IllustrationWAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON EXPRESSWAY. POWER STEERING CAME UP ON DISPLAY AND STEERING WHEEL WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND CODE STATED THAT STEERING COLUMN NEEDED REPLACED. HUGE SAFETY ISSUE CAUSE THERE WAS NO WARNING AND STEERING JUST FROZE. VERY LUCKY THAT THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. *TR
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 reportsON JAN 15, 2014, AT 2PM, WHILE DRIVING 55MPH ON A DRY ROAD, THE DASHBOARD MESSAGE CENTER DISPLAYED A WARNING OF "ICE POSSIBLE". OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES AT THE TIME WERE IN THE HIGH 30'S. THE NEXT DAY, JAN 16, 2014, AGAIN AROUND 2PM WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 55MPH ON A DRY ROAD, THE DASHBOARD MESSAGE CENTER DISPLAYED A WARNI…
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ON JAN 15, 2014, AT 2PM, WHILE DRIVING 55MPH ON A DRY ROAD, THE DASHBOARD MESSAGE CENTER DISPLAYED A WARNING OF "ICE POSSIBLE". OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES AT THE TIME WERE IN THE HIGH 30'S. THE NEXT DAY, JAN 16, 2014, AGAIN AROUND 2PM WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 55MPH ON A DRY ROAD, THE DASHBOARD MESSAGE CENTER DISPLAYED A WARNING OF "ICE POSSIBLE" FOLLOWED BY A WARNING OF "ABS FAILURE" AND THEN IMMEDIATELY BY A "LOW POWER" WARNING MESSAGE. WITHIN SECONDS OF THE LOW POWER WARNING THERE WAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. THE DASH BOARD DISPLAY WENT BLACK, NO FLASHERS, TURN SIGNALS, OR LIGHTS. STEERING AND BRAKES WERE FUNCTIONAL BUT WITHOUT POWER ASSIST. THERE WAS NO RESPONSE DURING FOUR ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE CAR. THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF ANY POWER AVAILABLE. THE KEY WAS REMOVED AND RE-INSERTED AND WHEN THE KEY WAS TURNED TO START EVERYTHING WORKED NORMALLY. WE DROVE IT HOME WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. *TR
MY VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING STEERING PROBLEMS IN WHICH IT IS HARD TO STEER THE WHEEL OF THE VEHICLE WHILE MAKING TURNS AND DRIVING. ALSO, THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WARNING LIGHT ALSO DISPLAYS TRACTION CONTROL. *TR
DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN WE GOT A POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE CHEVY DEALER WHERE WE BOUGHT IT BILL JACOBS CHEVROLET IN JOLIET ILLINOIS AND THEY SAID THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED AND GM REFUSED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT. IT HAD JUST OVER 40,000 MILES ON IT. THIS IS A…
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DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN WE GOT A POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE CHEVY DEALER WHERE WE BOUGHT IT BILL JACOBS CHEVROLET IN JOLIET ILLINOIS AND THEY SAID THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED AND GM REFUSED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT. IT HAD JUST OVER 40,000 MILES ON IT. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND GM SWEPT THE PROBLEM UNDER THE TABLE..OH,BY THE WAY THEY DID CHARGE US 1,200 DOLLARS TO REPAIR IT. *TR
I WAS DRIVING HOME (CT) FROM WORK (NY) WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY POWER STEERING WASN'T WORKING THEN THE ESC LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH BOARD WAS READING SERVICE ESC / POWER STEERING. THE HAS BEEN NO PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING UNTIL NOW WHICH MADE THE RIDE HOME SCARIER THEN EVER WITH NO POWER STEERING IT WAS HAD TO TURN THE VEHICL…
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I WAS DRIVING HOME (CT) FROM WORK (NY) WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY POWER STEERING WASN'T WORKING THEN THE ESC LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH BOARD WAS READING SERVICE ESC / POWER STEERING. THE HAS BEEN NO PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING UNTIL NOW WHICH MADE THE RIDE HOME SCARIER THEN EVER WITH NO POWER STEERING IT WAS HAD TO TURN THE VEHICLE. *TR
THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK AFTER I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, STRANDING ME IN THE CAR. I ENDED UP HAVING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE FROM THE REAR DOORS. LATER THAT SAME DAY, THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR OPENED, BUT THEN IT WOULD NOT SHUT AS THE DOOR LATCH APPEARED TO BE IN THE LOCKED P…
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THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK AFTER I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, STRANDING ME IN THE CAR. I ENDED UP HAVING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE FROM THE REAR DOORS. LATER THAT SAME DAY, THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR OPENED, BUT THEN IT WOULD NOT SHUT AS THE DOOR LATCH APPEARED TO BE IN THE LOCKED POSITION, AND WOULD NOT ALLOW THE DOOR TO CLOSE. THE CAR IS NOW BEING REPAIRED AT A GM DEALER AT A COST OF CLOSE TO $600, AND SINCE THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED, THIS IS AN OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE FOR ME. IT SEEMS THAT OPENING THE DOOR, ESPECIALLY IN THE CASE OF AN EMERGENCY WOULD BE A BASIC OPERATING FUNCTION THAT I SHOULD REASONABLY EXPECT MY CAR TO PERFORM. I WANTED TO REPORT THIS IN CASE THEIR ARE OTHER CHEVROLET MALIBU OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE BELIEVED THERE WAS A NAIL IN THE TIRE DUE TO THE MANNER IN WHICH THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS ADVISED THAT THE TIRE WAS CRACKING FROM TWO AREAS AT THE WHEEL RIM. THE MANUFACTURE WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE BELIEVED THERE WAS A NAIL IN THE TIRE DUE TO THE MANNER IN WHICH THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS ADVISED THAT THE TIRE WAS CRACKING FROM TWO AREAS AT THE WHEEL RIM. THE MANUFACTURE WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000.
I HAD SLOWED DOWN TO GET OFF AN EXIT AND THE POWER STEERING WORD CAME UP ON THE DASH. *TR
I WAS BACKING UP FROM THE STORE AND I HEARD A TRACTION NOISE DOING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL, IT GOT WORSE STIFFER AND STIFFER TO STEER , I HAVE 2 CHILDREN IN THE CAR WITH ME SCARE TO DEATH TO HIT SOMETHING!, MY HUSBAND TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY CHARGED US 520 DOLLARS WITH A DISCOUNT THEY SAID. SO UPSETTING BECAUSE IT IS A 20…
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I WAS BACKING UP FROM THE STORE AND I HEARD A TRACTION NOISE DOING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL, IT GOT WORSE STIFFER AND STIFFER TO STEER , I HAVE 2 CHILDREN IN THE CAR WITH ME SCARE TO DEATH TO HIT SOMETHING!, MY HUSBAND TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY CHARGED US 520 DOLLARS WITH A DISCOUNT THEY SAID. SO UPSETTING BECAUSE IT IS A 2010 MALIBU ONLY 49000 MILES , DOING SOME RESEARCH I KNOW THERE HAVE BEEN CARS RECALL FROM GM FROM THE SAME PROBLEM!!! ARE THEY WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO DIE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!! SO UPSET! *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AS THE POWER STEERING WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE POWER STEERING WARNING LAMP NO LONGER ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN FOR INSPECTION O…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AS THE POWER STEERING WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE POWER STEERING WARNING LAMP NO LONGER ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,500.
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.