IllustrationTHE AIR BAG LIGHT WON'T GO OFF. WHERE I BROUGHT THE CAR THEY CAME IT WAS A SENOR AND THEY THOUGHT THEY FIXED IT BUT THE LIGHT IS BACK ON IT COMES ON WHEN I'M DRIVING
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 reportsFIRST REPAIR, AIRBAG SERVICE REQUIRED. THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMED IT WAS A LOOSE WIRE. 2ND REPAIR, ESC MAINTENANCE REQUIRED, TRACTION SERVICE REQUIRED, ENGINE POWER REDUCED, VEHICLE WILL NOT LEAVE NEUTRAL. IF GAS IS APPLIED VEHICLE JUMPS AND SHAKES. 3RD IS SAME AS 2ND AND 4TH VISIT IS SAME AS PREVIOUS EXCEPT WHEN I RECEIVED OWNERSHI…
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FIRST REPAIR, AIRBAG SERVICE REQUIRED. THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMED IT WAS A LOOSE WIRE. 2ND REPAIR, ESC MAINTENANCE REQUIRED, TRACTION SERVICE REQUIRED, ENGINE POWER REDUCED, VEHICLE WILL NOT LEAVE NEUTRAL. IF GAS IS APPLIED VEHICLE JUMPS AND SHAKES. 3RD IS SAME AS 2ND AND 4TH VISIT IS SAME AS PREVIOUS EXCEPT WHEN I RECEIVED OWNERSHIP OF THE VEHICLE IT COULD NOT MAKE IT OUT OF THE PARKING LOT. AFTER MENTIONING THE LEMON LAW THE DEALERSHIP IS NOW TRYING TO BLAME THIS TECHNICALLY 5TH VISIT ON AN IGNITION COIL EVEN THOUGH ESC MAINTENANCE MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED WITH TRACTION CONTROL, ENGINE PWR REDUCED, THE VEHOCLE WAS STILL SHAKIG, AND NOW THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON WHEN IT WASN'T BEFORE.
I BOUGHT MY MALIBU NEW IN 2010, SHORTLY ATTER THE SERVICE ESC AND TRACTION LIGHRTS KEPT COMMING ON, I TOOK TO SHOP BUT THSY ACTED LIKE I WAS NUTS, LATER I GOT A RECALL AND TOOK TO SHOP, SAID WAS FIXED BU TWO DAYS LATER SAME SITUTATION, THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR 5 YEARS MOT ONLY THOSE BUT SEATBELT COME ON AND SERVICE AIR…
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I BOUGHT MY MALIBU NEW IN 2010, SHORTLY ATTER THE SERVICE ESC AND TRACTION LIGHRTS KEPT COMMING ON, I TOOK TO SHOP BUT THSY ACTED LIKE I WAS NUTS, LATER I GOT A RECALL AND TOOK TO SHOP, SAID WAS FIXED BU TWO DAYS LATER SAME SITUTATION, THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR 5 YEARS MOT ONLY THOSE BUT SEATBELT COME ON AND SERVICE AIRBAGS COMES ON CONSTANTLY, I WROTE TO CHEVY AND ALL THEY DID WAS SENE ME BACK TO CHEVY WHERE THEY CHARGED ME AND GUESS WHAT, THE PROBLEM IS OCCURING, I EMAILED CHEVY AGAIN MONTHS AGO AND HAVE STILL NO REPLY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A JERSEY BARRIER. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A JERSEY BARRIER. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14E044000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.....UPDATED 07/05/16 *BF *CN
SINCE WE BOUGHT THE CAR ON MORE THAN ONE OCASSION THE SUNROOF HAS LEAKED, THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON WHEN YOU MOVE THE PASSENGER SEAT, AND THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT IN THE WINDOW DOES NOT WORK.
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.
AIRBAG LIGHTS ARE ON WILL NOT GO OFF.ALSO SAYS SERVICE AIRBAGS.
2010 CHEVY MALIBU LT2..APX 76,000 MILES..**SIDE AIR BAG PROBLEMS** I WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT GOING ABOUT MAYBE 10 MPH AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEAR A BIG LIKE "GUNSHOT" SOUND IT WAS SMOKEY AND LIKE A POWDER RESIDUE IN THE CAR CAUSING ME TO COUGH A LITTLE AND IT FELT AS I GOT IN A ACCIDENT OR HIT SOMETHING. MY SIDE AIRBAG D…
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2010 CHEVY MALIBU LT2..APX 76,000 MILES..**SIDE AIR BAG PROBLEMS** I WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT GOING ABOUT MAYBE 10 MPH AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEAR A BIG LIKE "GUNSHOT" SOUND IT WAS SMOKEY AND LIKE A POWDER RESIDUE IN THE CAR CAUSING ME TO COUGH A LITTLE AND IT FELT AS I GOT IN A ACCIDENT OR HIT SOMETHING. MY SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON THERE IS NO DAMAGE TO MY DRIVER SIDE OR ANYTHING .. I AM TRAUMATIZED AND JUST HAVE MINOR INJURIES SUCH AS BACK PAIN, FOR A MINUTE MY HEAD WAS SPINNING AND I HAD A HEADACHE..I WAS JUST SO CONFUSED AS TO WHAT HAD JUST HAPPENED. IT HAPPENED SO QUICK THANK GOD I WASN'T GOING FAST BECAUSE IT COULD HAVE BEEN A LOT WORSE. TO MAKE EVEN MATTERS WORSE MY 5 YEAR OLD SON WAS IN BACK GLAD HE WAS SAFE. GM REALLY NEED TO LOOK INTO THIS MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND ADDRESS IT CORRECTLY. NOW I'M OUT OF A CAR BASICALLY UNTIL I HEAR BACK FROM THEM.
WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON OCTOBER 2016 3 RANDOM LIGHTS ON MY DASHBOARD APPEARED(ENGINE LIGHT, SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT, ESC). THEY STAYED ON FOR ABOUT 2 HOURS THEN DISAPPEARED FOR THE REST OF THE DAY. THE FOLLOWING DAY, ALL THREE LIGHTS APPEARED AND DID NOT LEAVE FOR 3 DAYS, THEN DISAPPEARED. THEN THEY REAPPEARED FOR 2 DAYS, …
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WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON OCTOBER 2016 3 RANDOM LIGHTS ON MY DASHBOARD APPEARED(ENGINE LIGHT, SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT, ESC). THEY STAYED ON FOR ABOUT 2 HOURS THEN DISAPPEARED FOR THE REST OF THE DAY. THE FOLLOWING DAY, ALL THREE LIGHTS APPEARED AND DID NOT LEAVE FOR 3 DAYS, THEN DISAPPEARED. THEN THEY REAPPEARED FOR 2 DAYS, THEN DISAPPEARED. THE DAY AFTER THEY DISAPPEARED,ALL LIGHTS APPEARED BUT THE ENGINE LIGHT. NOW I ONLY HAVE ESC AND SERVICE AIRBAG WHICH COMES ON AND OFF.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000. UPDATE 01/15/16 MA *CN
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.