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: electrical system
294 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Jan 24, 2023
Since sometime in 2016, these warning messages came on the dash periodically after hitting a bump - Service Traction, Service ESC, ESC off, Eng Power Reduced. The engine light stayed on. The car then ran slowly. After stopping and pulling off again, the car jerked forward. This could be dangerous in traffic! At first, I was told by a mechanic that my gas petal sensor needed to be replaced. After each of the 3 replacements, the problem seemed to be solved. But after a while, the warning messages would return after hitting another bump. The engine light would again stay on. Now, these warning messages come on every time I drive the car, with the engine light staying on. The same problems while driving still occur. A second mechanic advised me to put in this complaint, saying the problem was well-known to Chevrolet. He diagnosed it as being caused by water getting into a poor connection between the wire safety harness and the computer. The machine at AutoZone gave this assessment of the problem - "The ECH has detected that the APP sensor 1 and APP sensor 2 disagree more than 4.5 percent for less than 1 second. Probable cause: 1. Poor electrical connection. 2. Failed APP sensor." When I took the vehicle to a Chevrolet dealer in July 2016, they were unable to fix the problem. It would be really wonderful if this serious problem was the subject of a safety recall and was fixed for all affected drivers!
Electrical system, Dec 19, 2022
Just Replaced Fuel Pump, Passenger Headlight Randomly Goes Out, Top Break Light Randomly Goes Out, Had To Replace Wiper Motor, & Fuel Pump Relay Wire Faulty. Wiring To Fuse Boxes Seem To Be Loose. Dealership or Any Other Certified Tech Will Listen or Touch To Fix The Car When Everything Is Working.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Other or unspecified, Dec 6, 2022
I drive down the road and the brake lights come on I hit the brake then they go off. Randomly when I drive service esc service traction come on but as soon as I turn the car off and back on it is gone. Cruise control stopped working as well.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Nov 12, 2022
I was driving the car safely as always and within the speed limits and an officer was heading the same direction, The brake lights got me cited for mechanical repairs. I have noticed the brake lights work yet they do not work with light pressure on the brake pedal. The officer gave a warning about brake lights and it has to be repaired ASAP. What explanation might there be for the brake light? What should I ask the mechanic to look for?
Steering, Electrical system, Nov 8, 2022
The power steering system stops working when it’s cold. There are no warning signs prior to it malfunctioning. When I get it towed to be seen or bring an mechanic to check out the problem it is always resolved before they can inspect it. This is unsafe because there is no warning and it comes and goes with no consistency. I could drive for 30 minutes without a problem and then it stops working or I could get in the car and it stops working within 5 minutes.This could easily cause an accident.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Aug 20, 2022
THE BRAKES ARE DOING THE SAME THING THAT WAS RECALLED AND REPAIRED BACK IN 2014. THEY ARE ILLUMINATING WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND TURN OFF WHILE I HIT THE BRAKES. I HAVE BEEN PULLED OVER SEVERAL TIMES AND CANNOT GET MY CAR INSPECTED WITHOUT GETTING THIS CORRECTED. I HAVE BOUGHT SEVERAL PARTS TRYING TO REPAIR THIS BUT THE PARTS ARE NOT CORRECTING THE PROBLEM. CRUISE CONTROL, STABILITY CONTROL AND SEVER OTHER FUNCTIONS ARE NOT WORKING EITHER ALL OF THEM ARE RELATED TO THE SAME RECALL ISSUED BACK IN 2014. IS THERE ANY KIND OF WARRANTY ON THE RECALL THAT WAS REPAIRED?
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Jun 5, 2022
The car shut off while driving down the street. Lost all control over steering and braking components. After the car shut itself off was not able to get it to turn back on after several hours. Turned it back on but when attempted to drive it home, it shit itself off again. Still could not control steering wheel
Electrical system, Jun 1, 2022
When I bought the car in December of 2018 the car only had 42,000 miles on it. I had two incidences where the anti theft system went off locking me out of the car. The second time the vehicle had to be towed back to the dealership. Fast forward to 2022 and the car only has 77,000 miles on it and in the past three months the anti theft system has gone off in this car more than ten times. I recently went to a Chevrolet dealership and had them recut keys from the vin number.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, May 16, 2022
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING BACK FROM SCHOOL IN A VERY BUSY ROAD AND A MESSAGE CAME UP ON THE DASH BOARD THAT SAID ENGINE POWER REDUCED AND SPEED DROPED TO 5 MPH. I TOLD HER TO PARK SOMEWHERE AND TURN OFF CAR FOR LIKE 15 MINUTES AND TURN IT BACK ON AND CAR STILL DIDNT ACCELERATE. HAD TO GO GET HER AND LEAVE CAR THERE. I JUST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE ON NOVEMBER 2021.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, May 4, 2022
I purchased the car for my mother on 10/20/2015 from Mike Savoie Chevrolet in Troy, MI. At the time I had a concern because there was a message being displayed on the car “Service ESC”, I was informed by the dealer that it was a false message and there was no issue with the car, we should just disregard but if we had any problems to let him know moving forward. At that time we did not have issues with anything else. There was about 80,000 miles on the odometer when we bought it, there are only about 95,300 now. Recently the brake lights have been coming on when the brakes are not applied, we have taken the car to a mechanic three times for this issue but he has been unable to duplicate it, as a result he felt that the brake pedal sensor was at fault and replaced it, but the issue still exists, a wasted $200! My 17 year old grandson is now using the car, the issue occurred again today and I discovered that this issue may be associated with a recall which also includes the “Service ESC” message which has been on the car since I bought it. However, when I enter the VIN it shows no open recalls. Apparently it was not fixed and the dealer should have fixed it before I bought it or I should have been notified of the recall. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT MY GRANDSON’S SAFETY AND WILL NEED TO SWITCH MY CAR WITH HIM SO THAT HE CAN BE AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE! Not only do the brake lights come on when not applied, but you need to tap the brake to turn them off at that point other drivers are not aware that the brake is being applied. Taking the car back to the repairman today. Please help. Thank you very much for your time and attention to this matter.
Electrical system, Apr 27, 2022
Car will not start. There is a recall for this, but my car seems not to be included. Turn the key over and over....battery is good....will not start.....after 50 or so tries, occasionally it will start, but when you get to your destination, you have to pray it will start again. Sometimes it will....most times it won't. This is a problem with a recall. Dealership will not fix it under the recall without the car being on the list. A little help from y'all would certainly help me. I'm 73, retired, on fixed income. Cannot afford to pay a Dealership to fix this when it is a known problem. Please help....
Electrical system, Feb 21, 2022
“Engine Power Reduced” comes on suddenly, alongside numerous other lights (check engine, service traction, ESC, etc). This causes the vehicle to reduce speed in traffic, increasing risk of collision. Other models of Chevy Malibu have been recalled for this same issue (faulty throttle sensor).
Steering, Electrical system, Feb 10, 2022
While driving the power steering goes out and a warning message pops up that says ‘Service ESC’ and ‘ESC Off’. It is near impossible to turn the wheel when this happens. I was able to turn the car off and back on, and the power steering returns/messages go away, but the same problem happens on and off.
Steering, Electrical system, Lane departure, Nov 9, 2021
Had test drove the vehicle everything was fine, picked the vehicle up and drove it home everything was fine, parked in the back of my house the car sat over night I go to pull it out the drive way, the power steering has gotten stuck and I mean it was STUCK!, the “power steering” light came on the dash so I tried my best to turn to just pull it back in the driveway. It was so hard to turn I thought I would brake the steering wheel. Another thing whenever I ride over a bump my radio changes stations or turns off.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Visibility/wiper, Oct 19, 2021
Service electronic stability control light comes on and brake light comes on and off at times
Electrical system, Air bags, Engine, Oct 7, 2021
The airbag don’t work, I just payed 1200$ to replace the computer pc because the car wouldn’t start and that didn’t solve the problem the check engine light is always on, the car have electrical problems; if I run the Ac it blows hot and then the car go to engine power reduces within 4 minutes. If I drive the car it will go on engine power reduce after 6 minutes because the fan is not working due to the fact that that car has electrical problems and the fan is not getting enough power to warm the car up and the engine gets real hot and it go to making a loud rumbling noise and growling and I can only drive 10 mph and 40 mph the fastest but then the car go to shaking and wen I try to park the car it’s shaking Nd rumbling which can cause an accident
Power train, Electrical system, Air bags, Oct 1, 2021
The passenger light beam will not come on it also messes with my radio it turns it to the aux I keep replacing the Bub in the harness and it's still not working not not to mention the car felt like a lost of power due to I guess the trance when turning a corner or pulling off. The air bag light comes on a few days and turn off.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Sep 30, 2021
brake lights sometimes they work sometimes they don't yes but they say the recall is 500 miles out of the recall miliage none of these have inspected it since i owned car yes service esc service transaction
Electrical system, Service brakes, May 21, 2021
Brake lights illuminate without being pressed. Service ESC and Service Traction Control lights intermittently comes on. Dealer said recall issues has already been fixed.
Electrical system, Apr 22, 2021
WENT TO DEALER TO GET A PREVIOUS RECALL THAT WAS FIXED BUT HAS SINCE THEN FAILED AGAIN AND THEY REFUSE TO FIX FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL INVOLVED THE BRAKE SYSTEM WHERE BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATE WHILE DRIVING BUT NOT WHEN ACTUALLY PRESSING ON BRAKES.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Apr 13, 2021
WHILE DRIVING THE CRUISE CONTROL WILL BE SET AND ALL OF A SUDDEN TURN OFF. THE GAUGES ON THE DASH WOULD SPORATICALLY JUMP UP AND DOWN AND SOMETIMES FLATLINE AS IF THE CAR WAS OFF. WHEN BRAKING THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD ENGAGE IF MY HAND PRESSED THE BUTTON LLOCATED ON THE STEERING WHEEL CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SPEED UP WHILE TRYING TO SLOW DOWN. THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD BE ON WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT PRESSING THE BRAKES AND WOULD TURN ON ONCE BRAKES WERE PRESSED. RECALL WORK WAS REPORTED TO BE COMPLETED JANUARY 2015 BUT PROBLEMS STILL PERSIST. THERE IS ALSO A BULLETIN FOR SPECIAL COVERAGE THAT IS LIMITED TO 150,000 MILES WHICH I DON'T RECIEVE BECAUSE MY VEHICLE IS OVER THAT MILEAGE BUT THE DANGERS OF THE VEHICLE STILL PERSIST. THESE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN PRESENT SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR 2 OR 3 YEARS AGO. THE LAST INCIDENT HAPPENED JUST 2 DAYS AGO. I CANTACTED CHEVY AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T COVER IT BECAUSE OF THE MILES.
Steering, Electrical system, Apr 5, 2021
WHEN MAKING A TURN AT ANY SPEED, THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT AND THE DASH SAYS "POWER STEERING - ESC SERVICE". TURNING OFF THE CAR AND WAITING A MINUTE TEMPORARILY FIXED THE ISSUE
Electrical system, Mar 17, 2021
PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM FUSE KEEPS BLOWING
Power train, Electrical system, Mar 12, 2021
ONE DAY I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY KIDS AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND MY WHEEL LOCKED AND IT WAS VERY HARD TO TURN IT. IT WAS VERY SCARY GOING 50 MPH TRYING TO GET OFF A EXIT AND NOT BEING ABLE TO TURN MY WHEEL. I NEEDED JUST HAVE TO LET MY CAR SIT BECAUSE I CLD NOT AFFORD THE COST TO GET IT FIXED AND I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING TO CAUSE THAT I CALLED CHEVY GAVE THEM MY VIN NUMBER AND THEY SAID THERE WASN'T A RECALL BUT I SEE PPL WITH MALIBU'S HAVE THE SAME ISSUE . THIS CLD HAVE BEEN DEADLY ME AND MY 2 KIDS COULD HAVE GOTTEN SEVERELY HURT THAT'S NOT OKAY THAT THIS HAPPENED
Electrical system, Mar 9, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRACTION CONTROL AND ESC WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER. THE BRAKE PEDAL SENSOR WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS STILL AWAITING A RESPONSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 27,000.