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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
47,009 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2012 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Comments (Page 2 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #30

Dec 072015

Malibu

  • 92,000 miles

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

Hard to shift out of park and the traction control disable comes on and the brakes lights will quit working and the stability control shuts off while driving down the road. I researched and I see there was a recall for all this. Recall # 14V252000 is all the same symptoms I am experiencing and I called the dealer and they said my VIN is not listed. This needs to be taken care of I was almost rear ended twice due to the brake lights not working when it acts

- Onalaska, WI, USA

problem #29

Nov 222013

Malibu

  • miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving at approximately 25 mph, the accelerator pedal was depressed and traveled to the floorboard and caused the cruise control to malfunction. In addition, the seat belts did not latch and the vehicle crashed into a tree. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained head, back, and legs injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and repaired. The vehicle was included in a manufacturer recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Martin, TN, USA

problem #28

Dec 022015

Malibu

  • 80,400 miles
While driving home one night last week, going about 60 mph, my engine cut off. I had to steer the car off the road, and started it back up. Drove another half mile or so, and the car did the same thing. This time, the car would start then immediately shut off. Car would not stay cranked for more than 1 second or so. Took car to dealership the next morning, car fixed under power train warranty. The very next, day, engine shut off while at a complete stop at a red light. Car would not start back up, had car towed to dealership. Dealership has had the car for 5 days now, still cannot figure out what the problem is. The car shutting off while driving is not the first time this has happened, every time I have reported to dealership, and they cannot fix my issue. This is a very serious matter, I have involved Chevrolet customer care, and would like to hear from a GM corporate representative.

- Fuquay Varina, NC, USA

problem #27

Mar 112015

Malibu 6-cyl

  • 22,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact had the vehicle repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control); however, the failure recurred. While driving approximately 45 mph, the traction control warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the BCM module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 22,000. Updated 02/12/16 the consumer has since sold the vehicle. Updated 02/22/16.

- Sterling Heights, MI, USA

problem #26

Oct 272015

Malibu

  • 60,000 miles
Power ESC, traction control, reduced power to engine, and tire lights all came on. Car would not go over 30 mph. Car was hesitating and cutting off and once placed in drive car took off by itself with rpms at 3 and same with reverse, I took foot off brake and car took off in reverse with rpms a bit over 2. air conditioning will not work steadily and its been to a few shops and brakes will not work properly and they have been changed twice.

- Morton, MS, USA

problem #25

Aug 182015

Malibu

  • 37,000 miles
The engine light came on and a code read engine power reduced service ESC. My car was shaking and would not gain speed. I was finally able to make it off the highway and stopped to see if I could figure out what was wrong. Could not see anything wrong. We got back in the car and everything seemed to be working okay now so we headed home. We got almost home when once again my car lost all speed and we were almost hit by another car.this has happened on several occassions.

- Upper Marlboro, MD, USA

problem #24

May 112015

Malibu

  • 61,308 miles

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

I was driving 45 the posted speed limit, and all of sudden the car chimed 4-5 times and the check engine light came on as well as the electronic stability control light and then I went from 45 to about 15 quick and it now says engine power reduced. There wasn't that much traffic so I kept driving to get home but a couple minutes later it shut off completely so I 3 to a safe place to pull over tried to start after a few attempts it started up and was fine except it jumps and then acts like it's going to shut off.

- Bakersfield, CA, USA

problem #23

Apr 162015

Malibu 4-cyl

  • miles
Do not remember when I brought my car in for campaign 14V252000 maybe approx. A year ago. The problems the car was having before I had the recall done have started again. Up until now haven't had any problems. My dealer wants to charge me to fix it.

- Liberty, TX, USA

problem #22

Feb 022015

Malibu 4-cyl

  • miles
2012 Chevrolet Malibu. Consumer writes in regards to body control module system/ brake apply sensor recall notice. The consumer stated he waited for the details to restore the safety of the vehicle. However, unable to wait any longer, he was forced to sell the vehicle.

- Rego Park, NY, USA

problem #21

Mar 042014

Malibu 6-cyl

  • miles
2012 Chevrolet Malibu. Consumer wants to be reimbursement for repairs due to recall for vehicle.

- Lansing, IL, USA

problem #20

Oct 012014

Malibu

  • miles

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

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact received a notification for NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control). However, the part needed was not available. The dealer indicated that it would take months before an appointment could be scheduled. The manufacturer was contacted and could not provide an estimated date for when the vehicle would receive the recall repair. The contact did not experience a failure.

- Fernley, NV, USA

problem #19

Nov 032014

Malibu 4-cyl

  • miles
2012 Chevrolet Malibu. Consumer writes in regards to body control module recall notice. The consumer stated while driving, the air bag deployed and caused him to have an accident. The consumer was injured. The consumer sent in a recall notice along with his complaint.

- Vilonia, AR, USA

problem #18

Jun 192014

Malibu 4-cyl

  • 16,251 miles
While driving on the highway I used the cruise control. I stepped on the brake to slow down but the brake would not release. It frightened me, I stepped on the brake harder it still did not release I had to press off the cruise control button on the console. This happens all the time now. It is an inconvenience and scary.

- Cheektowaga, NY, USA

problem #17

Jul 192014

Malibu

  • 8,500 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number:14V252000 ( electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control) and stated that the part needed was unavailable to perform the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

- Sanford, NC, USA

problem #16

Nov 162012

Malibu

  • 600 miles
I have to press gas pedal down more then needed as it feels car lacks power. To go up a hill it lags I shouldn't have to press on petal harder to go.

- East Norriton , PA, USA

problem #15

Sep 152012

Malibu

  • 5 miles
TL- the contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the air pressure sensor illuminated multiple times intermittently. The authorized dealer reset the code and the failure recurred. The contact had difficulty activating the cruise control and had to make multiple attempts to get it to work. Also, the battery had drained intermittently and the window wipers had to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 5. pam

- Marrietta, GA, USA

problem #14

Sep 262012

Malibu 4-cyl

  • 18,000 miles
Transmission constantly slips, when trying to accelerate it does not catch up and revs really high. Transmission has locked up once and it has been replaced by the dealership; however that issue still happens on a regular basis. 2012 Malibu lt, I would like this issue investigated and GM held responsible for selling me a lemon car with a defective transmission that has not run correctly ever since my purchase in 2011. I have the paper work that shows the replacement of a defective transmission on a new 2012 Malibu that I purchased.

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #13

Nov 062013

Malibu

  • 82,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving 65 mph, the vehicle decelerated. The contact mentioned that the engine powering down and the low traction control warning lights illuminated. In addition, the contact mentioned that the headlights would stop working sporadically without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the throttle body sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 82,000 and the current mileage was 89,000.

- Jarratt, VA, USA

problem #12

Apr 072014

Malibu 4-cyl

  • 13,000 miles
2012 Chevrolet Malibu with horrible shifting - 1st to 2nd is a hard shift and 2nd - 3rd isn't a whole lot better. When it down shifts while coming to a stop it again shifts hard and sometimes abruptly. The RPM gauge also flares when shifting down. I have been jutted out into oncoming traffic when it decides to slip shift. I am afraid to drive this car with my family. The worst part is that the dealership cannot find anything "wrong" with it or tell me why it does this because the poor shifting is intermittent, not constant. Not happy!

- Holt, MI, USA

problem #11

Dec 262013

Malibu 4-cyl

  • 53,400 miles
On 12/26/13 myself and two other ladies were heading home early morning when all of a sudden my vehicle just shut down in the middle of the hwy. Without warning, luckily no traffic was coming because we had to push the vehicle off the hwy. After it sat for awhile it cranked back up and we managed to get it home. I drove it to work 12/27/13 but it did the same thing twice (once before 8 a.M. when I stopped at a gas station to get something to drink and again at 12:00 P.M. on my lunch break) during my lunch break I was at the gas station pumping gas, I turned off the engine to pay for my gas. When I returned my car wouldn't crank. I called the dealership, they connected me to the service department. The service man offered to come tow my vehicle, but after about 30 minutes it, of course, cranked. Nonetheless I gave them the address of my employment and told them to come pick it up so they could find out what was wrong with it. That same day the service man replaced the relay switch and said the problem was taken care of and I could pick up my car. I picked up my car on 12/30/13. On my way home on this same day (12/30/13) my vehicle shut down at the red light with traffic backed up behind me. I took my vehicle back to them and they kept it almost 2 weeks and could not find anything wrong with it but offered to replace the fuel tank, hoping this would solve the problem. I called them on 3/24/14 because my vehicle shut down again on 3/23/14, no one has returned my call. Can someone please tell me what is going on with this vehicle.

- Sunflower, AL, USA

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