IllustrationDRIVER SEAT WELD BROKEN.
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
Seats complaints
25 reportsWHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE, THE POWER ASSISTED FRONT SEAT MOVED FORWARD APPROXIMATELY 1/4 TO 1/2 INCH ON THE RIGHT PORTION OF THE SEAT. THIS ALSO HAPPENED WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE AS WELL, E.G. IF TO THE LEFT THE RIGHT PORTION OF THE SEAT WOULD MOVE FORWARD, IF THE TURN WAS TO THE RIGHT THE RIGHT PORTION OF THE SEAT WOULD MOVE BA…
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WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE, THE POWER ASSISTED FRONT SEAT MOVED FORWARD APPROXIMATELY 1/4 TO 1/2 INCH ON THE RIGHT PORTION OF THE SEAT. THIS ALSO HAPPENED WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE AS WELL, E.G. IF TO THE LEFT THE RIGHT PORTION OF THE SEAT WOULD MOVE FORWARD, IF THE TURN WAS TO THE RIGHT THE RIGHT PORTION OF THE SEAT WOULD MOVE BACK. EVENTUALLY THE DRIVER'S SEAT SLOPED DOWNWARD TO THE RIGHT. THIS CREATED A HAZARDOUS SITUATION WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE OWNED MANY CARS AND NEVER ONCE HAVE I HAD A SEAT BREAK LIKE THIS. APPARENTLY THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH GM VEHICLES FROM WHAT I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO READ. GM REFUSED TO ADMIT THAT THIS IS THEIR FAULT AND I AM OUT ALMOST A $1,000.00 TO HAVE THERE PROBLEM FIXED ...UPDATED 09/22/15 *BF
MY WIFE HAD TURNED ON THE SEAT HEATER. AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME SHE FELT THE BACK OF THE SEAT GETTING VERY HOT AND THEN SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING AND SAW SMOKE INSIDE THE CAR.. SHE LEANED FORWARD AND THEN TURNED OFF THE SWITCH TO THE SEAT HEATER. I EXAMINED THE SEAT AND DISCOVERED A DIME SIZED BURN THROUGH HOLE IN THE SEAT. THE BU…
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MY WIFE HAD TURNED ON THE SEAT HEATER. AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME SHE FELT THE BACK OF THE SEAT GETTING VERY HOT AND THEN SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING AND SAW SMOKE INSIDE THE CAR.. SHE LEANED FORWARD AND THEN TURNED OFF THE SWITCH TO THE SEAT HEATER. I EXAMINED THE SEAT AND DISCOVERED A DIME SIZED BURN THROUGH HOLE IN THE SEAT. THE BURN TROUGH IS APPROXIMATELY SHOULDER HIGH ON THE SEAT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE REAR OF THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BECAME EXTREMELY HOT WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE HEATED SEATS. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT A HOLE WAS BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE REAR OF THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BECAME EXTREMELY HOT WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE HEATED SEATS. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT A HOLE WAS BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELEMENTS IN THE SEAT WERE FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000.
DRIVERS SEAT FRAME BROKE AT TWO WELD AREAS. VEHICLE HAS NEVER SUSTAINED ANY DAMAGE TO SEAT. SEAT FRAMED JUST FAILED. DEALERSHIP AND WELDING SHOPS HAVE ALL TOLD ME THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED. *JS
DRIVERS SEAT (POWER) BROKEN AWAY FROM SLIDING SEAT TRACK ON BACK PASSENGER SIDE OF DRIVER SEAT ALLOWING COMPLETE SEAT TO TILT AND HIT DOOR DURING RIGHT TURN AFFECTING ABILITY TO DRIVE VEHICLE. *TR
THE DRIVER HEATED SEAT BEGAN SMOKING AND LEFT A BURN HOLE IN MIDDLE BACK REST OF SEAT. *TR
SUPPORT BAR UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER'S SEAT SEVERED AND THE RESULT WAS THAT THE SEAT CAME OFF OF THE RIGHT BRACKET. THE SEAT WAS RESTING ON ONLY THE LEFT BRACKET. GENERAL MOTORS WOULD NOT COVER UNDER ANY WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH CAR WAS UNDRIVEABLE DUE TO SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. GENERAL MOTORS STATED THAT I SOMEHOW HAD CAUSED THE SUPPO…
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SUPPORT BAR UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER'S SEAT SEVERED AND THE RESULT WAS THAT THE SEAT CAME OFF OF THE RIGHT BRACKET. THE SEAT WAS RESTING ON ONLY THE LEFT BRACKET. GENERAL MOTORS WOULD NOT COVER UNDER ANY WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH CAR WAS UNDRIVEABLE DUE TO SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. GENERAL MOTORS STATED THAT I SOMEHOW HAD CAUSED THE SUPPORT BAR TO BREAK. IT COST ME $750 FOR A NEW SEAT AND THE LABOR TO REPLACE. I AM IN POSSESSION OF THE SEAT AND TO ME IT LOOKS LIKE A FAULTY WELD OR A DEFECTIVE SUPPORT BAR. I FIND IT IMPOSSIBLE THAT I SOME HOW BROKE A THICK STEEL BAR JUST BY GETTING IN AND OUT OF THE VEHICLE. *JS
STOPPED BEHIND TRAFFIC AND THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME DID NOT. NOT SURE HOW FAST THEY WERE GOING, BUT FAST ENOUGH TO HIT THE REAR OF MY CAR 2 TIMES AND PUSH ME INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. THE PROBLEM IS-- MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I AM HAVING ISSUES WITH BACK AND NECK SINCE THE SEAT BELT DID NOT HOLD ME IN PLACE. THE DRIVERS …
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STOPPED BEHIND TRAFFIC AND THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME DID NOT. NOT SURE HOW FAST THEY WERE GOING, BUT FAST ENOUGH TO HIT THE REAR OF MY CAR 2 TIMES AND PUSH ME INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. THE PROBLEM IS-- MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I AM HAVING ISSUES WITH BACK AND NECK SINCE THE SEAT BELT DID NOT HOLD ME IN PLACE. THE DRIVERS SEAT BROKE, BUT THE PASSENGERS SEAT BELT HELD, BUT NO AIR BAGS. *TR
2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED A RECALL WAS ISSUED REGARDING THE TRANSMISSION. HOWEVER, SHE NEVER RECEIVED A LETTER. ALSO, THE AIR BAG ILLUMINATED AND THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO FIX THE PROBLEM TWICE, WITH NO RESOLUTION. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE SEAT WO…
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2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED A RECALL WAS ISSUED REGARDING THE TRANSMISSION. HOWEVER, SHE NEVER RECEIVED A LETTER. ALSO, THE AIR BAG ILLUMINATED AND THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO FIX THE PROBLEM TWICE, WITH NO RESOLUTION. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE SEAT WOULD MOVE WHILE DRIVING. SHE STATED THERE WAS RUST ON THE SEAT TRACK. THE DEALER CLAIMED THE SEAT WAS WORKING PROPERLY. *JB
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.