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.
Air bags, Jan 14, 2019, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH IN THE SNOW, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A JUNKYARD. THE MANUFACTURER FILED A CLAIM FOR THE CONTACT AND STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Steering, Jan 13, 2019
POWER STEERING WENT OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 13, 2019
I'VE TAKEN MY CAR TO GET THE DRIVER SIDE LOW BEAM LIGHT REPLACED 3 TIMES IN ONE YEAR. COME TO FIND OUT THE LIGHTS WERE NOT BLOWING OUT.. THERE IS A SHORTAGE WITH THE LIGHT PLUG. HIGH BEAM IS FINE.. ONLY THE LOW BEAM KEEPS GOING OUT
Exterior lighting, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 5, 2019
HEADLIGHT CONTINUES TO GO OUT, REPLACE WITH NEW ONE ONLY LASTS A FEW DAYS. ALSO IF YOU SHUT OFF CAR TO GO GAS CAR DOESNT RESTART. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME GET GAS.
Steering, Jan 4, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, 'POWER STEERING AND SERVICE ESC' DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. AFTER TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON, THE POWER STEERING OPERATED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.
Exterior lighting, Jan 2, 2019
I'VE HAD THIS CAR ALMOST 3 YEARS I'VE BOUGHT OVER 20 HEADLIGHT BULBS FOR THIS CAR NOW AT THIS PRESENT TIME I HAVE NO HEADLIGHTS I JUST CHANGED THEM ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO THIS IS REALLY TERRIBLE AND VERY EXPENSIVE
Electrical system, Service brakes, Dec 26, 2018
I BOUGHT MY MALIBU IN 2014. FROM RON MARHOFER CHEVROLET. NOT KNOWING THERE WERE RECALLS ON MY CAR WHEN I BOUGHT IT. IN 2016, WITH 75K MILES I WAS HAVING TROUBLES, BRAKE LIGHTS WERE COMING ON WHEN I ACCELERATED THE GAS. GOT THE RECALL FIXED. NOW, AT 102K MILES AND 2 YEARS LATER, THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE COMING BACK ON. MY DEALERSHIP TOLD ME SINCE MY WARRANTY WAS UP, I WOULD HAVE TO PAY A $99 DIAGNOSTIC ON TOP OF LABOR. I WROTE CHEVROLET LAST WEEK AND THEY DENIED THIS HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE RECALL BECAUSE NO ONE ELSE HAS BEEN COMPLAINING.. IT'S FRUSTRATING AND SUCH A SCANDAL. I HAVE AN APPT WITH MY DEALERSHIP NEXT WEEK TO TAKE A LOOK. I FEEL THIS IS GOING TO BE A COSTLY MATTER, FOR SOMETHING GM IS TRYING GO COVER UP. SHAME ON YOU GM!
Steering, Dec 24, 2018
TAMARA RECALL. POWER STEERING FAILURE, LOST POWER STEERING DOWN HIGHWAY
Steering, Dec 20, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE STEERING LOST POWER AND THE "POWER STEERING OFF" INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DUBLIN CHEVROLET GMC BUICK (478-246-4916, LOCATED AT 2042 VETERANS BLVD, DUBLIN, GA 31021) WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS RECOMMENDED. THE TEST WAS NOT PERFORMED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 160,000.
Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Dec 19, 2018
HEADLIGHT CONNECTION OVERHEATS MAKING HEADLIGHT GO OUT. ABS CONTROL LOCKS BRAKES DURRING NORMAL DRIVING. REAR BRAKE LIGHTS ENGAGE WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT PRESSING ON BRAKE.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 17, 2018
ENGINE REDUCED POWER. VEHICLE "ENGINE REDUCED POWER LIGHT" ACTIVATES AND VEHICLE IS UNRESPONSIVE AND STALLS, SHAKES VIOLENTLY. NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE INVOLVING GM MODELS. ISSUED SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT, BUT WILL NOT COVER ALL VEHICLES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.
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
Wheels, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Dec 10, 2018
WHEN DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ONE FOLLOWED BY TRACTION CONTROL,REDUCED ENGINE POWER, AND LOSS OF POWER. I COULDN'T ACCELERATE AND I WAS IN THE FAST LANE WHEN IT HAPPENED GOING 70 MPH. I LOST POWER AND LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT OVER TO THE SHOULDER. CAR STARTED SHAKING BADLY. I CUT IT OFF AND RESTARTED IT. WENT AWAY FEW MILES DOWN THE ROAD IT HAPPENED AGAIN. FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS IT'S BEEN HAPPENING ONLY DURING COLD MONTHS BETWEEN DECEMBER AND FEBRUARY. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE
Exterior lighting, Dec 9, 2018
HEAD LIGHT CONTINUES TO BURN OUT EVERY TWO YEARS
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
Power train, Exterior lighting, Air bags, Dec 3, 2018
MY RIGHT FRONT HEADLIGHT (REGULAR LOW BEAM) KEEPS GOING OUT AND HAVING TO BE REPLACED. MY MECHANIC REPLACED IT IN JULY OF THIS YEAR, AND AGAIN IN OCTOBER, AND IT IS OUT YET AGAIN, NOT EVEN TWO MONTHS LATER. MY MECHANIC CAN'T FIND ANY REASON FOR IT. IN ADDITION, MY SERVICE AIR-BAG LIGHT IS ON, ALTHOUGH IT'S NEVER GONE OFF, AND THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED AT ABOUT 63,000 MILES. REGARDING THE LIGHT - SO FAR, I'VE BEEN LUCKY THAT IT HASN'T CONTRIBUTED TO ANY KIND OF ACCIDENT, ESPECIALLY SINCE DEER ARE VERY ACTIVE AT THIS TIME OF YEAR AND ARE VERY COMMON IN OUR AREA.
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.
Power train, Engine, Nov 29, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL ACTIVE AND CHECK ENGINE INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE DECELERATED FROM 75 MPH TO 40 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 28, 2018
HEADLIGHTS WON'T WORK BRAND NEW LIGHTBULBS DASHBOARD LIGHTS DIM IS OUTCONTROL TRANSACTION TURNS ON BRAKE LIGHT TURNS ON WITHOUT TOUCHING THE BRAKES THEY BASICALLY STAY ON AND MORE
Other or unspecified, Nov 28, 2018
2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING ON A MAIN ROAD. 93,000-95,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. DRIVING AND THE CAR STOPPED SHIFTING INTO GEAR, AND WILL NOT REVERSE. CAR IS UNSAFE AND UNABLE TO DRIVE.
Exterior lighting, Nov 26, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PRESSED, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD SHUT OFF AND NOT ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (COGGIN CHEVROLET, 10880 PHILIPS HWY, JACKSONVILLE, FL) WHERE THE BATTERY PACK CONTROL MODULE WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS) IN 2014 FOR THE SAME FAILURE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000.
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.