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

54,000 miles · Apr 27, 2017

Fuel/propulsion System

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE, THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED HIM THAT THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE VEHICLE AND THERE WAS A FUEL ODOR PRESENT IN THE OIL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WOULD CHECK THE OIL LEVEL EVERY 1,000 MILES AND DISCOVERED THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO ADD A QUART TO A QUART AND HALF OF OIL TO THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT HE HAD CONTACTED SEVERAL DEALERS AND WAS INFORMED THERE WERE NO RECALLS PERTAINING TO EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 54,000.

NHTSA ODI #10981090

23,955 miles · Apr 25, 2017

Service Brakes

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IN 2011WITH 23955 MILES BRAKES PULSATING, MECHANIC RESURFACED FRONT ROTORS,33146 MILES FRONT PADS AND RESURFACED ROTORS, LF HUB REPORTED TO HAVE PLAY IN IT.34764 REPLACED FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS,55490 MILES REPLACED FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS,58458 REPLACED LEFT HUB,58936 MILES REPLACED FRONT BRAKES PADS.IN 3446 MILES HAD TO REPLACE FRONT BRAKE PADS.60147 MILES REPLACED LEFT HUB AGAIN.64020 REPLACED FRONT BRAKE ROTORS(WITHIN 8530 MILES)70602 REPLACED RIGHT FRONT SWAY BAR.71794 16310 MILES REPLACED BACK ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS AGAIN.78164 6370 PROBLEMS AGAIN THIS TIME REPLACED FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS.NOW PROBLEMS AGAIN AT 79123 MILES .WILL BE DIAGNOSIS APRIL 26 2017.ABSOLUTELY ABSURD.SOMETHING IS FLAWED..MY TIRES LASTED FOR 24824 MILES.PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND HELP TO FIX THIS EXPENSIVE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10980542

Mileage unknown · Apr 25, 2017

Steering

POWER STEERING JUST RANDOMLY GOES OUT INTERMITTENTLY...HEARD MANY COMPLAINTS OF THIS WITH OTHER CHEVY MALIBUS...CAN BE DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY IF DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS.

NHTSA ODI #10980419

84,325 miles · Apr 20, 2017

Electrical SystemExterior LightingService Brakes

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE ESC AND TRACTION CONTROL SENSORS ILLUMINATED AND THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO OPERATE. IN ADDITION, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING AND TURNED OFF WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR WAS FAULTY. THE CONNECTOR WAS REPLACED AND THE FAILURE WAS REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAULTY CONNECTOR WAS A DIFFERENT CONNECTOR ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,325.

NHTSA ODI #10979648

95,521 miles · Apr 19, 2017

Steering

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TAKATA RECALL.UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE THE ESC LIGHT APPEARS, WITH A YELLOW BLINKING DASH LIGHT WARNING OF A CAR BASICALLY ON ROAD. I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, (IN PARK MODE )RESTARTED AND IT DID IT AGAIN. THERE IS NO STEERING. ONE ANOTHER DAY, I STARTED CAR AND IT WAS FINE, HOWEVER DURING THE DRIVE MODE, CARS POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND COULD NOT TURN THE WHEEL. IT IS ALSO NOTED AT TIMES, I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT, FOOT ON BRAKE IN DRIVE MODE, THE STEERING WHEEL WILL VIBRATE LEFT TO RIGHT A BIT. I DO NOT HAVE HEAVY KEYS, IT IS ONE KEY.I CHECKED AND ALTHOUGH THE VIN IS NOT ON RECALL, WHICH IS CRAZY, THE CAR IS HAVING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEMS AS CAMPAIGN#14E044000.

NHTSA ODI #10979301

70,000 miles · Apr 17, 2017

Power Train

TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON A STREET. CAR ONLY HAD 70,000 MILES. LATER DISCOVERED IT WAS DUE TO A BROKEN GEAR SHAPED PART OF THE TRANSMISSION. SHOWS BAD QUALITY, SHOULD NOT FAIL AT 70K MILES.

NHTSA ODI #10978864

90,017 miles · Apr 14, 2017

Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OR REVERSE WHEN PROMPTED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE…

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NHTSA ODI #10972405

Mileage unknown · Apr 13, 2017

Unknown Or Other

THE ANTI THEFT KICKS IN WHENEVER IT WANTS AND SHUTS OFF POWER TO THE CAR. NO MATTER WHAT I DO IT DOESN'T SHUT OFF.

NHTSA ODI #10972206

90,000 miles · Apr 12, 2017

Engine

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WHEN IT APPROACHED A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE SHOP AWAITING DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED TWO OTHER TIMES WITHIN THE LAST MONTH. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ODI #10972022

50,000 miles · Apr 1, 2017

Structure

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DRIVER SIDE DOOR AT TIMES FAILED TO OPEN FROM EITHER OUTSIDE OR INSIDE. KEYFOB REMOTE PROPERLY LIFTS AND LOWERS THE LOCK KNOB LIFTER TO LOCK OR UNLOCK POSITION. MINUTES, HOURS AND ONE TIME, TWO DAYS WOULD GO BY THEN THE DOOR WOULD EVENTUALLY UNLOCKS TO OPEN. SAME FOR THE DRIVER SIDE REAR DOOR HOWEVER, I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR SINCE 2015. ALSO, THERE ARE TIMES WHEN THE DRIVER DOOR WILL NOT CLOSE UNLESS I SLAM THE DOOR SHUT. I HAVE TRIED TO MAKE PROGRAMMING CHANGES ON THE DOOR LOCKING FEATURES THROUGH THE ON BOARD COMPUTER AND MOVING TRANS SHIFTIER TO DIFFERENT POSITIONS. NO SUCCESS. I HAVE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURE TWICE (2015 & 2016) AND BOTH TIME WAS TOLD BY CHEVROLET THEY WILL NOT COVER SINCE OUT OF WARRANTY DUE TO THE MILES ON MY 2010 CHEVY MALIBU. FOR ME BEING A OVER WEIGHT OLDER INDIVIDUAL ITS DIFFICULT TO EXIT AND ENTER FROM THE PASSENGER DOOR. SOMEONE ELDERLY IT WOULD MOST CERTAINLY BE IMPOSSIBLE.

NHTSA ODI #10969935

Official recalls

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)