Problems · by component
2012 Chevrolet Malibu fuel/propulsion system problems
51 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu cite fuel/propulsion system, 6% of all 907 complaints for this model year.
Complaints
51
6% of all complaints
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
What owners say about the fuel/propulsion system
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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”
“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!”
“I had been out running errands and I picked my mother up from church. Pulled up to the stoplight, light turned green, I pressed the gas pedal and nothing. I'm sitting at a major intersection and my car won't move I just put the pedal to the floor and my car creeped forward. Which if someone had been coming up behind me that wasn't stopped just driving up, I mean that could have been a very serious accident probably involving more than just my vehicle and the person behind me. The error codes that showed up on it after a reading was done (mind you there were no warning lights, there was nothing indicating a problem, there was no hint that there was a problem, an engine light came on AFTER the fact. ) the p0207 faulty fuel injector 7 and a p1607 serial communication problem with Device 7 and a p0700 transmission control system malfunction. In looking this up online there have been a lot of people who've had the same problem that have posted online. And there's a great many more posting in different places online and many that are not posting anything online about it. It's common and I would say a very common problem for owners of the Chevy Malibu.”
“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”
Showing 6 of 51 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.