Illustration2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE STEERING AND AIR BAG DEFECTS. *SMD THE CONSUER STATED THE STEERING WOULD SQUEAL AND GROWL, WHICH CREATED A VIBRATION MAKING STEERING DIFFICULT. THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED.*JS
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 reportsPOWER STEERING LOSS WHILE DRIVING. ESC LIGHT CAME ON. I PULLED OVER AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS SHAKING. RESTARTED CAR AND PROBLEM WENT AWAY. GOT HOME AND RESTARTED CAR. LOST POWER STEERING. ESC LIGHT CAME ON SAID IT TURNED OFF.
WHILE DRIVING ONE DAY, I NOTICED THAT MY STEERING HAD STARTED TO TICK WHENEVER I WOULD COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. TWO DAYS LATER, WHEN PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY MY POWER STEERING WENT COMPLETELY OUT. I WAS THANKFUL THAT IT DID NOT HAPPEN WHILE I WAS DRIVING BECAUSE MY CHILDREN WERE IN THE CAR. THE STEERING WOULD NOT COME BACK ON FO…
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WHILE DRIVING ONE DAY, I NOTICED THAT MY STEERING HAD STARTED TO TICK WHENEVER I WOULD COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. TWO DAYS LATER, WHEN PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY MY POWER STEERING WENT COMPLETELY OUT. I WAS THANKFUL THAT IT DID NOT HAPPEN WHILE I WAS DRIVING BECAUSE MY CHILDREN WERE IN THE CAR. THE STEERING WOULD NOT COME BACK ON FOR A WHILE THEN RANDOMLY AN HOUR OR SO LATER WHEN THE CAR WAS RESTARTED, THE POWER STEERING WAS BACK ON BUT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD TICK LIKE BEFORE, ONLY HARDER, THEN IT WENT BACK OUT AGAIN A SHORT WHILE LATER WHILE I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM THE GAS STATION. THANKFULLY THIS TIME, I WAS ALONE. EVER SINCE THAT TIME THE POWER STEERING HAS NOT RETURNED. I'VE HAD THE POWER STEERING MOTOR CHANGED AND THAT DID NOT SOLVE THE ISSUE AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY, AFTER READING TONS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE POWER STEERING GOING OUT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, IT HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED AND CORRECTED. WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE BEFORE THIS HAPPENS?
TAKATA RECALL. I WAS IN DRIVING MODE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED , CAUSING THE CAR TO STOP
PULLED OUT OF CAR WASH AND ONTO THE HIGHWAY (SPEED LIMIT IS ONLY 40) THROUGH TOWN, POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND LIGHT BEGAN DISPLAYING WITH AUDIBLE SOUND AS WELL AS SERVICE ESC. THE MILEAGE ON MY VEHICLE IS 150,760 WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THERE IS CURRENTLY A BULLETIN PUBLISHED REFERENCING THIS PROBLEM (15356) IN WHICH IT APPEARS TO …
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PULLED OUT OF CAR WASH AND ONTO THE HIGHWAY (SPEED LIMIT IS ONLY 40) THROUGH TOWN, POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND LIGHT BEGAN DISPLAYING WITH AUDIBLE SOUND AS WELL AS SERVICE ESC. THE MILEAGE ON MY VEHICLE IS 150,760 WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THERE IS CURRENTLY A BULLETIN PUBLISHED REFERENCING THIS PROBLEM (15356) IN WHICH IT APPEARS TO ONLY WARRANT A REPAIR AT MANUFACTURER COST IF 150,000 MILES/TEN YEARS. FROM READING ONLINE FORUMS, I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE TO "JUST" MISS THE FAILURE AND MANUFACTURER REIMBURSEMENT. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED NO MATTER THE MILEAGE.
WHEN STARTING VEHICLE, "SERVICE ESC" AND "POWER STEERING" IS DISPLAYED AND THE POWER STEERING IS DISABLED. OCCASIONALLY, TURNING OFF THE CAR AND THEN RESTARTING IT, WHILE TURNING THE WHEEL, WILL CORRECT THE PROBLEMS. ADDITIONALLY, THE STEERING WHEEL TWITCHES BACK AND FORTH WITHOUT ME TOUCHING IT AT ALL TIMES WHETHER THE CAR IS …
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WHEN STARTING VEHICLE, "SERVICE ESC" AND "POWER STEERING" IS DISPLAYED AND THE POWER STEERING IS DISABLED. OCCASIONALLY, TURNING OFF THE CAR AND THEN RESTARTING IT, WHILE TURNING THE WHEEL, WILL CORRECT THE PROBLEMS. ADDITIONALLY, THE STEERING WHEEL TWITCHES BACK AND FORTH WITHOUT ME TOUCHING IT AT ALL TIMES WHETHER THE CAR IS MOVING OR STATIONARY. THIS PROBLEM IS NOT CORRECTED BY TURNING THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE STEERING COLUMN REQUIRED EXCESSIVE EFFORT TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE NORMALLY. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LACK OF ENGINE POWER AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PAST 40 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ESC, POWER STEERING, AND ENGINE POWER REDUCED WARNING IND…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE STEERING COLUMN REQUIRED EXCESSIVE EFFORT TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE NORMALLY. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LACK OF ENGINE POWER AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PAST 40 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ESC, POWER STEERING, AND ENGINE POWER REDUCED WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE CONTROL SENSOR AND THE POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 98,000.
MALIBU SUDDENLY FLASHED SERVICE ESC/ ESC OFF/ POWER STEERING. ALL STEERING CONTROLS OF THE VEHICLE WERE LOST. CAR MUST BE STEERED MANUALLY. AFTER TURNING CAR OFF, ALL LIGHTS AND MESSAGES DISAPPEAR AND POWER STEERING WORKS FOR APPROXIMATELY 2-3 MILES BEFORE SAME MESSAGES APPEAR AND POWER STEERING IS LOST AGAIN. I CONTACTED LOCAL …
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MALIBU SUDDENLY FLASHED SERVICE ESC/ ESC OFF/ POWER STEERING. ALL STEERING CONTROLS OF THE VEHICLE WERE LOST. CAR MUST BE STEERED MANUALLY. AFTER TURNING CAR OFF, ALL LIGHTS AND MESSAGES DISAPPEAR AND POWER STEERING WORKS FOR APPROXIMATELY 2-3 MILES BEFORE SAME MESSAGES APPEAR AND POWER STEERING IS LOST AGAIN. I CONTACTED LOCAL CHEVROLET SERVICE DEPARTMENT WHERE THEY LOOKED UP ALL RECALLS ON MY CAR AND STATED THERE WERE TWO RECALLS, NEITHER OF WHICH WERE RELATED TO MY ISSUE. THEY WERE UNCERTAIN OF REASONING FOR LOSS OF POWER STEERING BUT HAVE HAD SEVERAL SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON SEVERAL DIFFERENT YEAR OF MALIBU.
MY VEHICLE WAS GIVING A WEIRD VIBE WHEN I DROVE IT BUT THE MECHANIC SAID IT JUST NEEDED AN ALIGNMENT. SO I GOT THAT DONE. SHORTLY AFTER IT STARTED AGAIN, THIS TIME IT STARTED THIS WEIRD TWITCH IN THE STEERING COLUMN AS WELL. THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT, WARNING LIGHTS FOR POWER STEERING AND ECS FLASHED CONTINUOUSLY. I PARKED AND…
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MY VEHICLE WAS GIVING A WEIRD VIBE WHEN I DROVE IT BUT THE MECHANIC SAID IT JUST NEEDED AN ALIGNMENT. SO I GOT THAT DONE. SHORTLY AFTER IT STARTED AGAIN, THIS TIME IT STARTED THIS WEIRD TWITCH IN THE STEERING COLUMN AS WELL. THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT, WARNING LIGHTS FOR POWER STEERING AND ECS FLASHED CONTINUOUSLY. I PARKED AND TURNED THE CAR OFF TO GO GET FLUID. WHEN I GOT BACK REALIZED NO RESERVOIR. SO I TURN THE CAR BACK ON AND THE POWER STEERING WORKED AGAIN. HOWEVER, IT STOPS WORKING RANDOMLY WITHOUT ANY TYPE OF INDICATION.
I AM HAVING ISSUES WITH THE POWER STEERING
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.