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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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Mileage unknown · Jan 7, 2018
Steering

POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON THEN POWER STEERING GOES OUT. I TURN CAR OFF THEN RE START AND IT GOES AWAY. THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON ME 7 TIMES THE OTHER DAY. IT GOES OUT JUST AFTER I START MY CAR SOMETIMES. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY SINCE MY DRIVE TO WORK IS GOING AROUND A LOT OF CURVES. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN GOING…

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POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON THEN POWER STEERING GOES OUT. I TURN CAR OFF THEN RE START AND IT GOES AWAY. THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON ME 7 TIMES THE OTHER DAY. IT GOES OUT JUST AFTER I START MY CAR SOMETIMES. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY SINCE MY DRIVE TO WORK IS GOING AROUND A LOT OF CURVES. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT A WEEK. I'VE READ THERE ARE LOTS OF OTHER ISSUES WITH THIS WITH OTHER DRIVERS. LUCKILY I'VE MANAGED TO COAST IN STRAIGHT WAYS TO STOP SIGNS SO I CAN TURN OFF AND RESTART MY CAR. I MAY NOT BE THAT LUCKY ALWAYS.

NHTSA ODI #11061031

91,394 miles · Dec 28, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

WHEN I STARTED MY VEHICLE, AN INDICATOR LIGHT IMMEDIATELY REPORTED A NEED TO SERVICE MY ESC AND MY POWER STEERING WAS DISABLED. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, IT SEEMED TO CORRECT ITSELF. NOW, WHEN DRIVING, MY STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES WHEN THERE IS NO TORQUE APPLIED TO THE WHEEL AND MAKES A CHATTERING NOISE PERIODICALLY. THIS HAS …

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WHEN I STARTED MY VEHICLE, AN INDICATOR LIGHT IMMEDIATELY REPORTED A NEED TO SERVICE MY ESC AND MY POWER STEERING WAS DISABLED. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, IT SEEMED TO CORRECT ITSELF. NOW, WHEN DRIVING, MY STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES WHEN THERE IS NO TORQUE APPLIED TO THE WHEEL AND MAKES A CHATTERING NOISE PERIODICALLY. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A WEEK NOW.

NHTSA ODI #11057096

71,000 miles · Dec 16, 2017
Steering

ESC-STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT ON, POWER STEERING ISSUE. CAR HAS TROUBLE TURNING AND IS A SAFETY HAZARD. GM HAS RECALLED 1/3/ MILLION CARS FOR THIS SAME ISSUE-AFFECTING MALIBU, COBALT'S AND HHR EDITIONS.

NHTSA ODI #11055037

Mileage unknown · Dec 14, 2017
Steering

I AM CONSTANTLY GETTING A WARNING THAT MY POWER STEERING IS OUT AND "SERVICE ESC". I RESTART THE VEHICLE AND IT GOES AWAY FOR A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME THEN I HAVE THE SAME WARNING SIGN ON THE DASH AND THE STEERING IS HARD AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #11054705

130,000 miles · Dec 13, 2017
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE ESC INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO OUTTEN CHEVROLET (1701 TILGHMAN ST, ALLENTOWN, PA 18104), BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE R…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE ESC INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO OUTTEN CHEVROLET (1701 TILGHMAN ST, ALLENTOWN, PA 18104), BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY ADJUSTED THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO OUTTEN CHEVROLET, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DECLINED TO ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ODI #11054537

67,000 miles · Dec 7, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

TAKATA RECALL. THIS RECALL HAS BEEN CLOSED, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. GM WAS SAID TO HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM IN MAY,2014. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN IN AFTER THE RECALL DATE, AND TOLD ITS CLOSED. PROBLEM STILL OCCURS, NOT FIXED. TOLD BY CHEVY THAT IF THERE IS MORE REPAIRS TO BE DONE, IT IS NOT COVERED BY RECALL AND I WILL HAVE TO…

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TAKATA RECALL. THIS RECALL HAS BEEN CLOSED, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. GM WAS SAID TO HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM IN MAY,2014. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN IN AFTER THE RECALL DATE, AND TOLD ITS CLOSED. PROBLEM STILL OCCURS, NOT FIXED. TOLD BY CHEVY THAT IF THERE IS MORE REPAIRS TO BE DONE, IT IS NOT COVERED BY RECALL AND I WILL HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. SAME PROBLEM IT HAD BEFORE BUT THE BCM WAS NEVER REPLACED. I WAS DRIVING AND LOST ALL POWER STEERING. WARNING CAME ACROSS STATED POWER STEERING & SERVICE ESC. HAD TO STOP, SHUT OFF ENGINE, START CAR, PROBLEM WENT AWAY FOR 2 MINUTES AND HAPPENED AGAIN. I HAD MY DAUGHTER WITH ME AT THE TIME. SCARY.

NHTSA ODI #11052962

119,000 miles · Nov 22, 2017
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LOST STEERING FUNCTIONALITY WHILE BEING OPERATED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE SERVICE ESC WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CORRECTED BY MANUALLY RESTARTING THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE RECENT FAILURES WERE NOT REMEDIED …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LOST STEERING FUNCTIONALITY WHILE BEING OPERATED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE SERVICE ESC WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CORRECTED BY MANUALLY RESTARTING THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE RECENT FAILURES WERE NOT REMEDIED USING THIS METHOD DUE TO THE FAILURE BEING MORE SEVERE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 119,000.

NHTSA ODI #11047963

156,000 miles · Oct 31, 2017
Steering

AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, THE DASHBOARD CHIMED AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THIS HAS HAPPED TWO TIMES WITHIN THIS WEEK. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS DURING AN ATTEMPT TO MANEUVER A CURVE AND THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON A STRAIGHTAWAY.

NHTSA ODI #11041532

193,492 miles · Oct 20, 2017
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SISBARRO DEMING SUPERSTORE (4211 NM-549, DEMING, NM 88030, (888) 445-0069) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING MODULE, STEERING ANGLE SENSOR, AND CLOCK SPRING NEE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SISBARRO DEMING SUPERSTORE (4211 NM-549, DEMING, NM 88030, (888) 445-0069) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING MODULE, STEERING ANGLE SENSOR, AND CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 193,492.

NHTSA ODI #11035223

115,525 miles · Sep 29, 2017
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT AN UNKNOWN RECALL WAS ISSUED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO CALL HER LOCAL DEALER. THE CONTACT CALL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT AN UNKNOWN RECALL WAS ISSUED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO CALL HER LOCAL DEALER. THE CONTACT CALLED SELMAN CHEVROLET (1800 E CHAPMAN AVE, ORANGE, CA 92867, PHONE NUMBER (714) 633-3521) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,525.

NHTSA ODI #11030574

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.