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, Sep 10, 2014
FOLLOWED SAFETY RECALL LETTER INSTRUCTIONS TO SCHEDULE INSTALLATION OF BODY CONTROL MODULE PART KOOZ CHEVY DEALER IN WHITE MARSH, MD SAYS THEY DO NOT HAVE PART AND WILL TAKE 3 WEEKS TO ORDER I OBJECT TO THIS FAILURE SINCE LETTER SAYS TO ACT QUICKLY SINCE I AM AT RISK OF CRASH. *TR
Steering, Sep 8, 2014, crash
WHILE GOING THRU A TURN THE INPUT SHAFT CAME OUT OF THE RACK AND PINION CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING. WHEELS WENT STRAIGHT CAUSING THE CAR TO JUMP THE CURB AND STRIKE BOULDERS IN THE LAND SCAPE. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Sep 7, 2014
INTERIOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE LIGHTS IN THE DASHBOARD---DASH LIGHTS (DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER) AND RADIO LIGHTS OCCASIONALLY DO NOT COME ON AND/OR FREQUENTLY GO OFF WHILE DRIVING. RADIO WILL BE WORKING THEN AUX IMPUT DEVICE WILL APPEAR AND THE RADIO STOPS WORKING. ALSO THE RADIO LIGHTS WILL TILE AT TIMES AND THEN START ROLLING IN RECTANGULAR LINES. *TR
Electrical system, Sep 3, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RECENTLY REPAIRED UNDER RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). HOWEVER, THE TRACTION LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. AFTER THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, THE TRACTION LIGHT AND ESC LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 3, 2014
AFTER PARKING MY 2010 CHEVY MALIBU, I CAN SMELL GASOLINE AT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE EXTERIOR (GAS TANK IS ON OPPOSITE SIDE). THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR SOME TIME SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN MARCH 2013. I DON'T KNOW WHEN I FIRST SMELLED IT. I ALSO HAVE HAD POOR GAS MILEAGE SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. I FINALLY MENTIONED IT TO SOMEONE AND THEY TOLD ME TO LOOK UP RECALL NOTICES. THERE IS NO RECALL BUT I FOUND MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER CHEVY MALIBU OWNERS. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 28, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL); HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Aug 23, 2014
WHILE DRIVING SUDDENLY THE CAR JERKED (LIKE A TRANSMISSION ERROR) AND THEN THE MESSAGE ON THE DISPLAY WOULD SHOW "SERVICE ESC" AND "TRACTION OFF". I BROUGHT THE CAR IN FIRST TO RUN AN ELECTRICAL TEST, WHERE THEY REPROGRAMMED A SENSOR (COST=$158.95). A FEW DAYS LATER THE VERY SAME ISSUE HAPPENED AND AT THIS TIME WHEN I CAME TO A STOP SIGN I WENT TO ACCELERATE AND MY CAR HAD SHUT ITSELF OFF. I THEN BROUGHT IT IN WHERE THE FOUND CODES REGARDING THE MANIFOLD ABSOLUTE PRESSURE (MAP) SENSOR PROBLEMS. THE SERVICE PLACE THEN MONITORED BOTH THE COMPUTER DATA FOR THE MAP SENSOR AND THE ACTUAL SENSOR DATA DURING TEST DRIVE AND FOUND THAT WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURS THE COMPUTER DATA DROPS OUT BUT THE SENSOR DATA REMAINS THE SAME, THEY SUGGESTED THAT IT COULD BE A POSSIBLE WIRING PROBLEM, AND I AGREED TO HAVE THEM REPLACE THE SENSOR.(COST+$275.15). NOTHING HAPPENED UNTIL A FEW WEEKS LATER AND THE VERY SAME ISSUE OCCURRED. MY HUSBAND PLAYED AROUND WITH SOME WIRES AND HAD NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A POSSIBLE WAY THAT CONDENSATE COULD GET INTO WHERE THE SENSORS WERE AND SO HE FIXED THAT ISSUE. I HAVE NOT HAD THIS ISSUE SINCE THEN. JUST WANTING TO SEE IF THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM AND TO GET A PROPER FIX. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Aug 23, 2014
I NOTICED WHILE DRIVING ONE MORNING MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED, BUT I WAS NOT DEPRESSING THE BRAKES. WHEN I PUSHED THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WENT OFF. AT THIS VERY SAME TIME WHEN I TRIED TO SET THE CRUISE CONTROL, IT WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO DO SO. THIS HAS BEEN AN ON-AGAIN, OFF-AGAIN ISSUE. SOME DAYS IT WORKS CORRECTLY BUT OTHER DAYS THE SAME PROBLEM PERSISTS. I RESEARCHED ONLINE AND SAW THAT THERE WAS A RECALL BY GM FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM, RECALL ID# 14V252000, BUT WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY CHECKED MY VIN # THEY SAID THAT MY CAR WAS NOT UNDER THE RECALL, AND THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO TAKE MY CAR AND SEE IF IT HAPPENS TO THEM IN ORDER TO FIX IT. I READ THE RECALL AND IT IS EXACTLY THE ISSUE THAT I AM HAVING. PLEASE HELP AND ADD MINE, AND I'M SURE OTHERS, VIN#'S TO THIS RECALL BEFORE SOMETHING HORRIBLE HAPPENS! *TR
Power train, Aug 21, 2014
SHAKING, WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL AND ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE GAS PEDAL SANK TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO STATED THE AT THE THROTTLE BODY AND CONNECTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53143. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Electrical system, Aug 21, 2014
TEMP. GAUGE IS NOT WORKING AND THE AIR-COND. IS NOT WORKING. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 20, 2014
2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BRAKE SYSTEM RECALL NOTICE AND CONSUMER SEEKS A LOANER VEHICLE UNTIL PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE. *SMD RECALL# 14V252000. *JB
Structure, Aug 18, 2014
WATER LEAKS INSIDE THE CAR WHEN IT RAINS OUTSIDE OR WHEN I GO THROUGH A CAR WASH. THE ISSUE WASN'T DETECTED AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE HOWEVER IT WAS NOTICED SEVERAL MONTHS LATER DURING A PERIOD OF FREQUENT AND HEAVY RAIN. THE ISSUE BEGAN WITH WATER DRIPPING ONLY NEAR THE BRAKE PEDAL, HOWEVER OVER TIME THE ISSUE HAS SPREAD TO AN AREA BETWEEN THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND FRONT WINDSHIELD. WATER NOW LEAKS FROM BOTH AREAS WHEN IT RAINS AND/OR WHEN I DRIVE THROUGH A CAR WASH. IF I PARK ON AN INCLINE, SOMETIMES THE WATER WILL DRAIN FROM THE CAR. ALSO, THE WATER HAS STAINED MY INTERIOR, LEAVES A MOLDY SMELL AND OVER TIME I WILL ASSUME THAT THE ISSUE WILL SPREAD EVEN FURTHER OR MAY DAMAGE THE INTERIOR ROOF. BECAUSE WATER LEAKS FROM ABOVE, IT SOAKS ALL OF THE BUTTONS ON THE DOOR (WINDOWS, LOCKS, ETC) AS WELL AS THE BUTTON TO HEAT THE SEAT - HOPEFULLY THAT DOES NOT CREATE AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE. *TR
Wheels, Aug 16, 2014
THIS IS THE THIRD RIM THAT HAS CRACKED ON THIS 2010 CHEVY MALIBU,WITHIN 6 MOS. AT THE PRICE OF $253.00. *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Aug 15, 2014, fire
VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE WHEN IT WAS NOT RUNNING. THE VEHICLE WAS IN USE EARLIER IN THE DAY. THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD AND BURNED THE ENTIRE FRONT OF THE CAR AND CAUSED SOME INTERIOR DAMAGE AS WELL. *TR
Engine, Aug 11, 2014
THE ENGINE HAS AN ECO-TECH IT IS GETTING FUEL IN OIL , YOU CAN SMELL IT ON CAP. THIS IS CAUSING THE ENGINE TO BURN OIL , USE MORE GAS.THE CAR ONLY HAS 27000 MILES ON IT. EXCELLENT CONDITION. USING OIL AT AN ACCELERATED RATE, YOU HAVE TO MONITOR OR VALVES CHATTER. THE MOTOR CANT LAST IN THIS STATE, PLEASE ADD TO RECALL LIST. *TR
Electrical system, Aug 6, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL); HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Vehicle speed control, Aug 5, 2014, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN THE CONTACT DISENGAGED THE CRUISE CONTROL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ABRUPTLY AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000.
Engine, Aug 1, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000.
Service brakes, Aug 1, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND ALL FOUR TIRES SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM , ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL , EXTERIOR LIGHTING , SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC , VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000.
Seats, Jul 31, 2014
THE DRIVER HEATED SEAT BEGAN SMOKING AND LEFT A BURN HOLE IN MIDDLE BACK REST OF SEAT. *TR
Air bags, Jul 31, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ON A MAJOR ROADWAY, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES DUE TO THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,550. UPDATED 09/02/14*LJ
Steering, Electrical system, Traction control system, Jul 30, 2014
I KEEP GETTING A "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL" MESSAGE WHEN AND ONLY WHEN I AM SITTING IN THE CAR IN "PARK". ALSO ANOTHER ISSUE IS THE CAR JUST DIES AS I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT IN A TURN OR ON A CURVE. DEALER SAYS THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE ISSUES. I CALL "[XXX] AS I CANNOT STOP THE ISSUE NOT ONLY THAT BUT THE DEALER HAS CHARGED ME $300 PLUS FOR THE REPAIR? SAY WHAT? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Exterior lighting, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 29, 2014
I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE 1 WEEK PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. RECALL #13036. I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED WHEN MY BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED. I WAS ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK AND WATCHED MY STABILITY CONTROL AND TRACTION WARNING LIGHTS COME ON. I CONTACTED GM AND WAS TOLD THAT NO REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. GM ALSO STATED THAT THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR TOWING OR A RENTAL EVEN THOUGH IT IS A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN AND/OR MANUFACTURE OF THE BODY CONTROL MODULE. I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT A CAR FOR 4 DAYS AT THIS POINT AND GM STATED THAT NO REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE YET AVAILABLE. MY CAR IS A SHINY PEICE OF JUNK THAT I CAN PAY FOR YET CANNOT DRIVE BECAUSE OF THE DEFECT. I AM A VETERAN AND I AM ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTED. ALL OF THE ABOVE PROBLEMS ARE DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE DEFECTIVE PART. *JS
Electrical system, Air bags, Jul 29, 2014
SINCE I PURCHASED MY CAR THERE HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT INCIDENTS THAT I DIDN'T PAY ATTENTION TO. THE TRACTION,CRUISE CONTROL DON'T WORK PROPERLEY, THE WARNING LIGHT FOR THE AIR BAGS APPEARS AND WILL STAY ON FOR AWHILE I'VE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE LIGHTING. AS SOON AS I RECIEVED THE RECALL LETTER I CALLED THE DEALER RIGHT AWAY AND TOLD THEM ABOUT THE PROBLEMS, THEY LOOKED IT UP AND SAID I HAD TO WAIT UNTIL THE PARTS ARRIVE. I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT MY SAFETY I USE MY CAR FOR MY FAMILY AND WILL BE HAVING TO MAKE A LONG DISTANCE TRIP TO PICK UP MY DAUGHTER. WHAT DO I DO IN THE MEANTIME WHEN MY CAR IS ALREADY HAVING PROBLEMS? *JS
Seats, Jul 29, 2014
SUPPORT BAR UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER'S SEAT SEVERED AND THE RESULT WAS THAT THE SEAT CAME OFF OF THE RIGHT BRACKET. THE SEAT WAS RESTING ON ONLY THE LEFT BRACKET. GENERAL MOTORS WOULD NOT COVER UNDER ANY WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH CAR WAS UNDRIVEABLE DUE TO SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. GENERAL MOTORS STATED THAT I SOMEHOW HAD CAUSED THE SUPPORT BAR TO BREAK. IT COST ME $750 FOR A NEW SEAT AND THE LABOR TO REPLACE. I AM IN POSSESSION OF THE SEAT AND TO ME IT LOOKS LIKE A FAULTY WELD OR A DEFECTIVE SUPPORT BAR. I FIND IT IMPOSSIBLE THAT I SOME HOW BROKE A THICK STEEL BAR JUST BY GETTING IN AND OUT OF THE VEHICLE. *JS