

- Youngstown, OH, USA

problem #203

May 192019

Malibu

  • 95,000 miles
Car would randomly not start up. Starter would engage with key turned, but engine would not fire off and run. No codes from diagnostics. Never heard fuel pump energize with problem present. Car would eventually successfully start. Bench tested fuel pump relay with no issues. Disassembled fuse box in trunk and found the brown wire connecting the fuel pump to its relay was significantly heat stressed. The black plastic wire harness that houses the brown fuel pump wire was also stressed and deformed, and was no longer retaining the crimped connector for the brown wire. I had to clean up the metal crimp connector and pinch down on the end so that it would "grab" the relay terminal once reassembled. Car has yet to repeat the starting problem a year later.

- Clayton, NC, USA

problem #202

Apr 192020

Malibu

  • miles
Doors keep unlocking and locking on their own. Does it constantly no matter what I do.. the alarm doesnt do anything and the doors just keep unlocking and locking back and forth all day and night even without the keys inside while parked

- Nuevo, CA, USA

problem #201

Feb 212020

Malibu

  • 111,000 miles
I purchased this car used and 2 weeks after I had to have it towed to a mechanic from work because it wouldn't start. Mechanic said it was fuel pump so he replaced it $685 and the tow was $125. Drove it home and the next day went out to start it before work and wouldn't start but had crank. Called mechanic he had it towed back to his shop, cleaned the fuse box in the trunk and said the brown wire was loose. Started up the next day but the following day it stalled on me while me and my son was on our way to get something to eat and I hit the box in the trunk and it started. I cannot believe this is not a recall yet from how many people have went through this electrical wiring issue. This was all on city streets. How many times am I going to have to beat on this box to get it started and how long will that last? this is ridiculous!

- Carlisle, OH, USA

problem #200

Aug 012019

Malibu

  • 122,000 miles
The car seems to run fine once it starts. The problem is getting it to start. Sometimes the car starts without any problems and then sometimes it won't. it has left me stranded multiple times. We replaced the fuel pump, which seemed to fix the problem for a few days and then the same thing started to happen. We replaced a couple of fuses. Again this seemed to fix the problem for a few days and then the same thing started to happen. My husband and I noticed that there is some wiring that is always hot leading from the fuse box to the fuel pump. Basically we believe that Chevrolet used cheap crappy thin wiring. Because of this, the car won't start. We did some research online and it seems that everyone who owns a 2012 Chevy Malibu has had a similar problem that has cost consumers hundreds of dollars. We have always owned a Chevy and this is the first vehicle that we have ever had a problem with. We are seriously considering switching to Toyota or Nissan since Chevrolet has been receiving complaints and thus far has chosen not to do anything. Chevrolet manufactured the 2012 Chevy Malibu and was aware of the issues surrounding the fuse box, fuel pump, and the wiring. One of these days, the car is going to catch fire because of the faulty system. It is extremely frustrating to see all of these Chevy Malibu owners experiencing the same issue and Chevrolet does nothing. We never know if the car is going to start; it's literally a guessing game. Sometimes we tap the fuse box, sometimes we kick the side of the rear passenger door, and sometimes we have to sit and wait 15 minutes and then the car will start. Chevrolet needs to have a recall and fix the issues surrounding the 2012 Chevy Malibu. Eventually the wiring is going to catch fire.

- Bryan, TX, USA

problem #199

Jan 152020

Malibu

  • 95,000 miles
Vehicle would not start. Dealership changed fuse box and wiring in trunk due to melting. Now low beam headlights not working. Replaced one months ago, now both not working again. Noticed similar complaints on your website.

- Canton, MI, USA

problem #198

Jan 062020

Malibu

  • 130,000 miles
Driver side headlight kept going in and out until completely going out and not working. When getting a new bulb put it it did the same thing a week later. The wiring in the headlight is faulty. The same thing goes for the front speakers of the car. The front speakers will come on and off on their own as well.

- Evansville, IN, USA

problem #197

Jan 092020

Malibu

  • 144,000 miles
Driving my vehicle with my 3 month old daughter in the car. Turned the wheel as I was taking a turn and the power steering completely stopped. This forced me to apply the brake because I almost wemt off the road!! I see this isn't the only incident involving the ESC and power steering!! vehicle currently has "service ESC" and "power steering" messages displayed in the info messages.

- Pottsville, PA, USA

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