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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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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 reports
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102,000 miles · Aug 31, 2018
Air BagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)Vehicle Speed Control

SERVICE ESC, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, SERVICE AIR BAGS, BRAKE LIGHTS ON WHEN PEDAL NOT PRESSED AND NOT ON WHEN PEDAL IS PRESSED AND CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T WORK PERIODICALLY. THESE MESSAGE APPEAR OFF AND ON WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE HAD THE SENSOR UNDER THE BRAKE PEDAL REPLACED TWICE NOW. LAST TIME 14 MONTHS AGO SO NO LONGER UNDER…

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SERVICE ESC, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, SERVICE AIR BAGS, BRAKE LIGHTS ON WHEN PEDAL NOT PRESSED AND NOT ON WHEN PEDAL IS PRESSED AND CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T WORK PERIODICALLY. THESE MESSAGE APPEAR OFF AND ON WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE HAD THE SENSOR UNDER THE BRAKE PEDAL REPLACED TWICE NOW. LAST TIME 14 MONTHS AGO SO NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND NEEDS REPLACED AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #11123777

234,567 miles · Aug 15, 2018
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

WHILE DRIVING MY CAR ON THE HIGHWAY OUT OF NOWHERE POWER ENGINE REDUCED WOULD COME UP ON THE DASH AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND TRANSMISSION AND TRACTION WARNING LIGHTS WOULD SHOW ON DASH AS WELL ALSO POWER STEERING SHOW ON DASH AND THE CAR JERK A LITTLE AND THE SPEEDOMETER AND FUEL HAND WOULDN'T MOVE

NHTSA ODI #11120007

Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 2018
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

SERVICE ESC, SERVICE TRACTION, PICTURE OF CAR SKIDDING, TIRES NEED AIR AND PICTURE OF TIRE THAT LOOKS FLAT KEEPS COMING UP ON MY PANEL. THIS NEVER HAPPENED PRIOR TO HAVING NEW TIRES AND BRAKES PUT ON MY CAR AT HENDRIX CHEVROLET IN DURHAM, NC. I ONLY HAVE 40+ THOUSAND MILES ON MY CAR. AT 20,000 MY RIGHT FRONT ROTAR AND BRAKE…

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SERVICE ESC, SERVICE TRACTION, PICTURE OF CAR SKIDDING, TIRES NEED AIR AND PICTURE OF TIRE THAT LOOKS FLAT KEEPS COMING UP ON MY PANEL. THIS NEVER HAPPENED PRIOR TO HAVING NEW TIRES AND BRAKES PUT ON MY CAR AT HENDRIX CHEVROLET IN DURHAM, NC. I ONLY HAVE 40+ THOUSAND MILES ON MY CAR. AT 20,000 MY RIGHT FRONT ROTAR AND BRAKES HAD TO BE REPLACE BECAUSE IT WAS ROARING AND I LITERALLY HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO MY HOME. I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW WHEN MY SON WORKED AT HENDRIX (THOUGHT IT WAS A GOOD IDEA). HE WASN'T WORKING THERE WHEN THIS HAPPENED BUT HE FIXED IT AND THEN HENDRIX SAID THEY COULD NOT REIMBURSE ME BECAUSE HE WASN'T A CURRENT EMPLOYEE. I LOVE MY CAR BUT HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH IT! PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT TO DO TO GET THE FIRST ISSUES I MENTIONED CORRECTED! I'M GETTING DIFFERENT ANSWERS FROM EVERYONE I TALK TOO. I SEE MANY PEOPLE ON THE INTERNET ARE COMPLAINING OF THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR MALIBU AS WELL!

NHTSA ODI #11112162

66,621 miles · Jul 16, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON AND THE MESSAGE "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL" DISPLAYS INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. THIS PROBLEM IS PART OF A RECALL IN 2014 THAT ALSO STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS MAY OR MAY NOT WORK. I GOT A FOLLOW NOTICE THAT STATED THAT EVEN THOUGH THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM THE "BRAKE " LI…

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WHILE DRIVING THE CAR THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON AND THE MESSAGE "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL" DISPLAYS INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. THIS PROBLEM IS PART OF A RECALL IN 2014 THAT ALSO STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS MAY OR MAY NOT WORK. I GOT A FOLLOW NOTICE THAT STATED THAT EVEN THOUGH THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM THE "BRAKE " LIGHT ISSUE COULD COME BACK AND THEY WOULD FIX IT FOR UP TO 10 YEARS. CHEVY STATES THAT THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT IS A DIFFERENT ISSUE AND HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #11111653

Mileage unknown · Jun 26, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Seat BeltsService Brakes

"TAKATA RECALL" MY SEAT-BELT LIGHT STAYS ON WHEN I HAVE MY SEAT-BELT ON, MY ESC LIGHT KEEPS BLINKING AS WELL AS MY TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT. MY BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON WHILE I AM DRIVING AND GO OFF WHEN I BRAKE.

NHTSA ODI #11103976

10,700 miles · Jun 9, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Unknown Or Other

OUT OF NO WHERE MY CAR STARTED SHAKING I WAS IN THE HEAT WITH MY DAUGHTER IT SAID SERVICE ESC/SERVICE TRAC. I HAVE HAD MANY PEOPLE LOOK AT IT, I'VE HAD THEM TEST EVERYTHING BUT NOTHING SEEMS TO HELP IT DIDN'T DO IT FOR AWHILE THEN I LEFT MY CAR ON WITH THE A/C WHILE PICKING UP MY DAUGHTER WE WERE SITTING IN THE HEAT OUTSIDE HER …

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OUT OF NO WHERE MY CAR STARTED SHAKING I WAS IN THE HEAT WITH MY DAUGHTER IT SAID SERVICE ESC/SERVICE TRAC. I HAVE HAD MANY PEOPLE LOOK AT IT, I'VE HAD THEM TEST EVERYTHING BUT NOTHING SEEMS TO HELP IT DIDN'T DO IT FOR AWHILE THEN I LEFT MY CAR ON WITH THE A/C WHILE PICKING UP MY DAUGHTER WE WERE SITTING IN THE HEAT OUTSIDE HER SCHOOL SHE ONLY 2 AND COMPLAIN HOW HOT IT IS WHILE I'M TRYING SEE IF I CAN FIX IT. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES OUT OF NO WHERE IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC.

NHTSA ODI #11100707

715,000 miles · May 22, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Unknown Or Other

SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, SERVICE ESC, LIGHTS COME ON AS DRIVING. LIGHTED UP ON INFORMATION PANE. SECOND TIME THIS IS HAPPENED. TOOK TO DEALER LAST TIME THEY DID SOME RESET AND CHARGED $75.

NHTSA ODI #11097300

79,368 miles · May 15, 2018
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

I PURCHASED THIS CAR IN SEPTEMBER 2016 AND NOT MORE THAN TWO DAYS OF OWNING IT MY ESC LIGHTS DISABLED AND MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE STUCK ON, I BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED THE BREAK PEDAL SENSOR, AND THE LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN, I BROUGHT IT IN AGAIN AND THEY ONCE AGAIN REPLACED THE SENSOR, THIS PROBLEM HAS YET TO B…

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I PURCHASED THIS CAR IN SEPTEMBER 2016 AND NOT MORE THAN TWO DAYS OF OWNING IT MY ESC LIGHTS DISABLED AND MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE STUCK ON, I BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED THE BREAK PEDAL SENSOR, AND THE LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN, I BROUGHT IT IN AGAIN AND THEY ONCE AGAIN REPLACED THE SENSOR, THIS PROBLEM HAS YET TO BE FIXED ALMOST TWO YEARS LATER, THE ESC CONSTANTLY DISABLES AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON AND STAY STUCK I AM LUCKY I HAVE NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. THE DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT IT FROM HAVE FAILED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. NOW THEY ARE TELLING ME I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR A PROBLEM THAT THEY NEVER ACTUALLY FIXED. I WILL BE DRIVING AND MY CHECK TRACTION LIGHT WILL COME ON AND MY ESC LIGHT WILL SAY OFF. YOU CAN SEE BY THE ATTACHED DOCUMENT I ORIGINALLY REPORTED THIS PROBLEM ON 9/26/2016, I PURCHASED THE CAR SEPTEMBER 24, 2016... TWO DAYS LATER AND THIS ISSUE STARTED OCCURRING AND NOW TWO YEARS LATER AND IT IS STILL NOT FIXED.

NHTSA ODI #11093873

Mileage unknown · May 8, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior LightingService Brakes

SERVICE ESC AND SERVICE TRACTION LIGHTS ON. BRAKE LIGHTS ON WHEN NOT PUSHING BRAKE, THEN OFF WHEN PUSHING BRAKE. WHILE DRIVING AND WHILE STATIONARY

NHTSA ODI #11092387

20 miles · Apr 30, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesVehicle Speed Control

MY TAIL LIGHTS COME ON WITHOUT PRESSING THE PEDAL AND THEY DO NOT COME ON, WHEN THE PEDAL IS PRESSED. VERY, VERY CLOSE TO BEING REAR ENDED. ALL ROADS AND AT ALL SPEEDS. CRUISE CONTROL IS ALSO AFFECTED. ESC LIGHT HAS COME ON. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. NHTSA SAYS THERE IS A RECALL, CHEVROLET SAYS THERE IS NOT.

NHTSA ODI #11091033

Official recalls

3

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)

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.