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: steering
455 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Feb 20, 2015
WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEED THE POWER STEERING BECAME INOPERATIVE AND THE ESC LAMP LIT AS WELL AS THE SERVICE POWER STEERING MESSAGE DISPLAYED. SIMILAR CONDITIONS AS DESCRIBED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V153000, POWER STEERING ASSIST LOST. 2008-2009 MALIBU'S ARE AFFECTED AND MY VEHICLE IS IN THE NEXT MY USING THE SAME PART, WHICH WAS USED ON MALIBU'S BETWEEN 2004 AND 2010. *TR
Steering, Feb 19, 2015
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING OR UPON STARTING MY VEHICLE, I LOST POWER STEERING CAPABILITIES. ON ONE OF THESE OCCASIONS, I WAS TRAVELING DURING A ICE STORM, THANKFULLY I WAS GOING STRAIGHT AND DID NOT NEED TO MAKE ANY TURNS AND THE TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT, I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY HOME. THIS PROBLEM MAKES STEERING NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE WHEN IT GOES OUT. MY VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP WITH THE DIAGNOSIS OF POWER STEERING MOTOR (MODULE) FAILURE. IN RESEARCHING, I FIND THAT SEVERAL RECALLS HAVE BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM WITH OTHER MALIBU(S) (UP TO THE 2009 MODEL), BUT NOT MY 2010. THE COST TO FIX THIS IS APPROXIMATELY $750.00, I AM HOPEFUL THAT MY WARRANTY COVERS THIS AS THERE IS NO RECALL TO DO SO. I BELIEVE THAT GM SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS AS THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM THROUGHOUT THE MALIBU LINE REGARDLESS OF YEAR. *TR
Steering, Feb 18, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000.
Steering, Feb 13, 2015
MY POWER STEERING TORQUE SENSOR WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE. HAVE HAD RANDOM ISSUES GOING BACK YEARS WITH THE POWER STEERING BUT NEVER WHILE DRIVING. USUALLY ONLY WHEN STARTING THE CAR. GM SAID,EVEN THOUGH IT'S THE SAME EXACT PART NUMBER LISTED IN THE 2005-2009 CHEVY MALIBU RECALL, MY 2010 WAS NOT PART OF THE WARRANTY. REPAIRS WERE QUOTED AT $1800-2200. GM SEEMS UNWILLING TO FIX THE DEFECTIVE PART THEY PUT IN MY CAR. THIS TYPE OF IGNORANCE LANDED GMS CEOS [XXX] ON CAPITAL HILL JUST OVER A YEAR AGO. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Steering, Feb 10, 2015
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT DURING THE INCIDENT THE POWER STEERING AND SERVICE ESC SENSOR LIGHTS HAD ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
Steering, Feb 9, 2015
I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY IN THE FAR LEFT LANE. I HEARD CHIMES. POWER STEERING. SERVICE ECS MESSAGE SCROLLED ACROSS. THE TRACTION INDICATOR ICON CAME ON. I TOOK THE CAR TO PHILLIPS CHEVY IN LANSING. I WAS CHARGED $119.75 DIAGNOSTIC TEST FEE. THE STEERING COLUMN MUST BE REPLACED. I ASKED IF THIS WAS A RECALL ITEM WITH MALIBU. THERE ARE RECALLS FOR OTHER YEARS BUT NOT THE 2010. TO FIX IT I WAS GIVEN AN ESTIMATE OF $724 PLUS TAX. *TR
Steering, Feb 3, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE CONTACT TO USE EXCESSIVE FORCE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Steering, Feb 3, 2015
POWER STEERING FAILURE, VEHICLE BECAME IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL. *TR
Steering, Feb 2, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TORQUE CENTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.
Steering, Jan 27, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TORQUE INPUT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
Steering, Jan 23, 2015
WHILE DRIVING, THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING WENT OUT, MAKING IT UNABLE TO STEER THE CAR. THE STEERING TORQUE SENSOR WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $400. OUR 2004 CHEVY MALIBU HAD THE EXACT THING HAPPEN TO IT. IT WAS COVERED BY A GM RECALL. HOWEVER WITH THE 2010, THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. THIS WAS A DANGEROUS, LIFE-THREATENING SITUATION. *TR
Steering, Jan 22, 2015
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Service brakes, Jan 22, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH NO WARNING SEVERAL TIMES. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR BREAK LIGHT ILLUMINATED FREQUENTLY WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS NOT APPLIED. THE CONTACT HAD TO TAP THE BRAKE PEDAL TO GET THE LIGHT TO TURN OFF. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14E044000 (STEERING) AND 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL , EXTERIOR LIGHTING , SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC , VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 171,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Jan 19, 2015, crash
POWER STEERING HAS FAILED. WHILE DRIVING APPROX. 15 MILES PER HOUR POWER STEERING WARNING COMES UP AND ANTI-TRACTION LIGHT CAME ON AT THAT POINT THE STEERING WHEEL JERKS TO THE LEFT AND HIT THE CURB. TURNED CAR OFF AND BACK ON TO TRY AND RESET. THIS PROCESS WORKS SOMETIMES BUT NOT RESET EVERY TIME YOU DO THIS WE HAVE TO DO IT MULTIPLE TIMES TO KEEP GOING. THIS IS A HIGHLY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND I CAN SEE THAT THE 2010 MALIBU HAS HAD ENOUGH ISSUES TO GET GM TO ADD THIS CAR TO THE RECALL FROM 2008 AND 2009 MALIBU'S. *TR
Steering, Jan 19, 2015
WAS TURNING LEFT WHEN IT SUDDENLY BECAME SLIGHTLY HARDER TO STEER. THE DASH STARTED BEEPING AND THE NOTIFICATION "POWER STEERING" CAME UP. POWER STEERING TURNED BACK ON AFTER THE TURN. *TR
Steering, Jan 19, 2015
ON 17 JANUARY 2015 I WAS DRIVING HOME DOWN A SOMEWHAT WINDING ROAD AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE POWER STEERING ON MY VEHICLE FAILED COMING INTO A TURN ALMOST CAUSING ME TO GO INTO A DITCH. THE FAILURE WAS SUDDEN AND I HAD TO APPLY MY BRAKES TO AVOID DRIVING OFF THE ROAD. I HAVE READ AROUND ON FORUMS AND THOUGH MANY OF THE RECALLS FOR OTHER MODELS AND SAME MODELS OF DIFFERENT YEARS THAT HAVE A SIMILAR STEERING SETUP. I BELIEVE IT IS THE MALIBUS OF THE MODEL YEAR 04, 05, 06, 08, AND 09 THAT ARE COVERED BY THE RECALL WHEREAS MY VEHICLE IS A 2010 WHICH IS NOT COVERED. *TR
Steering, Jan 15, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED AS THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Steering, Jan 13, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN BETWEEN 30-40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BEARINGS IN THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14E044000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.
Steering, Jan 2, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. IN ADDITION, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST MOTOR AND THE WIRING HARNESS IN THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.
Steering, Dec 22, 2014
I HAD A LOSS OF POWER STEERING "SERVICE ESC" LIGHT ALSO CAME ON. CAR WAS COMPLETELY MANUAL STEERING AT THAT POINT, EXTREMELY HARD TO CONTROL. SAME PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL 14E044. ALSO, PART MADE BY THE SAME COMPANY THAT THE RECALL INVOLVED. I PURCHASED A NEW POWER STEERING SENSOR AND HAD IT INSTALLED BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC. THE POWER STEERING STILL DID NOT OPERATE PROPERLY, BUT THIS TIME WHEN THE CAR WAS TURNED ON, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD TURN ALL THE WAY TO THE RIGHT, ON ITS OWN. WHEN I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALER, THEY SAID THAT THE WARRANTY WAS VOIDED ON THE PRODUCT. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY SEVERAL GM SERVICE DEPARTMENTS THAT THIS IS A FAULTY PART AND THAT OFTEN TIMES SEVERAL HAVE TO BE INSTALLED BEFORE YOU FIND ONE THAT WORKS. ALSO, I WAS NOT PROVIDED A WRITTEN WARRANTY FROM THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE PART, BUT THE PARTS DEPARTMENT TOLD THAT THERE WAS A WARRANTY ON IT. HOWEVER, NO DETAILS AS TO STIPULATIONS WERE PROVIDED. I AM UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT GM AND DEALERSHIPS ARE AWARE OF THIS DEFECTIVE PART AND INSTEAD OF ADDRESSING THE ISSUE, THEY ARE TRYING TO PUT THE RESPONSIBILITY OFF ON THE CAR OWNER. THE DEALERSHIP WAS DISHONEST IN ITS PRACTICES IN DEALING WITH THIS DEFECTIVE PART. *TR
Steering, Dec 22, 2014, crash
POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC. DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH PULLING ONTO A HIGHWAY THE STEERING CUT OUT AND THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IN ORDER TO AVOID BEING STRUCK BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC, THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE BACKED UP DOWN THE STREET STILL UNABLE TO TURN, AND STRUCK A LIGHT POLE. NO DAMAGE TO VEHICLE OTHER THAN REAR FENDER POPPED OUT OF PLACE. UPON RESTARTING THE VEHICLE ALL FUNCTIONS WERE NORMAL AND WARNING LIGHT WAS OFF. CAR WAS TAKEN TO DEALER WHERE IT WAS TEST DRIVEN AND SCANNED FOR CODES- NO PROBLEMS FOUND. THIS IS A RECALL ISSUE IN THE 2008-2009 MALIBU, BUT 2010 MODELS ARE NOT INCLUDED EVEN THOUGH THEY USE THE SAME PARTS. (GM'S RECALL #14V15300). *TR
Steering, Dec 19, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS VIBRATING AND IT WAS UNABLE TO BE TURNED IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14E044000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Steering, Dec 17, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
Steering, Dec 16, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING AT 5 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND FUNCTIONED AS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 21, 2014
THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON WHEN I SHUT OFF THE CAR IT GOES OUT ,ALSO MY BRAKE LIGHT STAYS ON ALSO WHEN IM GOING AROUND A CORNER THE CAR PULLS TO THE LEFT AND IT FEELS LIKE ITS FLOATING ALMOST I BROUGHT IT IN AD THEY SAID IT WAS SEPARATION ,I JUST PUT NEW TIRES ON IT AND IT ISN'T RIGHT, ALSO MY ELECTRICAL SOMETHING IS WRONG THE RADIO LIGHT WILL BLINK OF THEN COME ON AND GO DIM, THERE IS ALSO A ALMOST GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THEFRONT RIGHT TIRE ,I PAID ALOT OF MONEY FOR THIS CAR AND I WISH I WOULD HAVE GOT SOMETHING DIFFERENT THERE SEEMS TO BE ALOT WRONG WITH IT ,I BROUGHT IT IN ON WARRANTY AND THEY FIXED BRAKE LIGHT AND THAT'S IT, AND THEN THEY CHARGED ME FOR A LOANER CAR, {FRIENDLYCHEV}178.00.HOW CAN I BE CHARGED FOR A LOANER CAR ,AND THEY DIDN'T FIX ANYTHING ELSE WHEN IT WASUNDER WARRANTY,I GOT SCAMMED !!!! *TR