2012 Chevrolet Malibu vs 2012 Volkswagen Passat
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2012 Chevrolet Malibu | 2012 Volkswagen Passat |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 905 | 483 |
| Recall campaigns | 2 | 11 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 1,336 | 1,568 |
| Investigations | 0 | 3 |
| Crash reports | 50 | 14 |
| Fire reports | 13 | 3 |
| NCAP overall rating | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 20–26 | 23–34 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 89,000 mi | 60,000 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Chevrolet Malibu | Volkswagen Passat |
|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 101 | 295 |
| Electrical System | 290 | 95 |
| Steering | 191 | 46 |
| Exterior Lighting | 202 | 17 |
| Engine | 99 | 40 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 129 | 5 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 51 | 32 |
| Service Brakes | 65 | 11 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Stalling | 72 | 23 |
| Check engine light | 42 | 16 |
| Loss of power | 37 | 15 |
| Steering problems | 36 | 0 |
| Vibration / shaking | 35 | 5 |
| Electrical failures | 32 | 0 |
| Airbag warning light | 30 | 66 |
| Won’t start | 29 | 5 |
2012 Chevrolet Malibu
2012 Volkswagen Passat
Compare all Chevrolet Malibu vs Volkswagen Passat years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.