2012 Chevrolet Malibu: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu: 2 recalls, 907 owner complaints and up to 26 mpg combined.
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Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Stability control, Speed control / throttle Vehicle recall #14V252000 · 2014 · 2,440,524 vehicles
What's wrong: In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the body control module (bcm) connection May result in voltage fluctuations in the brake apply sensor (bas) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear…
Why it matters: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the bcm with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the bcm and harness connector and the bas and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an interim…
Seat belts Vehicle recall #15V269000 · 2015 · 437,045 vehicles
What's wrong: In the affected vehicles, the flexible steel cables that connect the seat belts to the vehicle at the outside of the driver seat and the front passenger seat May be bent from being sat on while entering the vehicle. This repeated bending May result in the cable breaking.
Why it matters: If the cable breaks, the seat occupant May not be properly restrained in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will replace the outboard lap anchor mounting bracket and inspect the flexible steel cable, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on November 16, 2015.
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Steering Equipment recall #14E044000 · 2014 · 7,304 vehicles
What's wrong: Dorman products, Inc. (dorman) is recalling certain replacement intermediate steering shafts sold under the dorman, oe solutions, and solutions brand names, part numbers 425-167, 2425167, and 7-3074, for installation on 2004-2012 Chevrolet malibu, 2005-2010 Pontiac g6, and 2007-2009 Saturn aura vehicles. The affected steering shafts May have a yoke that inadequately supports the u-joint bearing resulting in a…
Why it matters: A joint bearing that fails prematurely May cause separation of the u-joint resulting in a complete loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dorman will notify owners, and dealers will refund the purchase price or replace the steering shafts, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 13 mention a fire, 35 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Electrical (291): the most common themes are electrical failure (136), warning light on (60), stalls / loses power (54).
- Exterior lights (202): the most common themes are electrical failure (69), warning light on (13), stalls / loses power (10).
- Steering (191): the most common themes are steering problems (169), warning light on (43).
- Stability control (129): the most common themes are warning light on (43), electrical failure (29).
The 2012 Chevrolet Malibu has 907 owner complaints, ranking #11 of 29 Malibu model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 667). Complaints peaked in 2019 (167 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 86,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2011 (978 complaints, 3 recalls), 2013 (836 complaints, 10 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 32 | 26 | Regular |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 33 | 26 | Gasoline or E85 |
| 3.6 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 25 | 20 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2012 Chevrolet Malibu problems?
Owners have filed 907 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (291), exterior lights (202), steering (191).
What gas mileage does the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu get?
EPA ratings run up to 26 mpg combined (2.4 L, Automatic (S6)), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.