IllustrationMY CAR ONLY HAS 95897 MILES ON IT AND THEIRS SOMETHI G WRONG WITH THE ENGIN TRANSMISSION ... CARS BEEN WELL TAKEN CAR OF AND WHEN YOU CLIMB HILLS IT LOOSES POWER AND HAS A HARD TIME CLIMBING THE HILL.
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 reportsECSLIGHT COME ON AND THEN YOU LOSE POWER STEERING AND GET A ERROR SAYING POWER STEERING IF YOU TURN CAR OFF AND MAKE ON IT AGAIN LIGHT GOES OFF AND THE POWER STEERING COMES BACK CAR WAS ON HIGHWAY THIS AS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIME IN THE LAST TWO SATS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, IT LOST POWER AND SHUT OFF. AN HOUR LATER THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART, BUT SHUT OFF AGAIN AFTER APPROXIMATELY THREE MINUTES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH WAVE PLATES (3RD, 5TH, AND 10TH) FAILED AND NEEDED TO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, IT LOST POWER AND SHUT OFF. AN HOUR LATER THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART, BUT SHUT OFF AGAIN AFTER APPROXIMATELY THREE MINUTES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH WAVE PLATES (3RD, 5TH, AND 10TH) FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,006.
I WAS DRIVING AND THEN CAME TO A STOP TO PULL ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY. WHEN I TURNED ON THE HIGH WAY MY MALIBU WOULDN'T ACCELERATE AND ACTED AS IF IT WAS IN NEUTRAL, AS A SEMI PULLED UP BEHIND ME I HAD TO PUT IT ALMOST IN A DITCH SO I WOULDN'T GET HIT. MY MECHANIC SAYS ITS THE 3,5,R WAVE PLATE AND THAT HE LOOKED AT ALL THE MALIBU FOR…
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I WAS DRIVING AND THEN CAME TO A STOP TO PULL ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY. WHEN I TURNED ON THE HIGH WAY MY MALIBU WOULDN'T ACCELERATE AND ACTED AS IF IT WAS IN NEUTRAL, AS A SEMI PULLED UP BEHIND ME I HAD TO PUT IT ALMOST IN A DITCH SO I WOULDN'T GET HIT. MY MECHANIC SAYS ITS THE 3,5,R WAVE PLATE AND THAT HE LOOKED AT ALL THE MALIBU FORUMS ONLINE AND FOUND OUT THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN. I CONTACTED GM AND THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. NEVER BUYING A CHEVY AGAIN. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED ABNORMALLY AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE REDUCED ENGINE POWER WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED ABNORMALLY AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE REDUCED ENGINE POWER WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO RETRIEVE A FAULT CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,575.
CAR DOOR WILL GO OUT. CAR DOOR WILL NOT OPEN AND WILL BE STUCK CLOSED. CAR WAS STATIONARY. HAD TO GO OUT THROUGH THE WINDOWS. COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS IF YOU WERE IN AN EMERGENCY AND COULDN'T EXIT VEICHLE BECAUSE THE DOORS WOULDN'T OPEN.
TRAFFICATOR CONTINUES TO MALFUNCTION, OCASSIONAL BRAKE FAILURES AND OTHER DIGITAL LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED AND STOPPED TO FUNCTION ANY COMPLETELY. I WAS ALMOST IN A DEADLY CRASH AGAIN. STERRING WHEEL. NOT ONCE THESE INCIDENCE HAPPENED ALL HAPPENED ON MOTION.
ON DEC 9 2016 I WAS DRIVING ON HWY 169 IN MN AND MY 2010 MALIBU DISPLAYED SERVICE ESC THAN FLASHED POWER STEERING THEN ESC OFF THEN I LOST POWER STEERING AND IT HAS NOT REGAINED EVEN AFTER ALL THE RESTARTS BEEN COUPLE WEEKS NOW STILL THERE SEARCHED THE INTERNET SEEMS I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE CAR HAS 180,000 MILES BUT SERVICED REGUL…
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ON DEC 9 2016 I WAS DRIVING ON HWY 169 IN MN AND MY 2010 MALIBU DISPLAYED SERVICE ESC THAN FLASHED POWER STEERING THEN ESC OFF THEN I LOST POWER STEERING AND IT HAS NOT REGAINED EVEN AFTER ALL THE RESTARTS BEEN COUPLE WEEKS NOW STILL THERE SEARCHED THE INTERNET SEEMS I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE CAR HAS 180,000 MILES BUT SERVICED REGULARLY SO YES I THINK THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. STEERING IS PRETTY IMPORTANT WHEN DRIVING . ANY INFO PERTAINING TO THE MALIBU STEERING. *TR
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE MY POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING AT LOW SPEEDS. THIS WAS AS I WAS TURNING, SO IT CAUSED QUITE A BIT OF PANIC. I THOUGHT THIS WAS A ONE-TIME ISSUE, HOWEVER 2 MONTHS LATER, I AM DRIVING TO SCHOOL AND TAKING A TURN WHEN IT HAPPENS AGAIN, ONCE AGAIN THIS ISSUE CAUSED ME TO BE IN A UNSAFE SITUATION, LOSS …
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WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE MY POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING AT LOW SPEEDS. THIS WAS AS I WAS TURNING, SO IT CAUSED QUITE A BIT OF PANIC. I THOUGHT THIS WAS A ONE-TIME ISSUE, HOWEVER 2 MONTHS LATER, I AM DRIVING TO SCHOOL AND TAKING A TURN WHEN IT HAPPENS AGAIN, ONCE AGAIN THIS ISSUE CAUSED ME TO BE IN A UNSAFE SITUATION, LOSS OF POWER STEERING AT LOW SPEEDS. I AM A FEMALE THEREFORE CANNOT GENERATE THE EFFORT NEEDED TO TURN THE WHEEL WHEN THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT. I RESEARCHED AND FOUND THAT THE 2009 MODEL YEAR HAS A TSB ON IT, HOWEVER MY VEHICLE WHICH HAS EXACTLY THE SAME SYMPTOMS DOES NOT. *TR
AIR BAG NEED SERVICE
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.