IllustrationTHE BODY CONTROL MODULE (BCM) WENT OUT AND THE DEALER OR GM WILL NOT PAY FOR THE REPAIRS DESPITE THERE BEING KNOWN ISSUES AND RECALLS INVOLVING ISSUES WITH THE BCM. THE GAUGE WILL NOT WORK CORRECTLY, THE LIGHTS FLICKER, THE SHIFTING IS AFFECTED, ETC. PLEASE SEE RECALLS 14V252000, 14V252000, 14V252000 & 14V252000.
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 reportsCAR SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING! EVERYTHING DIES. CANNOT RESTART. HAPPENED TWICE. DEALER REPLACED SENSOR. WORKED FOR A WEEK, THEN DIED AGAIN IN TRAFFIC. TOWED BACK TO DEALER, WHO HAS NO IDEA WHY THIS HAPPENS. NO RECALL NOTICE EVER RECEIVED FROM CHEVY. BUT I FOUND PLENTY OF COMPLAINTS BY OTHER OWNERS AS FAR BACK AS 2003 WHILE R…
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CAR SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING! EVERYTHING DIES. CANNOT RESTART. HAPPENED TWICE. DEALER REPLACED SENSOR. WORKED FOR A WEEK, THEN DIED AGAIN IN TRAFFIC. TOWED BACK TO DEALER, WHO HAS NO IDEA WHY THIS HAPPENS. NO RECALL NOTICE EVER RECEIVED FROM CHEVY. BUT I FOUND PLENTY OF COMPLAINTS BY OTHER OWNERS AS FAR BACK AS 2003 WHILE RESEARCHING ON INTERNET.
I HAVE HAD 2 OF MY STEEL RIM GET CRACKS IN THEME IS THERE A RECALL ON THEME, I ALSO HAD 5 WHEEL LUGS ON THE LEFT FRONT BREAK AND 7 ON THE RIGHT NOT FROM OVER TIGHTENING WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THATS WHAT THEY TOLD ME AT THE TIME I HAD 1 ON EACH SIDE BROKEN THEY I HAD THEME REPAIR EM AND 3 WEEKS LATER I HAD 2 ON ONE SIDE 1 S…
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I HAVE HAD 2 OF MY STEEL RIM GET CRACKS IN THEME IS THERE A RECALL ON THEME, I ALSO HAD 5 WHEEL LUGS ON THE LEFT FRONT BREAK AND 7 ON THE RIGHT NOT FROM OVER TIGHTENING WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THATS WHAT THEY TOLD ME AT THE TIME I HAD 1 ON EACH SIDE BROKEN THEY I HAD THEME REPAIR EM AND 3 WEEKS LATER I HAD 2 ON ONE SIDE 1 SIDE BRAKE I REPLACED THE WHEEL HUBS.
AIR BAG SERVICE SYSTEM INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON AND GOES OFF. IT SAYS SERVICE AIR BAG SYSTEM. BUT IT CONTINUES TO DO THIS OFF AND ON FREQUENTLY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RIMS WERE CRACKING AND THE TIRES WERE LOW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS LOW DUE TO THE CRACKED RIM. THE RIM WAS REPLACED TWICE. THE RIM WAS PURCHASED FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIF…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RIMS WERE CRACKING AND THE TIRES WERE LOW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS LOW DUE TO THE CRACKED RIM. THE RIM WAS REPLACED TWICE. THE RIM WAS PURCHASED FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
AIRBAG LIGHTS ARE ON WILL NOT GO OFF.ALSO SAYS SERVICE AIRBAGS.
I WAS TURNING ONTO A FREEWAY ON RAMP WHEN A ENGINE POWER REDUCED MESSAGE CAME UP ON MY DASHBOARD. THE CARS SPEED THEN DROPPED TO ABOUT 10 MILES AN HOUR AND STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY. THANKFULLY I WAS ONLY MOVING AT ABOUT 30 MPH AND WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SHOULDER SAFELY.
MY 2010 CHEVY MALIBU LT 2.4 L BEGAN MISFIRING ON CYLINDER 1 GIVING ME TH CODES P0201 AND P0301. AFTER GETTING THOSE READINGS I BEGAN DRIVING HOME AND THE CAR BEGAN TO JERK AND LOSE POWER FOLLOWED BY THE SERVICE TRACTION AND SERVICE ESC WARNING LIGHTS FLASHING ALONG WITH THE ENGINE LIGHT. SO I BEGAN TO ACCELERATE AGAIN AND THE …
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MY 2010 CHEVY MALIBU LT 2.4 L BEGAN MISFIRING ON CYLINDER 1 GIVING ME TH CODES P0201 AND P0301. AFTER GETTING THOSE READINGS I BEGAN DRIVING HOME AND THE CAR BEGAN TO JERK AND LOSE POWER FOLLOWED BY THE SERVICE TRACTION AND SERVICE ESC WARNING LIGHTS FLASHING ALONG WITH THE ENGINE LIGHT. SO I BEGAN TO ACCELERATE AGAIN AND THE GEARS HAD TROUBLE SHIFTING AND HORSE POWER WAS REDUCE WHEN TRYING TO TAKE OFF. THE CAR WOULD SLIP GEAR AT 40 MPH AND AROUND 60 - 65 MPH. LIGHTS WILL NOT GO OFF UNLESS NEGATIVE BATTERY POST IS REMOVED AND THEN RECONNECTED.THEN PROBLEM RETURNS WHEN CAR IS DRIVEN AGAIN. I SEARCHED MY VIN NUMBER AND THERE IS NO RECALL FOR MY VIN BUT MY CAR HAS THE SAME ISSUES AS 100S OF OTHER 2010 CHEVY MALIBUS. I REALLY DONT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR. I WISH I ANY OTHER OPTION TO GETTING THIS PROBLEM FIXED ASAP!!!
BRAKE LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONS, BRAKE LIGHTS WILL BE ILLUMINATING WHEN BRAKE IS NOT PRESSED ALSO GEAR SHIFTER IS DIFFICULT TO GET OUT OF PARK SERVICE ESC TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED IN JULY 2011, SEPTEMBER 2012. AUGUST 2013. SEPTEMBER 2014, AND FEBRUARY 2016 FOR THE SAME ONGOING SAFETY ISSUE. …
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BRAKE LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONS, BRAKE LIGHTS WILL BE ILLUMINATING WHEN BRAKE IS NOT PRESSED ALSO GEAR SHIFTER IS DIFFICULT TO GET OUT OF PARK SERVICE ESC TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED IN JULY 2011, SEPTEMBER 2012. AUGUST 2013. SEPTEMBER 2014, AND FEBRUARY 2016 FOR THE SAME ONGOING SAFETY ISSUE. GM DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO FIX IT. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS VERY PROBLEM RECALL # 13036 BUT ONCE THEY REPAIR IT, THEY CONSIDER THE RECALL CLOSED EVEN THOUGH THEY DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM.
LETTER FROM SENATOR BROWN ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE 2010 CHEVY MALIBU. *SMD THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER REGARDING THE POWER STEERING. WHEN SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, SHE WAS INFORMED THEY COULD DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE USING THEIR ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT. ON NOVEMBER 1, 2015, THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AGAIN AS SH…
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LETTER FROM SENATOR BROWN ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE 2010 CHEVY MALIBU. *SMD THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER REGARDING THE POWER STEERING. WHEN SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, SHE WAS INFORMED THEY COULD DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE USING THEIR ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT. ON NOVEMBER 1, 2015, THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AGAIN AS SHE WAS DRIVING. THE CONSUMER WENT TO ANOTHER REPAIR FACILITY AND HAD THE PROBLEM DIAGNOSED. HOWEVER, THE REPAIR FACILITY WAS NOT A GM DEALERSHIP. *JB
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.