IllustrationAIRBAG NOT OPERATING LIGHT, ON RIGHT AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED. INTERNET SEEMS TO SHOW THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE MALIBU AND A POSSIBLE ISSUE. *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
Air Bags complaints
144 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR FAILED TO CLOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG HARNESS AND THE DRIVERS DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR FAILED TO CLOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG HARNESS AND THE DRIVERS DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77,863. *TR ..UPDATED 07-05-13 *BF UPDATED 07/12/2013 *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED AND ACTIVATED THE AIR BAG WARNING BEEPING SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED, WHICH WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A FAILURE CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED AND ACTIVATED THE AIR BAG WARNING BEEPING SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED, WHICH WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A FAILURE CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,000.
I HAVE A 2010 MALIBU AND RECENTLY TOOK IT TOO THE DEALER FOR A SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT AND THEY INFORMED ME OF A ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE CORRECTED UNDER A RECALL, HOWEVER NOW THERE SAYING I NEED TO REPLACE THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT AIR BAG AND THE PASSENGER SEAT MODULE. THESE AIR BAGS ARE A SAFETY ISSUE AND THERE ARE…
Read full complaint
I HAVE A 2010 MALIBU AND RECENTLY TOOK IT TOO THE DEALER FOR A SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT AND THEY INFORMED ME OF A ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE CORRECTED UNDER A RECALL, HOWEVER NOW THERE SAYING I NEED TO REPLACE THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT AIR BAG AND THE PASSENGER SEAT MODULE. THESE AIR BAGS ARE A SAFETY ISSUE AND THERE ARE MANY 2010 MALIBU OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS AND THE DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE 1245.87 FOR REPAIRS AND CANNOT SAY WHY THE FAILURE HAPPENED. A VEHICLE OF THIS AGE SHOULD NOT HAVE AIR BAG FAILURE. THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME SORT OF INVESTIGATION ON TO WHY THESE AIR BAGS AND SEAT SENSORS ARE FAILING FOR NO APPARENT REASONS BESIDE THE POOR OR CHEAP QUALITY OF THE PRODUCTS THERE INSTALLING. I THINK THAT GM NEEDS TO STAND BEHIND THERE CARS AND TRUCKS AND NOT BRUSH OFF SUCH A HUGE SAFETY RISK. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. IN DECEMBER OF 2010, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER A VOLUNTARY RECALL ISSUED BY THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE AIR BAG. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE RECENT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTI…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. IN DECEMBER OF 2010, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER A VOLUNTARY RECALL ISSUED BY THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE AIR BAG. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE RECENT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
AIR BAG LIGHT GOES OFF AND ON. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. IT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM FOR THIS VEHICLE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND PUSHED THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND THE TWO OF THE PASSENGER'S WERE INJURED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND PUSHED THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND THE TWO OF THE PASSENGER'S WERE INJURED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION AND BRUISES TO THE HEAD AND CHEST. IN ADDITION, SHE WAS KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS. THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE PASSENGER SUSTAINED LACERATIONS TO THE FACE FROM THE WINDOW EXPLODING ON IMPACT AND FROM THE CURTAIN AIR BAG NOT DEPLOYING. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING DOWN A ONE WAY STREET, ANOTHER MOTORIST DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH DOWN THE WRONG WAY, CRASHED INTO THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUFFERED PAINS IN LEGS AND LOWER BACK AND HEADACHES. THE VEHICLE WAS…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING DOWN A ONE WAY STREET, ANOTHER MOTORIST DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH DOWN THE WRONG WAY, CRASHED INTO THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUFFERED PAINS IN LEGS AND LOWER BACK AND HEADACHES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE SEAT WAS ADJUSTED TOO FAR BACK CAUSING A MECHANISM TO DETACH DISABLING THE AIR BAGS. THE CONTACT DID NOT FEEL THAT WAS A SATISFACTORY DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,000. UPDATED 01/09/13*LJ UPDATED 1/11/2013 *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG INADVERTLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY IMPACT TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF TH ROAD. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO THE SHOULDER, ARM AND LEG. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG INADVERTLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY IMPACT TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF TH ROAD. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO THE SHOULDER, ARM AND LEG. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000.
THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON DAILY SINCE THEN AND THE DEALER TOLD MY WIFE THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS NOTHING THAN THE AIR BAGS NOT WORKING NOT TO WORRY ABOUT IT,BUT THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME NOW. *TR
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.