IllustrationENGINE POWER REDUCED WHILE I WAS DRIVING INTO MY DAUGHTERS SCHOOL.
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
Electronic Stability Control (esc) complaints
227 reportsBRAKE LIGHTS COME ON WHILE DRIVING AND GO OFF WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. SERVICE ESC LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ON AS WELL. UNSURE IF RELATED.
IN 2014 THERE WAS A RECALL INVOLVING THE ESC SYSTEM. MY VEHICLE WOULD HAVE ISSUES SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE, BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT WORK WHEN THE PEDDLE WAS PUSHED AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD BE ON WHEN YOU WOULD TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE BRAKE. MY VEHICLE WAS "FIXED" AND WAS WORKING PROPERLY FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. MY CAR NOW, O…
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IN 2014 THERE WAS A RECALL INVOLVING THE ESC SYSTEM. MY VEHICLE WOULD HAVE ISSUES SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE, BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT WORK WHEN THE PEDDLE WAS PUSHED AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD BE ON WHEN YOU WOULD TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE BRAKE. MY VEHICLE WAS "FIXED" AND WAS WORKING PROPERLY FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. MY CAR NOW, ONCE AGAIN, HAS THE SERVICE ESC AND TRACTION CONTROL OFF WARNINGS COMING ON IN MY VEHICLE AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS PUSHED DOWN THE BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT WORK. WHEN THE PEDAL IS RELEASED MY BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON. CURRENTLY THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS. THIS WOULD HAPPEN WHEN I WAS SIMPLY BRAKING FOR A LIGHT. MY BRAKES WORK JUST NOT THE LIGHTS TO WARN OTHER DRIVERS THAT I AM APPLYING MY BRAKES.
MY ESC LIGHT IS GIVING ME A FAILURE WARNING
THE VECHILE LOST SPEED AS I WAS DRIVING INTO A PARKING SPACE. I THEN PUT IT IN PARK. AT THAT POINT THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS BLINKING. THE CAR WAS SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY AS IF IT WOULD ALL JUST FALL APART IN PIECES. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS HARD TO TURN AND ALSO RAPIDLY SHAKING. THE SERVICE ESC, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, AND A LIGHT WI…
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THE VECHILE LOST SPEED AS I WAS DRIVING INTO A PARKING SPACE. I THEN PUT IT IN PARK. AT THAT POINT THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS BLINKING. THE CAR WAS SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY AS IF IT WOULD ALL JUST FALL APART IN PIECES. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS HARD TO TURN AND ALSO RAPIDLY SHAKING. THE SERVICE ESC, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, AND A LIGHT WITH A CAR ON A CURVED ROAD WAS ALSO ON. THIS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO HIT A PARKED CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON AND ALL THE LIGHTS WERE OFF. I BELIEVE IT TO BE THE STREERING COLOUMN OR AN ELECTRIAL ISSUE. I READ ON SOME RECALLS AND I THINK IT IS SIMILAR TO THE RECALL #14E044000. HOWEVER, WHEN I SEARCH MY VIN IT IS NOT LISTED UNDER IT. YET IT IS THE SAME ISSUE.
WHILE IN MOTION, MY 2010 CHEVY MALIBU LTZ HAS BEEN INTERMITTENTLY GIVING ME A "SERVICE TRACTION" "ESC OFF" NOTICE AND THE CRUISE CONTROL IS ALSO WORKING INTERMITTENTLY.
ESC,TRACTION,ABS LIGHTS COME ON WHILE CAR IS MOVING, AND WHEN FIRST STARTING, A TROUBLE CODE C0131 HAS BEEN RECORDED. THE PROBLEM STARTED IN JUNE OF 2010. A WEEK AFTER WE GOT THE CAR, THE DEALER CHANGED BRAKE LITE SWITCH, THE CAR HAS BEEN BACK TO SHOP 15-20 TIMES IT IS NOW 8-9-2017 NO ONE CAN FIX PROBLEM, MADE CALLS TO GM COSTOM…
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ESC,TRACTION,ABS LIGHTS COME ON WHILE CAR IS MOVING, AND WHEN FIRST STARTING, A TROUBLE CODE C0131 HAS BEEN RECORDED. THE PROBLEM STARTED IN JUNE OF 2010. A WEEK AFTER WE GOT THE CAR, THE DEALER CHANGED BRAKE LITE SWITCH, THE CAR HAS BEEN BACK TO SHOP 15-20 TIMES IT IS NOW 8-9-2017 NO ONE CAN FIX PROBLEM, MADE CALLS TO GM COSTOMER SERVICE MANY TIMES OVER THE 7 YEARS, STILL NO FIX, GM WANTS US TO PAY FOR REPAIR AND DIAGNOSTIC AS TOO THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY ,WE FEEL GM SHOULD REPAIR THE CAR FREE OF CHARGE AS TO THIS IS DANGEROUS AND HAS NEVER BEEN FIXED ,
THE ESC AND TRACTION WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. ESC NOT WORKING SO I WAS VERY VERY CAUTIOUS DRIVING. I TOOK TO DEALER. $1200 + TO REPLACE 2 COMPUTER MODULES FOR BRAKES, STEERING, TRACTION. THIS BRINGS NUMBER OF MODULES NEEDING REPLACEMENT TO 4 ON THIS VEHICLE. EIGHT DAYS LATER, ALL THE SAME LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN PLUS BRAKE FLUI…
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THE ESC AND TRACTION WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. ESC NOT WORKING SO I WAS VERY VERY CAUTIOUS DRIVING. I TOOK TO DEALER. $1200 + TO REPLACE 2 COMPUTER MODULES FOR BRAKES, STEERING, TRACTION. THIS BRINGS NUMBER OF MODULES NEEDING REPLACEMENT TO 4 ON THIS VEHICLE. EIGHT DAYS LATER, ALL THE SAME LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN PLUS BRAKE FLUID LIGHT. CALLED DEALER AND TOLD TO BRING CAR IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC. I ASKED ABOUT SAFETY AND WAS TOLD TO CHECK BRAKE FLUID. I SAID I DON'T KNOW HOW. SO, I WENT TO CAR AND BRAKE WAS HARDER BUT WORKING. DROVE TO DEALER. WHEN I ARRIVED, THERE IS NO BRAKE FLUID LEFT. LUCKY I MADE IT TO THE DEALER. WAS TOLD EITHER PART NOT INSTALLED PROPERLY OR DEFECTIVE PART. THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT COULD HAVE COST MY LIFE OR SOMEONE ELSE'S LIFE. IN RESEARCHING LATER, I SEE A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THESE WARNING LIGHTS AND MODULES. I AM LUCKY THERE WAS NO INCIDENT.
SINCE I DROVE THIS CAR OFF THE LOT IN 2010, ONCE EVERY SIX MONTHS OR SO, THIS CAR WILL SUDDENLY DOWNSHIFT GREATLY REDUCING THE SPEED. IT IS THE EQUIVALENT OF ENGINE BRAKING. IT WAS UNDER AN UNFIXED RECALL WHEN I PURCHASED IT. THE DEALERSHIP, PARKWAY CHEVROLET, MADE MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT IT STILL PERSISTS T…
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SINCE I DROVE THIS CAR OFF THE LOT IN 2010, ONCE EVERY SIX MONTHS OR SO, THIS CAR WILL SUDDENLY DOWNSHIFT GREATLY REDUCING THE SPEED. IT IS THE EQUIVALENT OF ENGINE BRAKING. IT WAS UNDER AN UNFIXED RECALL WHEN I PURCHASED IT. THE DEALERSHIP, PARKWAY CHEVROLET, MADE MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT IT STILL PERSISTS TO THIS DAY. GIVEN THE SUDDEN DECELERATION THAT THIS CAUSES, AND THE ONLY RESOLUTION IS TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IT, I FEEL THIS PROBLEM CAN CAUSE DEATH TO THE OCCUPANTS OF THE CAR. THE MOST COMMON TIME THAT THIS HAPPENS IS WHEN THE DRIVER IS CHANGING LANES AND THEY GO OVER A RAISED LANE MARKER - ONE OF THOSE LITTLE DOTS SEPARATING LANES IN THE SOUTHERN STATES. THE LAST TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS TWO DAYS AGO.
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 M…
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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.
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.