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.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Oct 9, 2019
BRAKE LIGHTS ON REAR WINDOW COME ON WITHOUT HITTING THE BREAK PEDAL AND GO OFF WHEN DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL. THE ESC WARNING ALSO COMES ON INTERMITENTLY.
Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Oct 8, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. IN ADDITION, THE SERVICE ESC AND SERVICE TRACTION WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS DID NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PORTER CHEVROLET (414 E CLEVELAND AVE, NEWARK, DE 19711, (302) 722-4822) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL POSITION SENOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 98,000.
Exterior lighting, Oct 7, 2019
I WAS HAVING AN ISSUE WITH MY THIRD BRAKE LIGHT AT FIRST IT WOULD GO ON AN OFF THEN SOMEDAYS NOT WORK AT ALL. IN ORDER FOR MY VEHICLE TO PASS TEXAS INSPECTION IT NEEDS TO WORK ALL THE TIME. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP TODAY BECAUSE THERE WAS A RECALL BUT THE RECALL DIDN'T NOT COVER THE REPAIR BECAUSE IT WAS A FAULTY CIRCUIT BOARD IN THE TAIL LIGHT ITSELF THE RECALL COVERED THE BCM. I'VE SEEN ALOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE THAT I HAD. IT'S A VERY EXPRESSIVE REPAIR ABOUT $640. I WOULD ASSUME SINCE IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE IT SHOULD BE RECALLED AS WELL.
Air bags, Oct 1, 2019
THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT KEEPS GOING OFF. PURCHASED CAR USED AND I AM NOT SURE OF THE PROBLEM. I WANT TO BE SURE THAT THIS IS A SAFTEY ISSUE FOR SOMEONE IN THE FRONT SEAT. NO ACCIDENT YET,BUT I HAVE CONCERNS. IT IS ON GOING AS TO A CERTAIN DATE.
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.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 20, 2019
FEEL CIRCUIT EASY AND PROCESSOR CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR EXHAUST CAMSHAFT POSITION AGITATOR CIRCUIT
Exterior lighting, Sep 16, 2019
EVER SINCE I HAVE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THE HEADLIGHTS. THE PASSENGER SIDE WOULD CONSTANTLY GO OUT. EVERYTIME I HIT A BUMP OR WOULD HIT IT. IT WOULD COME BACK ON. RECENTLY I REPLACED BOTH BULBS. THE PASSENGER SIDE HAS OFFICIALLY DIED. NOW THE DRIVER SIDE IS ACTING UP. I HAVE TO HIT BASICALLY EVERY MORNING TO TURN IT ON BEFORE I GO TO WORK. WHILE I AM DRIVING IT WILL GO OUT SPORADICALLY AND COME BACK ON.
Electrical system, Sep 13, 2019
I HAVE BEEN TO MANY FORUMS AND MANY MALIBU OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE I AM WITH MY CAR. A LOT OF MONEY AND MANY HOURS WAISTED ON THIS ISSUE. MY RIGHT LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHT KEEPS BURNING OUT. I CHANGED THE BULB, THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT, AND THE WIRE HARNESS, BUT THE LIGHT KEEPS BURNING OUT. ANNOYING ISSUE! TO BE ABLE TO REACH THE HEADLIGHT, YOU NEED TO TAKE OFF THE FRONT BUMPER. THERE IS NO OTHER WAY AROUND IT. I ALSO HAVE MY BRAKE LIGHTS THAT COME ON BY THEMSELVES. I CAN BE DRIVING WITH MY FOOT OFF OF THE BREAK AND IN MY REAR VIEW I CAN SEE MY BREAK LIGHTS LIT UP. VERY UNSAFE. PEOPLE THINK I AM BREAKING WHEN I AM NOT. THIS IS ALSO AN ON GOING ISSUES ON MALIBU'S MADE IN AND AROUND 2010. PLEASE HELP!
Electrical system, Seat belts, Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 30, 2019
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL ESC LIGHT COMES ON AND SAYS SERVICE THEN ESC OFF. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THESE CARS. SEAT BELTS FAIL. SAFETY ISSUE. AND OUR WILL NOT START BECAUSE THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM IS ACTIVATED FOR NO REASON. ALL OF THESE ARE CONSISTENT WITH SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS. GM SHOULD BE ASHAMED FOR SELLING VEHICLES THAT FAIL. APPROXIMATELY 78,000 MILES. HOPEFULLY THEY WILL STEP UP AND CORRECT THESE PROBLEMS!!
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Aug 29, 2019
THE ESC LIGHT COMES ON AND TELLS ME IT NEEDS SERVICED. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON EVEN IF MY FOOT IS NOT ON THE BRAKE. IT ALSO HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE GEAR SHIFT WHEN TRYING TO PULL IT OUT OF PARK. THIS ALSO DISABLES MY CRUISE CONTROL. THIS ISSUE HAPPENS SOMETIMES AS SOON AS I START THE CAR OR AFTER DRIVING FOR A BIT. I'VE TAKEN THE CAR IN TO GET THE PROBLEM FIXED. THEY REPLACED THE BRAKE SENSOR AND THAT WORKED FOR A WEEK THEN THE ESC LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS STAYED ON.
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
Power train, Aug 22, 2019
DRIVING CAR, PRESSED ON GAS PEDAL, CAR WILL NOT MOVE, HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALER, WAS INFORMED I NEEDED NEW TRANSMMISION, CAR ONLY HAD 69,000 MILES AND WARRANTY IS EXPIRED!!!!
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Aug 21, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE RPMS INCREASED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THERE WAS ALSO AN ABNORMAL NOISE DETECTED FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE SPEEDOMETER WAS NOT DISPLAYING THE CORRECT SPEED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING FLASHED ON AND OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CARDINAL BUICK GMC (3800 IL-15, BELLEVILLE, IL 62226, (618) 233-0303) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ELECTRICAL CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND NO FAILURE WAS FOUND WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
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.
Electrical system, Aug 18, 2019
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD MY DRIVER SIDE TAIL LIGHT/BRAKE LIGHT STOPS WORKING RANDOMLY WITH BUMPY ROADS. IT GOES OUT AND WILL GO BACK ON USUALLY WITHIN THE NEXT FEW BUMPS, AND ITS NOT ALL THE TIME.
Exterior lighting, Aug 15, 2019
PASSENGER LOW BEAM SOCKET BURNS OUT I'VE REPLACED THE HARNESS TWICIN LAST SIX MONTHS WITH A FEW NEW BULBS
Electrical system, Aug 14, 2019
WE WERE DRIVING AND SMELLED A STRONG ODER. OUR EYES STARTED TO BURN AND WE BECAME NAUSEOUS AND DIZZY. WHEN WE ARRIVED HOME WE LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND SAW A POWERFUL GAS SEEPING FROM THE BATTERY. I HAVE A VIDEO OF THE GAS COMING FROM THE ADELCO BATTERY. *JS
Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Aug 10, 2019
I BUY A BULB EVERY OTHER WEEK OR MONTH FOR MY HEADLIGHTS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE KEEPS GOING OUT
Service brakes, Aug 9, 2019
HIGH MOUNTED BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE (3RD BRAKE LIGHT) - I FOUND THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE. I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR RECALL REPAIR THIS AUTHORIZED CHEVY DEALER: HALEY CHEVROLET LOCATED IN: HALEY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP ADDRESS: 12400 TENNESSEE PLAZA, MIDLOTHIAN, VA 23112 HOURS: OPEN ⋅ CLOSES 8PM PHONE: (804) 818-7660 ** WHEN I PICKED UP THE VEHICLE I WAS NOT TOLD THAT WHATEVER WORK THEY DID DID NOT WORK. IN FACT, THEY PULLED THE CAR UP TO THE PICKUP AREA, SAID NOTHING ABOUT THEIR FAILURE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE, DID NOT TELL ME THAT THE BRALE LIGHT WAS STILLM NOT WORKING, THEREBY LEAVING ME WITH A CAR STILL BROKEN AND ME AT SAFETY RISK TO DRIVE A CAR WITH BRAKE LIGHT NOT WORKING, AND IN FACT I GOT A WARNING TICKET BY THE POLICE FOR THE 3RD BRAKE LIGHT STILL BEUNG OUT
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Aug 8, 2019
MY LOW BEAM LIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT. I HAVE CHANGED THE BULBS 4 TIMES NOW WITH OEM BULBS AND ALSO THE WIRING HARNESS. AT FIRST IT WAS THE DRIVER'S SIDE ONLY NOW IT'S BOTH.
Air bags, Aug 4, 2019
MY AIR BAG LIGHT KEEPS GOING OFF AND COMING ON. MY CAR WASN'T INCLUDED IN THE RECALL THAT HAPPENED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR BUT I FILL AS THOUGH IT SHOULD OF BEEN.
Exterior lighting, Aug 4, 2019
MY DRIVERS SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT. IT'LL COME BACK ON IF YOU TAP THE HEADLIGHT FOR SO LONG AND THEN I HAVE TO REPLACE THE BULB. UPON RESEARCHING IT I FOUND A LOT OF OTHER MAIL I OWNERS HAVE THIS PROBLEM TOO. I'VE ALREADY REPLACE THE BULB 3 TIMES THIS YEAR (2019). IF YOU HIT A BUMP MOST OF THE TIME IT'S GOING TO GO OUT OR COME BACK ON DEPENDING ON IF IT'S OFF OR ON.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Engine, Jul 30, 2019
BRAKE LIGHTS FLICKER WHILE DRIVING WHEN NOT PRESSING ON THE BRAKES. ECS AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS KEEP COMING ON AND THE CAR IS JERKING WHILE DRIVING.
Exterior lighting, Jul 29, 2019
HELLO, MY CAR IS HAVING THE ISSUES DESCRIBED IN RECALL NUMBER 13036, MY BRAKE LIGHTS TURN ON WHILE NOT PRESSING THE BRAKE AND SOMETIMES WHEN BRAKING DO NOT TURN ON AT ALL. MY VIN # SAYS THAT MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED HOWEVER MY CAR IS EXPERIENCING THE ISSUES DESCRIBED. THIS ALL HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS DRIVING.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Jul 28, 2019
THE BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATE AND STAY ON WHILE DRIVING WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS NOT PRESSED. THE BRAKE LIGHTS TURN OFF WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS PRESSED. THE CAR ROUTINELY DISPLAYS "SERVICE ESC" AND " SERVICE TRACTION" MESSAGES.