2012 Chevrolet Malibu vs 2012 Dodge Challenger
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Sep 23, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2012 Chevrolet Malibu | 2012 Dodge Challenger |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 906 | 253 |
| Recall campaigns | 2 | 6 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 1,337 | 166 |
| Investigations | 0 | 1 |
| Crash reports | 50 | 11 |
| Fire reports | 13 | 8 |
| NCAP overall rating | 4/5 | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 20–26 | 18–21 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 89,000 mi | 54,490 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Chevrolet Malibu | Dodge Challenger |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 290 | 138 |
| Steering | 191 | 19 |
| Exterior Lighting | 202 | 7 |
| Air Bags | 101 | 47 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 129 | 7 |
| Engine | 99 | 25 |
| Service Brakes | 65 | 9 |
| Power Train | 49 | 17 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Stalling | 72 | 30 |
| Check engine light | 42 | 8 |
| Loss of power | 37 | 7 |
| Steering problems | 36 | 0 |
| Vibration / shaking | 35 | 0 |
| Electrical failures | 32 | 9 |
| Airbag warning light | 30 | 17 |
| Won’t start | 29 | 0 |
2012 Chevrolet Malibu
2012 Dodge Challenger
Compare all Chevrolet Malibu vs Dodge Challenger 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.