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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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99,000 miles · Nov 26, 2018
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PRESSED, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD SHUT OFF AND NOT ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (COGGIN CHEVROLET, 10880 PHILIPS HWY, JACKSONVILLE, FL) WHERE THE BATTER…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PRESSED, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD SHUT OFF AND NOT ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (COGGIN CHEVROLET, 10880 PHILIPS HWY, JACKSONVILLE, FL) WHERE THE BATTERY PACK CONTROL MODULE WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS) IN 2014 FOR THE SAME FAILURE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000.

NHTSA ODI #11153708

144,000 miles · Oct 30, 2018
Exterior Lighting

THE BULB ON THE DRIVERS SIDE HAS GONE OUT MULTIPLE TIMES. HAVE HAD TO PAY $150 PLUS BULBS EACH TIME AS YOU HAVE TO TAKE THE BUMPER OFF. EVEN AFTER REPLACING THE BULB THIS TIME IT DIDN'T WORK. MULTIPLE PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED THIS.

NHTSA ODI #11144210

129,642 miles · Oct 18, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior LightingTraction Control System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. IN ADDITION, THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL AND TRACTION WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. IN ADDITION, THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL AND TRACTION WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 129,642.

NHTSA ODI #11141178

180,000 miles · Sep 13, 2018
Exterior Lighting

TAKATA RECALL. MY PASSENGER HEADLIGHTS ON THE LOW BEAM SETTING KEEP GOING OUT. I CHANGED MY LIGHTBULB TWO MONTHS AGO AND IT HAS ALREADY GONE OUT. I SAW THAT IT WENT OUT A FEW WEEKS AGO BUT WHEN I WAS GOING TO GET SOMEONE TO CHANGE IT, THINKING THE THE SHOP GAVE ME A BAD BULB, THE HEADLIGHT CAME BACK ON. THE SAME THING HAPPENED L…

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TAKATA RECALL. MY PASSENGER HEADLIGHTS ON THE LOW BEAM SETTING KEEP GOING OUT. I CHANGED MY LIGHTBULB TWO MONTHS AGO AND IT HAS ALREADY GONE OUT. I SAW THAT IT WENT OUT A FEW WEEKS AGO BUT WHEN I WAS GOING TO GET SOMEONE TO CHANGE IT, THINKING THE THE SHOP GAVE ME A BAD BULB, THE HEADLIGHT CAME BACK ON. THE SAME THING HAPPENED LAST WEEK ALSO THE LIGHT WAS OUT AND I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD AND I HEARD MY CAR CLICK LIKE THE LIGHTS WERE COMING ON WHEN I STOPPED I NOTICED BOTH LOW BEAM LIGHTS WERE ON AGAIN. CURRENTLY MY PASSENGER LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT IS NOT WORKING, ALL OTHER LIGHTS ARE WORKING FINE

NHTSA ODI #11129225

250,000 miles · Aug 31, 2018
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT. REPLACED BULB MULTIPLE TIMES, 100/HR SHOP LABOR JUST TO TAKE OFF BUMPER TO GET TO BULB. AT THIS POINT A TICKET WOULD HAVE BEEN CHEAPER.

NHTSA ODI #11123866

Mileage unknown · Aug 22, 2018
Exterior Lighting

THE HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT. I HAVE REPLACED THE PASSENGER LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHT 3 TIMES AND IT IS OUT AGAIN. WITH THE WAY THE CAR IS MADE AND HAVING TO REMOVE THE FRONT OF THE CAR TO CHANGE THE LIGHT IS GETTING VERY EXPENSIVE AND INCONVENIENCING.

NHTSA ODI #11121603

120,000 miles · Aug 18, 2018
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

HEADLIGHT LOW BEAMS CONTINUE TO GO OUT. NOT BURNING OUT BUT GOING OUT PREMATURELY. HAVE TO BE CHANGED AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH.

NHTSA ODI #11120821

166,000 miles · Aug 16, 2018
Electrical SystemExterior LightingService Brakes

THE STOP LAMPS COME ON ALL BY THEMSELF, IF THE LAMPS ARE ILLUMINATED THEY WILL TURN OFF WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS PRESSED. THIS ALSO AFFECTS THE TRACTION CONTROLS AND STABILITY CONTROL, THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. ALSO CRUISE CONTROL BECOMES INOPERATIVE. GM HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THIS AND HAS AN EXTENDED WARRA…

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THE STOP LAMPS COME ON ALL BY THEMSELF, IF THE LAMPS ARE ILLUMINATED THEY WILL TURN OFF WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS PRESSED. THIS ALSO AFFECTS THE TRACTION CONTROLS AND STABILITY CONTROL, THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. ALSO CRUISE CONTROL BECOMES INOPERATIVE. GM HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THIS AND HAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THIS PROBLEM. HOWEVER THEY'VE CAPPED IT AT 150,000 MILES WHICH PUTS ME OUT OF WARRANTY. WHEN I SPOKE TO GM THEY ADMITTED THIS AND SAID BECAUSE I WASN'T THE ORIGINAL OWNER I WOULDN'T BE NOTIFIED. THEY DON'T WANT TO HELP!

NHTSA ODI #11120502

160,000 miles · Jul 26, 2018
Exterior Lighting

I AM CONSTANTLY HAVING TO REPLACE THE AC DELCO HEADLIGHT CONNECTOR PART NUMBER: 17833-05421850 BRAND: AC DELCO NOTES: PROFESSIONAL -- NEW; LOW BEAM; BLACK AND BLUE; 2 TERMINAL. FEMALE ABOUT 4 TIMES A YEAR. IT'S NOT AN EASY JOB TO GET TO THE LIGHTS IN THE FIRST PLACE SO I AM FORCED TO DRIVE IN THE DARK WITH ONE HEADLIGHT…

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I AM CONSTANTLY HAVING TO REPLACE THE AC DELCO HEADLIGHT CONNECTOR PART NUMBER: 17833-05421850 BRAND: AC DELCO NOTES: PROFESSIONAL -- NEW; LOW BEAM; BLACK AND BLUE; 2 TERMINAL. FEMALE ABOUT 4 TIMES A YEAR. IT'S NOT AN EASY JOB TO GET TO THE LIGHTS IN THE FIRST PLACE SO I AM FORCED TO DRIVE IN THE DARK WITH ONE HEADLIGHT. I WORK ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF TOWN AND DRIVE THROUGH FIELDS. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE WITH ONE HEADLIGHT. I SEE SO MANY MALIBU'S WITH ONE HEADLIGHT ONCE I GET INTO THE CITY SO I KNOW IT'S NOT JUST MY CAR. I ALSO SEE MANY PEOPLE COMPLAINING IN ONLINE CAR FORUMS. WHAT CAN BE DONE? I JUST REPLACED THIS PART ON JULY 6TH, 2018, AND BY JULY, 24TH, 2018 THE PART HAS BURNED OUT AGAIN AND I'M LEFT WITH ONE HEADLIGHT. PLEASE HELP, I FEEL SO TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS.

NHTSA ODI #11114018

109,000 miles · Jul 15, 2018
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

PASSENGER LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHT GOES OUT EVERY 2 MONTHS. I HAVE REPLACED THIS 3 TIMES. REPLACING THE HEADLIGHT REQUIRES REMOVING THE FRONT BUMPER AND IT IS $120 JUST TO REMOVE THE BUMPER TO DETERMINE THE ISSUE. NEW CONNECTOR AND PIGTAILS HAVE NOT SOLVED THE BURNOUT ISSUE. UPON AN INTERNET SEARCH, I FOUND OTHER HAVE THE SAME ISSUE …

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PASSENGER LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHT GOES OUT EVERY 2 MONTHS. I HAVE REPLACED THIS 3 TIMES. REPLACING THE HEADLIGHT REQUIRES REMOVING THE FRONT BUMPER AND IT IS $120 JUST TO REMOVE THE BUMPER TO DETERMINE THE ISSUE. NEW CONNECTOR AND PIGTAILS HAVE NOT SOLVED THE BURNOUT ISSUE. UPON AN INTERNET SEARCH, I FOUND OTHER HAVE THE SAME ISSUE WITH PASSENGER HEADLIGHT. IHTTP://WWW.CARPROBLEMZOO.COM/CHEVROLET/MALIBU/2010/HEADLIGHTS-PROBLEMS.PHP I WAS IN MOTION WHEN THIS WAS NOTICED AS I WAS PULLED OVER BY THE POLICE. ISSUE IS STILL THERE WHEN CAR IS PARKED.

NHTSA ODI #11111399

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.