55 complaints reported

2012 Chevrolet Malibu ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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

Reports
55
Crashes
0
Fires
4
Injuries
0

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Jun 2019

LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT GOING OUT. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN 2014 AND MY LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT A TOTAL OF 6 TIMES. CHANGED THE PIGTAILS LAST TIME AND IAM NOW HAVING TO CHANGE THE WIRING HARNESS COMPLETELY AND HOPEFULLY THAT WILL HELP. MY CARS LIGHTS ARE ALWAYS ON AUTO AND ALWAYS BEGINS WITH MY PASSANGER LOW BEAM LIGHT GOING OUT FIRST THEN THE DRIVER SIDE A COUPLE MONTHS AFTER, HAS HAPPENED WHEN TURNING ON THE VEHICLE AND DURING DRIVING. MY HIGH BEAMS WORK FINE WITH NO PROBLEMS AT ALL. THE FIRST TWO TIMES I HAVE HAD A PROFFESIONAL MECHANIC CHANGE THEM AND THE LAST COUPLE TIMES I'VE CHANGED THEM MYSELF NOW DUE TO COST. REMOVING THE WHOLE BUMPER REALLY MAKES THIS EVEN MORE DIFFICULT TO CHANGE. I HAVE READ MANY FORUMS AND THEY HAVE ALSO THE SAME PROBLEM, ITS ACTUALLY BECOME VERY COMMON TO SEE MANY CHEVY'S WITH A HEAD LIGHT OUT. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THIS IS NOTED CAUSE IT APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE COMPANY. PLEASE HELP!

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

REPLACED LOW BEAM LIGHTS MULTIPLE TIMES, HAD THE WIRING HARNESS REPLACED DUE TO A SHORTAGE THAT WAS SUPPOSEDLY LEADING TO THE LOW BEAMS LIGHT BLOWING OUT CONSTANTLY. LOW BEAM LIGHTS STILL KEEP GOING OUT. ONGOING ISSUE

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

DRIVER SIDE HEADLAMPS GOING OUT. I'VE HAD TO REPLACE MY DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT 3 TIMES OVER THE LAST 2 MONTHS. NO AUTOMOBILE SHOULD GO THROUGH HEADLAMPS AT THAT RATE. TO COMPLICATE THIS ISSUE, THE ENTIRE FRONT BUMPER MUST BE REMOVED TO CHANGE THE HEADLIGHTS. I'VE READ ON THE FORUMS WHERE MANY MALIBU OWNERS ARE HAVING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE(S) WITH THE HEADLAMPS. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW AND GM/CHEVROLET SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL WITH CORRECTIVE ACTION.

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

TAMARA RECALL MY LOW BEAMS LIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT AND ON, IT DOES THIS WHEN PARK, AND DRIVING THEY WORK SOMETIMES ONE OR THE OTHER SOMETIMES THEY WON’T COME ON AT ALL.

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

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.

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

TAKATA RECALL UNSAFE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WITH UNPREDICTABLE HEADLIGHT FUNTIONALITY AND UNKNOWN OTHER RESULTS MAY LEAD TO MORE EXTENSIVE DAFETY ISSUES, I.E FIRE CONCERNS.

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

MY LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WILL NOT WORK. I HAVE CHANGED BULBS ONLY TO FIND OUT IT WASNT THE BULBS...THEY STILL WORK. I HAVE CHANGED ONE OF THE PIGTAILS AND IT WORKED FOR A WHILE AND STOPPED WITHIN A MONTH. IT STARTED WITH ONLY THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT AND NOW IT IS BOTH.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Mar 2019
Dec 2018

LOW BEAMS REPEATEDLY GOING OUT, BOTH SOCKETS REPLACED AND BULBS, NUMEROUS TIMES. FRONT BUMPER FACIA HAS TO COME OFF FOR REPLACEMENT

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

THE LOW BEAM AND RUNNING LIGHTS ON DRIVER'S SIDE KEEP GOING OUT THE WIRING HARNESS AND BULB HAS BEEN CHANGED 5 TIMES NOW AND STILL GOES OUT EVER OTHER WEEK . AND TO TOP IT OFF THIS CAR HAS THE MOST REDICULOUS WAY TO GET AT THE HEADLIGHTS. SO TIME CONSUMING

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jan 2017
Nov 2018

LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES BUT NOW FAIL TO OPERATE.

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

IN LESS THEN ONE YEAR THE PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM LIGHT IS OUT. I LOOK ON LINE AND A LOT OF 2012 MALIBU ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. IT COST OVER $100 TO CHANGE IT BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO REMOVE THE BUMPER TO DO IT.

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

CAR WILL SHUT DOWN. HEAD LIGHTS STOP WORKING LESS THEN EVERY TWO MONTHS. FUSE INSIDE THE CAR WHERE TO CHARGE THE PHONE ISN'T WORKING BOTH FRONT AND MIDDLE. CAR DIES RANDOMLY AFTER BEING LEFT ON FOR A LITTLE WHILE. HOT AND COLD RATE STAYS ON COLD ALL DAY AND HAS THE AC UNIT BLOW OUT COLD AIR WHEN ON HEAT AND IF ON COLD IT JUST BLOWS AIR. CAR WONT DRIVE FASTER THEN 5 MPH AFTER HAVING THE BATERY REBOOTED DEPENDING ON IF TE CAR WAS ALLOWED TO SIT IDOL OR A WHILE. CAR WILL PLACE IT'S SELF IN SHUT DOWN DE TO ELECRICAL PROBLEMS. ONCE ONE STARTS ACTING UP THEY ALL START ACTING UP.

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

MY CAR CAN RUN FOR A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME AND THE BATTERY WILL DIE RANDOMLY. MY HEADLIGHT CONSTANTLY CUT OFF AND INTERIOR MY HOT AN COLD LEVEL STAY DOWN ON A REGLAR DAY. THE AC BLOWS OUT COLD AIR WHEN ON HEAT OR IT WILL JUST BLOW AIR. MY CAR WILL JUST STIFEN UP AND NOT DRIVE AFTER RESTARTING THE BATTERY.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Dec 2017
Sep 2018 Fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S LOW BEAM HEADLAMPS FAILED TO OPERATE. JEFF WYLER SPRINGFIELD CHEVROLET (2237 W FIRST STREET, SPRINGFIELD, OH) DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS HAD MELTED AND RECOMMENDED IT BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.

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

THE PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM LIGHT BULB SOCKET KEEPS BURNING OUT. REPLACED THE BULB 3 TIMES IN ONE YEAR. THE SOCKET IS THE PROBLEM, KEEPS SHORTING OUT. WHEN I REPLACE THE BULB THE SOCKET WHERE THE BULB PLUGS IN TO IS BURNT AND MELTED.

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

THE PASSENGER LOW BEAM KEEPS GOING OUT ITS NOT THE BULB I'VE CHANGED IT ATLEAST 4 UNLESS THIS YEAR YET IT STILLS GOES OUT AND EVERYBODY ELSE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM ON SAME SIDE OF THE SAME CAR. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL FOR THIS.

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

THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT I'M CHANGING THESE OUT EVERY COUPLE MONTHS I'VE RESEARCHED AND FOUND SEVERAL OTHER DRIVERS ARE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE

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

LOW BEAM ON PASSENGER SIDE GOES OUT FREQUENTLY AND RANDOMLY. I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST MY LUCK. HOWEVER ACCORDING TO HTTPS://WWW.CARGURUS.COM/CARS/DISCUSSION-T32066_DS667897 THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE. IVE BEEN LUCKY ENOUGH TO KEEP GETTING STOP BY NICE COPS, BUT THIS IS GETTING BAD. I HAVE A 1YEAR OLD THAT I CANT TAKE OUT IN THE CAR BECAUSE IT ISNT SAFE. FOR WHO KNOWS WHAT REASON. PLEASE HELP.

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

HEADLIGHT LAMP CONSTANTLY GOES OUT DESPITE CHANGING OUT THE BULB AND/OR THE FUSE MULTIPLE TIMES. IT IS BECOMING A HAZARD WHEN DRIVING ON THE ROADS.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jan 2018
Dec 2017

HEADLAMPS CONSTANTLY BURNING OUT FUZES BLOWN DANGEROUS WHEN LIGHTS GO OUT AT NIGHT. SAFETY HAZARD.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Feb 2017
Oct 2017

I AM AN AUTO MECHANIC AND THE OWNER OF A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE, 4 OF MY CUSTOMERS MALIBUS (2009 TO 2012) AND MANY MANY OTHER MALIBU OWNERS IS THAT WHILE DRIVING ONE OR BOTH HEADLIGHTS WILL CUT OFF LEAVING THE OPERATOR WITH LITTLE OR NO VISIBILITY WHILE STILL IN MOTION, THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED TO ME ONE NIGHT ON A RURAL HIGHWAY WITH NO STREET LIGHTS. AFTER MUCH TROUBLESHOOTING I HAVE DISCOVERED THE CULPRIT TO BE THAT THE HEADLIGHT SOCKETS OVERHEAT AND MELT CAUSING A LOOSE OR OPEN CONNECTION FROM THE WIRING HARNESS TO THE HEADLIGHT. SINCE THEN I HAVE REPLACED MANY SOCKETS (INCLUDING MY OWN) AND THEY HAVE BEEN 100% SUCCESSFUL. IN SUMMATION I BELIEVE DRIVER AND OCCUPANT SAFETY IS SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED DUE TO THE POOR MANUFACTURING AND THE SUBPAR INTEGRITY OF THE HEADLIGHT SOCKETS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Aug 2016
Aug 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT WITH THE WIRING ASSOCIATED WITH THE HEADLIGHTS. THE LOW BEAMS, HIGH BEAMS, RUNNING LIGHTS, AND TURN SIGNALS FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED, DIAGNOSED, AND REPAIRED BY A MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jan 2016
May 2017

DRIVING AND BOTH LOW AND HIGH BEAMS GO OUT AT NIGHT. DAYS LATER IT CAME BACK ON, THEN A DAY LATER WENT OUT AGAIN.REPLACED LIGHTS BULBS AND A WEEK LATER IT GOES OUT AGAIN! THIS IS DANGEROUS AND CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE! I ALMOST CRASH THE FIRST TIME THEY WENT OUT ON THE FREEWAY.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jan 2017
Mar 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE AND THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 62,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Oct 2015
Feb 2017

HEAD LIGHTS BEEN REPAIRED 3 TIMES COSTING 220 EACH TIME... SEEMS TO BE NO KNOWN FIX FOR THIS POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL ERROR....

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jan 2017

Trend Over Time

Complaints by year

Quick Summary

The 2012 Chevrolet Malibu has 55 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING complaints on file. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.