IllustrationEVERYTIME I DRIVING I LOSE THE CONTROL OF THE WHEEL BECAUSE IT START TO SHAKE EVEN WHEN IS PARKING. THE WHEEL SHAKES A LOT VERY DANGEROUS DRIVING
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 reportsCAR INTERMITTENTLY STALLS GOING HOME FROM WORK, AND AROUND TOWN. NEVER STALLS IN THE EARLY MORNING (DARK OUT). THE WARMER THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS THE MORE IT STALLS, WITH THE HOTTEST DAY SO FAR CAUSING THE CAR TO HAVE TO BE TOWED BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT RESTART UNTIL THE NEXT DAY WHEN IT WAS COOLER OUT. MOST STALLS HAPPEN WITHIN…
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CAR INTERMITTENTLY STALLS GOING HOME FROM WORK, AND AROUND TOWN. NEVER STALLS IN THE EARLY MORNING (DARK OUT). THE WARMER THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS THE MORE IT STALLS, WITH THE HOTTEST DAY SO FAR CAUSING THE CAR TO HAVE TO BE TOWED BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT RESTART UNTIL THE NEXT DAY WHEN IT WAS COOLER OUT. MOST STALLS HAPPEN WITHIN 7 TO 15 MINUTES ON THE SECOND TRIP OF THE DAY (AROUND 2 PM), AND THE CAR HAS TO SIT FOR 20 SECONDS OR LONGER BEFORE IT WILL RESTART. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON FOR THIS EVENT. THE ELECTRICAL POWER IS STILL ON WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THE STALL IS QUIET AND PRESSING THE GAS PEDDLE ONLY SPEEDS UP HOW FAST IT STALLS. MOST OF THE STALLS HAPPEN AT 1500 RPM OR LESS, AND 45 MPH OR LESS. THE STALLS HAPPEN WHILE MOVING, ACCELERATING, SLOWING DOWN, WHILE STOPPED IN GEAR, AND STOPPED IN PARK. THE EVENT FEELS LIKE THE ENGINE POWER CUTS OUT WITH NO WARNING, AND THE RPM GAUGE AND CAR START SLOWING DOWN. IF THE CAR CAN COAST FOR 15 TO 20 SECONDS, IT HAS FIXED ITSELF AND STOPPED STALLING (AS LONG AS RPMS DID NOT DROP TOO FAR) ON A FEW OCCASIONS. CAR HAS BEEN TO DEALER 3 TIMES, AND IS GOING BACK AGAIN NEXT WEEK FOR SAME UNFIXED ISSUE. MOST DRIVING IS CITY DRIVING, AND IT HAS ONLY STALLED 2 TIMES WHEN DRIVING AT SPEEDS AROUND 55 MPH. CAR HAS STALLED 51 TIMES SINCE JANUARY OF THIS YEAR, WITH SOME ALMOST CAUSING ACCIDENTS. IT IS STALLING MORE AND MORE THE WARMER IT GETS OUTSIDE. DEALER WORK DURING THIS TIME THAT DID NOT FIX ISSUE ARE, SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES, TIMING CHAIN AND COMPUTER, BATTERY, CLEANED THROTTLE BODY AND INJECTORS. DURING THE STALL EVENTS, MY LIVE SCANNER TOOL REPORTS BOTH O2 SENSORS GOT TO 0.00 VOLTS FROM START OF STALL TO END OF STALL. THE SHORT TERM FUEL TRIM GOES INTO THE 30 RANGE (LEAN), WHEN STALLING WHILE MOVING BUT NOT WHEN AT A STOP. NONE OF THIS LOGS ANY CODES IN THE COMPUTER. VERY SCARY, HAVING YOUR CAR STOP WITHOUT WARNING IN TRAFFIC.
THE DOOR LOCK GETS STUCK. THE DOORS WILL LOCK BY THEMSELVES. IF YOU ARE IN THE CAR WHEN THIS HAPPENS YOU WILL GET STUCK IN YOUR CAR FOR HOURS OR YOU WILL HAVE TO CRAWL THREW THE WINDOW TO GET OUT. YOU CAN USE THE KEY TO UNLOCK THE DOOR, THE LOCK DOES SHOW IN THE "UPRIGHT" POSITION SHOWING THAT IT IS UNLOCKED, BUT THE LATCH IN…
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THE DOOR LOCK GETS STUCK. THE DOORS WILL LOCK BY THEMSELVES. IF YOU ARE IN THE CAR WHEN THIS HAPPENS YOU WILL GET STUCK IN YOUR CAR FOR HOURS OR YOU WILL HAVE TO CRAWL THREW THE WINDOW TO GET OUT. YOU CAN USE THE KEY TO UNLOCK THE DOOR, THE LOCK DOES SHOW IN THE "UPRIGHT" POSITION SHOWING THAT IT IS UNLOCKED, BUT THE LATCH IN THE DOOR DOES NOT UNHOOK. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT A HALF A DOZEN TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR, YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN ITS GOING TO HAPPEN EITHER MAKING THIS AWFUL SITUATION EVEN WORSE.
I PURCHASED MY MALIBU FROM A FRIEND WHO BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW. HE TOLD ME THEY HAD THE RECALL FIXED. THE PROBLEM CAME BACK LAST YEAR, MARCH OF 2018, I CALLED GM THEY SAID THERE WASN'T A RECALL AND THAT THE RECALL HAD BEEN FIXED. I SAID MAYBE SO BUT THE PROBLEM IS BACK. I WAS TOLD THE ONLY THING I COULD DO WAS TO TAKE IT TO A…
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I PURCHASED MY MALIBU FROM A FRIEND WHO BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW. HE TOLD ME THEY HAD THE RECALL FIXED. THE PROBLEM CAME BACK LAST YEAR, MARCH OF 2018, I CALLED GM THEY SAID THERE WASN'T A RECALL AND THAT THE RECALL HAD BEEN FIXED. I SAID MAYBE SO BUT THE PROBLEM IS BACK. I WAS TOLD THE ONLY THING I COULD DO WAS TO TAKE IT TO A CHEVY DEALER AND HAVE THEM RUN DIAGNOSTICS ON IT, WHICH COSTS ABOUT $150 THAT I HAD TO PAY FOR. WHY WHEN WE KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS?! I TOOK IT TO A SHOP, JUNE 2018, WHERE THEY CHANGED THE BRAKE PEDAL SWITCH, I STILL HAD THE PROBLEM. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE SHOP WHERE THE POOR GUY WORKED ON IT FOR 3 HOURS, TRYING TO FIGURE IT OUT. HE FINALLY JUST CLEANED AND RE-GREASED THE PLUG AND IT HAS BEEN FINE UP UNTIL YESTERDAY, MAY 10,2019, AND MY PROBLEM IS BACK. ALSO, MY THIRD BRAKE LIGHT WORKS WHENEVER IT FEELS LIKE IT.
THE HEADLIGHT OF THE CAR KEEP BURNING OFF, I HAVE CHANGED THE BULB 5 OR 6 TIMES IN EACH SIDE, SND WE CHANGE THE CONNECTORS ONE TIME. SO ANNOYING. IT IS VERY HATD TO REPLACE TEM AND LABOR IS SO EXPENSIVE. I HAVE A POWER STEERING, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) ISSUE WITH THE SAME CAR. VERY SCARY. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS A…
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THE HEADLIGHT OF THE CAR KEEP BURNING OFF, I HAVE CHANGED THE BULB 5 OR 6 TIMES IN EACH SIDE, SND WE CHANGE THE CONNECTORS ONE TIME. SO ANNOYING. IT IS VERY HATD TO REPLACE TEM AND LABOR IS SO EXPENSIVE. I HAVE A POWER STEERING, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) ISSUE WITH THE SAME CAR. VERY SCARY. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS AND YOU CAN NOT STEER. THANKFULLY THERE WERE NO CARS AND NOTHING MAJOR HAPPENED. WE GOT SO SCARED. IT HAS HAPPEN TO TIMES WHILE DRIVING IT.
I HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT. I KEEPS BURNING OUT. I HAVE REPLACED TWICE WITHIN A MONTH PERIOD. NOW I HAVE TO REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS. PLEASE RECALL I'M TIRED OF TAKING THE WHOLE BUMPER OFF TO REPLACE A BULB.
THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD TWITCH THEN IT BECAME VERY HARD TO TURN WHILE IN MOTION. THE POWER STEERING AND ESC OFF LIGHTS CAME ON
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED PERIODICALLY. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL VIOLENTLY VIBRATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED PERIODICALLY. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL VIOLENTLY VIBRATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
WHILE DRIVING, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND IT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE WHEEL AT APPROXMATLY 50 MPH. CONTACTED GM ABOUT THIS ISSUE, SINCE SIMILAR MODELS OF THE SAME YEAR, WITH DIFFERENT VIN NUMBERS, HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS SAME EXACT ISSUE AND THEY REFUSED TO CONSIDER REPAIRING THE VEHICLE, JUST BECAUSE MY VIN NU…
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WHILE DRIVING, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND IT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE WHEEL AT APPROXMATLY 50 MPH. CONTACTED GM ABOUT THIS ISSUE, SINCE SIMILAR MODELS OF THE SAME YEAR, WITH DIFFERENT VIN NUMBERS, HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS SAME EXACT ISSUE AND THEY REFUSED TO CONSIDER REPAIRING THE VEHICLE, JUST BECAUSE MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, BUT THE SAME FAULTY PARTS ARE IN THE CAR.
WHEN DRIVING CAR AIR BAG LIGHT HAS FLASHED ON AND OFF ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS EACH TIME AS SOON AS STEERING WHEEL MOVE POSITION THE LIGHT GOES OUT THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE MAKE AND MODEL YEAR BUT MY VIN IS NOT LISTED.
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.