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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

What owners actually said

1,360 reports
56,000 miles · Aug 23, 2014
Electrical SystemService BrakesService Brakes, Hydraulic

I NOTICED WHILE DRIVING ONE MORNING MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED, BUT I WAS NOT DEPRESSING THE BRAKES. WHEN I PUSHED THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WENT OFF. AT THIS VERY SAME TIME WHEN I TRIED TO SET THE CRUISE CONTROL, IT WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO DO SO. THIS HAS BEEN AN ON-AGAIN, OFF-AGAIN ISSUE. SOME DAYS IT WORKS COR…

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I NOTICED WHILE DRIVING ONE MORNING MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED, BUT I WAS NOT DEPRESSING THE BRAKES. WHEN I PUSHED THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WENT OFF. AT THIS VERY SAME TIME WHEN I TRIED TO SET THE CRUISE CONTROL, IT WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO DO SO. THIS HAS BEEN AN ON-AGAIN, OFF-AGAIN ISSUE. SOME DAYS IT WORKS CORRECTLY BUT OTHER DAYS THE SAME PROBLEM PERSISTS. I RESEARCHED ONLINE AND SAW THAT THERE WAS A RECALL BY GM FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM, RECALL ID# 14V252000, BUT WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY CHECKED MY VIN # THEY SAID THAT MY CAR WAS NOT UNDER THE RECALL, AND THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO TAKE MY CAR AND SEE IF IT HAPPENS TO THEM IN ORDER TO FIX IT. I READ THE RECALL AND IT IS EXACTLY THE ISSUE THAT I AM HAVING. PLEASE HELP AND ADD MINE, AND I'M SURE OTHERS, VIN#'S TO THIS RECALL BEFORE SOMETHING HORRIBLE HAPPENS! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10627756

53,143 miles · Aug 21, 2014
Power Train

SHAKING, WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL AND ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE GAS PEDAL SANK TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO STATED THE AT THE THROTTLE BODY AND CONNECTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFI…

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SHAKING, WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL AND ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE GAS PEDAL SANK TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO STATED THE AT THE THROTTLE BODY AND CONNECTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53143. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10627251

Mileage unknown · Aug 21, 2014
Electrical System

TEMP. GAUGE IS NOT WORKING AND THE AIR-COND. IS NOT WORKING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10627100

Mileage unknown · Aug 20, 2014
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior Lighting

2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BRAKE SYSTEM RECALL NOTICE AND CONSUMER SEEKS A LOANER VEHICLE UNTIL PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE. *SMD RECALL# 14V252000. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10625685

Mileage unknown · Aug 18, 2014
Structure

WATER LEAKS INSIDE THE CAR WHEN IT RAINS OUTSIDE OR WHEN I GO THROUGH A CAR WASH. THE ISSUE WASN'T DETECTED AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE HOWEVER IT WAS NOTICED SEVERAL MONTHS LATER DURING A PERIOD OF FREQUENT AND HEAVY RAIN. THE ISSUE BEGAN WITH WATER DRIPPING ONLY NEAR THE BRAKE PEDAL, HOWEVER OVER TIME THE ISSUE HAS SPREAD TO AN …

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WATER LEAKS INSIDE THE CAR WHEN IT RAINS OUTSIDE OR WHEN I GO THROUGH A CAR WASH. THE ISSUE WASN'T DETECTED AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE HOWEVER IT WAS NOTICED SEVERAL MONTHS LATER DURING A PERIOD OF FREQUENT AND HEAVY RAIN. THE ISSUE BEGAN WITH WATER DRIPPING ONLY NEAR THE BRAKE PEDAL, HOWEVER OVER TIME THE ISSUE HAS SPREAD TO AN AREA BETWEEN THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND FRONT WINDSHIELD. WATER NOW LEAKS FROM BOTH AREAS WHEN IT RAINS AND/OR WHEN I DRIVE THROUGH A CAR WASH. IF I PARK ON AN INCLINE, SOMETIMES THE WATER WILL DRAIN FROM THE CAR. ALSO, THE WATER HAS STAINED MY INTERIOR, LEAVES A MOLDY SMELL AND OVER TIME I WILL ASSUME THAT THE ISSUE WILL SPREAD EVEN FURTHER OR MAY DAMAGE THE INTERIOR ROOF. BECAUSE WATER LEAKS FROM ABOVE, IT SOAKS ALL OF THE BUTTONS ON THE DOOR (WINDOWS, LOCKS, ETC) AS WELL AS THE BUTTON TO HEAT THE SEAT - HOPEFULLY THAT DOES NOT CREATE AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10626198

106,292 miles · Aug 16, 2014
Wheels

THIS IS THE THIRD RIM THAT HAS CRACKED ON THIS 2010 CHEVY MALIBU,WITHIN 6 MOS. AT THE PRICE OF $253.00. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10625703

67,000 miles · Aug 15, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineFire

VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE WHEN IT WAS NOT RUNNING. THE VEHICLE WAS IN USE EARLIER IN THE DAY. THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD AND BURNED THE ENTIRE FRONT OF THE CAR AND CAUSED SOME INTERIOR DAMAGE AS WELL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10622584

26,000 miles · Aug 11, 2014
Engine

THE ENGINE HAS AN ECO-TECH IT IS GETTING FUEL IN OIL , YOU CAN SMELL IT ON CAP. THIS IS CAUSING THE ENGINE TO BURN OIL , USE MORE GAS.THE CAR ONLY HAS 27000 MILES ON IT. EXCELLENT CONDITION. USING OIL AT AN ACCELERATED RATE, YOU HAVE TO MONITOR OR VALVES CHATTER. THE MOTOR CANT LAST IN THIS STATE, PLEASE ADD TO RECALL LIST. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10621279

Mileage unknown · Aug 6, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL); HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIF…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL); HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10619247

37,000 miles · Aug 5, 2014
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN THE CONTACT DISENGAGED THE CRUISE CONTROL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ABRUPTLY AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN THE CONTACT DISENGAGED THE CRUISE CONTROL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ABRUPTLY AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000.

NHTSA ODI #10619034

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.