MY STEERING IS LOCKING UP AND VIBRATING. IF TURNING THE STEERING AND KEY AT SAME TIME IT STARTS BACK WORKING.AND MY DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT. I'VE HAD THE WAITING HARNESS CHANGED AND IT STILL CONTINUE TO NOT WORK.
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
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.
Electronic Stability Control (esc) complaints
227 reportsPOWER 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..
POWER STEERING HAS GONE OUT IN THE CAR, GETTING ESC REPAIR LIGHT AND POWER STEERING LIGHTS ON THE CONSOLE. EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN, ESPECIALLY AT LOW SPEEDS. OCCURED WHILE DRIVING IN THE CITY.
ELECTRIC POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING ON MATCH 18, 2019. I WAS TURNING RIGHT ONTO BUSY 4 LANE CITY STREET FROM A PARKING LOT, SPEED < 5 MPH. COULD NOT TURN INTO RIGHT LANE, STRUGGLED TO SWING CAR INTO LEFT LANE W/O CROSSING MEDIAN. IT WAS NOT SIMPLY A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. I'VE DRIVEN OLD CARS THAT NEVER HAD POWER STEERING …
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ELECTRIC POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING ON MATCH 18, 2019. I WAS TURNING RIGHT ONTO BUSY 4 LANE CITY STREET FROM A PARKING LOT, SPEED < 5 MPH. COULD NOT TURN INTO RIGHT LANE, STRUGGLED TO SWING CAR INTO LEFT LANE W/O CROSSING MEDIAN. IT WAS NOT SIMPLY A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. I'VE DRIVEN OLD CARS THAT NEVER HAD POWER STEERING AND THIS WAS 10 TIMES MORE DIFFICULT TO STEER. I THINK I STRAINED A MUSCLE IN MY SHOULDER. TURNING DID NOT GET EASIER AS I ACCELERATED, EVENTUALLY TO ABT 40 MPH. STRUGGLED THROUGH 3 MORE HAIR RAISING TURNS (ALL TURNS MADE) BEFORE PARKING IT AT HOME. THE ESC/TCS INDICATOR CAME ON IN THE PARKING LOT AND STAYED ON. ERROR MSGS DISPLAYED WERE POWER STEERING, SERVICE ESC, SERVICE AIR BAG. I HEARD NO CHIMES. WE GAVE MY DAUGHTER THIS USED CAR IN 2015. SHE HAD COMPLAINED A COUPLE OF WEEKS PRIOR THAT STEERING SOMETIMES BECAME DIFFICULT. A SEARCH BY VIN SHOWS NO INCOMPLETE RECALLS. IT WOULD BE EXTREMELY USEFUL TO KNOW IF THIS CAR WAS PART OF A RECALL(S) AND THEN REPAIRED. IF IT WAS, IT WAS REPAIRED INCORRECTLY, NOT ALL PROBLEMS WERE RESOLVED, OR THE PARTS USED HAVE A SHORT LIFE SPAN. IF GM ISN'T COVERING THIS SITUATION, THAT'S A CRIME. ALSO, IF NOT COVERED BY GM I'LL TAKE IT TO OUR REGULAR MECHANIC SINCE HIS WORK IS MORE RELIABLE THAN THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP'S. IF MY BABY HAD BEEN HURT IN THIS DEATH TRAP, HEADS WOULD'VE ROLLED - METAMORPHICALLY OF COURSE. I'LL ALSO BE CONSULTING A LAWYER.
IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY. ENGINE POWER WOULD REDUCE AND THE SERVICE ESC LIGHT AND SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON. ENGINE WOULD RUN ROUGH AND THE CAR WAS NOT ABLE TO GO FASTER THAN 30 MPH. AS SOON AS THE LIGHT CAME ON THE SPEED WOULD DECREASE. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF TRAFFIC GOING 60 MPH WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I HAD TO MOVE…
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IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY. ENGINE POWER WOULD REDUCE AND THE SERVICE ESC LIGHT AND SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON. ENGINE WOULD RUN ROUGH AND THE CAR WAS NOT ABLE TO GO FASTER THAN 30 MPH. AS SOON AS THE LIGHT CAME ON THE SPEED WOULD DECREASE. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF TRAFFIC GOING 60 MPH WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I HAD TO MOVE OVER TWO LANES IN HEAVY TRAFFIC GOING 30 MPH.
I WAS DRIVING WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE STEERING WENT OUT. IT SAYS ESC AND POWER STEERING ON MY DASH.
WHILE DRIVING THE ESC, TRACTION AND POWER STEERING LIGHTS CAME ON AND THEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. FOR A SHORT TIME I COULD STOP, TURN THE CAR OFF AND IT WOULD WORK AGAIN . NOW THERE IS NO POWER STEERING AND OF COURSE ALL THE LIGHTS ARE STILL ON. THIS YEAR MODEL WAS LISTED AS ONE OF THE RECALLS FOR THE POWER STEERING BUT…
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WHILE DRIVING THE ESC, TRACTION AND POWER STEERING LIGHTS CAME ON AND THEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. FOR A SHORT TIME I COULD STOP, TURN THE CAR OFF AND IT WOULD WORK AGAIN . NOW THERE IS NO POWER STEERING AND OF COURSE ALL THE LIGHTS ARE STILL ON. THIS YEAR MODEL WAS LISTED AS ONE OF THE RECALLS FOR THE POWER STEERING BUT NOT MY VIN NUMBER. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR IN THE SHOP FOR A RECALL ON THE LIGHTING SYSTEM THAT WAS FAULTY WHICH IN THE RECALL IT DID SAY THAT IT COULD CAUSE THE POWER STEERING TO GO OUT AS WELL AS THE ESC AND TRACTION. THE CHEV DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THIS WAS NOT CORRECT. THE ESTIMATE I WAS GIVEN WAS ABOUT $1500.00 TO FIX THE PROBLEM.
ON MARCH 1, 2017 AT 28981 MILES, THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, (NOT THE FIRST TIME). THE NEXT DAY, THE STABILITY CONTROL AND THE ABS LIGHTS BOTH ALSO CAME ON. IN BOTH OCCASIONS THE CAR WAS MOVING AT ABOUT 40 MPH ON A CITY STREET. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, THEY CHARGED ME $153 TO GET A DIAGNOSIS.THEY WANTED ANOTHER $850 TO HAVE IT FIX…
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ON MARCH 1, 2017 AT 28981 MILES, THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, (NOT THE FIRST TIME). THE NEXT DAY, THE STABILITY CONTROL AND THE ABS LIGHTS BOTH ALSO CAME ON. IN BOTH OCCASIONS THE CAR WAS MOVING AT ABOUT 40 MPH ON A CITY STREET. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, THEY CHARGED ME $153 TO GET A DIAGNOSIS.THEY WANTED ANOTHER $850 TO HAVE IT FIXED. I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER SHOP THAT DID IT FOR $190. THESE WERE 2 SEPARATE PROBLEMS, ONE WAS THE AIRBAG LIGHT (A CONNECTION UNDER THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT), AND THE OTHER WAS A SENSOR IN THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL (THE STABILITY/ABS LIGHT).
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, THE CLUSTER PANEL STARTS SHOWING WARNING LIGHTS FOR THE STEERING, SERVICE ESC, AND THE MIL LIGHT WAS ON, THE CAR LOST POWER, LOST POWER STEERING AND HAD NO POWER, NO MATTER WHAT I DID, THE CAR WOULD NOT RESPOND. THIS PUTTING MY FAMILY AND ME IN DANGER, WE WERE DRIVING ON THE IDL IN TULSA OKLAHOMA AT …
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WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, THE CLUSTER PANEL STARTS SHOWING WARNING LIGHTS FOR THE STEERING, SERVICE ESC, AND THE MIL LIGHT WAS ON, THE CAR LOST POWER, LOST POWER STEERING AND HAD NO POWER, NO MATTER WHAT I DID, THE CAR WOULD NOT RESPOND. THIS PUTTING MY FAMILY AND ME IN DANGER, WE WERE DRIVING ON THE IDL IN TULSA OKLAHOMA AT RUSH HOUR, VERY, VERY BUSY ROAD AT THAT TIME OF DAY. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM, THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE THAT WILL END UP GETTING SOMEONE KILLED. THE CAR IS COMPLETELY UNSTABLE, ERRATIC AND VERY HARD TO DRIVE, YOU LOSE POWER (NO ACCELERATION) AND POWER STEERING. THE CAR HAS 142,000 MILES ON IT, THAT SEEMS TO BE WHEN IT HAPPENING TO OTHER VEHICLES ALSO.
DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ABOUT 30MPH AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR LOOSES POWER AND ECO ASSIST SHUTS OFF, WITH TRACTION CONTROL,TRACTION ASSIST, AND POWER STEERING . THIS SEEMS LIKE A SAFETY ISSUE AS I COULDN'T PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD DUE TO THESE ISSUES AND THE CAR WOULD ONLY GO 10 MPH!! I SEE OTHER HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT T…
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DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ABOUT 30MPH AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR LOOSES POWER AND ECO ASSIST SHUTS OFF, WITH TRACTION CONTROL,TRACTION ASSIST, AND POWER STEERING . THIS SEEMS LIKE A SAFETY ISSUE AS I COULDN'T PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD DUE TO THESE ISSUES AND THE CAR WOULD ONLY GO 10 MPH!! I SEE OTHER HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS ISSUE IN NYS AND NOTHINGS BEEN DONE OR WHEN WE GO TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY JUST CLEAR THE CODES AND SAY NOTHINGS WRONG! THIS IS AN ISSUE AS IF SOMEONE WAS BEHIND ME THEY WOULD OF HIT ME AS WHEN THESE LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THE CAR WENT FROM 30MPH DOWN TO 10 MPH AND THE CAR RAN ROUGH AND SLOW . PLEASE DO SOMETHING WITH THIS ISSUE AS ALOT OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING !
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.
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