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

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

116 reports

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53,896 miles · Nov 25, 2013

Electrical SystemSteeringVehicle Speed Control

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WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, MY CAR LOST POWER. SEVERAL VEHICLES ALMOST STRUCK ME ON HIGHWAY, VERY VERY, SCARY EXPERIENCE. . DURING DRIVING, FOLLOWING MESSAGES APPEARED: 1)ENG PWR REDUCED 2)SERVICE ESC 3)SERVICE TRACTION 4)ESC OFF 5) SERVICE AIRBAG. I ALSO NOTICED THE CAR SHUDDERED EXTREMELY BAD. THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WHILE I WAS NOT COMPRESSING THE BRAKE, AND I HAD NO ACCELERATION. AFTER PULLING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THE BRAKE LIGHTS TURNED OFF. THE RPM JUMPED BETWEEN 3000-4000. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND LETTING IT SIT FOR APPROX 5 MIN. THE WARNING MESSAGES DISAPPEARED, HOWEVER SES LIGHT REMAINED. 2 CODES PRESENTED TODAY. 1)C0242 2)P2135. WILL BE CONTACTING CUSTOMER CARE, AND TAKING CAR TO DEALER TOMORROW. EXTREMELY UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITIONS. NOT ALONE, MANY PEOPLE HAVE SAME ISSUE. CAR STILL RANDOMLY ILLUMINATING FOR SERVICE AIRBAG. -----------------------HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=MYTMB6QOD4Y. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10553649

59,632 miles · Nov 24, 2013

Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control

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CPO 2010 CHEVY MALIBU @59K NO KNOWN ISSUES PRIOR TO EXPLANATIONS ABOUT 3 DAYS AGO I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR NEW TIRES AND HAD A MECH CHECK A CLICKING NOISE THAT I NOTICED WHEN I WOULD PLACE THE CAR IN DRIVE AND BEGIN TO MOVE. HE STATED THAT THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM WHERE MY CV ENTERS THE TRANSMISSIONS AND BELIEVES THERE IS PLAY WITHIN A GEAR SOMEWHERE INTERNALLY. I CALLED THE CHEVY DEALER AND AM DUE TO BRING IN THE VEHICLE TOMORROW.... NOW HERE IS THE PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING MY CAR ON THE HIGHWAY LAST NIGHT THIS RANDOM ISSUE. THE FOLLOWING WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON: ENGINE LIGHT TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT FOLLOWED BY THE FOLLOWING WARNING MESSAGES: ENG PWR REDUCED SERVICE ESC SERVICE TRACTION ESC OFF THE CAR BEGAN TO SHUDDER AS IF IT WANTED TO DIE. ALONG WITH THIS, I HAD NO ACCELERATION AND THANK GOD I WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AS WHEN THIS HAPPENED I WAS EXITING A TUNNEL ONTO A BRIDGE. AFTER PULLING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED IT. ALL THE LIGHTS CONTINUED TO SHOW, AND THE RPMS JUMPED AS SEEN IN THE ATTACHED VIDEO. [XXX] I AGAIN SHUT THE CAR OFF AND WAITED ABOUT 5 MIN. AFTER TURNING THE CAR BACK ON, THE ONLY LIGHT THAT REMAINED ON WAS THE ENGINE LIGHT. I GATHERED THESE CODES THIS MORNING. C0242 P2135 -TPS THIS IS THE SECOND CAR IN 2 YEARS I HAVE BOUGHT FROM THIS DEALER, HERB CHAMBERS OF DANVERS, AND THIS IS THE SECOND CAR TO HAVE A TRANSMISSION ISSUE, ON TOP OF WHATEVER ELSE ITS DOING. I STILL OWE WELL OVER $10,000 ON THIS CAR. I HAVE NOT EVEN HAD THIS CAR 9 MONTHS. I CAN TELL YOU I AM A GROWN MAN IN TEARS BECAUSE I WORK 44 HRS A WEEK IN A CAREER I SPENT ALOT OF MONEY TRAINING FOR AND NOW AM HAVING MASSIVE ISSUES. I CANNOT AFFORD TO LOSE MY JOB AND THE DEALER COULD SEEM TO CARE LESS. *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 #10553621

93,000 miles · Oct 27, 2013

Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

I WENT TO LEAVE ONE MORNING AND MY CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. ONLY WHEN I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR WOULD IT FINALLY MOVE INTO DRIVE. AFTER DRIVING IT A DAY OR TWO MY SERVICE TRACTION AND MY SERVICE ESC LIGHTS HAVE BEEN COMING ON SINCE JULY. AND NOW TODAY MY CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING AN ALSO MY BRAKE …

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NHTSA ODI #10549726

26,500 miles · Oct 9, 2013

Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineTraction Control System

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THERE WAS AN INTERMITTENT WHICH CAUSED THE ESC AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS TO FLASH, THE ALARM TO SOUND AND THE WORDS THAT THEY WERE OFF PLUS THE WORDS TRACTION CONTROL AND ESC SERVICE TO COME UP. AT THE TIME THE CRUISE CONTROL DISENGAGED. THIS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON SEPT 16TH AND WAS TOLD THAT I SHOULDN'T BE CONCERNED ABOUT THIS INTERMITTENT. BUT IT OCCURRED AGAIN AND THEN ON 10/2/13 THE WARNINGS STAYED N PERMANENTLY FOR THREE DAYS FRIGHTENING MY WIFE. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE TODAY AND THEY SAID THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM USING SOME DIELECTRIC GREASE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10547419

58,000 miles · Sep 18, 2013

Exterior LightingService BrakesVehicle Speed Control

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO ENGAGE AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,200. UPDATED 11/13/13*LJ ACCORDING TO THE INVOICE, THE BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WHEN THEY WERE NOT NEEDED AND DID NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE PEDAL POSITION SENSOR. UPDATED 11/14/13

NHTSA ODI #10544189

60,500 miles · Aug 26, 2013

Electronic Stability Control (esc)Traction Control SystemVehicle Speed Control

WHEN I START DRIVING MY CAR AT A LOW SPEED THE SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON SAYING SERVICE ESC. THEN IT TURNS THE TRACTION CONTROL OFF. WHILE THIS IS ON YOU CAN'T USE THE CRUISE CONTROL, THE CAR SHAKES, AND THE RPM'S FLUCTUATES ABNORMALLY. ALSO, WHEN I TURN THE CAR OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON THE LIGHT IS OFF UNTIL I ST…

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NHTSA ODI #10537341

Mileage unknown · Aug 15, 2013

Exterior LightingVehicle Speed Control

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THE CRUISE CONTROL IN MY VEHICLE HAS STOPPED WORKING AS OF 8/15/13. ON 8/14/13, THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING BUT THEN ABOUT 20 MINUTES OR SO LATER, IT STARTED WORKING AGAIN. I HAVE TRIED RESETTING THE CRUISE CONTROL BY TURNING THE CONTROL ON AND OFF HOWEVER THIS WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. I HAVE ALSO BEEN EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH MY DASH LIGHTS GOING ON AND OFF. IT HAPPENS AT RANDOM TIMES SO THERE IS NO SPECIFIC INCIDENTS THAT CAUSE THIS TO OCCUR. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR ABOUT A YEAR NOW. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10535481

55,500 miles · Jul 21, 2013

Exterior LightingService BrakesVehicle Speed Control

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AFTER THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING ON MY MALIBU, I NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE STAYING ON WHILE DRIVING. THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ON WHILE DRIVING NORMALLY, THEN WHEN THE BRAKE PEDDLE IS PRESSED LIGHTLY THE LIGHTS TURN OFF. AFTER THE PEDDLE IS DEPRESSED QUITE A BIT (WHILE BRAKING FOR STOPPING OR TO MAKE A SHARP TURN) THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL TURN BACK ON. AFTER RELEASING THE BRAKES ALL THE WAY, THE LIGHTS WILL TURN OFF AND THEN BACK ON AGAIN A FEW SECONDS LATER. EVERY TIME THE BRAKE LIGHTS TURN ON, THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPS WORKING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10525993

Mileage unknown · Jul 2, 2013

Electronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

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I HAVE BEEN GOING THROUGH THE SAME ISSUE WITH MY CAR FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS NOW. I HAVE HAD A ISSUE WITH THE ESC & SERVICE TRACTION LIGHT. I TOOK IT TO THE JIM ELLIS CHEVY DEALERSHIP ( PAID $105 FOR DIAGNOSTIC) AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE FUEL INJECTOR, I TOLD THEM THAT I HAD THEIR FUEL INJECTOR ( CYLINDER 1) REPLACED. THEY TOLD ME BECAUSE IT WAS AFTERMARKET THAT I HAD TO PAY $267 TO REPLACE IT. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL MECHANIC HAD HIM PUT IN A GM INJECTOR AND STILL WAS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE, THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE ENGINE WIRE HARNESS, COILS, SHIFT SOLENOID, AND NONE OF THIS FIXED THE PROBLEM. HE THEN STATED THAT THE BASE OF THE ISSUE WAS THE COMPUTER, I TOOK IT TO GET A SECOND OPINION AND THE NEXT MECHANIC STATED THE SAME THING,AFTER TALKING TO ANOTHER MECHANIC FROM SUPERIOR CHEVROLET, ITS THE COMPUTER. I TOOK IT TO SUPERIOR CHEVROLET AND HAD ANOTHER DIAGNOSTIC DONE ( WHICH WAS ANOTHER $100) AND ASKED THEM TO PLEASE LOOK AT THE COMPUTER SINCE I WAS TOLD TWICE IT WAS THE ISSUE. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE INJECTOR HARNESS AND IT WOULD COST $320. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR TOO LONG AND LOOKING ONLINE MANY OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS, CUSTOMER ARE SPENDING LOTS OF MONEY ON AN ISSUE THAT SEEMS TO BE ONGOING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10522963

48,600 miles · Jun 21, 2013

Service BrakesVehicle Speed Control

VEHICLE BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATE WITHOUT APPLYING THE BRAKES. CRUISE CONTROL FAILS TO ACTIVATE OR DISENGAGES UNEXPECTEDLY. BRAKE LIGHTS FAIL TO ILLUMINATE WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES UNTIL APPROXIMATELY 2 SECONDS AFTER APPLYING THE BRAKES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10521049

Official recalls

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)