IllustrationESC LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS
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
Steering complaints
454 reportsVEHICLE'S STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY.ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON.HAD TO SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTART BEFORE I WENT INTO THE DITCH OR HAD A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH ANOTHER CAR.UPON RESTARTING THE ENGINE THE LIGHT WENT OFF AND THE STEERING WHEEL WORKED AGAIN.NOW IT MOVES ON ITS OWN AND MAKES A NOISE.I'M AFRAID…
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VEHICLE'S STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY.ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON.HAD TO SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTART BEFORE I WENT INTO THE DITCH OR HAD A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH ANOTHER CAR.UPON RESTARTING THE ENGINE THE LIGHT WENT OFF AND THE STEERING WHEEL WORKED AGAIN.NOW IT MOVES ON ITS OWN AND MAKES A NOISE.I'M AFRAID IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN AGAIN.AND I'M FED UP WITH THIS CAR AND THE RECALL NOTES I'VE BEEN READING ABOUT YOUR COMPANY.
TAKATA RECALL WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT. ALMOST HIT ANOTHER CAR.
STIFF STEERING; WILL NOT TURN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THE TRACTION POWER INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER, TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, AND THE POWER STEERING BEGAN TO OPERATE NORMALLY. T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THE TRACTION POWER INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER, TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, AND THE POWER STEERING BEGAN TO OPERATE NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED (KENDALL AUTO MALL, 15700 IDAHO CENTER BLVD, NAMPA, ID 83687) AND STATED THAT NO RECALLS WERE ASSOCIATED WITH THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE VIN SEARCH REVEALED ONE RECALL FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, HYDRAULIC); HOWEVER, THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
STEERING POWER SHOWS IN MY CAR, LOOSING THE CONTROL OF MY WHEEL
PERIODICALLY, UPON INITIAL SWITCH-ON, POWER STEERING / ESC CONTROL ERROR MESSAGES FLASH AND POWER STEERING IS INOPERATIVE (VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN). SWITCHING OFF IGNITION AND RESTARTING USUALLY CLEARS THE PROBLEM. IN ADDITION, WHILE IDLING (STOP LIGHT) THE STEERING WHEEL PULSES OR VIBRATES SLOWLY WITH NO HANDS ON THE WHEEL. …
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PERIODICALLY, UPON INITIAL SWITCH-ON, POWER STEERING / ESC CONTROL ERROR MESSAGES FLASH AND POWER STEERING IS INOPERATIVE (VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN). SWITCHING OFF IGNITION AND RESTARTING USUALLY CLEARS THE PROBLEM. IN ADDITION, WHILE IDLING (STOP LIGHT) THE STEERING WHEEL PULSES OR VIBRATES SLOWLY WITH NO HANDS ON THE WHEEL. THIS SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE WITH TIME; AND HAS OCCASIONALLY HAPPENED WHILE THE CAR WAS DRIVING. TAKING FOR REPAIR TOMORROW.
THE POWER STEERING FAILS INTERMITTENTLY. THIS MORNING IT ALMOST CAUSED ME TO WRECK WHILE GETTING OFF THE INTERSTATE. I WENT TO TURN ON THE OFF-RAMP AND MY POWER STEERING FAILED, FOLLOWED BY SEVERAL MESSAGES ON MY INFORMATION DISPLAY. (POWER STEERING, ESC) ONCE I TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN, MY POWER STEERING RETURNS. SIN…
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THE POWER STEERING FAILS INTERMITTENTLY. THIS MORNING IT ALMOST CAUSED ME TO WRECK WHILE GETTING OFF THE INTERSTATE. I WENT TO TURN ON THE OFF-RAMP AND MY POWER STEERING FAILED, FOLLOWED BY SEVERAL MESSAGES ON MY INFORMATION DISPLAY. (POWER STEERING, ESC) ONCE I TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN, MY POWER STEERING RETURNS. SINCE THEN IT CONTINUES TO SHUT DOWN ON ME WHILE DRIVING. AFTER LOOKING INTO THE ISSUE ONLINE, I NOTICE A LARGE RECALL ON 2010 MALIBU'S FOR THIS EXACT REASON, BUT SOMEHOW MINE IS NOT COVERED. HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE WHEN IT IS THE EXACT SAME ISSUE? THIS IS BECOMING A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LACK OF ENGINE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND THE ESC, POWER STEERING, AND ENGINE POWER REDUCED WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LACK OF ENGINE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND THE ESC, POWER STEERING, AND ENGINE POWER REDUCED WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE RESTARTED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ESC FAILED. THE DEALER (GRAY-DANIELS CHEVROLET, 6080 INTERSTATE 55 NORTH FRONTAGE RD, JACKSON, MS 39211) INFORMED THE CONTACT THEY WOULD REPAIR THE VEHICLE FOR A FEE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE POWER STEERING IN THE CAR NOT WORKING. IT WILL RANDOMLY SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING BUT IF THE CAR IS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED A FEW MINUTES LATER IT WILL WORK FINE FOR A FEW MILES.
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.