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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 · Dec 10, 2021
Steering

The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled into a parking lot and restarted the vehicle. The vehicle was restarted, and the power steering functionality was restored. The vehicle was d…

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The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled into a parking lot and restarted the vehicle. The vehicle was restarted, and the power steering functionality was restored. The vehicle was driven back to the residence and had not been driven since. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 14E044000 (Steering) as a possible solution however, the vehicle was not included. The failure mileage was 130,000.

NHTSA ODI #11443356

Mileage unknown · Nov 9, 2021
Electrical SystemLane DepartureSteering

Had test drove the vehicle everything was fine, picked the vehicle up and drove it home everything was fine, parked in the back of my house the car sat over night I go to pull it out the drive way, the power steering has gotten stuck and I mean it was STUCK!, the “power steering” light came on the dash so I tried my best to turn…

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Had test drove the vehicle everything was fine, picked the vehicle up and drove it home everything was fine, parked in the back of my house the car sat over night I go to pull it out the drive way, the power steering has gotten stuck and I mean it was STUCK!, the “power steering” light came on the dash so I tried my best to turn to just pull it back in the driveway. It was so hard to turn I thought I would brake the steering wheel. Another thing whenever I ride over a bump my radio changes stations or turns off.

NHTSA ODI #11439820

117,439 miles · Nov 4, 2021
Steering

The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speed, the steering wheel felt abnormal including when making small turns. After continuing to drive, a few minutes later the power steering failed and the “power assist esp” warning message illuminated. The contact veered to the side of th…

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The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speed, the steering wheel felt abnormal including when making small turns. After continuing to drive, a few minutes later the power steering failed and the “power assist esp” warning message illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road, restarted the vehicle however the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the service control for the steering which is a function of the steering control module would needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 117,439.

NHTSA ODI #11439379

100,000 miles · Jun 25, 2021
Steering

The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle loss control while driving at various speeds without warning. After taking the vehicle to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing, the contact replaced the struts, the axles, and inner tie rods himself however, the failure persisted. The contact…

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The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle loss control while driving at various speeds without warning. After taking the vehicle to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing, the contact replaced the struts, the axles, and inner tie rods himself however, the failure persisted. The contact then took the vehicle to a dealer where they linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14E044000 (Steering) however, the Vin was not under recall. The contact paid out of pocket to have the u-joints replaced however, the repair did not fix the failure. The contact returned the vehicle to the dealer where it remained. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #11422261

103,923 miles · Apr 5, 2021
Electrical SystemSteering

WHEN MAKING A TURN AT ANY SPEED, THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT AND THE DASH SAYS "POWER STEERING - ESC SERVICE". TURNING OFF THE CAR AND WAITING A MINUTE TEMPORARILY FIXED THE ISSUE

NHTSA ODI #11406381

Mileage unknown · Mar 30, 2021
Steering

UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, A "POWER STEERING" WARNING DISPLAYS ON THE DASH AND THE POWER STEERING DOES NOT WORK. AFTER RESTARTING THE CAR, THE POWER STEERING RESUMED OPERATING PROPERLY. THE NEXT DAY, THE SAME ISSUE OCCURRED UPON STARTING, AND WAS AGAIN REMEDIED BY RESTARTING THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI #11405614

69,000 miles · Feb 23, 2021
Steering

THE POWER STEERING ON OUR VEHICLE BEGAN RANDOMLY GOING OUT WHILE DRIVING AND WE WOULD HAVE TO STOP AND TURN THE VEHICLE OFF/ON FOR THE POWER STEERING TO RETURN. EVENTUALLY THE POWER STEERING WENT OFF AND WOULDN'T COME BACK ON.

NHTSA ODI #11397579

95,000 miles · Feb 15, 2021
Steering

UPON START UP THE ELECTRONIC STEERING CONTROL MODULE WARNING LIGHT COME ON AND UNABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR OR MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL. THE WARNING LIGHT WILL GO OFF BY TURNING THE SWITCH OFF AND RESTART THE CAR. I AM CONCERN THIS WILL EVENTUALLY HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY AND NOT A DAILY O…

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UPON START UP THE ELECTRONIC STEERING CONTROL MODULE WARNING LIGHT COME ON AND UNABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR OR MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL. THE WARNING LIGHT WILL GO OFF BY TURNING THE SWITCH OFF AND RESTART THE CAR. I AM CONCERN THIS WILL EVENTUALLY HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY AND NOT A DAILY OCCURRENCE.

NHTSA ODI #11396377

45 miles · Feb 9, 2021
SteeringUnknown Or Other

WHILE IN MOTION I TURN AND MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP AND ON THE SCREEN POWER STEERING AND ESC TRACTION CONTROL OFF POPS UP IT'S LOCKING UP MORE FREQUENTLY NOW AND THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. THEN A COUPLE DAYS LATER MY ENGINE LIGHT POPS ON I FIGURED IT WAS BECAUSE OF THE POWER STEERING ESC TRACTION CONTROL PROBLEM BUT AFTER SERVAL …

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WHILE IN MOTION I TURN AND MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP AND ON THE SCREEN POWER STEERING AND ESC TRACTION CONTROL OFF POPS UP IT'S LOCKING UP MORE FREQUENTLY NOW AND THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. THEN A COUPLE DAYS LATER MY ENGINE LIGHT POPS ON I FIGURED IT WAS BECAUSE OF THE POWER STEERING ESC TRACTION CONTROL PROBLEM BUT AFTER SERVAL DAYS LATER I'M AT WORK AND THE CAR WANT START . I TRY A COUPLE TIMES AND GIVES IT SOME GAS THEN IT STARTED SO I WAS ON MY WAY THEN MAYBE 15 MINUTES DOWN THE ROAD THE STEERING WHEELS LOCKS UP AGAIN AND THE SAME MESSAGE POPS UP ON THE SCREEN THIS IS REALLY WEIRD AND AGAIN DANGEROUS.

NHTSA ODI #11395502

74,000 miles · Feb 8, 2021
Steering

WHEN DRIVING THE CAR AT 40 MPH ALL POWER STEERING WOULD BE LOST, RESULTING IN THE "SERVICE ESC" LIGHT TO COME ON THE DASHBOARD. THE ONLY WAY TO REGAIN POWER STEERING WOULD BE TO SHUT THE CAR OFF COMPLETELY AND THEN TURN IT BACK ON. I RECENTLY HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED AND THE PROBLEM WAS FOUND TO BE THE STEERING TORQUE SENSOR. TH…

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WHEN DRIVING THE CAR AT 40 MPH ALL POWER STEERING WOULD BE LOST, RESULTING IN THE "SERVICE ESC" LIGHT TO COME ON THE DASHBOARD. THE ONLY WAY TO REGAIN POWER STEERING WOULD BE TO SHUT THE CAR OFF COMPLETELY AND THEN TURN IT BACK ON. I RECENTLY HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED AND THE PROBLEM WAS FOUND TO BE THE STEERING TORQUE SENSOR. THE FIX COST ME $500.

NHTSA ODI #11395211

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.