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 14, 2018
DRIVING AND MY ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WENT OUT CAUSING THE CAR HARD TO CONTROL . 2.4 FUR CYLINDER CHEVY MALIBU 2010 THE DASHBOARD LIT UP POWER STEERING LOSS
Steering, Service brakes, Dec 7, 2018
ON 12. 06. 2018 THE POWER STEERING CODE C0454. LAST YEAR NOV. 2018, IT WAS THE TIMING CHAIN, THEN THE ESC, WHICH IS STILL UNRESOLVED , THEN I HAD TO PUT IN A NEW TRANSMISSION.
Steering, Dec 3, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT. IN ADDITION, THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND AN ABNORMAL BEEPING NOISE WAS HEARD. THE CONTACT CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER (MARK CHEVROLET, 33200 MICHIGAN AVE, WAYNE, MI 48184, (734) 307-0785) WHERE A SERVICE APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: [XXX]. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED ABOUT A SPECIAL WARRANTY AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *AN
Steering, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Dec 2, 2018
CAR HAS BEEN HAVING ALL THE PROBLEMS SINCE I GOT IT , AND NOW JUST BY DOING RESEARCH I SEEN THAT THEY HAD A LOT OF THESE CARS RECALLED
Steering, Dec 1, 2018
POWER STEERING LIGHTS SHOWER. THE WHEEL STARED TO SHAKES AND THE WHEEL LOSE CONTROL
Steering, Dec 1, 2018
JUST BOUGHT A USED 2010 MALIBU WITH 2.4L ENGINE FOR MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER. AFTER SEVERAL DAYS, WHEN TRYING TO TEACH HER PARALLEL PARKING, THE STEERING BEGAN LOCKING UP AND STEERING SYSTEM WARNING IS DISPLAYED. WHEN IT LOCKS UP, THE WHEEL CANNOT BE MOVED AT ALL, REGARDLESS OF VEHICLE SPEED. STEERING CONTROL ONLY RETURNS AFTER SHUTTING THE ENGINE DOWN, WAITING A FEW SECONDS, THEN STARTING IT BACK UP. THE CAR HAS DONE THIS SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE LAST WEEK. IT HASN'T HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY YET, BUT AFTER CHECKING INTO THIS ONLINE, I FIND THAT IT IS A VERY COMMON COMPLAINT WITH THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM INSTALLED ON THIS AND OTHER GM VEHICLES. I ALSO FOUND THAT IT REPORTEDLY HAPPENS ON HIGHWAY, AND WHEN IT DOES, THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED IN WHATEVER POSITION IT WAS IN WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURRED, LEAVING THE DRIVER ABSOLUTELY NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. NEEDLESS TO SAY, THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION, AND I FIND IT VERY HARD TO BELIEVE THAT A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED IN REGARDS TO THIS. IT HAS REPORTEDLY BEEN A COMMON COMPLAINT WITH THE MALIBU WITH 2.4L ENGINE FOR SEVERAL YEARS. IF THERE IS NOT CURRENTLY A FEDERAL INVESTIGATION IN PROGRESS REGARDING THIS COMPLAINT, THERE NEEDS TO BE ASAP. I'M THINKING RIGHT NOW THAT I SHOULDN'T LET MY DAUGHTER DRIVE THE CAR. IT'S SCARY.
Steering, Nov 22, 2018
MY POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING. THE STEERING GOT REALLY HEAVY, AND TRYING TO TURN THE WHEEL FELT NOTCHY, LIKE THE POWER STEERING MOTOR WAS FIGHTING ME. I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT WHEN THIS HAPPENED. A TRIANGLE SHAPED YELLOW WARNING LIGHT CAME UP. I THINK THE WARNING MESSAGE BELOW IT WAS ESC TRACTION OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. AFTER TURNING OFF THE CAR AND LETTING IT REST FOR 1.5 HOURS, THE CAR STARTED AND THE STEERING WORKED LIKE NORMAL. NO WARNING LIGHT, MESSAGE, OR ISSUES. I DON'T KNOW WHEN THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. I SEE LOTS OF PEOPLE HAVE THIS ISSUE WITH THE SAME MODEL YEAR MALIBU. THIS CAR HAS 85K MILES ON IT.
Steering, Electrical system, Nov 20, 2018
POWER STEERING LOCKS WHEN DRIVING AND I HAVE NO CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL
Steering, Nov 15, 2018
POWER STEERING SUDDENLY WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING, I MADE IT HOME SAFELY THEN THE NEXT DAY CAR DROVE AS IF NOTHING WAS WRONG, POWER STEERING FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. THE FOLLOWING DAY POWER STEERING WENT OUT AGAIN AS I WAS TURNING THE CORNER. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THEN RESTARTED, THEN IT DROVE FINE UNTIL I PULLED IN MY DRIVEWAY THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AGAIN. FOR THE LAST 4 DAYS IT HAS BEEN GOING IN AND OUT AT WILL.
Steering, Nov 14, 2018
WHILE DRIVING ESC LIGHT CAME ON POWER STEERING ISSUE DISPLAYED AND POWER STEERING FAILED. STOPPED AND TURNED CAR OFF; UPON RESTART NO ISSUE.
Steering, Nov 13, 2018
POWER STEERING GOES IN AND OUT. ETC LIGHT COMES ON AND FLASHES POWER STEERING FAILURE. UPON READING, GM ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS BUT OUR DEALER HAS NO RECALL INFORMATION ON THIS. SAFETY ISSUE, COULD LEAD TO A CRASH
Steering, Nov 13, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JERKED LEFT TO RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.
Steering, Oct 26, 2018
MY 2010 CHEVY MALIBU IS LOSING POWER STEERING DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, THE SERVICE ECM IS DISPLAYING AND THEN THE POWER STEERING FAILURE IS ON THE DASH. I CAN GET THE POWER STEERING TO TURN BACK ON ONCE I TURN THE ENGINE OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN BUT IT CONTINUES TO SHUT OFF.
Steering, Wheels, Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 17, 2018
I FOUND A COMPLAINT BEFORE ABOUT THE POWER STEERING GOING OUT ON MY CAR. TODAY IS OCTOBER 17TH 2018 THE INCIDENT HAPPENED AT ABOUT 5:50 IN THE MORNING MY WIFE WAS DRIVING TO WORK IN THE VEHICLE ON THE FREEWAY AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AGAIN AND THE WHEEL LOCKED UP AND TURNT THE CAR ONTO A CONSTRUCTION SHE WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. SHE TELLS ME THAT EVERY LIGHT CAME ON AND STARTED FLASHING THEN IT WENT AWAY AND SAID ESE, NO POWER STEERING, SERVICE, NO TRACTION. SHE TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND STARTED IT BACK UP AND EVERYTHING WORKED AGAIN, THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN ONE TIME AND EACH YEAR IS HAPPENING MORE AND MORE.
Steering, Aug 30, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT ALSO HEARD A CLICKING NOISE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE CONTACT HAD TO CONSTANTLY MANEUVER THE STEERING WHEEL, WHICH WAS EXTREMELY TIGHT WHEN TURNING IT IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE DEALER (ROSS DOWNING CHEVROLET, 600 S MORRISON BLVD, HAMMOND, LA 70403, 866-206-4720) INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED IN 2014 PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14E044000 (STEERING). SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY CURRENT RECALLS, THE DEALER DID NOT OFFER TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP, BUT THE CLICKING NOISE AND STEERING WHEEL FAILURES CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED ONE RECALL FOR THIS YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL VEHICLE WITH 11 TSBS FOR THE STEERING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,497.
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 15, 2018
WHILE DRIVING MY CAR ON THE HIGHWAY OUT OF NOWHERE POWER ENGINE REDUCED WOULD COME UP ON THE DASH AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND TRANSMISSION AND TRACTION WARNING LIGHTS WOULD SHOW ON DASH AS WELL ALSO POWER STEERING SHOW ON DASH AND THE CAR JERK A LITTLE AND THE SPEEDOMETER AND FUEL HAND WOULDN'T MOVE
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Aug 14, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AND MAKING TURNS, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AND SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO DECELERATE AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE INCREASED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,615.
Steering, Engine, Jul 10, 2018
EVERYTIME I TURN LEFT THERE IS SOME KIND OF CLICKING GRINDING NOISE.
Steering, Jul 3, 2018
MY 2010 MALIBU HAS STARTED TO HAVE ALL SORTS OF STEERING ISSUES, I HAVE HAD A LOT OF THE SAME ISSUES OTHERS HAVE HAD, MY ESC AND POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON, I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED IT AND IT WORKED LIKE "NORMAL" BUT SINCE THEN THERE IS A LOT OF PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL, AND EVEN IF YOU ARE SITTING STILL, THE WHEEL ITSELF MAKES A SUDDEN LITTLE JERK TYPE MOVEMENT. IS THERE ANYTHING OUT THERE TO FIX THESE ISSUES???
Steering, Jun 20, 2018
POWER STEERING LOCKED WHEN DRIVING ONTO RAMP. CARS ALMOST HIT ME , I WAS ABLE TO GO TO CURB. CARS GOING FAST AND ALMOST HIT!
Steering, Jun 15, 2018
MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND I WAS UNABLE TO STEER WHILE ON THE FREEWAY.
Steering, May 22, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE ESC WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUBURBAN CHEVROLET (12475 PLAZA DRIVE, EDEN PRAIRIE, MN 55344) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 99,000. *TT
Steering, May 4, 2018
MAY 4TH 2018 I WAS DRIVING AND STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO SHAKE AND TIGHTEN UP, I PULLED OVER AND PUT ON HAZARD LIGHTS , IT FELT IF I HAD A FLAT TIRE , POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON, I SHUT CAR OFF THAT TURNED BACK ON PROCEEDED TO PULL ON TO HIGHWAY AND CAR SEEMED FINE AGAIN , I AM SCARED TO DRIVE.
Steering, Apr 29, 2018
POWER STEERING COMPLETELY GOES OUT
Steering, Apr 26, 2018
POWER STEERING ISSUE STARTED IN DECEMBER 2017 TO PRESENT. WHEN I WOULD START MY CAR IT WAS HARD TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL THIS HAS HAPPEN 34 TIMES I HAD TO TURN THE CAR OFF THEN RESTART THE CAR PROBLEM WENT A AWAY 4 TIMES WHILE DRIVING ON DOWN THE STREET AND HIGHWAY THE POWER STEERING WOULD GO OUT. HAVE TO STOP TURN THE CAR OFF. RESTART THE CAR. CHEVY ON JANUARY 26, 2018 I HAVE CALL ABOUT THIS PROBLEM THEY HAVE TOLD ME THERE IS A RECALL THE NUMBER IS 15356 CORPORATE OFFICE TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER SEE IF A CODE SHOWS UP IF THE PROBLEM GOES AWAY. AND NO CODE THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT. I HAVE TOLD THEM ANYTHING HAPPENS I WILL HOLD THEM RESPONSIBLE. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO THE DEALER THEY RAN A TEST TOLD ME NO CODE CAME UP.THE LAST TIME WAS NOT GOOD. ON APRIL 25 2018 I HAVE TO START MY CAR 3 TIMES DO TO THE STEERING WHEEL WAS HARD TO TURN MESSAGE CAME UP SAYING SERVICE ESC THEN ESC IS OFF. WHEN LEAVE FROM THE PLACE I WAS AT THE SAME THING HAPPEN AGAIN. BUT WHILE DRIVING ON THE STREET THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT HAD TO COME TO A STOP. TURN THE CAR OFF, AND ON SO I COULD DRIVE HOME. THIS 2 TIMES ON THE SAME NIGHT. MILEAGE WAS AROUND 89,000 NOT SURE