Problems · by component

2012 Chevrolet Malibu visibility/wiper problems

27 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu cite visibility/wiper, 3% of all 907 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
27
3% of all complaints
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the visibility/wiper

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 8, 2025Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Visibility/wiperFire reportedODI 11647143
“I purchased the vehicle in 2021 . It was running fine at first but recently . been having alot of issues with the vehicle. When parking the vehicle and you put it in park it moves forward . also been having alot of tire blow outs one after another for the past 8 months . also sometimes it drives proper and at times it starts swerving . the ride gets bumpy. I already replaced the arm controls also aligned the car . i believe there mechanically defaulted. Also having issues with the exhaust . fuel sensor also was replaced . Codes P0411 keep popping up. Literally I have put more money then I paid for the car. financially has drained me. When called the manufacturer about recalls they said those recalls were expired . The car has become somewhat dangerous. Also I believe When purchased the vehicle the emissions says 2013 on the bill of sale says 2012 . I just recently found the documents . Is there any way to find out right information for the vehicle . thank you my name is [XXX] phone number is [XXX]”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 15, 2024Suspension, Wheels, Visibility/wiperODI 11572264
“THE WINDSHIELD WIPER TRANSMISSION / LINKAGE SEEMS TO HAVE A WEAK POINT IN THE PLASTIC / NYLON SNAPS. THE LINKAGE ARM DISCONNECTS AT THE SNAP FREQUENTLY DURING USE OF THE WIPERS CAUSING THEM TO BE COMPLETELY UNUSABLE, WHICH CREATES AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN DRIVING IN THE RAIN OR SNOW AS YOU CANNOT SEE SINCE THE WINDSHIELD IS NOT ABLE TO BE CLEARED. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 10, 2020Visibility/wiperODI 11324041
“PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT KEEP GOING OUT I HAVE REPLACED BULB AND SOCKET SEVERAL TIMES ..IT WORK ONLY FOR 2 WEEKS AND PROBLEM KEEP COMING ..THIS IS FIFTH TIME I'M HAVING TO FIX THE ISSUES”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 17, 2019Electrical system, Unknown or other, Visibility/wiperODI 11289751
“2012 CHEVY MALIBU, WINDSHIELD WIPER TRANSMISSION I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY TODAY, DURING A RAINSTORM, WHEN THE WIPERS FAILED TO OPERATE WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON MI 696. I WAS ON A 4 LANE HIGHWAY AND COULD NOT SEE AT ALL DO TO THE FAILED WIPER TRANSMISSION BUSHING. THIS NOT ONLY PUT MYSELF IN DANGER BUT OTHER DRIVERS AS WELL. I COULD NOT SEE AT ALL AND CAUSED MANY OTHER DRIVERS TO SWERVE OUT OF THEIR LANES AT 70 MPH. PLASTIC BUSHINGS ARE USED ON THE WIPER TRANSMISSION (LINKAGE) WHICH HAS BEEN A COMMONLY REPORTED EVENT. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW WHICH IS CAUSING THE WIPERS TO FAIL, MAKING VISIBILITY DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER IMPOSSIBLE. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. GM ONLY OFFERS A REPLACEMENT WIPER TRANSMISSION WITH THE SAME PLASTIC BUSHINGS THAT KEEP FAILING. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT WOULD HAVE A MINIMAL COST IF THEY USED METAL BUSHINGS. THIS PLASTIC BUSHING MAY EVENTUALLY KILL SOMEONE FROM FAILED WIPER USAGE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 29, 2019Visibility/wiperODI 11240488
“I HAVE A 2012 CHEVY MALIBU. THUS IS MY EVERYDAY VEHICLE AND WHEN I HAVE HEADLIGHT PROBLEMS IT IS VERY FRUSTRATING. WE HAVE HAD THE BUMPER OFF THIS CAR MULTIPLE TIMES WHICH IS A REAL PAIN. WE HAVE CHANGED HEADLIGHTS, WIRING HARNESS AND EVEN UNDOING THE BATTERY. THE PASSENGER LIGHT COMES ON FOR A BIT THEM WILL GO OFF AND NOT COME BACK ON. I HAVE A LOAN ON THIS CAR AND CAN'T EVEN GET RID OF IT CAUSE I CAN'T KEEP THE LIGHTS ON. WORSE CHEVY CAR I HAVE EVER OWNED. I HAVE BEEN PULLED OVER FOR IT BEING OUT AND HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO EXPLAIN IT. READING THE REVIEWS OF THIS CAR ONLINE I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON THAT HAS HEADLIGHT PROBLEMS.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 15, 2019Exterior lighting, Visibility/wiperODI 11232135

Showing 6 of 27 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.