Illustration215/50r16 tire regulating system ABS light is always on as tire pressure light
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
Tires complaints
6 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU EQUIPPED WITH FOUR HANKOOK OPTIMO H727 TIRES, SIZE: 225/50R/18 (NA). UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD CRACKING AND TREAD SURFACE DILAPIDATION OF THE INNER EDGE. THERE WAS ALSO EXPOSED STEEL BELTS AND EVIDENCE OF BUBBLING. THE FAILURE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU EQUIPPED WITH FOUR HANKOOK OPTIMO H727 TIRES, SIZE: 225/50R/18 (NA). UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD CRACKING AND TREAD SURFACE DILAPIDATION OF THE INNER EDGE. THERE WAS ALSO EXPOSED STEEL BELTS AND EVIDENCE OF BUBBLING. THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALER (APPLE BEES AUTOMOTIVE LOCATED IN FOX POINT, WI) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIRE APPEARED TO BE DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY ROUGH TO TURN. ADDITIONALLY, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY AND THE BATTERY CONTINUED TO DRAIN PREMATURELY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION WAS UNSTABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEAL…
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THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY ROUGH TO TURN. ADDITIONALLY, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY AND THE BATTERY CONTINUED TO DRAIN PREMATURELY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION WAS UNSTABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE REAR SUSPENSION FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE SWAYED VIOLENTLY TOWARD THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND AS THE CONTACT APPLIED FORCE TO THE STEERING WHEEL, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS ONLY PARTIALLY DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURIES AND THE JAWS OF LIFE WERE USED TO REMOVE AN INJURED PASSENGER FROM THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V460000 (POWER TRAIN). THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTIFICATION AFTER THE CRASH OCCURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES SEVERAL TIMES BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000. *TR UPDATED 3/3/15*CN UPDATED 07/06/2017 *CT
ALL FOUR TIRES ARE LOSING AIR AND HAVE PUT AIR IN 3 TIMES. HAVE BEEN TOLD THE RIMS ARE CRACKED AND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. SAFETY IS OF CONCERN AND IT WILL COST $600 - $700 TO FIX. FOR WHAT INFORMATION I HAVE GM IS NOT DOING A THING ABOUT IT. I WILL NOT BUY A GM CAR AGAIN IF THEY DO NOT RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. …
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ALL FOUR TIRES ARE LOSING AIR AND HAVE PUT AIR IN 3 TIMES. HAVE BEEN TOLD THE RIMS ARE CRACKED AND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. SAFETY IS OF CONCERN AND IT WILL COST $600 - $700 TO FIX. FOR WHAT INFORMATION I HAVE GM IS NOT DOING A THING ABOUT IT. I WILL NOT BUY A GM CAR AGAIN IF THEY DO NOT RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED HE HIT A PIECE OF OLD CONCRETE IN THE ROAD THAT HAD FALLEN OFF A TRUCK. AFTER TRAVELING ABOUT 100 YARDS, A WARNING BELL ANNOUNCED LOW TIRE PRESSURE. WHEN THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER SAFELY, HE OPENED THE TRUCK AND DISCOVERED THERE WAS NO JACK, NO TIRE, NO D…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED HE HIT A PIECE OF OLD CONCRETE IN THE ROAD THAT HAD FALLEN OFF A TRUCK. AFTER TRAVELING ABOUT 100 YARDS, A WARNING BELL ANNOUNCED LOW TIRE PRESSURE. WHEN THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER SAFELY, HE OPENED THE TRUCK AND DISCOVERED THERE WAS NO JACK, NO TIRE, NO DONUT AND NO SPARE RIM. INSTEAD, THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED A TIRE SEALANT AND COMPRESSOR KIT. THE CONTACT CALLED AAA, AND WHEN THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER ARRIVED ON THE SCENE, HE INFORMED THE CONTACT THE TIRE HAD A LARGE CUT AND THAT NO SEALANT COULD SEAL IT. FIRESTONE INFORMED THE CONTACT THE TIRE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED AND THE SEALANT WOULD NOT HAVE WORKED, AND EVEN IF IT HAD, THE RIM HAD A SMALL DENT THAT MEANT THE TIRE WOULD NOT HAVE HELD AIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,800. ....UPDATED 06/18/12 *BF UPDATED 06/2/12
WE BOUGHT A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE SALESMAN SAID TO INFLATE THE TIRE TO 35 LBS. ONE TIRE (HANKOOK) LOST AIR FREQUENTLY. I WENT TO FILL THE TIRE AND THE TIRE HAD WRITTEN INFLATE TO 42 LBS. THE INFORMATION ON THE DOOR SAID TO INFLATE TO 32 LBS. THE TIRE TOOK ABOUT 38 LBS. BEFORE MY TIRE PUMP WOULDN'T FILL IT ANY MORE. I CALLED…
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WE BOUGHT A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE SALESMAN SAID TO INFLATE THE TIRE TO 35 LBS. ONE TIRE (HANKOOK) LOST AIR FREQUENTLY. I WENT TO FILL THE TIRE AND THE TIRE HAD WRITTEN INFLATE TO 42 LBS. THE INFORMATION ON THE DOOR SAID TO INFLATE TO 32 LBS. THE TIRE TOOK ABOUT 38 LBS. BEFORE MY TIRE PUMP WOULDN'T FILL IT ANY MORE. I CALLED GM AND COMPLAINED. AFTER SEVERAL PHONE CALLS THE PERSON I SPOKE TO SAID TO INFLATE TO WHAT WAS WRITTEN IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE OWNER'S MANUAL SAID TO FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS ON THE TIRE. WHAT SHOULD I DO? IF I OVER INFLATE, THE TIRES MAY BLOW OUT OR MAY BLOW UP (WHILE INFLATING). IF I UNDERINFLATE THE TIRES MAY ALSO BLOW OUT AND WILL GIVE POOR GAS MILEAGE. GM WAS NO HELP AT ALL. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM. *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.