IllustrationTHE BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS PRESSED. THEY STAY ON AS IF I AM ALWAYS APPLYING THE BRAKES. WHEN I PRESS THE PEDAL THEY GO OFF. I UNDERSTAND THERE MAY BE A RECALL BUT WHEN I CALLED LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALERSHIPS THERE IS NO RECALL ON MY VIN. *TR
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
Exterior Lighting complaints
194 reportsTHE CRUISE CONTROL IN MY VEHICLE HAS STOPPED WORKING AS OF 8/15/13. ON 8/14/13, THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING BUT THEN ABOUT 20 MINUTES OR SO LATER, IT STARTED WORKING AGAIN. I HAVE TRIED RESETTING THE CRUISE CONTROL BY TURNING THE CONTROL ON AND OFF HOWEVER THIS WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. I HAVE ALSO BEEN EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM W…
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THE CRUISE CONTROL IN MY VEHICLE HAS STOPPED WORKING AS OF 8/15/13. ON 8/14/13, THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING BUT THEN ABOUT 20 MINUTES OR SO LATER, IT STARTED WORKING AGAIN. I HAVE TRIED RESETTING THE CRUISE CONTROL BY TURNING THE CONTROL ON AND OFF HOWEVER THIS WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. I HAVE ALSO BEEN EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH MY DASH LIGHTS GOING ON AND OFF. IT HAPPENS AT RANDOM TIMES SO THERE IS NO SPECIFIC INCIDENTS THAT CAUSE THIS TO OCCUR. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR ABOUT A YEAR NOW. *TR
WHILE DRIVING THE SERVICE ESC/SERVICE TRACTION LIGHTS FLASH. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE BRAKE LIGHTS MALFUNCTION TURNING OFF WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS PUSHED AND ON WHILE I'M ACCELERATING. UPDATED 8/22/13 *CN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS ERRONEOUSLY ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,500.
VEHICLE BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ACTIVATED WHEN BRAKE IS NOT APPLIED. WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED, BRAKE LIGHTS DEACTIVATE (OPPOSITE OF WHAT SHOULD OCCUR). DURING THIS TIME CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK AND WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL" APPEARS. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP ON 7/30/13 AND DEALER REPLACED…
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VEHICLE BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ACTIVATED WHEN BRAKE IS NOT APPLIED. WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED, BRAKE LIGHTS DEACTIVATE (OPPOSITE OF WHAT SHOULD OCCUR). DURING THIS TIME CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK AND WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL" APPEARS. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP ON 7/30/13 AND DEALER REPLACED BRAKE SENSOR (PART # 22666955) AFTER FINDING THAT BRAKE LIGHTS WERE FAULTY. REPORTING PARTY HAS SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION. *TR
AFTER THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING ON MY MALIBU, I NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE STAYING ON WHILE DRIVING. THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ON WHILE DRIVING NORMALLY, THEN WHEN THE BRAKE PEDDLE IS PRESSED LIGHTLY THE LIGHTS TURN OFF. AFTER THE PEDDLE IS DEPRESSED QUITE A BIT (WHILE BRAKING FOR STOPPING OR TO MAKE A SHARP TURN) TH…
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AFTER THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING ON MY MALIBU, I NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE STAYING ON WHILE DRIVING. THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ON WHILE DRIVING NORMALLY, THEN WHEN THE BRAKE PEDDLE IS PRESSED LIGHTLY THE LIGHTS TURN OFF. AFTER THE PEDDLE IS DEPRESSED QUITE A BIT (WHILE BRAKING FOR STOPPING OR TO MAKE A SHARP TURN) THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL TURN BACK ON. AFTER RELEASING THE BRAKES ALL THE WAY, THE LIGHTS WILL TURN OFF AND THEN BACK ON AGAIN A FEW SECONDS LATER. EVERY TIME THE BRAKE LIGHTS TURN ON, THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPS WORKING. *TR
BRAKE LIGHTS REMAIN ON WHILE DRIVING, TURN OFF MOMENTARILY BUT THEN TURN BACK ON. SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL NOTICE APPEARED IMMEDIATELY AFTER. *TR
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL ILLUMINATE WITHOUT PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. ONCE THE BRAKE PEDAL IS PRESSED, THE BRAKE LIGHTS GO OUT AND WILL COME BACK ON APPROXIMATELY 5 SECONDS LATER. IN AN EMERGENCY STOP, THE DRIVER BEHIND ME WILL NOT HAVE WARNING THAT THERE IS AN EMERGENCY STOP. ADDITIONALLY, THE CRUISE CONT…
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WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL ILLUMINATE WITHOUT PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. ONCE THE BRAKE PEDAL IS PRESSED, THE BRAKE LIGHTS GO OUT AND WILL COME BACK ON APPROXIMATELY 5 SECONDS LATER. IN AN EMERGENCY STOP, THE DRIVER BEHIND ME WILL NOT HAVE WARNING THAT THERE IS AN EMERGENCY STOP. ADDITIONALLY, THE CRUISE CONTROL WILL TURN OFF AS THE SYSTEM BELIEVES THE BRAKES ARE BEING APPLIED WHEN THEY ARE NOT. THIS WILL HAPPEN WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR
THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL GO ON FOR NO REASON WHILE I AM PRESSING THE GAS AND THEN WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKE, THEY WILL SHUT OFF. AS WELL AS WHEN I TURN ON THE HAZARDS, MY TRACTION LIGHT WILL SWITCH ON AND WHEN I TURN THEM OFF THE LIGHT STAYS ON SAYING "SERVICE TRACTION" AND THEN THE LEFT TAIL LIGHT BLINKER SHORTS OUT AND PRETENDS LIKE…
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THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL GO ON FOR NO REASON WHILE I AM PRESSING THE GAS AND THEN WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKE, THEY WILL SHUT OFF. AS WELL AS WHEN I TURN ON THE HAZARDS, MY TRACTION LIGHT WILL SWITCH ON AND WHEN I TURN THEM OFF THE LIGHT STAYS ON SAYING "SERVICE TRACTION" AND THEN THE LEFT TAIL LIGHT BLINKER SHORTS OUT AND PRETENDS LIKE IT IS GOING OUT AND WILL BLINK RAPIDLY. THEN WHEN THE BRAKE LIGHT ISSUE IS HAPPENING MY CRUISE CONTROL WILL BE FAULTY. THERE IS A SHORT OR SOMETHING HAPPENING WITH THE WIRING, IT HAS BEEN BAD FOR A WHILE NOW. I HAVEN'T GOTTEN AROUND TO ACTUALLY DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT UNTIL I READ THIS: [XXX] *TR PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE LOW BEAM BULB. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES. THE BULB WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE LOW BEAM BULB. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES. THE BULB WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 26,000.
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.