Everything NHTSA's vPIC database knows about this exact vehicle:
Decoding from NHTSA…
Vehicle history — accidents, title & owners
The decode above is what this vehicle is. For what it's been through — accidents, title brands, odometer, theft/total-loss and previous owners — pull a full history report.
NHTSA publishes the first 11 characters of the VIN with every complaint — that identifies the plant, model year, body and engine. So these are reports from cars built exactly like this one, not an average across the whole model.
1G1ZB5E00CF••••••2012 Chevrolet MALIBU
This build draws 2.3× more complaints than the average 2012 Chevrolet MALIBU build (15 vs 6).
15on this build
816on the model
127builds in total
2involved a fire
Most reportedElectrical System 6Exterior Lighting 5Electronic Stability Control (esc) 5Steering 2
What owners of this build wrote
Electrical SystemfireSep 2018
The contact owns a 2012 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle's low beam headlamps failed to operate. Jeff wyler springfield chevrolet (2237 w first street, springfield, oh) diagnosed that the wiring harness had melted and recommended it be replaced. The vehicle…
Fuel SystemfireNov 2016
While transporting school aged passengers in my car during the heavy morning rush hour traffic, my car starting decelerating without any type of prior warning signs. No icon lights (I.e. Check engine, battery, etc.) on the dashboard came on to indicate that there was some type…
SteeringJan 2020
The electronic power steering failed while driving. Service ESC light came on and car was nearly impossible to steer. After turning off the engine and restarting the car, the power steering came back on. Now it is going in and out. Sometimes I can steer and sometimes it is…
Exterior LightingDec 2019
Front headlight will go out like it is burned out - but then randomly turn on later - change the bulb and it will work for a few days then shut off
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Jun 2018
Tracking control light comes on and slows the car, the the engine will disable . The car will do this while in motion. Today on the freeway engines disabled and almost rear ended. No machanic know how to fix it without changing and replacing multiple parts and still happens. We…
Read all 15 complaints on this exact buildFull text, search by keyword, and the systems that fail most on cars built like yours.Unlock with Pro →
Owner complaints…
Now the whole model — all 127 builds of it, not just this build. Same NHTSA reports, wider net:
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Exact value for this VIN, adjusted for mileage
The original window sticker and factory options
Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
Decoded via NHTSA vPIC. Recalls, complaints and safety from NHTSA; MPG from EPA fueleconomy.gov. Full history reports from our partner. VIN 1G1ZB5E00CF152961 · decoded Sep 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by Denis Kataev, founder of ForCar.