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

39,906 miles · Jun 13, 2014

Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE ENGINE REDUCED POWER LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUF…

Read full complaint

NHTSA ODI #10598101

96,000 miles · Jun 12, 2014

Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO MANEUVER AS THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIM…

Read full complaint

NHTSA ODI #10597942

1,000 miles · Jun 12, 2014

Air BagsPower TrainService BrakesCrashInjury

Read full complaint

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

NHTSA ODI #10597851

83 miles · Jun 11, 2014

Electrical System

Read full complaint

WHEN WE DRIVE THIS AUTO IN THE RAIN, OR AFTER GOING THROUGH A CAR WASH, THE CAR GOES INTO THE "LIMP" MODE AND THE SERVICE LIGHTS COME ON AND REMAIN ON UNTIL THE CAR DRIES AGAIN. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THE FIRST TIME AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS AN INHERENT PROBLEM. WE HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR 4 YEARS AND IT STILL DOES THAT. WE NEVER DRIVE IT IF WE KNOW IT WILL BE RAINING BUT AM AFRAID THAT IF WE DO DRIVE IT AND IT STARTS RAINING, THAT THE CAR WILL JUST STOP RUNNING. NEITHER I NOR THE DEALER KNOWS WHAT IS GETTING WET AND CAUSING THE PROBLEM BUT IT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. I SPOKE WITH [XXX] AT GM CUSTOMER SERVICE THIS MORNING AND SHE SAID SHE HAS HAD OTHER CALLS COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. SHE DOES NOT KNOW IF ANYONE IS INVESTIGATING IT OR NOT. SHE ASKED IF I HAD NOTIFIED NHTSA AND I SAID I HAD NOT. SHE CONFIRMED THAT IT MIGHT BE A GOOD IDEA TO DO THAT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10597581

21,500 miles · Jun 10, 2014

Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

Read full complaint

FOLLOWING THE RECALL FIX FOR ID#93696 I EXPERIENCED THE "SERVICE ENC" WARNING. A SHORT TIME LATER I BEGAN EXPERIENCING THE "TRACTION" WARNING COMING ON. I NOW HAVE PROBLEMS WHEN TRYING TO USE THE CRUISE CONTROL FEATURE. AND JUST RECENTLY I GET A INTERMITTENT DINGING SOUND, THAT SOUNDS LIKE THE SEATBELT WARNING, THAT COMES ON IN SPITE OF THE SEAT BELT BEING HOOKED SECURELY. I HAVE REPEATEDLY BROUGHT THESE ISSUES TO THE ATTENTION OF THE RUDA CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP ONLY TO HAVE THEM BLOW ME OFF. I BECAME PERSISTENT AND CONTACTED GM DIRECTLY AND THEY INSTRUCTED RUDA TO REPLACE THE BREAK PEDAL POSITION SENSOR. HOWEVER THIS FIX HAS NOT MADE ANY DIFFERENCE. I CONTINUE TO HAVE THE SAME ISSUES. I AM BECOMING INCREASINGLY CONCERNED REGARDING THE SAFETY OF THIS $27,000 VEHICLE. I UNDERSTAND THAT I MAY, AT SOME POINT, ALSO EXPERIENCE BRAKE LIGHT ISSUES AS WELL. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. I AM A PANCREATIC CANCER PATIENT WHO HAS TO DRIVE 2 HOURS ONE WAY TO SEE MY SPECIALIST. I HAVE ENOUGH STRESS IN MY LIFE!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10597511

65,000 miles · Jun 9, 2014

Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING AND DIMMED DURING BRAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

NHTSA ODI #10597210

36,000 miles · Jun 5, 2014

Exterior LightingVehicle Speed Control

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE BRAKES LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT ALSO EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY DISENGAGING THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THE ESC WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURES RECURRED SPORADICALLY. THERE WAS A RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURES UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM , ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL , EXTERIOR LIGHTING , SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC , VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE WAS 36,000.

NHTSA ODI #10596286

113,058 miles · Jun 4, 2014

Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

I WAS STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT WHEN MY CAR STALLED. THE CABIN STARTED FILLING UP WITH SMOKE. THE LIGHTS WOULD NOT WORK. THE TRUNK WOULD NOT OPEN. THE LOCKS WOULD NOT WORK. THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE TRUNK. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FUSE BOX IN THE TRUNK WAS MELTING THE JUNCTION BOX AND M…

Read full complaint

NHTSA ODI #10595997

69,000 miles · Jun 3, 2014

Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

Read full complaint

I CALLED GM AND WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR WAS INCLUDED ON THE RECENT RECALL ISSUED MAY 14, HOWEVER THERE ARE NO PARTS AVAILABLE YET TO FIX. I WAS ALSO MADE AWARE THAT THIS RECALL FIX WOULD ONLY FIX THE BRAKE LAMPS AND THAT THE OTHER ISSUES I.E CRUISE CONTROL, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, AND TRACTION CONTROL ARE NOT A PART THIS RECALL. I AM ISSUING ANOTHER COMPLAINT DUE TO READING MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME ISSUE AND THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED BY GM. THIS IS A POTENTIAL DANGEROUS ISSUE THAT CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY, NOT TO MENTION WITH THE BRAKE LAMPS STAYING ILLUMINATED AND TURN OFF WHEN THE PEDAL IS PRESSED CURRENTLY. THERE SHOULD BE AN IMMEDIATE RECALL SINCE THE ISSUES INCLUDED IN THE RECENT RECALL WILL NOT BE ADDRESSED AND HAS MADE ME A DISSATISFIED GM OWNER. I HOPE THE NHTSA WILL FURTHER INVESTIGATE COMPLAINTS AND PRESSURE GM TO COMPLETELY FIX THESE DEFECTS IMMEDIATELY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10595931

65,000 miles · Jun 2, 2014

EnginePower Train

TRANS APPEARS TO BE SLIPPING ...WHEN ACCELERATING CAR DOES NOT MOVE ..CAR BUCKS WHEN GEARS SHIFT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10595524

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)