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, Dec 10, 2021
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled into a parking lot and restarted the vehicle. The vehicle was restarted, and the power steering functionality was restored. The vehicle was driven back to the residence and had not been driven since. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 14E044000 (Steering) as a possible solution however, the vehicle was not included. The failure mileage was 130,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Lane departure, Nov 9, 2021
Had test drove the vehicle everything was fine, picked the vehicle up and drove it home everything was fine, parked in the back of my house the car sat over night I go to pull it out the drive way, the power steering has gotten stuck and I mean it was STUCK!, the “power steering” light came on the dash so I tried my best to turn to just pull it back in the driveway. It was so hard to turn I thought I would brake the steering wheel. Another thing whenever I ride over a bump my radio changes stations or turns off.
Steering, Nov 4, 2021
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speed, the steering wheel felt abnormal including when making small turns. After continuing to drive, a few minutes later the power steering failed and the “power assist esp” warning message illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road, restarted the vehicle however the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the service control for the steering which is a function of the steering control module would needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 117,439.
Steering, Jun 25, 2021
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle loss control while driving at various speeds without warning. After taking the vehicle to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing, the contact replaced the struts, the axles, and inner tie rods himself however, the failure persisted. The contact then took the vehicle to a dealer where they linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14E044000 (Steering) however, the Vin was not under recall. The contact paid out of pocket to have the u-joints replaced however, the repair did not fix the failure. The contact returned the vehicle to the dealer where it remained. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Apr 5, 2021
WHEN MAKING A TURN AT ANY SPEED, THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT AND THE DASH SAYS "POWER STEERING - ESC SERVICE". TURNING OFF THE CAR AND WAITING A MINUTE TEMPORARILY FIXED THE ISSUE
Steering, Mar 30, 2021
UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, A "POWER STEERING" WARNING DISPLAYS ON THE DASH AND THE POWER STEERING DOES NOT WORK. AFTER RESTARTING THE CAR, THE POWER STEERING RESUMED OPERATING PROPERLY. THE NEXT DAY, THE SAME ISSUE OCCURRED UPON STARTING, AND WAS AGAIN REMEDIED BY RESTARTING THE CAR.
Steering, Feb 23, 2021
THE POWER STEERING ON OUR VEHICLE BEGAN RANDOMLY GOING OUT WHILE DRIVING AND WE WOULD HAVE TO STOP AND TURN THE VEHICLE OFF/ON FOR THE POWER STEERING TO RETURN. EVENTUALLY THE POWER STEERING WENT OFF AND WOULDN'T COME BACK ON.
Steering, Feb 15, 2021
UPON START UP THE ELECTRONIC STEERING CONTROL MODULE WARNING LIGHT COME ON AND UNABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR OR MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL. THE WARNING LIGHT WILL GO OFF BY TURNING THE SWITCH OFF AND RESTART THE CAR. I AM CONCERN THIS WILL EVENTUALLY HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY AND NOT A DAILY OCCURRENCE.
Steering, Other or unspecified, Feb 9, 2021
WHILE IN MOTION I TURN AND MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP AND ON THE SCREEN POWER STEERING AND ESC TRACTION CONTROL OFF POPS UP IT'S LOCKING UP MORE FREQUENTLY NOW AND THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. THEN A COUPLE DAYS LATER MY ENGINE LIGHT POPS ON I FIGURED IT WAS BECAUSE OF THE POWER STEERING ESC TRACTION CONTROL PROBLEM BUT AFTER SERVAL DAYS LATER I'M AT WORK AND THE CAR WANT START . I TRY A COUPLE TIMES AND GIVES IT SOME GAS THEN IT STARTED SO I WAS ON MY WAY THEN MAYBE 15 MINUTES DOWN THE ROAD THE STEERING WHEELS LOCKS UP AGAIN AND THE SAME MESSAGE POPS UP ON THE SCREEN THIS IS REALLY WEIRD AND AGAIN DANGEROUS.
Steering, Feb 8, 2021
WHEN DRIVING THE CAR AT 40 MPH ALL POWER STEERING WOULD BE LOST, RESULTING IN THE "SERVICE ESC" LIGHT TO COME ON THE DASHBOARD. THE ONLY WAY TO REGAIN POWER STEERING WOULD BE TO SHUT THE CAR OFF COMPLETELY AND THEN TURN IT BACK ON. I RECENTLY HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED AND THE PROBLEM WAS FOUND TO BE THE STEERING TORQUE SENSOR. THE FIX COST ME $500.
Steering, Jan 29, 2021
STARTED VEHICLE AND THE POWER STEERING STOPS WORKING AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON AND SERVICE ESC MESSAGE COMES ACROSS THE MESSAGE CENTER. WHEN THIS OCCURS THERE IS NO POWER STEERING. THIS IS DANGEROUS! THIS VEHICLE IS A 4 CYLINDER AND HAS THE ELECTRONIC STEERING, NOT HYDRAULIC STEERING. VEHICLE WAS STOPPED ON DRIVEWAY. SEARCHED SOME FORUMS AND OTHER OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE, IT APPEARS THAT A FAULTY SENSOR IN OR NEAR THE STEERING COLUMN IS THE PROBLEM.
Steering, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Jan 18, 2021
I HAD JUST LEFT THE GAS STATION AFTER FILLING UP WITH GAS I CAME TO A STOPLIGHT AND WHEN I WENT TO TAKE OFF FROM A STOP THE CAR STARTED SPUTTERING AND ONLY GOING AT VERY LOW POWER I TURNED THE CAR AROUND AND NOTICED THERE WAS A TICK IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND IT MOVED BACK AND FORTH THE STEERING BECAME HARD TO TURN AS I LOST MY POWER STEERING THEN THE CAR SHUT OFF WHEN I STARTED THE CAR AGAIN IT WAS STILL RUNNING AT HALF POWER I MANAGED TO MAKE IT BACK TO THE HOUSE AND UPON RESTARTING THE CAR IT WAS STUCK IN LIMP MODE AND WAS DISPLAYING POWER STEERING AND ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL LOTS ON THE DASH AFTER RESETTING THE CODES IT RUNS PROPERLY BUT THEN KICKS BACK INTO LIMP MODE AND LOSES STEERING ABILITY OF THE ELECTRONIC ASSIST.
Steering, Jan 6, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS HARD TO TURN AND BECAME INOPERABLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
Steering, Jan 5, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT'S NEPHEW STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AND WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN, THE ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING BECAME INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS MORE EVIDENT WHILE STOPPED OR DRIVING AT A SLOW SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN BACK TO THE RESIDENCE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Steering, Air bags, Jan 5, 2021
FROM THE MINUTE I DROVE MY CAR OFF THE LOT THE DASH HAS BEEN SAYING 'SERVICE AIRBAGS'. A WEEK AGO WHILE I WAS DRIVING I LOST POWER STEERING. THE DASH SAID 'SERVICE ESC' AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT POPPED UP ON THE DASH. IF I TURN OFF MY CAR FOR A WHILE THE POWER STEERING MAY STILL WORK WHEN I START IT BACK UP, BUT EVENTUALLY I LOSE POWER STEERING AGAIN WHILE DRIVING.
Steering, Dec 29, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST AND ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE STEERING WHEEL CEASED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. ON ANOTHER OCCASION WHILE DRIVING AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, THE STEERING CEASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED AND OPERATED AS INTENDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WARRANTY MILEAGE WAS EXCEEDED FOR THE STEERING WARRANTY REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 174,000.
Steering, Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Dec 26, 2020
STEERING GETS HARD TO MANEUVER WHILE DRIVING ALL LIGHTS COME ON ON THE DASHBOARD AND HAVE TO STOP AND RESET VEHICLE, HEADLIGHTS WORK WHEN THEY WANT TO. I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY WHEN MY STEERING GOT HARD TO USE. I HAD TO GET ON THE SHOULDER AND RESET THE BATTERY, IN ORDER TO GET HOME SAFELY
Steering, Dec 21, 2020
POWER STEERING LIGHTS UP ON DASH AND STEERING WHEEL LOCKS. HAPPENS MOSTLY WITH COLD WEATHER. WHILE DRIVING DOWN A HIGHWAY THE STEERING LOCKS. I HAVE TO STOP AND RESTART CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. ALSO. AFTER BEING PARKED. WHEN THE CAR GETS TO A COLD TEMPERATURE THE STEERING WHEEL WILL LOCK UP.
Steering, Dec 20, 2020
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ABOUT A 2 HOUR TRIP AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND AT FIRST I COULD TURN THE CAR OFF THEN BACK ON AND IT WORKED BUT ONLY A FEW MINUTE AND THE SAME NIGHT IT WENT COMPLETELY OUT AND NOW IT DOESN'T WORK AT ALL. IT'S VERY HARD TO TURN AND IT SAYS SERVICE ESC, ALSO TRACTION AND DID SAY POWER STEERING, IT ALSO SAYS THAT ESC IS OFF.
Steering, Dec 15, 2020
AFTER RECALL SERVICE FOR POWER STEERING FAILURE IT'S DOING THE SAME THING. POWER STEERING FAILS WHILE DRIVING . I HAVE TO SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTART TO RESET THE ISSUE.
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
Steering, Dec 5, 2020
LOST POWER STEERING WHEN STARTED THE CAR WHEN ITS COLD
Steering, Dec 3, 2020
MY ESC LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING AND POWER STEERING LOCKS UP. SO HAVE TO PULL OVER AND TURN CAR OFF AND BACK ON AND IT GOES AWAY FOR A LITTLE BIT THEN WILL COME BACK ON.
Steering, Electrical system, Wheels, Dec 1, 2020
I WAS DRIVING DOWN A CITY STREET WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I LOST THE ABILITY TO STEER MY ESCL CAME ON. MY WHEELS LOCKED UP.I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR IN AUGUST AND HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH IT AND I'M NOW CONCERNED AS WELL ABOUT AIRBAG SAFETY I'M SCARED ABOUT HOW RISKY AND DANGEROUS THIS CAR REALLY IS MALIBU IS MOST RECALLED VEHICLES HAD I KNOWN AHEAD I WOULD NEVER HAVE PURCHASED THIS DEADLY WEAPON. I'M 22 A SINGLE MOM WHO IS RESPONSIBLE AND NOW HAVE A VEHICLE ISSUE AND A POTENTIAL DEADLY ONE AT THAT . PLEASE DO SOMETHING IT'S NOT AN ERROR ON MY END I KNOW THAT FOR FACT. AND OF COURSE THERE'S NO DRIVING IT AT ALL. SO PLEASE TAKE TIME TO TAKE THIS MATTER SERIOUS GOD BLESS
Steering, Air bags, Service brakes, Nov 30, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR CENTER BRAKE LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE CENTER BRAKE LIGHT WAS REPAIRED TWICE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT INTERMITTENTLY THE AIR BAGS AND POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. ADDITIONALLY, AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO OPERATE AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED AND THE VEHICLE REGAINED STEERING FUNCTIONALITY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT OCCASIONALLY TWO ATTEMPTS AT RESTARTING THE VEHICLE WERE NEEDED BEFORE THE STEERING WHEEL OPERATED AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO RETRIEVE A FAILURE CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.*DT CONSUMER STATED POWER STEERING MODULE AND MOTOR HAS BEEN REPLACED.*JB