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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56,487 miles · Sep 5, 2015

Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

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WHILE I WAS DRIVING TO WORK I NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT IN THE REAR WINDOW WAS ONLY WORKING ON AN INTERMITENT BASIS. I HAD RECALL WORK DONE ON MY CAR IN OCTOBER OF 2014 UNDER RECALL 14V252000 OR CHEVY RECALL 13036 THEN IN MID JULY OF THIS YEAR MY CAR STARTED DOING WHAT THEY SAID THAT IT MIGHT DO IN THE RECALL LETTER. ON AUGUST 3 I TOOK MY CAR TO CARGILL CHEVROLET IN PUTNAM, CT. TO SEE WHY IT WAS DOING THIS I THOUGHT THAT IT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. THEY THEN REPLACED A SWITCH ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AT A COST OF $272.03 THAT THEY SAID WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. THE NEXT DAY IT WAS DOING THE SAME THING SO I TOOK IT BACK AND THEY SAID THAT THE WHOLE BRACKET IN THE REAR WINDOW NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $402.40. THIS SEEMS TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY SAID NEITHER REPAIR WAS COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. I WAS WONDERING WHAT YOUR OPINION WAS AND IF YOU HAD ANY OTHER REPORTS OF DEFECTIVE RECALL WORK ON THIS RECALL. THANK YOU

NHTSA ODI #10761755

66,880 miles · Sep 4, 2015

Electrical SystemExterior LightingUnknown Or Other

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WE GOT UP THIS MORNING, WENT TO GET INTO OUR CAR AND AS I TRIED TO UNLOCK IT I NOTICED MY KEYLESS ENTRY WOULD NOT UNLOCK THE DOOR. I ASKED MY BOYFRIEND IF HIS WAS WORKING, AND HIS WOULDN'T OPEN THE CAR EITHER. SO I UNLOCKED THE DOOR MANUALLY AND NO ALARM SOUNDED. THE DASH DIDN'T LIGHT UP AS IT USUALLY DOES EITHER. I TRIED STARTING MY CAR, THE IDIOT LIGHTS CAME ON AS DID MY STEREO, BUT THE CAR NEVER TRIED TO TURN OVER. WE HAD NO INTERIOR LIGHTS, NO HEADLIGHTS, AND NOT EVEN HAZARDS!! I THOUGHT HAZARDS WE'RE SUPPOSED TO WORK IN EMERGENCIES BUT APPARENTLY I WAS MISTAKEN. THANK GOD WE WEREN'T BROKE DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF A ROAD OR FREEWAY. I'VE NOTICED OTHER YEARS OF THIS PARTICULAR CAR HAVE A RECALL FOR AN IGNITION SWITCH, WHY NOT THIS ONE? BECAUSE THEIR STORIES SOUND JUST LIKE MINE. THIS CAR IS BEING TOWED TO THE SHOP TOMORROW MORNING. IF IT IS THE IGNITION SWITCH, CHEVY WILL BE HEARING FROM ME.

NHTSA ODI #10761729

100,000 miles · Aug 27, 2015

Electronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior LightingService Brakes

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I HAVE HAD THE RECALL NOTICE (REPORT RECEIPT DATE: MAY 14, 2014 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 COMPONENT(S): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM , ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL , EXTERIOR LIGHTING , SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC , VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL ) PREVIOUSLY TAKEN CARE OF BY OAKLEY CHEVROLET BUICK REPAIR SHOP ABOUT A YEAR AGO. THE PROBLEM HAS RETURNED , THE BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT OPERATE PROPERLY (THEY ARE ON WHEN THE BRAKE IS NOT APPLIED & WHEN YOU APPLY THE BRAKE THEY GO OFF). I RETURNED THE CAR TO THE SHOP AND THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THAT PROBLEM, BUT THAT IT MAY BE THE BRAKE APPLY SENSOR. THEY HAD MY CAR ALL DAY, AND COULD NOT TELL ME WHAT THE PROBLEM IS.....I PICKED UP MY CAR AND NOW I AM TRYING THROUGH GM TO GET THE MATTER ADDRESSED. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED TO GET A SECOND OPINION. WHICH I WILL DO AND I WILL BE IN TOUCH. IN ADDITION TO THAT ISSUE, NOW THE DRIVERS SEAT BELT CHIMES THAT THE BELT IS NOT IN USE WHEN IT IS AND THE CAR IS DRIVING. ANOTHER SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #10759659

Mileage unknown · Aug 18, 2015

Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ACTIVATED, BUT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOUR TIMES AND THE BULB WAS REPLACED EACH TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10749569

90,000 miles · Aug 6, 2015

Electrical SystemExterior LightingService Brakes

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE ESC AND TRACTION WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE PEDAL FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT EVENTUALLY RESPONDED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND IT TOOK SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS POWERED OFF AND DID RESTART, HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ESC SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE RECALIBRATED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED THE ENTIRE TIME UNLESS THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ACTUALLY BEING DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, AND SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ODI #10746772

97,145 miles · Aug 4, 2015

Exterior LightingService Brakes

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE WITHOUT ENGAGING THE BRAKES AND, WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE LIGHTS FAILED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. IN ADDITION, THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE BODY CONTROL MODULE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,145.

NHTSA ODI #10746237

58,000 miles · Jul 23, 2015

Exterior Lighting

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATING CONSTANTLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND SOMETIMES THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE AT ALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE TECHNICIAN RESET THE COMPUTER BUT THE REMEDY DID NOT RESOLVE THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

NHTSA ODI #10736083

75,000 miles · Apr 29, 2015

Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE SERVICE ESC, TRACTION CONTROL, AND REDUCED ENGINE POWER WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURE…

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NHTSA ODI #10713604

41,000 miles · Mar 25, 2015

Exterior Lighting

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YESTERDAY I SENT AN E-MAIL ABOUT THE TURN SIGNAL INDICATOR ARM MALFUNCTIONING FOR THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL ON MY 2010 CHEVY MALIBU. IT GOT TO THE POINT YESTERDAY THAT IF I WANTED TO INDICATE A RIGHT TURN I HAD TO CONSTANTLY HOLD UP THE ARM TO GET IT TO SIGNAL. TODAY I TOOK IT IN TO BE REPAIRED AND IT COST ME $218.00. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT HE HAS REPLACED CLOSE TO A HUNDRED OF THESE IN THE LAST FEW YEARS AND THAT IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH GM PRODUCTS. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE AND IT COULD HAVE GOTTEN ME PULLED OVER BY A POLICEMAN FOR NOT SIGNALING. ALL THE OTHER CARS THAT I'VE OWNED HAVE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS WHY WE WON'T BE BUYING ANY OTHER GM PRODUCTS. WE'VE HAD TO TAKE THE MALIBU IN FOR A TOTAL OF 5 RECALLS SO FAR. COME ON NOW -- DON'T YOU THINK THIS IS A BIT EXCESSIVE?? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10701666

78,000 miles · Mar 5, 2015

Electrical SystemExterior LightingFire

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OWNER WAS DRIVING CAR WAS INFORMED THAT TAIL LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING BY ANOTHER MOTORIST. STOPPED AT SHOP. REPAIR SHOP UNPLUGGED LIGHT HARNESS AND CUSTOMER LEFT THEN APPROXIMATELY 20 MINS. LATER SMOKE AND FIRE WAS NOTICED COMING OUT OF THE LEFT REAR TRUNK AREA AT LOCATION OF WIRING HARNESS AREA. THIS IS THE SECOND WIRING HARNESS TRUNK FIRE THIS INVESTIGATOR HAS INVESTIGATED ON A CHEVY MALIBU IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS. A SECOND FIRE WAS INVESTIGATED WITH THE SAME SCENARIO ON A 2006 CHEVY MALIBU THAT OCCURRED ON 8-11-2014. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10692247

Official recalls

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)