2012 Chevrolet Malibu Engine Problems
- 71
- 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 71 stored complaint records:
- 2 indicate a crash
- 1 indicate injury
- 1 indicate fire
What owners report
- check engine · 17 records
- engine light · 15 records
- failure mileage · 11 records
- traction control · 10 records
- where diagnosed · 9 records
- without warning · 9 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 100–150k mi | 16 |
| 60–100k mi | 15 |
| 30–60k mi | 14 |
| 1–30k mi | 10 |
| 150–400k mi | 1 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Electrical System · Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System
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…
ODI 11306933
Electrical System · Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System
Was driving and my car stopped accelerating. I pushed on the gas and it would not go. I was on the free way and almost had an accident. Also car would no longer start after stopped. Would act like it was going to start and does not. I've had several toes with my children in the vehicle. A huge safety concern.
ODI 11240468
Engine · Power Train · Wheel Speed Sensor
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet malibu. While driving 70 mph, the vehicle experienced acceleration failure and stalled. In addition, the gear had a difficult time shifting from park into reverse or drive when attempting to move out of a parked position. The vehicle was taken to bergstrom chevrolet of madison ([redacted], madison, wi 53713, [redacted]) where it was diagnosed that the body control module and an…
ODI 11241350
Engine · Vehicle Speed Control
The car struggles to pick up speed. The rpms go up to between 4 and 5 and it doesnt shift when it should. It struggles accelerating to go up hills. The same rpm issue happens no matter if car was just started or had been running for long time. The check engine light wont shut off. Mechanic hooked it up to diagnose it, result showed it was solenoid. Replaced solenoids and light remained on. Reset check engine light.…
ODI 11266561
Electrical System · Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet malibu. While driving approximately 55-60 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle approximately 20-60 minutes later. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that there was an electrical failure and additional diagnostic testing needed to be performed. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact…
ODI 11192838
Engine · Unknown Or Other
Timing chain needed to be replaced. Vehicle has 102,000 miles on it
ODI 11189717
Body · Electronic Stability Control · Engine
Takata recall it constantly shakes and my car is constantly pulling and random codes pop up all the time . Not to mention it's a 2012 and it's rusting majorly. I am driving when my car seems to be missing a beat it wants to jerk on me like it wants to stop running. I was on a city street it happens a lot .
ODI 11235218
Electronic Stability Control · Engine
One day, driving on a freeway my car all of a sudden accelerated out of nowhere, then on the dash showed 'service esc' then immediately after 'reduced engine power' and shut off. It would not turn back on and i was on the middle of the freeway. I had to have it towed to a nearby shop while i waited for hours to get the throttle body replaced- total of $560 and my car worked for the next two days then did the same…
ODI 11245224
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet malibu. While driving 60 mph, the vehicle stalled and it took multiple attempts to restart. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer where the battery plug was cleaned, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,000.
ODI 11252490
Electronic Stability Control · Engine · Service Brakes
Takata recall if i hit a bump small or any size actually my engine reduces and i have to pull over...and turn the car off for up to 10 mins sometimes... I cant drive on the freeway at all because i dont want the engine to reduce while doing 60 mph lately it will go into engine power reduce while im parked in a driveway so i dont get it
ODI 11183915
Engine
Heater core was replaced in october 2017 due to anti-freeze leaking inside of car. The entire dashboard was removed ($1050). In october 2018, the traction control light began to appear so i had my mechanic use the gm testing equipment. Two valve timing solenoids were replaced. The traction control light issue continues and when it does, the brake lights remain on. The lights only appear when driving or if the radio…
ODI 11150949
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet malibu. While driving 50 mph, the contact heard an abnormal noise. The vehicle stalled and the "engine hot" warning indicator illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle would not restart and it was towed to her home. An independent mechanic stated that the engine was not the original engine. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not…
ODI 11140664
Engine
As i was driving in in chicago interstate 94 doing about 60mph the motor just stopped running the steering was hard i had difficulty going to the sholder there was no warning lights like if i just turned the switch to off after i got to the sholder the car just didn't want to start..i called my mechanic he said try to reboot the pc. Unplug the battery. I did the car started but started with a ticking noise. In the…
ODI 11119767
Electronic Stability Control · Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System
While driving on the highway at 55 mph, service ecs light came on, reduced power warning light came on and car came to a full stall.
ODI 11119329
Engine · Service Brakes · Unknown Or Other
P2138 throttle/ pedal position sensor second time same problem the power was reduce when i was driving in the highway.
ODI 11113693
Electrical System · Engine · Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the engine overheated, stalled, and various warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and was later taken to master chevrolet ([redacted] w, aiken, sc 29801, [redacted]) for diagnostic testing and repairs. The contact stated that the dealer was unable to determine a specific cause of the failures, but stated…
ODI 11111177
Electronic Stability Control · Engine
Tracking control light comes on and slows the car, the the engine will disable . The car will do this while in motion. Today on the freeway engines disabled and almost rear ended. No machanic know how to fix it without changing and replacing multiple parts and still happens. We purchased the car in march 2018
ODI 11100394
Electrical System · Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System
Cylinder 2 keep miss firing and service traction light keeps coming on. I have taken the care to 3 repair shop and spent over $2500 in repairs over the last year.
ODI 11091335
Electronic Stability Control · Engine · Exterior Lighting
Misfire cyl #1 and eng lt. With misfire code, attempted chev dealer warranty repair with removal of cyl head and replacemnt valves [the cheap fix instead of replacing cyl head, in retrospect i believe chev should have replaced the cyl head for a permanent repair, now the car is out of 100k powertrain warranty] but recurrence 22k miles later. I suspect a design flaw. Iternet shows many owners with same complaint.…
ODI 11085058
Engine · Unknown Or Other
Vehicle started idling rough but ran good on the interstate or speeds above 40 mph. Checked timing chains. Chains were loose and jumped time.
ODI 11092577
Electrical System · Engine
Timing chain causing car to misfire and engine light on
ODI 11109768
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet malibu. While driving various speeds, the check engine indicator illuminated without warning. The contact took the vehicle to grismer automotive (60 n main st, springboro, oh 45066, [redacted]) where it was diagnosed that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The contact was advised by chevrolet to contact gm. The contact called gm and was informed that the vehicle was…
ODI 11072364
Engine · Visibility/Wiper
Timing chain needs repair only 80,000 miles on car bought it certified used warranty is up im very upset was driving on express way engine light came on had it checked at dealership
ODI 11062050
Electrical System · Engine · Power Train
This is my second incident report for the same vehicle. While driving on the highway the vehicle suddenly lost all mobility. No warning at all just stopped running. Fortunatly i was not at a very high rate of speed but was getting ready to make a turn off the highway. No indication that anything was wrong at all. My concern is why does someone need to get hurt or killed before this prolem is addressed? Having taken…
ODI 11058388
Electrical System · Engine · Power Train
Vehicle was in motion at about 60 mph on a highway and the rpms dropped drastically, the anti skid indicator light came on, the vehicle lost power temporarilly. I pulled over and slowed down and the car returned to normal. Same evening vehicle was in motion about 55 mph on a highway when there was a loss of power, steering got sluggish,all indicatorlights on dash blinked on and off engine light came on and stayed…
ODI 11057219