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, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 31, 2018
SERVICE ESC, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, SERVICE AIR BAGS, BRAKE LIGHTS ON WHEN PEDAL NOT PRESSED AND NOT ON WHEN PEDAL IS PRESSED AND CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T WORK PERIODICALLY. THESE MESSAGE APPEAR OFF AND ON WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE HAD THE SENSOR UNDER THE BRAKE PEDAL REPLACED TWICE NOW. LAST TIME 14 MONTHS AGO SO NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND NEEDS REPLACED AGAIN.
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.
Power train, Aug 25, 2018
HAVE A 2010 MALIBU WITH APPROXIMATELY 112,000 MILES ON IT. CAR IS WELL MAINTAINED AND HAS HAD REGULAR MAINTENANCE / VEHICLE INSPECTIONS (INCLUDING A WEEK PRIOR TO INCIDENT). I WAS OUT RUNNING ERRANDS AND HAD STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT. A FEW MINUTES LATER AS I WAS TURNING ON TO THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR JOLTED FORWARD AND THEN REFUSED TO ACCELERATE. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER IT OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS. CAR COULD NOT BE DRIVEN AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO MY MECHANIC AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT MY TRANSMISSION WAS SHOT AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. VERY COSTLY REPAIR THAT NEEDED TO BE DONE AS IT IS MY ONLY VEHICLE. SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH 2010 MALIBUS THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED!!!
Exterior lighting, Aug 22, 2018
THE HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT. I HAVE REPLACED THE PASSENGER LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHT 3 TIMES AND IT IS OUT AGAIN. WITH THE WAY THE CAR IS MADE AND HAVING TO REMOVE THE FRONT OF THE CAR TO CHANGE THE LIGHT IS GETTING VERY EXPENSIVE AND INCONVENIENCING.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Aug 18, 2018
HEADLIGHT LOW BEAMS CONTINUE TO GO OUT. NOT BURNING OUT BUT GOING OUT PREMATURELY. HAVE TO BE CHANGED AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Aug 16, 2018
THE STOP LAMPS COME ON ALL BY THEMSELF, IF THE LAMPS ARE ILLUMINATED THEY WILL TURN OFF WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS PRESSED. THIS ALSO AFFECTS THE TRACTION CONTROLS AND STABILITY CONTROL, THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. ALSO CRUISE CONTROL BECOMES INOPERATIVE. GM HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THIS AND HAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THIS PROBLEM. HOWEVER THEY'VE CAPPED IT AT 150,000 MILES WHICH PUTS ME OUT OF WARRANTY. WHEN I SPOKE TO GM THEY ADMITTED THIS AND SAID BECAUSE I WASN'T THE ORIGINAL OWNER I WOULDN'T BE NOTIFIED. THEY DON'T WANT TO HELP!
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.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Aug 4, 2018
I WAS DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 40 MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD A HIGH REVVING SOUND AS IF ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS RIGHT BESIDE ME PASSING AND SOON REALIZED THAT IT WAS MY CAR REVVING WITH THE RPM GAUGE GOING ABOVE 3 AND MY CAR SLOWING DOWN. MOMENTS LATER MY PASSENGERS AND I FELT A SUDDEN "JERK" AND THE CAR JETTED FORWARD ONLY TO START REVVING AGAIN AND THIS TIME I WAS MERELY MOVING AT ABOUT 20 MPH AS I WAS STILL IN SHOCK FROM THE FIRST REVVING AND NON-ACCELERATING MOMENT. AFTER TRYING HELPLESSLY TO GET THE CAR TO MOVE AT A SPEED OF AT LEAST 15-20 MPH, I DECIDED TO STOP/RESTART THE CAR AND TRY USING THE MANUAL SHIFT. IT GAVE ANOTHER SUDDEN "JERKING" MOVEMENT AND MOVED IN M5 BUT NOT EVEN 10 SECONDS THE CAR STARTED WITH THE LOUD REVVING SOUND AS IF I WERE MASHING GAS WHICH I WASN'T AND WE BARELY MADE IT HOME AT ABOUT 10MPH USING HAZARD LIGHTS. WE BASICALLY HAD TO PUSH IT OVER 2 VERY SMALL SPEED BUMPS ON THE WAY IN THE GATE. I DECIDED TO TAKE IT TO THE AUTONATION SHEVY DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT IT BUT UNFORTUNATELY THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE AND INSTEAD HAD TO BE TOWED THERE. AUTONATION CHEVY DID A "DIAGNOSIS" OF SORTS AND WITHIN MOMENTS CALLED TO SAY THAT THERE IS METAL IN THE TRANSMISSION AND I NEED TO PAY A WHOPPING $4,300.00 TO HAVE IT FIXED. OF COURSE I COULD GO ON ABOUT HOW FRUSTRATING AND HUMILIATING THIS WHOLE ORDEAL HAS BEEN FROM BEGINNING TO $$$$ END BUD I'D APPRECIATE IT IF CHEVY CAN REACH OUT TO ME BECAUSE I HAVE A FRIEND WHO SAID SHE HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH HER MALIBU. I'M SURE THERE ARE OTHERS OUT THERE BUT I'M NOW WONDERING IF CHEVY WANTS TO WAIT UNTIL GOD FORBID A DIRE SITUATION OCCURS BEFORE THEY FIX THIS PROBLEM.
Exterior lighting, Jul 26, 2018
I AM CONSTANTLY HAVING TO REPLACE THE AC DELCO HEADLIGHT CONNECTOR PART NUMBER: 17833-05421850 BRAND: AC DELCO NOTES: PROFESSIONAL -- NEW; LOW BEAM; BLACK AND BLUE; 2 TERMINAL. FEMALE ABOUT 4 TIMES A YEAR. IT'S NOT AN EASY JOB TO GET TO THE LIGHTS IN THE FIRST PLACE SO I AM FORCED TO DRIVE IN THE DARK WITH ONE HEADLIGHT. I WORK ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF TOWN AND DRIVE THROUGH FIELDS. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE WITH ONE HEADLIGHT. I SEE SO MANY MALIBU'S WITH ONE HEADLIGHT ONCE I GET INTO THE CITY SO I KNOW IT'S NOT JUST MY CAR. I ALSO SEE MANY PEOPLE COMPLAINING IN ONLINE CAR FORUMS. WHAT CAN BE DONE? I JUST REPLACED THIS PART ON JULY 6TH, 2018, AND BY JULY, 24TH, 2018 THE PART HAS BURNED OUT AGAIN AND I'M LEFT WITH ONE HEADLIGHT. PLEASE HELP, I FEEL SO TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS.
Power train, Jul 19, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE REVOLUTIONS PER MINUTE INCREASED TO 4,000 AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND WAVE PLATE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Jul 18, 2018
SERVICE ESC, SERVICE TRACTION, PICTURE OF CAR SKIDDING, TIRES NEED AIR AND PICTURE OF TIRE THAT LOOKS FLAT KEEPS COMING UP ON MY PANEL. THIS NEVER HAPPENED PRIOR TO HAVING NEW TIRES AND BRAKES PUT ON MY CAR AT HENDRIX CHEVROLET IN DURHAM, NC. I ONLY HAVE 40+ THOUSAND MILES ON MY CAR. AT 20,000 MY RIGHT FRONT ROTAR AND BRAKES HAD TO BE REPLACE BECAUSE IT WAS ROARING AND I LITERALLY HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO MY HOME. I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW WHEN MY SON WORKED AT HENDRIX (THOUGHT IT WAS A GOOD IDEA). HE WASN'T WORKING THERE WHEN THIS HAPPENED BUT HE FIXED IT AND THEN HENDRIX SAID THEY COULD NOT REIMBURSE ME BECAUSE HE WASN'T A CURRENT EMPLOYEE. I LOVE MY CAR BUT HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH IT! PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT TO DO TO GET THE FIRST ISSUES I MENTIONED CORRECTED! I'M GETTING DIFFERENT ANSWERS FROM EVERYONE I TALK TOO. I SEE MANY PEOPLE ON THE INTERNET ARE COMPLAINING OF THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR MALIBU AS WELL!
Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 16, 2018
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON AND THE MESSAGE "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL" DISPLAYS INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. THIS PROBLEM IS PART OF A RECALL IN 2014 THAT ALSO STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS MAY OR MAY NOT WORK. I GOT A FOLLOW NOTICE THAT STATED THAT EVEN THOUGH THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM THE "BRAKE " LIGHT ISSUE COULD COME BACK AND THEY WOULD FIX IT FOR UP TO 10 YEARS. CHEVY STATES THAT THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT IS A DIFFERENT ISSUE AND HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE RECALL.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jul 15, 2018
PASSENGER LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHT GOES OUT EVERY 2 MONTHS. I HAVE REPLACED THIS 3 TIMES. REPLACING THE HEADLIGHT REQUIRES REMOVING THE FRONT BUMPER AND IT IS $120 JUST TO REMOVE THE BUMPER TO DETERMINE THE ISSUE. NEW CONNECTOR AND PIGTAILS HAVE NOT SOLVED THE BURNOUT ISSUE. UPON AN INTERNET SEARCH, I FOUND OTHER HAVE THE SAME ISSUE WITH PASSENGER HEADLIGHT. IHTTP://WWW.CARPROBLEMZOO.COM/CHEVROLET/MALIBU/2010/HEADLIGHTS-PROBLEMS.PHP I WAS IN MOTION WHEN THIS WAS NOTICED AS I WAS PULLED OVER BY THE POLICE. ISSUE IS STILL THERE WHEN CAR IS PARKED.
Vehicle speed control, Jul 13, 2018
I WAS DRIVING HOME ON A CITY STREET, WITH MY 3 YOUNG CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE, WHEN SUDDENLY MY CAR STARTED VIOLENTLY SHAKING AND QUICKLY DECELERATED TO ABOUT 10 MPH. IT WAS VERY SCARY AND I JUST THOUGHT WHAT IF THIS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE I REGULARLY DRIVE. THANKFULLY I WAS CLOSE TO HOME AND WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME.
Steering, Engine, Jul 10, 2018
EVERYTIME I TURN LEFT THERE IS SOME KIND OF CLICKING GRINDING NOISE.
Power train, Jul 8, 2018
MY 2010 MALIBU 2LT 6 CYLINDER ENGINE HAS A WAVE PLATE FAILURE. THIS CAUSES REVVING OF THE ENGINE NON-MOVEMENT LOW SPEEDS AND IT COMES AND GOES AS IT WANTS. GENERAL MOTORS HAS NOT INCLUDED THIS EVEN THOUGH THIS CAR WAS BUILT IN 2009. IN WHICH AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS ISSUED FOR THIS ECACT PROBLEM SEE GM BULLETIN # 14404 THIS DANGEROUS AND ALSO A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAR.
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???
Exterior lighting, Jun 29, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. KARL CHEVROLET (1101 SE ORALABOR RD, ANKENY, IA 50021, (515) 299-4300) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH CASE NUMBER: 8-433-300-9105. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 56,900.
Seat belts, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Jun 26, 2018
"TAKATA RECALL" MY SEAT-BELT LIGHT STAYS ON WHEN I HAVE MY SEAT-BELT ON, MY ESC LIGHT KEEPS BLINKING AS WELL AS MY TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT. MY BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON WHILE I AM DRIVING AND GO OFF WHEN I BRAKE.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Jun 20, 2018
MY BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ILLUMINATED WHEN I DO NOT PUSH ON THE BRAKE WHEN I DO PUSH ON THE BRAKE THEY DISAPPEAR I CAN'T PUT MY CRUISE CONTROL ON WHEN THIS HAPPENS THIS HAPPENS WHILE I'M DRIVING IT STARTED HAPPENING ABOUT A MONTH AGO AT A HUNDRED AND NINETY-EIGHT THOUSAND MILES BUT IT WOULD GO AWAY I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AND IT WOULD BE FINE NOW IT IS LIKE THAT AT ALL TIMES
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!
Exterior lighting, Jun 18, 2018
THE HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT. BULBS HAVE BEEN CHANGED REPEATEDLY, PIGTAIL WAS CHANGED IN THE WIRING, FUSE WAS CHANGED AND LIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT
Steering, Jun 15, 2018
MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND I WAS UNABLE TO STEER WHILE ON THE FREEWAY.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jun 13, 2018
HEADLIGHT BULBS KEEP BURNING OUT AND RANDOM. PAID $432 TO CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP TO FIX PROBLEM AND IT IS STILL OCCURING.