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: power train
133 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Tires, Sep 22, 2026
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. After starting the vehicle with the transmission in park(P), the gear shift indicator indicated that the transmission was in drive(D). The transmission was shifted into drive(D), and the vehicle jerked and the engine revved loudly, but the vehicle failed to move. The TPMS and check engine warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the gear shifter was loose while shifting, and the vehicle rolled forward while parked. The contact shifted the gear shifter back and forth and then shifted into park(P) before the proper gear was recognized. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V460000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.
Steering, Power train, Service brakes, Jun 22, 2024
• Yes, the vehicle is available for inspection upon request. • The failure of the power steering system made it extremely difficult to steer the vehicle, especially at lower speeds, which put my safety and the safety of others at risk by increasing the likelihood of an accident. It would turn on and go off by itself at random spurts, which was very unusual. • No, the problem has not been reproduced by another dealer. • The vehicle has not been inspected by the dealer’s service department. As well as, not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives. • No it just randomly had a warning light one day when I got in it to crank it like a normal day. But never warned me before hand, but when it did come on, But it appeared on the dashboard indicating a power steering issue, and abs and brake warning light. The abs and brake warning light first appeared about two weeks before the complete failure of the system. Which I became without a vehicle for about 3 months because of it.
Power train, Electrical system, Air bags, Dec 27, 2023
My airbag light just recently came on driver frontal airbag may explode NHTSA-19001900 Power steering NHTSA- 14E044000 u joint premature failure Electrical system all out of wack NHSTA-14V252000 bcm resistance result in voltage fluctuations in brake Power train- NHTSA 12V460000 4 speed automatic transmission the tabs on transmission shift cable end may fracture and separate
Power train, Mar 17, 2023
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle failed to properly accelerate with an unknown warning light illuminated. The contact was able to pull over on the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but was not diagnosed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 126,000.
Power train, Exterior lighting, Air bags, Oct 30, 2022
DEALER NOT ASSISTING IN RECALL REPAIRS THAT WEREN’T CORRECTED.
Power train, Jul 27, 2022
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the gear shifter failed to shift into reverse as needed. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer to be diagnosed and was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 46,000.
Power train, Electrical system, Air bags, Oct 1, 2021
The passenger light beam will not come on it also messes with my radio it turns it to the aux I keep replacing the Bub in the harness and it's still not working not not to mention the car felt like a lost of power due to I guess the trance when turning a corner or pulling off. The air bag light comes on a few days and turn off.
Power train, Electrical system, Mar 12, 2021
ONE DAY I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY KIDS AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND MY WHEEL LOCKED AND IT WAS VERY HARD TO TURN IT. IT WAS VERY SCARY GOING 50 MPH TRYING TO GET OFF A EXIT AND NOT BEING ABLE TO TURN MY WHEEL. I NEEDED JUST HAVE TO LET MY CAR SIT BECAUSE I CLD NOT AFFORD THE COST TO GET IT FIXED AND I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING TO CAUSE THAT I CALLED CHEVY GAVE THEM MY VIN NUMBER AND THEY SAID THERE WASN'T A RECALL BUT I SEE PPL WITH MALIBU'S HAVE THE SAME ISSUE . THIS CLD HAVE BEEN DEADLY ME AND MY 2 KIDS COULD HAVE GOTTEN SEVERELY HURT THAT'S NOT OKAY THAT THIS HAPPENED
Steering, Power train, Electrical system, Dec 8, 2020
THE POWER STEERING SENSOR STOP'S STEERING DURING DRIVING AND TRACTION LOSS. THIS CAR IS VERY DANGEROUS AND COSTLY TO REPAIR. I PRAY NOBODY DIES FROM THIS. I SEE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS FROM OTHER OWNERS.*DT
Power train, Dec 6, 2020
SLOW TO ACCELERATE THEN JERKS FORWARD .CAR HAS65000 ON IT NO TRANSMISSION LEAKS PLUS THE TRANSMISSION IS SEALED .NO DIP STICK TO CHECK LEVEL.DEALER SAID THAT'S BECAUSE IT'S A SEALED UNIT.THEY ASLO SAID L DONT HAVE TO CHANGE IT JUST YET.LOW MILES.HOWEVER I'VE HEARD THIS YEARS TRANSMISSION ARE VERY BAD.
Power train, Aug 14, 2020
I WOULD BE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD START TO SHAKE AND THE POWER WOULD DROP TO 20 MPH. THIS WOULD HAPPEN ANYTIME, ANY WHERE. TURN VEHICLE OFF SIT. A COUPLE OF MINUTES AND WOULD BE OK TO DRIVE FOR AWHILE. IF HAPPENS NO MATTER WHAT TYPE OF AREA DRIVING. HIGHWAY CITY OR EVEN PARKING LOT. CAN NOT FIND PROBLEM WITH ANYTHING. NEED IMMEDIATE HELP WITH PROBLEM. COULD CAUSE ACCIDENT AND DEATH ON A BUSY HIGHWAY OR ROADWAY.
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
Power train, Apr 1, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED GEARS INDEPENDENTLY WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. AN UNKNOWN DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *BF CONSUMER STATED SAME THING HAPPENED WITH THE TRANSMISSION.*JB
Power train, Feb 26, 2020
OVER A PERIOD OF ABOUT A MONTH, 2010 CHEVY MALIBU BEGAN LOSING POWER STEERING. I WOULD TURN OFF CAR TO RESTART ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, IT WORKED FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS. THEN POWER STEERING WENT OUT COMPLETELY. REPAIR SHOP INFORMED ME OF EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THE CAR BUT UNFORTUNATELY IT EXPIRED 3 DAYS AFTER MY PROBLEM OCCURRED. LOSS OF POWER STEERING HAPPENS WHEN IN MOTION, WHEN STARTING CAR AND WHEN PARKED. SHAKING WHEEL.
Power train, Jan 24, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED ABNORMALLY AND STALLED. THE ESC, REDUCED ENGINE POWER AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS, INCLUDING THE MCGRATH AUTO DEALER, LOCATED AT 1548 COLLINS RD NE, CEDAR RAPIDS, IA 52402) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER TORQUE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE THE FIRST TIME AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE DEALER AT NO CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE RECENT FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000.
Power train, Electrical system, Air bags, Jan 21, 2020
I WAS STOPPED,WENT TO ACCELERATE,AND SUDDEN HARD SHIFT AS IT ACCELERATED. AFTER A FEW MILES,LOST ALL GEARS AFTER 2ND GEAR.ON INTERSTATE AT TIME WHEN LOST GEARS & CLOSE TO GETTING INTO MAJOR ACCIDENT. TOOK IT TO ASC CERTIFIED MECHANIC TO LEARN THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED,WIRING FROM BATTERY TO STARTED BURNED UP,BATTERY FAILUREM ALTERNATOR FAILED, AND ECM FAILED AS WELL. REPAIR COST APPROX $4600.00. SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT & CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON ALSO & P0013 CODE. LOOKED UP VEH HISTORY, SHOWS RECALLS ON SOME OF THIS WERE SUPPOSEDLY PERFORMED, BUT HARD TO BELIEVE. 6 SPEED TRANSMISSION, SO GM WON'T HONOR.
Power train, Wheels, Engine, Nov 11, 2019
CAR HESITATES TO CHANGE GEARS AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND STALLS AFTER DRIVING REASONABLY SHORT DISTANCES. THE DRIVER FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS HAVE BEEN CHANGED FOR ONLY A FEW MONTHS AND ARE ALREADY CAUSING THE SAME PROBLEM AS BEFORE.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Seats, Oct 22, 2019
WHEN DRIVING IT THE TRANSMISSION DON'T KICK IN UNTIL YOU GET PASS 30 MILES AND THEN IT'S DOING EVERYTHING THAT YOU HAVE A RECALL ON SOME OF THE OTHER 2010 CHEVY MALIBU JUST TRYING TO SEE WHY MY VIN NUMBER HASN'T BEEN RECALL.I HAVE TO PUT MY EMERGENCY LIGHTS OWN SOMETIME SO I WON'T BE IN A RECK GETTING MY GRANDKIDS TO AND FROM SCHOOL I FEAR FOR OUR SAFETY BUT THIS IS MY ONLY TRANSPORTATION SO IF YOU CAN PLEAS CHECK AND SEE IF I HAVE A RECALL ON MY VIN NUMBER IT WOULD PLEASE BE APPRECIATE SIGN A CARING GRANDMOTHER TRYING TO KEEP HER FAMILY SAFE 🙏🏽🙏🏽
Power train, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 13, 2019
BRAKE LIGHTS ENGAGE WHEN BRAKE PETAL IS NOT ENGAGED AND DO NOT LIGHT WHEN BRAKE PEDAL IS PRESSED. CENTER BRAKE LIGHT RARELY WORKS. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN CAR SEEMS TO BE SHORT CIRCUITED AS LIGHTS ON CONSOLE BLINK. ESC CONTINUOUSLY IS TURNED OFF, ENGINE LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF, LOW TIRE PRESSURE INDICATED AND IT'S A FALSE READ. TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED RIGHT AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED. DRIVER SIDE WINDOW MOTOR FAILED. ALL OF THIS ISSUES WITH EXCEPTION OF WINDOW HAVE BEEN HAPPENING FROM THE TIME I PURCHASED THE CAR. I TOOK IT MANY TIMES TO DEALER WITH NO REMEDY
Power train, Oct 9, 2019
DURING DRIVING, VEHICLE SLIPS IN/OUT/PAST 2ND GEAR (OR NO 2ND GEAR IS AVAILABLE). NO 6TH GEAR AVAILABLE. HAPPENS CONSTANTLY IN CITY OR HIGHWAY TRAFFIC. THERE IS A MANUFACTURER RECALL (DTC P2714) ON OTHER 2010 CHEVROLET OF THE SAME MODEL AS WELL AS SEVERAL OTHERS FOR THIS SAME ISSUE BUT THE MANUFACTURER STATES THAT THE RECALL DOES NOT COVER MY VIN.
Power train, Aug 22, 2019
DRIVING CAR, PRESSED ON GAS PEDAL, CAR WILL NOT MOVE, HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALER, WAS INFORMED I NEEDED NEW TRANSMMISION, CAR ONLY HAD 69,000 MILES AND WARRANTY IS EXPIRED!!!!
Power train, Jul 10, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE SHIFTED INTO PARK. THE CONTACT HAD TO ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO REMAIN IN PARK. IN ADDITION, THE POWER TRAC CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. O'CONNOR CHEVROLET BUICK GMC (199 RIVERSIDE DR, AUGUSTA, ME 04330) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 12V460000 (POWER TRAIN) AND 14E044000 (STEERING), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,000.
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 14, 2019
TRANSMISSION FAILURE, CAR WILL TURN OFF ON INTERSTATE OR HIGHWAY WITHOUT WARNING, CAR WILL SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING , ROLL BACKWARDS, WON'T ACCELERATE. HAD TO GET TOWED 3 TIMES! AFTER NEW TRANSMISSION , SENSORS AND FUEL PUMP INJECTOR , THE CAR IS STILL DOING THE SAME THING ! THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND A LACK OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR DEFECTED PRODUCTS AND PRICE GAUGING MECHANICS ! PROBLEM IS STILL EXISTING. I SEE THIS CAR IS UNDER MANY RECALLS AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS BUILT IN KOREA!
Power train, Mar 15, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO PROPERLY CHANGE GEARS WHEN NEEDED. BYFORD CHEVROLET BUICK GMC (7755 US-81, DUNCAN, OK 73533, 1-(888) 397-6541) WAS CONTACTED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED 54 TSBS FOR THE POWER TRAIN, BUT NO RECALL WAS ISSUED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V460000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.
Power train, Mar 11, 2019
TAKATA RECALL MY 2010 CHEVY MALIBU WAS IN PARK AND TURNED OFF. TURNED ON THE CAR PUT IT IN DRIVE AND DRIVE TONDRIVE FORWARD AND THE CAR WOULDN'T MOVE. IT SOUNDS LIKE IT'S ACCELERATING BUT THE CAR WON'T MOVE AT ALL. PUT CAR IN PARK AND IT WILL REVERSE FINE. GOES INTO PARK AND WORKS IN NEUTRAL. ANYTIME I TRY TO GO FORWARD THE CAR WON'T GO ANYWHERE. IT'S NOT MAKING ANY SOUNDS EVERYTHING SOUNDS NORMAL. I HAVE BEEN TOLD I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION BY A COUPLE DIFFERENT CAR SHOPS AND THAT THE TRASMOSSION COOLING PIPE IS BROKEN BY CHEVY.