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.
Steering, Electrical system, Nov 20, 2018
POWER STEERING LOCKS WHEN DRIVING AND I HAVE NO CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL
Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 19, 2018
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THEN ON THE DASH IT SAID "ENGINE POWER REDUCED" ALONG WITH "SERVICE ESC". ENGINE WOULD RUMBLE SO I HAD TO PULL OVER ON THE HIGHWAY. HAD TO CUT ENGINE OFF A FEW TIME UNTIL THE DASH CLEARED BUT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED.
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 18, 2018
MY CAR KEEPS POPPING UP SERVICE ESC, ENGINE POWER REDUCED AND SERVICE TRACTION LIGHTS KEEP COMING ON. HAVE HAD FIXED 3 TIMES AND SILL KEEPS HAPPENING. WHILE VEHICLE IS DRIVING IT WILL DIE FOR NO REASON, ONCE STARTED BACK UP SOMETIMES IT STOPS OTHER TIMES STARTS SHAKING AND AS NO POWER.
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.
Electrical system, Nov 13, 2018
PASSENGER LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT. I HAVE REPLACED IT 3 TIMES THIS YEAR ALREADY. DRIVING AT NIGHT WITH 1 LOW BEAM WORKING IS DANGEROUS.
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Nov 13, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE BRAKE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INDEPENDENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE CRUISE CONTROL BECAME INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ON FEBRUARY 19, 2015 PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. JEFF WYLER SPRINGFIELD CHEVROLET (LOCATED AT 2237 W 1ST ST, SPRINGFIELD, OH 45504, (937) 525-4646) WAS NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: [XXX]. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 163,000. *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, Nov 6, 2018
WE ONLY HAVE CHEVY'S HOWEVER OUR MALIBU 2010 WITH ONLY 73,000 MILES WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 65MPH IT SUDDENLY STOPPED GOING. YOU CAN ACCELERATE BUT IT DOESN'T NOT GO FORWARD OR BACK. IT WAS LATE WHEN IT WENT OUT AND A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. OUR CAR WAS PURCHASED AND MAINTAINED FROM DEALER AND AT THIS MILEAGE WITH NO WARNING, NO NOISE, NO FLUID LEAK, NOTHING. SITUATION IS VERY FRUSTRATING. I'M NOT SURE I'M A GM FAN ANYMORE WE WILL SEE HOW THE RESPOND TO THIS SITUATION.
Structure, Oct 31, 2018
DOOR LOCKS DON'T UNLOCK THE DOORS TRAPPING OCCUPANTS INSIDE THE CAR. MANUAL OR ELECTRICAL DON'T WORK. MODULES ARE DEFECTIVE, AND MANUAL LOCK PULL DOES NOT WORK EITHER. VEHICLE COULD BE RUNNING OR NOT RUNNING-STILL DOES NOT WORK. IF YOU ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW AND TRY THE OUTSIDE HANDLE, STILL DOES NOT WORK. SOLENOID, IN THE DOORS MAKE A SOUND LIKE THE DOORS UNLOCK, BUT THEY DON'T. MAYBE ONE IN THE BACK WILL WORK, BUT VERY DIFFICULT TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. YOUR STUCK WITH NO OPTIONS TO GET OUT. THIS IS A VERY SEVER SAFTY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESS. TRIED TO BUT THE CAR IN DRIVE, AND BACK INTO PARK AND TURN OFF THE CAR MULTIPLE TIMES WITH NO LUCK. TRIED TO ROCK THE DOOR LOCK SWITCH DOES NOT HELP. BELIEVE THE MODULES ARE DEFECTIVE. DOOR PULLS FOR UNLOCKING THE DOORS SHOULD STILL WORK, EVEN IF THE POWER WAS LOST. THEY DO NOT. TRIED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING AND STATIONARY. BECAUSE I WAS STUCK IN THE CAR, I WENT AROUND THE BLOCK WONDERING IF IT WAS A CHARGING PROBLEM. IT'S NOT, AFTER GOING AROUND THE BLOCK AND PULLING BACK INTO THE DRIVE WAY, THEY STILL DID NOT WORK. WHEN CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND TRIED TO UNLOCK THE DOORS STILL DID NOT WORK. HAD TO CHECK THE BACK DOOR AND FOUND IT FINALLY WORKED. HAD TO CRAWL OVER THE FRONT SEAT AND CRAWLED OUT THAT WAY. WAS STUCK IN THE CAR FOR 25 MIN. COULD NOT DO ANYTHING.
Exterior lighting, Oct 30, 2018
THE BULB ON THE DRIVERS SIDE HAS GONE OUT MULTIPLE TIMES. HAVE HAD TO PAY $150 PLUS BULBS EACH TIME AS YOU HAVE TO TAKE THE BUMPER OFF. EVEN AFTER REPLACING THE BULB THIS TIME IT DIDN'T WORK. MULTIPLE PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED THIS.
Engine, Oct 29, 2018
TIMING CHAIN BOLTS SHEERED OFF, CAUSING CHAIN TO COME OFF AND OTHER THINGS TO BREAK, RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING ON MAJOR HIGHWAY.
Electrical system, Oct 28, 2018
THE CARS CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND YOU LOSS YOUR BRAKES AND WHEN YOU HAVE IT CHECKED IT PUTS UP DIFFERENT CODES EVERY TIME IT'S CHECKED AND NO MATTER WHAT YOU CHANGE IT KEEPS DOING IT AND YOU TAKE IT TO A DEALER AND THEY JUST WANT TO CHANGE EVERYTHING IT SAYS AND CHARGE YOU A ARM AND LEG AND IT STILL DOES FIX IT
Service brakes, Oct 27, 2018
MY BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ON WHEN I AM DRIVING AND THEN WHEN THE BRAKES ARE PRESSED THE BRAKE LIGHTS GO OFF. IT'S A SCARY THING BECAUSE IT REALLY CONFUSES THE CARS BEHIND ME.
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.
Power train, Oct 21, 2018
CAR JUST STOPPED WITHOUT WARNING! VERY SCARY SITUATION! FORTUNATELY NO OTHER CAR CRASHED INTO ME BUT THAT WOULD'VE BEEN A LIKELY SCENARIO. NOT ONLY A COSTLY REPAIR BUT AN EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE. $3400 TO REPAIR! APPARENTLY AND UNFORTUNATELY I'M NOT ALONE. CHEVY SHOULD STEP UP AND HELP US ALL OUT. LIKE MANY OTHERS, NEVER A CHEVY AGAIN!
Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Traction control system, Oct 18, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. IN ADDITION, THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL AND TRACTION WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 129,642.
Electrical system, Structure, Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 17, 2018
2010 CHEVY MALIBU BRAKE LIGHT ON WITHOUT BRAKE BEING APPLIED CAR SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ON AND SERVICE ESC I BELIEVE IT'S DUE TO A BAD BODY CONTROL MODULE
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.
Service brakes, Sep 20, 2018
THE BRAKES LIGHTS STAY ON WHILE DRIVING AND GO OFF WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. THE TRACTION CONTROL SERVICE ALERT COMES ON THE DASH ALSO. CONCERNED THAT NUMEROUS IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS FOUND ON THE CAR COMPLAINTS WEB SITE NOTING THE DEALERS HAVE NO CLUE HOW TO FIX THE ISSUE. MEANWHILE, OCCUPANTS ARE AT RISK OF REAR COLLISION DUE TO BRAKE LIGHTS NOT COMING ON DURING BRAKING.
Exterior lighting, Sep 13, 2018
TAKATA RECALL. MY PASSENGER HEADLIGHTS ON THE LOW BEAM SETTING KEEP GOING OUT. I CHANGED MY LIGHTBULB TWO MONTHS AGO AND IT HAS ALREADY GONE OUT. I SAW THAT IT WENT OUT A FEW WEEKS AGO BUT WHEN I WAS GOING TO GET SOMEONE TO CHANGE IT, THINKING THE THE SHOP GAVE ME A BAD BULB, THE HEADLIGHT CAME BACK ON. THE SAME THING HAPPENED LAST WEEK ALSO THE LIGHT WAS OUT AND I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD AND I HEARD MY CAR CLICK LIKE THE LIGHTS WERE COMING ON WHEN I STOPPED I NOTICED BOTH LOW BEAM LIGHTS WERE ON AGAIN. CURRENTLY MY PASSENGER LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT IS NOT WORKING, ALL OTHER LIGHTS ARE WORKING FINE
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Sep 5, 2018
POWER REDUCED ENGINE, TRACTION CONTROL,
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Sep 4, 2018
THE BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON WHEN THE BRAKES ARE NOT BEING DEPRESSED AND GOES OFF WHEN IT IS BEING DEPRESSED. THIS DISENGAGES THE CRUISE CONTROL AND ALSO THE SERVICE ESC LIGHT COMES ON WHEN IT HAPPENS. THE 2014 RECALL WAS DONE BY THE DEALER AND YET THE PROBLEM KEEPS OCCURRING. THERE WAS AN UPDATE TO THE RECALL AND THIS WAS ALSO DONE BUT HAS NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM. THIS ISSUE SEEMS TO HAPPEN INTERMITTENTLY AND RANDOMLY.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Aug 31, 2018
PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT. REPLACED BULB MULTIPLE TIMES, 100/HR SHOP LABOR JUST TO TAKE OFF BUMPER TO GET TO BULB. AT THIS POINT A TICKET WOULD HAVE BEEN CHEAPER.