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
1,363 reports, newest first.
Suspension, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Dec 2, 2019
I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM CREST AUTO MALL AND 1 WEEK LATER THE SUSPENSIONS GETS MESSED UP AND THEN 1 MONTH LATER THE ENGINE BLOWS UP NOW MY CAR IS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY!
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Traction control system, Service brakes, Nov 29, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE UNINTENTIONALLY ACCELERATED AND THEN SLOWED DOWN. THE ESC AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KRAMER TIRE (6628 PROVIDENCE RD, VIRGINIA BEACH, VA 23464, (757) 346-5739) WHERE THE FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE PASSENGER SIDE CV JOINT WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.
Exterior lighting, Nov 24, 2019
MY PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT WONT STAY ON. WHEN IT DIED I WENT TO REPLACE IT AND IT TURNED ON SO I WENT TO PUT IT BACK TOGETHER AND IT TURNED OFF AGAIN, SO I TOOK IT BACK A PART. I WENT THROUGH THAT A FEW TIMES BEFORE GIVING UP
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Nov 19, 2019
BRAKE LIGHTS CONSTANTLY STAY ON 24/7. SERVICE ESC,TRACITION, AND SVC TIRE MONITOR LIGHTS STAY ON DASH. INTERIOR LIGHTS DIM IN AND OUT IF THE WINDOW BUTTONS ARE PUSHED. PASSENGER DOOR GLITCHES SOMETIMES WILL NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE NOR OUT. LOCKING UNLOCKING STILL NOTHING. ETC... ETC.. OIL CONSUMPTION!!! I'M LOSING 100$S OVERTIME CONSTANTLY HAVING TO PUT A QUART IN DUE TO LOSING A QUART IN A DAYS TIME LIKE MAKES NO SENSE
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.
Power train, Wheels, Engine, Nov 11, 2019
CAR HESITATES TO CHANGE GEARS AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND STALLS AFTER DRIVING REASONABLY SHORT DISTANCES. THE DRIVER FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS HAVE BEEN CHANGED FOR ONLY A FEW MONTHS AND ARE ALREADY CAUSING THE SAME PROBLEM AS BEFORE.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Nov 8, 2019
BOTH LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS JUST QUIT WORKING BUT THE FUSES ARE GOOD AND THE HEADLIGHTS AREN'T A MONTH OLD.
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.
Exterior lighting, Nov 1, 2019
THE PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM LIGHT HAS BEEN REPLACED 5 TIMES IN A MATTER OF 2 YEARS GOES OUT COMES BACK ON THEN OFF FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME HIT A BUMP AND IT MAY COME BACK ON BUT NOT ALL THE TIME
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.
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Oct 28, 2019
TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME ON. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE BRAKES MALFUNCTION ILLUMINATES WHEN I'M NOT PRESSING THE BRAKES AND GOES OUT WHEN I DO. DISABLES CRUISE CONTROL. REPLACED BODY CONTROL MODULE 6 MONTHS AGO TO CORRECT THESE ISSUES STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM VERY UNSAFE.
Exterior lighting, Oct 24, 2019
THE HIGH-MOUNT BRAKE LIGHT WILL LIGHT (AND STAY LIT) WITHOUT THE BRAKE BEING DEPRESSED. WHEN THE BRAKE IS DEPRESSED USING NORMAL FORCE TO SLOW THE CAR, THE LIGHT WILL GO OFF. WHEN THE BRAKE IS DEPRESSED FURTHER AS IF TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THE LIGHT COMES BACK ON. THIS BEHAVIOR IS INTERMITTENT.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Oct 22, 2019
I CURRENTLY HAVE 2 OPEN RECALLS AND WAS NEVER SENT OUT NOTICES FOR EITHER, I AM CURRENTLY 15 WEEKS PREGNANT SO THAT'S A SAFETY CONCERN WITH ME BECAUSE THEY CAN BOTH RESULT IN A CRASH.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Seats, Oct 22, 2019
WHEN DRIVING IT THE TRANSMISSION DON'T KICK IN UNTIL YOU GET PASS 30 MILES AND THEN IT'S DOING EVERYTHING THAT YOU HAVE A RECALL ON SOME OF THE OTHER 2010 CHEVY MALIBU JUST TRYING TO SEE WHY MY VIN NUMBER HASN'T BEEN RECALL.I HAVE TO PUT MY EMERGENCY LIGHTS OWN SOMETIME SO I WON'T BE IN A RECK GETTING MY GRANDKIDS TO AND FROM SCHOOL I FEAR FOR OUR SAFETY BUT THIS IS MY ONLY TRANSPORTATION SO IF YOU CAN PLEAS CHECK AND SEE IF I HAVE A RECALL ON MY VIN NUMBER IT WOULD PLEASE BE APPRECIATE SIGN A CARING GRANDMOTHER TRYING TO KEEP HER FAMILY SAFE 🙏🏽🙏🏽
Exterior lighting, Oct 21, 2019
I HAD TO REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE HEADLIGHT UNIT DUE TO THE LOW BEAM CONNECTOR MELTING AND NOW ONLY 3 MONTHS LATER, BOTH LOW BEAM CONNECTORS HAVE MELTED LEAVING ME WITH NO HEADLIGHTS. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON THESE CARS AND A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. BOTH TIMES THIS HAS HAPPENED, I WAS DRIVING. ONCE ON CITY STREETS AND TWICE ON THE INTERSTATE
Exterior lighting, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 16, 2019
BRAKE LIGHTS REMAIN ON WHILE PEDAL'S NOT ACTIVATED, AND TURN OFF WHEN PEDAL IS PRESSED. ESC AND TRACTION ERROR MESSAGES APPEAR WHILE DRIVING, USUALLY WHEN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP AT ANY GIVEN TIME. THE LIGHTING ISSUE SEEMS TO COINCIDE WITH THE APPEARANCE OF SAID ERROR MESSAGES.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Oct 16, 2019
THE BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON AT ANY GIVEN TIME EVEN WHEN YOU AREN'T PRESSING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. WHEN YOU PRESS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL SOMETIMES THE BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON AT ALL. I HAVE REPLACED WHEEL HUB/BEARING COMBOS, ALONG WITH ADDING ELECTRICAL GREASE TO THE CONNECTOR FOR THE LIGHT CONTROLS, NOTHING FIXES THIS ISSUE.
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.
Power train, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 13, 2019
BRAKE LIGHTS ENGAGE WHEN BRAKE PETAL IS NOT ENGAGED AND DO NOT LIGHT WHEN BRAKE PEDAL IS PRESSED. CENTER BRAKE LIGHT RARELY WORKS. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN CAR SEEMS TO BE SHORT CIRCUITED AS LIGHTS ON CONSOLE BLINK. ESC CONTINUOUSLY IS TURNED OFF, ENGINE LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF, LOW TIRE PRESSURE INDICATED AND IT'S A FALSE READ. TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED RIGHT AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED. DRIVER SIDE WINDOW MOTOR FAILED. ALL OF THIS ISSUES WITH EXCEPTION OF WINDOW HAVE BEEN HAPPENING FROM THE TIME I PURCHASED THE CAR. I TOOK IT MANY TIMES TO DEALER WITH NO REMEDY
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 11, 2019
SAFETY OF MY FAMILY IS MY MAIN CONCERN, I DON'T KNOW WHAT SPEED I'M GOING A I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE, I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S AN ENGINE PROBLEM, BECAUSE NOTHING IN THE PANEL IS WORKING!
Other or unspecified, Oct 11, 2019
I HAVE BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM WITH MY CAR RUNNING REALLY FUNNY. SOMETIMES IT WON'T START. THEN AT TIMES IT WILL START BUT IF YOU PUT IT IN GEAR TO DRIVE. IT GOES VERY SLOW. THIS HAPPEN IN 2016 BEFORE. I GOT A LETTER FROM GM TO TAKE IT IN TO BE FIXED. WHEN I TAKE IT IN. MY CAR RESETS. AND THE DEALER TELLS ME THEY CAN'T FIX IT. THE LETTER I RECEIVED FROM GM IS SAYING I HAVE UNTIL 2020 TO GET IT FIXED. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I HAD VERY LOW MILES.
Exterior lighting, Other or unspecified, Oct 11, 2019
HEAD LIGHT LOW BEAM LIGHT BLOW OUT EVERY 2 MONTHS. I HAVE TO GET THIS REPLACED. THIS IS VERY EXPRESSIVE. THE WHOLE BUMPER HAVE TO BE REMOVED.
Power train, Oct 9, 2019
DURING DRIVING, VEHICLE SLIPS IN/OUT/PAST 2ND GEAR (OR NO 2ND GEAR IS AVAILABLE). NO 6TH GEAR AVAILABLE. HAPPENS CONSTANTLY IN CITY OR HIGHWAY TRAFFIC. THERE IS A MANUFACTURER RECALL (DTC P2714) ON OTHER 2010 CHEVROLET OF THE SAME MODEL AS WELL AS SEVERAL OTHERS FOR THIS SAME ISSUE BUT THE MANUFACTURER STATES THAT THE RECALL DOES NOT COVER MY VIN.