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, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Dec 19, 2018
HEADLIGHT CONNECTION OVERHEATS MAKING HEADLIGHT GO OUT. ABS CONTROL LOCKS BRAKES DURRING NORMAL DRIVING. REAR BRAKE LIGHTS ENGAGE WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT PRESSING ON BRAKE.
Exterior lighting, Dec 9, 2018
HEAD LIGHT CONTINUES TO BURN OUT EVERY TWO YEARS
Power train, Exterior lighting, Air bags, Dec 3, 2018
MY RIGHT FRONT HEADLIGHT (REGULAR LOW BEAM) KEEPS GOING OUT AND HAVING TO BE REPLACED. MY MECHANIC REPLACED IT IN JULY OF THIS YEAR, AND AGAIN IN OCTOBER, AND IT IS OUT YET AGAIN, NOT EVEN TWO MONTHS LATER. MY MECHANIC CAN'T FIND ANY REASON FOR IT. IN ADDITION, MY SERVICE AIR-BAG LIGHT IS ON, ALTHOUGH IT'S NEVER GONE OFF, AND THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED AT ABOUT 63,000 MILES. REGARDING THE LIGHT - SO FAR, I'VE BEEN LUCKY THAT IT HASN'T CONTRIBUTED TO ANY KIND OF ACCIDENT, ESPECIALLY SINCE DEER ARE VERY ACTIVE AT THIS TIME OF YEAR AND ARE VERY COMMON IN OUR AREA.
Steering, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Dec 2, 2018
CAR HAS BEEN HAVING ALL THE PROBLEMS SINCE I GOT IT , AND NOW JUST BY DOING RESEARCH I SEEN THAT THEY HAD A LOT OF THESE CARS RECALLED
Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 28, 2018
HEADLIGHTS WON'T WORK BRAND NEW LIGHTBULBS DASHBOARD LIGHTS DIM IS OUTCONTROL TRANSACTION TURNS ON BRAKE LIGHT TURNS ON WITHOUT TOUCHING THE BRAKES THEY BASICALLY STAY ON AND MORE
Exterior lighting, Nov 26, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PRESSED, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD SHUT OFF AND NOT ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (COGGIN CHEVROLET, 10880 PHILIPS HWY, JACKSONVILLE, FL) WHERE THE BATTERY PACK CONTROL MODULE WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS) IN 2014 FOR THE SAME FAILURE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000.
Exterior lighting, Oct 30, 2018
THE BULB ON THE DRIVERS SIDE HAS GONE OUT MULTIPLE TIMES. HAVE HAD TO PAY $150 PLUS BULBS EACH TIME AS YOU HAVE TO TAKE THE BUMPER OFF. EVEN AFTER REPLACING THE BULB THIS TIME IT DIDN'T WORK. MULTIPLE PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED THIS.
Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Traction control system, Oct 18, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. IN ADDITION, THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL AND TRACTION WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 129,642.
Exterior lighting, Sep 13, 2018
TAKATA RECALL. MY PASSENGER HEADLIGHTS ON THE LOW BEAM SETTING KEEP GOING OUT. I CHANGED MY LIGHTBULB TWO MONTHS AGO AND IT HAS ALREADY GONE OUT. I SAW THAT IT WENT OUT A FEW WEEKS AGO BUT WHEN I WAS GOING TO GET SOMEONE TO CHANGE IT, THINKING THE THE SHOP GAVE ME A BAD BULB, THE HEADLIGHT CAME BACK ON. THE SAME THING HAPPENED LAST WEEK ALSO THE LIGHT WAS OUT AND I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD AND I HEARD MY CAR CLICK LIKE THE LIGHTS WERE COMING ON WHEN I STOPPED I NOTICED BOTH LOW BEAM LIGHTS WERE ON AGAIN. CURRENTLY MY PASSENGER LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT IS NOT WORKING, ALL OTHER LIGHTS ARE WORKING FINE
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Aug 31, 2018
PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT. REPLACED BULB MULTIPLE TIMES, 100/HR SHOP LABOR JUST TO TAKE OFF BUMPER TO GET TO BULB. AT THIS POINT A TICKET WOULD HAVE BEEN CHEAPER.
Exterior lighting, Aug 22, 2018
THE HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT. I HAVE REPLACED THE PASSENGER LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHT 3 TIMES AND IT IS OUT AGAIN. WITH THE WAY THE CAR IS MADE AND HAVING TO REMOVE THE FRONT OF THE CAR TO CHANGE THE LIGHT IS GETTING VERY EXPENSIVE AND INCONVENIENCING.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Aug 18, 2018
HEADLIGHT LOW BEAMS CONTINUE TO GO OUT. NOT BURNING OUT BUT GOING OUT PREMATURELY. HAVE TO BE CHANGED AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Aug 16, 2018
THE STOP LAMPS COME ON ALL BY THEMSELF, IF THE LAMPS ARE ILLUMINATED THEY WILL TURN OFF WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS PRESSED. THIS ALSO AFFECTS THE TRACTION CONTROLS AND STABILITY CONTROL, THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. ALSO CRUISE CONTROL BECOMES INOPERATIVE. GM HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THIS AND HAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THIS PROBLEM. HOWEVER THEY'VE CAPPED IT AT 150,000 MILES WHICH PUTS ME OUT OF WARRANTY. WHEN I SPOKE TO GM THEY ADMITTED THIS AND SAID BECAUSE I WASN'T THE ORIGINAL OWNER I WOULDN'T BE NOTIFIED. THEY DON'T WANT TO HELP!
Exterior lighting, Jul 26, 2018
I AM CONSTANTLY HAVING TO REPLACE THE AC DELCO HEADLIGHT CONNECTOR PART NUMBER: 17833-05421850 BRAND: AC DELCO NOTES: PROFESSIONAL -- NEW; LOW BEAM; BLACK AND BLUE; 2 TERMINAL. FEMALE ABOUT 4 TIMES A YEAR. IT'S NOT AN EASY JOB TO GET TO THE LIGHTS IN THE FIRST PLACE SO I AM FORCED TO DRIVE IN THE DARK WITH ONE HEADLIGHT. I WORK ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF TOWN AND DRIVE THROUGH FIELDS. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE WITH ONE HEADLIGHT. I SEE SO MANY MALIBU'S WITH ONE HEADLIGHT ONCE I GET INTO THE CITY SO I KNOW IT'S NOT JUST MY CAR. I ALSO SEE MANY PEOPLE COMPLAINING IN ONLINE CAR FORUMS. WHAT CAN BE DONE? I JUST REPLACED THIS PART ON JULY 6TH, 2018, AND BY JULY, 24TH, 2018 THE PART HAS BURNED OUT AGAIN AND I'M LEFT WITH ONE HEADLIGHT. PLEASE HELP, I FEEL SO TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jul 15, 2018
PASSENGER LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHT GOES OUT EVERY 2 MONTHS. I HAVE REPLACED THIS 3 TIMES. REPLACING THE HEADLIGHT REQUIRES REMOVING THE FRONT BUMPER AND IT IS $120 JUST TO REMOVE THE BUMPER TO DETERMINE THE ISSUE. NEW CONNECTOR AND PIGTAILS HAVE NOT SOLVED THE BURNOUT ISSUE. UPON AN INTERNET SEARCH, I FOUND OTHER HAVE THE SAME ISSUE WITH PASSENGER HEADLIGHT. IHTTP://WWW.CARPROBLEMZOO.COM/CHEVROLET/MALIBU/2010/HEADLIGHTS-PROBLEMS.PHP I WAS IN MOTION WHEN THIS WAS NOTICED AS I WAS PULLED OVER BY THE POLICE. ISSUE IS STILL THERE WHEN CAR IS PARKED.
Exterior lighting, Jun 29, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. KARL CHEVROLET (1101 SE ORALABOR RD, ANKENY, IA 50021, (515) 299-4300) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH CASE NUMBER: 8-433-300-9105. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 56,900.
Exterior lighting, Jun 18, 2018
THE HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT. BULBS HAVE BEEN CHANGED REPEATEDLY, PIGTAIL WAS CHANGED IN THE WIRING, FUSE WAS CHANGED AND LIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Jun 12, 2018
THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS DO NOT ALWAYS COME ON WHEN THE CAR IS FIRST STARTED AND SOMETIME THEY GO OFF WHILE DRIVING. MY SON-IN-LAW TOLD ME TO PULL OVER, SHUT OFF THE MOTOR, PUMP THE FOOT FEED 3 TIMES AND THEN RESTART THE VEHICLE. THAT SEEMS TO WORK MOST OF THE TIME. BUT I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO DO THAT. I HAVE HAD THE HEAD LIGHTS GO OUT AT NIGHT WHEN I HIT A BUMP AND THEN THEY CAME BACK ON WHEN I HIT ANOTHER BUMP. THE CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT ALWAYS WORK. I RECEIVED A NOTICE THAT MY TAILLIGHTS MAY NOT ALWAYS WORK AND TO LET THEM KNOW IF I HAVE THAT PROBLEM. WELL HELL I AM DRIVING THE CAR NOT RUNNING ALONG BEHIND IT!! DO I HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL SOMEONE REAR-END ME TO FIND OUT THAT THEY DON'T WORK? NOT SURE WHAT KIND OF AIRBAGS I HAVE IN THIS VEHICLE BUT WITH HISTORY OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS THAT MAY ALSO BE AN ISSUE.THESE PROBLEMS HAVE EXISTED FROM THE TIME THE CAR WAS NEW. I HAVE HAD IT IN TO DIFFERENT SHOPS TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT AND EVERY TIME THEY TELL ME THEY THINK IT IS FIXED. I AM JUST WAITING FOR THE NEXT SHOE TO DROP. IS THE COMPETITION FOR CAR MAKERS SO VICIOUS THAT THEY NEED TO RUSH PRODUCTION AT THE COST OF CUSTOMER SAFETY TO GET VEHICLES OUT AHEAD OF THEIR COMPETITION? THEY CONTINUE TO PUT MORE BELLS AND WHISTLES ON THESE VEHICLES SO THEY CAN CHARGE US MORE UP FRONT AND FOR CONTINUOUS REPAIRS. THIS IS TOTALLY INSANE. GIVE ME BACK MY '57 CHEVY. NEVER HAD ANY OF THESE SAFETY ISSUES WITH THAT HONEY!!!
Exterior lighting, Jun 11, 2018
I THINK THE MALIBU HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE CORVETTES HAD THE LIGHT HAS DONE WENT OUT 8 TIMES SINCE MY HUSBAND GOT THE CAR IN MARCH AND HE HAS TO TAKE THE WHEEL OFF AND THE PLACSIC UNDER PINNING BY THE WHEEL OFF AND UNCONNECT THE HEAD LIGHT AND CONNECT IT AGAIN AND IT COMES BACK ON. AND SOMETIMES IF HE JUST SMACKS THE LIGHT IT WILL START WORKING AGAIN BUT NOT ALWAYS IT'S THE LOW BEAM ON THE PASSENGER SIDE I HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM WITH MANY YEARS OF THE YEARS OF THIS MODEL CAR BUT HEARS WHAT I THINK THE PROBLEM IS LIKE I SAID THAT THE CORVETTES HAD ELECTRICAL CENTER' UNDER THE HOOD THAT MAY EXPAND DUE TO THE EXTREME ENGINE HEAT AND WHEN THIS ELECTRICAL CONNECTION EXPANDS AND CONTRACTS OVER AND OVER, IT IS PRONE TO BREAKING. WHEN THAT HAPPENS, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WILL FAIL TO FUNCTION. I WOULD IMAGINE THAT THE FIX INVOLVES ADDING SOME SORT OF HEAT INSULATION TO THIS ELECTRICAL CENTER TO EITHER PROTECT THE WHOLE UNIT FROM THE HEAT OR TO PREVENT THE CONSISTENT EXPANSION UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES. SO CAN Y'ALL PLEASE LOOK IN TO IT FOR THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY AND WE DON'T WANT NO TICKETS AND IT'S ANNOYING TAKING IT A PART BC IT WON'T WORK
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jun 4, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, May 8, 2018
SERVICE ESC AND SERVICE TRACTION LIGHTS ON. BRAKE LIGHTS ON WHEN NOT PUSHING BRAKE, THEN OFF WHEN PUSHING BRAKE. WHILE DRIVING AND WHILE STATIONARY
Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 25, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE HEAD LAMP FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. IN ADDITION, THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FLAG CHEVROLET (1000 E BELVIDERE RD, GRAYSLAKE, IL 60030). THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THE DEALER'S DIAGNOSIS; HOWEVER, THE HEAD LAMP WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE HEAD LAMP FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000.
Exterior lighting, Apr 22, 2018
PASSENGER SIDE HEAD LIGHT HAS WENT OUT FOUR TIMES IN THE LAST 12-MONTHS.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Apr 17, 2018
THE HEAD LIGHT LOW BEAM KEEPS BLOWING SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE IT COST TOO MUCH MONEY TO KEEP REPLACING AND IT IS A VERY COMMON COMPLAINT IF U GOOGLE IT WITH THE LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHT KEEPS SHORTING OUT OR WHATEVER IT'S DOING IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE AND A IT'S A PROBLEM BC PEOPLE CAN GET PULLED OVER AND IT'S NOT FAIR TOO THE PEOPLE BUY THIS CARS AND NOT KNOWING ABOUT THIS CHEVY NEEDS TOO OWN UP IT'S COST PEOPLE ALOT OF MONEY THAT SOME PEOPLE DON'T HAVE TO KEEP SPENDING ON THERE MISTAKE AND IT COULD CAUSE A FIRE AND PEOPLE HAVE KIDS. *TT
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Apr 6, 2018
FRONT PASSENGER HEADLIGHT HAS GONE OUT AGAIN. THIS BULB HAS BEEN REPLACED NUMEROUS TIMES. IN REVIEWING SEVERAL DIFFERENT WEBSITES, THIS PROBLEM IS REPORTED REPEATEDLY, EVEN WITH COMMENTS OF GM MECHANIC STATING THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE HARNESS BUT GM IS NOT RECALLING IT. I PRAY THAT A CHILD NEVER RUNS OUT INTO THE STREET AND GETS HIT BY A CAR AS A RESULT OF THE DRIVER NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THEIR CAR BECAUSE GM DOES NOT WANT TO PAY TO FIX THIS KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE HARNESS AND THE CONSTANT COMPLAINTS THEY ARE AWARE. .