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
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 19, 2013
THE BRAKE LIGHTS ON OUR 2010 CHEVY MALIBU, TURN ON WHILE DRIVING BUT TURN OFF WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS PRESSED. AFTER TAPPING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKE LIGHTS THEN STAY OFF FOR APPROXIMATELY 4 SECONDS, THEN ILLUMINATE ON THEIR OWN AGAIN. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK AND THE SERVICE ESC AND SERVICE TRACTION WARNINGS ARE DISPLAYED. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY AND FOR VARYING PERIODS OF TIME. *TR
Exterior lighting, Sep 26, 2013
THE BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS PRESSED. THEY STAY ON AS IF I AM ALWAYS APPLYING THE BRAKES. WHEN I PRESS THE PEDAL THEY GO OFF. I UNDERSTAND THERE MAY BE A RECALL BUT WHEN I CALLED LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALERSHIPS THERE IS NO RECALL ON MY VIN. BASICALLY THE BRAKE LIGHTS WORK IN REVERSE ORDER. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH MANY OF THESE VEHICLES, WHY IS THERE NO RECALL FROM THE GMC TO CORRECT THIS HAZARD WHICH COULD RESULT IS A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I HAVE HAD 3 NEW BRAKE SENSORS INSTALLED AT THE GM DEALERSHIPS.. 2 OF THEM.. IT IS NOT THE BRAKE SENSOR AND THE COSTS CONTINUE TO RISE EACH TIME I TAKE IT IN FOR A NEW SENSOR. *JS
Exterior lighting, Sep 24, 2013
THE BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS PRESSED. THEY STAY ON AS IF I AM ALWAYS APPLYING THE BRAKES. WHEN I PRESS THE PEDAL THEY GO OFF. I UNDERSTAND THERE MAY BE A RECALL BUT WHEN I CALLED LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALERSHIPS THERE IS NO RECALL ON MY VIN. BASICALLY THE BRAKE LIGHTS WORK IN REVERSE ORDER. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH MANY OF THESE VEHICLES, WHY IS THERE NO RECALL FROM THE GMC TO CORRECT THIS HAZARD WHICH COULD RESULT IS A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *JS
Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Sep 18, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO ENGAGE AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,200. UPDATED 11/13/13*LJ ACCORDING TO THE INVOICE, THE BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WHEN THEY WERE NOT NEEDED AND DID NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE PEDAL POSITION SENSOR. UPDATED 11/14/13
Exterior lighting, Sep 3, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, SHE WAS STOPPED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT AND ASKED WHY SHE WAS DEPRESSING THE BRAKES FOR SUCH LONG PERIODS OF TIME. THE CONTACT DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATING WHEN NOT DEPRESSING THE BRAKES AND WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SENSOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, ONE WEEK LATER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE SENSOR A SECOND TIME AND THE FAILURE RECURRED THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53,000.
Exterior lighting, Aug 15, 2013
THE BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS PRESSED. THEY STAY ON AS IF I AM ALWAYS APPLYING THE BRAKES. WHEN I PRESS THE PEDAL THEY GO OFF. I UNDERSTAND THERE MAY BE A RECALL BUT WHEN I CALLED LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALERSHIPS THERE IS NO RECALL ON MY VIN. *TR
Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Aug 15, 2013
THE CRUISE CONTROL IN MY VEHICLE HAS STOPPED WORKING AS OF 8/15/13. ON 8/14/13, THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING BUT THEN ABOUT 20 MINUTES OR SO LATER, IT STARTED WORKING AGAIN. I HAVE TRIED RESETTING THE CRUISE CONTROL BY TURNING THE CONTROL ON AND OFF HOWEVER THIS WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. I HAVE ALSO BEEN EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH MY DASH LIGHTS GOING ON AND OFF. IT HAPPENS AT RANDOM TIMES SO THERE IS NO SPECIFIC INCIDENTS THAT CAUSE THIS TO OCCUR. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR ABOUT A YEAR NOW. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Exterior lighting, Aug 14, 2013
WHILE DRIVING THE SERVICE ESC/SERVICE TRACTION LIGHTS FLASH. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE BRAKE LIGHTS MALFUNCTION TURNING OFF WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS PUSHED AND ON WHILE I'M ACCELERATING. UPDATED 8/22/13 *CN
Exterior lighting, Aug 12, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS ERRONEOUSLY ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,500.
Exterior lighting, Jul 30, 2013
VEHICLE BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ACTIVATED WHEN BRAKE IS NOT APPLIED. WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED, BRAKE LIGHTS DEACTIVATE (OPPOSITE OF WHAT SHOULD OCCUR). DURING THIS TIME CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK AND WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL" APPEARS. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP ON 7/30/13 AND DEALER REPLACED BRAKE SENSOR (PART # 22666955) AFTER FINDING THAT BRAKE LIGHTS WERE FAULTY. REPORTING PARTY HAS SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION. *TR
Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Jul 21, 2013
AFTER THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING ON MY MALIBU, I NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE STAYING ON WHILE DRIVING. THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ON WHILE DRIVING NORMALLY, THEN WHEN THE BRAKE PEDDLE IS PRESSED LIGHTLY THE LIGHTS TURN OFF. AFTER THE PEDDLE IS DEPRESSED QUITE A BIT (WHILE BRAKING FOR STOPPING OR TO MAKE A SHARP TURN) THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL TURN BACK ON. AFTER RELEASING THE BRAKES ALL THE WAY, THE LIGHTS WILL TURN OFF AND THEN BACK ON AGAIN A FEW SECONDS LATER. EVERY TIME THE BRAKE LIGHTS TURN ON, THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPS WORKING. *TR
Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Jun 18, 2013
BRAKE LIGHTS REMAIN ON WHILE DRIVING, TURN OFF MOMENTARILY BUT THEN TURN BACK ON. SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL NOTICE APPEARED IMMEDIATELY AFTER. *TR
Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Jun 17, 2013
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL ILLUMINATE WITHOUT PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. ONCE THE BRAKE PEDAL IS PRESSED, THE BRAKE LIGHTS GO OUT AND WILL COME BACK ON APPROXIMATELY 5 SECONDS LATER. IN AN EMERGENCY STOP, THE DRIVER BEHIND ME WILL NOT HAVE WARNING THAT THERE IS AN EMERGENCY STOP. ADDITIONALLY, THE CRUISE CONTROL WILL TURN OFF AS THE SYSTEM BELIEVES THE BRAKES ARE BEING APPLIED WHEN THEY ARE NOT. THIS WILL HAPPEN WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, May 30, 2013
THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL GO ON FOR NO REASON WHILE I AM PRESSING THE GAS AND THEN WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKE, THEY WILL SHUT OFF. AS WELL AS WHEN I TURN ON THE HAZARDS, MY TRACTION LIGHT WILL SWITCH ON AND WHEN I TURN THEM OFF THE LIGHT STAYS ON SAYING "SERVICE TRACTION" AND THEN THE LEFT TAIL LIGHT BLINKER SHORTS OUT AND PRETENDS LIKE IT IS GOING OUT AND WILL BLINK RAPIDLY. THEN WHEN THE BRAKE LIGHT ISSUE IS HAPPENING MY CRUISE CONTROL WILL BE FAULTY. THERE IS A SHORT OR SOMETHING HAPPENING WITH THE WIRING, IT HAS BEEN BAD FOR A WHILE NOW. I HAVEN'T GOTTEN AROUND TO ACTUALLY DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT UNTIL I READ THIS: [XXX] *TR PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Exterior lighting, May 21, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE LOW BEAM BULB. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES. THE BULB WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 26,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Mar 16, 2013
DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AT NIGHT WITH MY CRUISE CONTROL ON. ALL OF A SUDDEN IT TURNS OFF AND I NOTICE MY BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED IN MY REAR VIEW MIRROR. I TAP THE BRAKE ONLY TO HAVE THEM COME BACK ON. IT KEPT DOING IT FOR ABOUT 20 MILES THEN STOPPED. IT HAS HAPPENED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS AND CHEVY HAS FAILED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE PROBLEM. I FEEL UNSAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE ALL MY DOCUMENTATION OF DEALER RECORDS FOR THIS. *TR
Exterior lighting, Mar 13, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN THE BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WITHOUT THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING ENGAGED. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION AND WHEN THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
Exterior lighting, Oct 16, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED AND WOULD ILLUMINATE WITHOUT THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WOULD DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE LIGHT WOULD REMAIN ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
Exterior lighting, Aug 27, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU LT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BCM AND THE BRAKE PEDAL POSITION SENSOR ENGAGED IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED THE BRAKE LIGHT DID NOT ILLUMINATE AND WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS NOT BEING DEPRESSED, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER HOWEVER THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER INSPECTED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,847.