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: electronic stability control (esc)
227 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 23, 2026
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that after driving for 5 miles, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode, with the message "Service Traction" displayed. The contact stated that the vehicle operated as intended after cooling down; however, the failure recurred after driving 5 miles. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with high resistance in the BCM harness. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC); which was previously performed on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed that the recall repair was a one-time free-of-charge repair. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 18, 2025
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact had been informed by other drivers that the brake lights failed to illuminate as intended while driving. Additionally, the contact stated that the brake lights randomly illuminated while driving. The traction control warning light was illuminated intermittently, causing the cruise control to become inoperable. The contact stated that as an independent mechanic, he had replaced the brake sensors twice; however, the failure persisted. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V252000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting, Vehicle Speed Control, Electronic Stability Control (ESC); however, the failure persisted. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the failure might be related to the brake sensors. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 14, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN WITH THE SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, SHE WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THE CONTACT STATED SHE WAS ABLE TO SHIFT INTO DRIVE GEAR AFTER 2 HOURS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO UNKNOWN LOCAL DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE CONTROL MODULE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 26, 2020
WE HAVE REPLACED THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING (EPS) TORQUE SENSOR TWICE, WITH DIFFERING BRANDS (AC DELCO, AND CAN'T REMEMBER THE OTHER). SINCE IT'S AN ISSUE WITH THE EPS, THE TRACTION CONTROL IS OUT/DISABLED AS WELL. THE CAR FEELS LIKE IT COULD BE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE, CONSIDERING IT'S A FULL SIZE SEDAN AND THE OPERATOR IS 115LBS WITH HER CHILDREN IN THE CAR. IT'S EXCEPTIONALLY DIFFICULT TO STEER AT SLOWER SPEEDS, AND ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE PARKED. THE DEALERSHIP SHE BOUGHT IT FROM, NOR THE LOCAL CHEVY DEALERSHIP WILL TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY, AND SHE CAN'T AFFORD TO SINK EVEN MORE MONEY INTO THE CAR. THIS IS RATHER OUTRAGEOUS CONSIDERING THE CAR IS NORMALLY MAINTAINED AND THE DEALERSHIP SHE BOUGHT IT FROM WAS AWARE OF THE ISSUE AS SHE HAD BROUGHT IT TO THEIR SERVICE CENTER (DUE TO PURCHASED WARRANTY AT THE TIME) WHERE WHATEVER-THEY-DID RESET THE LIGHT, BUT THE ISSUE RECURRED LATER ON. DATE GIVEN IS APPROXIMATELY THE MONTH ISSUES BEGAN TO GET SIGNIFICANTLY WORSE. THE ISSUE STARTED QUITE SOME TIME AGO. THIS HAS NOT RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT STRICTLY DUE TO THE OPERATORS OVER-ABUNDANCE OF CAUTION. MILEAGE I REPORT IS APPROXIMATE, BUT CERTAINLY WAS LOWER THAN THE NUMBER GIVEN WHEN IT BEGAN. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), May 16, 2020
PUT CAR IN GEAR. THE BUTTON STAYS IN AND KEY WON'T COME OUT. THE CAR ISN'T ENGAGED SO IT CAN MOVE ON IT'S OWN. *TR
Power train, Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), May 5, 2020
IN 2012, WE WERE DRIVING ALONG AND ATTEMPTED TO BACK INTO A PARKING SPOT, WHEN THE CAR REFUSED TO REVERSE. IT STARTED GOING SLOWER THAN THE USUAL SPEED LIMIT, SO I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. I PULLED OUT TO HEAD HOME, BUT THE CAR DIDN'T GET MUCH SPEED, NOR WOULD IT REVERSE AT ALL. I HAD IT TOWED AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS BURNED OUT. I'D ONLY HAD THE CAR LESS THAN 30,000 MILES. CHEVROLET REPAIRED OR REBUILT THE TRANSMISSION. A YEAR LATER, I WAS PULLED OVER DUE TO THE TAIL LIGHTS NOT WORKING. 2016 THE CAR WOULDN'T PICK UP SPEED AGAIN. I HAD IT TOWED AND THE TRANSMISSION HAD BURNED OUT AGAIN. WE GOT IT REBUILT A SECOND TIME AND NOW THE LIGHTS, WIPERS, DOOR LOCKS, AND WINDOWS AREN'T WORKING AGAIN EITHER. OBVIOUSLY THERE'S A MANUFACTURER ISSUE THAT NEEDS REVIEWING ON THIS YEAR MALIBU. *TR
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 24, 2020
WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, IN A CURVE, THE POWER STEERING QUIT WORKING, THE WHEELS TURNED STRAIGHT AND I HAD TO SLAM ON MY BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING THE BARRIER WALL. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTING IT, THE POWER STEERING BEGAN WORKING AGAIN. THE POWER STEERING NOW QUITS WORKING AFTER A MILE OF DRIVING, ONLY TO START WORKING AGAIN AFTER A RESTART OF THE ENGINE. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR AROUND 20,000 MILES.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 17, 2020
WHEN I STARTED THE CAR THE STEERING WHEEL TWITCHES ON ITS OWN AND WHEN I'M DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL GETS STIFF AND IT SAYS SERIVCE ESC/POWERSTEERING.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 21, 2020
ON THE DASH POWER STEERING WARNING COMES ON ALONG WITH SERVICE ESC THEN ESC IS OFF. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING WHILE DRIVING. THE POWER STEERING WILL CUT OFF.. ALSO OF I'M IDLE THE STEERING WHEEL WILL START JERKING BY ITS SELF
Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 17, 2020
POWER STEERING OFF WILL APPEAR ON DASH WITH EACH OFF LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT OFF.
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 7, 2020
POWER STEERING KEEPS GOING IN AND OUT. CANT DRIVE CAR VERY FAR AT ALL. WHILE DRIVING.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 2, 2020
MY STEERING GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING ALMOST CAUSED A ACCIDENT ON A HIGHAY
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 25, 2020
I STARTED MY CAR, MY TRACTION LIGHT CAME ON, AND MY SERVICE POWER STEERING LIKE CAME ON AS WELL AND I COULDN'T MOVE MY STEERING WHEEL. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND BACK AND AND IT DIDN'T HAVE AGAIN. I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S WRONG AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT ACTIONS TO TAKE.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 24, 2020
STEERING GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING, NOTICED A SLIGHT TWITCH IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN I STARTED IT UP TO LEAVE FOR WORK . IT WAS DOING THIS TWITCH WHILE IN PARK .. ON THE WAY HOME FROM WORK IT GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 20, 2020
WHENEVER THE CAR STARTS, THE SERVICE ESC LIGHTS COME ON AND STAY ON. STEERING WHEEL IS VERY HARD TO TURN AND WON'T TURN UNLESS THE CAR IS IN MOTION THUS CAUSING ME TO WRESTLE WITH THE STEERING WHEEL TO MAKE A RIGHT OR LEFT TURN. EVERY MECHANIC I'VE SEEN TOLD ME TO TRADE IT IN BECAUSE THE REPAIRS ARE QUITE EXPENSIVE. THEY MENTIONED SOMETHING ABOUT REPLACING THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN. THEY ALSO COULDN'T SERVICE THE POWER STEERING BECAUSE IT'S STRICTLY ELECTRONIC. THIS IS NOT SAFE FOR ME OR MY FAMILY BECAUSE WHO KNOWS WHEN IT WILL LOCK UP FOR GOOD WHILE I'M DRIVING. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR THE PAST MONTH. PLEASE HELP ME
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 10, 2020
TWO DAYS AGO, I NOTICED THAT MY STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE WHEN I WOULD STOP AT A LIGHT OR SOMETHING BUT I COULD STILL DRIVE. THAT SAME NIGHT, I TURNED ON MY CAR TO LEAVE A PARKING LOT WHEN MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. IT WOULD NOT BUDGE. I NOTICED THAT IT SAID MY ESC SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE CHECKED. I TURNED MY CAR ON AND OFF 5 TIMES TO SEE IF IT WOULD MOVE AND IT DID NOT. ON THE 6TH TRY, THE WHEEL MOVED AND I TOOK THE CHANCE TO DRIVE MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. AFTER 2 DAYS OF WORKING ON MY CAR, THEY DETERMINED THAT SENSOR WENT BAD. AFTER LOOKING ONLINE, I SEE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT IS VERY DANGEROUS. I COMMUTE 2 HOURS ROUND TRIP EACH DAY ON THE INTERSTATE AND I AM SO THANKFUL THAT THIS HAPPENED IN A PARKING LOT.
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
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 22, 2019
VEHICLE WAS WORKING GREAT AS HAS ALWAYS, UNTIL OUT OF NOWHERE , IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, I LOST ALL MOVEMENT IN MY STEERING WHEEL. IT BECAME MORE THAN IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN AND I HAD TO STOP EVERY 10 SECONDS AND TURN MY CAR OFF AND BACK ON TO TRY AND GET IT HOME. I KNOW THAT MORE THAN A FAIR SHARE OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME VEHICLE HAVING THE EXACT PROBLEM. SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING. I KNOW THAT THERE IS AN OPEN RECALL, BUT ITS NOT SHOWING MY VEHICLE HAS ANY CURRENT RECALLS, THOUGH THERE WAS ONE FOR THE POWER ASSISTED MOTOR THAT IS STILL OPEN FROM WHAT I CAN SEE. I HAVE ALWAYS TAKEN CAER OF MY VEHICLE AND NEVER HAD ANYTHING LIKE THIS HAPPEN, AM I CORRECT WITH TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP STILL TO GET IT REPLACED FROM THE RECALL?
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 15, 2019
UPON DRIVING THE CAR THE ESC LIGHT AND POWER STEERING LIGHT WILL COME ON AND CARE WILL HAVE NO POWER STEERING.STEERING WHEEL ALSO MOVES ON IT'S ON AND MAKES SOUNDS INSIDE THE COLUMN. VERY DANGEROUS FOR MY WIFE TO HAVE TO DRIVE AND DROP OFF THE KIDS AT SCHOOL.NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS OUT OF THE CAR SINCE WE PURCHASED IT 3 YEARS AGO.
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Traction control system, Service brakes, Nov 29, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE UNINTENTIONALLY ACCELERATED AND THEN SLOWED DOWN. THE ESC AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KRAMER TIRE (6628 PROVIDENCE RD, VIRGINIA BEACH, VA 23464, (757) 346-5739) WHERE THE FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE PASSENGER SIDE CV JOINT WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.
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
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 14, 2019
WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET APPROACHING AN S BEND GOING DOWN HILL WITH A STEEP EMBANKMENT WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED. POWER STEERING ESC LIGHTS WENT ACTIVATED. I ALMOST WENT OVER THE EMBANKMENT BEFORE BEING ABLE TO FORCEFULLY TURN THE WHEEL AND CONTINUED TO THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL AND OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I WAS CLOSE TO HOME SO I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME. I CALLED FOR A TOW TRUCK DRIVER. WHEN HE ARRIVED THE POWER STEERING WAS FINE NO POWER STEERING MESSAGES. HE WAS AWARE OF PREVIOUS RECALLS BUT THIS VEHICLE HAS NO ACTIVE RECALL EVEN THOUGH IT IS THE EXACT PROBLEM COVERED BY SAME YEAR MAKE AND MODEL.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Nov 1, 2019
I WAS DRIVING AND I NOTICED A DECLINE IN POWER FROM THE MOTOR. THEN THE DASH START READING REDUCED ENGINE POWER AND ESC AND SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 29, 2019
ACCELERATING FROM A STOP SIGN TO TURN LEFT OUT OF PARKING LOT ONTO SHORT STREET WHEN POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING, TRACTION LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON DASH AND SERVICE ESC CAME ON SCREEN AS WELL.