IllustrationSAFETY OF MY FAMILY IS MY MAIN CONCERN, I DON'T KNOW WHAT SPEED I'M GOING A I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE, I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S AN ENGINE PROBLEM, BECAUSE NOTHING IN THE PANEL IS WORKING!
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
Electronic Stability Control (esc) complaints
227 reportsBRAKE LIGHTS ON REAR WINDOW COME ON WITHOUT HITTING THE BREAK PEDAL AND GO OFF WHEN DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL. THE ESC WARNING ALSO COMES ON INTERMITENTLY.
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL ESC LIGHT COMES ON AND SAYS SERVICE THEN ESC OFF. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THESE CARS. SEAT BELTS FAIL. SAFETY ISSUE. AND OUR WILL NOT START BECAUSE THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM IS ACTIVATED FOR NO REASON. ALL OF THESE ARE CONSISTENT WITH SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS. GM SHOULD BE ASHAMED FOR SELLING VE…
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ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL ESC LIGHT COMES ON AND SAYS SERVICE THEN ESC OFF. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THESE CARS. SEAT BELTS FAIL. SAFETY ISSUE. AND OUR WILL NOT START BECAUSE THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM IS ACTIVATED FOR NO REASON. ALL OF THESE ARE CONSISTENT WITH SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS. GM SHOULD BE ASHAMED FOR SELLING VEHICLES THAT FAIL. APPROXIMATELY 78,000 MILES. HOPEFULLY THEY WILL STEP UP AND CORRECT THESE PROBLEMS!!
THE ESC LIGHT COMES ON AND TELLS ME IT NEEDS SERVICED. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON EVEN IF MY FOOT IS NOT ON THE BRAKE. IT ALSO HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE GEAR SHIFT WHEN TRYING TO PULL IT OUT OF PARK. THIS ALSO DISABLES MY CRUISE CONTROL. THIS ISSUE HAPPENS SOMETIMES AS SOON AS I START THE CAR OR AFTER DRIVING FOR A …
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THE ESC LIGHT COMES ON AND TELLS ME IT NEEDS SERVICED. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON EVEN IF MY FOOT IS NOT ON THE BRAKE. IT ALSO HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE GEAR SHIFT WHEN TRYING TO PULL IT OUT OF PARK. THIS ALSO DISABLES MY CRUISE CONTROL. THIS ISSUE HAPPENS SOMETIMES AS SOON AS I START THE CAR OR AFTER DRIVING FOR A BIT. I'VE TAKEN THE CAR IN TO GET THE PROBLEM FIXED. THEY REPLACED THE BRAKE SENSOR AND THAT WORKED FOR A WEEK THEN THE ESC LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS STAYED ON.
BRAKE LIGHTS FLICKER WHILE DRIVING WHEN NOT PRESSING ON THE BRAKES. ECS AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS KEEP COMING ON AND THE CAR IS JERKING WHILE DRIVING.
EVEN AFTER BRAKE LIGHT RECALL FROM 2014, I CONTINUE TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATING WHEN I'M NOT PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, AND TURNING OFF WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL. I'VE HAD THIS PROBLEM 'FIXED' SEVERAL TIMES NOW, AND IT KEEPS HAPPENING. MOST RECENTLY, IN JANUARY 2019, AND NOW 6 MONTHS LATER, IT IS HAPP…
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EVEN AFTER BRAKE LIGHT RECALL FROM 2014, I CONTINUE TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATING WHEN I'M NOT PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, AND TURNING OFF WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL. I'VE HAD THIS PROBLEM 'FIXED' SEVERAL TIMES NOW, AND IT KEEPS HAPPENING. MOST RECENTLY, IN JANUARY 2019, AND NOW 6 MONTHS LATER, IT IS HAPPENING AGAIN. WHILE I'M DRIVING (AND NOT ALWAYS WHILE I'M BRAKING), THE SERVICE TRACTION, SERVICE ESC, ESC OFF WARNINGS COME ON MY INFO DISPLAY, AS WELL AS THE TRACTION CONTROL IMAGE. FROM THAT MOMENT ON, WHILE I'M DRIVING AND NOT PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, MY BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ALL ILLUMINATED. WHEN I LIGHTLY PRESS ON THE BRAKE, THE LIGHTS GO OFF, UNLESS I CONTINUE TO PRESS HARDER ON THE PEDAL, AND THEN THEY'LL COME ON AGAIN. THIS IS SUCH A HAZARD WHILE I'M DRIVING THAT I DON'T EVEN WANT TO GO ANYWHERE. WHY DOES THIS KEEP HAPPENING? IF THIS WAS SUPPOSEDLY FIXED WITH THE RECALL, IT ABSOLUTELY WASN'T. I'VE SEEN OTHER PEOPLE REPORT THE SAME ISSUE ON THE ONLINE FORUMS, SO I KNOW I'M NOT ALONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED NOW! I WILL BE GOING BACK TO THE DEALER WHO DID THE REPAIR IN JANUARY TO GET THIS FIXED AGAIN, BUT I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY I SHOULD NEED TO. IT SHOULDN'T CONTINUE TO HAPPEN IF IT IS REALLY BEING FIXED. SOMETHING ELSE IS WRONG WITH THIS VEHICLE.
I HAVE A 2010 AND REPEATEDLY HAVE ISSUES. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER AS IT COMPLETELY LOST POWER IN RUSH HOUR. CAR DASH SAID SERVICE ABS, POWER, SAVER MODE, TRACTION CONTROL, SERVICE ESC AND THEN DIED. I TOOK TO SHOP AND THEY REPLACED THE PCM IS WHAT THEY TOLD ME. CAR HAS SINCE HAD LOSE OF POWER, SLUGGISH, DIES PERIODICALLY, AND …
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I HAVE A 2010 AND REPEATEDLY HAVE ISSUES. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER AS IT COMPLETELY LOST POWER IN RUSH HOUR. CAR DASH SAID SERVICE ABS, POWER, SAVER MODE, TRACTION CONTROL, SERVICE ESC AND THEN DIED. I TOOK TO SHOP AND THEY REPLACED THE PCM IS WHAT THEY TOLD ME. CAR HAS SINCE HAD LOSE OF POWER, SLUGGISH, DIES PERIODICALLY, AND NOW ALMOST 3 YEARS AFTER THOUSAND DOLLAR REPAIR NOT TO MENTION THE AIR BAG LIGHT THAT IS ON THAT THEY ARE TELLING ME WILL COST AT LEAST 1000 DOLLARS AS WELL TO REPAIR AS MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THAT IT IS A SAFTEY CONCERN. MY CAR DIED AGAIN WHILE COMING THROUGH A INTERSECTION AND THE P0341 HAS COME UP AND BEEN REPLACE3D FOUR TIMES SINCE FEBRUARY 2019. THIS CAR IS A DANGER AND I AM FORCED TO DRIVE IT WHEN IT RUNS AS I HAVE SO MUCH MONEY INVESTED I CANT AFFORD A NEW ONE. I HAVE ALSO REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY AND JUST ABOUT EVERY SENSOR UNDER THE HOOD INCLUDING SPARK PLUGS AND BATTERY AND CAR IS STILL ACTING UP. WHY ARE THEY NOT HELPING US. SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED. IT STALLS SUDDENLY AND WITH LITTLE TO NO WARNING. I AM TERRIFIED TO TRANSPORT MY KIDS IN THIS CAR. PLEASE HELP US'
ESC , TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS COME ON. THEN REAR BRAKE LIGHTS WORK OPPOSITE OF STANDARD BRAKE LIGHT DESIGN. THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON WHILE DRIVING. WHEN BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, THE BRAKE LIGHTS TURN OFF. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR TWO YEARS NOW. THE DEALERSHIP JUST PATCHES THE REPAIR. THE REPAIR ONLY LASTS A FEW WEEKS.
TRANSMISSION FAILURE, CAR WILL TURN OFF ON INTERSTATE OR HIGHWAY WITHOUT WARNING, CAR WILL SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING , ROLL BACKWARDS, WON'T ACCELERATE. HAD TO GET TOWED 3 TIMES! AFTER NEW TRANSMISSION , SENSORS AND FUEL PUMP INJECTOR , THE CAR IS STILL DOING THE SAME THING ! THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND A LACK OF RESPONSIBILITY F…
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TRANSMISSION FAILURE, CAR WILL TURN OFF ON INTERSTATE OR HIGHWAY WITHOUT WARNING, CAR WILL SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING , ROLL BACKWARDS, WON'T ACCELERATE. HAD TO GET TOWED 3 TIMES! AFTER NEW TRANSMISSION , SENSORS AND FUEL PUMP INJECTOR , THE CAR IS STILL DOING THE SAME THING ! THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND A LACK OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR DEFECTED PRODUCTS AND PRICE GAUGING MECHANICS ! PROBLEM IS STILL EXISTING. I SEE THIS CAR IS UNDER MANY RECALLS AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS BUILT IN KOREA!
THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD TWITCH THEN IT BECAME VERY HARD TO TURN WHILE IN MOTION. THE POWER STEERING AND ESC OFF LIGHTS CAME ON
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.