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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 →
1,360Owner complaints

Model-year median: 310.5

3Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
977
2007987
20081,509
20091,360
2010977
2011906
2012835
2013
Compare all Malibu years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Steering
454Electrical System
294Electronic Stability Control (esc)
227Exterior Lighting
194Service Brakes
184
All reported categories
Air Bags
144Power Train
132Vehicle Speed Control
116Engine
115Unknown Or Other
63Structure
44Wheels
33Fuel/propulsion System
31Seats
25Traction Control System
23Visibility/wiper
19Latches/locks/linkages
17Seat Belts
16Service Brakes, Hydraulic
15Suspension
13Engine And Engine Cooling
11Fuel System, Gasoline
8Tires
6Visibility
5Equipment
3Forward Collision Avoidance
3Interior Lighting
1Lane Departure
1Service Brakes, Air
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

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

Latches/locks/linkages complaints

17 reports
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44,000 miles · May 20, 2014
Latches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER DOOR FAILED TO LATCH AND OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE LATCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,000. UPDATED …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER DOOR FAILED TO LATCH AND OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE LATCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,000. UPDATED 08/12/14*LJ

NHTSA ODI #10592834

Mileage unknown · May 1, 2014
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

2010 CHEVY MALIBU PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. THE DOOR LOCK IS IN THE UNLOCK POSITION BUT THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. I HAVE UNLOCKED THE PASSENGER DOOR FROM THE DOOR UNLOCK BUTTON, THE KEY REMOTE AND THE PHYSICAL KEY. THE LOCK ITSELF GOES UP AND DOWN WHEN THE DOOR LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTON IS PRESSED AND KEY REMOTE BUTTON IS PRESSED, …

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2010 CHEVY MALIBU PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. THE DOOR LOCK IS IN THE UNLOCK POSITION BUT THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. I HAVE UNLOCKED THE PASSENGER DOOR FROM THE DOOR UNLOCK BUTTON, THE KEY REMOTE AND THE PHYSICAL KEY. THE LOCK ITSELF GOES UP AND DOWN WHEN THE DOOR LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTON IS PRESSED AND KEY REMOTE BUTTON IS PRESSED, BUT WHEN THE DOOR HANDLE IS PULLED FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10585850

80,000 miles · Apr 10, 2014
Exterior LightingLatches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT THE CONTACT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT ALL OF THE DOOR LOCKS WOULD INDEPENDENTLY LOCK AND UNLOCK WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT THE CONTACT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT ALL OF THE DOOR LOCKS WOULD INDEPENDENTLY LOCK AND UNLOCK WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #10578905

56,000 miles · Feb 9, 2014
Latches/locks/linkages

THE 2010 CHEVY MALIBU ( AND OTHER VEHICLES SIMILARLY EQUIPPED) WERE MANUFACTURED WITH DEFECTIVE DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS. THIS HAS BEEN EXPERIENCED BY THOUSANDS OF GM VEHICLE OWNERS. THESE DEFECTIVE ACTUATORS WILL FAIL AND BEGIN CYCLING WITHOUT ANY INPUT BY THE VEHICLE OPERATOR. A TYPICAL VEHICLE WILL BE LOCKED BY THE OPERATOR USI…

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THE 2010 CHEVY MALIBU ( AND OTHER VEHICLES SIMILARLY EQUIPPED) WERE MANUFACTURED WITH DEFECTIVE DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS. THIS HAS BEEN EXPERIENCED BY THOUSANDS OF GM VEHICLE OWNERS. THESE DEFECTIVE ACTUATORS WILL FAIL AND BEGIN CYCLING WITHOUT ANY INPUT BY THE VEHICLE OPERATOR. A TYPICAL VEHICLE WILL BE LOCKED BY THE OPERATOR USING THE KEY FOB AND WHEN THE OPERATOR RETURNS, THE DOORS WILL HAVE BEEN UNLOCKED ESSENTIALLY BY THEMSELVES. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE FOR PERSONS TRAVELING THROUGH HIGH CRIME AREAS THINKING THE DOOR IS LOCKED AND THE DOOR HAS UNLOCKED BY ITSELF. CARJACKERS ARE NOT DETERRED BY AN UNLOCKED DOOR. ALSO, IT PLACES THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS IN DANGER OF BEING PARTIALLY EJECTED IN A ROLL-OVER ACCIDENT DUE TO THE UNLOCKED CONDITION OF THE DOOR WHICH HAS UNLOCKED ITSELF, AGAIN, WITHOUT ANY ACTION BY THE OPERATOR OR PASSENGER. THESE DEFECTIVE PARTS WERE INSTALLED AT THE TIME OF MANUFACTURE AND GM DEALERS ARE MORE THAN HAPPY TO CHARGE $300 TO $500 PER DOOR TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE ACTUATORS. THIS IS UNCONSCIONABLE REGARDING AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE OVERALL VEHICLE SAFETY WHICH SHOULD LAST LONG AFTER THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE. MY VEHICLE HAS ONLY 56,000 MILES ON IT AND THE DEFECTIVE ACTUATORS ARE ALREADY MALFUNCTIONING. THERE ARE MANY THOUSANDS OF GM CONSUMERS WHO ARE DEALING WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. GM SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO RECALL ALL GEN 7 MALIBU AND ANY OTHER GM VEHICLES WHICH WERE EQUIPPED WITH THESE DEFECTIVE ACTUATORS. GM SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO REPLACE THESE DEFECTIVE FACTORY ACTUATORS WITH NON-DEFECTIVE REPLACEMENTS AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10563620

88,203 miles · Aug 9, 2013
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

DRIVER SIDE DOOR LATCH STUCK IN LOCKED POSITION, I COULD NOT EXIT THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10534469

77,863 miles · May 16, 2013
Air BagsLatches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR FAILED TO CLOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG HARNESS AND THE DRIVERS DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR FAILED TO CLOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG HARNESS AND THE DRIVERS DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77,863. *TR ..UPDATED 07-05-13 *BF UPDATED 07/12/2013 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10512369

39,300 miles · Mar 28, 2013
Latches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FOB FAILED TO UNLOCK THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE SOLDER JOINT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FOB FAILED TO UNLOCK THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE SOLDER JOINT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 39,300. *TR UPDATED 05/23/13*LJ UPDATED 05/29/2013 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10504811

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.