2012 Chevrolet Malibu: windshield wiper failure

Filed May 10, 2020 · Visibility · 140,000 miles · OH

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.

Filed Aug 19, 2019 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 78,000 miles · NV

My car will randomly not start. I have bought a brand new battery. That wasn't the problem. A week later, my gear shift wouldn't move. I had to stay in my vehicle and miss an appointment because of this. I couldn't get it to move from drive to park. After several tries and 30 minutes, it finally moved. It's gotten stuck a few times trying to move it from park to drive as well. And when I'm driving, the emergency lights will randomly illuminate and wipers won't work. I was driving when it was pouring rain and the wipers wouldn't turn on with all emergency lights illuminated as well. This can happen anytime I'm on a city street going from 25 to 45 MPH. I have had to have it towed several times to different shops and they can't tell me what's wrong.

Filed Jul 29, 2019 · Visibility · 100,600 miles · MI

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.

Filed Jun 8, 2019 · Lights, Visibility · 153,000 miles · NC

Driver side low beam keeps shorting out even after replacing bulbs and harness. Windshield wipers bushing broke in middle of rainstorm on 6/7/19 in suffolk va on interstate 664 south bound

Filed May 14, 2019 · Visibility · 103,000 miles · MD

In 2016 the wiper motor went up and I had it replaced at a chevy dealership and again in 2019 the wiper motor went up again. I can load up the documents if needed.

Filed Mar 29, 2018 · Visibility · 98,000 miles · MD

I was driving on the ohio turnpike in a wet snow, and my wipers quit working. So I pulled to the shoulder to try to get them to start up again and they would not. So I had to call a tow company because it was unsafe to drive, and was towed to a truck stop. I waited till the snow stopped, and I checked the weather radar on my phone to make certain that it was safe to drive to my final destination. I took it to get repaired. The wiper motor/transmission quit working. Chevy has refused to reimburse me for the tow cost and the repair cost. This is a safety issue, because I couldn't see to drive in the snow. The same would've happened had it been raining. I reported this in january, but I believe it is worth reporting again. I have never had wipers quit on me. And I've been told it has happened to other malibu owners.

Filed Mar 12, 2018 · Electrical, Visibility · 141,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet malibu. While driving, the headlights and windshield wipers failed to work. There were no warning indicators illuminated before or during the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who could not diagnosis the failure. The dealer (superior chevrolet, 4770 covington hwy, decatur, ga 30035) was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 141,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Feb 17, 2018 · Electrical, Lights · SC

Both headlamps have gone out within a nine month period. The driver side has been changed twice, the passenger side once. It seems every three months a headlight burns out on my car. As for the wipers, when they are turned on, they swipe halfway and stop until I turn them off and back on or to a higher swiping speed. This has happened as the vehicle was in park and drive. Also, the key fob battery has been replaced twice and works seldomly. The locks have recently starting locking on their own after the vehicle is shut off and the driver door is shut.

Filed Jan 9, 2018 · Visibility · 94,000 miles · MD

While driving in snow on 12/23/17, my wipers quit working. The snow was large flakes that turned to water when they hit the windshield, so it was like rain. I was on the ohio turnpike, so rate of speed was fast. I was able to pull over to the shoulder. I couldn't get the wipers to work, so I had to call a tow truck. It was unsafe to drive. After the snow stopped, I was able to complete my journey. I then had the wipers repaired. The wiper transmission failed. I believe this is a safety issue because the wipers can quit at anytime. Additionally I looked online and other malibu owners have had the same problem. (in fact the tow truck driver said he had towed a malibu owner 2 weeks earlier with the same problem.) I have never had my wipers fail with any other car I ever owned, and I asked others (non-malibu owners) if their wipers ever failed, and everyone I talked to said no. I contacted gm, but never received a response.

Filed Jan 4, 2018 · Airbags, Electrical · 43,000 miles · TX

Takata recall I purchased a 2012 chevy malibu 2 years ago for my graduating senior and this car has practically been a nightmare since the day we purchased it. The current mileage is 43,000 and there has been so many problems with this car. The car previously shut down while riding on the highway, our mechanic stated the car has electrical issues. Okay, so he tampered with a few wires, and the car started right up. Two days ago, the car wouldn't start, it's currently displaying "check airbag" emergency lights are flashing, wipers began going back and forward. My husband began to shake a few wires (per our mechanic) , and long behold the car has started!!! Talk about buyer's remorse!!!! This car is now parked in our garage until we figure out what to do with it!!! I'm now concerned for my son's safety and will not allow him too drive the 2012 chevy malibu.

Filed Jan 3, 2018 · Visibility · 96,000 miles · NH

I have had issues with my windshield wipers for over a year. The linkage between the arm that moves the wipers and the motor will not stay connected. My first arm failure was due to a rubber bushing deteriorating. During a heavy rainstorm in nov. 2016, the wipers just stopped working completely and I had to be towed home. The second arm I purchased will not stay connected on the driver's side wiper, rendering my system useless. I am able to use my wipers about a dozen times before the arm has to be reconnected. After having it fixed 5+ times prior, they stopped working again this morning. I was in my driveway trying to simply wash my windshield before leaving for work. The system is poorly put together and will not stay connected. It seems to be held together by only tension with gravity working against it. This is extremely dangerous and I don't know how they can get away with it! Living in new england with lots of extreme weather, this is just unacceptable.

Filed Oct 27, 2017 · Visibility · 75,700 miles · OH

I was driving down the road the other day while it was raining and my wipers stopped working had it looked at and my small arm on my linkage disconnected due to rust on the ball joint I looked contacted gm they knew nothing about it but I googled it and im not the only one who has had this issue definitely should be a recall just like 2013 terrain. Parts are very similar if not the same.