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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 →

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.

41 crash reports14 fire reports35 injury reports

Electronic Stability Control (esc) complaints

227 reports
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99,000 miles · Apr 25, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE HEAD LAMP FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. IN ADDITION, THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FLAG CHEVROLET (1000 E BELVIDERE RD, GRAYSLAKE, IL 60030). THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THE DEALE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE HEAD LAMP FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. IN ADDITION, THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FLAG CHEVROLET (1000 E BELVIDERE RD, GRAYSLAKE, IL 60030). THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THE DEALER'S DIAGNOSIS; HOWEVER, THE HEAD LAMP WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE HEAD LAMP FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000.

NHTSA ODI #11090136

59,700 miles · Apr 12, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

I LEFT MY DRIVEWAY EARLY IN THE MORNING. AFTER GOING DOWN MY RESIDENTIAL STREET, I WENT TO TURN MY CAR TO THE LEFT AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. ON MY DASH THE MEASSAGE "ESC SERVICE POWER STEERING APPEARED". AFTER TURNING MY CAR OFF FOR A FEW SECONDS, I TURNED THE CAR BACK ON AND THE POWER STEERING WAS BACK TO NORMAL, AND THE…

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I LEFT MY DRIVEWAY EARLY IN THE MORNING. AFTER GOING DOWN MY RESIDENTIAL STREET, I WENT TO TURN MY CAR TO THE LEFT AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. ON MY DASH THE MEASSAGE "ESC SERVICE POWER STEERING APPEARED". AFTER TURNING MY CAR OFF FOR A FEW SECONDS, I TURNED THE CAR BACK ON AND THE POWER STEERING WAS BACK TO NORMAL, AND THE MESSAGE WAS GONE FROM MY DASH. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I SEE THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THE CHEVROLET MALIBU FOR THIS PROBLEM, HOWEVER MY CAR'S VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN IT EVEN THOUGH IT IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH POWER STEERING.

NHTSA ODI #11084840

10 miles · Apr 2, 2018
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

I GOT THE CAR IN 2015 AND FROM THAT I HAVE HAD PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING LIGHT COMING ON AND SHUTTING OFF THE POWER STEERING WHICH MY WIFE WAS DRIVING AND SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR AND ALMOST RAN INTO A POLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN ONE TIME AND WHEN SHE TURN OFF THE CAR, IT WORKS AGAIN BUT THEN HAPPENS AGAIN. I HAVE MOR…

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I GOT THE CAR IN 2015 AND FROM THAT I HAVE HAD PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING LIGHT COMING ON AND SHUTTING OFF THE POWER STEERING WHICH MY WIFE WAS DRIVING AND SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR AND ALMOST RAN INTO A POLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN ONE TIME AND WHEN SHE TURN OFF THE CAR, IT WORKS AGAIN BUT THEN HAPPENS AGAIN. I HAVE MORE PROBLEMS WITH THE HEADLIGHTS GOING OUT OVER AND OVER AND THE SOCKET BEING BURNED OUT AND HAVE TO REPLACE THEM AS WELL NOW MY RADIO HAS POWER BUT DOESN'T COME ON, AFTER IT WAS JUST WORKING. I CAN'T HEAR ANY DOOR CHIMES OR TURN SIGNAL SIGNS. IT LIKE A PROBLEM AFTER A PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS IN THIS CAR. I AM BUY THIS CAR BUT WE DON'T EVEN FEEL SAFE TO DRIVE IT. IT HAS ONLY 79000 MILES BUT THE PROBLEMS STARTED HAPPENING AROUND 50,000 MILES AND WHEN I GOT THE CAR IT HAD 43,000 MILES I BELIEVE.

NHTSA ODI #11082482

109,000 miles · Mar 19, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

THERE ARE ALERTS ABOUT THE POWER STEERING AND THE SERVICE ESC ON THE DASH WHEN I TURN ON THE CAR. SOMETIMES WHEN I START THE CAR THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES AND JERKS, WITHOUT MY CONTROL. THIS AFFECTS MY DRIVING ABILITIES AND IS A CLEAR DANGER. THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES THE MOST WHEN I AM STOPPED, BUT IT SHAKES THE ENTIRE TIME I A…

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THERE ARE ALERTS ABOUT THE POWER STEERING AND THE SERVICE ESC ON THE DASH WHEN I TURN ON THE CAR. SOMETIMES WHEN I START THE CAR THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES AND JERKS, WITHOUT MY CONTROL. THIS AFFECTS MY DRIVING ABILITIES AND IS A CLEAR DANGER. THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES THE MOST WHEN I AM STOPPED, BUT IT SHAKES THE ENTIRE TIME I AM DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE OTHER TIMES I START THE CAR, THE POWER STEERING ALERTS COME ON AND THERE IS NO POWER STEERING AND I HAVE TO STEER MANUALLY. THIS PROBLEM STARTED SLOWLY; ORIGINALLY THE WHEEL SHOOK BUT NOT AS VIOLENTLY AS IT DOES NOW. OVER THE PAST COUPLE WEEKS IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE, AND RECENTLY THE POWER STEERING HAS GONE OUT WHEN I'VE STARTED. BEFORE I COULD JUST RESTART MY CAR AND THE POWER STEERING WOULD WORK, BUT NOW THE MORE I RESTART THE CAR THE LESS LIKELY THE STEERING WILL WORK PROPERLY. THIS PROBLEM STARTED IN JANUARY BUT INTENSIFIED IN MARCH.

NHTSA ODI #11080277

54,000 miles · Mar 15, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

THE CAR WAS WORKING FINE UNTIL ONE MORNINGI GOT A MESSAGE AS I WAS DRIVING UP A HILL THAT THE ENGINE POWER WAS REDUCED AND THE ESC WAS ACTIVE. THE CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 20MPH

NHTSA ODI #11079699

82,000 miles · Mar 13, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN GIVING ME ISSUES FOR THE PAST MONTH OR TWO WITH THE ECS TRACTION LIGHT THAT KEEPS COMING ON . I HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP ON AND OFF AND THEY KEEP REPLACING SENSORS AND NOTHING HELPS. IT ALMOST FEELS LIKE THE ENGINE IS MISSING WHEN THE LIGHT COMES. ON. THE CAR ACTS LIKE IT IS IN SLOW MOTION AND IT CUT OFF ON…

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MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN GIVING ME ISSUES FOR THE PAST MONTH OR TWO WITH THE ECS TRACTION LIGHT THAT KEEPS COMING ON . I HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP ON AND OFF AND THEY KEEP REPLACING SENSORS AND NOTHING HELPS. IT ALMOST FEELS LIKE THE ENGINE IS MISSING WHEN THE LIGHT COMES. ON. THE CAR ACTS LIKE IT IS IN SLOW MOTION AND IT CUT OFF ON ME STOPPED AT A REDLIGHT. NOTHING WOULD TURN ON I WAS ALMOST HIT BY CARS THAT WERE COMING BEHIND ME. NOTHING CAME ON AT ALL NO LIGHTS IT WOULD NOT TURN OVER. APPARENTLY ALL MALIBU'S ARE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE SINCE 2005 MODELS UP TO 2015 MODELS. IT APPEARS IT IS THE CAM LINE THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED MINE IS BROKEN AND THE WIRES ARE FRAYED ACCORDING TO THE CODE THAT IS BEING PUT OUT. THIS SHOULD HAVE BECOME A RECALL FOR ALL OF THESE MALIBU'S. A LIFE OR REALLY BAD ACCIDENT COULD OCCUR. I WAS TOLD THAT CHEVROLET DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX THIS THAT IS WHY THERE IS NO RECALL. TO REPAIR THIS IF IT IS REPAIRABLE COULD BE IN THE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. I WONT PAY IT I WILL TRADE MY CAR IN FOR A FOREIGN VEHICLE. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A CHEVROLET PERSON BUT NOT ANYMORE. I FEEL LET DOWN THAT NO ONE IS LISTENING AND THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THANK YOU

NHTSA ODI #11078861

160,000 miles · Mar 12, 2018
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

"TAKATA RECALL WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET MY STEERING LOCKED UP AND LIGHT CAME ON THE STEERING WOULD NOT WORK

NHTSA ODI #11078649

107,550 miles · Mar 11, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

WHILE DRIVING ON BUSY HIGHWAY THE POWER STEERING LIGHT AND ESC LIGHT COMES ON AND THERE WAS LOSS OF POWER STEERING. IT BECAME VERY HARD FOR MY DAUGHTER TO TURN THE WHEEL. AFTER STOPPING AND TURNING OFF ENGINE, SHE RESTARTED AND GOT THE POWER STEERING BACK BUT THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED AND MOVED ON IT'S OWN. LATER THAT WEEK THE…

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WHILE DRIVING ON BUSY HIGHWAY THE POWER STEERING LIGHT AND ESC LIGHT COMES ON AND THERE WAS LOSS OF POWER STEERING. IT BECAME VERY HARD FOR MY DAUGHTER TO TURN THE WHEEL. AFTER STOPPING AND TURNING OFF ENGINE, SHE RESTARTED AND GOT THE POWER STEERING BACK BUT THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED AND MOVED ON IT'S OWN. LATER THAT WEEK THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND IT HAS NOT COME BACK. I'M THANKFUL SHE WASN'T HURT AND THE NUMBERS OF THE EXACT SAME COMPLAINT ON THIS CAR IS GETTING RIDICULOUS. THE MANUFACTURERS NEED TO STEP UP AND DO THE RIGHT THING.

NHTSA ODI #11078605

64,000 miles · Feb 20, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN ESC LIGHT CAME ON AND COMPLETELY LOST POWER STEERING ON THE HIGHWAY WHERE THERE WAS SNOW AND ICE. HAD TO PULL OF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ALMOST GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI #11073772

Mileage unknown · Feb 14, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

ESC LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS

NHTSA ODI #11072953

Official recalls

3

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)

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.