SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

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 →
1,360Owner complaints

Model-year median: 310.5

3Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
977
2007987
20081,509
20091,360
2010977
2011906
2012835
2013
Compare all Malibu years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Steering
454Electrical System
294Electronic Stability Control (esc)
227Exterior Lighting
194Service Brakes
184
All reported categories
Air Bags
144Power Train
132Vehicle Speed Control
116Engine
115Unknown Or Other
63Structure
44Wheels
33Fuel/propulsion System
31Seats
25Traction Control System
23Visibility/wiper
19Latches/locks/linkages
17Seat Belts
16Service Brakes, Hydraulic
15Suspension
13Engine And Engine Cooling
11Fuel System, Gasoline
8Tires
6Visibility
5Equipment
3Forward Collision Avoidance
3Interior Lighting
1Lane Departure
1Service Brakes, Air
1

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.

41 crash reports14 fire reports35 injury reports

Seats complaints

25 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Mar 23, 2026
Seats

The driver's seat bracket broke causing the seat to sag to the right and for the back of the seat to rise up. Pictures were taken and are attached. Available for inspection until fixed. The view is from the front. My finger points to the failed weld. In an accident, the seat might break off causing the driver to sustain seriou…

Read full complaint

The driver's seat bracket broke causing the seat to sag to the right and for the back of the seat to rise up. Pictures were taken and are attached. Available for inspection until fixed. The view is from the front. My finger points to the failed weld. In an accident, the seat might break off causing the driver to sustain serious injury. The sudden shift in the seat could cause the driver to panic resulting in an accident. I have not yet taken it into the dealer for review. This problem has been reported to your website as well as RepairPal and The Center for Auto Safety websites. No one has, as of now, inspected this failure. There are no warning lights or other sources avaliable to inform of this danger.

NHTSA ODI #11726490

155,000 miles · Jan 19, 2021
Electrical SystemSeats

I COULD SMELL A FAINT ELECTRICAL SMOKE SMELL WHILE THE CAR WAS RUNNING, THEN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL QUIT WORKING COMPLETELY. I THEN ALSO NOTICED THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT ALSO QUIT HEATING.

NHTSA ODI #11388939

105,600 miles · Nov 14, 2020
Seats

DRIVERS SEAT FRAME HAS BROKE IN 2 PLACES CAUSING THE SEAT TO BE UNSTABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11374696

Mileage unknown · Jul 31, 2020
Fuel/propulsion SystemSeatsUnknown Or Other

MY DRIVER SEAT IS BROKE FROM THE BOTTOM OF FLOOR AND MY GAS PEDAL STICK AND JUMP WHEN I HIT THE GAS PEDAL

NHTSA ODI #11342602

Mileage unknown · Oct 22, 2019
Power TrainSeatsVehicle Speed Control

WHEN DRIVING IT THE TRANSMISSION DON'T KICK IN UNTIL YOU GET PASS 30 MILES AND THEN IT'S DOING EVERYTHING THAT YOU HAVE A RECALL ON SOME OF THE OTHER 2010 CHEVY MALIBU JUST TRYING TO SEE WHY MY VIN NUMBER HASN'T BEEN RECALL.I HAVE TO PUT MY EMERGENCY LIGHTS OWN SOMETIME SO I WON'T BE IN A RECK GETTING MY GRANDKIDS TO AND FROM SC…

Read full complaint

WHEN DRIVING IT THE TRANSMISSION DON'T KICK IN UNTIL YOU GET PASS 30 MILES AND THEN IT'S DOING EVERYTHING THAT YOU HAVE A RECALL ON SOME OF THE OTHER 2010 CHEVY MALIBU JUST TRYING TO SEE WHY MY VIN NUMBER HASN'T BEEN RECALL.I HAVE TO PUT MY EMERGENCY LIGHTS OWN SOMETIME SO I WON'T BE IN A RECK GETTING MY GRANDKIDS TO AND FROM SCHOOL I FEAR FOR OUR SAFETY BUT THIS IS MY ONLY TRANSPORTATION SO IF YOU CAN PLEAS CHECK AND SEE IF I HAVE A RECALL ON MY VIN NUMBER IT WOULD PLEASE BE APPRECIATE SIGN A CARING GRANDMOTHER TRYING TO KEEP HER FAMILY SAFE 🙏🏽🙏🏽

NHTSA ODI #11270164

Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 2017
SeatsFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HEATER CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE EXTINGUISHED ITSELF. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CONTACT DIDN'T KNOW WHAT NEEDED TO BE R…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HEATER CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE EXTINGUISHED ITSELF. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CONTACT DIDN'T KNOW WHAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11023625

95,000 miles · May 12, 2017
Seats

SEAT FRAME WELDS ARE BROKEN, BOTTOM FRONT RIGHT SIDE TUBE ON DRIVERS SEAT.

NHTSA ODI #10985066

85,000 miles · Feb 26, 2017
Air BagsSeats

FAULTY PASSENGER PRESENCE MODULE , AIRBAG WARNING FAULT LIGHT ON. . THE DEALERSHIP RECOMMENDED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE MODULE AT MY OWN EXPENSE OF $800. I FEEL THAT MY FAMILY AND MY SAFETY IS AT RISK DUE TO A FAULTY DESIGN THAT GM IS AWARE OF WITH ITS AIRBAG COMPONENTS. AIRBAGS SHOULD BE WORKING FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE, A…

Read full complaint

FAULTY PASSENGER PRESENCE MODULE , AIRBAG WARNING FAULT LIGHT ON. . THE DEALERSHIP RECOMMENDED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE MODULE AT MY OWN EXPENSE OF $800. I FEEL THAT MY FAMILY AND MY SAFETY IS AT RISK DUE TO A FAULTY DESIGN THAT GM IS AWARE OF WITH ITS AIRBAG COMPONENTS. AIRBAGS SHOULD BE WORKING FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE, AND IF THEY ARE FAILING THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD REPLACE THOSE FAULTY DESIGNED PARTS AT NO EXPENSE TO THE OWNERS.

NHTSA ODI #10957089

65,000 miles · Apr 6, 2016
SeatsFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SMOKE ODOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEATED SEAT ELEMENT BURNED A HOLE INTO THE SEAT FABRIC AND THE BACK OF THE CONTACT'S SWEATER. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SMOKE ODOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEATED SEAT ELEMENT BURNED A HOLE INTO THE SEAT FABRIC AND THE BACK OF THE CONTACT'S SWEATER. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MODULE AND THE DRIVER SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

NHTSA ODI #10853800

55,000 miles · Mar 10, 2016
SeatsFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH THE DRIVER SIDE HEATING SEAT ACTIVATED, THERE SUDDENLY WAS A BURNING ODOR. THE DRIVER DISCOVERED AT BURNT HOLE IN THE BACK AREA OF THE DRIVER SEAT. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT …

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH THE DRIVER SIDE HEATING SEAT ACTIVATED, THERE SUDDENLY WAS A BURNING ODOR. THE DRIVER DISCOVERED AT BURNT HOLE IN THE BACK AREA OF THE DRIVER SEAT. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000. UPDATED 05/11/16*LJ *TR

NHTSA ODI #10845896

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.