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

Electrical System complaints

294 reports

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Mileage unknown · May 30, 2017

Electrical SystemService BrakesVehicle Speed Control

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HAD CAMSHAFT SENSOR INSTALLED LESS THAN A YEAR AGO AND ENGINE CAME ON WITH SAME SENSOR CODE. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS GOING OUT CONSTANTLY AND HEADLIGHT BULB WAS REPAIRED 4 TIMES LESS THAN A YEAR. COST ME OVER 600 TOTAL ONE SERVICE WAS DONE FOR FREE BECAUSE IT WAS REPAIRED AND BLEW THE NEXT DAY. SO MUCH WORK AND BARELY DRIVE TO CAR TO AND FROM WORK ONLY 2 MILES. I PLAN TO MAKE A COMPLAINT TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR EXPLANATIONS IF NOT SOLVED OR REIMBURSED. THE VEHICLE STAYS IN THE SHOP MORE THAN USE. TRACTION CONTROL SENSOR REPLACES AND CAME BACK 2 WEEKS LATER. THE VEHICLE ALSO STALLED WITH MY CHILDREN ON A BUSY STREET WHERE A VEHICLE ALMOST STRUCK THE BACK SIDE MISSING MY DAUGHTER BY INCHES. UNSAFE VEHICLE AND TOO MANY MALFUCTIONS.

NHTSA ODI #10992156

80,000 miles · May 19, 2017

Electrical System

THE BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON WITHOUT PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE DEALER TOOK THE CAR IN AND SAID THEIR DIAGNOSTICS DID NOT SHOW ANY PROBLEM. I FOLLOWED MY WIFE HOME AND FOR THE LAST MILE THE BRAKE LIGHTS STAYED ON.

NHTSA ODI #10990622

110,000 miles · May 15, 2017

Electrical SystemEngine

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THIS HAS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES TO ME NOW. I WAS HEADING HOME ON THE HIGHWAY WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SET ON ABOUT 67 MPH AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND THE CAR STARTS COASTING. "ENGINE POWER REDUCED" CAME ACROSS THE COMPUTER DISPLAY. LIKE I SAID, THIS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE. I COULD PULL OVER TO A STOP, SHUT OFF THE CAR AND IT WOULD RESET, AND THE CAR WOULD BE FINE FOR ME TO MAKE IT HOME. BUT THIS LAST TIME, THE CAR WOULD NOT RESTART AT ALL. I GOT THE CAR TOWED HOME, CHECKED THE BATTERY, THE CABLES, AND EVEN REPLACED THE STARTER , AND IT STILL DOES THE SAME THING.... STARTER WILL NOT ENGAGE TO TURN THE MOTOR OVER TO START.

NHTSA ODI #10985842

150,000 miles · May 13, 2017

Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

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THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED SHAKING ON ITS OWN AND I WOULD MOVE THE WHEEL AND IT WOULD STOP. IT HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR ABOUT A MONTH AND WOULD HAVE LIKE A TICKING NOISE. THIS WEEK I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND THE WHEEL SHOOK AGAIN AND THEN IT LOCKED AND I WAS UNABLE TO MOVE IT. I WAS DRIVING! I GOT TO A RED LIGHT AND IT WOULD NOT MOVE. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND TURNED IT BACK ON AND THE WHEEL WOULD MOVE AGAIN. A LIGHT CAME ON AND SAID POWER STEERING EPS NEEDS ATTENTION. IT KEPT HAPPENING AGAIN AND AGAIN AND IT WAS SCARY BECAUSE THERE WAS TRAFFIC. I HAD TO DRIVE IT LIKE THAT BACK HOME BECAUSE IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE ESPECIALLY TRYING TO TURN THE WHEEL IN CORNERS. THAT CAN CAUSE A CRASH. ALSO, I'VE ALWAYS HAD ISSUES WITH THE SENSORS ON THE CAR. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE FUSES OFTEN, DIFFERENT SENSOR LIGHTS COME ON IT KEEPS SAYING (ABS) AND THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE TO BE REPLACED OFTEN BECAUSE OF AN ELECTRIC SHORT.

NHTSA ODI #10985499

84,325 miles · Apr 20, 2017

Electrical SystemExterior LightingService Brakes

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE ESC AND TRACTION CONTROL SENSORS ILLUMINATED AND THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO OPERATE. IN ADDITION, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING AND TURNED OFF WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR WAS FAULTY. THE CONNECTOR WAS REPLACED AND THE FAILURE WAS REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAULTY CONNECTOR WAS A DIFFERENT CONNECTOR ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,325.

NHTSA ODI #10979648

30,000 miles · Mar 31, 2017

Electrical SystemPower TrainService Brakes

2010 CHEVY MALIBU. BRAKE SYSTEM ISSUES.

NHTSA ODI #10969710

Mileage unknown · Mar 14, 2017

Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

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WE OWN A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU LTZ, WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER TO PERFORM A RECALL FOR THE BRAKE LIGHTS COMING ON BY THEIR SELF AND STAYING ON TILL YOU TOUCH THE BRAKE, THEN THEY WILL GO OFF FOR 6 SECONDS THEN COME ON AGAIN. WE TOOK BACK TO THE DEALER TO LOOK AT IT AGAIN AND THEY SAID IT WAS BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH THIS TIME. I HAVE READ THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE CHANGED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH AND STILL HAD THE PROBLEM. I ALSO READ THAT THE BCM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM AFTER THE RECALL WAS DONE. THE DEALER PUT SOME DIELECTRIC SILICONE GREASE ON THE CONNECTOR AS A BAND-AID ON THE REAL PROBLEM. I ASSUME IF THE BCM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED THAT WOULD COST GM TO MUCH MONEY. I KNOW THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM AND BELIEVE IT HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE 2004 ON MANY DIFFERENT MODELS. PLEASE HELP US.

NHTSA ODI #10965974

Mileage unknown · Feb 22, 2017

Electrical SystemExterior LightingService Brakes

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V250000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10956236

109,000 miles · Feb 4, 2017

Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

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BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING AND TURNS OFF WHEN BRAKE PEDAL IS ENGAGED. IT IS ALSO ILLUMINATED WHILE THE CAR IS RUNNING AND WHILE IDLING IN PARK. THIS HAPPENS ON A DAILY BASIS. THERE HAS BEEN NO RESOLUTION TO THIS ISSUE DESPITE BEING ASSESSED BY A TECHNICIAN ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE ESC AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS ON CLUSTER CONSTANTLY STAYS ILLUMINATED AS WELL AS THE TIRE SENSOR INDICATOR. THE CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONS TOO. NO ONE EVER KNOWS HOW TO REPAIR THESE ISSUES. I DO NOT HAVE THE FUNDS TO PUT INTO THIS VEHICLE ANY LONGER. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE EVERY TIME I GET IN IT. IT IS A DANGER TO ALL ON THE ROADWAYS WHEN A VEHICLE'S BRAKE SYSTEM FAILS IN ANY WAY. I HAVE NO OTHER CHOICE AS THIS IS THE ONLY VEHICLE MY FAMILY OWNS AT THIS TIME. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ, GM HAS MULTIPLE VEHICLES IN OPERATION WITH THE SAME ISSUES. WHAT MAKES IT SO BAD, THE PROBLEMS DATE BACK AS FAR AS 2004. HOW DO YOU KEEP PRODUCING CARS WITH THE SAME ISSUES YEAR AFTER YEAR? ARE THERE NO REPERCUSSIONS? PLEASE HELP.

NHTSA ODI #10949568

54,200 miles · Jan 19, 2017

Electrical System

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DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK AND WILL NOT OPEN SOMETIMES AND WILL NOT CLOSE SOMETIMES WHEN OPENED. WHEN IT WONT OPEN IT FEELS LIKE THE HANDLES ARE NOT GRABBING ANYTHING. THE DOOR JAMS ARE CLEAR OF ANY DEBRIS. WHEN IT WONT SHUT IT WILL SOUND LIKE IT DID BUT WILL BOUNCE OPEN. THE DOOR OPENED ON ME WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE. THE LOCK KNOBS MOVE UP AND DOWN WHEN YOU UNLOCK THEM BUT THE DOOR STILL WILL NOT OPEN SOMETIMES. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR 3 DAYS. IT WILL NOT OPEN WHEN THE CAR IS STATIONARY AND THE DOOR CAME OPEN ON ME WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET. I DID NOT HIT ANY HOLES OR BUMPS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10946340

Official recalls

19V019000 · 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)