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, Power train, Electrical system, Dec 8, 2020
THE POWER STEERING SENSOR STOP'S STEERING DURING DRIVING AND TRACTION LOSS. THIS CAR IS VERY DANGEROUS AND COSTLY TO REPAIR. I PRAY NOBODY DIES FROM THIS. I SEE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS FROM OTHER OWNERS.*DT
Power train, Dec 6, 2020
SLOW TO ACCELERATE THEN JERKS FORWARD .CAR HAS65000 ON IT NO TRANSMISSION LEAKS PLUS THE TRANSMISSION IS SEALED .NO DIP STICK TO CHECK LEVEL.DEALER SAID THAT'S BECAUSE IT'S A SEALED UNIT.THEY ASLO SAID L DONT HAVE TO CHANGE IT JUST YET.LOW MILES.HOWEVER I'VE HEARD THIS YEARS TRANSMISSION ARE VERY BAD.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Dec 6, 2020
THE BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATE WITHOUT THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING PUSHED. THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAIL TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS PUSHED. THIS HAS BEEN AN ON GOING PROBLEM AND WE ONLY REALIZE IT STILL EXISTS WHEN ONE OF OUR FAMILY IS FOLLOWING THE 2010 MALIBU IN ANOTHER CAR. WE HAD BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN TO A CHEVROLET SERVICE CENTER IN THE PAST AND WERE CHARGED FOR A "REPAIR". WHEN WE AGAIN NOTICED THE PROBLEM WE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE INTO A FIRESTONE SERVICE CENTER AND THEY CHARGED US FOR A "REPAIR". WE JUST NOTICED THE PROBLEM AGAIN AND NOW ARE AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. A SEARCH OF THE VIN SHOWS NO UNREPAIRED RECALLS SO WE ARE NOT SURE IF THE ORIGINAL OWNER HAD ALREADY BROUGHT IT IN (WE ARE THE SECOND OWNER) OR IF THIS PARTICULAR VIN WAS NOT THOUGHT TO BE AFFECTED. REGARDLESS, IT SOUNDS LIKE A KNOWN PROBLEM AND WE ARE HOPING NOT TO HAVE TO PAY A THIRD TIME AND THEN STILL HAVE AN ISSUE. PLEASE LET US KNOW OUR OPTIONS. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE.
Steering, Dec 5, 2020
LOST POWER STEERING WHEN STARTED THE CAR WHEN ITS COLD
Steering, Dec 3, 2020
MY ESC LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING AND POWER STEERING LOCKS UP. SO HAVE TO PULL OVER AND TURN CAR OFF AND BACK ON AND IT GOES AWAY FOR A LITTLE BIT THEN WILL COME BACK ON.
Steering, Electrical system, Wheels, Dec 1, 2020
I WAS DRIVING DOWN A CITY STREET WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I LOST THE ABILITY TO STEER MY ESCL CAME ON. MY WHEELS LOCKED UP.I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR IN AUGUST AND HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH IT AND I'M NOW CONCERNED AS WELL ABOUT AIRBAG SAFETY I'M SCARED ABOUT HOW RISKY AND DANGEROUS THIS CAR REALLY IS MALIBU IS MOST RECALLED VEHICLES HAD I KNOWN AHEAD I WOULD NEVER HAVE PURCHASED THIS DEADLY WEAPON. I'M 22 A SINGLE MOM WHO IS RESPONSIBLE AND NOW HAVE A VEHICLE ISSUE AND A POTENTIAL DEADLY ONE AT THAT . PLEASE DO SOMETHING IT'S NOT AN ERROR ON MY END I KNOW THAT FOR FACT. AND OF COURSE THERE'S NO DRIVING IT AT ALL. SO PLEASE TAKE TIME TO TAKE THIS MATTER SERIOUS GOD BLESS
Steering, Air bags, Service brakes, Nov 30, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR CENTER BRAKE LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE CENTER BRAKE LIGHT WAS REPAIRED TWICE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT INTERMITTENTLY THE AIR BAGS AND POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. ADDITIONALLY, AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO OPERATE AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED AND THE VEHICLE REGAINED STEERING FUNCTIONALITY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT OCCASIONALLY TWO ATTEMPTS AT RESTARTING THE VEHICLE WERE NEEDED BEFORE THE STEERING WHEEL OPERATED AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO RETRIEVE A FAILURE CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.*DT CONSUMER STATED POWER STEERING MODULE AND MOTOR HAS BEEN REPLACED.*JB
Steering, Electrical system, Air bags, Nov 26, 2020
I BOUGHT MY CAR USED FROM A BUY HERE PAY HERE AND MAYBE A MONTH OR SO AFTER BUYING MY CAR I STARTED NOTICING DIFFERENT LITTLE QUIRKS HERE AND THERE WITH MY CAR, LIKE IF IT'S WET OUTSIDE MY BRAKE LIGHTS EITHER DO NOT WORK OR IT LOOKS LIKE I AM RIDING MY BREAKS, IF IT'S WET OUT MY CAR HESITANTS WHILE DRIVING, MY CHECK AIR BAGS LIGHT IS ON, THE TRACTION CONTROL SIGNAL IS ON, MY STEERING ARM MAKES A VERY WEIRD NOISE SOMETIMES THE LIST GOES ON AND WHEN I DECIDED TO CHECK AND SEE IF MY CAR HAD ANY RECALLS ON IT, TO MY DISCOVERY THERE IS AT LEAST 4 ONE JUST FROM 2019 AND ALL SOUNDS SO VERY MUCH LIKE WHAT MY CAR HAS BEEN DOING FOR MONTHS. I AM HOPING TO RECEIVE SOME INFORMATION BACK ON WHAT TO DO NEXT.
Seats, Nov 14, 2020
DRIVERS SEAT FRAME HAS BROKE IN 2 PLACES CAUSING THE SEAT TO BE UNSTABLE.
Steering, Nov 2, 2020
AFTER TURNING, POWERSTEERING CUT OFF. THE WARNING MESSAGE "POWER STEERING- SERVICE ESC" APPEARED. I TURNED THE CAR OFF, TURNED IT BACK ON, AND POWER STEERING WAS RE ENGAGED.
Exterior lighting, Oct 28, 2020
THE 3RD BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF.
Engine, Oct 21, 2020
MY CAR WAS MAKING WEIRD NOISE UNDER THE HOOD. I HAVE MAINTAINED MY CAR VERY WELL. COME TO FIND OUT THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE AND SMASHED ALL THE VALVES. THE MECHANIC SAID BECAUSE OF IT BEING IN A PLASTIC MECHANISM, THAT'S A PROBLEM AND A BAD DESIGN ON CHEVROLET'S PART. I HAVE SEEN AND HEARD MANY OTHER PEOPLE SAYING THE SAME HAPPENED TO THEM. WHY HASN'T THIS BEEN RECALLED YET?
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Oct 13, 2020
LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT, NO MATTER HOW MUCH I GET THEM FIXED. I CAN BANG ON THE FRONT END AND SOMETIMES THEY'LL COME ON, BUT SOMETIMES NOT. TIRED IF REPLACING AND OR FIXING THEM, EVERY FEW MONTHS! ALSO MY SVC TIRE MONITOR LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND SAY LOW TIRE PRESSURE AND MY TIRES ARE NOT LOW......
Steering, Sep 26, 2020
WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 30 MPH WHEN POWER STEERING GAVE OUT AND I COULD HARDLY STEER THE VEHICLE.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 14, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN WITH THE SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, SHE WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THE CONTACT STATED SHE WAS ABLE TO SHIFT INTO DRIVE GEAR AFTER 2 HOURS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO UNKNOWN LOCAL DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE CONTROL MODULE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Steering, Sep 10, 2020, crash, fire
THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED PREVENTING ME FROM HAVING CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHICH RESULTED INTO ME HITTING THE BACK OF ANOTHER VEHICLE CAUSING A ROLLOVER ACCIDENT ON A CITY STREET AND MY CAR IS TOTALLY DAMAGED
Exterior lighting, Engine, Sep 8, 2020
MY LIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT. AS OF NOW I DONT HAVE ANY HEADLIGHTS. AND I KEEP HAVING TRANSMISSION KIND OF ISSUES.
Other or unspecified, Sep 6, 2020
TRANSMISSION KEEPS GOING OUT
Service brakes, Aug 27, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE BUT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE SERVICE TRAC START WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (TURNER CHEVROLET 1800 ALABAMA AVE 14, SELMA, AL 36703) WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL POSITION SENOR WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 57,131.
Structure, Aug 17, 2020
I WAS GOING TO WORK , WHEN I ARRIVED AT WORK MY DRIVER FRONT DOOR WAS STUCK SHUT IT WOULD NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE . I HAD TO CRAWL OVER CONSOLE TO GET OUT OF CAR THRU PASSENGER SIDE, AND NOW I HAVE TO GET IN IT TO DRIVE IT FROM PASSENGER SIDE.
Power train, Aug 14, 2020
I WOULD BE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD START TO SHAKE AND THE POWER WOULD DROP TO 20 MPH. THIS WOULD HAPPEN ANYTIME, ANY WHERE. TURN VEHICLE OFF SIT. A COUPLE OF MINUTES AND WOULD BE OK TO DRIVE FOR AWHILE. IF HAPPENS NO MATTER WHAT TYPE OF AREA DRIVING. HIGHWAY CITY OR EVEN PARKING LOT. CAN NOT FIND PROBLEM WITH ANYTHING. NEED IMMEDIATE HELP WITH PROBLEM. COULD CAUSE ACCIDENT AND DEATH ON A BUSY HIGHWAY OR ROADWAY.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 13, 2020
WAS DRIVING DURING A RAIN STORM WITH MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS ACTIVATED ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE WIPERS ABRUPTLY STOPPED WORKING. DANGEROUS SITUATION TO SAY THE LEAST. CAN IT GET THEM TO WORK AGAIN.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Aug 8, 2020
BOTH LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS KEEPS GOING OUT I CHANGED BOTH HARNESS 4 TIMES AND THEY KEEP COMING ON AND GOING OFF. ALSO WINDOW BRAKE LIGHT LIGHTS UP WHEN IT WANTS TO WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKE AND BOTH FRONT DOOR SPEAKERS KEEPS COMING ON AND GOING OFF. SOMETIMES THE SWITCH ON DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL LOCK/UNLOCK DOORS AND SOMETIMES IT WANT. AT THIS POINT I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE ISSUE IS THAT'S CAUSING THIS MY MECHANIC THINKS IT'S AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE THAT'S CAUSING ALL OF THIS. ALSO KEY FOB STOPPED WORKING SO I CHANGED THE BATTERY STILL DIDN'T WORK TOOK TO SEE IF MAYBE IT NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED BUT WAS TOLD ONCE AGAIN MY CAR HAS SOME ELECTRICAL ISSUES.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Aug 6, 2020
WHILE COMMUTING TO WORK FROM HOME ON A MAIN INTERSECTION A POWER REDUCTION OCCURRED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER, SPEED, AND THE ABILITIES TO FUNCTION NORMALLY CLOSE TO WORK I PARKED IN THE NEAREST PARKING LOT AND SCHEDULED A REPAIR AT A AUTOMOTIVE SHOP... AFTER INSPECTING IT A MECHANIC REPLACED THROTTLE BODY, GAS PEDAL AND AIR INTAKE HOSE COSTING $860.. UPON PICKUP ABOUT 5 MINUTES INTO DRIVING A POWER REDUCTION STILL OCCURED UPON REINSPECTION AND NO CODES IN A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK MY MECHANIC INFORMED ME HE WASN'T ABLE TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM...I THAN HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A LOCAL CHEVY DEALERSHIP WHO THAN RAN A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK AND DID A FEW MINOR REPAIRS AND A CLUSTER INSTRUMENT COMING OUT TO $910..UPON PICKUP FROM CERTIFIED DEALER A POWER REDUCTION AGAIN REOCCURRING I HAD TO PAY A EXTRA $100 TO HAVE IT TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER SHIP FOR REPAIR FOR IT BEING EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO TRANSPORT IT MANUALLY FEELING THE HEADACHE AND THE PAIN OF COSTLY REPAIRS FOR A PROBLEM WITHOUT A DEFINITE POSSIBLE WAY OF REPAIRING I FEEL ITS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN OVER LOOKED BY GM CHEVY NOW KNOWING THE STORY OF THE POWER REDUCING IN MANY GM VEHICLES I FORSURE WOULD NEVER RECOMMEND THIS AUTO MAKER.
Seats, Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 31, 2020
MY DRIVER SEAT IS BROKE FROM THE BOTTOM OF FLOOR AND MY GAS PEDAL STICK AND JUMP WHEN I HIT THE GAS PEDAL