2012 Chevrolet Malibu MPG and Fuel Cost

The 2012 Chevrolet Malibu is rated 20 to 26 mpg combined across 3 EPA-tested gas versions; the best is the 2.4L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic.

EPA fuel economy

2012 Chevrolet Malibu · 3 EPA-tested versions

Best EPA rating

26MPG combined

22 city 32 highway

$2,600 a year to fuel

2.4L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic

Best version costs $1,000 more in fuel over 5 years vs the average new vehicle (EPA)

Fuel cost: 15,000 miles a year at EPA's $4.47 a gallon (regular gas).

Data: US EPA, fueleconomy.govUpdated Oct 2, 2026

At EPA's price assumptions, fuel costs $2,600 to $3,350 a year. Ratings for the best versions are unchanged from 2011.

More complaints than most Malibu years

The 2012 drew 109 owner complaints in its first three years, against 65 for a typical Malibu year: 1.6 times as many. It is not a year to avoid, which takes at least twice the typical count and at least 50 complaints.

Years to avoid: 2013 and 2016 to 2018; best years: 2021, 2022, and 2023. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.

Every Malibu year ranked The 2012 Malibu's recalls and problems

Every 2012 Malibu version

EPA's ratings for each version it tested. Fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current prices.

Version	Combined	City / Hwy	Fuel / year
2.4L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic Best EPA listing: Malibu	26 mpg	22 / 32	$2,600
2.4L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic · Flex-fuel (E85) EPA listing: Malibu · Flex-fuel (E85)	26 mpg	22 / 33	$2,600
3.6L 6-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic EPA listing: Malibu	20 mpg	17 / 25	$3,350

Fuel cost at your prices

EPA's annual cost uses 15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving and its current prices: $4.47 a gallon for regular gas. Change the numbers to match your driving.

Version	Per year	Per month	5 years
2.4L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic	$2,579	$215	$12,894
2.4L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic · Flex-fuel (E85)	$2,579	$215	$12,894
3.6L 6-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic	$3,353	$279	$16,763

At the default settings the results match EPA's annual cost before EPA rounds it to the nearest $50.

Chevrolet Malibu MPG by model year

The best-rated version in each model year; the highlighted year is this page. Gas: 26 to 32 mpg (every year from 2010 to 2025); highest in 2019. Hybrid: 46 mpg (2016 to 2019).

Best gas version
Best hybrid version

2012: gas 26 mpg · hybrid not offered

Show as a table

Chevrolet Malibu best combined mpg by model year
Model year	Best gas version	Best hybrid version
2010	29	–
2011	26	–
2012	26	–
2013	29	–
2014	29	–
2015	29	–
2016	30	46
2017	30	46
2018	30	46
2019	32	46
2020	32	–
2021	32	–
2022	32	–
2023	30	–
2024	31	–
2025	31	–

Every Malibu year's ratings in one table

How the 2012 Malibu compares

2012 midsize sedans covered on this site, ranked by their best combined rating. Fuel cost is for each model's cheapest version to run, at EPA's prices.

2012 model	Best combined	Best gas	Fuel / year
Toyota Camry Best: hybrid	40 mpg	28 mpg	$1,700
Hyundai Sonata Best: hybrid	36 mpg	27 mpg	$1,850
Kia Optima Best: hybrid	36 mpg	27 mpg	$1,850
Honda Accord Best: gas	27 mpg	27 mpg	$2,500
Nissan Altima Best: gas	26 mpg	26 mpg	$2,600
Chevrolet Malibu This page Best: gas	26 mpg	26 mpg	$2,600

2012 Malibu recalls and complaints

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 907 owner complaints for the 2012 Malibu.

Owners most often describe headlight problems (134 complaints, 15%), then power steering problems (106). NHTSA's overall crash rating: 4 stars.

See the 2012 Malibu recalls and problems

Questions

Does the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu need premium gas?

No. EPA lists every 2012 Chevrolet Malibu version on regular gasoline.

How does the 2012 Malibu's MPG compare with the 2011?

For 2012, the best gas version is rated 26 mpg, the same as the year before.

Sources and method

US EPA and Department of Energy fuel economy data (fueleconomy.gov), file dated Sep 29, 2026.
EPA fuel price assumptions: regular $4.47, midgrade $5.07, premium $5.48, diesel $6.38 a gallon; electricity $0.15 per kWh.
Recall and complaint counts: NHTSA recall file dated Oct 2, 2026 and complaint file dated Oct 2, 2026.

Ratings are EPA estimates. Real-world mileage depends on how, where and in what weather you drive. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.