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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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116,760 miles · Oct 8, 2014
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND EXCESSIVE FORCE WAS REQUIRED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND EXCESSIVE FORCE WAS REQUIRED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,760. UPDATED 11/21/14 *CN UPDATED 02/03/15*JB

NHTSA ODI #10643302

101,000 miles · Sep 26, 2014
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AND THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON THREE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AND THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON THREE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.

NHTSA ODI #10639454

107,000 miles · Sep 26, 2014
Steering

WHILE LEAVING THE PARKING LOT, MY POWER STEERING ALERT CAME ON. I TOOK MY CAR INTO THE MECHANIC, AND HE FOUND AN ERROR MESSAGE RELATING TO THE STEERING COLUMN IN MY CAR. HE SAID TO FIX THE PROBLEM, THEY WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN, ALIGN THE WHEELS/STEERING, ECT. ALL AT A COST OF ABOUT $873. MY CAR ISN'T …

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WHILE LEAVING THE PARKING LOT, MY POWER STEERING ALERT CAME ON. I TOOK MY CAR INTO THE MECHANIC, AND HE FOUND AN ERROR MESSAGE RELATING TO THE STEERING COLUMN IN MY CAR. HE SAID TO FIX THE PROBLEM, THEY WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN, ALIGN THE WHEELS/STEERING, ECT. ALL AT A COST OF ABOUT $873. MY CAR ISN'T EVEN 5 YEARS OLD YET, AND I'M FORCED TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN? I SEE THAT GM HAS RECALLED THE 2004-2006, 2009 MALIBU MODELS, AND A NUMBER OF OTHER YEARS AND MODELS DUE TO FAULTY POWER STEERING. I DRIVE HOME TO SEE MY MOM WHO IS AT THE END OF LIFE WITH CANCER. THAT DRIVE IS ABOUT 130 MILES ONE WAY, MOSTLY INTERSTATE DRIVING AT 65MPH. IF I DON'T HAVE THIS FIXED, I COULD POSSIBLY LOOSE MY POWER STEERING, OR WORSE, LOOSE STEERING ALL TOGETHER, AND NOT ONLY INJURE OR KILL MYSELF, BUT OTHERS ON THE ROAD. SO I AM FORCED TO FIX THIS ISSUE, WHICH I FEEL SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS. I DON'T THINK I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY ALMOST $1000 FOR A CAR THAT ISN'T EVEN 5 YEARS OLD, THAT I PAID $25,000+ FOR. RESOLUTION FOR ME WOULD BE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE WORK I'M GOING TO HAVE DONE, AND HAVE THE 2010 MALIBU'S ADDED TO THE RECALL LIST. THANK YOU *TR

NHTSA ODI #10639217

124,511 miles · Sep 8, 2014
SteeringCrash

WHILE GOING THRU A TURN THE INPUT SHAFT CAME OUT OF THE RACK AND PINION CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING. WHEELS WENT STRAIGHT CAUSING THE CAR TO JUMP THE CURB AND STRIKE BOULDERS IN THE LAND SCAPE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10631485

10,000 miles · Jul 30, 2014
Electrical SystemSteeringTraction Control System

I KEEP GETTING A "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL" MESSAGE WHEN AND ONLY WHEN I AM SITTING IN THE CAR IN "PARK". ALSO ANOTHER ISSUE IS THE CAR JUST DIES AS I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT IN A TURN OR ON A CURVE. DEALER SAYS THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE ISSUES. I CALL "[XXX] AS I CANNOT STOP THE ISSUE NOT ONLY THAT BUT THE DEA…

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I KEEP GETTING A "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL" MESSAGE WHEN AND ONLY WHEN I AM SITTING IN THE CAR IN "PARK". ALSO ANOTHER ISSUE IS THE CAR JUST DIES AS I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT IN A TURN OR ON A CURVE. DEALER SAYS THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE ISSUES. I CALL "[XXX] AS I CANNOT STOP THE ISSUE NOT ONLY THAT BUT THE DEALER HAS CHARGED ME $300 PLUS FOR THE REPAIR? SAY WHAT? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10617785

52,000 miles · Jul 23, 2014
Steering

I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. I HAD TO QUICKLY PULLOVER TO AVOID GETTING HIT BY ONCOMING CARS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10615869

59,850 miles · Jul 23, 2014
Steering

MY 2010 MALIBU IS NOW MAKING A CREAKY/CLUNKY NOISE WHEN STEERING INTO A TURN. IT IS MOST NOTICEABLE AT SLOW SPEEDS. I KNOW THE POWER STEERING MOTOR HAS BEEN AN ISSUE IN PRIOR MODEL YEARS. THIS VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY UNDER THE RECALL FOR THE BRAKE LIGHT / TRACTION CONTROL / CRUISE CONTROL ISSUES UNDER RECALL # 13036. THERE HAS …

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MY 2010 MALIBU IS NOW MAKING A CREAKY/CLUNKY NOISE WHEN STEERING INTO A TURN. IT IS MOST NOTICEABLE AT SLOW SPEEDS. I KNOW THE POWER STEERING MOTOR HAS BEEN AN ISSUE IN PRIOR MODEL YEARS. THIS VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY UNDER THE RECALL FOR THE BRAKE LIGHT / TRACTION CONTROL / CRUISE CONTROL ISSUES UNDER RECALL # 13036. THERE HAS BEEN NO DIAGNOSIS DONE ON THE POWER STEERING AS I WILL BRING THIS TO THE DEALER'S ATTENTION WHEN I BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR THE KNOWN RECALL REPAIRS. THE CAR IS NOW GROUNDED UNTIL THE REPAIRS CAN BE MADE AS IT IS JUST TOO UNSAFE TO DRIVE AT THIS POINT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10615558

60,000 miles · Jul 2, 2014
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #10607706

52,000 miles · Jun 25, 2014
Electrical SystemSteeringVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY DECELERATE AND THE STEERING, ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL SENSOR LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY DECELERATE AND THE STEERING, ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL SENSOR LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000.

NHTSA ODI #10606023

15,000 miles · Jun 24, 2014
EngineSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN COOLER WEATHER, THE POWER STEERING WOULD BECOME VERY SHAKY AND NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS …

Read full complaint

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

NHTSA ODI #10605580

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.