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
Steering, Electrical system, Jan 13, 2020
MY BREAK LIGHTS ARE REVERSED OR JUST DON'T WORK SOMETIMES. ALSO MY ESC AND POWER STEERING LIGHTS KEEP COMING ON AND MY POWER STEERING GOES OUT EVERY 10-15 MILES CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO TRY AND PULL OFF THE ROAD TO RESTART MY CAR AND RESET IT. AFTER HAVING ALMOST BEEN IN 12 ACCIDENTS DUE TO THIS PROCESS AND READING UP ON SEVERAL OTHERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUES I BELIEVE IN FULL THIS NEEDS LOOKED INTO.
Steering, Electrical system, Jan 8, 2020
FOR ABOUT 3 DAYS I HAVE BEEN STARTING MY CAR AND RECEIVING A MESSAGE SAYING POWER STEERING ESC WE CHECKED THE FLUIDS AND THEIR WAS POWER STEERING FLUID IN THE CAR SO I STARTED IT AGAIN AND GOT THE SAME MESSAGE. I WOULD HAVE TO START IT AT LEAST 4 OR 5 TIMES FOR MY CAR TO RESET AND SO I CAN DRIVE IT. I'VE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE YESTERDAY WHILE DRIVING I LOST CONTROL OF MY POWER STEERING ON A MAIN HIGHWAY AND MY CAR CUT COMPLETELY OFF . I COULD OF BEEN DIES AND THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS I CONTACTED THE GM DEALERSHIP AND THEY SPOKE TO ME AS IF IT WASN'T A BIG DEAL WHICH I FEEL THIS IS A VERY DEAL CONSIDERING MY DAUGHTER COULD HAVE BEEN I. THE CAR WITH ME. I SEE ALL THE RECALLS FOR THE SAME THING HAPPENING BUT THEY PULLED UP MINE AND SAID THEIR IS NO RECALL FOR MY CAR . IT MAKES NO SINCE AND I NEED ANSWERS
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Dec 31, 2019
THE POWER STEERING CONTROL LOCKS UP THE STEERING SYSTEM. THE BRAKES PULSATES WHEN STOPPING CAUSE LOSING TRACTION. ESC CONTROL IS OFF. MAKING THE VEHICLE NOT DRIVE-ABLE.
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 29, 2019
4 CYLINDER WITH ELECTRIC POWER STEERING IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL..I'M HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING COMPLETELY GOING OUT WHILE DRIVING IN MOTION AND PARKING .....ALSO THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS CONSTANTLY STAYS ON
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Nov 19, 2019
BRAKE LIGHTS CONSTANTLY STAY ON 24/7. SERVICE ESC,TRACITION, AND SVC TIRE MONITOR LIGHTS STAY ON DASH. INTERIOR LIGHTS DIM IN AND OUT IF THE WINDOW BUTTONS ARE PUSHED. PASSENGER DOOR GLITCHES SOMETIMES WILL NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE NOR OUT. LOCKING UNLOCKING STILL NOTHING. ETC... ETC.. OIL CONSUMPTION!!! I'M LOSING 100$S OVERTIME CONSTANTLY HAVING TO PUT A QUART IN DUE TO LOSING A QUART IN A DAYS TIME LIKE MAKES NO SENSE
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Nov 8, 2019
BOTH LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS JUST QUIT WORKING BUT THE FUSES ARE GOOD AND THE HEADLIGHTS AREN'T A MONTH OLD.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Oct 16, 2019
THE BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON AT ANY GIVEN TIME EVEN WHEN YOU AREN'T PRESSING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. WHEN YOU PRESS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL SOMETIMES THE BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON AT ALL. I HAVE REPLACED WHEEL HUB/BEARING COMBOS, ALONG WITH ADDING ELECTRICAL GREASE TO THE CONNECTOR FOR THE LIGHT CONTROLS, NOTHING FIXES THIS ISSUE.
Power train, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 13, 2019
BRAKE LIGHTS ENGAGE WHEN BRAKE PETAL IS NOT ENGAGED AND DO NOT LIGHT WHEN BRAKE PEDAL IS PRESSED. CENTER BRAKE LIGHT RARELY WORKS. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN CAR SEEMS TO BE SHORT CIRCUITED AS LIGHTS ON CONSOLE BLINK. ESC CONTINUOUSLY IS TURNED OFF, ENGINE LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF, LOW TIRE PRESSURE INDICATED AND IT'S A FALSE READ. TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED RIGHT AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED. DRIVER SIDE WINDOW MOTOR FAILED. ALL OF THIS ISSUES WITH EXCEPTION OF WINDOW HAVE BEEN HAPPENING FROM THE TIME I PURCHASED THE CAR. I TOOK IT MANY TIMES TO DEALER WITH NO REMEDY
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 11, 2019
SAFETY OF MY FAMILY IS MY MAIN CONCERN, I DON'T KNOW WHAT SPEED I'M GOING A I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE, I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S AN ENGINE PROBLEM, BECAUSE NOTHING IN THE PANEL IS WORKING!
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Oct 9, 2019
BRAKE LIGHTS ON REAR WINDOW COME ON WITHOUT HITTING THE BREAK PEDAL AND GO OFF WHEN DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL. THE ESC WARNING ALSO COMES ON INTERMITENTLY.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 20, 2019
FEEL CIRCUIT EASY AND PROCESSOR CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR EXHAUST CAMSHAFT POSITION AGITATOR CIRCUIT
Electrical system, Sep 13, 2019
I HAVE BEEN TO MANY FORUMS AND MANY MALIBU OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE I AM WITH MY CAR. A LOT OF MONEY AND MANY HOURS WAISTED ON THIS ISSUE. MY RIGHT LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHT KEEPS BURNING OUT. I CHANGED THE BULB, THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT, AND THE WIRE HARNESS, BUT THE LIGHT KEEPS BURNING OUT. ANNOYING ISSUE! TO BE ABLE TO REACH THE HEADLIGHT, YOU NEED TO TAKE OFF THE FRONT BUMPER. THERE IS NO OTHER WAY AROUND IT. I ALSO HAVE MY BRAKE LIGHTS THAT COME ON BY THEMSELVES. I CAN BE DRIVING WITH MY FOOT OFF OF THE BREAK AND IN MY REAR VIEW I CAN SEE MY BREAK LIGHTS LIT UP. VERY UNSAFE. PEOPLE THINK I AM BREAKING WHEN I AM NOT. THIS IS ALSO AN ON GOING ISSUES ON MALIBU'S MADE IN AND AROUND 2010. PLEASE HELP!
Electrical system, Seat belts, Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 30, 2019
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL ESC LIGHT COMES ON AND SAYS SERVICE THEN ESC OFF. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THESE CARS. SEAT BELTS FAIL. SAFETY ISSUE. AND OUR WILL NOT START BECAUSE THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM IS ACTIVATED FOR NO REASON. ALL OF THESE ARE CONSISTENT WITH SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS. GM SHOULD BE ASHAMED FOR SELLING VEHICLES THAT FAIL. APPROXIMATELY 78,000 MILES. HOPEFULLY THEY WILL STEP UP AND CORRECT THESE PROBLEMS!!
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Aug 29, 2019
THE ESC LIGHT COMES ON AND TELLS ME IT NEEDS SERVICED. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON EVEN IF MY FOOT IS NOT ON THE BRAKE. IT ALSO HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE GEAR SHIFT WHEN TRYING TO PULL IT OUT OF PARK. THIS ALSO DISABLES MY CRUISE CONTROL. THIS ISSUE HAPPENS SOMETIMES AS SOON AS I START THE CAR OR AFTER DRIVING FOR A BIT. I'VE TAKEN THE CAR IN TO GET THE PROBLEM FIXED. THEY REPLACED THE BRAKE SENSOR AND THAT WORKED FOR A WEEK THEN THE ESC LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS STAYED ON.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Aug 21, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE RPMS INCREASED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THERE WAS ALSO AN ABNORMAL NOISE DETECTED FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE SPEEDOMETER WAS NOT DISPLAYING THE CORRECT SPEED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING FLASHED ON AND OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CARDINAL BUICK GMC (3800 IL-15, BELLEVILLE, IL 62226, (618) 233-0303) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ELECTRICAL CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND NO FAILURE WAS FOUND WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
Electrical system, Aug 18, 2019
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD MY DRIVER SIDE TAIL LIGHT/BRAKE LIGHT STOPS WORKING RANDOMLY WITH BUMPY ROADS. IT GOES OUT AND WILL GO BACK ON USUALLY WITHIN THE NEXT FEW BUMPS, AND ITS NOT ALL THE TIME.
Electrical system, Aug 14, 2019
WE WERE DRIVING AND SMELLED A STRONG ODER. OUR EYES STARTED TO BURN AND WE BECAME NAUSEOUS AND DIZZY. WHEN WE ARRIVED HOME WE LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND SAW A POWERFUL GAS SEEPING FROM THE BATTERY. I HAVE A VIDEO OF THE GAS COMING FROM THE ADELCO BATTERY. *JS
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Aug 8, 2019
MY LOW BEAM LIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT. I HAVE CHANGED THE BULBS 4 TIMES NOW WITH OEM BULBS AND ALSO THE WIRING HARNESS. AT FIRST IT WAS THE DRIVER'S SIDE ONLY NOW IT'S BOTH.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Jul 28, 2019
THE BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATE AND STAY ON WHILE DRIVING WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS NOT PRESSED. THE BRAKE LIGHTS TURN OFF WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS PRESSED. THE CAR ROUTINELY DISPLAYS "SERVICE ESC" AND " SERVICE TRACTION" MESSAGES.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Fuel/propulsion system, May 27, 2019
BRAKE LIGHT CONSTANTLY FLUCTUATING WITHOUT THE BRAKE BEING PRESSED, VERY DANGEROUS FOR ME AND MY CHILD, HEADLIGHTS CONSTANTLY GOING OUT SPECIFICALLY THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE, ALMOST GO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND PEOPLE THING I'M THE ONE PRESSING THE BRAKES, IT DOES THIS WHEN DRIVING OR WHEN IT PARKED, IF I TAP THE BRAKE IT'LL GO OFF FOR A FEW SECOND THEN COME RIGHT BACK ON. ALSO CAR KEEP THROWING A CODE SAYING IT'S RUNNING RICH EVEN THO I CAN LOCATE THE PROBLEM I BELIEVE IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH A SENSEOR OR WIRING OR THE FUEL INJECTOR, IF THERE ARE ANY RECALLS FOR THIS VEHICLE I WOULD LIE FOR THEM TO BE FIX ALL AT ONCE BECAUSE I HAVE TO USE THIS CARD DAILY FOR MYSELF AND MY DAUGHTER AND I JUST WANT IT TO BE SAFE FOR MY CHILD AND I AS WELL AS OTHER DRIVERS IN THE ROAD.
Electrical system, May 13, 2019
THE DOOR LOCK GETS STUCK. THE DOORS WILL LOCK BY THEMSELVES. IF YOU ARE IN THE CAR WHEN THIS HAPPENS YOU WILL GET STUCK IN YOUR CAR FOR HOURS OR YOU WILL HAVE TO CRAWL THREW THE WINDOW TO GET OUT. YOU CAN USE THE KEY TO UNLOCK THE DOOR, THE LOCK DOES SHOW IN THE "UPRIGHT" POSITION SHOWING THAT IT IS UNLOCKED, BUT THE LATCH IN THE DOOR DOES NOT UNHOOK. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT A HALF A DOZEN TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR, YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN ITS GOING TO HAPPEN EITHER MAKING THIS AWFUL SITUATION EVEN WORSE.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, May 7, 2019
I HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT. I KEEPS BURNING OUT. I HAVE REPLACED TWICE WITHIN A MONTH PERIOD. NOW I HAVE TO REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS. PLEASE RECALL I'M TIRED OF TAKING THE WHOLE BUMPER OFF TO REPLACE A BULB.
Steering, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Mar 30, 2019
I HAVE REPLACED MY PASSENGER HEADLIGHTS SEVERAL TIMES AND BLUB KEEPS BLOWING OUT. I AM TIRED OF REPLACING IT AND VERY COSTLY BECAUSE OF THE LABOR IT TAKES TO REPLACE IT. ALL OF SUDDEN MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT. I WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING STALL AND LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR. I WAS ABLE TO PUT IT BACK IN DRIVE TO GET THE CAR OUT OF THE WAY. WHEN I TURNED IT OFF AND RESTARTED THE CAR IT DROVE NORMAL. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS.
Steering, Electrical system, Mar 27, 2019
I LOST POWER STEERING IN CAR THE RACK AND PINION STEERING AND THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MODULE FAILED ON MY CAR . THIS HAPPENED ON THE CITY STREET DRIVING. THIS HFF AS NOT BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ISSUES 14E044000 7/24/14 STEERING COMPONENT , 14V252000 5/14/2014 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WARNING.
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 25, 2019
POWER STEERING. IS GOING OUT 3 DAYS AFTER GETTING FOR MY BIRTHDAY FEB SALESMAN NEW IT CUZ HE SEEN LIGHTS ON DASH BUT KEPT SAYING JUST DRIVE IT WELL MY EXTRA COVERAGE WARRANTY IT DOES NOT COVER CRAZY HUH CUZ I HAVE BEEN TOLD2 TIMES DIFFERENT MECHANIC THAT THERE WAS OR SHOULD OF BEEN A RECALL. DRIVING AND POWER STEERING GOES OUT IT IS SCARY..