2012 Chevrolet Malibu Electrical System Problems
- 190
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 190 stored complaint records:
- 3 indicate a crash
- 2 indicate injury
- 3 indicate fire
What owners report
- power steering · 13 records
- fuel pump · 11 records
- keep going · 10 records
- steering wheel · 10 records
- passenger side · 8 records
- several times · 8 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 55 |
| 100–150k mi | 38 |
| 30–60k mi | 31 |
| 1–30k mi | 21 |
| 150–400k mi | 4 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Electrical System · Electronic Stability Control · Power Train
Driving on the freeway @ 70 mph dry roads service esc, service traction control messages flashing alternately. Parked the vehicle next morning 20 minutes of driving again on the freeway @ 70 mph dry roads same 2 flashing messages. Park the vehicle. Started vehicle unable to move shifter from park while depressing brake pedal. Flashing message lights appear randomly as well as unable to move shifter out of park. Very…
ODI 10980069
Electrical System · Electronic Stability Control · Exterior Lighting
On two occassions the power steering suddenly went completely out while on the highway. Since i got the car 2 years ago i have had many issues with the lighting amd electrical. The brake light works when it chooses to even if k done push the brake and with new bulbs it may not work. The headlights do the same. They come on and go off when they choose to. I have replaced bulbs over 20 times in the past 2 years when i…
ODI 11190378
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet malibu. While the vehicle was parked and attempting to remove the key from the ignition switch, the vehicle became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ignition switch failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 20,557.
ODI 10970081
Electrical System · Steering
I was driving to work one morning going about 30mph and car just lost all power , could not steer the car, pulled off road, waited about 20 minutes and car started back with no problems, then a few days ago went out to start car and would not start, the instrument panel would light up but would not start, had to have in jumped off, took it to auto place to have battery checked, battery was fine, drove it home, drove…
ODI 11006300
Electrical System · Electronic Stability Control
I was driving(in motion) on the freeway and the esc service/traction control sensor or light pops on pushes my car into engine reduced power mode that could have caused on coming traffic to rear end me or injure me real bad this must be recalled to be fixed bad i mean asap this needs to bed revised and fixed before someone dies. Also when at stop light this happens to. Omg please im begging you all to get to the…
ODI 10967909
Electrical System · Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet malibu. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. In order to restart the vehicle on the first attempt, the contact had to lock and unlock the doors; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Also, once the vehicle restarted, the security and check engine sensors illuminated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the…
ODI 10969785
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting
Headlamps constantly burning out fuzes blown dangerous when lights go out at night. Safety hazard.
ODI 11056303
Electrical System · Engine
I was driving on the interstate and my car went into reduced power and shaking violently. I was almost hit from the back by a semi.
ODI 10950130
Electrical System · Steering · Unknown Or Other
My car is not working the steering wheel and brake
ODI 10950106
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting
Head lights been repaired 3 times costing 220 each time... Seems to be no known fix for this possible electrical error....
ODI 10957415
Electrical System · Electronic Stability Control · Engine · Power Train · Service Brakes · Steering · Suspension · Wheels
2012 chevrolet malibu. Consumer writes in regards to multiple safety defects with vehicle. *ld the consumer stated the vehicle has several safety defects including the electric stability control, brakes, sensor lights, steering, suspension, wheels, engine lights, power train. Updated 10/23/2017*js
ODI 11035054
Air Bags · Electrical System
One day i turned on my car and my tire sensor was malfunctioning, my airbag light was on and "airbag service needed" notification was showing, and there was nothing that happened other than me driving to work 3 miles away that would have caused the smell functions. In addition these, earlier in the year the were a few months where i was bringing my car in and out of the shop trying to figure out why it was not…
ODI 11024135
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet malibu. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The failure occurred on several occasions. The contact was able to restart the vehicle on the first attempt. On some occasions, a jump start was required. Additionally, an unknown warning indicator illuminated after the failure occurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or…
ODI 10934133
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that there was an electrical short with the wiring associated with the headlights. The low beams, high beams, running lights, and turn signals failed to function. The vehicle was inspected, diagnosed, and repaired by a mechanic. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 125,000.
ODI 10959603
Electrical System · Fuel/Propulsion System
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start and the security warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was diagnosed or repaired, but the failure recurred numerous times. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 93,000.
ODI 10918794
Electrical System · Electronic Stability Control · Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System
While in motion more than two dozen times on city streets, on busy highways and while turning in a busy intersection with children in the car. 2012 chevy malibu stops while in motion on the above stated streets, highways and intersections. Read where someone beat on the rear fuse box then car starts so i tried it and it works for a little while but doesnt solve said problem. Checked battery. Battery is good. Check…
ODI 10905936
Electrical System · Electronic Stability Control · Steering
Several systems have been affected. The systems affected are the radio controls on the steering wheel, the power steering, the traction control and the rear defrost. There seems to be a short that goes from system to system. Modern chevrolet in winston salem, nc said it was a short in wires on the steering column that was causing this. There are three recalls that would deal with this. The recalls are for steering,…
ODI 10915134
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting
I am an auto mechanic and the owner of a 2012 chevrolet malibu. The problem with my vehicle, 4 of my customers malibus (2009 to 2012) and many many other malibu owners is that while driving one or both headlights will cut off leaving the operator with little or no visibility while still in motion, this is what happened to me one night on a rural highway with no street lights. After much troubleshooting i have…
ODI 10994302
Electrical System
For the second time in a year the entire fuse box panel that my fuel relay plugs into has gone bad, not only does this pose a threat of fire, but also accidental injury if the car were to lose power (which it does) sporadically and intermittently without warning while driving.
ODI 10882992
Electrical System
Check engine light came on. Took it too several places where they say there is an electrical shortage but they can not locate the problem.
ODI 10911056
Air Bags · Electrical System
While on a trip the passenger air bag warning light came on while driving on highways while on vacation. This happened in may 2016 and also may 2015 while on vacation. I checked on line and it states the air bag is disabled when the learning light comes on. On line it stated back in 2004-up through 2012 they had several complaints on this, they found a problem with the wiring harness and had to do upgrade called a…
ODI 10883153
Electrical System · Engine · Traction Control System
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet malibu. While driving various speeds, the traction control and check engine indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The failure recurred numerous times. While the vehicle was idling, the esc and traction control were off. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the valve spring failed or fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not…
ODI 10916495
Electrical System
My stationary car would not start one morning , after having it towed to a independent auto shop i was told the relay switch was replaced but the car had and electrical problem that might reoccur and should be taken to a gm dealership. Two weeks later the stationary car would not start again and i contacted gm customer care line and scheduled to have the car inspected, before i was able to arrive at the dealership…
ODI 10876109
Electrical System · Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc. · Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the steering wheel abruptly locked while attempting to turn at a low speed. The failure was experienced several times. While the bluetooth was in use, the radio and steering wheel simultaneously failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the battery cable was defective and caused the electrical system to lose charge.…
ODI 10881993
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the key was unable to start the vehicle on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but the failure could not be replicated and no diagnostic trouble codes were shown. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic for further inspection. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.
ODI 10906456