IllustrationBRAKE LIGHTS REMAIN ON WHILE PEDAL'S NOT ACTIVATED, AND TURN OFF WHEN PEDAL IS PRESSED. ESC AND TRACTION ERROR MESSAGES APPEAR WHILE DRIVING, USUALLY WHEN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP AT ANY GIVEN TIME. THE LIGHTING ISSUE SEEMS TO COINCIDE WITH THE APPEARANCE OF SAID ERROR MESSAGES.
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
Unknown Or Other complaints
63 reportsI HAVE BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM WITH MY CAR RUNNING REALLY FUNNY. SOMETIMES IT WON'T START. THEN AT TIMES IT WILL START BUT IF YOU PUT IT IN GEAR TO DRIVE. IT GOES VERY SLOW. THIS HAPPEN IN 2016 BEFORE. I GOT A LETTER FROM GM TO TAKE IT IN TO BE FIXED. WHEN I TAKE IT IN. MY CAR RESETS. AND THE DEALER TELLS ME THEY CAN'T FIX IT. THE…
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I HAVE BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM WITH MY CAR RUNNING REALLY FUNNY. SOMETIMES IT WON'T START. THEN AT TIMES IT WILL START BUT IF YOU PUT IT IN GEAR TO DRIVE. IT GOES VERY SLOW. THIS HAPPEN IN 2016 BEFORE. I GOT A LETTER FROM GM TO TAKE IT IN TO BE FIXED. WHEN I TAKE IT IN. MY CAR RESETS. AND THE DEALER TELLS ME THEY CAN'T FIX IT. THE LETTER I RECEIVED FROM GM IS SAYING I HAVE UNTIL 2020 TO GET IT FIXED. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I HAD VERY LOW MILES.
HEAD LIGHT LOW BEAM LIGHT BLOW OUT EVERY 2 MONTHS. I HAVE TO GET THIS REPLACED. THIS IS VERY EXPRESSIVE. THE WHOLE BUMPER HAVE TO BE REMOVED.
ENGINE GOES INTO REDUCED POWER MODE AFTER DASH TROUBLE LIGHTS SHOW, SERVICE ECU, TRACTION CONTROL ERRORS AND ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. SEVERE SAFETY THREAT WHEN IN REDUCED POWER MODE. P1682 CODE DEALER SAID IT WAS KNOCK SENSOR AND WIRING HARNESS, DID NOT RESOLVE. NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY. THIS ALL HAPPENS WHILE EITHER DRIV…
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ENGINE GOES INTO REDUCED POWER MODE AFTER DASH TROUBLE LIGHTS SHOW, SERVICE ECU, TRACTION CONTROL ERRORS AND ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. SEVERE SAFETY THREAT WHEN IN REDUCED POWER MODE. P1682 CODE DEALER SAID IT WAS KNOCK SENSOR AND WIRING HARNESS, DID NOT RESOLVE. NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY. THIS ALL HAPPENS WHILE EITHER DRIVING IT OR IDLE.
AFTER DRIVING FOR A FEW MILES IT WON'T LET ME ACCELERATE AND VEHICLE STARTS SHAKING. IT FIRST HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY AND I WAS ABLE TO EXIT WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT. RIGHT AFTER ACCELERATION WOULDN'T WORK ENGINE POWER LOW, SERVICE TRACTION POPPED UP. ONCE I PUT THE CAR IN PARK IT SHAKES. I TURN OFF CAR FOR ABOUT 3 MINUTES AND THEN I…
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AFTER DRIVING FOR A FEW MILES IT WON'T LET ME ACCELERATE AND VEHICLE STARTS SHAKING. IT FIRST HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY AND I WAS ABLE TO EXIT WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT. RIGHT AFTER ACCELERATION WOULDN'T WORK ENGINE POWER LOW, SERVICE TRACTION POPPED UP. ONCE I PUT THE CAR IN PARK IT SHAKES. I TURN OFF CAR FOR ABOUT 3 MINUTES AND THEN IT BACK ON AND IT DRIVES BUT HAPPENS AGAIN WITHIN 5 MINUTES
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, I FELT A JUMP AS IF I HAD GONE OVER A BUMP. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE AND STARTED TO LOOSE SPEED. I WAS ABLE TO MOVE TO THE SIDE AND BRAKED TO A COMPLETE STOP. I PLACED THE SHIFT TO PARKING AND SHIFT IT TO DRIVE AS I PRESS ON GAS PADDLE THE VEHICLE JUMPED AGAIN AND WAS DRIVING AS IF ON THE NEUTR…
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WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, I FELT A JUMP AS IF I HAD GONE OVER A BUMP. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE AND STARTED TO LOOSE SPEED. I WAS ABLE TO MOVE TO THE SIDE AND BRAKED TO A COMPLETE STOP. I PLACED THE SHIFT TO PARKING AND SHIFT IT TO DRIVE AS I PRESS ON GAS PADDLE THE VEHICLE JUMPED AGAIN AND WAS DRIVING AS IF ON THE NEUTRAL POSITION AND THE SPEED WOULDN'T ADVANCE. I SHIFTED ONCE AGAIN, AND IT VEHICLE JUMPED AGAIN. I GOOGLED AND IT MENTIONED THE SHIFT CABLE TAB COULD BE BROKEN. I LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND CHECKED THE SHIFT CABLE AND THERE WAS NO TAB. MECHANIC REPLACED THE BUSHING AND IT FAILED ONCE AGAIN. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY UN-DRIVABLE. I READ THAT GM WAS RECALLING THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM WITH 2008-2010 MALIBU. I'VE GOT IMAGES AND INVOICE BUT HAVING TROUBLE UPLOADING AT THIS TIME.
2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING ON A MAIN ROAD. 93,000-95,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. DRIVING AND THE CAR STOPPED SHIFTING INTO GEAR, AND WILL NOT REVERSE. CAR IS UNSAFE AND UNABLE TO DRIVE.
HEADLIGHT BULBS KEEP BURNING OUT AND RANDOM. PAID $432 TO CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP TO FIX PROBLEM AND IT IS STILL OCCURING.
OUT OF NO WHERE MY CAR STARTED SHAKING I WAS IN THE HEAT WITH MY DAUGHTER IT SAID SERVICE ESC/SERVICE TRAC. I HAVE HAD MANY PEOPLE LOOK AT IT, I'VE HAD THEM TEST EVERYTHING BUT NOTHING SEEMS TO HELP IT DIDN'T DO IT FOR AWHILE THEN I LEFT MY CAR ON WITH THE A/C WHILE PICKING UP MY DAUGHTER WE WERE SITTING IN THE HEAT OUTSIDE HER …
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OUT OF NO WHERE MY CAR STARTED SHAKING I WAS IN THE HEAT WITH MY DAUGHTER IT SAID SERVICE ESC/SERVICE TRAC. I HAVE HAD MANY PEOPLE LOOK AT IT, I'VE HAD THEM TEST EVERYTHING BUT NOTHING SEEMS TO HELP IT DIDN'T DO IT FOR AWHILE THEN I LEFT MY CAR ON WITH THE A/C WHILE PICKING UP MY DAUGHTER WE WERE SITTING IN THE HEAT OUTSIDE HER SCHOOL SHE ONLY 2 AND COMPLAIN HOW HOT IT IS WHILE I'M TRYING SEE IF I CAN FIX IT. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES OUT OF NO WHERE IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC.
SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, SERVICE ESC, LIGHTS COME ON AS DRIVING. LIGHTED UP ON INFORMATION PANE. SECOND TIME THIS IS HAPPENED. TOOK TO DEALER LAST TIME THEY DID SOME RESET AND CHARGED $75.
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.