2012 Chevrolet Malibu: check engine light

Filed Jan 8, 2025 · Airbags, Engine · 113,000 miles · IA

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, the temperature gauge began to indicate the vehicle was overheating after which the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The check engine and air bag warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the oil pan gasket; resulting in damage to the engine, and ABS control module resulting in the air bag warning light. The contact was informed that the engine would need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic, who again diagnosed a failure with the oil pan gasket. The vehicle was repaired, but again the failure occurred for the third time. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 113,000.

Filed Dec 31, 2024 · Airbags, Engine · SC

The catalytic converter and exhaust manifold are suspected to be malfunctioning. These components are part of the vehicle’s exhaust system, and their failure is believed to be contributing to hesitation and skipping during operation. Both components are available for inspection upon request. The hesitation and skipping reduce the vehicle’s responsiveness, creating a safety risk in traffic. This issue could hinder safe merging, overtaking, or maintaining consistent speeds. Additionally, malfunctioning exhaust components may lead to increased emissions and pose a risk of toxic gases entering the cabin if leaks are present. Check engine light displays. The problem has been confirmed by a professional auto mechanic during their inspection and diagnosis. The components have been inspected and diagnosed by an independent service center (the auto mechanic). They have not yet been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives. No warning lamps or error messages were displayed on the dashboard prior to the diagnosis. The symptoms, including hesitation and skipping, began approximately [insert timeline, e.g., two weeks ago] and have been recurring during normal driving, particularly during acceleration or at lower speeds.

Filed Jul 20, 2022 · Engine · 137,000 miles · VA

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle started to lose motive power. The contact was able to stop and turn the vehicle off. When the contact attempted to restart the vehicle the starter motor made noises however, the vehicle would not restart. The contact stated that the check engine and several unknown lights were illuminated. The contact stated that he was able to restart the vehicle after waiting for an hour before driving to his residence. The contact stated that the failure recurred and the vehicle was towed to a dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle with an electrical engine sensor failure. The contact was informed that the sensor need to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 137,000.

Filed Mar 13, 2022 · Transmission · CT

Check Engine light on Dash: variable valve timing problem detailed. Engine could wreck.

Filed Feb 21, 2022 · Fuel system · WA

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.

Filed Dec 6, 2021 · Brakes, Electrical · KY

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.

Filed Jun 3, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · CA

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 was on the freeway when my vehicles speed started to significantly reduce speed very quickly. I became concern with my safety until I was able to pull over on the side of freeway car turned off. When trying to restart vehicle would fail to turn back on had to tow vehicle back home. I tried turning vehicle back on failed at first on the last try vehicle turned on but when putting on reverse or drive vehicle became undriveable thier was no movement on vehicle and speed meter would not move . I just purchased this vehicle only had 8 months with it I payed $5000 plus $600 on plates. I do make my vehicle available for inspection it is very dangerous going through this specially on highway. I checked my onstart vehicle report but it does not show that anything is wrong on the report. My insurance provider Geico car details only show it needs and oil change. I also notice that in the vehicle history shows it has an oil leak. I can not afford to pay for a mechanic at this moment my vehicle is just park at home now.

Filed Oct 1, 2020 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 151,000 miles · MO

When I get in my car I notice that my check engine light comes on in an are where certain people don't like me at like cuba mo there is a conspiracy going on out here ever sense they took my kids illegally it's been nothing but problems and I don't want to get hurt or hurt nobody please help my gas leaves quick also I know my car is being hacked because they do that a lot out there and surrounding cities the engine light will come on while I'm driving and when I'm out the car it'll come on there is also a tracking device on it that I didn't put on there also I put gas in my car then all of a sudden it goes down to low fuel I just bought the car from the dealership at jd by rider in rolla mo*dt

Filed Aug 30, 2020 · Electrical, Fuel system · 81,000 miles · OH

The vehicle have no check engine codes but won't start and cuts off I traffic and in highway. The fuse box in trunk gets got and the fuel pump relay gets hot. After the car stalls the only way to start is shake wiretap fuse box in trunk and tap on rear fuse box

Filed Apr 28, 2020 · Electrical · 130,000 miles · OH

This is my third complaint because my car has electrical issues that need repaired. The vehicle would not start, would have to tap on fuel box located in trunk to get it to start. In the middle of driving the car, the car would lose power and ESC, traction control, check engine light would come on and power steering would lock up. Took it to nearest chevy dealer and they said 'the wiring is burnt up from the fuel pump/fuse box located in trunk' this is because gm used cheap wiring. My passenger headlight keeps going out, rear defrost doesn't work, and my door speakers doesn't not work. This is all because of the wiring located in the trunk. I refuse to pay over $2,000 to fix myself when this is clearly a gm issue. Everybody on here has the same problem with their malibu's. And it really sucks because I'm making payments on a car I cannot drive. This is really dangerous especially when I have my kids in the car and it just loses power and cut off in the middle of traffic.

Filed Apr 8, 2020 · 150,000 miles · TX

I was driving my car and when I hit a stopped light it suddenly my car turned off and the traction control light, engine light come on. Also service traction, service ESC, ESC off on the headboard. I already fixed the throttle body, map sensor, camshaft position sensor, gas pedal, altenator, and its still doing the same problem. I need help on finding out what the real problem is. I've been having problems with this car for almost a year now.

Filed Mar 30, 2020 · Engine · 134,924 miles · GA

I recently purchased a 2012 malibu lt, which is having the same issues, as was report; mar 26, 2019 - kaufman, tx - engine when driving or sitting at idle not moving service ESC and traction control flashes on dash. Which is causing check engine light to stay on causing misfire on cylinder #1 and then random misfire. The car hasn+t been able to be inspected in 2 years have had at 3 chevrolet dealerships and all can+t figure out issue . The 1st dealership said we have no idea what+s wrong with the car. The second dealership said the car needed #1 injector and injector harness and throttle body which was replaced didn+t even make it off the lot and check engine and traction control and ESC lights was flashing again they said might have cracked head car has been pressure tested doesn+t use water and doesn+t get hot. They are just trying to throw parts at it at my expense. The 3rd dealership which car is at now is telling me possible burnt valve causing all my issues with car said they did compression test and all cylinders have 170 pounds in all 4 cylinders which is not possible. I have replaced map sensor, PCM, spark plugs, 1 injector, injector harness, throttle body and nothing has helped car. The car never had any issues with misfire until the ESC and traction control started flashing and in 2 years still has been solved at any dealership very disappointed in need of help to fix issue. How do you fix the problem? [xxx]. Parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).