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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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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 reports
250 miles · Oct 17, 2017
Power Train

DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY GOING 60 AND THE CAR STARTED REVVING REALLY HIGH UNTIL I GOT MY SPEED DOWN TO FORTY AND IT WOULDN'T GO MORE THAN 40. WHEN I STOPPED TO LET CAR COOL AND I RESTARTED IT, I DROVE IT AROUND THE BLOCK A FEW TIMES AND IT STARTED THE SAME REVVING AND NOT GOING FASTER TNAN 40. I TRIED TO BACK THE CAR INTO MY DRIVE…

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DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY GOING 60 AND THE CAR STARTED REVVING REALLY HIGH UNTIL I GOT MY SPEED DOWN TO FORTY AND IT WOULDN'T GO MORE THAN 40. WHEN I STOPPED TO LET CAR COOL AND I RESTARTED IT, I DROVE IT AROUND THE BLOCK A FEW TIMES AND IT STARTED THE SAME REVVING AND NOT GOING FASTER TNAN 40. I TRIED TO BACK THE CAR INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND IT WOULD NOT GO.

NHTSA ODI #11034129

76,000 miles · Oct 16, 2017
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

IGNITION PROBLEMS, ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS THROUGHOUT THE CAR AND BRAKE LIGHT ,PLUS TRANSMISSION IS NOT SHIFTING GEARS.

NHTSA ODI #11033947

117,000 miles · Oct 16, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineVehicle Speed Control

ENGINE POWER REDUCED WHILE I WAS DRIVING INTO MY DAUGHTERS SCHOOL.

NHTSA ODI #11033916

192,000 miles · Oct 11, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON WHILE DRIVING AND GO OFF WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. SERVICE ESC LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ON AS WELL. UNSURE IF RELATED.

NHTSA ODI #11032998

76,633 miles · Oct 2, 2017
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LACKED FORWARD MOMENTUM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LACKED FORWARD MOMENTUM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WAVE PLATE IN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,633. *LN CONSUMER STATED ON 9/17/11 CAR NOT GETTING POWER. MADE LOUD NOISE DROVE APPOX. 15 MILES. TOOK CAT TO MENKE MOTOR, TRANSMISSION FAILED HAD ENGINE REPAIRED FOR $2300.00 UPDATED 7/24/18*JB

NHTSA ODI #11030773

57,268 miles · Oct 1, 2017
Power Train

TRANSMISSION COMPLETLY WENT OUT WITH NO WARNING CROSSING A BUSY INTERSECTION. NO LIGHTS CAME ON, NO NOISES, WOULD BARELY GO THEN JERKED AND EXCELLERATION NOISE AS IF I REVED ENGINE UP BUT I DIDN'T THEN PULLED INTO PARKING SPOT AND IT WOULDNT GO INTO GEAR AND WOULD NOT MOVE. WHEN STARTED LATER THAT DAY IT RAN FINE AND 2 MINUTES F…

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TRANSMISSION COMPLETLY WENT OUT WITH NO WARNING CROSSING A BUSY INTERSECTION. NO LIGHTS CAME ON, NO NOISES, WOULD BARELY GO THEN JERKED AND EXCELLERATION NOISE AS IF I REVED ENGINE UP BUT I DIDN'T THEN PULLED INTO PARKING SPOT AND IT WOULDNT GO INTO GEAR AND WOULD NOT MOVE. WHEN STARTED LATER THAT DAY IT RAN FINE AND 2 MINUTES FROM HOME IT DID THE EXACT SAME THING BUT NOW WILL NOT MOVE AT ALL AND JUST WHINES. I READ THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR THIS MODEL CAR AND GM WILL NOT COVER BC WARRANTY RUMS OIT BEFORE THE 5 YEAR 60,000 MILES. SOMETHING NEEDS DONE ABOUT THIS. MY CAR ONLY HAS 57000 MILES ON IT.

NHTSA ODI #11030733

115,525 miles · Sep 29, 2017
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT AN UNKNOWN RECALL WAS ISSUED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO CALL HER LOCAL DEALER. THE CONTACT CALL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT AN UNKNOWN RECALL WAS ISSUED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO CALL HER LOCAL DEALER. THE CONTACT CALLED SELMAN CHEVROLET (1800 E CHAPMAN AVE, ORANGE, CA 92867, PHONE NUMBER (714) 633-3521) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,525.

NHTSA ODI #11030574

240,000 miles · Sep 29, 2017
Air BagsSteeringCrash

THE POWER STEERING SENSOR WILL SUDDENLY GO OFF AND MY WHEEL LOCKS, I CANNOT TURN MY WHEELS, I FEEL REALLY UNSAFE I ALMOST CRASHED WITH MYSELF AND KIDS.

NHTSA ODI #11030572

85,000 miles · Sep 28, 2017
Air BagsEngine

ENGINE POWER DROPS SUDDENLY ON HIGHWAY OR IN TRAFFIC AFTER 45MINS OF DRIVING, REDUCED ENGINE POWER, SERVICE ENGINE, SERVICE AIRBAG MESSAGES COME ON ALSO ESC MESSAGE THEN ENGINE STALLS AND MOVES AT ABOUT 10MPH FROM DRIVING AT ANYWHERE BETWEEN 30MPH TO 70MPH. RECURRING FOR THE LAST TWO MONTHS CAN'T BE FIXED AFTER SEVERAL CHEVY DEA…

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ENGINE POWER DROPS SUDDENLY ON HIGHWAY OR IN TRAFFIC AFTER 45MINS OF DRIVING, REDUCED ENGINE POWER, SERVICE ENGINE, SERVICE AIRBAG MESSAGES COME ON ALSO ESC MESSAGE THEN ENGINE STALLS AND MOVES AT ABOUT 10MPH FROM DRIVING AT ANYWHERE BETWEEN 30MPH TO 70MPH. RECURRING FOR THE LAST TWO MONTHS CAN'T BE FIXED AFTER SEVERAL CHEVY DEALER WORKSHOP VISITS AND COSTS

NHTSA ODI #11030288

75,000 miles · Sep 21, 2017
Visibility/wiper

IN 2015 WIPER TRANS FAILED AT HEAVY RAIN AND NEW ONE WAS INSTALLED BY BOB BELL CHEVROLET DEALER. IN AUGUST 2017, ON RAINY DAY ON I-95 TOWARD WDC WIPERS STOPPED WORKING AND WITH LIFE TREATING I DROVE THE CAR TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP - POHANKA CHEVROLET THAT SAID THAT WIPER TRANS FAILED. I GOT FAILED TRANS - LOOKED AS A NEW, BUT IT …

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IN 2015 WIPER TRANS FAILED AT HEAVY RAIN AND NEW ONE WAS INSTALLED BY BOB BELL CHEVROLET DEALER. IN AUGUST 2017, ON RAINY DAY ON I-95 TOWARD WDC WIPERS STOPPED WORKING AND WITH LIFE TREATING I DROVE THE CAR TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP - POHANKA CHEVROLET THAT SAID THAT WIPER TRANS FAILED. I GOT FAILED TRANS - LOOKED AS A NEW, BUT IT IS LIFE THREATENING SITUATION WHEN ON FREEWAY DRIVER LOOSES VISIBILITY COMPLETELY. LOOKS LIKE THAT IS PERSISTENTLY FAILING GM PART NEEDED TO BE RECALLED IN ORDER TO KEEP US DRIVERS SAFE.

NHTSA ODI #11024890

Official recalls

3

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)

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.