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 reports

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69,000 miles · Apr 27, 2013

Electrical System

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TURNING LEFT INTO PARKING SPACE, STEERING LOCKED & WARNING LIGHT ON. TURN CAR OFF, RESTART, NO WARNING LIGHT & POWER STEERING WORKS. DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN FOR 2 DAYS. THEN FLAT TIRE WARNING LIGHT, ABS WARNING LIGHT & AIR BAG SERVICE LIGHTS ON. TURN CAR OFF. ON RESTART OK. 4/20/13 POWER STEERING LOCKS. CALL DEALER FOR SERVICE APPOINTMENT. 4/24/13 TURNING LEFT TO DEALER, POWER STEERING LOCKS. NO WARNING LIGHT. DON'T TURN CAR OFF "POWER THROUGH"& STEERING UNLOCKS & WORKS. SERVICE TECH ADVISES THERE WERE 15 CODES, SOME REPORTING "COMMUNICATION ERRORS". CLEARED ALL CODES. TEST DROVE CAR, FOUND NO PROBLEMS. DROVE HOME - APPROX 50 MI - NO PROBLEMS. 4/25/13, APPROX 5 MPH TURNING RIGHT TO DRIVEWAY, ALMOST SHUTS ITSELF OFF. DOOR LOCKS ON/OFF, ON/OFF. 4/27/13, IN PARKING LOT. START CAR, PUT IN REVERSE. CAR TURNS ITSELF OFF. RESTART -- RUNS ROUGH ABOUT 10 SECONDS. BACK UP, POWER STEERING LOCKS. DON'T TURN CAR OFF, AGAIN "POWER THROUGH" & STEERING WORKS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10509772

79,547 miles · Mar 28, 2013

Air BagsElectrical System

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I HAVE A 2010 MALIBU AND RECENTLY TOOK IT TOO THE DEALER FOR A SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT AND THEY INFORMED ME OF A ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE CORRECTED UNDER A RECALL, HOWEVER NOW THERE SAYING I NEED TO REPLACE THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT AIR BAG AND THE PASSENGER SEAT MODULE. THESE AIR BAGS ARE A SAFETY ISSUE AND THERE ARE MANY 2010 MALIBU OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS AND THE DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE 1245.87 FOR REPAIRS AND CANNOT SAY WHY THE FAILURE HAPPENED. A VEHICLE OF THIS AGE SHOULD NOT HAVE AIR BAG FAILURE. THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME SORT OF INVESTIGATION ON TO WHY THESE AIR BAGS AND SEAT SENSORS ARE FAILING FOR NO APPARENT REASONS BESIDE THE POOR OR CHEAP QUALITY OF THE PRODUCTS THERE INSTALLING. I THINK THAT GM NEEDS TO STAND BEHIND THERE CARS AND TRUCKS AND NOT BRUSH OFF SUCH A HUGE SAFETY RISK. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10504899

64,965 miles · Mar 22, 2013

Electrical SystemSteering

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I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN JULY OF 2011 AND HAD NOTICED A FEW TIMES DURING WINTER THAT WHEN I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL, SOMETIMES THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD DIM AND THE HEATER FAN WOULD SUDDENLY SLOW DOWN. NOTHING REALLY EVER HAPPENED TO MAKE ME THINK THERE WAS A SERIOUS ISSUE. I WOULD NOTICE IT WOULD HAPPEN INTERMITTENTLY THROUGH OUT THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS. EARLY IN MARCH, 2013, I HAD NOTICED AS I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY TO GO TO WORK, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD BECOME MUCH MORE DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THERE WOULD BE A MESSAGE ON THE DASH THAT JUST READ POWER STEERING. THIS WOULD ONLY LAST FOR A BRIEF MOMENT, AND THEN IT WOULD GO AWAY AND THE STEERING WOULD BE FINE. I THOUGHT IT WAS FROM THE COLD WEATHER. ON FRIDAY, MARCH 15, I HAD STOPPED AT A FEW DIFFERENT PLACES, WAS HAVING NO ISSUES THAT I COULD TELL. I GOT INTO MY CAR TO LEAVE THE LAST STOP, STARTED THE CAR AND BEGAN TO BACK OUT OF THE PARKING LOT. I DIDN'T SEE A MESSAGE AT FIRST AND IT FELT LIKE I HAD A FLAT TIRE. ABOUT 5 SECONDS LATER THERE WERE 4 DINGS AND THE DASH SAID POWER STEERING AGAIN AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS VERY SLUGGISH. I'D BEEN HALF EXPECTING IT TO START WORKING AGAIN, BUT AFTER SPEAKING WITH A REP AT AN AUTO PARTS STORE, THEY TOLD ME IT SOUNDED LIKE THE ELECTRONIC ASSIST MOTOR ON THE RACK-AND-PINION HAD SHORTED, CAUSING A FUSE TO BLOW WHICH WAS SOMETHING GM HAD ALREADY PUT A RECALL OUT FOR OTHER VEHICLES, EXCEPT MY MODEL YEAR. I SPOKE WITH THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE ONLY RECALL THAT WAS OUT ON THE CAR AT THE MOMENT WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR AND I WILL BE TAKING CARE OF THAT SOON. THEY WANT ME TO TAKE IT IN FOR DIAGNOSTICS TO SEE WHAT GM WILL COVER FOR REPAIRS, BUT HONESTLY I DON'T THINK I SHOULD BE LIABLE FOR A PROBLEM THAT GM DIDN'T FIX RIGHT THE FIRST TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10504174

51,729 miles · Mar 16, 2013

Electrical SystemExterior LightingService Brakes

DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AT NIGHT WITH MY CRUISE CONTROL ON. ALL OF A SUDDEN IT TURNS OFF AND I NOTICE MY BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED IN MY REAR VIEW MIRROR. I TAP THE BRAKE ONLY TO HAVE THEM COME BACK ON. IT KEPT DOING IT FOR ABOUT 20 MILES THEN STOPPED. IT HAS HAPPENED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS AND CHEVY HAS FAILED TO DO ANYTHING ABO…

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NHTSA ODI #10503264

Mileage unknown · Aug 28, 2011

Air BagsElectrical System

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DRIVER SIDE DOOR COULD NOT BE OPENED WITH MANUALLY FROM INSIDE, OR WITH THE KEY OR AUTO OPENER. DRIVER HAD TO EXIT OVER THE COUNSEL AND OUT THE PASSENGER SIDE. WHEN I TURNED IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP, I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE ACTUATOR MALFUNCTION AND THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE IT. THEY DIDN'T SEEM TOO CONCERNED THAT THIS WAS A NEW ISSUE AND WHAT I BELIEVE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, IN ADDITION I HAVE HAD TO TAKE THIS VEHICLE SIX TIMES TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE OF THE "SERVICE AIR BAG" INDICATOR LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. ANOTHER SAFETY ISSUE THAT HAD A RECALL BUT WAS NOT FIXED YET.

NHTSA ODI #10423375

Mileage unknown · Apr 28, 2011

Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

A/C HAS STRONG MOLD SMELL. SMELL IS PERSISTENT EVEN AFTER A/C IS NOT IN USE. HAD IT SERVICED TWICE, BUT DEALERSHIP ONLY SPRAYED ANTI-MOLD SPRAY TO SUBDUE SMELL. WILL NEED TO GO EVERY MONTH FOR THIS TO BE TREATED. DEALERSHIP EXPLAINED SMELL IS DUE CONDENSER'S CONDENSATION NOT BEING COLLECTED MALIBU WAS DESIGNED NOT HAVE A CABIN F…

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NHTSA ODI #10398145

3,000 miles · Apr 20, 2011

Electrical System

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL FAILURES WITH THE VEHICLE STALLING, THE DASH LGIHTS, HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL WOULD ACTIVATE INDEPENDENTLY AND SPORADICALLY AND THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WITHOUT APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. AFTER THE REPAIRS THE CONTACT DID NOT EXPERIENCE A FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10396949

7,000 miles · Jan 6, 2011

Electrical SystemSteering

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2010 MALIBU POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONING LESS THAN 10,000 MILES. I'VE BEEN FIGHTING WITH GM FOR MANY MONTHS TO FIX PROBLEMS,ENGINE KNOCKING NOISE,AIR CONDITIONING HAS MOLD SMELL. THIS CAR NEARLY CAUSE ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF POWER STEERING MALFUNCTION..THIS IS A PARTIAL POWER STEERING MALFUNCTION CAR HAS HAD A MAJOR POWER STEERING MALFUNCTION TO WHERE YOU CANNOT TURN STEERING WHEEL AT ALL.CAR HAS BEEN IN A SHOP 6 TIMES DEALERS CANNOT FIX PROBLEMS OR FIND PROBLEMS.HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=C_OU-MXIP7M. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10374879

1,900 miles · Oct 14, 2010

Electrical SystemPower Train

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED AND BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER AND TOLD THE CONTACT TO ONLY USE HIGH GRADE GASOLINE. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO WAS CURRENTLY EXPLORING OTHER REMEDIES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,900. UPDATED 01/31/11 *BF UPDATED 02/11/11

NHTSA ODI #10360466

1,006 miles · Oct 5, 2010

Air BagsElectrical SystemInterior Lighting

BRAND NEW 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU LEAKS WHEN RAINS AND IT RUNS INTO MY FLOORBOARD, AIRBAGS AND WIRE HARNESS CAUSING CAR TO SHORT OUT. MOST OF THE TIME THE LIGHTS IN DASH WON'T WORK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10359370

Official recalls

19V019000 · 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)