Model Year Problem Record

Chevrolet Malibu 2012 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

906Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints

2Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls

0Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations

117Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Electrical System291 complaints

291 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting202 complaints

202 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering191 complaints

191 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems140 complaints

140 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 14V252000.

Engine103 complaints

103 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags101 complaints

101 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes75 complaints

75 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System56 complaints

56 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control52 complaints

52 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other51 complaints

51 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train49 complaints

49 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts47 complaints

47 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 15V269000.

Seats37 complaints

37 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility31 complaints

31 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels19 complaints

19 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure16 complaints

16 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension10 complaints

10 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

14V252000Reported May 14, 2014 - 2,440,524 vehicles potentially affected

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems. Recall covering the driver assistance and stability systems system, reported to NHTSA on May 14, 2014. The campaign covers an estimated 2,440,524 vehicles across all affected models.

15V269000Reported May 8, 2015 - 437,045 vehicles potentially affected

Seat Belts. Recall covering the seat belts system, reported to NHTSA on May 8, 2015. The campaign covers an estimated 437,045 vehicles across all affected models.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

20111

201210

201324

201474

201594

201678

201779

2018146

2019167

202087

202141

202232

202323

202425

202514

202611

How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.