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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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76,481 miles · Feb 25, 2014
Steering

I WAS DRIVING HOME (CT) FROM WORK (NY) WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY POWER STEERING WASN'T WORKING THEN THE ESC LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH BOARD WAS READING SERVICE ESC / POWER STEERING. THE HAS BEEN NO PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING UNTIL NOW WHICH MADE THE RIDE HOME SCARIER THEN EVER WITH NO POWER STEERING IT WAS HAD TO TURN THE VEHICL…

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I WAS DRIVING HOME (CT) FROM WORK (NY) WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY POWER STEERING WASN'T WORKING THEN THE ESC LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH BOARD WAS READING SERVICE ESC / POWER STEERING. THE HAS BEEN NO PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING UNTIL NOW WHICH MADE THE RIDE HOME SCARIER THEN EVER WITH NO POWER STEERING IT WAS HAD TO TURN THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10565768

65,000 miles · Feb 17, 2014
Steering

I HAD SLOWED DOWN TO GET OFF AN EXIT AND THE POWER STEERING WORD CAME UP ON THE DASH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10564613

49,120 miles · Feb 12, 2014
Steering

I WAS BACKING UP FROM THE STORE AND I HEARD A TRACTION NOISE DOING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL, IT GOT WORSE STIFFER AND STIFFER TO STEER , I HAVE 2 CHILDREN IN THE CAR WITH ME SCARE TO DEATH TO HIT SOMETHING!, MY HUSBAND TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY CHARGED US 520 DOLLARS WITH A DISCOUNT THEY SAID. SO UPSETTING BECAUSE IT IS A 20…

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I WAS BACKING UP FROM THE STORE AND I HEARD A TRACTION NOISE DOING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL, IT GOT WORSE STIFFER AND STIFFER TO STEER , I HAVE 2 CHILDREN IN THE CAR WITH ME SCARE TO DEATH TO HIT SOMETHING!, MY HUSBAND TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY CHARGED US 520 DOLLARS WITH A DISCOUNT THEY SAID. SO UPSETTING BECAUSE IT IS A 2010 MALIBU ONLY 49000 MILES , DOING SOME RESEARCH I KNOW THERE HAVE BEEN CARS RECALL FROM GM FROM THE SAME PROBLEM!!! ARE THEY WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO DIE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!! SO UPSET! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10564027

101,500 miles · Feb 12, 2014
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AS THE POWER STEERING WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE POWER STEERING WARNING LAMP NO LONGER ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN FOR INSPECTION O…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AS THE POWER STEERING WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE POWER STEERING WARNING LAMP NO LONGER ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,500.

NHTSA ODI #10564021

89,700 miles · Feb 10, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

WHILE DRIVING THE SERVICE ESC LIGHT CAME ON AND MY VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER STEERING. I PULLED OVER, TURNED CAR OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN, POWER STEERING CAME BACK TO NORMAL AND LIGHTS WENT OFF ONLY TO COME BACK ON AND LOST POWER STEERING AGAIN. NOW I CAN HEAR A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS …

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WHILE DRIVING THE SERVICE ESC LIGHT CAME ON AND MY VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER STEERING. I PULLED OVER, TURNED CAR OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN, POWER STEERING CAME BACK TO NORMAL AND LIGHTS WENT OFF ONLY TO COME BACK ON AND LOST POWER STEERING AGAIN. NOW I CAN HEAR A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS JERKING. I WILL BE CONTACTING GM ABOUT THIS AS I SEE THIS IS HAPPENING TO SEVERAL 2010 CHEVY MALIBU OWNERS. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER WHO I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM TO NO AVAIL. NOT GOOD! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10563696

95,000 miles · Feb 6, 2014
Steering

OUR 2010 MALIBU STARTED HAVING THE POWER STEERING LIGHT COMING ON WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING. AFRAID WE WILL LOOSE POWER AND NOT BE ABLE TO HANDLE THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10563244

140,000 miles · Jan 28, 2014
Steering

THE POWER STEERING SENSOR IS BAD AND TO REPAIR IT THEY SAY THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN HAS TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS MY DAUGHTERS CAR AND WOULD BE BAD IF THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING. SO FAR THE STEERING HAS ONLY FAILED WHEN SHE STARTED THE CAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWO TIMES IN THREE DAYS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10561893

89,500 miles · Jan 27, 2014
Steering

TRAVELING APPROX 40MPH, ESC SENSOR WENT OFF AND POWER STEERING WENT OUT AS I WAS BEGINNING A RIGHT HAND TURN. TURNED OFF THE CAR AT THE NEXT STOP LIGHT AND RESTARTED, SERVICE ESC LIGHT AND POWER STEERING WERE BACK TO NORMAL. CONTINUED TO HAVE THE INTERMITTENT ISSUE THROUGHOUT THE NEXT FEW DAYS TO NOW WHERE IT STAYS ON. CAR IS …

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TRAVELING APPROX 40MPH, ESC SENSOR WENT OFF AND POWER STEERING WENT OUT AS I WAS BEGINNING A RIGHT HAND TURN. TURNED OFF THE CAR AT THE NEXT STOP LIGHT AND RESTARTED, SERVICE ESC LIGHT AND POWER STEERING WERE BACK TO NORMAL. CONTINUED TO HAVE THE INTERMITTENT ISSUE THROUGHOUT THE NEXT FEW DAYS TO NOW WHERE IT STAYS ON. CAR IS STILL FUNCTIONAL, BUT TURNING IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT AND WOULD BE NEAR IMPOSSIBLE FOR SOME PEOPLE. GM SERVICE IS $900 FOR A NEW POWER STEERING MOTOR + LABOR. I GENERALLY AM WILLING TO PAY TO GET SERVICE, BUT ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR MANY YEARS AND MANY MODELS OF GM VEHICLES. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE WARRANTIED/RECALLED OUTSIDE OF BUMPER TO BUMPER AS IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE IF IT WERE TO GO OFF AND BE THE CAUSE OF ANY ACCIDENT. AS FAR AS I CAN TELL, IT HAS WARRANTIED IN THE PAST BASED ON THE MALIBU FORUM INFORMATION (2008 AND PREVIOUS). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10561689

31,240 miles · Jan 15, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

WE WERE DRIVING ON OUR WAY HOME FROM CHURCH MY WIFE AND I AT 45 MPH WHEN WE LOST THE POWER STEERING IMMEDIATELY WITHOUT NOTICE.THE ESC LIGHT CAME ON. IT WAS A MIRACLE I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AT THE RATE OF SPEED THAT WE WERE GOING CONSIDERING I AM A [XXX] YEAR OLD DIABETIC. THANK YOU JESUS! *TR PARTS OF THIS DOCUME…

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WE WERE DRIVING ON OUR WAY HOME FROM CHURCH MY WIFE AND I AT 45 MPH WHEN WE LOST THE POWER STEERING IMMEDIATELY WITHOUT NOTICE.THE ESC LIGHT CAME ON. IT WAS A MIRACLE I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AT THE RATE OF SPEED THAT WE WERE GOING CONSIDERING I AM A [XXX] YEAR OLD DIABETIC. THANK YOU JESUS! *TR PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI #10560133

110,000 miles · Jan 7, 2014
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH AND THE STEERING WHEEL HAD TO BE TURNED WITH FORCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH AND THE STEERING WHEEL HAD TO BE TURNED WITH FORCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ODI #10558925

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.