IllustrationTHE RACK AND PINION ON DRIVERS SIDE END RATTLES AT SLOW SPEED. I HAVE TRIED 3 DIFFERENT BRAND FRONT BRAKES AND ALL HAVE SQUEAKED,THE TRANSMISSION COOLER LINE STARTED LEAKING.THE CAR HAS 69,000 ON IT AS OF NOW 1/26/2013. DEALER WANT FIX ANY OF THE PROBLEM UNDER THE DRIVE TRAIN WARRANTY. ALSO HAS COLD START ENGINE KNOCK. *TR
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 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER WHILE DRIVING AT ALL SPEEDS. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT SEIZE, BUT IT WOULD TAKE EXCESSIVE FORCE TO TURN. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT EASILY RETURN BACK TO ITS CENTERED POSITIO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER WHILE DRIVING AT ALL SPEEDS. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT SEIZE, BUT IT WOULD TAKE EXCESSIVE FORCE TO TURN. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT EASILY RETURN BACK TO ITS CENTERED POSITION AFTER COMPLETING TURNS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD PULL TOWARD THE LEFT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND LOUD BANGING NOISES COULD BE HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT END. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFAC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD PULL TOWARD THE LEFT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND LOUD BANGING NOISES COULD BE HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT END. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,700.
I DRIVE FOR A TAXI COMPANY THAT EXTENSIVELY USES THE 7TH GENERATION CHEVY MALIBU (2008+). A WELL KNOWN DEFECT AROUND HERE INVOLVES THE POWER STEERING SENSOR, WHICH CAN WITHOUT WARNING STOP OPERATING AND MAKE STEERING IMPOSSIBLE. THIS HAS BEEN KNOWN TO HAPPEN MOST OFTEN WHEN ODOMETER MILEAGE IS 150K+. VEHICLE MUST BE RESTARTED TO…
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I DRIVE FOR A TAXI COMPANY THAT EXTENSIVELY USES THE 7TH GENERATION CHEVY MALIBU (2008+). A WELL KNOWN DEFECT AROUND HERE INVOLVES THE POWER STEERING SENSOR, WHICH CAN WITHOUT WARNING STOP OPERATING AND MAKE STEERING IMPOSSIBLE. THIS HAS BEEN KNOWN TO HAPPEN MOST OFTEN WHEN ODOMETER MILEAGE IS 150K+. VEHICLE MUST BE RESTARTED TO REGAIN FULL STEERING OPERATION. STEERING CAN RESUME NORMAL OPERATION WITHOUT A REPEAT OF THE ERROR, OR THE FAULT CAN BE REPEATED ALMOST IMMEDIATELY. IT IS AN INTERMITTENT AND RANDOM PROBLEM. I BELIEVE MY COMPANY HAS NOT YET REPORTED THIS, BUT I PERSONALLY DON'T FANCY GETTING MYSELF AND POTENTIALLY MY CUSTOMERS INTO A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION. I WOULD APPRECIATE AN OFFICIAL LOOK INTO HIGH MILEAGE MALIBUS, ESPECIALLY THOSE IN A COMMERCIAL CAPACITY. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT INTO DRIVE, THE STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL COULD NOT BE TURNED IN ANY DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC THAT LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE POWER STEERING MOTOR ASSEMB…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT INTO DRIVE, THE STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL COULD NOT BE TURNED IN ANY DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC THAT LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE POWER STEERING MOTOR ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE STEERING LOCKED UP AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE BECAUSE THE CONTACT COULD NOT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL PRIOR TO OR AFTER THE CRASH. THERE …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE STEERING LOCKED UP AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE BECAUSE THE CONTACT COULD NOT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL PRIOR TO OR AFTER THE CRASH. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE POLICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 500.
2010 MALIBU POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONING LESS THAN 10,000 MILES. I'VE BEEN FIGHTING WITH GM FOR MANY MONTHS TO FIX PROBLEMS,ENGINE KNOCKING NOISE,AIR CONDITIONING HAS MOLD SMELL. THIS CAR NEARLY CAUSE ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF POWER STEERING MALFUNCTION..THIS IS A PARTIAL POWER STEERING MALFUNCTION CAR HAS HAD A MAJOR POWER STEERING…
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2010 MALIBU POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONING LESS THAN 10,000 MILES. I'VE BEEN FIGHTING WITH GM FOR MANY MONTHS TO FIX PROBLEMS,ENGINE KNOCKING NOISE,AIR CONDITIONING HAS MOLD SMELL. THIS CAR NEARLY CAUSE ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF POWER STEERING MALFUNCTION..THIS IS A PARTIAL POWER STEERING MALFUNCTION CAR HAS HAD A MAJOR POWER STEERING MALFUNCTION TO WHERE YOU CANNOT TURN STEERING WHEEL AT ALL.CAR HAS BEEN IN A SHOP 6 TIMES DEALERS CANNOT FIX PROBLEMS OR FIND PROBLEMS.HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=C_OU-MXIP7M. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE TURNING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND BECAME STIFF. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED IT; THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO USE THE STEERING WHEEL AFTER THE RESTART. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE TURNING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND BECAME STIFF. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED IT; THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO USE THE STEERING WHEEL AFTER THE RESTART. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 70,000. UPDATED 02/10/11 *BF UPDATED 02/23/11
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD TURN TO THE RIGHT AND LEFT WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE AND VIBRATE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION AND DURING THE INITIAL ENGINE START-UP. THE VEHICL…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD TURN TO THE RIGHT AND LEFT WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE AND VIBRATE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION AND DURING THE INITIAL ENGINE START-UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DETECT THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 24,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
2005 MALIBU MAXX... POWER STEERING LOCK UP.. LUCKILY EACH TIME IT HAS HAPPENED I WAS TRAVELING AT LOW SPEED OR JUST AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE I WOULD GET HE POWER STEERING ALARM. TURN THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTART THE PROBLEM IS GONE. COULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS AT HIGH SPEED ON A CROOKED ROAD. *TR
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.