2010 Chevrolet Malibu
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Steering is the leading concern among 1,363 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 5th highest complaint count among 26 Malibu model years with reports.
Of the 2010 reports, 41 involved a crash and 14 involved a fire. 47 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator moduleJan 16, 2019
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2011 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, the air bag inflator may explode due to being overpressurized.
If the inflator explodes, sharp metal fragments may strike the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
GM has notified owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall began February 25, 2019. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-522-9559. GM's number for this recall is N182206630.
Campaign 19V019000 on NHTSA.gov
SteeringJul 21, 2014
Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain replacement intermediate steering shafts sold under the Dorman, OE Solutions, and Solutions brand names, part numbers 425-167, 2425167, and 7-3074, for installation on 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6, and 2007-2009 Saturn Aura vehicles. The affected steering shafts may have a yoke that inadequately supports the u-joint bearing resulting in a premature failure.
A joint bearing that fails prematurely may cause separation of the u-joint resulting in a complete loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dorman will notify owners, and dealers will refund the purchase price or replace the steering shafts, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492.
Campaign 14E044000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, wiringMay 14, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.
Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.
Campaign 14V252000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmission, gear position indication (prndl)Sep 18, 2012
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Saturn Aura and model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Malibu and Pontiac G6 vehicles, equipped with a 4-speed automatic transmission. On these vehicles, the tabs on the transmission shift cable end may fracture and separate.
If the tabs were to fracture and separate, the shift lever and the actual position of the transmission gear may not match. The driver would be able to move the shifter to 'PARK' and remove the ignition key, but the transmission gear may not be in 'PARK.' The vehicle may not be able to be restarted and the vehicle could roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible crash without prior warning.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a retainer over the cable end or replace the shift cable as necessary. This service will be performed free of charge. Notification to owners began on on November 9, 2012. Owners were instructed to not bring their vehicles for repair until January 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.
Campaign 12V460000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
145 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Exterior lighting, Air bags, Dec 3, 2018
MY RIGHT FRONT HEADLIGHT (REGULAR LOW BEAM) KEEPS GOING OUT AND HAVING TO BE REPLACED. MY MECHANIC REPLACED IT IN JULY OF THIS YEAR, AND AGAIN IN OCTOBER, AND IT IS OUT YET AGAIN, NOT EVEN TWO MONTHS LATER. MY MECHANIC CAN'T FIND ANY REASON FOR IT. IN ADDITION, MY SERVICE AIR-BAG LIGHT IS ON, ALTHOUGH IT'S NEVER GONE OFF, AND THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED AT ABOUT 63,000 MILES. REGARDING THE LIGHT - SO FAR, I'VE BEEN LUCKY THAT IT HASN'T CONTRIBUTED TO ANY KIND OF ACCIDENT, ESPECIALLY SINCE DEER ARE VERY ACTIVE AT THIS TIME OF YEAR AND ARE VERY COMMON IN OUR AREA.
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 31, 2018
SERVICE ESC, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, SERVICE AIR BAGS, BRAKE LIGHTS ON WHEN PEDAL NOT PRESSED AND NOT ON WHEN PEDAL IS PRESSED AND CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T WORK PERIODICALLY. THESE MESSAGE APPEAR OFF AND ON WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE HAD THE SENSOR UNDER THE BRAKE PEDAL REPLACED TWICE NOW. LAST TIME 14 MONTHS AGO SO NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND NEEDS REPLACED AGAIN.
Air bags, Jun 7, 2018, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT A GREEN LIGHT, ANOTHER VEHICLE STRUCK THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE STRUCK A POLE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD AND NECK INJURIES THE REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Air bags, May 2, 2018
AIR BAG LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF. WHEN OFF AND I HIT A BUMP IT TURNS BACK ON. I HAVE CHILDREN AND I AM SCARED OF AN EMERGENCY IT WILL NOT FUNCTION.
Air bags, Apr 19, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTICE REGARDING THE WIRING CONNECTOR FOR THE SIDE AIR BAGS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT IF A RELATED WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, THEN THE VEHICLE WOULD BE SERVICED PER THE 'SPECIAL COVERAGE PROGRAM'. IN ADDITION, IF THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATION RELATED TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC FEES TO DETERMINE IF THE VEHICLE HAD A POTENTIAL FAILURE RELATED TO THE 'SPECIAL COVERAGE PROGRAM'. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE, BUT WAS CONCERNED FOR HIS SAFETY AND THE POTENTIAL OF A FAILURE.
Air bags, Apr 15, 2018
"SERVICE AIRBAG" DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY BOTH WHEN CAR IS AT REST OR IN MOTION, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE CAR GOES OVER A BUMP OR POTHOLE.
Air bags, Service brakes, Apr 10, 2018
THE BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATE WITHOUT PRESSING ON THE BRAKES. I REMEMBER THERE BEING A RECALL BEFORE AND I TOOK MY CAR IN AND IT GOT FIXED HOWEVER IT IS DOING IT AGAIN. AND MY AIR BAG LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF ALL THE TIME.
Air bags, Feb 20, 2018
CODES: B0014, B0021 ABS WIRING HARNESS LIGHT ILLUMINATING "SERVICE AIR BAG"
Steering, Suspension, Air bags, Jan 31, 2018
2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE STEERING AND AIR BAG DEFECTS. *SMD THE CONSUER STATED THE STEERING WOULD SQUEAL AND GROWL, WHICH CREATED A VIBRATION MAKING STEERING DIFFICULT. THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED.*JS
Steering, Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 22, 2018
PULLED OUT OF CAR WASH AND ONTO THE HIGHWAY (SPEED LIMIT IS ONLY 40) THROUGH TOWN, POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND LIGHT BEGAN DISPLAYING WITH AUDIBLE SOUND AS WELL AS SERVICE ESC. THE MILEAGE ON MY VEHICLE IS 150,760 WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THERE IS CURRENTLY A BULLETIN PUBLISHED REFERENCING THIS PROBLEM (15356) IN WHICH IT APPEARS TO ONLY WARRANT A REPAIR AT MANUFACTURER COST IF 150,000 MILES/TEN YEARS. FROM READING ONLINE FORUMS, I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE TO "JUST" MISS THE FAILURE AND MANUFACTURER REIMBURSEMENT. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED NO MATTER THE MILEAGE.
Air bags, Jan 14, 2018
RED WARNING :SERVICE AIRBAG". CHECKED VIN ON "TAKATA RECALL" WHICH SAYS MY VEHICLE IS NOT INVOLVED. CAME ON A WEEK AGO. GOES OFF WHEN I TURN OFF CAR. USUALLY COMES ON WITHIN 5 TO 15 MINUTES OF STARTING CAR. NO INDICATION AS TO WHICH AIRBAG.
Exterior lighting, Air bags, Nov 6, 2017
SERVICE AIR BAG SOON ALERT INTERMITTENTLY COMES ON AND GOES OFF SOMETIMES WHEN RESTARTING, OTHER TIMES AFTER DRIVING 15 - 20 MINUTES. HAD STAYED ON FOR 1 1/2 HOUR DRIVE BUT WHEN RESTARTING WAS OFF. DRIVING HAS BEEN HIGHWAY MILES. CAN COME ON UPON STARTING AND WHILE DRIVING. DASH BOARD LIGHTING GOES OFF WHILE DRIVING, HIGHWAY MILES. SOMETIMES DOES NOT TURN ON UNTIL 15 MINUTES OF HIGHWAY DRIVING THEN GO OFF AGAIN LATER. DIAL IS SETAT BRIGHTEZT POINT BUT NOT BRIGHT.
Air bags, Seat belts, Engine, Oct 27, 2017
THE SEAT BELT KEEPS DINGING LIKE THE SEATBELT IS NOT CONNECTED TO THE SEATBELT LATCH AND IT IS. THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THE LIGHT GOES OFF SO THEY CAN NEVER FIGURE OUT WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT. EXCEPT ONCE WHICH IT CAME BACK TO IT BEING THE SOLENOID SENSOR. THEY FIXED IT. BUT, ENGINE LIGHT STILL COMES ON. THE SEATBELT DINGS DOING THE WHOLE RIDE OR IF YOUR SITING STILL. THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON OFF AND ON. JUST BOUGHT THE CAR 9/23/2017.
Electrical system, Air bags, Oct 18, 2017, crash
I WAS INVOLVED IN A HIT AND RUN BACK IN MARCH 2017 THE PERSON BACKED INTO THE PASS-SIDE OF MY CAR AS I WAS DRIVING 35 MPH DOWN THE MAIN ROAD , THE SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY FROM IMPACT , THE DEALERSHIP SAID THIS IS NOT A TAKATA ISSUE AS THEY WERE REPLACED BY THE CURRENT RECALL AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHY THEY DIDN'T DEPLOY . THE ELECTRICAL ISSUE IS THE ONSTAR RESPONSE SYSTEM DIDN'T DETECT THE CRASH AND CALL FOR HELP- I HAD TO PUSH THE BUTTON TO GET HELP . THE CAR CAN NOT GET DIRECTIONS SENT TO IT FROM ONSTAR AND THE ELECTRICAL KEEPS FAILING/LOOSING POWER AND I WAS TOLD TO REPLACE THE BATTER AND ALTERNATOR BUT IT STILL DOES IT AND THE WIRES R FINE . DEALERSHIP TOLD ME TO REPLACE THE COMPUTER CONTROL SYSTEM BUT SEEMS THEIR GUESSING AND I DON'T HAVE $1,200 AROUND TO DO IT . THE SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG SHOULD OF DEPLOYED AND THE ONSTAR SENSOR SHOULD OF DETECTED IT AND CALLED FOR HELP.
Steering, Air bags, Sep 29, 2017, crash
THE POWER STEERING SENSOR WILL SUDDENLY GO OFF AND MY WHEEL LOCKS, I CANNOT TURN MY WHEELS, I FEEL REALLY UNSAFE I ALMOST CRASHED WITH MYSELF AND KIDS.
Air bags, Engine, Sep 28, 2017
ENGINE POWER DROPS SUDDENLY ON HIGHWAY OR IN TRAFFIC AFTER 45MINS OF DRIVING, REDUCED ENGINE POWER, SERVICE ENGINE, SERVICE AIRBAG MESSAGES COME ON ALSO ESC MESSAGE THEN ENGINE STALLS AND MOVES AT ABOUT 10MPH FROM DRIVING AT ANYWHERE BETWEEN 30MPH TO 70MPH. RECURRING FOR THE LAST TWO MONTHS CAN'T BE FIXED AFTER SEVERAL CHEVY DEALER WORKSHOP VISITS AND COSTS
Air bags, Jun 19, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER AND A FRONT PASSENGER HAD BEEN SEATED IN THE SEATS, THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND WITH NO WARNING THE SIDE AIR BAGS ON BOTH SIDES INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED WITH FORCE. IN ADDITION, ANOTHER AIR BAG IN THE CEILING DEPLOYED AS WELL. AN UNKNOWN SUBSTANCE EMITTED INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE MANUFACTURER TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR THE MANUFACTURER TO DIAGNOSE AND PROVIDE A SOLUTION TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN IF HIGH HUMIDITY WAS A FACTOR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Jun 17, 2017
THE "SERVICE AIRBAG SOON" MESSAGE KEEPS COMING ON. I HAD A DIAGNOSTIC DONE AT THE DEALERSHIP. THEY INDICATED THAT THE AIRBAG MODULE IS FAULTY. THE CAR IS ONLY 7YRS OLD AND HAS LESS THAN 40,000 MILES ON IT, THIS SHOULD NOT BE AN ISSUE. SINCE IT IS A MANUFACTURES FAULTY PART I FEEL THAT THEY SHOULD PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT PART AS I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR!
Air bags, May 2, 2017
SERVICE AIR BAGS LIGHT REMAINS LIT. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP YESTERDAY REGARDING A CONSTANT WARNING LIGHT INDICATING A MALFUNCTION OF THE AIR BAG SYSTEM. THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT IT WAS CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE AIRBAG MODULE AND WIRING HARNESS. AT THAT TIME, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT THAT REQUIRED AIRBAGS.REPAIRS WOULD COST OVER $1100. NOTHING WAS DONE TO THE VEHICLE TO CAUSE THIS MALFUNCTION.
Air bags, Mar 12, 2017, crash
SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY WHEN A CAR SMASHED INTO THE SIDE OF ME ... I WAS DOING 30MPH WHEN I WAS HIT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. POLICE REPORT WAS MADE EVEN THO THE AIRBAG DIDN'T GO OFF...
Air bags, Mar 9, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR RANDOMLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,400.
Air bags, Mar 8, 2017
TAKATA RECALL. I HAVE A 2010 CHEVY MALIBU THAT SHOULD BE INCLUDED INTO THE TAKATA RECALL. I JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR TWO WEEKS AGO AND "SERVICE AIR BAG" CAME ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING. AFTER FURTHER INVESTING, GM NEVER ISSUE AN ACTUAL RECALL FOR THE 2010 CHEVY MALIBU. INSTEAD THEY CREATED A "MALIBU SAFETY PROGRAM" THAT ONLY INCLUDES 2010 CHEVY MALIBU ENDING IN THE VIN NUMBERS OF: A4100001 A4166698 AF100056 AND AF271265. MY VIN NUMBER ISN'T INCLUDED IN THIS LIST. THEREFORE I HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. FOR AN ISSUE THAT IS OUT OF MY CONTROL.
Air bags, Seats, Feb 26, 2017
FAULTY PASSENGER PRESENCE MODULE , AIRBAG WARNING FAULT LIGHT ON. . THE DEALERSHIP RECOMMENDED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE MODULE AT MY OWN EXPENSE OF $800. I FEEL THAT MY FAMILY AND MY SAFETY IS AT RISK DUE TO A FAULTY DESIGN THAT GM IS AWARE OF WITH ITS AIRBAG COMPONENTS. AIRBAGS SHOULD BE WORKING FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE, AND IF THEY ARE FAILING THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD REPLACE THOSE FAULTY DESIGNED PARTS AT NO EXPENSE TO THE OWNERS.
Air bags, Dec 19, 2016
AIR BAG NEED SERVICE
Air bags, Nov 15, 2016
FOR THE LAST 5 MONTHS MAC GHANA LOCATED IN GHANA AT 105 SPINTEX ROAD ACCRA GHANA TEL: +233 (0) 302813919, HAS FAILED TO PROPERLY FIX THE RECALL NHTSA RECALL NUMBER: 14V252 RECALL DATE: MAY 14, 2014 (MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER: N130036). ALSO RECEIVED LETTER IN THE MAIL STATING THE AIRBAG NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND THE DEALER HAS NOT REPLACED IT.