64 complaints reported

2012 Chevrolet Malibu Electrical System

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
64
Crashes
0
Fires
3
Injuries
0

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Aug 2025

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Apr 2023
Jan 2025

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

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Mar 2025
Jan 2024

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jan 2024
Aug 2023

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

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Aug 2023
Nov 2022

Each time I try to start my car it only starts up for 2 seconds and cut it off. I have changed fuel pump relay switch. It’s still causing the same problem. If I knock on the fuse box in the trunk then start the car the car will eventually start up. My car will randomly cut off on me causing me to be stuck. My rpm stopped moving at times I feel like I’m losing power. This car has serious electrical issues definitely a recall needs to be put in place. Let’s not forget my headlights not working even though they’ve been changed still only my driver side high beams work

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Dec 2021
Feb 2022

The fuse box in the trunk (Body Control Module or BCM) has completely melted the rear defrost fuse into the block. A central piece of the fuse was removed once the issue was identified preventing the system from continuing to send electrical current through the fuse and possibly sparking or shorting out other essential systems (such as the fuel pump which seems to be a common problem). I have not taken this to be seen by a dealer, but intend to replace the BCM so as to prevent the fuses from completely melting. Overall, there was no indication of the issue until I realized that the rear defrost wasn't working when there was a light frost on the windows. This is when I checked the fuses and found the issue.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Feb 2020
Jan 2022

Several electrical problems have occurred with my 2012 Chevy malibu. First the horn would not stop beeping which caused me to jump and almost run into a telephone pole. I parked the car and the horns kept beeping I got home and the horn cap beeping. My husband cleaned off the battery cables and that seemed to stop the problem for a while then they started beeping again. Then my door lock started unlocking and locking by itself causing me to lock my keys in my car. So I disconnected the horn I disconnected the locks. Now my trunk is popping open by itself. Even when the trunk is open the electrical supply keeps going to it and making a clicking sound trying to open it. I have had many electrical problems with this car.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jan 2021
Jul 2021 Fire

The contact owned a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at 10 mph, other drivers alerted her that there was a fire underneath the vehicle. The contact's wife was able to safely exit the vehicle. There was no injury and no medical attention was necessary. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. The contact's wife was informed that there might have been an electrical short that caused the fire. A fire department report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact left a voicemail for the dealer notifying them of the failure and was awaiting a callback from the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 112,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jul 2021
Dec 2020

2012 MALIBU ESC WARNING LIGHT, TRACTION CONTROL GOES ON. BRAKE LIGHT STAYS ON WHILE DRIVING. WHEN I STOP AT LIGHT OR STOP SIGN NO BRAKE LIGHT. HAVE ALMOST BEEN HIT FROM BEHIND AT STOPLIGHT. IF I STOP AND SHUT CAR OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES IT WILL START WITHOUT WARNING LIGHT. SOMETIMES CAR DOES NOT START CAR HAS STOPPED WHILE MOVING IN TRAFFIC AND WAS BARELY ABLE TO COAST OFF THE ROAD.I HAVE REPLACED FUEL PUMP TWICE, FUEL PUMP RELAYS NUMEROUS TIMES. FUEL PUMP RELAY IS HOT (OVERHEATS AND STOP FUEL PRESSURE. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO BE SERVICED MANY TIMES AND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS LATER AND STILL NOT RUNNING CONSISTENTLY. I NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL START, STOP WHILE DRIVING, OR NOT START AT ALL. PLEASE RECALL THIS CAR. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS INVOLVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. I BELIEVE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE CONTROL MODULE AS WELL AS WIRING ISSUES RELATED TO THE FUEL PUMP. PLEASE HELP ME.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Dec 2020
Aug 2020

CAR STOPS WHILE DRIVING LOSES POWER. START AND STOP INTERMITTENTLY. FUSES HOT IN TRUNK FUSE BOX. WAS NEARLY REAR ENDED MULTIPLE TIMES.THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM AND HAVE HAD MANY PARTS REPLACED WHICH HAS NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM. THIS IS HOWEVER, THE THIRD TIME IT HAS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION! I HAVE HEARD OF MANY OTHER VEHICLE OWNERS OF THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL HAVING THESE ISSUES. THIS IS A WIRING ISSUE WITH GENERAL MOTORS. SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET INJURED OR WORSE DUE TO THIS ISSUE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Aug 2020
Jun 2020

THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM RANDOMLY ACTIVATES AND SHUTS DOWN THE CAR. IT PREVENTS ME FROM STARTING THE CAR. IT USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN I AM TRYING TO START THE CAR BUT I'VE READ POSTS ABOUT IT HAPPENING WHILE PEOPLE ARE DRIVING. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jun 2020
May 2020

THIS VEHICLE AND MANY OTHER YEAR MODELS HAVE BEEN HAVING SAME ISSUES AND COSTING LOTS OF MONEY TRYING TO PIN POINT REAL ISSUE. THE CAR WILL TURN OFF AT STOP LIGHTS, MELT WIRES AND IS RELATED TO FUEL PUMP WIRING. THE WIRE GAGE IS TO SMALL TO PULL PROPER AMPS THAT LEAD TO BLOWN FUSES, MELTED WIRES, CAR STALLING AND WON'T CRANK, AND ACCORDING TO OTHER COMPLAINTS-DONE TO GM PERSONALLY BY A LOT OF PEOPLE, HAS QUIT WHILE GOING DOWN HWY. THESE ARE SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES! I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM PRIVATE PARTY 3 MONTHS AGO. BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH MOTOR CRANKING MULTIPLE TIMES. TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP PREVIOUS OWNER BOUGHT IT FROM TO FIX JSSUES-SEATBELT RECALL, NEW FOB DUE TO ORIGINAL 'DEAD'-IT'S BATTERY STILL GOOD. CHECK OUT CRANKING ISSUES AND DOORS NOT LOCKING. THEY DID NOT FIND CRANK ISSUE AND SUPPOSEDLY 4 DOOR LOCKING MODULATORS WERE MESSED UP. IF CAR CRANKS THEY CAN'T DIAGNOSE S PROBLEM. THEY GOT NEW FOB TO WORK. MY PERSONAL MECHANIC HAD REPLACE FUEL RELAY, STILL STOPS CRANKING, JUST REPLACED THE TRUNKS FUSE BOX. IT CRANKS NOW, BUT FOR HOW LONG? GM NEEDS TO DO A RECALL ON FUEL PUMP WIRING FROM BOX TO PUMP! PUT CORRECT WIRE GAGE SO THIS WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN! THE LAST TIME CAR DIDN'T CRANK WAS ON 7/28/20. MY MECHANIC REPLACED FUSE BOX AND I HAVE NOT DRIVEN IT SINCE! I HAVE CRANKED IT SEVERAL TIMES THOUGH. PEASE HELP US LITTLE PEOPLE GET JUSTICE BEFORE IT CAUSES A WRECK OR TAKES A LIFE! THANK YOU.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jul 2020
Apr 2020

THIS IS MY THIRD COMPLAINT BECAUSE MY CAR HAS ELECTRICAL ISSUES THAT NEED REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, WOULD HAVE TO TAP ON FUEL BOX LOCATED IN TRUNK TO GET IT TO START. IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING THE CAR, THE CAR WOULD LOSE POWER AND ESC, TRACTION CONTROL, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND POWER STEERING WOULD LOCK UP. TOOK IT TO NEAREST CHEVY DEALER AND THEY SAID 'THE WIRING IS BURNT UP FROM THE FUEL PUMP/FUSE BOX LOCATED IN TRUNK' THIS IS BECAUSE GM USED CHEAP WIRING. MY PASSENGER HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT, REAR DEFROST DOESN'T WORK, AND MY DOOR SPEAKERS DOESN'T NOT WORK. THIS IS ALL BECAUSE OF THE WIRING LOCATED IN THE TRUNK. I REFUSE TO PAY OVER $2,000 TO FIX MYSELF WHEN THIS IS CLEARLY A GM ISSUE. EVERYBODY ON HERE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR MALIBU'S. AND IT REALLY SUCKS BECAUSE I'M MAKING PAYMENTS ON A CAR I CANNOT DRIVE. THIS IS REALLY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY WHEN I HAVE MY KIDS IN THE CAR AND IT JUST LOSES POWER AND CUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Apr 2020
Apr 2020

I HAVE A 2012 CHEVY MALIBU LT AND MY CAR HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS EVERYBODY ELSE'S. IT WOULD CUT OFF AND LOSE POWER WHILE DRIVING AND AT FIRST I WOULD BEAT THE FUSE BOX IN THE TRUNK AND IT WOULD RUN. NOW IT DOESN'T EVEN WORK AT ALL. HAD IT DIAGNOSED AT MY LOCAL CHEVY DEALER AND THEY SAID THE WIRING LEADING FROM THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL BOX IS ALL BURNT UP. I REFUSE TO PAY $2000 OR MORE TO FIX WHEN THIS IS CLEARLY A GM ISSUES. IT NEEDS A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE THEY USED CHEAP WIRING. THIS IS MY SECOND COMPLAINT AND I WILL CONTINUE TO WRITE COMPLAINS UNTIL IT IS FIXED. ESC, POWER STEERING WOULD LOCK UP WHICH MAKES IT VERY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY WITH KIDS IN THE VEHICLE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Apr 2020
Mar 2020

ESC WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND TRACTION CONTROL. BRAKE LIGHT STAYS ON WHILE DRIVING AND WHEN YOU BRAKE GOES OUT. DIDN'T HAVE ANY BRAKE LIGHT ON AT RED LIGHT AND WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED MULTIPLE TIMES. JUST AN FYI I NOTICE THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM ON OTHER MALIBU'S AND WAS RECALLED WHY NOT THIS ONE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Mar 2020
Feb 2020

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I AM REPORTING THIS CAR AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO UNTIL SOMETHING IS DONE ABOUT IT! I HAVE PUT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS INTO THIS CAR ALL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, AS HAS MANY OTHERS. THERE ARE STARTING AND STOPPING ISSUES RELATED TO THE WIRING FOR THE FUEL PUMP. JUST GO ON ANY GM FORUM AND YOU WILL SEE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS RELATED TO THIS PROBLEM. WHY MUST YOU WAIT UNTIL SOMEONE DIES DUE TO THIS. STOPPING WHILE DRIVING IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. I HAVE KEPT ALL RECORDS OF REPAIRS AND COMPLAINTS ALL RELATED TO THIS PROBLEM AND SHOULD ANYTHING HAPPEN TO ME WHILE DRIVING THIS CAR MY FAMILY WILL BE PREPARED TO BRING FORTH LAWSUITS. HOW MUCH MONEY DO YOU RECEIVE FROM GM TO NOT ACT ON THIS PROBLEM. YOUR FORM ASKS FOR A DATE THIS HAPPENED. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR YEARS.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Feb 2020
Feb 2020

I HAVE REPLACE MY HEADLIGHTS ABOUT 10 WITHIN TWO YEARS. FIRESTONE HAVE REPLACED THE WIRING, AND MY HEADLIGHT STILL GOES OUT. I'M BEYOND FRUSTRATED. IF YOU GO TO CARGURUS.COM, EVERYONE IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS RIDICULOUS!

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Feb 2020
Dec 2019

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

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jan 2019
Nov 2019

THE FUSE BOX IN TRUNK OF CAR HAS A SHORT IN THE WIRE AND IT IS CAUSING A BURNING SMELL. THE VEHICLE DOESN'T START HALF OF THE TIME AND WHEN IT DOES START, THE CAR WILL STALL OUT OR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. THIS IS UNSAFE ESPECIALLY IN TRAFFIC WITH THE KIDS.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Oct 2018
Sep 2019

FOR NO REASON INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF BY ITSELF. NEIGHBOR REPORTED CAR LIGHTS ON 3:30 AM. WE ALSO CAUGHT WHILE KEYS WERE ON TABLE AND LOCKED THE LIGHTS CAME ON AND OFF TWICE IN THE EVENING. THIS IS WHILE PARKED FOR THE NIGHT.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Sep 2019
Jul 2019

2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO NHTSA SAFETY RECALL 14V-252. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL, THE FAILURE RECURRED. * JS

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jul 2019
Jul 2019

I HAVE A 2012 CHEVY MALIBU AND SINCE NOVEMBER WE HAVE HAD HEADLIGHT PROBLEMS AND CHANGES BULBS AND GOT A NEW WIRE HARNESS AND WE STILL HAVE PROBLEMS WITH PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM LIGHT GOING OUT. IT IS A REAL PAIN CAUSE IT TAKES A BIT TO EVEN GET TO THE HEADLIGHT. HAVE TO TAKE THE BUMBER OFF AND REAL FRUSTRATING.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jul 2019
Jul 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WAS FAULTY AND WOULD NOT DISPLAY THE CORRECT DATA. PAT O'BRIEN CHEVROLET (3880 PEARL RD, MEDINA, OH 44256, (330) 460-0718) DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,100.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Feb 2019
Jul 2019

BOTH HEADLIGHTS WILL NOT COME ON (LOW BEAM) HIGH BEAMS WORK FINE. BULBS ARE NEW AND FUSES ARE WORKING JUST FINE..SOMEONE NEEDS TO PUT IN A RECALL BECAUSE I SEE I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS ISSUE..THIS IS RIDICULOUS! CAN'T DRIVE WITHOUT HEADLIGHTS AND CAN'T DRIVE WITH HIGH BEAMS ON

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jan 2019
Jun 2019

MY RIGHT SIDE LOW BEAM KEEPS GOING OUT. I HAVE REPLACED THE BULB 5 TIMES THIS YEAR. I'VE REPLACED THE WIRING HARNESSES FOR THE LIGHT BULB. I REALLY DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THIS KEEPS FALLING

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jun 2018

Trend Over Time

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Quick Summary

The 2012 Chevrolet Malibu has 64 Electrical System complaints on file. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.