IllustrationHEADLIGHT CONTINUES TO GO OUT, REPLACE WITH NEW ONE ONLY LASTS A FEW DAYS. ALSO IF YOU SHUT OFF CAR TO GO GAS CAR DOESNT RESTART. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME GET GAS.
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
Fuel/propulsion System complaints
31 reportsENGINE REDUCED POWER. VEHICLE "ENGINE REDUCED POWER LIGHT" ACTIVATES AND VEHICLE IS UNRESPONSIVE AND STALLS, SHAKES VIOLENTLY. NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE INVOLVING GM MODELS. ISSUED SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT, BUT WILL NOT COVER ALL VEHICLES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.
THE FIRST TIME MY VEHICLE DIED WHILE DRIVING I WAS SLOWING DOWN TO TURN RIGHT. THE ENGINE DIED AND I TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE, TRIED TO RESTART AND IT WOULD NOT STAY STARTED. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM OR GET THE CAR TO GIVE THEM CODES SO THEY HAD ME PICK IT UP. THE 2ND TIME THE CAR …
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THE FIRST TIME MY VEHICLE DIED WHILE DRIVING I WAS SLOWING DOWN TO TURN RIGHT. THE ENGINE DIED AND I TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE, TRIED TO RESTART AND IT WOULD NOT STAY STARTED. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM OR GET THE CAR TO GIVE THEM CODES SO THEY HAD ME PICK IT UP. THE 2ND TIME THE CAR DIED ON THE FREEWAY A WEEK LATER. I WAS GOING 60MPH TRYING TO KEEP ACCELERATION WHEN IT LOST POWER. THANKFULLY I WAS NEAR AN EXIT AND I WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE EXIT. AGAIN HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY DUPLICATED THE PROBLEM BUT HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT'S CAUSING IT.
MY 2010 CHEVY MALIBU IS HAVING FUEL SYSTEM ISSUES. THE VEHICLE IS LEAKING GAS FROM THE FUEL TANK LOCATED IN THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE NEAR THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE TENDS TO LEAK WHEN IT IS NOT IN MOTION.
PLASTIC FUEL LINE FROM FUEL PUMP ON TOP OF TANK CRACKED LEAKING FUEL ALL OVER TOP OF FUEL TANK. I DO NOT KNOW WHEN THE CRACK FIRST APPEARED, BUT THE CAR WAS LEAKING GAS IN THE DRIVEWAY.
ENGINE POWER REDUCE LIGHT CAME ON AND I LOST POWER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. HOWARD PONTIAC OF AMHURST, ILLINOIS WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PERFORMED A FUEL PUMP RELAY AND SEAT BELT RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE NHTSA CAMPA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. HOWARD PONTIAC OF AMHURST, ILLINOIS WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PERFORMED A FUEL PUMP RELAY AND SEAT BELT RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE, THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED HIM THAT THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE VEHICLE AND THERE WAS A FUEL ODOR PRESENT IN THE OIL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WOULD CHECK THE OIL LEVEL EVERY 1,000 MILES AND DISCOVERED THAT HE WOULD H…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE, THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED HIM THAT THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE VEHICLE AND THERE WAS A FUEL ODOR PRESENT IN THE OIL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WOULD CHECK THE OIL LEVEL EVERY 1,000 MILES AND DISCOVERED THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO ADD A QUART TO A QUART AND HALF OF OIL TO THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT HE HAD CONTACTED SEVERAL DEALERS AND WAS INFORMED THERE WERE NO RECALLS PERTAINING TO EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 54,000.
VEHICLE HAS SERVICE AIRBAG ON REPEATEDLY, SEAT BELT ALARM GOES OFF EVEN WHEN SEAT BELT IS PROPERLY FASTENED. WHILE DRIVING CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND SERVICE ESC, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, ENGINE POWER REDUCED. CAR SUDDENLY DROPPED DOWN TO 27 MPH IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. I WAS ABLE TO AVOID A SERIOUS ACCIDENT BY SUDDENLY TURNI…
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VEHICLE HAS SERVICE AIRBAG ON REPEATEDLY, SEAT BELT ALARM GOES OFF EVEN WHEN SEAT BELT IS PROPERLY FASTENED. WHILE DRIVING CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND SERVICE ESC, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, ENGINE POWER REDUCED. CAR SUDDENLY DROPPED DOWN TO 27 MPH IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. I WAS ABLE TO AVOID A SERIOUS ACCIDENT BY SUDDENLY TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND CAN BE FATAL IF OCCURS ON FREEWAY. NO ONE CAN PROVIDE ANY REASON AS TO WHY THIS KEEPS HAPPENING. I HAVE NO WARRANTY ON VEHICLE AND PURCHASED FROM A DEALER 3 YEARS AGO. I HAVE CALLED THE DEALER AND HAVE HAD CAR LOOKED AT BUT THE ONLY SUGGESTION IS TO BLINDLY REPLACE DIFFERENT SENSORS AND PARTS. WE NEED A RECALL DONE SO NO LIVES ARE LOST DUE TO THIS SEVERE CAR MALFUNCTION.
WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE SERVICE ESC, TRACTION CONTROL, AND REDUCED ENGINE POWER WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. CAR ALSO MISFIRED. TAKEN TO INDEPENDENT AUTO REPAIR SHOP, THROTTLE BODY REPLACED. CODES FOUND AT GARAGE PO300, P2135. BEGAN 2/12/16 AND RANDOMLY HAPPENED THROUGH 3/9/16
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.