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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

Exterior Lighting complaints

194 reports
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Mileage unknown · May 27, 2019
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFuel/propulsion System

BRAKE LIGHT CONSTANTLY FLUCTUATING WITHOUT THE BRAKE BEING PRESSED, VERY DANGEROUS FOR ME AND MY CHILD, HEADLIGHTS CONSTANTLY GOING OUT SPECIFICALLY THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE, ALMOST GO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND PEOPLE THING I'M THE ONE PRESSING THE BRAKES, IT DOES THIS WHEN DRIVING OR WHEN IT PARKED, IF I TAP THE BRAKE IT'LL GO OFF …

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BRAKE LIGHT CONSTANTLY FLUCTUATING WITHOUT THE BRAKE BEING PRESSED, VERY DANGEROUS FOR ME AND MY CHILD, HEADLIGHTS CONSTANTLY GOING OUT SPECIFICALLY THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE, ALMOST GO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND PEOPLE THING I'M THE ONE PRESSING THE BRAKES, IT DOES THIS WHEN DRIVING OR WHEN IT PARKED, IF I TAP THE BRAKE IT'LL GO OFF FOR A FEW SECOND THEN COME RIGHT BACK ON. ALSO CAR KEEP THROWING A CODE SAYING IT'S RUNNING RICH EVEN THO I CAN LOCATE THE PROBLEM I BELIEVE IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH A SENSEOR OR WIRING OR THE FUEL INJECTOR, IF THERE ARE ANY RECALLS FOR THIS VEHICLE I WOULD LIE FOR THEM TO BE FIX ALL AT ONCE BECAUSE I HAVE TO USE THIS CARD DAILY FOR MYSELF AND MY DAUGHTER AND I JUST WANT IT TO BE SAFE FOR MY CHILD AND I AS WELL AS OTHER DRIVERS IN THE ROAD.

NHTSA ODI #11210205

Mileage unknown · May 26, 2019
Exterior Lighting

MY 2010 CHEVY MALIBU HAS BEEN HAVING ISSUES INVOLVING MY HEADLIGHTS. I RECENTLY HAD THEM CHANGED TWICE AND NOW ABOUT A MONTH AND HALF LATER THEY ARE OUT AGAIN. EVERY NOW AND THEN I CAN TAP ON THEM AND THEY WILL COME ON. I JUST CHECKED THIS MORNING TO SEE IF THEY WORK AND NEITHER ONE OF THEM WILL TURN ON. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE R…

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MY 2010 CHEVY MALIBU HAS BEEN HAVING ISSUES INVOLVING MY HEADLIGHTS. I RECENTLY HAD THEM CHANGED TWICE AND NOW ABOUT A MONTH AND HALF LATER THEY ARE OUT AGAIN. EVERY NOW AND THEN I CAN TAP ON THEM AND THEY WILL COME ON. I JUST CHECKED THIS MORNING TO SEE IF THEY WORK AND NEITHER ONE OF THEM WILL TURN ON. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE RECALLED BECAUSE I CAN'T EVEN DRIVE AT NIGHT AT THIS POINT! I DO NOT WANT A TICKET AND HAVING MY BULBS REPLACED EVERY MONTH IS COSTLY. EVERYONE WANTS TO CHARGE 100+ TO CHANGE THE BULBS. IF I KNEW I WOULD BE HAVING THIS CONSTENT PROBLEM, I WOULD HAVE NEVER BOUGHT A CHEVY!

NHTSA ODI #11210020

80,670 miles · May 9, 2019
Exterior LightingSteering

THE HEADLIGHT OF THE CAR KEEP BURNING OFF, I HAVE CHANGED THE BULB 5 OR 6 TIMES IN EACH SIDE, SND WE CHANGE THE CONNECTORS ONE TIME. SO ANNOYING. IT IS VERY HATD TO REPLACE TEM AND LABOR IS SO EXPENSIVE. I HAVE A POWER STEERING, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) ISSUE WITH THE SAME CAR. VERY SCARY. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS A…

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THE HEADLIGHT OF THE CAR KEEP BURNING OFF, I HAVE CHANGED THE BULB 5 OR 6 TIMES IN EACH SIDE, SND WE CHANGE THE CONNECTORS ONE TIME. SO ANNOYING. IT IS VERY HATD TO REPLACE TEM AND LABOR IS SO EXPENSIVE. I HAVE A POWER STEERING, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) ISSUE WITH THE SAME CAR. VERY SCARY. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS AND YOU CAN NOT STEER. THANKFULLY THERE WERE NO CARS AND NOTHING MAJOR HAPPENED. WE GOT SO SCARED. IT HAS HAPPEN TO TIMES WHILE DRIVING IT.

NHTSA ODI #11206611

115,000 miles · May 7, 2019
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

I HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT. I KEEPS BURNING OUT. I HAVE REPLACED TWICE WITHIN A MONTH PERIOD. NOW I HAVE TO REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS. PLEASE RECALL I'M TIRED OF TAKING THE WHOLE BUMPER OFF TO REPLACE A BULB.

NHTSA ODI #11205933

149,512 miles · Mar 30, 2019
Electrical SystemExterior LightingSteering

I HAVE REPLACED MY PASSENGER HEADLIGHTS SEVERAL TIMES AND BLUB KEEPS BLOWING OUT. I AM TIRED OF REPLACING IT AND VERY COSTLY BECAUSE OF THE LABOR IT TAKES TO REPLACE IT. ALL OF SUDDEN MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT. I WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING STALL AND LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR. I WAS ABLE TO PUT IT BACK IN DRIVE TO GET THE CAR OU…

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I HAVE REPLACED MY PASSENGER HEADLIGHTS SEVERAL TIMES AND BLUB KEEPS BLOWING OUT. I AM TIRED OF REPLACING IT AND VERY COSTLY BECAUSE OF THE LABOR IT TAKES TO REPLACE IT. ALL OF SUDDEN MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT. I WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING STALL AND LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR. I WAS ABLE TO PUT IT BACK IN DRIVE TO GET THE CAR OUT OF THE WAY. WHEN I TURNED IT OFF AND RESTARTED THE CAR IT DROVE NORMAL. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS.

NHTSA ODI #11192626

Mileage unknown · Mar 30, 2019
Exterior Lighting

THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS GO OUT ON THIS VEHICLE VERY OFTEN. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR FOR 5 YEARS AND IVE HAD TO REPLACE THESE BULBS SEVERAL TIMES. ITS NOT CHEAP TO DO THIS BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO PULL THE BUMPER TO REAPIR. WHEN I TALK TO PEOPLE THEY TELL ME THIS ISNT NORMAL.

NHTSA ODI #11192579

199,000 miles · Mar 28, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior LightingSteering

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.

NHTSA ODI #11192117

182,000 miles · Mar 13, 2019
Exterior LightingSteering

WHEN I FIRST TURN THE CAR ON IT WILL FLASH SERVICE ESC AND POWER STEERING WHEEL ALSO FLASH AT THAT POINT I HAVE NO POWER STEERING, AND THEN I WILL TURN THE CAR OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON AND I HAVE POWER STEERING THERE IS NO FLASHING OF ESC OR POWER STEERING. THE STEERING WHEEL WILL SHAKE WHILE STATIONARY. IN THE LAST YEAR I HAVE R…

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WHEN I FIRST TURN THE CAR ON IT WILL FLASH SERVICE ESC AND POWER STEERING WHEEL ALSO FLASH AT THAT POINT I HAVE NO POWER STEERING, AND THEN I WILL TURN THE CAR OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON AND I HAVE POWER STEERING THERE IS NO FLASHING OF ESC OR POWER STEERING. THE STEERING WHEEL WILL SHAKE WHILE STATIONARY. IN THE LAST YEAR I HAVE REPLACED ALL FOUR TURN SIGNALS AT LEAST TWICE AND BOTH HEADLIGHTS AT LEAST TWICE. WHEN I TURN ON THE CAR THE HEADLIGHTS WILL FLASH AND THEN ONE WILL GO OUT WHILE THE OTHER ONE STAYS ON DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD I DON'T HIT ANY BUMPS OR POTHOLES OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT AND THE HEAD LIGHT WILL COME ON, AT THAT POINT IT STAYED ON FOR ONE DAY AND THEN IT WENT BACK OUT AGAIN. MY THIRD BRAKE LIGHT WILL WORK OFF AND ON, MORE OFF THEN ON. MY REAR DEFROSTERS DO NOT WORK AT ALL AND THE CONTROL ON THE DRIVER SEAT DOES NOT WORK EITHER. WITHIN THE LAST MONTH WE HAVE REPLACED THE BATTERY AND CABLES FOR THE CAR AND WAS TOLD THAT THAT SHOULD FIX ALL THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND IT DID NOT. I HAVE 2 VIDEOS OF WHAT THE CAR DOES BUT CANNOT UPLOAD ON HERE.

NHTSA ODI #11186691

132,000 miles · Mar 5, 2019
Electrical SystemExterior LightingService Brakes

BRAKE LAMP RECALL FOR THESE MODELS DO NOT WORK. I NOTICED THE ISSUE RECENTLY WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AT AROUND 55 MPH AT NIGHT. MY BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ON, WHILE MY FOOT IS OFF OF THE BRAKE PEDAL. WHEN I PLACE MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES, THE BRAKE LIGHTS GO OFF. THIS IS A SERIOUS DRIVING HAZARD. I'VE TAKEN THE CAR TO GET THE RECALL …

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BRAKE LAMP RECALL FOR THESE MODELS DO NOT WORK. I NOTICED THE ISSUE RECENTLY WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AT AROUND 55 MPH AT NIGHT. MY BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ON, WHILE MY FOOT IS OFF OF THE BRAKE PEDAL. WHEN I PLACE MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES, THE BRAKE LIGHTS GO OFF. THIS IS A SERIOUS DRIVING HAZARD. I'VE TAKEN THE CAR TO GET THE RECALL HANDLED, BUT NOTICED THIS MORNING, THAT MY BRAKE LIGHTS ARE STILL ILLUMINATING WHEN MY FOOT IS OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL.

NHTSA ODI #11184254

Mileage unknown · Feb 12, 2019
Exterior Lighting

HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT.

NHTSA ODI #11176646

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.