IllustrationTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 05/03/16*LJ *TR
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 reportsWHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE SERVICE ESC, TRACTION CONTROL, AND REDUCED ENGINE POWER WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. CAR ALSO MISFIRED. TAKEN TO INDEPENDENT AUTO REPAIR SHOP, THROTTLE BODY REPLACED. CODES FOUND AT GARAGE PO300, P2135. BEGAN 2/12/16 AND RANDOMLY HAPPENED THROUGH 3/9/16
WHENEVER I PRESS THE GASS AND I LET IT GO THE CAR KEEPS GOING AND WHEN I TRY TO STOP THE CAR TAKES LONGER TO STOP BECAUSE THE ENGINE TRY TO KEEP GOING SO I HAVE TO PRESS THE BREAK HARDER AND WHEN FINALLY STOPS AFTER LIKE 5 MINUTES THE CAR GOES NORMAL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH THE DRIVER SIDE HEATING SEAT ACTIVATED, THERE SUDDENLY WAS A BURNING ODOR. THE DRIVER DISCOVERED AT BURNT HOLE IN THE BACK AREA OF THE DRIVER SEAT. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH THE DRIVER SIDE HEATING SEAT ACTIVATED, THERE SUDDENLY WAS A BURNING ODOR. THE DRIVER DISCOVERED AT BURNT HOLE IN THE BACK AREA OF THE DRIVER SEAT. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000. UPDATED 05/11/16*LJ *TR
CAR ONLY HAS ABOUT 3,0070 MILES ON IT AND POWER STEERING HAS GONE OUT. I GET THE MESSAGES WHEN I START THE CAR THAT "POWER STEERING" AND "SERVICE ESC." AND WHEN I DRIVE THERE IS NO POWER STEERING.
2010 MALIBU LT, RECALL #13036 ON THIS CAR AND OTHERS, I TOOK IT TO ONE OF THE LOCAL AUTO NATION DEALER IN MID 2015, MIND YOU I DID NOT HAVE ANY OF THE WARNING SIGNS NOTED IN THE 14V-252 REPORT. NOW I SEE THERE IS A RECALL #13036A, 13036B REVISIONS, THEN ABOUT THREE WEEKS OR SO I WAS GOING HOME, MAJOR ROAD 40 MPH, A FRIEND HAPPEN…
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2010 MALIBU LT, RECALL #13036 ON THIS CAR AND OTHERS, I TOOK IT TO ONE OF THE LOCAL AUTO NATION DEALER IN MID 2015, MIND YOU I DID NOT HAVE ANY OF THE WARNING SIGNS NOTED IN THE 14V-252 REPORT. NOW I SEE THERE IS A RECALL #13036A, 13036B REVISIONS, THEN ABOUT THREE WEEKS OR SO I WAS GOING HOME, MAJOR ROAD 40 MPH, A FRIEND HAPPENED TO BE BEHIND ME, HE FLASHED HIS LIGHT, I SLOWED, LET MY WINDOW DOWN, HE YELLED YOUR BRAKE LIGHTS ARE OUT! I MADE IT HOME IT WAS DARK MY BRAKE LIGHTS WORK AT RANDOM, MY TRACTION CONTROL DISENGAGES AND A SERVICE NOTICE SCROLLS ACROSS READING: SERVICE ESC, AT TIMES THE ENGINE WILL IDLE ROUGH! GM: WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON WITH YOU GUYS, I HAVE BEEN A GENERAL MOTORS GUY ALL MY LIFE, THEN I BUY A 2010 IN 2011 AND IT IS ALREADY A ROAD HAZARD FOR ME AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD, NOT TO MENTION, A PIECE OF [XXX]! 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).*CC
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR AT NORMAL TRAVELING SPEED THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL SHUTS OFF AND THE CAR GOES INTO MANUAL STEERING WHICH MAKES THE CAR VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AND HAS ALMOST CAUSED TWO ACCIDENTS AND HAS MADE ME ARK THE CAR BECAUSE I FEEL IT IS FAR TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. THIS STARTED OCCURRING FEBRUARY15TH AND CO…
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WHILE DRIVING THE CAR AT NORMAL TRAVELING SPEED THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL SHUTS OFF AND THE CAR GOES INTO MANUAL STEERING WHICH MAKES THE CAR VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AND HAS ALMOST CAUSED TWO ACCIDENTS AND HAS MADE ME ARK THE CAR BECAUSE I FEEL IT IS FAR TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. THIS STARTED OCCURRING FEBRUARY15TH AND CONTINUED UNTIL I PARKED THE CAR ON FEB2ST.
MY 2010 CHEVY MALIBU DRIVER SIDE FRONT DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. DRIVER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AFTER THE DOORS ARE UNLOCKED OR FROM THE OUTSIDE BY PULLING ON THE HANDLE. IT DOES NOT MATTER IF YOU UNLOCK FROM INSIDE USING UNLOCK/LOCK BUTTON ON DOOR OR OUTSIDE USING KEY FOB, THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. MAJOR SA…
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MY 2010 CHEVY MALIBU DRIVER SIDE FRONT DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. DRIVER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AFTER THE DOORS ARE UNLOCKED OR FROM THE OUTSIDE BY PULLING ON THE HANDLE. IT DOES NOT MATTER IF YOU UNLOCK FROM INSIDE USING UNLOCK/LOCK BUTTON ON DOOR OR OUTSIDE USING KEY FOB, THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT OR AN EMERGENCY, THE DRIVER OR PASSENGERS WHOSE DOORS ARE AFFECTED WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE AFFECTED DOOR. TRIED PENETRATING OIL AND GREASE TO LUBRICATE ACTUATOR AND HAS NOT FIXED PROBLEM. ALSO HAPPENS RANDOMLY, DOES NOT MATTER TEMPERATURE OR WEATHER CONDITIONS. NO CURRENT RECALLS OUT ON THIS ISSUE, AND REPAIR COSTS RANGE UPWARDS OF $350. THE PULL HANDLE INSIDE THE CAR FEELS LIKE IT IS NOT ENGAGING WITH THE COMPONENTS TO UNLATCH THE DOOR, AND THE SAME FEELING IS OBSERVED WHEN TRYING TO OPEN THE CAR ON THE OUTSIDE USING THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE.
CHROME PAINT ON INTERIOR HANDLERS IS PEELING CAUSING CUTS/LACERATIONS ON PEOPLE'S HANDS.
THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON. WILL NOT TURN OFF NOW MY BRAKES DO NOT WORK PROPERLY AND CAUSES THE CAR TO BE HARD TO STOP.
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.