2012 Chevrolet Malibu engine problems

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, the temperature gauge began to indicate the vehicle was overheating after which the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The check engine and air bag warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the oil pan gasket; resulting in damage to the engine, and ABS control module resulting in the air bag warning light. The contact was informed that the engine would need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic, who again diagnosed a failure with the oil pan gasket. The vehicle was repaired, but again the failure occurred for the third time. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 113,000.

NHTSA complaint #11634893 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

The catalytic converter and exhaust manifold are suspected to be malfunctioning. These components are part of the vehicle’s exhaust system, and their failure is believed to be contributing to hesitation and skipping during operation. Both components are available for inspection upon request. The hesitation and skipping reduce the vehicle’s responsiveness, creating a safety risk in traffic. This issue could hinder safe merging, overtaking, or maintaining consistent speeds. Additionally, malfunctioning exhaust components may lead to increased emissions and pose a risk of toxic gases entering the cabin if leaks are present. Check engine light displays. The problem has been confirmed by a professional auto mechanic during their inspection and diagnosis. The components have been inspected and diagnosed by an independent service center (the auto mechanic). They have not yet been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives. No warning lamps or error messages were displayed on the dashboard prior to the diagnosis. The symptoms, including hesitation and skipping, began approximately [insert timeline, e.g., two weeks ago] and have been recurring during normal driving, particularly during acceleration or at lower speeds.

NHTSA complaint #11633324 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

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.

ENGINE

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.

ENGINE

The electronic stability control activates under normal driving conditions. Power to engine is reduced, car does not brake or accelerate appropriately with this happens. It appears to be a problem that is reported frequently and one that has been a recall on some vehicles but this VIN does not show that recall. It puts me and others at risk because the car suddenly stops going at speed and lurches when trying to stop. Scans were done at a local auto shop which indicate issues with ESC. Warning lights include ESC activated, Engine power reduced

NHTSA complaint #11534505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

As your driving along vehicle will shut off abruptly and have to remove and replace fuel pump relay until it shuts down again.

NHTSA complaint #11508713 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle started to lose motive power. The contact was able to stop and turn the vehicle off. When the contact attempted to restart the vehicle the starter motor made noises however, the vehicle would not restart. The contact stated that the check engine and several unknown lights were illuminated. The contact stated that he was able to restart the vehicle after waiting for an hour before driving to his residence. The contact stated that the failure recurred and the vehicle was towed to a dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle with an electrical engine sensor failure. The contact was informed that the sensor need to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 137,000.

NHTSA complaint #11475008 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

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!

NHTSA complaint #11471426 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the ESC traction warning light, service traction warning light, and the reduced engine power warning light were illuminated. The vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealer however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.

NHTSA complaint #11458576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

ESC reduced power reads across my monitor's screen. It could be numerous of these that cause this. I've done what I can afford, but no luck. I've done research & it's very common for this to happen among these. Please help me out with at least pinpointing the problem, thanks!

NHTSA complaint #11457505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

I been having the same problem for a year now.. constantly putting it in and out the shop and no one can find out what’s wrong with it.. the engine will loss it control and stop working in the middle of traffic which almost caused me a wreck several times. The Chevrolet dealership hasn’t done anything to help but charge me to look at it and they didn’t fix the problem. I have three kids and it has been a safety issue which is our only way to work and school. The car will skip constantly in the middle of traffic and several times someone almost ran into the back of my car. It will say engine power reduced, service traction and service sec I have spent ton of money trying to fix the issue and I have read several people have had the same problem.

NHTSA complaint #11439225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

This car will not start!!!! It starts when it feels like it. I’ve been stranded after work so many times for unknown reasons. Multiple mechanics have inspected car and cannot find the issue. Go on YouTube and search for this year car and you’ll find so many people in the same situation as me. The car has battery but the engine will not start. GM cars have this issue in common and it’s ridiculous GM cannot stand behind their brand. Please HELP US!!!

NHTSA complaint #11427361 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

My vehicle fail to restart vehicle, but vehicle was running good before. Once I turn off the vehicle for couple of minutes when I returned back to my vehicle and tried to turn vehicle on it would not allow me to turn on lights on vehicle would stay on when taking key out of ignition. I kept trying couple of time until I open the hood to check battery move battery cables tried again until vehicle turn on. Once vehicle had turn on and put vehicle in reverse dashboard lights started turning on check engine a service warning message display and speed meter would go up and down. When going forward the steering wheel became hard to control while vehicle would go toward slowly then stop go fast and slowly again until I got home turn vehicle off. Didn't drive it anymore until two days later. The second time I was on the freeway when my vehicles speed started to significantly reduce speed very quickly. I became concern with my safety until I was able to pull over on the side of freeway car turned off. When trying to restart vehicle would fail to turn back on had to tow vehicle back home. I tried turning vehicle back on failed at first on the last try vehicle turned on but when putting on reverse or drive vehicle became undriveable thier was no movement on vehicle and speed meter would not move . I just purchased this vehicle only had 8 months with it I payed $5000 plus $600 on plates. I do make my vehicle available for inspection it is very dangerous going through this specially on highway. I checked my onstart vehicle report but it does not show that anything is wrong on the report. My insurance provider Geico car details only show it needs and oil change. I also notice that in the vehicle history shows it has an oil leak. I can not afford to pay for a mechanic at this moment my vehicle is just park at home now.

NHTSA complaint #11419565 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

VEHICLE HAS DIED ON ME 5 TIMES WHILE DRIVING.IN MOTION ONE MOMENT AND DEAD THE NEXT, SO FAR IT HAS DIED ON CITY STREETS, IVE GOTTEN LUCKY WITH IT NOT BEING ON THE HIGHWAY AS I TRAVEL THAT FREQUENTLY FOR WORK. IT HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF REPAIR SHOP FOR MULTIPLE REPAIRS AND STILL NOT CORRECTED.

NHTSA complaint #11389973 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

I WAS DRIVING ON FREEWAY AND CAR WENT INTO ENGINE POWER REDUCE MODE, RAPIDLY SLOWED DOWN TO 35 MILES AN HOUR.

NHTSA complaint #11374072 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START-UP WITH AN ABNORMAL CLUNKING AND BANGING SOUND COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN WAS SLIGHTLY DETACHED AND BECAME LOOSENED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HEISER CHEVROLET WEST ALLIS (10200 W ARTHUR AVE, WEST ALLIS, WI 53227; (414) 327-2300) AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN FAILURE HAD CAUSED ADDITIONAL ENGINE DAMAGE. THE FULL DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS STILL PENDING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE 85,000.

NHTSA complaint #11372359 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

ENGINE STALLS WHEN SLOWING DOWN OR WAITING FOR TRAFFIC LIGHT. CALLED MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC CHECK. HE SAID ECS NOT FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY. I WAS 10 MILES FROM MY HOME WHEN THE CAR STARTED TO STALL AND IT STOPPED 6 TIMES BEFORE GETTING HOME. ENGINE HESITATED, HAD TO PUMP ACCELERATOR TO GET IT GOING AND STEERING WAS DIFFICULT. IS THERE A RECALL FOR THAT PROBLEM?

NHTSA complaint #11352313 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

ENGINE LOSSES POWER SHUTS OFF WONT RESTAT

NHTSA complaint #11351429 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND LOSS MOTIVE POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT VEERED TO SHOULDER OF THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON WHICH FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT WENT TO CHEVROLET OF MONTEBELLO (310 W WHITTIER BLVD, MONTEBELLO, CA 90640) HOWEVER, WAS INFORMED THAT NO RECALLS WERE ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,031.

NHTSA complaint #11350609 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

I WAS DRIVING AND IT SAID ENGINE POWER REDUCED .COULDN'T PICK UP SPEED.

NHTSA complaint #11328614 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

"POWER STEERING" MESSAGE COMES ON RANDOMLY AND THE POWER STEERING GOES DEAD WHILE I'M DRIVING. THIS SEEMS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS MALIBU AND SHOULD BE A RECALL. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THIS HAS OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE A RECALL PURCHASED VEHICLE IN 2013 SINCE THAN HAS HAPPEN CLOSE TO 10 TIMES.

NHTSA complaint #11324081 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

MY VEHICLE HAS 86,200 MILES ON IT AND I HAVE TO HAVE BOTH HEADS REBUILT BECAUSE OF A BURNT EXHAUST VALVE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD MULTIPLE TIMES THAT THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING AT THIS LOW MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE IDLES REALLY ROUGH WHEN IN PARK OR NOT IN DRIVE OR MOTION. WHEN STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT, THE "SERVICE TRACTION, SERVICE ESC, ESC OFF" COMES ON. THIS GOES AWAY ONCE YOU START DRIVING AGAIN.

NHTSA complaint #11323654 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND CAR MESSAGE CENTER DISPLAYED ENGINE SPEED REDUCED THEN IT DISPLAYED WITHIN 5 MINUTES OF THE FIRST MESSAGE ENGINE DISABLED . CAR WHILE NOT START.

NHTSA complaint #11323101 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2012 MALIBU LT, WHICH IS HAVING THE SAME ISSUES, AS WAS REPORT; MAR 26, 2019 - KAUFMAN, TX - ENGINE WHEN DRIVING OR SITTING AT IDLE NOT MOVING SERVICE ESC AND TRACTION CONTROL FLASHES ON DASH. WHICH IS CAUSING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO STAY ON CAUSING MISFIRE ON CYLINDER #1 AND THEN RANDOM MISFIRE. THE CAR HASN+T BEEN ABLE TO BE INSPECTED IN 2 YEARS HAVE HAD AT 3 CHEVROLET DEALERSHIPS AND ALL CAN+T FIGURE OUT ISSUE . THE 1ST DEALERSHIP SAID WE HAVE NO IDEA WHAT+S WRONG WITH THE CAR. THE SECOND DEALERSHIP SAID THE CAR NEEDED #1 INJECTOR AND INJECTOR HARNESS AND THROTTLE BODY WHICH WAS REPLACED DIDN+T EVEN MAKE IT OFF THE LOT AND CHECK ENGINE AND TRACTION CONTROL AND ESC LIGHTS WAS FLASHING AGAIN THEY SAID MIGHT HAVE CRACKED HEAD CAR HAS BEEN PRESSURE TESTED DOESN+T USE WATER AND DOESN+T GET HOT. THEY ARE JUST TRYING TO THROW PARTS AT IT AT MY EXPENSE. THE 3RD DEALERSHIP WHICH CAR IS AT NOW IS TELLING ME POSSIBLE BURNT VALVE CAUSING ALL MY ISSUES WITH CAR SAID THEY DID COMPRESSION TEST AND ALL CYLINDERS HAVE 170 POUNDS IN ALL 4 CYLINDERS WHICH IS NOT POSSIBLE. I HAVE REPLACED MAP SENSOR, PCM, SPARK PLUGS, 1 INJECTOR, INJECTOR HARNESS, THROTTLE BODY AND NOTHING HAS HELPED CAR. THE CAR NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES WITH MISFIRE UNTIL THE ESC AND TRACTION CONTROL STARTED FLASHING AND IN 2 YEARS STILL HAS BEEN SOLVED AT ANY DEALERSHIP VERY DISAPPOINTED IN NEED OF HELP TO FIX ISSUE. HOW DO YOU FIX THE PROBLEM? [XXX]. PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #11319780 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

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 STARTED TO HAPPEN. MY HUSBAND AND I NOTICED THAT THERE IS SOME WIRING THAT IS ALWAYS HOT LEADING FROM THE FUSE BOX TO THE FUEL PUMP. BASICALLY WE BELIEVE THAT CHEVROLET USED CHEAP CRAPPY THIN WIRING. BECAUSE OF THIS, THE CAR WON'T START. WE DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND IT SEEMS THAT EVERYONE WHO OWNS A 2012 CHEVY MALIBU HAS HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM THAT HAS COST CONSUMERS HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS. WE HAVE ALWAYS OWNED A CHEVY AND THIS IS THE FIRST VEHICLE THAT WE HAVE EVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH. WE ARE SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING SWITCHING TO TOYOTA OR NISSAN SINCE CHEVROLET HAS BEEN RECEIVING COMPLAINTS AND THUS FAR HAS CHOSEN NOT TO DO ANYTHING. CHEVROLET MANUFACTURED THE 2012 CHEVY MALIBU AND WAS AWARE OF THE ISSUES SURROUNDING THE FUSE BOX, FUEL PUMP, AND THE WIRING. ONE OF THESE DAYS, THE CAR IS GOING TO CATCH FIRE BECAUSE OF THE FAULTY SYSTEM. IT IS EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING TO SEE ALL OF THESE CHEVY MALIBU OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE AND CHEVROLET DOES NOTHING. WE NEVER KNOW IF THE CAR IS GOING TO START; IT'S LITERALLY A GUESSING GAME. SOMETIMES WE TAP THE FUSE BOX, SOMETIMES WE KICK THE SIDE OF THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR, AND SOMETIMES WE HAVE TO SIT AND WAIT 15 MINUTES AND THEN THE CAR WILL START. CHEVROLET NEEDS TO HAVE A RECALL AND FIX THE ISSUES SURROUNDING THE 2012 CHEVY MALIBU. EVENTUALLY THE WIRING IS GOING TO CATCH FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #11306933 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

164,00 MILES. TEMP 34 F. DROVE CAR 3 MILES AND STOPPED AT INTERSECTION. PUT SIGNAL ON AND ATTEMPTED LEFT TURN. STEERING BECAME LOCKED. BREAK AND ACCELERATOR WENT TO LOWEST POSITION NEAREST FLOOR. ENGINE STAYED ON BUT CAR WOULD NOT MOVE EVEN AFTER LIFTED FOOT OFF BREAK AND ATTEMPTED TO PUSH ACCELERATOR. . PUT IN PARK. STOPPED ENGINE. RESTARTED. NO CHANGE AFTER START. AGAIN PUT IN PARK PUSHED ON BREAK TURNED IGNITION IT STARTED. WAS ABLE TO DRIVE AND STEERING BACK TO NORMAL. NO NOTICEABLE PROBLEM AFTER THAT.

NHTSA complaint #11286736 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

TIMING CHAIN JUST CAME OFF AT 86000 MILES. DRIVING FINE UNTIL ENGINE RPM SLOWED TO IDLE SPEED THEN SHUT OFF. WAS UNABLE TO START AND STRANDED. NO CODES OR WARNING. LUCKILY THIS HAPPENED IN A PARKING LOT BUT COULD HAVE EASILY HAPPENED ON A HIGHWAY.

NHTSA complaint #11281188 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

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. LIGHT CAME BACK ON. HOOKED IT UP TO DIAGNOSE, STILL REPORTED SOLENOID.

NHTSA complaint #11266561 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

MY CAR DIES WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. ELECTRICAL PROBLEM TO THE FUEL PUMP

NHTSA complaint #11256923 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.