IllustrationTHIRD BRAKE LIGHT SOMETIMES WORKS OFTEN DOES NOT WORK
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 reportsIT IS THE POWER STEERING AND IT SHUTS OFF NO WARNING, LOCKS STEERING WHEEL UP I'M NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO TURN IT WHEN IT DOES. THE ESC LIGHT COMES ON AND TRACTION CONTROL GOES OFF. IT IS TRIGGERED AT TIMES BY COLD WEATHER BUT CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
WHILE TRAVELING AT 60 MPH, LOST POWER FOR A SPLIT SECOND THEN REGAINED. ABOUT 5 MILES TOWARD DESTINATION, AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT I WAS ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN & WHEN I ACCELERATED, THE CAR COMPLETELY DIED WITH LINE OF TRAFFIC BEHIND ME. SHOULD THIS CAR HAVE DIED IN THE MIDST OF HEAVY RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC WE COULD HAVE CAUSED A …
Read full complaint
WHILE TRAVELING AT 60 MPH, LOST POWER FOR A SPLIT SECOND THEN REGAINED. ABOUT 5 MILES TOWARD DESTINATION, AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT I WAS ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN & WHEN I ACCELERATED, THE CAR COMPLETELY DIED WITH LINE OF TRAFFIC BEHIND ME. SHOULD THIS CAR HAVE DIED IN THE MIDST OF HEAVY RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC WE COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WITH A CHAIN REACTION OF VEHICLES PILING UP BEHIND ME & POSSIBLE INJURIES. . WE WERE SLOWLY CREEPING AROUND THE CORNER TRYING TO CATCH A CLEAR PATH TO PROCEED WHEN THE CAR WENT DEAD. THERE HAVE PREVIOUSLY BEEN PROBLEMS WHEN AFTER DRIVING FOR 30 MINUTES THEN RETURNING TO THE CAR IT WOULD NOT START, CRANKED BUT NOT START WITH NO WARNING LIGHTS PRESENT.. BUT AFTER REPEATED RESTART ATTEMPTS IT WOULD START MAYBE AN HOUR LATER. BUT THIS TIME IT DIED IN TRAFFIC 3 DAYS AGO AND WE HAD TO BE TOWED HOME, IT STILL WILL NOT START. I'VE READ ONLINE ABOUT MANY OTHER MALIBU OWNERS HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH CONCERNS OF ACCIDENTS. NO ENGINE OR DASH LIGHTS CAME ON AND A DEALER COULD NOT GET IT TO CODE. THE UNSAFE PROBLEM IS THE CAR DYING IN THE TRAFFIC WITH NO WARNING IN FRONT OF A LONG LINE OF TRAFFIC.
I COULD SMELL A FAINT ELECTRICAL SMOKE SMELL WHILE THE CAR WAS RUNNING, THEN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL QUIT WORKING COMPLETELY. I THEN ALSO NOTICED THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT ALSO QUIT HEATING.
I HAD JUST LEFT THE GAS STATION AFTER FILLING UP WITH GAS I CAME TO A STOPLIGHT AND WHEN I WENT TO TAKE OFF FROM A STOP THE CAR STARTED SPUTTERING AND ONLY GOING AT VERY LOW POWER I TURNED THE CAR AROUND AND NOTICED THERE WAS A TICK IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND IT MOVED BACK AND FORTH THE STEERING BECAME HARD TO TURN AS I LOST MY P…
Read full complaint
I HAD JUST LEFT THE GAS STATION AFTER FILLING UP WITH GAS I CAME TO A STOPLIGHT AND WHEN I WENT TO TAKE OFF FROM A STOP THE CAR STARTED SPUTTERING AND ONLY GOING AT VERY LOW POWER I TURNED THE CAR AROUND AND NOTICED THERE WAS A TICK IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND IT MOVED BACK AND FORTH THE STEERING BECAME HARD TO TURN AS I LOST MY POWER STEERING THEN THE CAR SHUT OFF WHEN I STARTED THE CAR AGAIN IT WAS STILL RUNNING AT HALF POWER I MANAGED TO MAKE IT BACK TO THE HOUSE AND UPON RESTARTING THE CAR IT WAS STUCK IN LIMP MODE AND WAS DISPLAYING POWER STEERING AND ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL LOTS ON THE DASH AFTER RESETTING THE CODES IT RUNS PROPERLY BUT THEN KICKS BACK INTO LIMP MODE AND LOSES STEERING ABILITY OF THE ELECTRONIC ASSIST.
THE HEADLIGHTS KEEP BREAKING. THE RIGHT SIDE MORE OFTEN. I SEE THESE MALIBU'S ON THE ROAD ALL THE TIME WITH A HEADLIGHT OUT. IT'S EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE AND SHOULDN'T HAPPEN AS OFTEN AS IT DOES.
THE POWER STEERING SENSOR STOP'S STEERING DURING DRIVING AND TRACTION LOSS. THIS CAR IS VERY DANGEROUS AND COSTLY TO REPAIR. I PRAY NOBODY DIES FROM THIS. I SEE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS FROM OTHER OWNERS.*DT
THE BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATE WITHOUT THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING PUSHED. THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAIL TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS PUSHED. THIS HAS BEEN AN ON GOING PROBLEM AND WE ONLY REALIZE IT STILL EXISTS WHEN ONE OF OUR FAMILY IS FOLLOWING THE 2010 MALIBU IN ANOTHER CAR. WE HAD BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN TO A CHEVROLET SERVICE CEN…
Read full complaint
THE BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATE WITHOUT THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING PUSHED. THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAIL TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS PUSHED. THIS HAS BEEN AN ON GOING PROBLEM AND WE ONLY REALIZE IT STILL EXISTS WHEN ONE OF OUR FAMILY IS FOLLOWING THE 2010 MALIBU IN ANOTHER CAR. WE HAD BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN TO A CHEVROLET SERVICE CENTER IN THE PAST AND WERE CHARGED FOR A "REPAIR". WHEN WE AGAIN NOTICED THE PROBLEM WE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE INTO A FIRESTONE SERVICE CENTER AND THEY CHARGED US FOR A "REPAIR". WE JUST NOTICED THE PROBLEM AGAIN AND NOW ARE AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. A SEARCH OF THE VIN SHOWS NO UNREPAIRED RECALLS SO WE ARE NOT SURE IF THE ORIGINAL OWNER HAD ALREADY BROUGHT IT IN (WE ARE THE SECOND OWNER) OR IF THIS PARTICULAR VIN WAS NOT THOUGHT TO BE AFFECTED. REGARDLESS, IT SOUNDS LIKE A KNOWN PROBLEM AND WE ARE HOPING NOT TO HAVE TO PAY A THIRD TIME AND THEN STILL HAVE AN ISSUE. PLEASE LET US KNOW OUR OPTIONS. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE.
I WAS DRIVING DOWN A CITY STREET WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I LOST THE ABILITY TO STEER MY ESCL CAME ON. MY WHEELS LOCKED UP.I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR IN AUGUST AND HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH IT AND I'M NOW CONCERNED AS WELL ABOUT AIRBAG SAFETY I'M SCARED ABOUT HOW RISKY AND DANGEROUS THIS CAR REALLY IS MALIBU IS MOST RECALLED…
Read full complaint
I WAS DRIVING DOWN A CITY STREET WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I LOST THE ABILITY TO STEER MY ESCL CAME ON. MY WHEELS LOCKED UP.I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR IN AUGUST AND HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH IT AND I'M NOW CONCERNED AS WELL ABOUT AIRBAG SAFETY I'M SCARED ABOUT HOW RISKY AND DANGEROUS THIS CAR REALLY IS MALIBU IS MOST RECALLED VEHICLES HAD I KNOWN AHEAD I WOULD NEVER HAVE PURCHASED THIS DEADLY WEAPON. I'M 22 A SINGLE MOM WHO IS RESPONSIBLE AND NOW HAVE A VEHICLE ISSUE AND A POTENTIAL DEADLY ONE AT THAT . PLEASE DO SOMETHING IT'S NOT AN ERROR ON MY END I KNOW THAT FOR FACT. AND OF COURSE THERE'S NO DRIVING IT AT ALL. SO PLEASE TAKE TIME TO TAKE THIS MATTER SERIOUS GOD BLESS
I BOUGHT MY CAR USED FROM A BUY HERE PAY HERE AND MAYBE A MONTH OR SO AFTER BUYING MY CAR I STARTED NOTICING DIFFERENT LITTLE QUIRKS HERE AND THERE WITH MY CAR, LIKE IF IT'S WET OUTSIDE MY BRAKE LIGHTS EITHER DO NOT WORK OR IT LOOKS LIKE I AM RIDING MY BREAKS, IF IT'S WET OUT MY CAR HESITANTS WHILE DRIVING, MY CHECK AIR BAGS LIG…
Read full complaint
I BOUGHT MY CAR USED FROM A BUY HERE PAY HERE AND MAYBE A MONTH OR SO AFTER BUYING MY CAR I STARTED NOTICING DIFFERENT LITTLE QUIRKS HERE AND THERE WITH MY CAR, LIKE IF IT'S WET OUTSIDE MY BRAKE LIGHTS EITHER DO NOT WORK OR IT LOOKS LIKE I AM RIDING MY BREAKS, IF IT'S WET OUT MY CAR HESITANTS WHILE DRIVING, MY CHECK AIR BAGS LIGHT IS ON, THE TRACTION CONTROL SIGNAL IS ON, MY STEERING ARM MAKES A VERY WEIRD NOISE SOMETIMES THE LIST GOES ON AND WHEN I DECIDED TO CHECK AND SEE IF MY CAR HAD ANY RECALLS ON IT, TO MY DISCOVERY THERE IS AT LEAST 4 ONE JUST FROM 2019 AND ALL SOUNDS SO VERY MUCH LIKE WHAT MY CAR HAS BEEN DOING FOR MONTHS. I AM HOPING TO RECEIVE SOME INFORMATION BACK ON WHAT TO DO NEXT.
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.