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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

Steering complaints

454 reports
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85,000 miles · Nov 22, 2018
Steering

MY POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING. THE STEERING GOT REALLY HEAVY, AND TRYING TO TURN THE WHEEL FELT NOTCHY, LIKE THE POWER STEERING MOTOR WAS FIGHTING ME. I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT WHEN THIS HAPPENED. A TRIANGLE SHAPED YELLOW WARNING LIGHT CAME UP. I THINK THE WARNING MESSAGE BELOW IT WAS ESC TRACTION OR SOM…

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MY POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING. THE STEERING GOT REALLY HEAVY, AND TRYING TO TURN THE WHEEL FELT NOTCHY, LIKE THE POWER STEERING MOTOR WAS FIGHTING ME. I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT WHEN THIS HAPPENED. A TRIANGLE SHAPED YELLOW WARNING LIGHT CAME UP. I THINK THE WARNING MESSAGE BELOW IT WAS ESC TRACTION OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. AFTER TURNING OFF THE CAR AND LETTING IT REST FOR 1.5 HOURS, THE CAR STARTED AND THE STEERING WORKED LIKE NORMAL. NO WARNING LIGHT, MESSAGE, OR ISSUES. I DON'T KNOW WHEN THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. I SEE LOTS OF PEOPLE HAVE THIS ISSUE WITH THE SAME MODEL YEAR MALIBU. THIS CAR HAS 85K MILES ON IT.

NHTSA ODI #11153223

5 miles · Nov 20, 2018
Electrical SystemSteering

POWER STEERING LOCKS WHEN DRIVING AND I HAVE NO CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL

NHTSA ODI #11152965

128,000 miles · Nov 15, 2018
Steering

POWER STEERING SUDDENLY WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING, I MADE IT HOME SAFELY THEN THE NEXT DAY CAR DROVE AS IF NOTHING WAS WRONG, POWER STEERING FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. THE FOLLOWING DAY POWER STEERING WENT OUT AGAIN AS I WAS TURNING THE CORNER. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THEN RESTARTED, THEN IT DROVE FINE UNTIL I PULLED IN MY DRIVEWAY THE …

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POWER STEERING SUDDENLY WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING, I MADE IT HOME SAFELY THEN THE NEXT DAY CAR DROVE AS IF NOTHING WAS WRONG, POWER STEERING FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. THE FOLLOWING DAY POWER STEERING WENT OUT AGAIN AS I WAS TURNING THE CORNER. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THEN RESTARTED, THEN IT DROVE FINE UNTIL I PULLED IN MY DRIVEWAY THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AGAIN. FOR THE LAST 4 DAYS IT HAS BEEN GOING IN AND OUT AT WILL.

NHTSA ODI #11151709

148,000 miles · Nov 14, 2018
Steering

WHILE DRIVING ESC LIGHT CAME ON POWER STEERING ISSUE DISPLAYED AND POWER STEERING FAILED. STOPPED AND TURNED CAR OFF; UPON RESTART NO ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11151554

90,000 miles · Nov 13, 2018
Steering

POWER STEERING GOES IN AND OUT. ETC LIGHT COMES ON AND FLASHES POWER STEERING FAILURE. UPON READING, GM ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS BUT OUR DEALER HAS NO RECALL INFORMATION ON THIS. SAFETY ISSUE, COULD LEAD TO A CRASH

NHTSA ODI #11151320

89,000 miles · Nov 13, 2018
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JERKED LEFT TO RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JERKED LEFT TO RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.

NHTSA ODI #11151227

74,000 miles · Oct 26, 2018
Steering

MY 2010 CHEVY MALIBU IS LOSING POWER STEERING DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, THE SERVICE ECM IS DISPLAYING AND THEN THE POWER STEERING FAILURE IS ON THE DASH. I CAN GET THE POWER STEERING TO TURN BACK ON ONCE I TURN THE ENGINE OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN BUT IT CONTINUES TO SHUT OFF.

NHTSA ODI #11142791

82,000 miles · Oct 17, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)SteeringWheels

I FOUND A COMPLAINT BEFORE ABOUT THE POWER STEERING GOING OUT ON MY CAR. TODAY IS OCTOBER 17TH 2018 THE INCIDENT HAPPENED AT ABOUT 5:50 IN THE MORNING MY WIFE WAS DRIVING TO WORK IN THE VEHICLE ON THE FREEWAY AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AGAIN AND THE WHEEL LOCKED UP AND TURNT THE CAR ONTO A CONSTRUCTION SHE WAS ABLE TO STOP …

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I FOUND A COMPLAINT BEFORE ABOUT THE POWER STEERING GOING OUT ON MY CAR. TODAY IS OCTOBER 17TH 2018 THE INCIDENT HAPPENED AT ABOUT 5:50 IN THE MORNING MY WIFE WAS DRIVING TO WORK IN THE VEHICLE ON THE FREEWAY AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AGAIN AND THE WHEEL LOCKED UP AND TURNT THE CAR ONTO A CONSTRUCTION SHE WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. SHE TELLS ME THAT EVERY LIGHT CAME ON AND STARTED FLASHING THEN IT WENT AWAY AND SAID ESE, NO POWER STEERING, SERVICE, NO TRACTION. SHE TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND STARTED IT BACK UP AND EVERYTHING WORKED AGAIN, THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN ONE TIME AND EACH YEAR IS HAPPENING MORE AND MORE.

NHTSA ODI #11140793

143,497 miles · Aug 30, 2018
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT ALSO HEARD A CLICKING NOISE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE CONTACT HAD TO CONSTANTLY MANEUVER THE STEERING WHEEL, WHICH W…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT ALSO HEARD A CLICKING NOISE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE CONTACT HAD TO CONSTANTLY MANEUVER THE STEERING WHEEL, WHICH WAS EXTREMELY TIGHT WHEN TURNING IT IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE DEALER (ROSS DOWNING CHEVROLET, 600 S MORRISON BLVD, HAMMOND, LA 70403, 866-206-4720) INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED IN 2014 PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14E044000 (STEERING). SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY CURRENT RECALLS, THE DEALER DID NOT OFFER TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP, BUT THE CLICKING NOISE AND STEERING WHEEL FAILURES CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED ONE RECALL FOR THIS YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL VEHICLE WITH 11 TSBS FOR THE STEERING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,497.

NHTSA ODI #11123454

234,567 miles · Aug 15, 2018
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

WHILE DRIVING MY CAR ON THE HIGHWAY OUT OF NOWHERE POWER ENGINE REDUCED WOULD COME UP ON THE DASH AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND TRANSMISSION AND TRACTION WARNING LIGHTS WOULD SHOW ON DASH AS WELL ALSO POWER STEERING SHOW ON DASH AND THE CAR JERK A LITTLE AND THE SPEEDOMETER AND FUEL HAND WOULDN'T MOVE

NHTSA ODI #11120007

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.