Check a VIN

2012 Chevrolet Malibu transmission problems

49 complaints (5% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 81,000.

owner complaints
49
of this car's complaints
5%
typical mileage
81,000
crashes
0
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Automatic transmission
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Chevrolet Malibu transmission problems in other years

1997200020052010201520202025

Specific symptoms reported on the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu transmission

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Jerking 21Hesitation 5

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2012 Chevrolet Malibu owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Apr 24, 2025 · Transmission · DE

The problem started with the steering wheel jerking by itself then the power steering went out. The only way to get power steering back is to turn the car off then turn it back on while turning the steering wheel manually then it’s hard to say how long you have power steering for. To get it fixed is around 1,500 for a 3 hour job.

Filed Jul 13, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · FL

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.

Filed Jun 10, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · TX

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

Filed Jul 26, 2023 · Engine, Transmission · IN

The electronic stability control activates under normal driving conditions. Power to engine is reduced, car does not brake or accelerate appropriately with this happens. It appears to be a problem that is reported frequently and one that has been a recall on some vehicles but this VIN does not show that recall. It puts me and others at risk because the car suddenly stops going at speed and lurches when trying to stop. Scans were done at a local auto shop which indicate issues with ESC. Warning lights include ESC activated, Engine power reduced

Filed Feb 15, 2023 · Steering, Suspension · PA

My engine

Filed Jun 7, 2022 · Electrical, Transmission · 107,089 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle started losing motive power and was shuddering while shifting gear. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the roadway, turn off, and restart the vehicle, and drove to the residence safely. The vehicle was then taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that as fuse box needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 107,089.

Filed Mar 13, 2022 · Transmission · CT

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

Filed Feb 10, 2022 · Electrical, Steering · IL

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 backed up into a car that’s parked on the street behind my driveway. I had to turn really had and in the middle of the street I had to turn the car off and back on to reset itself . The next day was driving and and when I stopped at a stop sign my steering wheel started shaking left to right uncontrollably and ever since the the steering wheel just shakes even while sitting still so I made an appointment with the dealership that I got the car for checked it out and did a diagnostic test and the mechanic told me I needed a torque sensor and steering motor. I have the papers saying that’s what’s wrong with it and after doing research I found that that car model had a recall with the exact same thing my car is doing but when I put in my vin number it’s not listed as a recall and my car isn’t drivable and I think it should be recalled .As of now it has only been looked at by the dealership. And it’s available for inspection upon request.

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 Nov 11, 2020 · Engine, Transmission · 180,000 miles · CA

I was driving on freeway and car went into engine power reduce mode, rapidly slowed down to 35 miles an hour.

Questions about the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu transmission

Does the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu have transmission problems?

Owners have filed 49 complaints about the transmission of the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu, 5% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2012 Chevrolet Malibu transmission problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 81,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu transmission?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Chevrolet Malibu have bad transmission?

The Chevrolet Malibu model years with the most transmission complaints are 2018 (171 complaints), 2016 (166 complaints) and 2017 (139 complaints).

Other 2012 Chevrolet Malibu problems

Electrical 291Lights 202Steering 191Driver assistance 136Engine 103Airbags 101Brakes 74Fuel system 56Acceleration 52Seat belts 47Seats 36Visibility 31Wheels 19Body 16Suspension 10Tires 2Locks 1

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2012 Chevrolet Malibu?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history