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: exterior lighting
194 reports, newest first. Show all
Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Oct 8, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. IN ADDITION, THE SERVICE ESC AND SERVICE TRACTION WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS DID NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PORTER CHEVROLET (414 E CLEVELAND AVE, NEWARK, DE 19711, (302) 722-4822) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL POSITION SENOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 98,000.
Exterior lighting, Oct 7, 2019
I WAS HAVING AN ISSUE WITH MY THIRD BRAKE LIGHT AT FIRST IT WOULD GO ON AN OFF THEN SOMEDAYS NOT WORK AT ALL. IN ORDER FOR MY VEHICLE TO PASS TEXAS INSPECTION IT NEEDS TO WORK ALL THE TIME. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP TODAY BECAUSE THERE WAS A RECALL BUT THE RECALL DIDN'T NOT COVER THE REPAIR BECAUSE IT WAS A FAULTY CIRCUIT BOARD IN THE TAIL LIGHT ITSELF THE RECALL COVERED THE BCM. I'VE SEEN ALOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE THAT I HAD. IT'S A VERY EXPRESSIVE REPAIR ABOUT $640. I WOULD ASSUME SINCE IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE IT SHOULD BE RECALLED AS WELL.
Exterior lighting, Sep 16, 2019
EVER SINCE I HAVE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THE HEADLIGHTS. THE PASSENGER SIDE WOULD CONSTANTLY GO OUT. EVERYTIME I HIT A BUMP OR WOULD HIT IT. IT WOULD COME BACK ON. RECENTLY I REPLACED BOTH BULBS. THE PASSENGER SIDE HAS OFFICIALLY DIED. NOW THE DRIVER SIDE IS ACTING UP. I HAVE TO HIT BASICALLY EVERY MORNING TO TURN IT ON BEFORE I GO TO WORK. WHILE I AM DRIVING IT WILL GO OUT SPORADICALLY AND COME BACK ON.
Exterior lighting, Aug 15, 2019
PASSENGER LOW BEAM SOCKET BURNS OUT I'VE REPLACED THE HARNESS TWICIN LAST SIX MONTHS WITH A FEW NEW BULBS
Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Aug 10, 2019
I BUY A BULB EVERY OTHER WEEK OR MONTH FOR MY HEADLIGHTS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE KEEPS GOING OUT
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.
Exterior lighting, Aug 4, 2019
MY DRIVERS SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT. IT'LL COME BACK ON IF YOU TAP THE HEADLIGHT FOR SO LONG AND THEN I HAVE TO REPLACE THE BULB. UPON RESEARCHING IT I FOUND A LOT OF OTHER MAIL I OWNERS HAVE THIS PROBLEM TOO. I'VE ALREADY REPLACE THE BULB 3 TIMES THIS YEAR (2019). IF YOU HIT A BUMP MOST OF THE TIME IT'S GOING TO GO OUT OR COME BACK ON DEPENDING ON IF IT'S OFF OR ON.
Exterior lighting, Jul 29, 2019
HELLO, MY CAR IS HAVING THE ISSUES DESCRIBED IN RECALL NUMBER 13036, MY BRAKE LIGHTS TURN ON WHILE NOT PRESSING THE BRAKE AND SOMETIMES WHEN BRAKING DO NOT TURN ON AT ALL. MY VIN # SAYS THAT MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED HOWEVER MY CAR IS EXPERIENCING THE ISSUES DESCRIBED. THIS ALL HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS DRIVING.
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.
Exterior lighting, Jul 22, 2019
LOW BEAM ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IS DIM WHEN IT WORKS AND GOES OUT OFTEN. SOMETIMES IT COMES BACK ON OUT OF NOWHERE. IT'S BEEN HAPPENING FOR THE LAST 7 MONTHS. I'VE CHANGED MY BULB ABOUT 6 TIMES IN THAT TIME FRAME.
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.
Exterior lighting, May 26, 2019
MY 2010 CHEVY MALIBU HAS BEEN HAVING ISSUES INVOLVING MY HEADLIGHTS. I RECENTLY HAD THEM CHANGED TWICE AND NOW ABOUT A MONTH AND HALF LATER THEY ARE OUT AGAIN. EVERY NOW AND THEN I CAN TAP ON THEM AND THEY WILL COME ON. I JUST CHECKED THIS MORNING TO SEE IF THEY WORK AND NEITHER ONE OF THEM WILL TURN ON. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE RECALLED BECAUSE I CAN'T EVEN DRIVE AT NIGHT AT THIS POINT! I DO NOT WANT A TICKET AND HAVING MY BULBS REPLACED EVERY MONTH IS COSTLY. EVERYONE WANTS TO CHARGE 100+ TO CHANGE THE BULBS. IF I KNEW I WOULD BE HAVING THIS CONSTENT PROBLEM, I WOULD HAVE NEVER BOUGHT A CHEVY!
Steering, Exterior lighting, May 9, 2019
THE HEADLIGHT OF THE CAR KEEP BURNING OFF, I HAVE CHANGED THE BULB 5 OR 6 TIMES IN EACH SIDE, SND WE CHANGE THE CONNECTORS ONE TIME. SO ANNOYING. IT IS VERY HATD TO REPLACE TEM AND LABOR IS SO EXPENSIVE. I HAVE A POWER STEERING, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) ISSUE WITH THE SAME CAR. VERY SCARY. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS AND YOU CAN NOT STEER. THANKFULLY THERE WERE NO CARS AND NOTHING MAJOR HAPPENED. WE GOT SO SCARED. IT HAS HAPPEN TO TIMES WHILE DRIVING IT.
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.
Exterior lighting, Mar 30, 2019
THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS GO OUT ON THIS VEHICLE VERY OFTEN. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR FOR 5 YEARS AND IVE HAD TO REPLACE THESE BULBS SEVERAL TIMES. ITS NOT CHEAP TO DO THIS BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO PULL THE BUMPER TO REAPIR. WHEN I TALK TO PEOPLE THEY TELL ME THIS ISNT NORMAL.
Steering, Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 28, 2019
MY STEERING IS LOCKING UP AND VIBRATING. IF TURNING THE STEERING AND KEY AT SAME TIME IT STARTS BACK WORKING.AND MY DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT. I'VE HAD THE WAITING HARNESS CHANGED AND IT STILL CONTINUE TO NOT WORK.
Steering, Exterior lighting, Mar 13, 2019
WHEN I FIRST TURN THE CAR ON IT WILL FLASH SERVICE ESC AND POWER STEERING WHEEL ALSO FLASH AT THAT POINT I HAVE NO POWER STEERING, AND THEN I WILL TURN THE CAR OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON AND I HAVE POWER STEERING THERE IS NO FLASHING OF ESC OR POWER STEERING. THE STEERING WHEEL WILL SHAKE WHILE STATIONARY. IN THE LAST YEAR I HAVE REPLACED ALL FOUR TURN SIGNALS AT LEAST TWICE AND BOTH HEADLIGHTS AT LEAST TWICE. WHEN I TURN ON THE CAR THE HEADLIGHTS WILL FLASH AND THEN ONE WILL GO OUT WHILE THE OTHER ONE STAYS ON DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD I DON'T HIT ANY BUMPS OR POTHOLES OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT AND THE HEAD LIGHT WILL COME ON, AT THAT POINT IT STAYED ON FOR ONE DAY AND THEN IT WENT BACK OUT AGAIN. MY THIRD BRAKE LIGHT WILL WORK OFF AND ON, MORE OFF THEN ON. MY REAR DEFROSTERS DO NOT WORK AT ALL AND THE CONTROL ON THE DRIVER SEAT DOES NOT WORK EITHER. WITHIN THE LAST MONTH WE HAVE REPLACED THE BATTERY AND CABLES FOR THE CAR AND WAS TOLD THAT THAT SHOULD FIX ALL THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND IT DID NOT. I HAVE 2 VIDEOS OF WHAT THE CAR DOES BUT CANNOT UPLOAD ON HERE.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Mar 5, 2019
BRAKE LAMP RECALL FOR THESE MODELS DO NOT WORK. I NOTICED THE ISSUE RECENTLY WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AT AROUND 55 MPH AT NIGHT. MY BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ON, WHILE MY FOOT IS OFF OF THE BRAKE PEDAL. WHEN I PLACE MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES, THE BRAKE LIGHTS GO OFF. THIS IS A SERIOUS DRIVING HAZARD. I'VE TAKEN THE CAR TO GET THE RECALL HANDLED, BUT NOTICED THIS MORNING, THAT MY BRAKE LIGHTS ARE STILL ILLUMINATING WHEN MY FOOT IS OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL.
Exterior lighting, Feb 12, 2019
HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT.
Exterior lighting, Feb 4, 2019
THE HEADLIGHT (LOW BEAM) OF MY VEHICLE KEEP GOING OUT, I DONE CHANGES IT 3 TIMES WITHIN A MONTH. EVERYONE THAT HAS THE SAME CAR AS ME HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS AS WELL. DON'T KNOW IF IT'S THE WIRING BUT IT'S BECOMING A BIG PROBLEM
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 26, 2019
THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ENGAGED WHILE DRIVING THE CAR AND DISENGAGE WHEN BRAKING CAUSING A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD FOR NOT ONLY HE DRIVER BUT OTHERS FOLLOWING BEHIND. BECAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ON WHILE DRIVING FOLLOWING CARS CRASH DETECTION SYSTEMS ENGAGE. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR QUITE AWHILE. IT WAS "FIXED" BY A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP ONCE ALREADY BUT IT IS BACK. HUGE CONCERN FOR MY 17 YEAR OLD DRIVING THE CAR.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 13, 2019
I'VE TAKEN MY CAR TO GET THE DRIVER SIDE LOW BEAM LIGHT REPLACED 3 TIMES IN ONE YEAR. COME TO FIND OUT THE LIGHTS WERE NOT BLOWING OUT.. THERE IS A SHORTAGE WITH THE LIGHT PLUG. HIGH BEAM IS FINE.. ONLY THE LOW BEAM KEEPS GOING OUT
Exterior lighting, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 5, 2019
HEADLIGHT CONTINUES TO GO OUT, REPLACE WITH NEW ONE ONLY LASTS A FEW DAYS. ALSO IF YOU SHUT OFF CAR TO GO GAS CAR DOESNT RESTART. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME GET GAS.
Exterior lighting, Jan 2, 2019
I'VE HAD THIS CAR ALMOST 3 YEARS I'VE BOUGHT OVER 20 HEADLIGHT BULBS FOR THIS CAR NOW AT THIS PRESENT TIME I HAVE NO HEADLIGHTS I JUST CHANGED THEM ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO THIS IS REALLY TERRIBLE AND VERY EXPENSIVE