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), Engine, Nov 20, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE REDUCE POWER, CHECK ENGINE, AND ESC SERVICE TRACTION INDICATORS ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BOX, IDLE CONTROL SENSOR, MODULE CONTROL SENSOR, THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR, OXYGEN CONTROL SENSOR, AND THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 173,000.
Power train, Nov 18, 2017
WHILE IN MOTION ON THE FREEWAY, MY VEHICLE BEGAN WOULD NOT SPEED UP WHEN I STEPPED ON THE GAS. THE CAR REVVED UP BUT IT WOULD NOT SPEED UP. I CONTINUED TO SLOW DOWN AS CARS APPROACHED ME FROM BEHIND. I WAS AFRAID THEY MIGHT HIT ME SO I MOVED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I TRIED TO ACCELERATE WHILE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BUT IT WOULD ONLY REV UP AND NOT MOVE. I SWITCHED THE GEARSHIFT SEVERAL TIMES BETWEEN PARK, NEUTRAL, REVERSE AND DRIVE. I COULD ONLY GO A FEW FEET AT A TIME. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO MY PARENTS HOUSE AND SITS THERE TODAY BECAUSE MECHANICS SAID THAT I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Nov 8, 2017
I HAVE 2010 CHEVY MALIBU I LOVE MY CAR IT HAS NEVER GIVEN ME ANY PROBLEMS THE WHOLE 3 YEARS OF OWNING IT JUST THE NORMAL MAINTENANCE. ONE DAY I WAS DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 25 MPH AND I CROSSED OVER AN INTERSECTION AND AS SOON AS I DID SO I PUSHED TO GAS PEDAL TO ACCELERATE A LITTLE AND I NOTICED THAT IT WASN'T GOING. THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE I HAD MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR AND ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS RIGHT BEHIND ME AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A CAR CRASH. I DIDN'T REALIZE THAT THE CAR HAD SHUT OFF BECAUSE EVERYTHING WAS STILL WORK RADIO WAS ON , LIGHTS WERE WORKING. SO I PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE CAR COMPLETELY OFF AND WHEN I TRIED TO TURN IT BACK ON IT WOULDN'T START. THE ENGINE JUST KEPT TURNING OVER AND NOT GETTING A GOOD SPARK. AND IT ALSO CAUSED THE BATTERY TO FAIL SO I HAD TO GET A NEW BATTERY. I CHANGED THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR, THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR AND THE CAR IS STILL DOING THE SAME THING. THIS IS A HUGE INCONVENIENCE FOR ME BECAUSE NO ONE CAN FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS BECAUSE THE BATTERY DIED O LOST ALL DIAGNOSTIC CODES. NOW WHAT?
Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 6, 2017
MY CAR BRAKES LIGHTS KEEP GOING OFF AND MY CHEVROLET MALIBU 2010 CAR HESITATES WHEN DRIVING .
Exterior lighting, Air bags, Nov 6, 2017
SERVICE AIR BAG SOON ALERT INTERMITTENTLY COMES ON AND GOES OFF SOMETIMES WHEN RESTARTING, OTHER TIMES AFTER DRIVING 15 - 20 MINUTES. HAD STAYED ON FOR 1 1/2 HOUR DRIVE BUT WHEN RESTARTING WAS OFF. DRIVING HAS BEEN HIGHWAY MILES. CAN COME ON UPON STARTING AND WHILE DRIVING. DASH BOARD LIGHTING GOES OFF WHILE DRIVING, HIGHWAY MILES. SOMETIMES DOES NOT TURN ON UNTIL 15 MINUTES OF HIGHWAY DRIVING THEN GO OFF AGAIN LATER. DIAL IS SETAT BRIGHTEZT POINT BUT NOT BRIGHT.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Nov 1, 2017
DRIVERS DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. DOOR LOCKS WORK BUT OUTSIDE AND INSIDE DOOR HANDLES/LATCHES WILL NOT OPEN DOOR. IT IS IN A SOLID STATE OF BEING LOCKED. THIE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN WHEN PARKED AND IGNITION OFF NOR WITH IGNITION ON. BRAKES ENGAGED, BRAKES DISENGAGED DOESN'T MATTER. SAFETY ISSUE IN CASE I NEED TO GET OUT ASAP.
Steering, Oct 31, 2017
AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, THE DASHBOARD CHIMED AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THIS HAS HAPPED TWO TIMES WITHIN THIS WEEK. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS DURING AN ATTEMPT TO MANEUVER A CURVE AND THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON A STRAIGHTAWAY.
Air bags, Seat belts, Engine, Oct 27, 2017
THE SEAT BELT KEEPS DINGING LIKE THE SEATBELT IS NOT CONNECTED TO THE SEATBELT LATCH AND IT IS. THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THE LIGHT GOES OFF SO THEY CAN NEVER FIGURE OUT WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT. EXCEPT ONCE WHICH IT CAME BACK TO IT BEING THE SOLENOID SENSOR. THEY FIXED IT. BUT, ENGINE LIGHT STILL COMES ON. THE SEATBELT DINGS DOING THE WHOLE RIDE OR IF YOUR SITING STILL. THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON OFF AND ON. JUST BOUGHT THE CAR 9/23/2017.
Service brakes, Oct 23, 2017
THE BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON WHILE DRIVING WITH OUT PRESSING THE BREAK PEDAL. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IT PRESSED THE LIGHTS GO OFF. THE CRUISE CONTROL IS NOT FUCTIONING AND THE ESC INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON.
Steering, Oct 20, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SISBARRO DEMING SUPERSTORE (4211 NM-549, DEMING, NM 88030, (888) 445-0069) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING MODULE, STEERING ANGLE SENSOR, AND CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 193,492.
Service brakes, Oct 20, 2017
THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ON ALL THE TIME WHILE DRIVING. WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE BRAKE LIGHTS GO OFF.
Electrical system, Air bags, Oct 18, 2017, crash
I WAS INVOLVED IN A HIT AND RUN BACK IN MARCH 2017 THE PERSON BACKED INTO THE PASS-SIDE OF MY CAR AS I WAS DRIVING 35 MPH DOWN THE MAIN ROAD , THE SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY FROM IMPACT , THE DEALERSHIP SAID THIS IS NOT A TAKATA ISSUE AS THEY WERE REPLACED BY THE CURRENT RECALL AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHY THEY DIDN'T DEPLOY . THE ELECTRICAL ISSUE IS THE ONSTAR RESPONSE SYSTEM DIDN'T DETECT THE CRASH AND CALL FOR HELP- I HAD TO PUSH THE BUTTON TO GET HELP . THE CAR CAN NOT GET DIRECTIONS SENT TO IT FROM ONSTAR AND THE ELECTRICAL KEEPS FAILING/LOOSING POWER AND I WAS TOLD TO REPLACE THE BATTER AND ALTERNATOR BUT IT STILL DOES IT AND THE WIRES R FINE . DEALERSHIP TOLD ME TO REPLACE THE COMPUTER CONTROL SYSTEM BUT SEEMS THEIR GUESSING AND I DON'T HAVE $1,200 AROUND TO DO IT . THE SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG SHOULD OF DEPLOYED AND THE ONSTAR SENSOR SHOULD OF DETECTED IT AND CALLED FOR HELP.
Power train, Oct 17, 2017
DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY GOING 60 AND THE CAR STARTED REVVING REALLY HIGH UNTIL I GOT MY SPEED DOWN TO FORTY AND IT WOULDN'T GO MORE THAN 40. WHEN I STOPPED TO LET CAR COOL AND I RESTARTED IT, I DROVE IT AROUND THE BLOCK A FEW TIMES AND IT STARTED THE SAME REVVING AND NOT GOING FASTER TNAN 40. I TRIED TO BACK THE CAR INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND IT WOULD NOT GO.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Oct 16, 2017
IGNITION PROBLEMS, ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS THROUGHOUT THE CAR AND BRAKE LIGHT ,PLUS TRANSMISSION IS NOT SHIFTING GEARS.
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Oct 16, 2017
ENGINE POWER REDUCED WHILE I WAS DRIVING INTO MY DAUGHTERS SCHOOL.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Oct 11, 2017
BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON WHILE DRIVING AND GO OFF WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. SERVICE ESC LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ON AS WELL. UNSURE IF RELATED.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Oct 2, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LACKED FORWARD MOMENTUM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WAVE PLATE IN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,633. *LN CONSUMER STATED ON 9/17/11 CAR NOT GETTING POWER. MADE LOUD NOISE DROVE APPOX. 15 MILES. TOOK CAT TO MENKE MOTOR, TRANSMISSION FAILED HAD ENGINE REPAIRED FOR $2300.00 UPDATED 7/24/18*JB
Power train, Oct 1, 2017
TRANSMISSION COMPLETLY WENT OUT WITH NO WARNING CROSSING A BUSY INTERSECTION. NO LIGHTS CAME ON, NO NOISES, WOULD BARELY GO THEN JERKED AND EXCELLERATION NOISE AS IF I REVED ENGINE UP BUT I DIDN'T THEN PULLED INTO PARKING SPOT AND IT WOULDNT GO INTO GEAR AND WOULD NOT MOVE. WHEN STARTED LATER THAT DAY IT RAN FINE AND 2 MINUTES FROM HOME IT DID THE EXACT SAME THING BUT NOW WILL NOT MOVE AT ALL AND JUST WHINES. I READ THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR THIS MODEL CAR AND GM WILL NOT COVER BC WARRANTY RUMS OIT BEFORE THE 5 YEAR 60,000 MILES. SOMETHING NEEDS DONE ABOUT THIS. MY CAR ONLY HAS 57000 MILES ON IT.
Steering, Sep 29, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT AN UNKNOWN RECALL WAS ISSUED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO CALL HER LOCAL DEALER. THE CONTACT CALLED SELMAN CHEVROLET (1800 E CHAPMAN AVE, ORANGE, CA 92867, PHONE NUMBER (714) 633-3521) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,525.
Steering, Air bags, Sep 29, 2017, crash
THE POWER STEERING SENSOR WILL SUDDENLY GO OFF AND MY WHEEL LOCKS, I CANNOT TURN MY WHEELS, I FEEL REALLY UNSAFE I ALMOST CRASHED WITH MYSELF AND KIDS.
Air bags, Engine, Sep 28, 2017
ENGINE POWER DROPS SUDDENLY ON HIGHWAY OR IN TRAFFIC AFTER 45MINS OF DRIVING, REDUCED ENGINE POWER, SERVICE ENGINE, SERVICE AIRBAG MESSAGES COME ON ALSO ESC MESSAGE THEN ENGINE STALLS AND MOVES AT ABOUT 10MPH FROM DRIVING AT ANYWHERE BETWEEN 30MPH TO 70MPH. RECURRING FOR THE LAST TWO MONTHS CAN'T BE FIXED AFTER SEVERAL CHEVY DEALER WORKSHOP VISITS AND COSTS
Visibility/wiper, Sep 21, 2017
IN 2015 WIPER TRANS FAILED AT HEAVY RAIN AND NEW ONE WAS INSTALLED BY BOB BELL CHEVROLET DEALER. IN AUGUST 2017, ON RAINY DAY ON I-95 TOWARD WDC WIPERS STOPPED WORKING AND WITH LIFE TREATING I DROVE THE CAR TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP - POHANKA CHEVROLET THAT SAID THAT WIPER TRANS FAILED. I GOT FAILED TRANS - LOOKED AS A NEW, BUT IT IS LIFE THREATENING SITUATION WHEN ON FREEWAY DRIVER LOOSES VISIBILITY COMPLETELY. LOOKS LIKE THAT IS PERSISTENTLY FAILING GM PART NEEDED TO BE RECALLED IN ORDER TO KEEP US DRIVERS SAFE.
Steering, Power train, Sep 15, 2017
POWER STEERING FAILED FOR THE SECOND TIME ON SEPTEMBER 10, 2017. I HAD TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN IN NOVEMBER 2016 FOR THE SAME CONDITION. THERE IS A RECALL FOR CHEVY MALIBUS UP UNTIL THE 2009 MODEL YEAR AND CLEARLY THERE IS A WEAKNESS IN THE 2010. THIS FAILURE WAS WHILE I WAS PARKED IN A TIGHT SPOT AND COULDN'T GET OUT. I RESTARTED THE CAR UNTIL IT RECALIBRATED, BUT IT WILL UNDOUBTEDLY GO AGAIN. REPEAT OF PREVIOUS PROBLEM. ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AFTER COMPLETE FAILURE AT 48,000 MILES IN JANUARY 2017. THAT WAS A MERE $4600. IT FAILED WHILE IN MOTION, BUT FORTUNATELY I WAS UPHILL FROM MY HOME AND I WAS ABLE TO ROLL IT TO THE CURB.
Seats, Sep 15, 2017, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HEATER CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE EXTINGUISHED ITSELF. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CONTACT DIDN'T KNOW WHAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.
Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Sep 14, 2017
WAS RECENTLY MADE AWARE (NUMEROUS TIMES IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS) THAT WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD MY BRAKE LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. AT TIMES WHEN NOT APPLYING THE BRAKES THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ON ACTING AS IF I WAS BREAKING AND WHEN I BRAKE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TURN OFF (SO IN OTHER WORDS IT IS REVERSED). AROUND THE SAME TIME THAT THIS BEGAN TO HAVE LIKELY STARTED OCCURRING THE FOLLOWING WARNING LIGHTS BEGAN TO APPEAR; "ESC" AND SERVICE TRACTION" (I DO NOT KNOW IF THERE IS ANY RELATION BETWEEN THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND NOTED WARNING LIGHTS). I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ESPECIALLY WITH MY FAMILY IN IT AS THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE NOT GIVING OTHER DRIVERS AROUND ME THE APPROPRIATE INDICATION OF WHAT MY VEHICLES INTENTIONS ARE. THE BRAKE LIGHT PROBLEM HAS BEEN OCCURRING, WHEN IN MOTION, STATIONARY, HIGHWAY AND CITY STREET. POTENTIALLY PARTS THAT MAY REQUIRE REPLACEMENT OR REPAIR; BODY CONTROL MODULE (BCM), BAS, AND HARNESS CONNECTOR.