Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Chevrolet Malibu owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while using the driver's side seat belt, the attachment on the seat belt fractured. The seat belt became inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the seat belt needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
The cable that connects the drivers side seatbelt to the frame of the car completely severed in half (possibly due to repeated bending/fatigue when buckling the seatbelt). If the automobile was in an accident before the cable completely severed in half it surely would have broken in an accident and the driver could have been seriously injured. General Motors has a special recall on this issue but it does not seem to be enough to prevent the problem from happening. The seatbelt cable was inspected by GM when the special recall was issued but nothing was done at that time to correct the problem - it was only inspected. If GM is just going to inspect the cable for wear and is not willing to replace it, then perhaps these seatbelt cables should be inspected on a yearly frequency. It does not seem that a one time inspection is good enough. …
First, there is a problem with the transmission. The car will stall or stop abruptly while driving. Second, the automatic turn signals do not work. Third, the driver safety belt does tightly secure the driver.
My service traction control light was coming on ever since I bought my car and I took it to koons for service and I was told one wheel was moving faster then another not to worry about it then on 06/18/2014 iwas hit by a Chevy silverado that ran a light and I was doing 45 miles an hour I had my granddaughter in her safety seat in the back none of my air bags worked nor did my seat belts my grand daughter hit the back of the seats.now my car is flashing the codes again now that its fixed and shuts down while driving .its part of the GM recall for the upper wire harness but they are saying it isn't and they are not standing buy the warranty this defect almost killed us and still is almost killing us by shutting down while driving service traction control lights coming on plus air bag lights saying air bags are shutting down .so that means the air bags if we needed them would not help us …
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that there was a burning odor coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact also stated that the rear defrosted failed to function. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the fuses and noticed sparks. The failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who replaced the fuse or junction box. In addition, the contact stated that while driving during inclement weather conditions, the windshield wipers failed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the windshield wiper transmission was replaced. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V269000 (seat belts) and was unable to determine when the part would become available for the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 48,000. ...updated 02/19/16 updated 10/25/2017
Tl* the contact owned a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, a second vehicle crashed into the front driver side of the contact's vehicle. During the crash, the front end sustained extensive damage, but the air bags did not deploy. In addition, the contact indicated that both the driver and passenger side seat belts failed and separated from the seats during the crash. The driver sustained back and neck injuries and the passengers injuries were unavailable. A police report was filed and medical attention was received. The vehicle was destroyed. The cause of the failures were not determined. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000. The VIN was not available. Updated 09/15/15
Tl* the contact owned a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a ditch and a truck. The front end of the contact's vehicle was severely damaged, but the air bags did not deploy. During the crash, the front driver side seat belt malfunctioned and unlocked. The contact sustained back, neck, and sternum injuries and was transported to the hospital for medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed away. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and an unknown dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 74,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving at approximately 40 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the front of the contact's vehicle. As a result, the air bags failed and the seat belts did not restrain the front driver and the front passenger. The contact and passenger sustained minor injuries, which required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 55,000.
My car won't go when stepping on the gas peddle in drive. When I stop at the light or to brake the car won't go when pushing the gas peddle in drive it doesn't do anything. I had to have the car towed 2x due to this issue. I only have 67K miles on this car. I've been told it's the transmission problem and need a new one. This should not be happening with the car. This is danegerous and unable to drive at this point. The dealer won't do anything about it. I should still have the warranty of driver train and nothing is being done. I've read several complaints of the same exact car having this issue obviously it's a defect. I want to contact GM about this I was almost killed when my car won't go stuck at a intersection. Also the recall on my seatbelt : steering the dealer is saying no active recalls which there is. I'm getting frustrated with these issues and nothing is being done. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while sitting at a complete stop, another vehicle crashed into the contact's vehicle while traveling 47 MPH. The air bags failed to deploy and the seat belts did not tighten around the passengers. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact sustained neck and back injuries. The front passenger sustained neck, back and hip injuries. The rear driver's side passenger sustained neck, back and ankle injuries. The vehicle was inspected by the manufacturer however, the seatbelt and air bag failure could not be diagnosed. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000. The VIN was not available.
Related recalls
Seat belts
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured April 8, 2010, to October 11, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the flexible steel cables that connect the seat belts to the vehicle at the outside of the driver seat and the front passenger seat may be bent from being sat on…
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the outboard lap anchor mounting bracket and inspect the flexible steel cable, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on November 16, 2015.
Seat Belt complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are seat belt problems on the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 47 complaints about the seat belts of the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu, 5% of the model year's 907 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2012 Chevrolet Malibu seat belt problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 15V-269 (seat belts, May 8, 2015). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2012 Chevrolet Malibu seat belt problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 25% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 7 crashes, 1 fire and 13 injuries to seat belts problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.