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, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Nov 1, 2019
I WAS DRIVING AND I NOTICED A DECLINE IN POWER FROM THE MOTOR. THEN THE DASH START READING REDUCED ENGINE POWER AND ESC AND SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 29, 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, Oct 15, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN. THE CONTACT WAS BARELY ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.
Steering, Sep 25, 2019
SOMETIMES WHEN I AM DRIVING OR TURNING THE CAR ON, MY POWER STEERING INDICATION LIGHT COMES ON AND THE POWER STEERING GOES COMPLETELY OUT. ONCE I CUT THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON, IT WILL START WORKING NORMAL AGAIN. MY STEERING WHEEL SHAKES WHEN IDLING AND MAKES A TICKING NOISE. IT SAYS A RECALL SIMILAR TO MY ISSUE WAS ALREADY REPAIRED ON THE VEHICLE BUT I DO NOT BELIEVE IT WAS PROPERLY FIXED.
Steering, Aug 28, 2019
CAR NOTED POWER STEERING ON THE DASH. WENT TO ALL LOCAL MACHANICS FOR THEM TO SAY THAT IT'S A FUSE THAT NOONE CARRIES. EVERY SINCE I OWNED MY MALIBU IT HAS BEEN RANDOM THINGS THAT I AS A BUYER THINK CHEVY SHOULD HAVE FIXED. THE REAR TAIL LIGHT FOR EXAMPLE 6 OUT OF 10 MALIBU THIRD BRAKE LIGHT IS OUT WHY? IT'S A COSTLY FIX. BUT THIS WITH THE STEERING IS OUT OF THE BLUE AND LOOKS AS IF I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE LOOKING AT THESE YOUTUBE VIDEOS THEY ARE AN ISSUE.. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME
Steering, Aug 18, 2019
VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN POWER STEERING STARTED SHAKING LEFT TO RIGHT BUT THERE WERE NO WARNINGS ON THE DASH ABOUT POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONS. TIRES ARE NEW AND AT THE PROPER AIR SETTINGS.
Steering, Jun 10, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT AND "POWER STEERING DRIVE WITH CARE" APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO JIM ELLIS CHEVROLET (5900 PEACHTREE BLVD, ATLANTA, GA 30341, (678) 534-7333), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.
Steering, Wheels, May 23, 2019
EVERYTIME I DRIVING I LOSE THE CONTROL OF THE WHEEL BECAUSE IT START TO SHAKE EVEN WHEN IS PARKING. THE WHEEL SHAKES A LOT VERY DANGEROUS DRIVING
Steering, Exterior lighting, May 9, 2019
THE HEADLIGHT OF THE CAR KEEP BURNING OFF, I HAVE CHANGED THE BULB 5 OR 6 TIMES IN EACH SIDE, SND WE CHANGE THE CONNECTORS ONE TIME. SO ANNOYING. IT IS VERY HATD TO REPLACE TEM AND LABOR IS SO EXPENSIVE. I HAVE A POWER STEERING, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) ISSUE WITH THE SAME CAR. VERY SCARY. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS AND YOU CAN NOT STEER. THANKFULLY THERE WERE NO CARS AND NOTHING MAJOR HAPPENED. WE GOT SO SCARED. IT HAS HAPPEN TO TIMES WHILE DRIVING IT.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 23, 2019
THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD TWITCH THEN IT BECAME VERY HARD TO TURN WHILE IN MOTION. THE POWER STEERING AND ESC OFF LIGHTS CAME ON
Steering, Apr 17, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED PERIODICALLY. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL VIOLENTLY VIBRATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
Steering, Apr 17, 2019
WHILE DRIVING, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND IT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE WHEEL AT APPROXMATLY 50 MPH. CONTACTED GM ABOUT THIS ISSUE, SINCE SIMILAR MODELS OF THE SAME YEAR, WITH DIFFERENT VIN NUMBERS, HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS SAME EXACT ISSUE AND THEY REFUSED TO CONSIDER REPAIRING THE VEHICLE, JUST BECAUSE MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, BUT THE SAME FAULTY PARTS ARE IN THE CAR.
Steering, Apr 15, 2019
STEERING WHEEL GETS STUCK WHEN VEHICLE IS ON. IT HAPPENED TWICE WHILE TRYING TO GET OUT OF MY PARKING SPACE.
Steering, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Mar 30, 2019
I HAVE REPLACED MY PASSENGER HEADLIGHTS SEVERAL TIMES AND BLUB KEEPS BLOWING OUT. I AM TIRED OF REPLACING IT AND VERY COSTLY BECAUSE OF THE LABOR IT TAKES TO REPLACE IT. ALL OF SUDDEN MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT. I WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING STALL AND LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR. I WAS ABLE TO PUT IT BACK IN DRIVE TO GET THE CAR OUT OF THE WAY. WHEN I TURNED IT OFF AND RESTARTED THE CAR IT DROVE NORMAL. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS.
Steering, Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 28, 2019
MY STEERING IS LOCKING UP AND VIBRATING. IF TURNING THE STEERING AND KEY AT SAME TIME IT STARTS BACK WORKING.AND MY DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT. I'VE HAD THE WAITING HARNESS CHANGED AND IT STILL CONTINUE TO NOT WORK.
Steering, Electrical system, Mar 27, 2019
I LOST POWER STEERING IN CAR THE RACK AND PINION STEERING AND THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MODULE FAILED ON MY CAR . THIS HAPPENED ON THE CITY STREET DRIVING. THIS HFF AS NOT BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ISSUES 14E044000 7/24/14 STEERING COMPONENT , 14V252000 5/14/2014 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WARNING.
Steering, Mar 26, 2019
WHEN I TURN MY CAR ON, A MESSAGE POPS UP SAYING "POWER STEERING" AND MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP (CAR IS STATIONARY AT THE TIME SINCE I'M TURNING IT ON). I AM UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AT ALL MAKING MY CAR UNDRIVEABLE. I HAVE TO TURN MY CAR ON AND OFF ABOUT 3-5 TIMES BEFORE THE STEERING WHEEL "UNLOCKS" ITSELF AND I'M ABLE TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL AGAIN. WHILE I'M DRIVING THROUGH THE HIGHWAY, CITY STREETS AND ALSO WHEN MY CAR IS IN PARKED THE STEERING WHEEL SEEMS TO DO SOME KIND OF GLITCHING MOVEMENT BY TIGHTENING THE STEERING WHEEL FOR ABOUT HALF A SECOND, LUCKILY IT HASN'T INTERFERED WITH MY DRIVING (AT LEAST NOT YET). WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL GLITCHES THERE'S A TIGHTING FEELING THE STEERING WHEEL GETS AND SHAKES WHEN IT HAPPENS. EACH TIME IT DOES THAT IT LAST ABOUT HALF SECOND OR SO, BUT IT HAPPENS MULTIPLE TIMES BACK TO BACK SO THE WHOLE THING LAST A FEW SECONDS. THE "GLITCHING/TIGHTENING" ALSO HAPPENS WHEN I'M STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN, ALSO THE MOMENT THE STEERING WHEEL STARTS TO GLITCH/TIGHTEN UP I CAN FEEL SOMETHING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AS WELL. IT FEELS AS IF THE GLITCH RUNS THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL AND DOWN THROUGH THE BRAKE PEDAL. I HAVEN'T HAD ANY ISSUES WITH MY BRAKES YET. BUT THIS ISSUE WITH MY STEERING WHEEL IS GETTING WORSE WITH EACH PASSING DAY THE STEERING WHEEL TIGHTENS UP MORE AND MORE AND WHILE I'M DRIVING THOSE "GLITCHES/TIGHTENING" ARE BECOMING MORE FREQUENT AND STRONGER TOO
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 25, 2019
POWER STEERING. IS GOING OUT 3 DAYS AFTER GETTING FOR MY BIRTHDAY FEB SALESMAN NEW IT CUZ HE SEEN LIGHTS ON DASH BUT KEPT SAYING JUST DRIVE IT WELL MY EXTRA COVERAGE WARRANTY IT DOES NOT COVER CRAZY HUH CUZ I HAVE BEEN TOLD2 TIMES DIFFERENT MECHANIC THAT THERE WAS OR SHOULD OF BEEN A RECALL. DRIVING AND POWER STEERING GOES OUT IT IS SCARY..
Steering, Mar 25, 2019
EPS GOING OUT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 21, 2019
POWER STEERING HAS GONE OUT IN THE CAR, GETTING ESC REPAIR LIGHT AND POWER STEERING LIGHTS ON THE CONSOLE. EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN, ESPECIALLY AT LOW SPEEDS. OCCURED WHILE DRIVING IN THE CITY.
Steering, Mar 20, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING SEIZED AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT HAD TO RESTART THE VEHICLE FOR IT TO OPERATE NORMALLY. EAST PAT O'BRIEN CHEVROLET (2810 BISHOP RD, WILLOUGHBY HILLS, OH 44092, (440) 348-0553) WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 19, 2019
ELECTRIC POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING ON MATCH 18, 2019. I WAS TURNING RIGHT ONTO BUSY 4 LANE CITY STREET FROM A PARKING LOT, SPEED < 5 MPH. COULD NOT TURN INTO RIGHT LANE, STRUGGLED TO SWING CAR INTO LEFT LANE W/O CROSSING MEDIAN. IT WAS NOT SIMPLY A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. I'VE DRIVEN OLD CARS THAT NEVER HAD POWER STEERING AND THIS WAS 10 TIMES MORE DIFFICULT TO STEER. I THINK I STRAINED A MUSCLE IN MY SHOULDER. TURNING DID NOT GET EASIER AS I ACCELERATED, EVENTUALLY TO ABT 40 MPH. STRUGGLED THROUGH 3 MORE HAIR RAISING TURNS (ALL TURNS MADE) BEFORE PARKING IT AT HOME. THE ESC/TCS INDICATOR CAME ON IN THE PARKING LOT AND STAYED ON. ERROR MSGS DISPLAYED WERE POWER STEERING, SERVICE ESC, SERVICE AIR BAG. I HEARD NO CHIMES. WE GAVE MY DAUGHTER THIS USED CAR IN 2015. SHE HAD COMPLAINED A COUPLE OF WEEKS PRIOR THAT STEERING SOMETIMES BECAME DIFFICULT. A SEARCH BY VIN SHOWS NO INCOMPLETE RECALLS. IT WOULD BE EXTREMELY USEFUL TO KNOW IF THIS CAR WAS PART OF A RECALL(S) AND THEN REPAIRED. IF IT WAS, IT WAS REPAIRED INCORRECTLY, NOT ALL PROBLEMS WERE RESOLVED, OR THE PARTS USED HAVE A SHORT LIFE SPAN. IF GM ISN'T COVERING THIS SITUATION, THAT'S A CRIME. ALSO, IF NOT COVERED BY GM I'LL TAKE IT TO OUR REGULAR MECHANIC SINCE HIS WORK IS MORE RELIABLE THAN THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP'S. IF MY BABY HAD BEEN HURT IN THIS DEATH TRAP, HEADS WOULD'VE ROLLED - METAMORPHICALLY OF COURSE. I'LL ALSO BE CONSULTING A LAWYER.
Steering, Mar 19, 2019
WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREETS MY STEERING WOULD GO OUT AND IT FELT LIKE I HAD NO CONTROL OF THE STEERING. ONCE I TRY TO BREAK THE STEERING FEELS REALLY OUT OF CONTROL. I TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY PUT IT ON THE DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE AND FIND NOTHING. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES WITH THE MOST RECENT 3 WEEKS AGO. THEN IT DRIVES FINE. FYI MY ECM LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND I WOULD TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY WOULD JUST RESET THE COMPUTER AND SAY IT WAS A MALFUNCTION BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THREE WEEKS AGO WHEN THIS HAPPENED I WAS CLOSE TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY INFORMED ME THERE WA A RECALL ON CERTAIN 2010 MODELS AND OF COURSE NOT MINE AND IT'S HAPPENING TO ME AND IT IS VERY FRIGHTENING.
Steering, Mar 18, 2019
HARD TURNING STEERING WHEEL STEERING WHEEL SHAKES
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 14, 2019
I WAS DRIVING WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE STEERING WENT OUT. IT SAYS ESC AND POWER STEERING ON MY DASH.