IllustrationTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000.
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
What owners actually said
1,360 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND ALL FOUR TIRES SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM , ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL , EXTERIOR LIGHTING , S…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND ALL FOUR TIRES SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM , ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL , EXTERIOR LIGHTING , SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC , VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000.
THE DRIVER HEATED SEAT BEGAN SMOKING AND LEFT A BURN HOLE IN MIDDLE BACK REST OF SEAT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ON A MAJOR ROADWAY, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES DUE TO THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ON A MAJOR ROADWAY, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES DUE TO THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,550. UPDATED 09/02/14*LJ
I KEEP GETTING A "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL" MESSAGE WHEN AND ONLY WHEN I AM SITTING IN THE CAR IN "PARK". ALSO ANOTHER ISSUE IS THE CAR JUST DIES AS I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT IN A TURN OR ON A CURVE. DEALER SAYS THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE ISSUES. I CALL "[XXX] AS I CANNOT STOP THE ISSUE NOT ONLY THAT BUT THE DEA…
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I KEEP GETTING A "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL" MESSAGE WHEN AND ONLY WHEN I AM SITTING IN THE CAR IN "PARK". ALSO ANOTHER ISSUE IS THE CAR JUST DIES AS I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT IN A TURN OR ON A CURVE. DEALER SAYS THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE ISSUES. I CALL "[XXX] AS I CANNOT STOP THE ISSUE NOT ONLY THAT BUT THE DEALER HAS CHARGED ME $300 PLUS FOR THE REPAIR? SAY WHAT? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE 1 WEEK PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. RECALL #13036. I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED WHEN MY BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED. I WAS ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK AND WATCHED MY STABILITY CONTROL AND TRACTION WARNING LIGHTS COME ON. I CONTACTED GM AND WAS TOLD THAT NO REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. GM ALSO STATED THAT THEY ARE NOT R…
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I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE 1 WEEK PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. RECALL #13036. I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED WHEN MY BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED. I WAS ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK AND WATCHED MY STABILITY CONTROL AND TRACTION WARNING LIGHTS COME ON. I CONTACTED GM AND WAS TOLD THAT NO REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. GM ALSO STATED THAT THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR TOWING OR A RENTAL EVEN THOUGH IT IS A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN AND/OR MANUFACTURE OF THE BODY CONTROL MODULE. I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT A CAR FOR 4 DAYS AT THIS POINT AND GM STATED THAT NO REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE YET AVAILABLE. MY CAR IS A SHINY PEICE OF JUNK THAT I CAN PAY FOR YET CANNOT DRIVE BECAUSE OF THE DEFECT. I AM A VETERAN AND I AM ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTED. ALL OF THE ABOVE PROBLEMS ARE DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE DEFECTIVE PART. *JS
SINCE I PURCHASED MY CAR THERE HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT INCIDENTS THAT I DIDN'T PAY ATTENTION TO. THE TRACTION,CRUISE CONTROL DON'T WORK PROPERLEY, THE WARNING LIGHT FOR THE AIR BAGS APPEARS AND WILL STAY ON FOR AWHILE I'VE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE LIGHTING. AS SOON AS I RECIEVED THE RECALL LETTER I CALLED THE DEALER RIGHT AWAY AND TO…
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SINCE I PURCHASED MY CAR THERE HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT INCIDENTS THAT I DIDN'T PAY ATTENTION TO. THE TRACTION,CRUISE CONTROL DON'T WORK PROPERLEY, THE WARNING LIGHT FOR THE AIR BAGS APPEARS AND WILL STAY ON FOR AWHILE I'VE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE LIGHTING. AS SOON AS I RECIEVED THE RECALL LETTER I CALLED THE DEALER RIGHT AWAY AND TOLD THEM ABOUT THE PROBLEMS, THEY LOOKED IT UP AND SAID I HAD TO WAIT UNTIL THE PARTS ARRIVE. I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT MY SAFETY I USE MY CAR FOR MY FAMILY AND WILL BE HAVING TO MAKE A LONG DISTANCE TRIP TO PICK UP MY DAUGHTER. WHAT DO I DO IN THE MEANTIME WHEN MY CAR IS ALREADY HAVING PROBLEMS? *JS
SUPPORT BAR UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER'S SEAT SEVERED AND THE RESULT WAS THAT THE SEAT CAME OFF OF THE RIGHT BRACKET. THE SEAT WAS RESTING ON ONLY THE LEFT BRACKET. GENERAL MOTORS WOULD NOT COVER UNDER ANY WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH CAR WAS UNDRIVEABLE DUE TO SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. GENERAL MOTORS STATED THAT I SOMEHOW HAD CAUSED THE SUPPO…
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SUPPORT BAR UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER'S SEAT SEVERED AND THE RESULT WAS THAT THE SEAT CAME OFF OF THE RIGHT BRACKET. THE SEAT WAS RESTING ON ONLY THE LEFT BRACKET. GENERAL MOTORS WOULD NOT COVER UNDER ANY WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH CAR WAS UNDRIVEABLE DUE TO SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. GENERAL MOTORS STATED THAT I SOMEHOW HAD CAUSED THE SUPPORT BAR TO BREAK. IT COST ME $750 FOR A NEW SEAT AND THE LABOR TO REPLACE. I AM IN POSSESSION OF THE SEAT AND TO ME IT LOOKS LIKE A FAULTY WELD OR A DEFECTIVE SUPPORT BAR. I FIND IT IMPOSSIBLE THAT I SOME HOW BROKE A THICK STEEL BAR JUST BY GETTING IN AND OUT OF THE VEHICLE. *JS
I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. I HAD TO QUICKLY PULLOVER TO AVOID GETTING HIT BY ONCOMING CARS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE HEADLIGHTS AND INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,555. UPDATED 11/20/14*LJ UPDATED 8/4/2015*JS
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.