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, 2020
POWER STEERING STOPS WORKING WHILE DRIVING AND DASH DISPLAY SHOWING "ESC POWER STEERING". NEXT TIME I START CAR POWER STEERING WORKS FOR A WHILE HOWEVER THE STEERING WHEEL STARTSTWITCHING/SHAKING BY ITSELF. POWER STEERING STOPS WORKING WHILE IN MOTION AND AT OTHER TIMES UPON START UP.
Steering, Feb 17, 2020
I HAVE A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU I HAVE IT SINCE JANUARY OF 2011. THIS ISSUE HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 8 TIMES SINCE I OWE THE CAR IN DIFFERENT OCCATIONS AND THE CAR IN MOTION. TODAY, FEBRUARY 17TH, 2020 WAS THE LATEST TIME IT HAPPENED. IT IS VERY SCARY. THE CAR WHILE DRIVING GIVES ME THESE MESSAGES ON THE DASHBOARD. SERVICE ESC, ESC OFF AND POWER STEERING. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS AND IT IS ALMOST IMPOSIBLE TO MOVE IT. EVERYTIME, I TURN THE EMERGENCY LIGHTS ON, SLOW DOWN AND TURN OFF THE ENGINE, PUT CAR IN PARKING AND WHEN I THANKFULLY I TURN THE ENGINE ON AGAIN AND IT WORKS. BUT IT IS VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS AS THE CARS BEHIND ME, DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON AND ALMOST HIT ME.
Steering, Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Feb 15, 2020
SERVICE EAS WARNING LIGHT COMES ON. THEN THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON. THE SERVICE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT COMES ON & THE CAR IS VERY HARD TO CONTROL & NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS & UNSAFE.
Steering, Feb 9, 2020
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, (VEHICLE IN MOTION), I SUDDENLY LOSE POWER STEERING AND THE ABILITY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE SAFELY. IN SOME INSTANCES IT HAS HAPPENED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN OR WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY AS THE HIGHWAY COMES TO A BEND. WHILE AT A STOP SIGN/LIGHT, THE STEERING WHEEL WILL BEGIN TO RATTLE OR SHAKE AND MAKES NOISE.. THIS PROBLEM STARTED APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH AGO BUT HAS BECOME MORE FREQUENT THIS PAST WEEK. AT TIMES IF I PULL OVER AND TURN THE VEHICLE OFF FOR A SHORT TIME THEN RESTART IT, POWER STEERING IS RESTORED BUT SOMETIMES ONLY FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME AND THEN IT GOES OUT AGAIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES IN ONE DAY. I HAVE READ THAT VEHICLES, SAME MAKE AND MODEL, HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS 'SAFETY' ISSUE BUT I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY NOTICES REGARDING GETTING THIS ISSUE FIXED.
Steering, Feb 8, 2020
LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AFFECTING 2004 TO 2010 CHEVY MALIBUS. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS VEHICLE UP TO 2008 MODEL AND YET MY 2010 HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THE 2009 AND 2010 MODELS WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 7, 2020
POWER STEERING KEEPS GOING IN AND OUT. CANT DRIVE CAR VERY FAR AT ALL. WHILE DRIVING.
Steering, Feb 5, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL CEASED AND VIBRATED, WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS A SPECIAL COVERAGE FOR THE FAILURE AND TOLD THE CONTACT TO CALL THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE. KENNY ROSS CHEVROLET BUICK GMC DEALER, LOCATED AT 11250 RTE 30, IRWIN, PA 15642, WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE STEERING MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT IN ADDITION TO THE FAILURES STATED BY THE DEALER, THE TORQUE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXCEEDED 150,000 MILES THRESHOLD AND WAS NO LONGER COVERED UNDER THE SPECIAL COVERAGE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 179,028.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 2, 2020
MY STEERING GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING ALMOST CAUSED A ACCIDENT ON A HIGHAY
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 25, 2020
I STARTED MY CAR, MY TRACTION LIGHT CAME ON, AND MY SERVICE POWER STEERING LIKE CAME ON AS WELL AND I COULDN'T MOVE MY STEERING WHEEL. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND BACK AND AND IT DIDN'T HAVE AGAIN. I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S WRONG AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT ACTIONS TO TAKE.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 24, 2020
STEERING GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING, NOTICED A SLIGHT TWITCH IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN I STARTED IT UP TO LEAVE FOR WORK . IT WAS DOING THIS TWITCH WHILE IN PARK .. ON THE WAY HOME FROM WORK IT GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY
Steering, Jan 20, 2020
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND ALL THE SUDDEN THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 20, 2020
WHENEVER THE CAR STARTS, THE SERVICE ESC LIGHTS COME ON AND STAY ON. STEERING WHEEL IS VERY HARD TO TURN AND WON'T TURN UNLESS THE CAR IS IN MOTION THUS CAUSING ME TO WRESTLE WITH THE STEERING WHEEL TO MAKE A RIGHT OR LEFT TURN. EVERY MECHANIC I'VE SEEN TOLD ME TO TRADE IT IN BECAUSE THE REPAIRS ARE QUITE EXPENSIVE. THEY MENTIONED SOMETHING ABOUT REPLACING THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN. THEY ALSO COULDN'T SERVICE THE POWER STEERING BECAUSE IT'S STRICTLY ELECTRONIC. THIS IS NOT SAFE FOR ME OR MY FAMILY BECAUSE WHO KNOWS WHEN IT WILL LOCK UP FOR GOOD WHILE I'M DRIVING. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR THE PAST MONTH. PLEASE HELP ME
Steering, Jan 14, 2020
POWER STEERING FAILURE AT 80K MILES. MANY,MANY POSTS ON MALIBUS WITH SIMILAR MODULE FAILURE, THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN AND ALMOST CAUSED ME TO HIT A POLE. CAN YOU ASSIST IN GETTING ME SERVICE UNDER RECALL, THAT ALTHOUGH MAY NOT APPLY TO 2010 IS QUITE OBVIOUSLY THE SAME ISSUE THEY HAD UNDER RECALL? THANK YOU [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Jan 13, 2020
MY BREAK LIGHTS ARE REVERSED OR JUST DON'T WORK SOMETIMES. ALSO MY ESC AND POWER STEERING LIGHTS KEEP COMING ON AND MY POWER STEERING GOES OUT EVERY 10-15 MILES CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO TRY AND PULL OFF THE ROAD TO RESTART MY CAR AND RESET IT. AFTER HAVING ALMOST BEEN IN 12 ACCIDENTS DUE TO THIS PROCESS AND READING UP ON SEVERAL OTHERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUES I BELIEVE IN FULL THIS NEEDS LOOKED INTO.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 10, 2020
TWO DAYS AGO, I NOTICED THAT MY STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE WHEN I WOULD STOP AT A LIGHT OR SOMETHING BUT I COULD STILL DRIVE. THAT SAME NIGHT, I TURNED ON MY CAR TO LEAVE A PARKING LOT WHEN MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. IT WOULD NOT BUDGE. I NOTICED THAT IT SAID MY ESC SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE CHECKED. I TURNED MY CAR ON AND OFF 5 TIMES TO SEE IF IT WOULD MOVE AND IT DID NOT. ON THE 6TH TRY, THE WHEEL MOVED AND I TOOK THE CHANCE TO DRIVE MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. AFTER 2 DAYS OF WORKING ON MY CAR, THEY DETERMINED THAT SENSOR WENT BAD. AFTER LOOKING ONLINE, I SEE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT IS VERY DANGEROUS. I COMMUTE 2 HOURS ROUND TRIP EACH DAY ON THE INTERSTATE AND I AM SO THANKFUL THAT THIS HAPPENED IN A PARKING LOT.
Steering, Electrical system, Jan 8, 2020
FOR ABOUT 3 DAYS I HAVE BEEN STARTING MY CAR AND RECEIVING A MESSAGE SAYING POWER STEERING ESC WE CHECKED THE FLUIDS AND THEIR WAS POWER STEERING FLUID IN THE CAR SO I STARTED IT AGAIN AND GOT THE SAME MESSAGE. I WOULD HAVE TO START IT AT LEAST 4 OR 5 TIMES FOR MY CAR TO RESET AND SO I CAN DRIVE IT. I'VE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE YESTERDAY WHILE DRIVING I LOST CONTROL OF MY POWER STEERING ON A MAIN HIGHWAY AND MY CAR CUT COMPLETELY OFF . I COULD OF BEEN DIES AND THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS I CONTACTED THE GM DEALERSHIP AND THEY SPOKE TO ME AS IF IT WASN'T A BIG DEAL WHICH I FEEL THIS IS A VERY DEAL CONSIDERING MY DAUGHTER COULD HAVE BEEN I. THE CAR WITH ME. I SEE ALL THE RECALLS FOR THE SAME THING HAPPENING BUT THEY PULLED UP MINE AND SAID THEIR IS NO RECALL FOR MY CAR . IT MAKES NO SINCE AND I NEED ANSWERS
Steering, Jan 5, 2020
DRIVING AND POWER STEERING ICON AND ALERT COMES ON WITH TOTAL LOSS OF POWER STEERING. AS WITH OTHERS COMPLAINTS THIS IS VERY SCARY WHEN DRIVING AND HARD TO STEER. THIS IS A RISK AND HAZARD TO THOSE DRIVING AND THEIR PASSENGERS. THERE NEEDS TO BE SOMETHING DONE OR LAWSUITS WILL BE FILED AS THIS IS A REPETITIVE ISSUE IN THESE VEHICLES. RECALL!!! THIS IS RIDICULOUS CHEVY.
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 29, 2019
4 CYLINDER WITH ELECTRIC POWER STEERING IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL..I'M HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING COMPLETELY GOING OUT WHILE DRIVING IN MOTION AND PARKING .....ALSO THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS CONSTANTLY STAYS ON
Steering, Dec 23, 2019
THE STEERING LOCKS ITSELF AND THERE IS LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING. HAPPENING VERY FREQUENTLY NOW AND A WARNING LIGHT FLASHES WITH ESC SIGN. I AM SCARED I MIGHT BE AT INCREASED RISK OF ACCIDENT. IT HAPPENS 3 TO 4 TIMES WHILE WAS DRIVING AND IS HAPPENING WITH INCREASING FREQUENCY. I HAVE TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTART IT BUT AGAIN IT HAPPENS AFTER A FEW MINUTES.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 22, 2019
VEHICLE WAS WORKING GREAT AS HAS ALWAYS, UNTIL OUT OF NOWHERE , IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, I LOST ALL MOVEMENT IN MY STEERING WHEEL. IT BECAME MORE THAN IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN AND I HAD TO STOP EVERY 10 SECONDS AND TURN MY CAR OFF AND BACK ON TO TRY AND GET IT HOME. I KNOW THAT MORE THAN A FAIR SHARE OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME VEHICLE HAVING THE EXACT PROBLEM. SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING. I KNOW THAT THERE IS AN OPEN RECALL, BUT ITS NOT SHOWING MY VEHICLE HAS ANY CURRENT RECALLS, THOUGH THERE WAS ONE FOR THE POWER ASSISTED MOTOR THAT IS STILL OPEN FROM WHAT I CAN SEE. I HAVE ALWAYS TAKEN CAER OF MY VEHICLE AND NEVER HAD ANYTHING LIKE THIS HAPPEN, AM I CORRECT WITH TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP STILL TO GET IT REPLACED FROM THE RECALL?
Steering, Dec 18, 2019
MY POWER STEERING HAS JUST STOPPED WORKING. I CAN BARELY TURN MY CAR, I HAVE A BABY AND MY OTHER CHILDREN IN THE CAR WITH ME AND THIS IS DANGEROUS. I REALLY NEED THIS FIXED. I WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY TO MY BROTHERS HOUSE WHEN IT JUST STOPPED TURNING CORRECTLY.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 15, 2019
UPON DRIVING THE CAR THE ESC LIGHT AND POWER STEERING LIGHT WILL COME ON AND CARE WILL HAVE NO POWER STEERING.STEERING WHEEL ALSO MOVES ON IT'S ON AND MAKES SOUNDS INSIDE THE COLUMN. VERY DANGEROUS FOR MY WIFE TO HAVE TO DRIVE AND DROP OFF THE KIDS AT SCHOOL.NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS OUT OF THE CAR SINCE WE PURCHASED IT 3 YEARS AGO.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 14, 2019
WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET APPROACHING AN S BEND GOING DOWN HILL WITH A STEEP EMBANKMENT WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED. POWER STEERING ESC LIGHTS WENT ACTIVATED. I ALMOST WENT OVER THE EMBANKMENT BEFORE BEING ABLE TO FORCEFULLY TURN THE WHEEL AND CONTINUED TO THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL AND OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I WAS CLOSE TO HOME SO I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME. I CALLED FOR A TOW TRUCK DRIVER. WHEN HE ARRIVED THE POWER STEERING WAS FINE NO POWER STEERING MESSAGES. HE WAS AWARE OF PREVIOUS RECALLS BUT THIS VEHICLE HAS NO ACTIVE RECALL EVEN THOUGH IT IS THE EXACT PROBLEM COVERED BY SAME YEAR MAKE AND MODEL.
Steering, Nov 13, 2019
ACCELERATING FROM A STOP SIGN TO TURN LEFT OUT OF PARKING LOT ONTO SHORT STREET WHEN POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING, TRACTION LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON DASH AND SERVICE ESC CAME ON SCREEN AS WELL.
Steering, Nov 13, 2019
I WAS LEAVING A PARKING AREA WHEN MY STEERING WHEEL WAS IMMEDIATELY LOCKED WITH THE ECM "POWER STEERING." I TURNED OFF AND ON MY VEHICLE AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME USABLE AGAIN. THANK GOODNESS I WAS DRIVING WITH ZERO VEHICLES NEARBY. THIS PREMATURE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL IS A CRASH RISK.