← 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 →

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
Clear category filter
182,000 miles · Mar 21, 2018
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE SERVICE POWER STEERING AND THE ESC OFF INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. AFTERWARDS, A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING ABILITY CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO SEIZE. ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT HAD TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF TO RESET TH…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE SERVICE POWER STEERING AND THE ESC OFF INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. AFTERWARDS, A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING ABILITY CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO SEIZE. ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT HAD TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF TO RESET THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 182,000.

NHTSA ODI #11080626

109,000 miles · Mar 19, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

THERE ARE ALERTS ABOUT THE POWER STEERING AND THE SERVICE ESC ON THE DASH WHEN I TURN ON THE CAR. SOMETIMES WHEN I START THE CAR THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES AND JERKS, WITHOUT MY CONTROL. THIS AFFECTS MY DRIVING ABILITIES AND IS A CLEAR DANGER. THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES THE MOST WHEN I AM STOPPED, BUT IT SHAKES THE ENTIRE TIME I A…

Read full complaint

THERE ARE ALERTS ABOUT THE POWER STEERING AND THE SERVICE ESC ON THE DASH WHEN I TURN ON THE CAR. SOMETIMES WHEN I START THE CAR THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES AND JERKS, WITHOUT MY CONTROL. THIS AFFECTS MY DRIVING ABILITIES AND IS A CLEAR DANGER. THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES THE MOST WHEN I AM STOPPED, BUT IT SHAKES THE ENTIRE TIME I AM DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE OTHER TIMES I START THE CAR, THE POWER STEERING ALERTS COME ON AND THERE IS NO POWER STEERING AND I HAVE TO STEER MANUALLY. THIS PROBLEM STARTED SLOWLY; ORIGINALLY THE WHEEL SHOOK BUT NOT AS VIOLENTLY AS IT DOES NOW. OVER THE PAST COUPLE WEEKS IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE, AND RECENTLY THE POWER STEERING HAS GONE OUT WHEN I'VE STARTED. BEFORE I COULD JUST RESTART MY CAR AND THE POWER STEERING WOULD WORK, BUT NOW THE MORE I RESTART THE CAR THE LESS LIKELY THE STEERING WILL WORK PROPERLY. THIS PROBLEM STARTED IN JANUARY BUT INTENSIFIED IN MARCH.

NHTSA ODI #11080277

117,100 miles · Mar 19, 2018
Steering

FOR THE LAST THREE DAYS MY 2010 MALIBU IS EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING. EVERY TIME I TURN MY CAR ON IT SAYS SERVICE ESC AND MY STEERING IS SUPER HARD TO WORK WITH. I CAN'T STEER MY CAR AT ALL. I HAVE TO SHUT MY CAR OFF AND RESET THE ENGINE UNTIL THE SERVICE ESC GOES AWAY. I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK TODAY AND IT WEN…

Read full complaint

FOR THE LAST THREE DAYS MY 2010 MALIBU IS EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING. EVERY TIME I TURN MY CAR ON IT SAYS SERVICE ESC AND MY STEERING IS SUPER HARD TO WORK WITH. I CAN'T STEER MY CAR AT ALL. I HAVE TO SHUT MY CAR OFF AND RESET THE ENGINE UNTIL THE SERVICE ESC GOES AWAY. I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK TODAY AND IT WENT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND I COULDN'T STEER MY CAR AT ALL. I HAD TO PULL OVER WHICH WAS TOUGH BECAUSE THERE WAS SOME TRAFFIC. I'VE BEEN LOOKING ALL OVER ONLINE AND MOST PEOPLE SAY THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE STEERING COLUMN BUT MY CAR'S VIN ISN'T POPPING UP FOR ANY OF THE RECALLS. WHICH IS CRAZY BECAUSE MY CAR IS DOING THE SAME STUFF THE PEOPLE WHO GOT IT FIXED FOR FREE.

NHTSA ODI #11080252

150,000 miles · Mar 15, 2018
Exterior LightingSteering

COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING , WHILE DRIVNG , STEERING WHEEL CONSTANTLY SHAKING BY ITSELF. ALSO REPLACING HEADLIGHTS AN BRAKE LIGHTS EVERY COUPLE MONTHS.

NHTSA ODI #11079520

160,000 miles · Mar 12, 2018
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

"TAKATA RECALL WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET MY STEERING LOCKED UP AND LIGHT CAME ON THE STEERING WOULD NOT WORK

NHTSA ODI #11078649

107,550 miles · Mar 11, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

WHILE DRIVING ON BUSY HIGHWAY THE POWER STEERING LIGHT AND ESC LIGHT COMES ON AND THERE WAS LOSS OF POWER STEERING. IT BECAME VERY HARD FOR MY DAUGHTER TO TURN THE WHEEL. AFTER STOPPING AND TURNING OFF ENGINE, SHE RESTARTED AND GOT THE POWER STEERING BACK BUT THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED AND MOVED ON IT'S OWN. LATER THAT WEEK THE…

Read full complaint

WHILE DRIVING ON BUSY HIGHWAY THE POWER STEERING LIGHT AND ESC LIGHT COMES ON AND THERE WAS LOSS OF POWER STEERING. IT BECAME VERY HARD FOR MY DAUGHTER TO TURN THE WHEEL. AFTER STOPPING AND TURNING OFF ENGINE, SHE RESTARTED AND GOT THE POWER STEERING BACK BUT THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED AND MOVED ON IT'S OWN. LATER THAT WEEK THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND IT HAS NOT COME BACK. I'M THANKFUL SHE WASN'T HURT AND THE NUMBERS OF THE EXACT SAME COMPLAINT ON THIS CAR IS GETTING RIDICULOUS. THE MANUFACTURERS NEED TO STEP UP AND DO THE RIGHT THING.

NHTSA ODI #11078605

141,240 miles · Mar 10, 2018
Steering

TAKATA RECALL. WHEN CAR IS RUNNING I HAVE STEERING FAILURE. HARD TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT. ALARM SOUNDS AND ON DASH IT SAYS POWER STEERING AND ESC OFF AND SERVICE ESC.

NHTSA ODI #11078520

50,000 miles · Feb 24, 2018
Steering

POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR AND OTHER INDICATION ON HARD. MANUAL SAYS CONTACT DEALER. DEALER SAYS THIS VIN NOT IN RECALL WHICH WAS ISSUED.

NHTSA ODI #11074661

Mileage unknown · Feb 23, 2018
Steering

ON MY 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT. LOSS OF POWER STEERING ALMOST DIED ON THE INTERSTATE WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT .

NHTSA ODI #11074409

64,000 miles · Feb 20, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN ESC LIGHT CAME ON AND COMPLETELY LOST POWER STEERING ON THE HIGHWAY WHERE THERE WAS SNOW AND ICE. HAD TO PULL OF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ALMOST GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI #11073772

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.