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, Electrical system, Air bags, Nov 26, 2020
I BOUGHT MY CAR USED FROM A BUY HERE PAY HERE AND MAYBE A MONTH OR SO AFTER BUYING MY CAR I STARTED NOTICING DIFFERENT LITTLE QUIRKS HERE AND THERE WITH MY CAR, LIKE IF IT'S WET OUTSIDE MY BRAKE LIGHTS EITHER DO NOT WORK OR IT LOOKS LIKE I AM RIDING MY BREAKS, IF IT'S WET OUT MY CAR HESITANTS WHILE DRIVING, MY CHECK AIR BAGS LIGHT IS ON, THE TRACTION CONTROL SIGNAL IS ON, MY STEERING ARM MAKES A VERY WEIRD NOISE SOMETIMES THE LIST GOES ON AND WHEN I DECIDED TO CHECK AND SEE IF MY CAR HAD ANY RECALLS ON IT, TO MY DISCOVERY THERE IS AT LEAST 4 ONE JUST FROM 2019 AND ALL SOUNDS SO VERY MUCH LIKE WHAT MY CAR HAS BEEN DOING FOR MONTHS. I AM HOPING TO RECEIVE SOME INFORMATION BACK ON WHAT TO DO NEXT.
Steering, Nov 2, 2020
AFTER TURNING, POWERSTEERING CUT OFF. THE WARNING MESSAGE "POWER STEERING- SERVICE ESC" APPEARED. I TURNED THE CAR OFF, TURNED IT BACK ON, AND POWER STEERING WAS RE ENGAGED.
Steering, Sep 26, 2020
WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 30 MPH WHEN POWER STEERING GAVE OUT AND I COULD HARDLY STEER THE VEHICLE.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 14, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN WITH THE SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, SHE WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THE CONTACT STATED SHE WAS ABLE TO SHIFT INTO DRIVE GEAR AFTER 2 HOURS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO UNKNOWN LOCAL DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE CONTROL MODULE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Steering, Sep 10, 2020, crash, fire
THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED PREVENTING ME FROM HAVING CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHICH RESULTED INTO ME HITTING THE BACK OF ANOTHER VEHICLE CAUSING A ROLLOVER ACCIDENT ON A CITY STREET AND MY CAR IS TOTALLY DAMAGED
Steering, Jun 29, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND ATTEMPTING A RIGHT TURN, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE STEERING OPERATED AS INTENDED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL DAYS LATER. STERLING MCCALL CHEVROLET (17800 NORTH FWY, HOUSTON, TX 77090, 281-397-8600) WAS CONTACTED AND AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO PAY TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 26, 2020
WE HAVE REPLACED THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING (EPS) TORQUE SENSOR TWICE, WITH DIFFERING BRANDS (AC DELCO, AND CAN'T REMEMBER THE OTHER). SINCE IT'S AN ISSUE WITH THE EPS, THE TRACTION CONTROL IS OUT/DISABLED AS WELL. THE CAR FEELS LIKE IT COULD BE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE, CONSIDERING IT'S A FULL SIZE SEDAN AND THE OPERATOR IS 115LBS WITH HER CHILDREN IN THE CAR. IT'S EXCEPTIONALLY DIFFICULT TO STEER AT SLOWER SPEEDS, AND ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE PARKED. THE DEALERSHIP SHE BOUGHT IT FROM, NOR THE LOCAL CHEVY DEALERSHIP WILL TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY, AND SHE CAN'T AFFORD TO SINK EVEN MORE MONEY INTO THE CAR. THIS IS RATHER OUTRAGEOUS CONSIDERING THE CAR IS NORMALLY MAINTAINED AND THE DEALERSHIP SHE BOUGHT IT FROM WAS AWARE OF THE ISSUE AS SHE HAD BROUGHT IT TO THEIR SERVICE CENTER (DUE TO PURCHASED WARRANTY AT THE TIME) WHERE WHATEVER-THEY-DID RESET THE LIGHT, BUT THE ISSUE RECURRED LATER ON. DATE GIVEN IS APPROXIMATELY THE MONTH ISSUES BEGAN TO GET SIGNIFICANTLY WORSE. THE ISSUE STARTED QUITE SOME TIME AGO. THIS HAS NOT RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT STRICTLY DUE TO THE OPERATORS OVER-ABUNDANCE OF CAUTION. MILEAGE I REPORT IS APPROXIMATE, BUT CERTAINLY WAS LOWER THAN THE NUMBER GIVEN WHEN IT BEGAN. *TR
Steering, May 17, 2020
WHILE TRAVELING VEHICLE WILL BE RUNNING NORMALLY THEN IT WILL SHOW THE POWER STEERING LIGHT GIVING A SHORT WARNING, THEN THE POWER STEERING WILL NOT BE ABLE TO OPERATE, HAVE TO PULL OVER AND RESTART THE CAR.
Steering, Electrical system, Service brakes, Apr 29, 2020
MY CHECK ENGINE, POWER STEERING, SERVICE ESC, ESC OFF, BRAKE SYSTEM (!), ABS SYSTEM LIGHTS ALL FLASH, AND ALL OF MY GAUGES FLUCTUATE SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE SAME PROBLEM KEEPS OCCURRING, AND I HAVE HAD MY CONTROL COMPUTER NODULE REPLACED, AS WELL AS MY POWER STEERING MODULE REPLACED AT LYNCH CHEVROLET IN KENOSHA, WI. WHILE DRIVING MY CAR SHIFTS/JERKS, AND MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP, ALMOST CAUSING ME TO CRASH. WHEN I COME TO A STOP AT A LIGHT OR SIGN, MY CAR DOES NOT WANT TO ACCELERATE, CAUSING ME TO BE IN AN INTERSECTION FOR LONGER THAN NORMAL BECAUSE MY CAR WON'T TAKE OFF. THE VEHICLE ALSO JERKS INTO DIFFERENT GEARS WHILE ALL OF THESE SERVICE LIGHTS ARE FLASHING. THIS FEELS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE, AND THE PROBLEM CANNOT BE RESOLVED. IT STARTED IN JANUARY AND IS CONTINUING TO HAPPEN DESPITE REPLACING PARTS.
Steering, Apr 26, 2020
MY CAR STEERING WHEEL IS HARD TO TURN WHILE IN MOTION, TURNING, BACKING OUT AND THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES AND RATTLES AS WELL WHILE SITTING STILL OR MOVING IT MAKES THIS RATTLE SOUND RIGHT BEFORE IT GETS TIGHT. I HAVE CALLED CHEVROLET ABOUT THE ISSUE MY MECHANIC LOOKED TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE CAR AND THERE WAS. WHEN I CALLED CHEVROLET THEY STATED THAT THERE WASN'T. I HAVE ALSO SEEN ONLINE MYSELF THAT THERE IS A RECALL AND OTHERS ARE HAVING THE VERY SAME ISSUE. THE RECALL NUMBER IS 14E044000 STEERING SHAFT.
Steering, Apr 6, 2020
POWER STEERING HAS BEGUN TO FAIL. MILEAGE AT 106,000. GENERALLY HAPPENS AT LOW SPEEDS. ALL CONTROL IS LOST MAKING IT DIFFICULT/IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER VEHICLE. MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. ISSUE IS RESOLVED WITH A RESTART, HOWEVER SOMETIMES IT DOES COME BACK ALMOST IMMEDIATELY.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 24, 2020
WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, IN A CURVE, THE POWER STEERING QUIT WORKING, THE WHEELS TURNED STRAIGHT AND I HAD TO SLAM ON MY BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING THE BARRIER WALL. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTING IT, THE POWER STEERING BEGAN WORKING AGAIN. THE POWER STEERING NOW QUITS WORKING AFTER A MILE OF DRIVING, ONLY TO START WORKING AGAIN AFTER A RESTART OF THE ENGINE. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR AROUND 20,000 MILES.
Steering, Mar 19, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER SON WAS DRIVING AND ATTEMPTING TO STOP, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CHUCK NICHOLSON INC LOCATED AT (7190 OHIO 39, MILLERSBURG, OH 44654), TO BE DIAGNOSED WHICH WAS STILL PENDING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 72,000.
Steering, Mar 17, 2020
I STARTED MY CAR AFTER SITTING ON THE DRIVEWAY SERVICE ESC LIGHT CAME ON AND HAD NO POWER STEERING, THIS IS THE 2ND TIME IN IN 2 DAYS. I WAS ABLE TO RESET MY CAR WITH MY SNAPON MODIS SCANNER. THIS HAPPENED WITH NO PAOWER STEERING THE PREVIOUS DAY FOR MY SON
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 17, 2020
WHEN I STARTED THE CAR THE STEERING WHEEL TWITCHES ON ITS OWN AND WHEN I'M DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL GETS STIFF AND IT SAYS SERIVCE ESC/POWERSTEERING.
Steering, Mar 13, 2020
THE POWER STEERING LOCKS UP AND I LOOSE POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING MAKING IT VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. THIS KEEPS ON HAPPENING AND IT SAYS I DO NOT HAVE A RECALL BUT THIS IS HAPPENING TO MY VEHICLE EVERY DAY AND I DO NOT HAVE MORE THAN ONE VEHICLE TO DRIVE.
Steering, Mar 12, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING CEASED WITH THE SERVICE ESC WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14E044000 (STEERING) TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Mar 11, 2020
POWER STEERING NEEDS SERVICED. STEERING WHEEL SHAKES SIDE TO SIDE. IT CAN TAKE MULTIPLE TIMES TO START IT BEFORE IT WILL WORK. DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IT GOES OUT.
Steering, Mar 7, 2020
POWER STEERING WILL RANDOMLY GO OUT. I HAVE TO TURN MY VEHICLE OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON AND THEN IT WORKS PERFECTLY NORMAL. WHEN THIS HAPPENS I AM MOVING AND IN THE PROCESS OF TURNING. IT HAS HAPPENED ONCE IN JANUARY AND ONCE IN MARCH NOW. IN JANUARY I TOOK IT TO RUN A DIAGNOSTICS ON IT RIGHT AFTER AND NOTHING CAME UP.
Steering, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Mar 4, 2020
DROVE TO THE STORE AND WHEN I STARTED MY CAR TO LEAVE MY STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED UP AND ON MY DASH READ POWER STEERING, SERVICE ESC, SERVICE AIR BAG AND TRACTION LIGHT WAS ON.
Steering, Mar 2, 2020
SERVICE ESC LIGHT COMES ON AND THEN YOU LOOSE YOUR STEERING
Steering, Mar 2, 2020
POWER STEERING GOING OUT. ESC FOR OFF. IT IS THEN VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER THE CAR. I HAVE TO PULL OVER SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. WAIT A FEW MINUTES AND TURN THE CAR BACK ON. I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN 4 TIMES IN A 3 MILE DRIVE.
Steering, Feb 24, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE STEERING WAS DIFFICULT TO TUN IN EITHER DIRECTION. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,000.
Steering, Feb 23, 2020
THE STEERING WHEEL TWITCHES EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS NOT MOVING. A POWER STEERING ERROR MESSAGE COMES ACROSS THE DISPLAY RANDOMLY ON CERTAIN INSTANCES OF STARTING THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE MESSAGE DISPLAYS, THE POWER STEERING FAILS ALTOGETHER. TURNING THE CAR OFF AND STARTING IT AGAIN RE-ESTABLISHES THE POWER STEERING, HOWEVER THE TWITCHING OF THE STEERING WHEEL CONTINUES. MALIBUS OF SIMILAR YEARS HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 21, 2020
ON THE DASH POWER STEERING WARNING COMES ON ALONG WITH SERVICE ESC THEN ESC IS OFF. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING WHILE DRIVING. THE POWER STEERING WILL CUT OFF.. ALSO OF I'M IDLE THE STEERING WHEEL WILL START JERKING BY ITS SELF