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.
Steering, Mar 30, 2021
UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, A "POWER STEERING" WARNING DISPLAYS ON THE DASH AND THE POWER STEERING DOES NOT WORK. AFTER RESTARTING THE CAR, THE POWER STEERING RESUMED OPERATING PROPERLY. THE NEXT DAY, THE SAME ISSUE OCCURRED UPON STARTING, AND WAS AGAIN REMEDIED BY RESTARTING THE CAR.
Electrical system, Mar 17, 2021
PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM FUSE KEEPS BLOWING
Power train, Electrical system, Mar 12, 2021
ONE DAY I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY KIDS AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND MY WHEEL LOCKED AND IT WAS VERY HARD TO TURN IT. IT WAS VERY SCARY GOING 50 MPH TRYING TO GET OFF A EXIT AND NOT BEING ABLE TO TURN MY WHEEL. I NEEDED JUST HAVE TO LET MY CAR SIT BECAUSE I CLD NOT AFFORD THE COST TO GET IT FIXED AND I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING TO CAUSE THAT I CALLED CHEVY GAVE THEM MY VIN NUMBER AND THEY SAID THERE WASN'T A RECALL BUT I SEE PPL WITH MALIBU'S HAVE THE SAME ISSUE . THIS CLD HAVE BEEN DEADLY ME AND MY 2 KIDS COULD HAVE GOTTEN SEVERELY HURT THAT'S NOT OKAY THAT THIS HAPPENED
Electrical system, Mar 9, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRACTION CONTROL AND ESC WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER. THE BRAKE PEDAL SENSOR WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS STILL AWAITING A RESPONSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 27,000.
Steering, Feb 23, 2021
THE POWER STEERING ON OUR VEHICLE BEGAN RANDOMLY GOING OUT WHILE DRIVING AND WE WOULD HAVE TO STOP AND TURN THE VEHICLE OFF/ON FOR THE POWER STEERING TO RETURN. EVENTUALLY THE POWER STEERING WENT OFF AND WOULDN'T COME BACK ON.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Feb 21, 2021
THIRD BRAKE LIGHT SOMETIMES WORKS OFTEN DOES NOT WORK
Steering, Feb 15, 2021
UPON START UP THE ELECTRONIC STEERING CONTROL MODULE WARNING LIGHT COME ON AND UNABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR OR MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL. THE WARNING LIGHT WILL GO OFF BY TURNING THE SWITCH OFF AND RESTART THE CAR. I AM CONCERN THIS WILL EVENTUALLY HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY AND NOT A DAILY OCCURRENCE.
Steering, Other or unspecified, Feb 9, 2021
WHILE IN MOTION I TURN AND MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP AND ON THE SCREEN POWER STEERING AND ESC TRACTION CONTROL OFF POPS UP IT'S LOCKING UP MORE FREQUENTLY NOW AND THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. THEN A COUPLE DAYS LATER MY ENGINE LIGHT POPS ON I FIGURED IT WAS BECAUSE OF THE POWER STEERING ESC TRACTION CONTROL PROBLEM BUT AFTER SERVAL DAYS LATER I'M AT WORK AND THE CAR WANT START . I TRY A COUPLE TIMES AND GIVES IT SOME GAS THEN IT STARTED SO I WAS ON MY WAY THEN MAYBE 15 MINUTES DOWN THE ROAD THE STEERING WHEELS LOCKS UP AGAIN AND THE SAME MESSAGE POPS UP ON THE SCREEN THIS IS REALLY WEIRD AND AGAIN DANGEROUS.
Steering, Feb 8, 2021
WHEN DRIVING THE CAR AT 40 MPH ALL POWER STEERING WOULD BE LOST, RESULTING IN THE "SERVICE ESC" LIGHT TO COME ON THE DASHBOARD. THE ONLY WAY TO REGAIN POWER STEERING WOULD BE TO SHUT THE CAR OFF COMPLETELY AND THEN TURN IT BACK ON. I RECENTLY HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED AND THE PROBLEM WAS FOUND TO BE THE STEERING TORQUE SENSOR. THE FIX COST ME $500.
Steering, Jan 29, 2021
STARTED VEHICLE AND THE POWER STEERING STOPS WORKING AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON AND SERVICE ESC MESSAGE COMES ACROSS THE MESSAGE CENTER. WHEN THIS OCCURS THERE IS NO POWER STEERING. THIS IS DANGEROUS! THIS VEHICLE IS A 4 CYLINDER AND HAS THE ELECTRONIC STEERING, NOT HYDRAULIC STEERING. VEHICLE WAS STOPPED ON DRIVEWAY. SEARCHED SOME FORUMS AND OTHER OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE, IT APPEARS THAT A FAULTY SENSOR IN OR NEAR THE STEERING COLUMN IS THE PROBLEM.
Electrical system, Jan 26, 2021
IT IS THE POWER STEERING AND IT SHUTS OFF NO WARNING, LOCKS STEERING WHEEL UP I'M NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO TURN IT WHEN IT DOES. THE ESC LIGHT COMES ON AND TRACTION CONTROL GOES OFF. IT IS TRIGGERED AT TIMES BY COLD WEATHER BUT CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 23, 2021
WHILE TRAVELING AT 60 MPH, LOST POWER FOR A SPLIT SECOND THEN REGAINED. ABOUT 5 MILES TOWARD DESTINATION, AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT I WAS ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN & WHEN I ACCELERATED, THE CAR COMPLETELY DIED WITH LINE OF TRAFFIC BEHIND ME. SHOULD THIS CAR HAVE DIED IN THE MIDST OF HEAVY RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC WE COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WITH A CHAIN REACTION OF VEHICLES PILING UP BEHIND ME & POSSIBLE INJURIES. . WE WERE SLOWLY CREEPING AROUND THE CORNER TRYING TO CATCH A CLEAR PATH TO PROCEED WHEN THE CAR WENT DEAD. THERE HAVE PREVIOUSLY BEEN PROBLEMS WHEN AFTER DRIVING FOR 30 MINUTES THEN RETURNING TO THE CAR IT WOULD NOT START, CRANKED BUT NOT START WITH NO WARNING LIGHTS PRESENT.. BUT AFTER REPEATED RESTART ATTEMPTS IT WOULD START MAYBE AN HOUR LATER. BUT THIS TIME IT DIED IN TRAFFIC 3 DAYS AGO AND WE HAD TO BE TOWED HOME, IT STILL WILL NOT START. I'VE READ ONLINE ABOUT MANY OTHER MALIBU OWNERS HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH CONCERNS OF ACCIDENTS. NO ENGINE OR DASH LIGHTS CAME ON AND A DEALER COULD NOT GET IT TO CODE. THE UNSAFE PROBLEM IS THE CAR DYING IN THE TRAFFIC WITH NO WARNING IN FRONT OF A LONG LINE OF TRAFFIC.
Air bags, Jan 22, 2021, crash
IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE AIRBAGS/SIDE AND FRONT ARE DEFECTIVE FOR MY VEHICLE? CAN SOMEONE PLEASE HELP IN FINDING OUT WHAT I DO NOW...THE VEHICLE AND I WAS INVOLVED IN A WREAK AND I WAS INJURED BADLY AND WAS HOSPITALIZED.....? I WAS TRAVELING ON THE HWY AT POSTED SPEED WHEN I WAS STRUCK...FIRST THE DRIVERS SIDE AND THEN THE L-FENDER AND HOOD...THE VEHICLE THAT HIT ME ROLLED 3 OR 4 TIMES.
Electrical system, Seats, Jan 19, 2021
I COULD SMELL A FAINT ELECTRICAL SMOKE SMELL WHILE THE CAR WAS RUNNING, THEN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL QUIT WORKING COMPLETELY. I THEN ALSO NOTICED THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT ALSO QUIT HEATING.
Steering, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Jan 18, 2021
I HAD JUST LEFT THE GAS STATION AFTER FILLING UP WITH GAS I CAME TO A STOPLIGHT AND WHEN I WENT TO TAKE OFF FROM A STOP THE CAR STARTED SPUTTERING AND ONLY GOING AT VERY LOW POWER I TURNED THE CAR AROUND AND NOTICED THERE WAS A TICK IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND IT MOVED BACK AND FORTH THE STEERING BECAME HARD TO TURN AS I LOST MY POWER STEERING THEN THE CAR SHUT OFF WHEN I STARTED THE CAR AGAIN IT WAS STILL RUNNING AT HALF POWER I MANAGED TO MAKE IT BACK TO THE HOUSE AND UPON RESTARTING THE CAR IT WAS STUCK IN LIMP MODE AND WAS DISPLAYING POWER STEERING AND ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL LOTS ON THE DASH AFTER RESETTING THE CODES IT RUNS PROPERLY BUT THEN KICKS BACK INTO LIMP MODE AND LOSES STEERING ABILITY OF THE ELECTRONIC ASSIST.
Steering, Jan 6, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS HARD TO TURN AND BECAME INOPERABLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
Steering, Jan 5, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT'S NEPHEW STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AND WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN, THE ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING BECAME INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS MORE EVIDENT WHILE STOPPED OR DRIVING AT A SLOW SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN BACK TO THE RESIDENCE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Steering, Air bags, Jan 5, 2021
FROM THE MINUTE I DROVE MY CAR OFF THE LOT THE DASH HAS BEEN SAYING 'SERVICE AIRBAGS'. A WEEK AGO WHILE I WAS DRIVING I LOST POWER STEERING. THE DASH SAID 'SERVICE ESC' AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT POPPED UP ON THE DASH. IF I TURN OFF MY CAR FOR A WHILE THE POWER STEERING MAY STILL WORK WHEN I START IT BACK UP, BUT EVENTUALLY I LOSE POWER STEERING AGAIN WHILE DRIVING.
Steering, Dec 29, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST AND ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE STEERING WHEEL CEASED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. ON ANOTHER OCCASION WHILE DRIVING AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, THE STEERING CEASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED AND OPERATED AS INTENDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WARRANTY MILEAGE WAS EXCEEDED FOR THE STEERING WARRANTY REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 174,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Visibility/wiper, Dec 28, 2020
THE HEADLIGHTS KEEP BREAKING. THE RIGHT SIDE MORE OFTEN. I SEE THESE MALIBU'S ON THE ROAD ALL THE TIME WITH A HEADLIGHT OUT. IT'S EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE AND SHOULDN'T HAPPEN AS OFTEN AS IT DOES.
Steering, Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Dec 26, 2020
STEERING GETS HARD TO MANEUVER WHILE DRIVING ALL LIGHTS COME ON ON THE DASHBOARD AND HAVE TO STOP AND RESET VEHICLE, HEADLIGHTS WORK WHEN THEY WANT TO. I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY WHEN MY STEERING GOT HARD TO USE. I HAD TO GET ON THE SHOULDER AND RESET THE BATTERY, IN ORDER TO GET HOME SAFELY
Steering, Dec 21, 2020
POWER STEERING LIGHTS UP ON DASH AND STEERING WHEEL LOCKS. HAPPENS MOSTLY WITH COLD WEATHER. WHILE DRIVING DOWN A HIGHWAY THE STEERING LOCKS. I HAVE TO STOP AND RESTART CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. ALSO. AFTER BEING PARKED. WHEN THE CAR GETS TO A COLD TEMPERATURE THE STEERING WHEEL WILL LOCK UP.
Steering, Dec 20, 2020
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ABOUT A 2 HOUR TRIP AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND AT FIRST I COULD TURN THE CAR OFF THEN BACK ON AND IT WORKED BUT ONLY A FEW MINUTE AND THE SAME NIGHT IT WENT COMPLETELY OUT AND NOW IT DOESN'T WORK AT ALL. IT'S VERY HARD TO TURN AND IT SAYS SERVICE ESC, ALSO TRACTION AND DID SAY POWER STEERING, IT ALSO SAYS THAT ESC IS OFF.
Steering, Dec 15, 2020
AFTER RECALL SERVICE FOR POWER STEERING FAILURE IT'S DOING THE SAME THING. POWER STEERING FAILS WHILE DRIVING . I HAVE TO SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTART TO RESET THE ISSUE.
Exterior lighting, Other or unspecified, Forward collision avoidance, Dec 14, 2020
EXTERIOR BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON & CRUISE CONTROL SHUTS OFF. WHEN IN MOTION.