2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU Electrical System Problems

Was driving home on the parkway and the headlights shut off on their own had to call for roadside assistance to get my vehicle home they will work on dim but brights will not work and if I drive for more than an hour and a half they will not work at all the speed sensor keeps going bad after having it replaced multiple times

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH and following a slight right turn on the highway, the ESC warning illuminated, and the vehicle slowed down without the brake pedal being depressed. The failure was intermittent but became a recurring failure. The contact stated that the vehicle also slowed down unintentionally while making a left or right turn at slow speeds. The contact stated that in the middle of the turn, the vehicle slowed to a stop without the brake pedal being depressed. The ESC warning light illuminated while the vehicle was still in drive(D) and running. The vehicle came to a stop, and the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle continued driving. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer and was diagnosed with PSCM failure. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was not taken back...

Passenger side headlamp burned out took off bumper to inspect and the wiring pigtail to the headlight has melted causing it to malfunction so now in order to make it work you have to disconnect the daytime running lights so that the melting stops this is supposedly happened to a lot of Malibu's why there isn't a recall on this fire hazard is beyond me and it is a safety issue cuz you can't use your daytime running lights any longer. This issue has not been reported because upon investigation it's been reported many times and nothing gets done about it you have to pay for it yourself. This will be the last GM product.

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

The power steering assist has cause the steering wheel to move to its let by its self when not holding the steering wheel. I must hold the steering wheel firmly to keep it strait when driving. If i would let go the car will abruptly turn left and possibly drive off the road or hit a car, pedestrian, or whatever is in the way. It started with uncontrolled vibrating at a stand still motion. The car is 165,000 miles that's 15,000 miles from the recall. The car has been repaired a couple times I think only to have the same power steering assist internal parts break down and fail multiple times. I believe the amount of power (amps) the power steering assist draws is needed is to much and the system fails within a short time. The alternative hydraulic version on the V 6 doesn't put so much stress on...

Passenger and or driver side low beam headlight continues to go out. Mechanic has found connector keeps burning out the socket. Light is burnt out on bott sides. but connector is shorting out. Fire and safety issue. This issue is on a lot of chevrolet malibus and needs a recall initiated to correct these issues. I keep getting pulled over due to need to us high beams and not having low beams. This is reoccurring and getting expensive to be done over and over.

Loss of power steering assist while driving. Safety issue puts driver and others at risk. Problem confirmed to be known by dealer service bulletin 15356. Special coverage has expired however many vehicles with issue still on the road. ESC light accompanies failure, restarting the vehicle resets system and allows function for short period until loss of steering while moving occurs again. Request GM extend the special coverage to all vehicles still in service or recall.

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.

Passenger and or driver side low beam headlight continues to go out. Mechanic has found connector keeps burning out the socket. Light is fine but connector is shorting out. Fire and safety issue. This issue is on a lot of chevrolet malibu and needs a recall fix.

First, there is a problem with the transmission. The car will stall or stop abruptly while driving. Second, the automatic turn signals do not work. Third, the driver safety belt does tightly secure the driver.

The front exterior low beam bulbs / wiring harness keeps burning out. I have replaced them twice already and they have blown again. What is going on already a headache just to even get to the headlights, now have to spend MORE money to repair.

The headlights keep.going out. I've replaced everything amd it keeps happening and it's not easy to even get to the headlight. This is a hazard as my 16 year old drives this car. We fix it and then it's out all.over again. This has to be a recall as I've done some research and im.not the only one with this problem. We've been pulled over and we just explained our frustration and they've been nice enough to send us on our way.

For 4 years the car intermittently would turn on all warning lights, shake, become hard to steer and steer in unintended directions. We paid $1500 for the dealer to fix it and we still had the problem. Today, the car will drive less then a mile and die. When we start the car all warning lights come on, the vehicle vibrates and struggles to keep speed of 5 mph or so then will die.

Electrical problem causing the passenger side low beam to keep burning out. Fourth time in one year. Vehicle is available for inspection upon request. This issue causes a safety concern because you can be driving down the highway at night and all of a sudden you have no headlight.

Driving down the freeway and suddenly I get reduce engine power. I had to wait on the freeway until the car started up again

Vehicle will intermittently not start, have to tap on trunk fuse box to get the Malibu to start, the wire is too small and burns up, can’t find anyone to replace it, is a big issue with this generation of Malibu. Vehicle has shut off while on highways and stoplights on MULTIPLE occasions

My brake lights constantly go out. My fuses keep blowing. Every time I try to adjust my mirrors the fuses blow for the mirrors and brake lights. Also my headlights keep blowing and the headlight harness has been changed and everything. It is very dangerous not having brake lights, or being able to adjust my mirrors.

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.

The brakes light keep going out they won’t blink the won’t turn on fuses are blowing

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

Passenger headlight caught fire while driving

While I was making a right turn, I experienced a sudden loss of steering, the steering wheel became completely stiff and almost imposible to maneuver. The panel message was Service EPS and ESC off. According to information in this website, there was a special warranty extension, which expired on 2022, which covered this specific issue (the problem is related to the electric power steering assist (EPS), the steering column torque sensor or the EPS motor/controller). The special warranty code was 15356. I have taken my car to the dealership in the past for maintenance and other safety recalls, but I was not alerted about this very dangerous issue. I called GM today, and they said I was not alerted because this was not a recall but an extended warranty. This sounds like a lack of due diligence on GM´s end to address an issue that is extremely dangerous. I am...

Passenger side low beam headlight wont work. Replace fuses relays and wiring harness. Ive read online where this is very common with these cars and even replacing the headlight assembky isnt a sure fix.

Passenger headlight continues to go out, replaced bulb and wiring harness multiple times

The Electric steering has malfunctioned and the ESC has shut off and my steering has gone out it only has 138000 miles I know there was several recalls for this steering issue in several Chevy Malibu’s. I don’t understand why mine was not recalled. It’s the same problem that the ones that were recalled were having. Please let me know if it is recalled or why this problem is still happening. Thank you

I bought my chevy Malibu in 2018 from a used car dealership. A couple months after I bought it the radio blew. I tried replacing fuses it would not work. The lights keep blowing. I keep replacing them and have had a new pigtail that's been grounded. That replacement happened last Thursday. Right light has blown again. Short in electrical system. Cause battery to go down. Windows will only work sometimes and the same goes for the door locks. I currently waiting for a tow truck. The new battery will not start.

Vehicle has intermittent periods where it won’t start. After replacing fuel pump relay it started after a week vehicle stalled while driving tested relay worked perfect after reading online forums found that this model car has an issue with the wiring to the fuse/fuse block in the trunk after pulling the fuse block out the wiring to the block is loose and very thin after adjusting the wires the car will start and run with no issues for several days to week where it will be fine the the wires will come lose again causing a crank. I start issue and stalling while driving.

Vehicle repeatedly shuts down due to wiring issue for fuel pump. Wire in rear fuse panel (in trunk) shows signs of overheating (discoloration). Vehicle shuts down without warning while driving. This causes an unsafe condition especially when travelling on busy roadways and highways. This seems to be a common problem with this model and year.

To Whom It May Concern: My 2012 Chevrolet Malibu LS HASN'T been involved in an accident but I feel it necessary to report it! Due to issues involving my electrical system and other components of the vehicle that aren't working properly, the vehicle is inoperable! Beginning in April 2022, I have experienced issues with the vehicle starting (one day it will start and drive normally, another day it might not). Then it started stalling unexpectedly. Granted, I've had the car 10 years but I've never had these problems! It's been serviced and the problems still exist! These problems could easily cause an accident; I'm grateful I've been spared from tragedy! These issues need to be addressed and I'd greatly appreciate hearing from NHTSA!

The electric power steering and ESC systems. It is or was under recall for this type of vehicle. The steering becomes hard and vehicle shakes the tire rotation is being read wrong by computer. It doesn't want to stay 9n the road...the stability of vehicle is compromised.

Passenger as well as driver side headlight continuously pop on and off, not blowing the bulbs but assuming there is a wiring issue

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

I'm a single parent and I can't afford to take my car to the dealership I love my car I have had my 2012 chevy malibu for over 6 years n I hate to just have it park at home knowing that, that's car was my everything. It started having problem with esc . When I would come to a stop then taking off it would break on its one I was told it could be my throttle body so I went n buy one n now the idle is too high now I can't get it to fix. Pls help me out I'm my car that I love so much.

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.

My electric steering motor and torque sensor is going out. I first noticed it starting to go out about 2 months ago in November. I was turning to pull into a parking spot at the grocery store and all of a sudden my wheel locked up and check ESC flashed across my dashboard. I almost side grazed the car on side of me on my way turning in. I had to turn the wheel really hard to straighten it up..so when I got into the parking spot and turned the car off and turned it back on it was working again and didn’t do it for a while. So fast forward 2 months later in January it started back doing it again. I was backing out of my driveway and all of a sudden the steering got really hard and again service ESC flashed on the dashboard and I almost...

ESC traction control /Power Sterering light turned on my wheel was hard to steer. Lost control . If I turn off it works for a few minutes but then goes back to hard.. unable to steer

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.

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving, the brake light was illuminated. The contact stated that at the time she was not depressing the brake pedal. The contact stated that when she was switching gears from either drive or reverse the brake light only illuminates once in gear and does not turn off. The contact also stated that the traction control warning light also illuminates while driving, however the vehicle does not drive any differently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who advised her that there was a recall on the same year, make and model vehicle as her vehicle NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL) . The contact said she was advised that her vehicle had to be taken to the dealer to have her vehicle reprogrammed. The contact stated that she has...

I bought the car a year ago from a used car lot. Replaced the cam shaft positioning sensor as per diagnostic reading for check engine light. Since then, svc air bag light has stayed on. Traction control light stays on and is disengaged. When braking ESC warning goes on and off and sliding occurs. The low beam headlights go on and off intermittently and no way of knowing when it will happen. When turning cruise control on or off, the car will accelerate on its own and will increase speed until brake is applied. Regardless of whether cruise control was turned on or off. I have had it looked at at my local Mr.Tire and they cannot figure out what is happening.

I been having the same problem for a year now.. constantly putting it in and out the shop and no one can find out what’s wrong with it.. the engine will loss it control and stop working in the middle of traffic which almost caused me a wreck several times. The Chevrolet dealership hasn’t done anything to help but charge me to look at it and they didn’t fix the problem. I have three kids and it has been a safety issue which is our only way to work and school. The car will skip constantly in the middle of traffic and several times someone almost ran into the back of my car. It will say engine power reduced, service traction and service sec I have spent ton of money trying to fix the issue and I have read several people have had the same problem.

The bcm and fuel pump relay over heats burns the wire causing stalls at traffic lights and normal driving then won’t start back up. If you’re lucky you can hit the bcm or take the fuel relay out and reinstall and it may start back up

I have a 2012 Chevy Malibu i bought it in 2014. I have had the Esc light come on in 2016 but no problem with it untill now of this year in 2022. Not knowing the problem i have already put ALOT into it. I took it to a machanic they told me it was the rack and pinion. So got that done . Apparently it wasn't it took it to another machanic they told me it was struts got that done too n still nothing so i looked it up online got CV joint, inner ,tie rod, wheel alignment. All those done n still nothing fix it. I didn't know what else to do until i made more scratch on my vehicle and i found that it could be a recall .

This car will not start!!!! It starts when it feels like it. I’ve been stranded after work so many times for unknown reasons. Multiple mechanics have inspected car and cannot find the issue. Go on YouTube and search for this year car and you’ll find so many people in the same situation as me. The car has battery but the engine will not start. GM cars have this issue in common and it’s ridiculous GM cannot stand behind their brand. Please HELP US!!!

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.

GM Tech Bulletins say there is a Ghost Problem with Elect. Stability Controller. GM mentions there is no recall or known cure for this. .Components/contacts were cleaned at service shop but " Serv. ESC-ESC OFF" keeps appearing in "driver display" when hitting bumps -turning car.. i will mail service sheets. This option was available on 08-09-10 models of Malibu but Std. on my 2012 car. It is worthless when there is thick snow.. I will send , by mail, serv. records on this unsolvable problem... It continues to happen ,at slow speed - not just one time...I believe YOU can read the G.M.-TSBs, as it was shown to me.... Consumer stated it showed a bad steering column multi switch & Yaw sensor unit , part still available.. Unit fires off bad code when barely moving and turning to right... Unit gets damp and works for a while. Turns out: Plastic...

While parked or driving this vehicle shuts down on its own, sometimes on the freeway going 65 mph. The fuse located in the trunk has a faulty connection and a wire that isn’t efficient for heat from fuel pump so it shuts down while driving and sometimes won’t start. This is gonna kill someone when it shuts off on the freeway in traffic. I’ve read up on this being a regular problem with the Malibu

My vehicle fail to restart vehicle, but vehicle was running good before. Once I turn off the vehicle for couple of minutes when I returned back to my vehicle and tried to turn vehicle on it would not allow me to turn on lights on vehicle would stay on when taking key out of ignition. I kept trying couple of time until I open the hood to check battery move battery cables tried again until vehicle turn on. Once vehicle had turn on and put vehicle in reverse dashboard lights started turning on check engine a service warning message display and speed meter would go up and down. When going forward the steering wheel became hard to control while vehicle would go toward slowly then stop go fast and slowly again until I got home turn vehicle off. Didn't drive it anymore until two days later. The second time I...

I HAVE AN ONGOING ISSUE IN WHICH THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2012 MALIBU LOCKS UP AND IT'S EXTREMELY HARD TO ROTATE THE STEERING WHEEL TO MAKE TURNS....IT HAS HAPPENED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS FROM BEING PARKED FROM A COLD START TO RECENTLY ACTIVELY HAPPENING WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD/HIGHWAY. THE COMPUTER DASH DISPLAY POPS UP SAYING POWER STEERING THEN SAYS SERVICE ESC

THE CENTER BRAKE LIGHT DOESN'T WORK. I PUT IN A NEW LED LIGHT ASSEMBLY IN AND IT STILL DOESN'T WORK.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING, THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ESC WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUBURBAN CHEVROLET CADILLAC COLLISION OF ANN ARBOR (3515 JACKSON RD STE B, ANN ARBOR, MI 48103, (734) 663-3321) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING BATTERY, AND NEGATIVE BATTERY TERMINAL TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 66,017.*DT THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD SLOW DOWN WITH A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND ELECTRICAL ISSUES AND SPUTTERING ENGINE. THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED TWICE AND WAS RECOMMENDED TO BE REPLACED THIRD TIME.