IllustrationCOMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING , WHILE DRIVNG , STEERING WHEEL CONSTANTLY SHAKING BY ITSELF. ALSO REPLACING HEADLIGHTS AN BRAKE LIGHTS EVERY COUPLE MONTHS.
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
Exterior Lighting complaints
194 reportsMY 2010 MALIBU HEADLIGHTS WERE REPLACED FIVE TIMES IN A YEAR. I PAID OVER 1000.00 JUST TO HAVE A 15.00 LIGHT BULB REPLACED. SOMETHING IS HAPPENING BECAUSE IT OCCURS ONLY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE ONLY. THERE SHOULD BE SOME TYPE OF RECALL OR REIMBURSEMENT. AS OF TODAY. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO SPEND 200.00 JUST TO GO OUT AGAIN IN A WEEK. …
Read full complaint
MY 2010 MALIBU HEADLIGHTS WERE REPLACED FIVE TIMES IN A YEAR. I PAID OVER 1000.00 JUST TO HAVE A 15.00 LIGHT BULB REPLACED. SOMETHING IS HAPPENING BECAUSE IT OCCURS ONLY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE ONLY. THERE SHOULD BE SOME TYPE OF RECALL OR REIMBURSEMENT. AS OF TODAY. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO SPEND 200.00 JUST TO GO OUT AGAIN IN A WEEK. I AM DRIVING WITH ONE LIGHT BECAUSE I REFUSE TO FIX IT UNTIL GM DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS INSANE AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO GET DONE IMMEDIATELY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE TAIL LAMP FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. OURISMAN CHEVROLET OF BOWIE (16610 GOVERNORS BRIDGE RD, BOWIE, MD) REPAIRED THE VEHICLE PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000(SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRIC…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE TAIL LAMP FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. OURISMAN CHEVROLET OF BOWIE (16610 GOVERNORS BRIDGE RD, BOWIE, MD) REPAIRED THE VEHICLE PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000(SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,000.
I'VE HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR SINCE I BOUGHT IT. THE DEALER HAS NEVER BEEN ABLE TO FIX IT BECAUSE MY CAR NEVER SHOWED ANY "CODES". MY CAR HAS ACCELERATION PROBLEMS, THE RIGHT HEAD LIGHT SOCKET HARNESS KEEPS BURNING OUT AND I'M ALSO STARTING TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH MY BRAKE LIGHTS. MY BRAKE LIGHTS DON'T GO ON WHEN I PRES…
Read full complaint
I'VE HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR SINCE I BOUGHT IT. THE DEALER HAS NEVER BEEN ABLE TO FIX IT BECAUSE MY CAR NEVER SHOWED ANY "CODES". MY CAR HAS ACCELERATION PROBLEMS, THE RIGHT HEAD LIGHT SOCKET HARNESS KEEPS BURNING OUT AND I'M ALSO STARTING TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH MY BRAKE LIGHTS. MY BRAKE LIGHTS DON'T GO ON WHEN I PRESS ON MY BRAKE AND WHEN I DO THEY SOMETIMES STAY ON AFTER I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE. THE ACCELERATION PROBLEM HAPPENS ON A FULL STOP AND ON THE HIGHWAY. I USUALLY GIVE MY SELF EXTRA SPACE TO ACCELERATE BECAUSE MY CAR FAILS AT TIMES. IN THE HIGHWAY MY CAR SOMETIMES STRUGGLES TO CATCH UP TO SPEED WITH THE OTHER CARS. THIS PROBLEM HAS ALMOST CAUSE AND ACCIDENT SEVERAL TIMES.
BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ALL THE TIME. SERVICE TRACTION LIGHT ON. SERVICE CVS LIGHT ON.
DRIVER TAIL LIGHT GOES IN AND OUT WHEN IT FEELS LIKE IT, AND MY SEAT BELT LGHT COMES ON AND DINGS EVEN THOUGH I HAVE MY SEAT BELT ON. ALSO MY TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON AS WELL EVEN THOUGH THE ROADS ARE DRY
MY CAR BRAKES LIGHTS KEEP GOING OFF AND MY CHEVROLET MALIBU 2010 CAR HESITATES WHEN DRIVING .
SERVICE AIR BAG SOON ALERT INTERMITTENTLY COMES ON AND GOES OFF SOMETIMES WHEN RESTARTING, OTHER TIMES AFTER DRIVING 15 - 20 MINUTES. HAD STAYED ON FOR 1 1/2 HOUR DRIVE BUT WHEN RESTARTING WAS OFF. DRIVING HAS BEEN HIGHWAY MILES. CAN COME ON UPON STARTING AND WHILE DRIVING. DASH BOARD LIGHTING GOES OFF WHILE DRIVING, HIGHWAY MI…
Read full complaint
SERVICE AIR BAG SOON ALERT INTERMITTENTLY COMES ON AND GOES OFF SOMETIMES WHEN RESTARTING, OTHER TIMES AFTER DRIVING 15 - 20 MINUTES. HAD STAYED ON FOR 1 1/2 HOUR DRIVE BUT WHEN RESTARTING WAS OFF. DRIVING HAS BEEN HIGHWAY MILES. CAN COME ON UPON STARTING AND WHILE DRIVING. DASH BOARD LIGHTING GOES OFF WHILE DRIVING, HIGHWAY MILES. SOMETIMES DOES NOT TURN ON UNTIL 15 MINUTES OF HIGHWAY DRIVING THEN GO OFF AGAIN LATER. DIAL IS SETAT BRIGHTEZT POINT BUT NOT BRIGHT.
WAS RECENTLY MADE AWARE (NUMEROUS TIMES IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS) THAT WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD MY BRAKE LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. AT TIMES WHEN NOT APPLYING THE BRAKES THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ON ACTING AS IF I WAS BREAKING AND WHEN I BRAKE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TURN OFF (SO IN OTHER WORDS IT IS REVERSED). AROUND THE SAME TIME T…
Read full complaint
WAS RECENTLY MADE AWARE (NUMEROUS TIMES IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS) THAT WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD MY BRAKE LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. AT TIMES WHEN NOT APPLYING THE BRAKES THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ON ACTING AS IF I WAS BREAKING AND WHEN I BRAKE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TURN OFF (SO IN OTHER WORDS IT IS REVERSED). AROUND THE SAME TIME THAT THIS BEGAN TO HAVE LIKELY STARTED OCCURRING THE FOLLOWING WARNING LIGHTS BEGAN TO APPEAR; "ESC" AND SERVICE TRACTION" (I DO NOT KNOW IF THERE IS ANY RELATION BETWEEN THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND NOTED WARNING LIGHTS). I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ESPECIALLY WITH MY FAMILY IN IT AS THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE NOT GIVING OTHER DRIVERS AROUND ME THE APPROPRIATE INDICATION OF WHAT MY VEHICLES INTENTIONS ARE. THE BRAKE LIGHT PROBLEM HAS BEEN OCCURRING, WHEN IN MOTION, STATIONARY, HIGHWAY AND CITY STREET. POTENTIALLY PARTS THAT MAY REQUIRE REPLACEMENT OR REPAIR; BODY CONTROL MODULE (BCM), BAS, AND HARNESS CONNECTOR.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, BOTH OF THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT OVER A PERIOD OF TIME. THE FIRST TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WERE REPLACED INDIVIDUALLY BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. WHEN THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, BOTH OF THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT OVER A PERIOD OF TIME. THE FIRST TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WERE REPLACED INDIVIDUALLY BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. WHEN THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF AT ONCE, THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO JIM BROWNE CHEVROLET OF TAMPA, FLORIDA WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CIRCUITS IN BOTH OF THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WERE FAULTY. IN ADDITION, THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL; HOWEVER, THE YEAR AND MODEL OF THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,000.
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.