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.
Exterior lighting, Jun 20, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE OF WHICH PART WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 9, 2016
IN 2014, GENERAL MOTORS' RECALL #13036 WAS SERVICED BY CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP WHO SAID PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED. IN JUNE 2016 THE PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED. WHILE IN MOTION THE BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON WITHOUT PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDDLE; THE CRUISE CONTROL DISENGAGES; AND DISABLEMENT OF TRACTION CONTROL AND ELECTRONIC STABILITY WHICH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH. ALL OCCUR WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION ON CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Jun 8, 2016
CAR LOST CONTROL OF POWER STEERING SAME TIME AS DRIVER SIDE BACK BRAKE LIGHT WENT OUT STEERING WHEEL SHAKES BAD WHEN SLOWING DOWN FROM 70
Steering, Power train, Electrical system, Jun 7, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRACTION CONTROL AND THE SERVICE ESC WARNING INDICATORS HAD ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION, THE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE, AND THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14E044000 (STEERING ) HOWEVER THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,958.
Air bags, Seat belts, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 2, 2016
I BOUGHT MY MALIBU NEW IN 2010, SHORTLY ATTER THE SERVICE ESC AND TRACTION LIGHRTS KEPT COMMING ON, I TOOK TO SHOP BUT THSY ACTED LIKE I WAS NUTS, LATER I GOT A RECALL AND TOOK TO SHOP, SAID WAS FIXED BU TWO DAYS LATER SAME SITUTATION, THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR 5 YEARS MOT ONLY THOSE BUT SEATBELT COME ON AND SERVICE AIRBAGS COMES ON CONSTANTLY, I WROTE TO CHEVY AND ALL THEY DID WAS SENE ME BACK TO CHEVY WHERE THEY CHARGED ME AND GUESS WHAT, THE PROBLEM IS OCCURING, I EMAILED CHEVY AGAIN MONTHS AGO AND HAVE STILL NO REPLY.
Steering, May 28, 2016
CAR WAS PURCHASED 12/2009. JUNE OF 2013 CAR WAS BROUGHT TO CHEVROLET DUE TO A RUMBLE IN STEERING WHILE TURNING AT LOW SPEEDS. STEERING GEAR WAS REPLACED. OCTOBER 2014 CAR WAS RETURNED AGAIN TO CHEVROLET WITH SAME PROBLEM. POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED. JUNE 2015 CAR WAS RETURNED AGAIN WITH SAME PROBLEM. STEERING GEAR, PUMP, AND ALL HOSES WERE REPLACED. AGAIN 6 MONTHS LATER THE RUMBLE HAS RETURNED. GM HAS STATED THEY WILL NO LONGER SPEND MONEY FIXING THE CAR EVEN THOUGH I HAVE FULL WARRANTY.
Power train, May 27, 2016
WILL NOT SHIFT INTO PARK, CHECKED AND FOUND PLASTIC TABS THAT HOLD TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE TOGETHER WERE BROKEN AS INDICATED IN GM RECALL NOTICE 12106C. CONTACTED DEALER AND WAS TOLD THIS RECALL DOES NOT AFFECT MY CAR'S VIN. (SEE ATTACHED PHOTO)
Electrical system, May 25, 2016
HAD TO GET A REPAIR ON THE EXHAUST VVT SOLENOID FOR THE EXHAUST SIDE OF THE ENGINE. CODES: P0013 & P0014.
Other or unspecified, May 25, 2016
THE DRIVER'S DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM EITHER KEY, INSIDE DOOR HANDLE OR OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE. WE TOOK TO CHEVY MALIBU DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD SINCE THIS IS NOT RECALL WE HAVE TO PAY FOR IT WHICH WOULD BE $467.00. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 79.000 MILES. THE DOOR NOT OPENING HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES AND I AM NOT ONLY ONE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO BECAUSE I CHECKED ON LINE TO SEE THE NUMBERS. IT IS DANGEROUS IN THIS CONDITION. I AM TRAPPED IN CAR WHEN IT HAPPENS PLUS I AM DISABLED AND MOVING OVER MEDIAN TO GET OUR OF CAR IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. SINCE THIS IS DANGEROUS, THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL.
Other or unspecified, May 24, 2016
VEHICLE SUNROOF LEAKS THROUGH TO CENTER CONSOLE, FRONT DOME LIGHT, CARPETS AND SPEAKERS. THIS OCCURS AT ALL TIMES, STATIONARY AND IN MOTION. MORE SO AFTER RAIN AND CAR WASHING. I NOW HAVE WATER STAINS, MOLD AND SMELL THROUGHOUT CAR.
Steering, Air bags, May 23, 2016, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A JERSEY BARRIER. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14E044000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.....UPDATED 07/05/16 *BF *CN
Electrical system, Air bags, Service brakes, May 16, 2016
SINCE WE BOUGHT THE CAR ON MORE THAN ONE OCASSION THE SUNROOF HAS LEAKED, THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON WHEN YOU MOVE THE PASSENGER SEAT, AND THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT IN THE WINDOW DOES NOT WORK.
Electrical system, May 11, 2016
THE BODY CONTROL MODULE (BCM) WENT OUT AND THE DEALER OR GM WILL NOT PAY FOR THE REPAIRS DESPITE THERE BEING KNOWN ISSUES AND RECALLS INVOLVING ISSUES WITH THE BCM. THE GAUGE WILL NOT WORK CORRECTLY, THE LIGHTS FLICKER, THE SHIFTING IS AFFECTED, ETC. PLEASE SEE RECALLS 14V252000, 14V252000, 14V252000 & 14V252000.
Other or unspecified, May 8, 2016
CAR SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING! EVERYTHING DIES. CANNOT RESTART. HAPPENED TWICE. DEALER REPLACED SENSOR. WORKED FOR A WEEK, THEN DIED AGAIN IN TRAFFIC. TOWED BACK TO DEALER, WHO HAS NO IDEA WHY THIS HAPPENS. NO RECALL NOTICE EVER RECEIVED FROM CHEVY. BUT I FOUND PLENTY OF COMPLAINTS BY OTHER OWNERS AS FAR BACK AS 2003 WHILE RESEARCHING ON INTERNET.
Wheels, May 7, 2016
I HAVE HAD 2 OF MY STEEL RIM GET CRACKS IN THEME IS THERE A RECALL ON THEME, I ALSO HAD 5 WHEEL LUGS ON THE LEFT FRONT BREAK AND 7 ON THE RIGHT NOT FROM OVER TIGHTENING WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THATS WHAT THEY TOLD ME AT THE TIME I HAD 1 ON EACH SIDE BROKEN THEY I HAD THEME REPAIR EM AND 3 WEEKS LATER I HAD 2 ON ONE SIDE 1 SIDE BRAKE I REPLACED THE WHEEL HUBS.
Air bags, May 6, 2016
AIR BAG SERVICE SYSTEM INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON AND GOES OFF. IT SAYS SERVICE AIR BAG SYSTEM. BUT IT CONTINUES TO DO THIS OFF AND ON FREQUENTLY.
Wheels, May 4, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RIMS WERE CRACKING AND THE TIRES WERE LOW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS LOW DUE TO THE CRACKED RIM. THE RIM WAS REPLACED TWICE. THE RIM WAS PURCHASED FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Air bags, May 4, 2016
AIRBAG LIGHTS ARE ON WILL NOT GO OFF.ALSO SAYS SERVICE AIRBAGS.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), May 1, 2016
I WAS TURNING ONTO A FREEWAY ON RAMP WHEN A ENGINE POWER REDUCED MESSAGE CAME UP ON MY DASHBOARD. THE CARS SPEED THEN DROPPED TO ABOUT 10 MILES AN HOUR AND STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY. THANKFULLY I WAS ONLY MOVING AT ABOUT 30 MPH AND WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SHOULDER SAFELY.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 21, 2016
MY 2010 CHEVY MALIBU LT 2.4 L BEGAN MISFIRING ON CYLINDER 1 GIVING ME TH CODES P0201 AND P0301. AFTER GETTING THOSE READINGS I BEGAN DRIVING HOME AND THE CAR BEGAN TO JERK AND LOSE POWER FOLLOWED BY THE SERVICE TRACTION AND SERVICE ESC WARNING LIGHTS FLASHING ALONG WITH THE ENGINE LIGHT. SO I BEGAN TO ACCELERATE AGAIN AND THE GEARS HAD TROUBLE SHIFTING AND HORSE POWER WAS REDUCE WHEN TRYING TO TAKE OFF. THE CAR WOULD SLIP GEAR AT 40 MPH AND AROUND 60 - 65 MPH. LIGHTS WILL NOT GO OFF UNLESS NEGATIVE BATTERY POST IS REMOVED AND THEN RECONNECTED.THEN PROBLEM RETURNS WHEN CAR IS DRIVEN AGAIN. I SEARCHED MY VIN NUMBER AND THERE IS NO RECALL FOR MY VIN BUT MY CAR HAS THE SAME ISSUES AS 100S OF OTHER 2010 CHEVY MALIBUS. I REALLY DONT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR. I WISH I ANY OTHER OPTION TO GETTING THIS PROBLEM FIXED ASAP!!!
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Apr 19, 2016
BRAKE LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONS, BRAKE LIGHTS WILL BE ILLUMINATING WHEN BRAKE IS NOT PRESSED ALSO GEAR SHIFTER IS DIFFICULT TO GET OUT OF PARK SERVICE ESC TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED IN JULY 2011, SEPTEMBER 2012. AUGUST 2013. SEPTEMBER 2014, AND FEBRUARY 2016 FOR THE SAME ONGOING SAFETY ISSUE. GM DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO FIX IT. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS VERY PROBLEM RECALL # 13036 BUT ONCE THEY REPAIR IT, THEY CONSIDER THE RECALL CLOSED EVEN THOUGH THEY DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM.
Steering, Apr 18, 2016
LETTER FROM SENATOR BROWN ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE 2010 CHEVY MALIBU. *SMD THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER REGARDING THE POWER STEERING. WHEN SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, SHE WAS INFORMED THEY COULD DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE USING THEIR ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT. ON NOVEMBER 1, 2015, THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AGAIN AS SHE WAS DRIVING. THE CONSUMER WENT TO ANOTHER REPAIR FACILITY AND HAD THE PROBLEM DIAGNOSED. HOWEVER, THE REPAIR FACILITY WAS NOT A GM DEALERSHIP. *JB
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 15, 2016, crash
RIGHT NOW I HAVE THE SERVICE ESC AND SERVICE TRACTION LIGHT ON AGAIN FOR THE 3RD TIME. I TOOK EACH TIME TO CHEVY CLASSIC IN GRAPEVINE TX AND THEY TOLD ME NO CODES THE 1ST TIME, TOOK IT TO CLAY COOLEY IN IRVING--LIGHT CAME ON THEN NO CODES THEY SHOWED. TODAY 4-15=16 LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND I TOOK IT TO CLASSIC CHEVY AND THEY FOUND 3 CODES THIS TIME. THEY SAY I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS! I SHOULD NOT SINCE THERE WAS AN OPEN RECALL ON 5/14/2014 FOR 2010 MALIBU'S. MY CAR IS DOING THIS NOW !@!!@ IT NEEDS TO BE FIXED AT NO CHARGE TO ME!! I FEEL LIKE THIS IS THE MOST DANGEROUS CAR ON THE ROAD FOR ME AND MY DAUGHTER. I DON'T WANT TO BE A STATISTIC IF WE HAVE A CAR CRASH AND IT WAS ALL BECAUSE CHEVY KEPT MAKING EXCUSES TO NOT FIX MY CRAP CAR FOR ME. THE OTHER RECALL WAS THE BRAKE SYSTEM NOT ILLUMINATING I GOT THAT LETTER A LITTLE TOO LATE . SOMEONE REAR ENDED ME IN OCT 2012 WHILE I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. MAYBE THOSE STUPID BACK BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING THEN!!!!!! SOMEONE AT CLASSIC OR CLAY COOOLYE CHEVY NEEDS TO FIX THIS ESC LIGHT ON MY CAR AND FIX ALL THE RECALLS FOR FREE. I ALSO HAVE AN EPS RECALL LETTER THAT WAS SENT TO ME BUT SOMEONE AT CHEVY TOLD ME THE LIGHT HAS TO COME ON FOR THEM TO FIX IT. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. MY CAR NEEDS TO BE FIXED FOR ALL THESE PROBLEMS IT HAS NO MATTER IF THE LIGHT IS ON OR NOT. BUT THE LIGHT IS ON FOR SERVICE ESC AND TRACTION RIGHT NOW!@ GM OR CHEVY NEEDS TO PAY FOR IT AND FIX THIS CAR. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER DID NOT COMPLETELY FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY ONLY LUBRICATED AND SHE CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES, SERVICE LIGHT AND ESC LIGHT. ALSO, THE FRONT AXLE WAS LEAKING.
Power train, Apr 12, 2016
WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND MY TRANSMISSION RANDOMLY WENT OUT. IT WAS SLIPPING WITH RPM GOING OUT OF CONTROL. ONCE THIS STARTED HAPPENING MY SPEED AND ACCELERATION WERE NOT SYNCHRONIZING SO I HAD TO EXIT. IT WAS A VERY SCARY EXPERIENCE AND THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. MY CAR IS FAIRLY NEW AND HAD BEEN KEPT UP TO PAR SO THIS CAME OUT OF NOWHERE.
Seats, Apr 6, 2016, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SMOKE ODOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEATED SEAT ELEMENT BURNED A HOLE INTO THE SEAT FABRIC AND THE BACK OF THE CONTACT'S SWEATER. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MODULE AND THE DRIVER SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.