2012 Chevrolet Malibu Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 2%of 907 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 65,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the body and structure of the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu, 2% of the 907 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 65,000 miles. 7 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Takata recall it constantly shakes and my car is constantly pulling and random codes pop up all the time . Not to mention it's a 2012 and it's rusting majorly. I am driving when my car seems to be missing a beat it wants to jerk on me like it wants to stop running. I was on a city street it happens a lot .”
NHTSA complaint #11235218, filed 2019-07, 140 miles“Not a safety issue. I'm trying to find out where to file complaints about manufacturing issues to start a recall. My Malibu didn't start one after work towed it to mechanic. He said it didn't have oil pressure. He opened up the engine and found pieces of o rings/rtv sealant blocking flow and busted rods, lifters, and loose bearings obviously. I have never had any one open that engine. I feel this is a manufacturing defect. Car only has 90,000 miles. …”
NHTSA complaint #11174798, filed 2019-02, 90,000 miles“The passenger door of my vehicle will not open. The automatic lock appears to be working but I cannot open the door. This also happened to the drivers side door a few times but thankfully I was able to use the actual key from the outside to open it. I have read reviews where this is common in this vehicle. This is an extreme safety hazard and I cannot even get the door fixed because it won't open. Please consider making this a manufacfurer recall.”
NHTSA complaint #11099291, filed 2018-06, 80,000 miles“I was in a traffic accident and was bit on the driver side. The impact pushed in the doors and the side curtain airbags did not deploy. I was traveling approx 30 MPH and the car ran a stop sign on a city street.”
NHTSA complaint #11209217, filed 2019-05, 165,000 miles“The vehicle was being driven at the speed limit when the tire popped. The impact was as much as a front end collision; the windshield cracked along with the passenger side of the bumper and the wheel was bent. A mechanic said that because the seat belts locked the impact was great enough where the airbags should have gone off, but they did not.”
NHTSA complaint #10725743, filed 2015-06, 28,080 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11011709Nov 5, 2024This 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.
- 11009764Sep 21, 2024This service bulletin provides information on Concerns or Questions Regarding Installation of Dealer Installed Accessories.
- 10250244Jan 18, 2024This preliminary informational (PI) bulletin provides information to dealership personnel which may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers.
- 10239124Jun 30, 2023This service bulletin provides information on Paintless Dent Repair Process.
- 10235561Apr 4, 2023This preliminary informational (PI) bulletin provides information to dealership personnel which may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers.
- 10232283Feb 17, 2023This PI provides information on Rear and Side Tempered Glass Spots (Quench Marks) and that they are a normal characteristic.
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 | 3% |
| 2022 | 2 | 2% |
| 2021 | 2 | 2% |
| 2020 | 2 | 1% |
| 2019 | 2 | 1% |
| 2018 | 7 | 1% |
| 2017 | 19 | 3% |
| 2016 | 40 | 5% |
| 2015 | 13 | 5% |
| 2014 | 11 | 3% |
| 2013 | 25 | 3% |
| 2012 | 16 | 2% |
| 2011 | 19 | 2% |
| 2010 | 44 | 3% |
| 2009 | 31 | 2% |
| 2008 | 21 | 2% |
| 2007 | 6 | 1% |
| 2006 | 6 | 1% |
| 2005 | 12 | 1% |
| 2004 | 8 | 1% |
| 2003 | 9 | 2% |
| 2002 | 12 | 2% |
| 2001 | 14 | 2% |
| 2000 | 25 | 3% |
| 1999 | 20 | 3% |
| 1998 | 18 | 2% |
| 1997 | 13 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu
291 complaintsExterior lighting
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 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