2012 Chevrolet Malibu Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 291about this part
- Share
- 32%of 907 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 87,830miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 291 complaints about the electrical system of the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu, 32% of the 907 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 87,830 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved and 11 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I have an ongoing issue in which the power steering on my 2012 Malibu locks up and it's extremely hard to rotate the steering wheel to make turns....it has happened on numerous occasions from being parked from a cold start to recently actively happening while driving on the road/highway. The computer dash display pops up saying power steering then says service ESC”
NHTSA complaint #11415718, filed 2021-05, 183,000 miles“The low beam headlights on both sides of the car are constantly going out. I have to replace them 3-4 times a year. I spend hundreds of dollars on headlamps, even though I install them myself. Installing new headlamps requires you to remove the front bumper. There is an obvious design flaw with the hundreds of complaints I have seen with this same issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11181043, filed 2019-02, 36,000 miles“My driver side light continues to keep going out after a couple weeks and the bulb is not blowing this is a common problem with the chevy Malibu definitely needs to be recalled and fixed because if you don't have headlights can cause a bad accident. If you hit a bump it goes out. I was on a back road at night and both lights went out almost causing me to crash”
NHTSA complaint #11219408, filed 2019-06, 150,000 miles“Driving my vehicle with my 3 month old daughter in the car. Turned the wheel as I was taking a turn and the power steering completely stopped. This forced me to apply the brake because I almost wemt off the road!! I see this isn't the only incident involving the ESC and power steering!! Vehicle currently has service ESC and power steering messages displayed in the info messages.”
NHTSA complaint #11298170, filed 2020-01, 144,000 miles“I've changed my passenger side low beam headlight 3 times and it keeps going out. I've had this done 3 times since september 2020. Also, my lock and unlock buttons do not work, except for on the passenger side, only the unlock side of the button works. I've had this car since september or october I believe of 2018. It's very frustrating and I've waisted over $500 getting it replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #11374550, filed 2020-11, 147,900 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11017252Mar 28, 2025This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.
- 11017031Mar 12, 2025This service bulletin provides information to diagnose batteries that have set for a long period of time and/or cold weather climates and testing those batteries.
- 11014230Jan 31, 2025This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
- 11013069Jan 9, 2025This bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
- 11011805Dec 6, 2024This Preliminary information communicates a GM part number for reflective high temperature heat or insulating tape when repairing wiring harnesses.
- 11009156Oct 25, 2024This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
- 11010421Oct 3, 2024This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information on the requirements for 12V battery testing and warranty replacements.
- 11007196Sep 6, 2024This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the…
- 11006621Aug 26, 2024Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which…
- 11007116Aug 6, 2024This bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 | 33% |
| 2024 | 18 | 41% |
| 2023 | 12 | 17% |
| 2022 | 33 | 33% |
| 2021 | 30 | 33% |
| 2020 | 57 | 29% |
| 2019 | 62 | 32% |
| 2018 | 192 | 27% |
| 2017 | 161 | 23% |
| 2016 | 222 | 26% |
| 2015 | 68 | 25% |
| 2014 | 86 | 25% |
| 2013 | 376 | 45% |
| 2012 | 291 | 32% |
| 2011 | 235 | 24% |
| 2010 | 295 | 22% |
| 2009 | 368 | 24% |
| 2008 | 233 | 24% |
| 2007 | 113 | 12% |
| 2006 | 142 | 13% |
| 2005 | 180 | 18% |
| 2004 | 151 | 13% |
| 2003 | 289 | 51% |
| 2002 | 259 | 46% |
| 2001 | 285 | 40% |
| 2000 | 199 | 22% |
| 1999 | 144 | 18% |
| 1998 | 130 | 13% |
| 1997 | 87 | 20% |
| 1980 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu
202 complaintsSteering
191 complaintsElectronic stability control
129 complaintsAir bags
101 complaintsEngine
99 complaintsBrakes
74 complaintsOther or unknown
62 complaintsFuel system
56 complaintsVehicle speed control
52 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
49 complaintsSeat belts
47 complaintsSeats
36 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology