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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

Exterior Lighting complaints

194 reports
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60,000 miles · Sep 2, 2017
Exterior Lighting

DRIVERS SIDE LOW BEAM BULB NEEDS TO BE REPLACED OFTEN. IVE HAD THIS CAR FOR 4 YEARS, SINCE NOVEMEBER 2013, AND IVE CHANGED THE LOW BEAM BULB AT LEAST 6 TIMES. IVE USED DIFFERENT LIGHTBULB MANUFACTURERS. THEREFORE, I BELIEVE ITS NOT THE BULBS ITSELF, BUT RATHER AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. IVE ALSO CHECKED THE LOW BEAM FUSE EACH TIME T…

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DRIVERS SIDE LOW BEAM BULB NEEDS TO BE REPLACED OFTEN. IVE HAD THIS CAR FOR 4 YEARS, SINCE NOVEMEBER 2013, AND IVE CHANGED THE LOW BEAM BULB AT LEAST 6 TIMES. IVE USED DIFFERENT LIGHTBULB MANUFACTURERS. THEREFORE, I BELIEVE ITS NOT THE BULBS ITSELF, BUT RATHER AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. IVE ALSO CHECKED THE LOW BEAM FUSE EACH TIME THE LIGHT HAD GONE OUT, AND THE FUSE WAS STILL GOOD, BUT I CHANGED IT ANYWAY. THIS HAPPENED WHEN CAR WAS IN MOTION, IDLING, AND UPON BEING STARTED.

NHTSA ODI #11021220

84,325 miles · Apr 20, 2017
Electrical SystemExterior LightingService Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE ESC AND TRACTION CONTROL SENSORS ILLUMINATED AND THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO OPERATE. IN ADDITION, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING AND TURNED OFF WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE ESC AND TRACTION CONTROL SENSORS ILLUMINATED AND THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO OPERATE. IN ADDITION, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING AND TURNED OFF WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR WAS FAULTY. THE CONNECTOR WAS REPLACED AND THE FAILURE WAS REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAULTY CONNECTOR WAS A DIFFERENT CONNECTOR ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,325.

NHTSA ODI #10979648

52,000 miles · Feb 23, 2017
Exterior LightingService Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRACTION CONTROL AND BRAKE LIGHT INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE BRAKE LIGHT WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. HOWEVER, WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS NOT DEPRESSED, THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRACTION CONTROL AND BRAKE LIGHT INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE BRAKE LIGHT WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. HOWEVER, WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS NOT DEPRESSED, THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PEDAL SENSOR ASSEMBLY WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000. ...UPDATED 05/22/17 *BF *CN

NHTSA ODI #10956449

Mileage unknown · Feb 22, 2017
Electrical SystemExterior LightingService Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V250000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIG…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V250000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10956236

110,000 miles · Feb 6, 2017
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE HEAD LAMP AND PASSENGER SIDE HIGH AND LOW BEAM BLINKER LIGHTS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE LIGHTS WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ODI #10949859

150,000 miles · Feb 5, 2017
Exterior LightingService Brakes

CAR WAS SERVICED FOR A 2014 RECALL BECAUSE OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS OPERATING IN REVERSE (ON WHEN FOOT IS OFF THE BRAKE AND OFF WHEN BRAKE IS PRESSED), PROBLEM HAS RETURNED AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE "FIX" THAT WAS APPLIED DURING THE RECALL WAS JUST A "BAND-AID" AND THAT THE BCM WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. VERY UNSAFE CAR TO DRIVE SINCE …

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CAR WAS SERVICED FOR A 2014 RECALL BECAUSE OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS OPERATING IN REVERSE (ON WHEN FOOT IS OFF THE BRAKE AND OFF WHEN BRAKE IS PRESSED), PROBLEM HAS RETURNED AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE "FIX" THAT WAS APPLIED DURING THE RECALL WAS JUST A "BAND-AID" AND THAT THE BCM WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. VERY UNSAFE CAR TO DRIVE SINCE THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE TELLING THE DRIVERS BEHIND YOU THAT YOU ARE NOT STOPPING WHEN, IN FACT, YOU ARE STOPPING. WITH MORE AND MORE DISTRACTED DRIVERS ON THE ROAD, WHO RELY ON SEEING BRAKE LIGHTS IN THEIR PERIPHERAL VISION IN ORDER TO AVOID A COLLISION, THE DANGER IS INCREASED EXPONENTIALLY. I HAVE CONTACTED GM AND WAS ASKED "WHAT DO YOU WANT US TO DO?", WHICH BASICALLY TOLD ME THAT THEY WERE UNWILLING TO HELP ME. THIS NEEDS TO FIXED BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED OR GRAVELY INJURED.

NHTSA ODI #10949618

92 miles · Dec 23, 2016
Exterior LightingService BrakesVehicle Speed Control

TRAFFICATOR CONTINUES TO MALFUNCTION, OCASSIONAL BRAKE FAILURES AND OTHER DIGITAL LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED AND STOPPED TO FUNCTION ANY COMPLETELY. I WAS ALMOST IN A DEADLY CRASH AGAIN. STERRING WHEEL. NOT ONCE THESE INCIDENCE HAPPENED ALL HAPPENED ON MOTION.

NHTSA ODI #10937244

108,000 miles · Dec 13, 2016
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

2010 MALIBU WITH 108,XXX MILES, HEADLIGHTS GO OUT AT VARIOUS TIMES, BULBS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND THE ISSUE CONTINUES. NO HELP FROM DEALER EXCEPT OFFER TO REPLACE HEADLIGHTS AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #10935150

195,141 miles · Nov 16, 2016
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE BRAKE LIGHTS ACTIVATED AFTER A FEW SECONDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE A TECHNICIAN FOUND A DAMAGED TERMINAL BEHIND THE BCM. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE BRAKE LIGHTS ACTIVATED AFTER A FEW SECONDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE A TECHNICIAN FOUND A DAMAGED TERMINAL BEHIND THE BCM. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 195,141. UPDATED 01/06/2017*CT CONSUMER STATED SAME ISSUE WAS ADDRESSED DURING RECALL- BUT ISSUE RE-OCCURRED 2 YEARS LATER. UPDATED 7/6/18*JB *TR

NHTSA ODI #10926456

70,000 miles · Sep 24, 2016
Exterior Lighting

I GET THE SERVICE ESC ALERT AND WHEN I BRAKE, MY BRAKE LIGHTS DON'T LIGHT UP BUT WHEN I'M NOT BRAKING, THEY DO NOT LIGHT UP. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR AT LEAST TWO YEARS OFF AND ON

NHTSA ODI #10909468

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.