2012 Chevrolet Malibu Reliability
The 2012 Chevrolet Malibu has 907 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and exterior lighting. Compared with nearby Malibu model years (2010–2014), it rates as a solid year: complaints are in line with the Malibu's typical year, while the 2010 drew 1,365 complaints.
By CarWhere Research · Updated 2026-11-04 · Source: NHTSA
907
NHTSA owner complaints
3
Recall campaigns
50
Complaints citing a crash
13
Complaints citing a fire
2012 Chevrolet Malibu complaints by component
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 model year, filed between 2011 and 2026. A complaint can name more than one component.
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 291 | 32% |
| Exterior lighting | 202 | 22% |
| Steering | 191 | 21% |
| Stability control | 129 | 14% |
| Air bags | 101 | 11% |
| Engine | 99 | 11% |
| Service brakes | 74 | 8% |
| Speed control / throttle | 52 | 6% |
2012 Chevrolet Malibu recalls
3 recall campaigns on NHTSA record for the 2012 model year, by the date NHTSA received the manufacturer's report. Recall repairs are free at a dealer.
| NHTSA campaign | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14V252000 | May 14, 2014 | Electrical system — wiring | General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles… |
| 14E044000 | Jul 21, 2014 | Steering | 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… |
| 15V269000 | May 8, 2015 | Seat belts | General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured April 8, 2010, to October 11, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the flexible steel cables that connect the seat belts to the vehicle at the outside of the… |
How the 2012 compares with nearby Malibu years
Verdicts compare these Malibu model years with each other.
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 1,365 | 4 | Steering | Avoid |
| 2011 | 978 | 4 | Electrical system | Caution |
| 2012 (this page) | 907 | 3 | Electrical system | Solid |
| 2013 | 924 | 9 | Electrical system | Caution |
| 2014 | 363 | 6 | Engine | Solid |
Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA and are not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, so they compare years of the same model rather than different models.
What to check on a used 2012 Chevrolet Malibu
- Electrical: test every light, window, lock, the infotainment screen and the charging system; scan for stored fault codes.
- Lights: check headlights (low and high), brake lights and turn signals; condensation inside the housings is worth noting.
- Steering: check for a steering warning light, heavy or notchy steering and clunks over bumps; power-steering faults show up at low speed.
- Air bags: make sure the air bag warning light goes out after start-up and that any air bag recall was completed on this VIN.
- Recalls: confirm each of the 3 campaigns above was completed on this VIN; open recalls are repaired free at a dealer.
- History: run the VIN for salvage, theft and odometer records, and have an independent mechanic inspect the car before you pay.
Check this exact car
Any 2012 Chevrolet Malibu can be better or worse than its model year. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015. Free preview first; the full report is $12.99, one time.
2012 Chevrolet Malibu reliability FAQ
Is the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?
The 2012 Chevrolet Malibu has 907 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and exterior lighting. Compared with nearby Malibu model years (2010–2014), it rates as a solid year: complaints are in line with the Malibu's typical year, while the 2010 drew 1,365 complaints.
What are the most common 2012 Chevrolet Malibu problems?
The most-reported problem areas in NHTSA owner complaints for the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu are electrical system (291), exterior lighting (202), steering (191), stability control (129). One complaint can name more than one component.
Does the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu have recalls?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu, including 14V252000 (electrical system — wiring) and 14E044000 (steering). Recall repairs are free at a dealer, and whether one was done is tracked by VIN.
How does the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu compare with the 2011 and 2013 models?
By NHTSA records, the 2011 has 978 complaints and 4 recalls (caution); the 2013 has 924 complaints and 9 recalls (caution). The 2012 has 907 complaints and 3 recalls.
How do I check a specific used 2012 Chevrolet Malibu?
Run its VIN. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015, with a free preview first and the full report at $12.99, one time. Pair it with an independent pre-purchase inspection.
More Chevrolet Malibu research
Other Chevrolet Malibu model years:
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation owner complaints (all body-style listings for the 2012 Malibu, de-duplicated by complaint number) and NHTSA recall campaigns, retrieved 2026-11-04.