Model year
2012 Chevrolet Malibu
NHTSA lists 2 recalls and 907 complaints for the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (282), EXTERIOR LIGHTING (195), STEERING (188). NHTSA rated the 4 DR FWD 4 stars overall. EPA rates it 20–26 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $2,600–$3,350, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 922 complaints
- 2001 721 complaints
- 2002 567 complaints
- 2003 569 complaints
- 2004 1,147 complaints
- 2005 975 complaints
- 2006 1,117 complaints
- 2007 977 complaints
- 2008 989 complaints
- 2009 1,509 complaints
- 2010 1,363 complaints
- 2011 978 complaints
- 2012 907 complaints
- 2013 837 complaints
- 2014 351 complaints
- 2015 270 complaints
- 2016 841 complaints
- 2017 703 complaints
- 2018 700 complaints
- 2019 193 complaints
- 2020 199 complaints
- 2021 90 complaints
- 2022 99 complaints
- 2023 72 complaints
- 2024 43 complaints
- 2025 11 complaints
Recalls
15V269000 · May 8, 2015
SEAT BELTS
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured April 8, 2010, to October 11, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the flexible steel cables that connect the seat belts to the vehicle at the outside of the driver seat and the…
14V252000 · May 14, 2014
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC); VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE…
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26,…
Complaints
907 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 50, fire flag on 13, injury field 35, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
No investigations are matched to this name.
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 DR FWD | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.109 | NHTSA photo |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malibu · 2.4L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 22 | 32 | 26 | — | — | $2,600 |
| Malibu · 3.6L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 17 | 25 | 20 | — | — | $3,350 |
| Malibu · 2.4L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · FFV | 22 | 33 | 26 | — | — | $2,600 |
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Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2012 Chevrolet Malibu at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.