general problems of the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu - part 1

Was driving home on the parkway and the headlights shut off on their own had to call for roadside assistance to get my vehicle home they will work on dim but brights will not work and if I drive for more than an hour and a half they will not work at all the speed sensor keeps going bad after having it replaced multiple times.

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 mph and following a slight right turn on the highway, the esc warning illuminated, and the vehicle slowed down without the brake pedal being depressed. The failure was intermittent but became a recurring failure. The contact stated that the vehicle also slowed down unintentionally while making a left or right turn at slow speeds. The contact stated that in the middle of the turn, the vehicle slowed to a stop without the brake pedal being depressed. The esc warning light illuminated while the vehicle was still in drive(d) and running. The vehicle came to a stop, and the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle continued driving. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer and was diagnosed with pscm failure. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was not taken back to the dealer. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 14v252000 (electrical system, exterior lighting, vehicle speed control, electronic stability control (esc). The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 166,000.

The power steering assist has cause the steering wheel to move to its let by its self when not holding the steering wheel. I must hold the steering wheel firmly to keep it strait when driving. If I would let go the car will abruptly turn left and possibly drive off the road or hit a car, pedestrian, or whatever is in the way. It started with uncontrolled vibrating at a stand still motion. The car is 165,000 miles that's 15,000 miles from the recall. The car has been repaired a couple times I think only to have the same power steering assist internal parts break down and fail multiple times. I believe the amount of power (amps) the power steering assist draws is needed is to much and the system fails within a short time. The alternative hydraulic version on the v 6 doesn't put so much stress on the electrical system. This could be also why the headlights bulb sockets melt and why I see a 15 volt constant charge is being created from the charging system. Ruining the alternator and battery. Putting high levels of amps on the wiring. Leading to malfunctioning components that is filed for complaints. A major safety hazard for others. Fires and uncontrolled crash since the power steering assist moves the car into dangerous life threating crashes.

Rear windowed defroster suddenly start working upon inspection the rear electrical block that's inside the trunk had melted in the fuse to the defroster had gotten stuck and went on pulling it out it broke and after looking up complaints it seems to be an issue with Malibu and it could cause a fire but gm is doing nothing about it you have to pay for it yourself they released a bulletin to bypass the block but you have to install a whole new block which costs hundreds of dollars.

Loss of power steering assist while driving. Safety issue puts driver and others at risk. Problem confirmed to be known by dealer service bulletin 15356. Special coverage has expired however many vehicles with issue still on the road. Esc light accompanies failure, restarting the vehicle resets system and allows function for short period until loss of steering while moving occurs again. Request gm extend the special coverage to all vehicles still in service or recall.

First, there is a problem with the transmission. The car will stall or stop abruptly while driving. Second, the automatic turn signals do not work. Third, the driver safety belt does tightly secure the driver.

For 4 years the car intermittently would turn on all warning lights, shake, become hard to steer and steer in unintended directions. We paid $1500 for the dealer to fix it and we still had the problem. Today, the car will drive less then a mile and die. When we start the car all warning lights come on, the vehicle vibrates and struggles to keep speed of 5 mph or so then will die.

Electrical problem causing the passenger side low beam to keep burning out. Fourth time in one year. Vehicle is available for inspection upon request. This issue causes a safety concern because you can be driving down the highway at night and all of a sudden you have no headlight.

Passenger and or driver side low beam headlight continues to go out. Mechanic has found connector keeps burning out the socket. Light is fine but connector is shorting out. Fire and safety issue. This issue is on a lot of Chevrolet Malibu and needs a recall fix.

Driving down the freeway and suddenly I get reduce engine power. I had to wait on the freeway until the car started up again.

Passenger side headlamp burned out took off bumper to inspect and the wiring pigtail to the headlight has melted causing it to malfunction so now in order to make it work you have to disconnect the daytime running lights so that the melting stops this is supposedly happened to a lot of Malibu's why there isn't a recall on this fire hazard is beyond me and it is a safety issue cuz you can't use your daytime running lights any longer. This issue has not been reported because upon investigation it's been reported many times and nothing gets done about it you have to pay for it yourself. This will be the last gm product.

The front exterior low beam bulbs / wiring harness keeps burning out. I have replaced them twice already and they have blown again. What is going on already a headache just to even get to the headlights, now have to spend more money to repair.

Vehicle will intermittently not start, have to tap on trunk fuse box to get the Malibu to start, the wire is too small and burns up, can’t find anyone to replace it, is a big issue with this generation of Malibu. Vehicle has shut off while on highways and stoplights on multiple occasions.

My brake lights constantly go out. My fuses keep blowing. Every time I try to adjust my mirrors the fuses blow for the mirrors and brake lights. Also my headlights keep blowing and the headlight harness has been changed and everything. It is very dangerous not having brake lights, or being able to adjust my mirrors.

The wiring to the fuel pump overheated and burned at the rear fuse box located in the trunk, melting the harness connector and charring the fuse box circuit board. This caused the vehicle to stop running. Luckily, it happened while idling and did not start a fire. This wire goes to the fuel tank and the fuse did not blow. The 30a fuse for the rr defog was also burnt and not blown. There were no warnings or engine codes. After researching this online, it appears it is a common problem. This is the second time this happened. It also happened in 2017 with approximately 89,200 miles.

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving at 40 mph the traction warning illuminated. The contact stated that the abs and the traction control were disabled. The contact stated that the failure was occurring at any speed. Additionally, the contact stated that the brake lights were randomly illuminating when he depressed the brake pedal. The contact stated that he had to depress the brake pedal with force for the brake lights to illuminate. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic was diagnosed and determined that the vehicle needed to have all four brake pads and rotors replaced and two front tires replaced. The vehicle was repaired, however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.

The brakes light keep going out they won’t blink the won’t turn on fuses are blowing.

Since day one the esc - electronic stability control has constantly affected the performance of the car. The car is not able to reach its full power and causes sudden speed changes . This has happened for a long time with no fix.

Passenger headlight caught fire while driving.

While I was making a right turn, I experienced a sudden loss of steering, the steering wheel became completely stiff and almost imposible to maneuver. The panel message was service eps and esc off. According to information in this website, there was a special warranty extension, which expired on 2022, which covered this specific issue (the problem is related to the electric power steering assist (eps), the steering column torque sensor or the eps motor/controller). The special warranty code was 15356. I have taken my car to the dealership in the past for maintenance and other safety recalls, but I was not alerted about this very dangerous issue. I called gm today, and they said I was not alerted because this was not a recall but an extended warranty. This sounds like a lack of due diligence on gm´s end to address an issue that is extremely dangerous. I am now afraid to drive this car.

Passenger side low beam headlight wont work. Replace fuses relays and wiring harness. Ive read online where this is very common with these cars and even replacing the headlight assembky isnt a sure fix.

Passenger headlight continues to go out, replaced bulb and wiring harness multiple times.

The headlights keep. Going out. I've replaced everything amd it keeps happening and it's not easy to even get to the headlight. This is a hazard as my 16 year old drives this car. We fix it and then it's out all. Over again. This has to be a recall as I've done some research and im. Not the only one with this problem. We've been pulled over and we just explained our frustration and they've been nice enough to send us on our way.

The electric steering has malfunctioned and the esc has shut off and my steering has gone out it only has 138000 miles I know there was several recalls for this steering issue in several chevy Malibu’s. I don’t understand why mine was not recalled. It’s the same problem that the ones that were recalled were having. Please let me know if it is recalled or why this problem is still happening. Thank you.

Vehicle has intermittent periods where it won’t start. After replacing fuel pump relay it started after a week vehicle stalled while driving tested relay worked perfect after reading online forums found that this model car has an issue with the wiring to the fuse/fuse block in the trunk after pulling the fuse block out the wiring to the block is loose and very thin after adjusting the wires the car will start and run with no issues for several days to week where it will be fine the the wires will come lose again causing a crank. I start issue and stalling while driving.

Vehicle repeatedly shuts down due to wiring issue for fuel pump. Wire in rear fuse panel (in trunk) shows signs of overheating (discoloration). Vehicle shuts down without warning while driving. This causes an unsafe condition especially when travelling on busy roadways and highways. This seems to be a common problem with this model and year.

To whom it may concern: my 2012 Chevrolet Malibu LS hasn't been involved in an accident but I feel it necessary to report it! due to issues involving my electrical system and other components of the vehicle that aren't working properly, the vehicle is inoperable! beginning in April 2022, I have experienced issues with the vehicle starting (one day it will start and drive normally, another day it might not). Then it started stalling unexpectedly. Granted, I've had the car 10 years but I've never had these problems! it's been serviced and the problems still exist! these problems could easily cause an accident; I'm grateful I've been spared from tragedy! these issues need to be addressed and I'd greatly appreciate hearing from NHTSA!.

I just purchased this 2012 chevy Malibu from someone used 184,000 miles decent condition. Air bag sensor keeps coming on and I'm not sure why, don't say which one. Headlights have a mind of their own and are already burnt out after just changing them. The stereo screen glitches, bad. The electric seats don't work. There's absolutely no working e brake. I think there's something wrong with the steering or maybe the u-joint or something. I'm about to look into the recalls on this car.

The electric power steering and esc systems. It is or was under recall for this type of vehicle. The steering becomes hard and vehicle shakes the tire rotation is being read wrong by computer. It doesn't want to stay 9n the road. . . The stability of vehicle is compromised.

Passenger as well as driver side headlight continuously pop on and off, not blowing the bulbs but assuming there is a wiring issue.

Passenger and or driver side low beam headlight continues to go out. Mechanic has found connector keeps burning out the socket. Light is burnt out on bott sides. But connector is shorting out. Fire and safety issue. This issue is on a lot of Chevrolet Malibus and needs a recall initiated to correct these issues. I keep getting pulled over due to need to us high beams and not having low beams. This is reoccurring and getting expensive to be done over and over.

I'm a single parent and I can't afford to take my car to the dealership I love my car I have had my 2012 chevy Malibu for over 6 years n I hate to just have it park at home knowing that, that's car was my everything. It started having problem with esc . When I would come to a stop then taking off it would break on its one I was told it could be my throttle body so I went n buy one n now the idle is too high now I can't get it to fix. Pls help me out I'm my car that I love so much.

Esc traction control /power sterering light turned on my wheel was hard to steer. Lost control . If I turn off it works for a few minutes but then goes back to hard. . Unable to steer.

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that when she drives her vehicle her brake light is illuminated. The contact stated that at the time she is not depressing the brake pedal when brake lights are illuminated. The contact stated stated that when she is switching gears for from either drive or reverse the brake light only illuminates once in gear and does not turn off. The contact also stated that her traction control warning light also illuminates while driving, how ever her vehicle does not drive any differently. The contact stated stated that she has taken her vehicle to a independent mechanic who advised her that there was a recall on the same year, make and model vehicle as her vehicle NHTSA campaign 14v252000 (electrical system, exterior lighting, vehicle speed control, electronic stability control) . The contact said she was advised that her vehicle had to be taken to the actual dealer to have her vehicle reprogrammed. The contact stated that she has not yet contacted the dealer nor the manufacturer at this time. The mileage failure 60,000.

Each time I try to start my car it only starts up for 2 seconds and cut it off. I have changed fuel pump relay switch. It’s still causing the same problem. If I knock on the fuse box in the trunk then start the car the car will eventually start up. My car will randomly cut off on me causing me to be stuck. My rpm stopped moving at times I feel like I’m losing power. This car has serious electrical issues definitely a recall needs to be put in place. Let’s not forget my headlights not working even though they’ve been changed still only my driver side high beams work.