IllustrationDRIVING DOWN THE ROAD MY DRIVER SIDE TAIL LIGHT/BRAKE LIGHT STOPS WORKING RANDOMLY WITH BUMPY ROADS. IT GOES OUT AND WILL GO BACK ON USUALLY WITHIN THE NEXT FEW BUMPS, AND ITS NOT ALL THE TIME.
2010 Chevrolet Malibu
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Malibu years
Owner complaints for the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu are substantially higher than the model-year median of 310.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Malibu years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1190–25K
12225–50K
22050–75K
24475–100K
256100–150K
110150K+
1,071 reports with mileage · 289 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Steering. Review the 454 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 294 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electronic Stability Control (esc). Review the 227 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
41 crash reports14 fire reports35 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
294 reportsWE WERE DRIVING AND SMELLED A STRONG ODER. OUR EYES STARTED TO BURN AND WE BECAME NAUSEOUS AND DIZZY. WHEN WE ARRIVED HOME WE LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND SAW A POWERFUL GAS SEEPING FROM THE BATTERY. I HAVE A VIDEO OF THE GAS COMING FROM THE ADELCO BATTERY. *JS
MY LOW BEAM LIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT. I HAVE CHANGED THE BULBS 4 TIMES NOW WITH OEM BULBS AND ALSO THE WIRING HARNESS. AT FIRST IT WAS THE DRIVER'S SIDE ONLY NOW IT'S BOTH.
THE BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATE AND STAY ON WHILE DRIVING WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS NOT PRESSED. THE BRAKE LIGHTS TURN OFF WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS PRESSED. THE CAR ROUTINELY DISPLAYS "SERVICE ESC" AND " SERVICE TRACTION" MESSAGES.
BRAKE LIGHT CONSTANTLY FLUCTUATING WITHOUT THE BRAKE BEING PRESSED, VERY DANGEROUS FOR ME AND MY CHILD, HEADLIGHTS CONSTANTLY GOING OUT SPECIFICALLY THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE, ALMOST GO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND PEOPLE THING I'M THE ONE PRESSING THE BRAKES, IT DOES THIS WHEN DRIVING OR WHEN IT PARKED, IF I TAP THE BRAKE IT'LL GO OFF …
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BRAKE LIGHT CONSTANTLY FLUCTUATING WITHOUT THE BRAKE BEING PRESSED, VERY DANGEROUS FOR ME AND MY CHILD, HEADLIGHTS CONSTANTLY GOING OUT SPECIFICALLY THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE, ALMOST GO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND PEOPLE THING I'M THE ONE PRESSING THE BRAKES, IT DOES THIS WHEN DRIVING OR WHEN IT PARKED, IF I TAP THE BRAKE IT'LL GO OFF FOR A FEW SECOND THEN COME RIGHT BACK ON. ALSO CAR KEEP THROWING A CODE SAYING IT'S RUNNING RICH EVEN THO I CAN LOCATE THE PROBLEM I BELIEVE IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH A SENSEOR OR WIRING OR THE FUEL INJECTOR, IF THERE ARE ANY RECALLS FOR THIS VEHICLE I WOULD LIE FOR THEM TO BE FIX ALL AT ONCE BECAUSE I HAVE TO USE THIS CARD DAILY FOR MYSELF AND MY DAUGHTER AND I JUST WANT IT TO BE SAFE FOR MY CHILD AND I AS WELL AS OTHER DRIVERS IN THE ROAD.
THE DOOR LOCK GETS STUCK. THE DOORS WILL LOCK BY THEMSELVES. IF YOU ARE IN THE CAR WHEN THIS HAPPENS YOU WILL GET STUCK IN YOUR CAR FOR HOURS OR YOU WILL HAVE TO CRAWL THREW THE WINDOW TO GET OUT. YOU CAN USE THE KEY TO UNLOCK THE DOOR, THE LOCK DOES SHOW IN THE "UPRIGHT" POSITION SHOWING THAT IT IS UNLOCKED, BUT THE LATCH IN…
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THE DOOR LOCK GETS STUCK. THE DOORS WILL LOCK BY THEMSELVES. IF YOU ARE IN THE CAR WHEN THIS HAPPENS YOU WILL GET STUCK IN YOUR CAR FOR HOURS OR YOU WILL HAVE TO CRAWL THREW THE WINDOW TO GET OUT. YOU CAN USE THE KEY TO UNLOCK THE DOOR, THE LOCK DOES SHOW IN THE "UPRIGHT" POSITION SHOWING THAT IT IS UNLOCKED, BUT THE LATCH IN THE DOOR DOES NOT UNHOOK. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT A HALF A DOZEN TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR, YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN ITS GOING TO HAPPEN EITHER MAKING THIS AWFUL SITUATION EVEN WORSE.
I HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT. I KEEPS BURNING OUT. I HAVE REPLACED TWICE WITHIN A MONTH PERIOD. NOW I HAVE TO REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS. PLEASE RECALL I'M TIRED OF TAKING THE WHOLE BUMPER OFF TO REPLACE A BULB.
I HAVE REPLACED MY PASSENGER HEADLIGHTS SEVERAL TIMES AND BLUB KEEPS BLOWING OUT. I AM TIRED OF REPLACING IT AND VERY COSTLY BECAUSE OF THE LABOR IT TAKES TO REPLACE IT. ALL OF SUDDEN MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT. I WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING STALL AND LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR. I WAS ABLE TO PUT IT BACK IN DRIVE TO GET THE CAR OU…
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I HAVE REPLACED MY PASSENGER HEADLIGHTS SEVERAL TIMES AND BLUB KEEPS BLOWING OUT. I AM TIRED OF REPLACING IT AND VERY COSTLY BECAUSE OF THE LABOR IT TAKES TO REPLACE IT. ALL OF SUDDEN MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT. I WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING STALL AND LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR. I WAS ABLE TO PUT IT BACK IN DRIVE TO GET THE CAR OUT OF THE WAY. WHEN I TURNED IT OFF AND RESTARTED THE CAR IT DROVE NORMAL. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS.
I LOST POWER STEERING IN CAR THE RACK AND PINION STEERING AND THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MODULE FAILED ON MY CAR . THIS HAPPENED ON THE CITY STREET DRIVING. THIS HFF AS NOT BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ISSUES 14E044000 7/24/14 STEERING COMPONENT , 14V252000 5/14/2014 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WARNING.
POWER STEERING. IS GOING OUT 3 DAYS AFTER GETTING FOR MY BIRTHDAY FEB SALESMAN NEW IT CUZ HE SEEN LIGHTS ON DASH BUT KEPT SAYING JUST DRIVE IT WELL MY EXTRA COVERAGE WARRANTY IT DOES NOT COVER CRAZY HUH CUZ I HAVE BEEN TOLD2 TIMES DIFFERENT MECHANIC THAT THERE WAS OR SHOULD OF BEEN A RECALL. DRIVING AND POWER STEERING GOES OUT I…
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POWER STEERING. IS GOING OUT 3 DAYS AFTER GETTING FOR MY BIRTHDAY FEB SALESMAN NEW IT CUZ HE SEEN LIGHTS ON DASH BUT KEPT SAYING JUST DRIVE IT WELL MY EXTRA COVERAGE WARRANTY IT DOES NOT COVER CRAZY HUH CUZ I HAVE BEEN TOLD2 TIMES DIFFERENT MECHANIC THAT THERE WAS OR SHOULD OF BEEN A RECALL. DRIVING AND POWER STEERING GOES OUT IT IS SCARY..
Official recalls
319V019000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
Jan 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the inflator explodes, sharp metal fragments may strike the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: 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.
14V252000 · Electrical System:wiring; Electronic Stability Control (esc); Exterior Lighting:brake Lights; Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch; Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control
May 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Additional source detail variants (5)
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
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.
Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control
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.
Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
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.
Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights
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.
Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Electrical System:wiring
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.
Consequence: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
12V460000 · 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.