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, Exterior lighting, Mar 9, 2018
MY 2010 MALIBU HEADLIGHTS WERE REPLACED FIVE TIMES IN A YEAR. I PAID OVER 1000.00 JUST TO HAVE A 15.00 LIGHT BULB REPLACED. SOMETHING IS HAPPENING BECAUSE IT OCCURS ONLY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE ONLY. THERE SHOULD BE SOME TYPE OF RECALL OR REIMBURSEMENT. AS OF TODAY. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO SPEND 200.00 JUST TO GO OUT AGAIN IN A WEEK. I AM DRIVING WITH ONE LIGHT BECAUSE I REFUSE TO FIX IT UNTIL GM DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS INSANE AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO GET DONE IMMEDIATELY.
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 28, 2018
MY 2010 CHEVY MALIBU IS HAVING FUEL SYSTEM ISSUES. THE VEHICLE IS LEAKING GAS FROM THE FUEL TANK LOCATED IN THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE NEAR THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE TENDS TO LEAK WHEN IT IS NOT IN MOTION.
Steering, Feb 24, 2018
POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR AND OTHER INDICATION ON HARD. MANUAL SAYS CONTACT DEALER. DEALER SAYS THIS VIN NOT IN RECALL WHICH WAS ISSUED.
Other or unspecified, Feb 23, 2018
FIRST OF ALL I AM A MUSICIAN AND THIS CAR HAS CUT MY FINGERS BADLY ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. ONCE I WAS AT AN AUDITION AND BLOOD WAS EVERYWHERE. YOU KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM CAUSE THE WEB SAYS YOU HAVE RECEIVED MANY MANY MANY COMPLAINTS. LISTEN IF THE CHROME TAPE ON DOOR HANDLES INSIDE AND OUT PEELS AND CUTS THEM DON'T ALLOW AUTO MAKERS TO USE IT PLEASE! WHEN YOU ARRIVE IN FULL DRESS A SUIT OR NICE CLOTHES AND YOU OPEN YOUR DRIVERS DOOR OR PASSENGER AND THE TAPE SLICES YOUR FINGER LIKE A MEAT SLICER AND BLOOD IS EVERYWHERE. I WAS SET TO PLAY MUSIC TONIGHT AND NOW I CAN'T. I AM EXTREMELY UPSET WHY LET THEM KEEP USING A PRODUCT THAT PEOPLE KEEP COMPLAINING TO YOU ABOUT?
Power train, Wheels, Feb 23, 2018
POWER STEERING WARNING IS COME ON WHEN TRY TO START CAR . NOT SAFETY TO DRIVE .WHAT TO DO???
Steering, Feb 23, 2018
ON MY 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT. LOSS OF POWER STEERING ALMOST DIED ON THE INTERSTATE WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT .
Air bags, Feb 20, 2018
CODES: B0014, B0021 ABS WIRING HARNESS LIGHT ILLUMINATING "SERVICE AIR BAG"
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 20, 2018
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN ESC LIGHT CAME ON AND COMPLETELY LOST POWER STEERING ON THE HIGHWAY WHERE THERE WAS SNOW AND ICE. HAD TO PULL OF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ALMOST GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT.
Power train, Feb 16, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AND DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE DEALER (CHEVROLET 21, 1100 HELLERTOWN RD, BETHLEHEM, PA 18015) WAS CONTACTED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,694. *JS
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 14, 2018
ESC LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS
Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Feb 14, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE TAIL LAMP FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. OURISMAN CHEVROLET OF BOWIE (16610 GOVERNORS BRIDGE RD, BOWIE, MD) REPAIRED THE VEHICLE PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000(SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,000.
Steering, Feb 13, 2018
VEHICLE'S STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY.ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON.HAD TO SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTART BEFORE I WENT INTO THE DITCH OR HAD A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH ANOTHER CAR.UPON RESTARTING THE ENGINE THE LIGHT WENT OFF AND THE STEERING WHEEL WORKED AGAIN.NOW IT MOVES ON ITS OWN AND MAKES A NOISE.I'M AFRAID IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN AGAIN.AND I'M FED UP WITH THIS CAR AND THE RECALL NOTES I'VE BEEN READING ABOUT YOUR COMPANY.
Steering, Feb 12, 2018
TAKATA RECALL WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT. ALMOST HIT ANOTHER CAR.
Steering, Feb 7, 2018
STIFF STEERING; WILL NOT TURN.
Steering, Feb 7, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THE TRACTION POWER INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER, TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, AND THE POWER STEERING BEGAN TO OPERATE NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED (KENDALL AUTO MALL, 15700 IDAHO CENTER BLVD, NAMPA, ID 83687) AND STATED THAT NO RECALLS WERE ASSOCIATED WITH THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE VIN SEARCH REVEALED ONE RECALL FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, HYDRAULIC); HOWEVER, THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Steering, Feb 6, 2018
STEERING POWER SHOWS IN MY CAR, LOOSING THE CONTROL OF MY WHEEL
Steering, Feb 5, 2018
PERIODICALLY, UPON INITIAL SWITCH-ON, POWER STEERING / ESC CONTROL ERROR MESSAGES FLASH AND POWER STEERING IS INOPERATIVE (VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN). SWITCHING OFF IGNITION AND RESTARTING USUALLY CLEARS THE PROBLEM. IN ADDITION, WHILE IDLING (STOP LIGHT) THE STEERING WHEEL PULSES OR VIBRATES SLOWLY WITH NO HANDS ON THE WHEEL. THIS SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE WITH TIME; AND HAS OCCASIONALLY HAPPENED WHILE THE CAR WAS DRIVING. TAKING FOR REPAIR TOMORROW.
Steering, Feb 5, 2018
THE POWER STEERING FAILS INTERMITTENTLY. THIS MORNING IT ALMOST CAUSED ME TO WRECK WHILE GETTING OFF THE INTERSTATE. I WENT TO TURN ON THE OFF-RAMP AND MY POWER STEERING FAILED, FOLLOWED BY SEVERAL MESSAGES ON MY INFORMATION DISPLAY. (POWER STEERING, ESC) ONCE I TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN, MY POWER STEERING RETURNS. SINCE THEN IT CONTINUES TO SHUT DOWN ON ME WHILE DRIVING. AFTER LOOKING INTO THE ISSUE ONLINE, I NOTICE A LARGE RECALL ON 2010 MALIBU'S FOR THIS EXACT REASON, BUT SOMEHOW MINE IS NOT COVERED. HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE WHEN IT IS THE EXACT SAME ISSUE? THIS IS BECOMING A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN.
Steering, Engine, Feb 5, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LACK OF ENGINE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND THE ESC, POWER STEERING, AND ENGINE POWER REDUCED WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE RESTARTED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ESC FAILED. THE DEALER (GRAY-DANIELS CHEVROLET, 6080 INTERSTATE 55 NORTH FRONTAGE RD, JACKSON, MS 39211) INFORMED THE CONTACT THEY WOULD REPAIR THE VEHICLE FOR A FEE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Steering, Feb 4, 2018
I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE POWER STEERING IN THE CAR NOT WORKING. IT WILL RANDOMLY SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING BUT IF THE CAR IS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED A FEW MINUTES LATER IT WILL WORK FINE FOR A FEW MILES.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Feb 2, 2018
I HAVE BEEN NOTICING AND BEEN TOLD MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE ON WHILE DRIVING DOWN ROAD AND AT TIMES MY CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT FUNCTION AND IT HAPPENS DURING DAY WHEN I CAN'T TELL AND AT NIGHT WHICH OBVIOUSLY IS MORE APPARENT BUT NOT ANY LESS DANGEROUS ...PUTTING TWO TOGETHER MY BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD BE COMING ON AND WHEN I PRESS THE PEDAL TO SLOW DOWN THEY GO OFF...I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED AND AFTER GOOGLING TO FIND A FIX I SEE THERE ARE MANY RECALLS AND COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE WITH THIS YEAR MAKE AND MODEL...AS IT DOES NOT LIST MY VIN TO BE INVOLVED WITH ANY RECALLS IT'S CONCERNING THAT THE SAFETY OF MY KIDS AND I COULD BE AT RISK. I CANNOT FIND ANY POSITIVE FIX TO THE PROBLEM YET AND SEE MANY PEOPLE SPENT HUNDREDS TO THOUSANDS AT DEALERSHIPS ONLY TO FIND THE PROBLEM NOT FIXED...IF THERE'S ANY ASSISTANCE INFORMATION OR GO TO'S YOU CAN PROVIDE I WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED
Steering, Suspension, Air bags, Jan 31, 2018
2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE STEERING AND AIR BAG DEFECTS. *SMD THE CONSUER STATED THE STEERING WOULD SQUEAL AND GROWL, WHICH CREATED A VIBRATION MAKING STEERING DIFFICULT. THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED.*JS
Steering, Jan 28, 2018
POWER STEERING LOSS WHILE DRIVING. ESC LIGHT CAME ON. I PULLED OVER AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS SHAKING. RESTARTED CAR AND PROBLEM WENT AWAY. GOT HOME AND RESTARTED CAR. LOST POWER STEERING. ESC LIGHT CAME ON SAID IT TURNED OFF.
Steering, Jan 28, 2018
WHILE DRIVING ONE DAY, I NOTICED THAT MY STEERING HAD STARTED TO TICK WHENEVER I WOULD COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. TWO DAYS LATER, WHEN PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY MY POWER STEERING WENT COMPLETELY OUT. I WAS THANKFUL THAT IT DID NOT HAPPEN WHILE I WAS DRIVING BECAUSE MY CHILDREN WERE IN THE CAR. THE STEERING WOULD NOT COME BACK ON FOR A WHILE THEN RANDOMLY AN HOUR OR SO LATER WHEN THE CAR WAS RESTARTED, THE POWER STEERING WAS BACK ON BUT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD TICK LIKE BEFORE, ONLY HARDER, THEN IT WENT BACK OUT AGAIN A SHORT WHILE LATER WHILE I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM THE GAS STATION. THANKFULLY THIS TIME, I WAS ALONE. EVER SINCE THAT TIME THE POWER STEERING HAS NOT RETURNED. I'VE HAD THE POWER STEERING MOTOR CHANGED AND THAT DID NOT SOLVE THE ISSUE AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY, AFTER READING TONS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE POWER STEERING GOING OUT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, IT HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED AND CORRECTED. WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE BEFORE THIS HAPPENS?
Steering, Jan 24, 2018
TAKATA RECALL. I WAS IN DRIVING MODE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED , CAUSING THE CAR TO STOP