IllustrationWAS TURNING ONTO THE INTERSTATE AND THE RPM WAS AT 5 BUT I WAS ONLY GOING 20 MPH.
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
Electrical System complaints
294 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOOSE AND THE RADIO TURNED OFF AND ON INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
VEHICLE HAS SERVICE AIRBAG ON REPEATEDLY, SEAT BELT ALARM GOES OFF EVEN WHEN SEAT BELT IS PROPERLY FASTENED. WHILE DRIVING CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND SERVICE ESC, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, ENGINE POWER REDUCED. CAR SUDDENLY DROPPED DOWN TO 27 MPH IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. I WAS ABLE TO AVOID A SERIOUS ACCIDENT BY SUDDENLY TURNI…
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VEHICLE HAS SERVICE AIRBAG ON REPEATEDLY, SEAT BELT ALARM GOES OFF EVEN WHEN SEAT BELT IS PROPERLY FASTENED. WHILE DRIVING CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND SERVICE ESC, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, ENGINE POWER REDUCED. CAR SUDDENLY DROPPED DOWN TO 27 MPH IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. I WAS ABLE TO AVOID A SERIOUS ACCIDENT BY SUDDENLY TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND CAN BE FATAL IF OCCURS ON FREEWAY. NO ONE CAN PROVIDE ANY REASON AS TO WHY THIS KEEPS HAPPENING. I HAVE NO WARRANTY ON VEHICLE AND PURCHASED FROM A DEALER 3 YEARS AGO. I HAVE CALLED THE DEALER AND HAVE HAD CAR LOOKED AT BUT THE ONLY SUGGESTION IS TO BLINDLY REPLACE DIFFERENT SENSORS AND PARTS. WE NEED A RECALL DONE SO NO LIVES ARE LOST DUE TO THIS SEVERE CAR MALFUNCTION.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE BRAKE LIGHTS TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT "SERVICE ESC" AND "TRACTION CONTROL IS OFF " APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. ALSO, THE STEERING AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL FELT HEA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE BRAKE LIGHTS TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT "SERVICE ESC" AND "TRACTION CONTROL IS OFF " APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. ALSO, THE STEERING AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL FELT HEAVY AND THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN. THE ISSUE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) AND WAS REPAIRED IN 2014. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AGAIN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000.
DASHBOARD CLUSTER IS OUT AND GOES IN AND OUT AS WELL AS THE DIGITAL GEAR CHANGE. IT STARTED GIVING ME TRANSMITION ISSUES AND NOW ANYTHING DIGITAL IS COMPLETELY OUT.
BRAKE LAMP MALFUNCTION. BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON UNTIL BRAKE PEDAL PUSHED AT WHICH TIME, BRAKE LIGHTS EXTINGUISH. TRACTION CONTROL AND CRUISE CONTROL ALSO FAIL. SAME VEHICLE WITH SAME ISSUE WAS PREVIOUSLY SUBJECT TO SAFETY RECALL 13036. RECALL WAS COMPLETED AND ISSUE CONTINUED. BRAKE APPLY SENSOR WAS REPLACED, PRIOR TO RECALL A…
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BRAKE LAMP MALFUNCTION. BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON UNTIL BRAKE PEDAL PUSHED AT WHICH TIME, BRAKE LIGHTS EXTINGUISH. TRACTION CONTROL AND CRUISE CONTROL ALSO FAIL. SAME VEHICLE WITH SAME ISSUE WAS PREVIOUSLY SUBJECT TO SAFETY RECALL 13036. RECALL WAS COMPLETED AND ISSUE CONTINUED. BRAKE APPLY SENSOR WAS REPLACED, PRIOR TO RECALL AND ISSUE REMAINED. RECALL WORK WAS COMPLETED ON 11/15/14. ISSUES INTERMITTENTLY OCCUR AND IN JUNE 2016 VEHICLE TAKEN TO GM DEALER WHERE BRAKE APPLY SENSOR WAS REPLACED. ISSUE STILL REMAINS AS BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON UNTIL PEDAL PUSHED, TRACTION CONTROL AND CRUISE CONTROL FAILURE. A PREVIOUS COMPLAINT WAS FILED WITH NHTSA REGARDING THIS VEHICLE AND ABOVE ISSUES PRIOR TO RECALL. ISSUES OCCUR WHEN VEHICLE IS STATIONARY, AND IN MOTION ON CITY STREETS AND INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS. MORE DOCUMENTS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
VEHICLE WAS MOVING AT ABOUT 35 MPH WHEN THE DRIVERS INFORMATION CENTER INDICATED A ELECTRONIC STABILITY SERVICE, TRACTION CONTROL SERVICE AND ESC OFF MESSAGES. THIS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES OVER A TWO DAY PERIOD. CAR WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND THEY SAID THAT THE COMPUTER HAD STORED A P0300 CODE WHICH IS ENGINE MISFIR…
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VEHICLE WAS MOVING AT ABOUT 35 MPH WHEN THE DRIVERS INFORMATION CENTER INDICATED A ELECTRONIC STABILITY SERVICE, TRACTION CONTROL SERVICE AND ESC OFF MESSAGES. THIS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES OVER A TWO DAY PERIOD. CAR WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND THEY SAID THAT THE COMPUTER HAD STORED A P0300 CODE WHICH IS ENGINE MISFIRE. THE ENGINE RUNS FINE HOWEVER THERE IS A SLIGHT VIBRATION AT IDLE WHILE IN PARK OR NEUTRAL. GM ALSO SENT OUT A LETTER TO ME STATING THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE THROTTLE POSISTION SENSOR THAT MAY CAUSE THIS TO HAPPEN. THE DEALER DID NOT ATTEMPT TO DIAGNOS THE PROBLEM WITH THE SENSOR AND STATED THAT THE ENGINE HAD A BAD #2 CYCLINDER WITH COMPRESSION AT 100LBS. THE P0300 CODE CAN BE CAUSED BY THE VARIOUS ELECTRONIC MESSAGES THAT HAVE APPEARED AND THE ENGINE IS NOT THE PROBLEM. THEY WANTED TO TEAR IT DOWN AT A COST OF $2300 TO FIX A PROBLEM THAT DOES NOT EXIST. THIS CAR ONLY HAS 39000 MILES ON IT. THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THIS SAME ISSSUE WITH NHTSA AND GM HAS NOT DEALT WITH THE PROBLEM. ANOTHER ISSUE RELATING TO THIS IS THE FACT THAT THE ENGINE REDUCED POWER MESSAGE COMES ON IN SOME VEHILCLE AND THE CAR SLOWS DOWN AND IS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE ON THE HIGWAYS. SO FAR MY CAR HAS NOT DONE THAT. I BELIEVE THERE SHOULD BE SOME PRESSURE EXERTED ON GM TO CORRECT THESE MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THEIR VEHICLE SINCE THE GOVERNMENT BAILED THEM OUT ALONG WITH OUR TAXPAYER FUNDS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRACTION CONTROL AND THE SERVICE ESC WARNING INDICATORS HAD ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION, THE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE, AND THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLAC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRACTION CONTROL AND THE SERVICE ESC WARNING INDICATORS HAD ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION, THE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE, AND THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14E044000 (STEERING ) HOWEVER THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,958.
HAD TO GET A REPAIR ON THE EXHAUST VVT SOLENOID FOR THE EXHAUST SIDE OF THE ENGINE. CODES: P0013 & P0014.
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.