202 of the 1,472 complaints about the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu are about the lighting — 14% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 99,750 miles.
202
Complaints
4
Crashes
6
Fires
2
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
NHTSA complaint #11647143 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
NHTSA complaint #11634698 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and driving over a pothole or an object on the roadway, the front driver’s side headlight became inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed; however, the contact was informed that there was a failure with the electrical wiring inside the front driver’s side headlight. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic and was diagnosed and determined that the wiring harness inside the front driver’s side headlight needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11622767 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Passenger low beam keeps going out within a couple days charged wire harness and bulbs keeps happening.
NHTSA complaint #11585640 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Passenger headlight caught fire while driving
NHTSA complaint #11534949 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Passenger headlight continues to go out, replaced bulb and wiring harness multiple times
NHTSA complaint #11526497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the low-beam headlights failed to properly illuminate the roadway. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where both headlights were replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact stated that the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the mechanic on two other occasions, where both headlights were replaced. After the repair, the contact stated that she became aware that the passenger’s side headlight again failed to properly illuminate. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 99,000.
NHTSA complaint #11502260 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Passenger as well as driver side headlight continuously pop on and off, not blowing the bulbs but assuming there is a wiring issue
NHTSA complaint #11456718 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Right (passenger side) lo beam headlight continues to go out. You must remove the bumper to change headlamps, so, time consuming and expensive labor. I have changed this bulb 4 times just for it to go out within a couple hours. There is an entire forum of this same complaint. When you make a large purchase such as a vehicle, you should be assured that you can use your vehicle as intended without the stress and worry of malfunctions that can lead to costly tickets.
NHTSA complaint #11456496 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, his headlights would intermittently fail to operate as needed without warning. The contact had taken the vehicle to several independent mechanics and has had multiple headlight bulb replacements; however, the failure still persisted after each repair. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to diagnose the cause of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
NHTSA complaint #11453439 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving, the brake light was illuminated. The contact stated that at the time she was not depressing the brake pedal. The contact stated that when she was switching gears from either drive or reverse the brake light only illuminates once in gear and does not turn off. The contact also stated that the traction control warning light also illuminates while driving, however the vehicle does not drive any differently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who advised her that there was a recall on the same year, make and model vehicle as her vehicle NHTSA Campaign Number: 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 dealer to have her vehicle reprogrammed. The contact stated that she has not yet contacted the dealer or the manufacturer at this time. The failure milage was 60,000.
NHTSA complaint #11449156 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I bought the car a year ago from a used car lot. Replaced the cam shaft positioning sensor as per diagnostic reading for check engine light. Since then, svc air bag light has stayed on. Traction control light stays on and is disengaged. When braking ESC warning goes on and off and sliding occurs. The low beam headlights go on and off intermittently and no way of knowing when it will happen. When turning cruise control on or off, the car will accelerate on its own and will increase speed until brake is applied. Regardless of whether cruise control was turned on or off. I have had it looked at at my local Mr.Tire and they cannot figure out what is happening.
NHTSA complaint #11442865 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Headlights (low beam)keep going out. Bulbs have been changed repeatedly but immediately go out. Sometimes it will go on when I drive over a bump but will be out next time I start my car. Researching message boards this is a known issue with this model.
NHTSA complaint #11438412 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I have a 2012 Chevy Malibu i bought it in 2014. I have had the Esc light come on in 2016 but no problem with it untill now of this year in 2022. Not knowing the problem i have already put ALOT into it. I took it to a machanic they told me it was the rack and pinion. So got that done . Apparently it wasn't it took it to another machanic they told me it was struts got that done too n still nothing so i looked it up online got CV joint, inner ,tie rod, wheel alignment. All those done n still nothing fix it. I didn't know what else to do until i made more scratch on my vehicle and i found that it could be a recall .
NHTSA complaint #11429076 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE CENTER BRAKE LIGHT DOESN'T WORK. I PUT IN A NEW LED LIGHT ASSEMBLY IN AND IT STILL DOESN'T WORK.
NHTSA complaint #11415495 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE INTO A CHEVROLET CENTER NEAR ME TO HAVE A 'MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY FIX' DONE TO MY VEHICLE ON 04/17/2021, AS THE POWER STEERING HAD FAILED AND I WAS ABLE TO GET THIS FIXED FOR FREE. WHEN I TURNED MY VEHICLE ON AND NOTICED THE POWER STEERING NOTIFICATION ON MY DASH, I TRIED TO BACK MY CAR OUT OF WHERE I WAS PARKED AND MOVE MY WHEEL, BUT COULD NOT MOVE THE WHEEL. WHEN THE PART WAS REPLACED, I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WERE STILL SENSORS ON MY DASH INDICATING THAT I NEEDED THE ESC AND STABILITY TRACTION CONTROL SERVICED FOR MY CAR. ACCORDING TO THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP, THIS HAD 'NOTHING TO DO WITH THE SPECIAL POLICY FIX' AND NOT SOMETHING THEY WOULD BE FIXING FOR ME. AFTER CHECKING THE NHTSA.GOV FOR ANY RECALLS ON MY 2012 CHEVY MALIBU, I FOUND ONE FROM MAY 2014 THAT DESCRIBED EXACTLY THE PROBLEM I WAS HAVING WITH MY VEHICLE: LOSS OF VEHICLE STABILITY TRACTION CONTROL, CRUISE CONTROL AND RANDOM ILLUMINATION OF BRAKE LIGHTS. I CONTACTED CHEVY ONCE AGAIN ABOUT THIS RECALL, TO WHICH THEY SAID THERE 'WAS NO RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE, AND IF THERE WAS IT WAS ALREADY FIXED'. NOT ONLY WAS THIS COMPLETELY UNPROFESSIONAL AND LACKING CONCERN OF SAFETY FOR MY CHILD AND I, I DO NOT KNOW WHERE TO TURN TO FOR THIS TO BE REMEDIED. ATTACHED IS THE TICKET FOR THE INITIAL FIX I HAD DONE.
NHTSA complaint #11414319 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT CONNECTORS WERE MELTED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED 7 TIMES WITHIN THE PAST THREE MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS TOO MUCH VOLTS GOING TO THE HEADLIGHT WIRING CONNECTORS CAUSING THE CONNECTORS TO MELT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VAN CHEVROLET (100 NW VIVION RD, KANSAS CITY, MO 64118, 816-527-8564) TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, A WEEK LATER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT EMAILED THE MANUFACTURER AND RECEIVED A RESPONSE WHICH STATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, NO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
NHTSA complaint #11404656 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I HAVE CHANGED MY PASSENGER HEADLIGHT 3 TIMES AND PIGTAIL ONCE AND IT STILL KEEPS GOING OUT CALLED CHEVY THEY KNOW ITS A COMMON PROBLEM BUT CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT UNLESS I PAY NOT FAIR TO THE CONSUMER
NHTSA complaint #11400155 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
MY LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT EVEN AFTER I CHANGE THEM. THE DRIVER SIDE HAS BEEN CHANGED 3 TIMES, EVERYTIME IT WENT OUT IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS. THIS LAST TIME IT WENT OUT WITHIN TWO HOURS AFTER CHANGING IT. IT DOESN'T HELP THAT I HAVE TO DO TAKE THE ENTIRE BUMPER OFF TO CHANGE THE HEADLIGHT; NOT MAKING IT THE EASIEST TASK.
NHTSA complaint #11396618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HAVING ISSUE WITH PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM LIGHT AFTER REPLACING IT STILL SEE THE LIGHT GOES IN AND OUT I LOOKED UP THE ISSUE ONLINE AND SEE MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE ON THE SAME SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE LIGHT AND EVERYBODY EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM THE LIGHT WILL GO IN AND OUT EVEN AFTER YOU REPLACE THE BULB.
NHTSA complaint #11389287 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I'VE BEEN SEEING MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT HEADLIGHT FAILURE.LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT ON THE RIGHT SIDE ...PLUS YOU HAVE TO TAKE OFF THE FRONT TRIM PANEL TO ACCESS THE BULB. VERY BAD DESIGN.
NHTSA complaint #11388887 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.