2012 Chevrolet Malibu electrical problems

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Electrical system problems that create unsafe driving conditions!! Vehicle has electrical glitches. Internal warning lights flicker on and off. Battery drains. Car randomly will not start. Multiple incidents. Car stalled on roadway without warning and would not crank. Luckily I was in a residential neighborhood with little to no traffic when this happened. I have had crank sensors replaced, fuel pump module replaced, fuses replaced and still problems occur. If this is a common issue with the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu, could you please issue a safety recall? Thank you

NHTSA complaint #11752135 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Rear defrost stopped working. Hasn't worked in years. I took it to GM, they had a print out of a kit that I had to purchase to repair. This stopped working back around 2016.

NHTSA complaint #11727179 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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

NHTSA complaint #11719671 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #11676184 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #11664223 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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

NHTSA complaint #11664224 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #11650675 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #11646330 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #11634811 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #11619575 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #11614788 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #11605996 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #11601760 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #11601470 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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

NHTSA complaint #11593420 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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

NHTSA complaint #11572808 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #11571698 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #11568622 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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

NHTSA complaint #11551826 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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

NHTSA complaint #11541002 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #11535121 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #11528778 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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

NHTSA complaint #11526497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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

NHTSA complaint #11503582 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I bought my chevy Malibu in 2018 from a used car dealership. A couple months after I bought it the radio blew. I tried replacing fuses it would not work. The lights keep blowing. I keep replacing them and have had a new pigtail that's been grounded. That replacement happened last Thursday. Right light has blown again. Short in electrical system. Cause battery to go down. Windows will only work sometimes and the same goes for the door locks. I currently waiting for a tow truck. The new battery will not start.

NHTSA complaint #11494575 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #11484908 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #11484354 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.