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
Electronic stability control (ESC), Traction control system, Service brakes, Aug 17, 2012
I'VE HAD MY CAR IN THE WARRANTY REPAIR SHOP 6 TIMES IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS. FIRST OCCURRENCE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND MY WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON FOR ESC OFF, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, SERVICE ESC AT 20 MPH. THEY'VE REPLACED 4 PARTS ON MY CAR AND TODAY THE SAME LIGHTS SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL AND SERVICE ESC HAVE COME ON ONCE AGAIN. IT VARIES (SPEED DOESN'T MATTER) WHETHER OR NOT GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY OR STOPPING IN A DRIVEWAY WHEN IT COMES ON BUT WARNING LIGHTS WILL COME ON WHEN YOU TOUCH THE BRAKES. I ALSO OBSERVED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD (WHEN ITS DARK OUTSIDE) BUT WHEN YOU APPLY THE BRAKES THE BRAKE LIGHTS GO OFF. I FEEL THIS COULD BE DANGEROUS IF SOMEONE IS FOLLOWING BEHIND YOU AND THINKS THAT YOU HAVE LET OFF THE BRAKES BUT YOU ARE ACTUALLY SLOWING DOWN. I DON'T THINK THAT THEY HAVE AN APPARENT FIX FOR THIS ISSUE AS I SEE SEVERAL REPORTS FROM VEHICLES RANGING FROM 2008 TO 2012 ONLINE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE. I AM TO TAKE MY CAR BACK AGAIN FOR SERVICE NEXT WEEK TO HOPEFULLY GET IT REPAIRED BUT I AM NOT SO SURE THEY ARE GOING TO FIND THE PROBLEM AFTER ALREADY HAVING IT IN THERE SO MANY TIMES FOR THE SAME ISSUE. IT IS INTERMITTANT. WHEN YOU TURN THE CAR OFF AFTER THIS OCCURS THE LIGHTS WILL GO OFF. SOMETIMES ONLY FOR A SHORT PERIOD OTHER TIMES FOR A WEEK TO 3 WEEKS BEFORE IT COMES ON AGAIN. *TR
Structure, Electronic stability control (ESC), Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 17, 2012
I PURCHASED THE 2010 MALIBU, USED FROM THE DEALERSHIP- THEY WERE THE OWNERS PREVIOUSLY. I PURCHASED IT IN OCT. 2011 AND HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP 8 TIMES IN THE 9 MONTHS OF OWNING IT. ONE TIME THE ENTIRE DRIVER SIDE FLOOR HAD 1+ INCHES OF STANDING WATER IN IT, AFTER A RAIN. THE ESC LIGHT CONTINUED TO COME ON AND OFF- THEY COULDN'T LOCATE ANY ISSUE- THE FIRST 2 TIMES I TOOK IT IN FOR THAT. THE OIL LIFE SENSOR NEVER WENT OFF FOR SERVICE- I WAS AT 10,000 MILES SINCE THE LAST OIL CHANGE. I TOOK IT TO MY REAL MECHANIC TO HAVE FIXED. THE BATTERY WENT TOTALLY DEAD IN IT ONE DAY- THEY SAID IT HAD BAD CELLS IN IT. AND IT WOULD ALSO STALL, AND WHEN GOING ABOUT 40 MPH NOT ACCELERATE, ON INCLINES. THAT'S WHEN THE ESC LIGHT WOULD KICK ON, SOMETIMES, AND THE RPM'S WOULD GO UP AND DOWN, ALL OVER THE PLACE. FINALLY MADE THE DEALERSHIP KEEP IT UNTIL THEY FIGURED OUT SOMETHING- THEY KEPT IT A FEW DAYS, AND CALLED ME NUMEROUS TIMES ASKING ME UNRELATED QUESTIONS- THEY THOUGHT I WAS NUTS, BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T REPRODUCE THE ISSUE. FINALLY- THEY TOLD ME A WIRE IN THE FUEL INJECTION HAD COME LOOSE. MY CAR WAS SO CALLED 'CERTIFIED' BY THE DEALERSHIP- BUT I DON'T THINK THEY DID ANY OF THE TESTS, OR ELSE THEY WOULD HAVE FOUND SOME OF THESE THINGS THEMSELVES. *TR