IllustrationMY CAR KEEPS POPPING UP SERVICE ESC, ENGINE POWER REDUCED AND SERVICE TRACTION LIGHTS KEEP COMING ON. HAVE HAD FIXED 3 TIMES AND SILL KEEPS HAPPENING. WHILE VEHICLE IS DRIVING IT WILL DIE FOR NO REASON, ONCE STARTED BACK UP SOMETIMES IT STOPS OTHER TIMES STARTS SHAKING AND AS NO POWER.
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 reportsPOWER STEERING SUDDENLY WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING, I MADE IT HOME SAFELY THEN THE NEXT DAY CAR DROVE AS IF NOTHING WAS WRONG, POWER STEERING FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. THE FOLLOWING DAY POWER STEERING WENT OUT AGAIN AS I WAS TURNING THE CORNER. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THEN RESTARTED, THEN IT DROVE FINE UNTIL I PULLED IN MY DRIVEWAY THE …
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POWER STEERING SUDDENLY WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING, I MADE IT HOME SAFELY THEN THE NEXT DAY CAR DROVE AS IF NOTHING WAS WRONG, POWER STEERING FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. THE FOLLOWING DAY POWER STEERING WENT OUT AGAIN AS I WAS TURNING THE CORNER. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THEN RESTARTED, THEN IT DROVE FINE UNTIL I PULLED IN MY DRIVEWAY THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AGAIN. FOR THE LAST 4 DAYS IT HAS BEEN GOING IN AND OUT AT WILL.
WHILE DRIVING ESC LIGHT CAME ON POWER STEERING ISSUE DISPLAYED AND POWER STEERING FAILED. STOPPED AND TURNED CAR OFF; UPON RESTART NO ISSUE.
POWER STEERING GOES IN AND OUT. ETC LIGHT COMES ON AND FLASHES POWER STEERING FAILURE. UPON READING, GM ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS BUT OUR DEALER HAS NO RECALL INFORMATION ON THIS. SAFETY ISSUE, COULD LEAD TO A CRASH
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JERKED LEFT TO RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JERKED LEFT TO RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.
PASSENGER LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT. I HAVE REPLACED IT 3 TIMES THIS YEAR ALREADY. DRIVING AT NIGHT WITH 1 LOW BEAM WORKING IS DANGEROUS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE BRAKE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INDEPENDENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE CRUISE CONTROL BECAME INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ON FEBRUARY 19, 2015 PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V2…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE BRAKE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INDEPENDENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE CRUISE CONTROL BECAME INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ON FEBRUARY 19, 2015 PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. JEFF WYLER SPRINGFIELD CHEVROLET (LOCATED AT 2237 W 1ST ST, SPRINGFIELD, OH 45504, (937) 525-4646) WAS NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: [XXX]. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 163,000. *PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *AN
WE ONLY HAVE CHEVY'S HOWEVER OUR MALIBU 2010 WITH ONLY 73,000 MILES WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 65MPH IT SUDDENLY STOPPED GOING. YOU CAN ACCELERATE BUT IT DOESN'T NOT GO FORWARD OR BACK. IT WAS LATE WHEN IT WENT OUT AND A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. OUR CAR WAS PURCHASED AND MAINTAINED FROM DEALER AND AT THIS MILEAGE WITH N…
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WE ONLY HAVE CHEVY'S HOWEVER OUR MALIBU 2010 WITH ONLY 73,000 MILES WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 65MPH IT SUDDENLY STOPPED GOING. YOU CAN ACCELERATE BUT IT DOESN'T NOT GO FORWARD OR BACK. IT WAS LATE WHEN IT WENT OUT AND A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. OUR CAR WAS PURCHASED AND MAINTAINED FROM DEALER AND AT THIS MILEAGE WITH NO WARNING, NO NOISE, NO FLUID LEAK, NOTHING. SITUATION IS VERY FRUSTRATING. I'M NOT SURE I'M A GM FAN ANYMORE WE WILL SEE HOW THE RESPOND TO THIS SITUATION.
DOOR LOCKS DON'T UNLOCK THE DOORS TRAPPING OCCUPANTS INSIDE THE CAR. MANUAL OR ELECTRICAL DON'T WORK. MODULES ARE DEFECTIVE, AND MANUAL LOCK PULL DOES NOT WORK EITHER. VEHICLE COULD BE RUNNING OR NOT RUNNING-STILL DOES NOT WORK. IF YOU ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW AND TRY THE OUTSIDE HANDLE, STILL DOES NOT WORK. SOLENOID, IN THE DOORS M…
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DOOR LOCKS DON'T UNLOCK THE DOORS TRAPPING OCCUPANTS INSIDE THE CAR. MANUAL OR ELECTRICAL DON'T WORK. MODULES ARE DEFECTIVE, AND MANUAL LOCK PULL DOES NOT WORK EITHER. VEHICLE COULD BE RUNNING OR NOT RUNNING-STILL DOES NOT WORK. IF YOU ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW AND TRY THE OUTSIDE HANDLE, STILL DOES NOT WORK. SOLENOID, IN THE DOORS MAKE A SOUND LIKE THE DOORS UNLOCK, BUT THEY DON'T. MAYBE ONE IN THE BACK WILL WORK, BUT VERY DIFFICULT TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. YOUR STUCK WITH NO OPTIONS TO GET OUT. THIS IS A VERY SEVER SAFTY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESS. TRIED TO BUT THE CAR IN DRIVE, AND BACK INTO PARK AND TURN OFF THE CAR MULTIPLE TIMES WITH NO LUCK. TRIED TO ROCK THE DOOR LOCK SWITCH DOES NOT HELP. BELIEVE THE MODULES ARE DEFECTIVE. DOOR PULLS FOR UNLOCKING THE DOORS SHOULD STILL WORK, EVEN IF THE POWER WAS LOST. THEY DO NOT. TRIED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING AND STATIONARY. BECAUSE I WAS STUCK IN THE CAR, I WENT AROUND THE BLOCK WONDERING IF IT WAS A CHARGING PROBLEM. IT'S NOT, AFTER GOING AROUND THE BLOCK AND PULLING BACK INTO THE DRIVE WAY, THEY STILL DID NOT WORK. WHEN CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND TRIED TO UNLOCK THE DOORS STILL DID NOT WORK. HAD TO CHECK THE BACK DOOR AND FOUND IT FINALLY WORKED. HAD TO CRAWL OVER THE FRONT SEAT AND CRAWLED OUT THAT WAY. WAS STUCK IN THE CAR FOR 25 MIN. COULD NOT DO ANYTHING.
THE BULB ON THE DRIVERS SIDE HAS GONE OUT MULTIPLE TIMES. HAVE HAD TO PAY $150 PLUS BULBS EACH TIME AS YOU HAVE TO TAKE THE BUMPER OFF. EVEN AFTER REPLACING THE BULB THIS TIME IT DIDN'T WORK. MULTIPLE PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED THIS.
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.