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Which year to buy
Bar height: serious owner complaints to NHTSA for that year per car on the road, against this model's usual year.
2012GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual Extended coverage
576 serious complaints of 907, the most about steering (191) and stability control (129); per car on the road, 1.0× this model's usual year. 3 recalls.
What owners report
“The contact owns a 2012 chevrolet malibu. While driving various speeds and turning the steering wheel, the power steering indicator illuminated and it became very difficult to turn. As a result, the vehicle drove straight. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the steering, Nov 2016
“At random I will be driving down any road and the power steering, traction control, ecs lights will come on and I will lose power steering. I have to pull over and completely stop and turn off ignition and wait a few minutes and turn back on and the problem is reset. This happens at random with no pattern.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the stability control, Apr 2020
Fixes and extended coverage
- Extended coverage On some 2008 model year (MY) Saturn Outlook; 2008-2009 MY Buick Allure, Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Uplander, Pontiac G8, Pontiac Montana SV6, Pontiac Torrent, and Saturn VUE; 2008-2010 MY Hummer H3 and Pontiac G6; 2008-2011 MY Cadillac CTS, Cadillac SRX, and Chevrolet Impala; 2008, 2011-2012 MY… (GCUS-9-939, Sep 2015)
- Extended coverage On some various model year vehicles, the throttle-position sensor may cause the engine to run rough, cause the malfunction-indicator lamp and/or an engine reduced power message to illuminate, and reduce the engine's power. 14582A - Special Coverage (2012 model year Buick Enclave, Lacrosse, Regal;… (GCUS-9-1009, Oct 2015)
- Extended coverage Some vehicles may have a condition where increased resistance in the body control module (BCM) connection system can result in voltage fluctuations or intermittency in the brake apply sensor (BAS) circuit that can cause brake lamp malfunction. 16188 Special Coverage. (GCUS-9-3664, Mar 2017)
- Extended coverage On some 2007-2012 model year chevrolet malibu, pontiac g6, and saturn aura vehicles equipped with electric power steering assist (eps), the steering column torque sensor or the eps motor/controller may cause the vehicle to suddenly lose eps. 15356 - special coverage. (15356, Aug 2015)
- Extended coverage In certain ehicles, if a driver repeatedly sits on the seat belt cable cover located at the base of the driver's seat when entering the vehicle, it may cause the seat belt pretensioner to bend sharply over the seat side shield. N182194790 - Special Coverage. (N182194790, Mar 2019)
- Repair program This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Diagnostic Trouble Code B101D stored in Telematics Communication Interface Control Module. (PIT5236F, Aug 2015)
From the manufacturer's bulletins filed with NHTSA. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
907 owner complaints · 3 recalls (check a car's VIN for open recalls) · EPA combined: 20–26 mpg · NHTSA: 4 of 5 stars · 2012 trims and features
Verdicts computed from NHTSA owner complaints, defect investigations and recalls. Cars on the road from New York State registrations. (How we judge.) Data checked 2026-10-06.
Trims and features
Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl; 3.6L 6-cyl · Drive: FWD
2012 Malibu trims
| 1LT | 1LZ | 2LT | 2LZ | 3LT | LS |
|---|
base price, seating and driver-assistance equipment from NHTSA's vehicle database (vPIC), as Chevrolet reports it. Tech and comfort features (CarPlay, heated seats, sunroof) for Chevrolet aren't in our data yet. "—": not verified in our sources. "Varies": standard on some versions of the trim.
Year by year
| Year | Engines | Drive | Fuel economy | Crash rating | Recalls | Owner complaints | Most-reported problem | CarPlay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1.5L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 31 mpg | 5 of 5 | 1 | 11 | Back over prevention (5) | — |
| 2024 | 1.5L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 31 mpg | 5 of 5 | 2 | 42 | Electrical system (18) | Yes |
| 2023 | 1.5L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 30 mpg | 5 of 5 | 2 | 70 | Back over prevention (16) | Yes |
| 2022 | 1.5L 4-cyl turbo 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 26–32 mpg | 4 of 5 | 1 | 98 | Electrical system (33) | Yes |
| 2021 | 1.5L 4-cyl turbo 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 26–32 mpg | 4 of 5 | 2 | 89 | Unknown or other (31) | Yes |
| 2020 | 1.5L 4-cyl turbo 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 26–32 mpg | 4 of 5 | 1 | 198 | Engine (59) | Yes |
| 2019 | 1.5L 4-cyl turbo 1.8L 4-cyl hybrid 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 26–46 mpg | 4 of 5 | 1 | 193 | Power train (66) | Yes |
| 2018 | 1.5L 4-cyl turbo 1.8L 4-cyl hybrid 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 26–46 mpg | 5 of 5 | 6 | 709 | Engine (283) | Yes |
| 2017 | 1.5L 4-cyl turbo 1.8L 4-cyl hybrid 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 26–46 mpg | 5 of 5 | 4 | 724 | Engine (256) | Yes |
| 2016 | 1.5L 4-cyl turbo 1.8L 4-cyl hybrid 2.0L 4-cyl turbo 2.5L 4-cyl | FWD | 26–46 mpg | 5 of 5 | 9 | 861 | Engine (310) | Yes |
| 2015 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo 2.5L 4-cyl | FWD | 24–29 mpg | 5 of 5 | 3 | 270 | Engine (70) | No |
| 2014 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo 2.4L 4-cyl 2.5L 4-cyl | FWD | 24–29 mpg | 5 of 5 | 6 | 363 | Engine (127) | No |
| 2013 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo 2.4L 4-cyl 2.5L 4-cyl | FWD | 24–29 mpg | 5 of 5 | 11 | 922 | Electrical system (424) | No |
| 2012 | 2.4L 4-cyl 3.6L 6-cyl | FWD | 20–26 mpg | 4 of 5 | 3 | 907 | Electrical system (291) | No |
| 2011 | 2.4L 4-cyl 3.6L 6-cyl | FWD | 20–26 mpg | 4 of 5 | 4 | 978 | Electrical system (235) | No |
| 2010 | 2.4L 4-cyl 2.4L 4-cyl hybrid 3.5L 6-cyl 3.6L 6-cyl | FWD | 20–29 mpg | Not rated | 4 | 1363 | Steering (455) | No |
Owner complaints are unverified reports to NHTSA, counted as filed: older years have had longer to collect them and sales aren't adjusted for, so see Which year to buy for a fair comparison. Most-reported problem: the component named in the most complaints that year. Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Apple.
Which years have…
Apple lists CarPlay for: Malibu 2016–2024 (Apple).
Every NHTSA-rated version: crash ratings, safety tech, recalls, complaints
| Year | Version | Stars | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD | 5 | Standard & Optional | Standard & Optional | 1 | 11 |
| 2024 | Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD | 5 | Standard & Optional | Standard & Optional | 2 | 42 |
| 2023 | Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD | 5 | Standard & Optional | Standard & Optional | 2 | 70 |
| 2022 | Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD | 4 | Optional | Optional | 1 | 98 |
| 2021 | Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD | 4 | Optional | Optional | 2 | 89 |
| 2020 | Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD | 4 | Optional | Optional | 1 | 198 |
| 2019 | Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD | 4 | Optional | Optional | 1 | 191 |
| 2019 | Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid 4 DR FWD | 4 | Optional | Optional | 0 | 2 |
| 2018 | Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 6 | 698 |
| 2018 | Chevrolet Malibu HEV 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 0 | 11 |
| 2017 | Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 4 | 724 |
| 2017 | Chevrolet Malibu Eco e-Assist 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 4 | 678 |
| 2016 | Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | No | 10 | 861 |
| 2016 | Chevrolet Malibu Eco e-Assist 4 DR FWD | 5 | No | No | 10 | 803 |
| 2016 | Chevrolet Malibu Limited 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 10 | 803 |
| 2015 | Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 3 | 270 |
| 2014 | Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 6 | 363 |
| 2014 | Chevrolet Malibu Eco eAssist 4 DR FWD | 5 | No | No | 6 | 350 |
| 2013 | Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD w/rear SAB's | 5 | Optional | Optional | 11 | 922 |
| 2013 | Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 11 | 922 |
| 2013 | Chevrolet Malibu Eco eAssist 4 DR FWD w/rear SAB's | 5 | No | No | 10 | 895 |
| 2013 | Chevrolet Malibu Eco eAssist 4 DR FWD | 5 | No | No | 10 | 895 |
| 2012 | Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD | 4 | No | No | 3 | 907 |
| 2011 | Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD | 4 | No | No | 4 | 978 |
| 2010 | Chevrolet Malibu 4-DR w/SAB | Not Rated | No | No | 4 | 1363 |
Source: NHTSA.
Every EPA-rated version: engines and combined mpg
| Year | EPA model | Engines | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Malibu | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo | 31 |
| 2024 | Malibu | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo | 31 |
| 2023 | Malibu | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo | 30 |
| 2022 | Malibu | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo |
26–32 |
| 2021 | Malibu | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo |
26–32 |
| 2020 | Malibu | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo |
26–32 |
| 2019 | Malibu | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo |
26–32 |
| 2019 | Malibu Hybrid | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.8 L | 46 |
| 2018 | Malibu | Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo |
26–30 |
| 2018 | Malibu Hybrid | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.8 L | 46 |
| 2017 | Malibu | Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo |
26–30 |
| 2017 | Malibu Hybrid | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.8 L | 46 |
| 2016 | Malibu | Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo |
26–30 |
| 2016 | Malibu Hybrid | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.8 L | 46 |
| 2016 | Malibu Limited | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L | 27 |
| 2015 | Malibu | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo |
24–29 |
| 2014 | Malibu | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo |
24–29 |
| 2014 | Malibu eAssist | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L | 28 |
| 2013 | Malibu | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo |
24–26 |
| 2013 | Malibu eAssist | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L | 29 |
| 2012 | Malibu | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SIDI Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SIDI; FFV Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L |
20–26 |
| 2011 | Malibu | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, FFV Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L |
20–26 |
| 2010 | Malibu | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, FFV Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, FFV Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L, FFV Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L |
20–26 |
| 2010 | Malibu Hybrid | Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L | 29 |
Source: fueleconomy.gov.