IllustrationTAKATA RECALL MY CAR MADE A HUM SOUND WHILE ACCELERATING WHEN I JUST GOT IN IT ON MY 2 MINUTE JOURNEY HOME. WHILE GOING STRAIGHT, THE CAR NO LONGER CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND STOPPED ON THE STREET. AFTER RESTARTING THE CAR, THE ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON AND WOULD STILL NOT MOVE IN ANY GEAR.
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 reportsLOST STEERING POWER WHILE TRYING TO PARK CAR. STEERING WOULD NOT TURN WAS VERY HARD TO TURN THE WHEEL MANUALLY. ALSO NOW TOLD - MY STEERING COLUMN NOW NEED TO BE REPLACED. WAS PARKING IN FRONT OF THE HOME IN CITY, PUTTING CAR IN REVERSE AND THEN MOVING FORWARD.
BRAKE LAMP RECALL FOR THESE MODELS DO NOT WORK. I NOTICED THE ISSUE RECENTLY WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AT AROUND 55 MPH AT NIGHT. MY BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ON, WHILE MY FOOT IS OFF OF THE BRAKE PEDAL. WHEN I PLACE MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES, THE BRAKE LIGHTS GO OFF. THIS IS A SERIOUS DRIVING HAZARD. I'VE TAKEN THE CAR TO GET THE RECALL …
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BRAKE LAMP RECALL FOR THESE MODELS DO NOT WORK. I NOTICED THE ISSUE RECENTLY WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AT AROUND 55 MPH AT NIGHT. MY BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ON, WHILE MY FOOT IS OFF OF THE BRAKE PEDAL. WHEN I PLACE MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES, THE BRAKE LIGHTS GO OFF. THIS IS A SERIOUS DRIVING HAZARD. I'VE TAKEN THE CAR TO GET THE RECALL HANDLED, BUT NOTICED THIS MORNING, THAT MY BRAKE LIGHTS ARE STILL ILLUMINATING WHEN MY FOOT IS OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL.
TAKATA RECALL. THE CODE P4096 KEEPS POPPING UP EVEN AFTER I UNHOOKED THE BATTERY. I COULDN'T FIND OUT WHAT THE SPECIFIC ISSUE IS.
WHILE DRIVING THE ESC, TRACTION AND POWER STEERING LIGHTS CAME ON AND THEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. FOR A SHORT TIME I COULD STOP, TURN THE CAR OFF AND IT WOULD WORK AGAIN . NOW THERE IS NO POWER STEERING AND OF COURSE ALL THE LIGHTS ARE STILL ON. THIS YEAR MODEL WAS LISTED AS ONE OF THE RECALLS FOR THE POWER STEERING BUT…
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WHILE DRIVING THE ESC, TRACTION AND POWER STEERING LIGHTS CAME ON AND THEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. FOR A SHORT TIME I COULD STOP, TURN THE CAR OFF AND IT WOULD WORK AGAIN . NOW THERE IS NO POWER STEERING AND OF COURSE ALL THE LIGHTS ARE STILL ON. THIS YEAR MODEL WAS LISTED AS ONE OF THE RECALLS FOR THE POWER STEERING BUT NOT MY VIN NUMBER. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR IN THE SHOP FOR A RECALL ON THE LIGHTING SYSTEM THAT WAS FAULTY WHICH IN THE RECALL IT DID SAY THAT IT COULD CAUSE THE POWER STEERING TO GO OUT AS WELL AS THE ESC AND TRACTION. THE CHEV DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THIS WAS NOT CORRECT. THE ESTIMATE I WAS GIVEN WAS ABOUT $1500.00 TO FIX THE PROBLEM.
SERVICE ESC ERROR MESSAGE AND THEN POWER STEERING MESSAGE BEGAN FLASHING AND I COULDN'T TURN THE WHEEL. STEERING GOES INTO MANUAL MODE AND I AM UNABLE TO MOVE MY STEERING WHEEL. THIS HAPPENS MANY TIMES WHILE I WAS DRIVING, I HAD TO PULL OVER, PLACE IT IN PARK, TURN IT OFF, THEN RESTART THE CAR. I HAVE TO DO THIS ABOUT EVERY 5 TO…
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SERVICE ESC ERROR MESSAGE AND THEN POWER STEERING MESSAGE BEGAN FLASHING AND I COULDN'T TURN THE WHEEL. STEERING GOES INTO MANUAL MODE AND I AM UNABLE TO MOVE MY STEERING WHEEL. THIS HAPPENS MANY TIMES WHILE I WAS DRIVING, I HAD TO PULL OVER, PLACE IT IN PARK, TURN IT OFF, THEN RESTART THE CAR. I HAVE TO DO THIS ABOUT EVERY 5 TO 15 MINUTES. THIS ALWAYS HAPPENS WHILE CAR IS IN MOTION
I HAVE BEEN HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING IN MY 2010 MALIBU. IT HAPPENS WHILE I AM DRIVING AND I CANNOT MOVE MY VEHICLE AT ALL. I HAVE TO PLACE MY HAZARDS ON IN THE MIDDLE OF ANY TYPE OF ROADWAY AND SHUT MY VEHICLE OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON. SOMETIMES THE PROBLEM CONTINUES, OF I'M LUCKY IT'LL RESET AND NOT HAPP…
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I HAVE BEEN HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING IN MY 2010 MALIBU. IT HAPPENS WHILE I AM DRIVING AND I CANNOT MOVE MY VEHICLE AT ALL. I HAVE TO PLACE MY HAZARDS ON IN THE MIDDLE OF ANY TYPE OF ROADWAY AND SHUT MY VEHICLE OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON. SOMETIMES THE PROBLEM CONTINUES, OF I'M LUCKY IT'LL RESET AND NOT HAPPEN FOR A FEW DAYS. THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN 30 TIMES NOW.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS PARALLEL PARKING, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS DETECTED COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SHARRETT BUICK GMC (10312 AUTO PL, HAGERSTOWN, MD 21740, (800) 495-9755) WHERE THE FRONT STRUTS, INNER TIE ROD, AND PASSENGER SIDE AXLE WERE REPLACED. THE C…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS PARALLEL PARKING, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS DETECTED COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SHARRETT BUICK GMC (10312 AUTO PL, HAGERSTOWN, MD 21740, (800) 495-9755) WHERE THE FRONT STRUTS, INNER TIE ROD, AND PASSENGER SIDE AXLE WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AXLE SEAL WAS REPLACED TWO YEARS AGO. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,869. *TT
ON MARCH 1, 2017 AT 28981 MILES, THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, (NOT THE FIRST TIME). THE NEXT DAY, THE STABILITY CONTROL AND THE ABS LIGHTS BOTH ALSO CAME ON. IN BOTH OCCASIONS THE CAR WAS MOVING AT ABOUT 40 MPH ON A CITY STREET. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, THEY CHARGED ME $153 TO GET A DIAGNOSIS.THEY WANTED ANOTHER $850 TO HAVE IT FIX…
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ON MARCH 1, 2017 AT 28981 MILES, THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, (NOT THE FIRST TIME). THE NEXT DAY, THE STABILITY CONTROL AND THE ABS LIGHTS BOTH ALSO CAME ON. IN BOTH OCCASIONS THE CAR WAS MOVING AT ABOUT 40 MPH ON A CITY STREET. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, THEY CHARGED ME $153 TO GET A DIAGNOSIS.THEY WANTED ANOTHER $850 TO HAVE IT FIXED. I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER SHOP THAT DID IT FOR $190. THESE WERE 2 SEPARATE PROBLEMS, ONE WAS THE AIRBAG LIGHT (A CONNECTION UNDER THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT), AND THE OTHER WAS A SENSOR IN THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL (THE STABILITY/ABS LIGHT).
AFTER DRIVING FOR A FEW MILES IT WON'T LET ME ACCELERATE AND VEHICLE STARTS SHAKING. IT FIRST HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY AND I WAS ABLE TO EXIT WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT. RIGHT AFTER ACCELERATION WOULDN'T WORK ENGINE POWER LOW, SERVICE TRACTION POPPED UP. ONCE I PUT THE CAR IN PARK IT SHAKES. I TURN OFF CAR FOR ABOUT 3 MINUTES AND THEN I…
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AFTER DRIVING FOR A FEW MILES IT WON'T LET ME ACCELERATE AND VEHICLE STARTS SHAKING. IT FIRST HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY AND I WAS ABLE TO EXIT WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT. RIGHT AFTER ACCELERATION WOULDN'T WORK ENGINE POWER LOW, SERVICE TRACTION POPPED UP. ONCE I PUT THE CAR IN PARK IT SHAKES. I TURN OFF CAR FOR ABOUT 3 MINUTES AND THEN IT BACK ON AND IT DRIVES BUT HAPPENS AGAIN WITHIN 5 MINUTES
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.