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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.

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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

Service Brakes complaints

184 reports
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132,000 miles · Mar 5, 2019
Electrical SystemExterior LightingService Brakes

BRAKE LAMP RECALL FOR THESE MODELS DO NOT WORK. I NOTICED THE ISSUE RECENTLY WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AT AROUND 55 MPH AT NIGHT. MY BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ON, WHILE MY FOOT IS OFF OF THE BRAKE PEDAL. WHEN I PLACE MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES, THE BRAKE LIGHTS GO OFF. THIS IS A SERIOUS DRIVING HAZARD. I'VE TAKEN THE CAR TO GET THE RECALL …

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BRAKE LAMP RECALL FOR THESE MODELS DO NOT WORK. I NOTICED THE ISSUE RECENTLY WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AT AROUND 55 MPH AT NIGHT. MY BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ON, WHILE MY FOOT IS OFF OF THE BRAKE PEDAL. WHEN I PLACE MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES, THE BRAKE LIGHTS GO OFF. THIS IS A SERIOUS DRIVING HAZARD. I'VE TAKEN THE CAR TO GET THE RECALL HANDLED, BUT NOTICED THIS MORNING, THAT MY BRAKE LIGHTS ARE STILL ILLUMINATING WHEN MY FOOT IS OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL.

NHTSA ODI #11184254

28,981 miles · Feb 27, 2019
Air BagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

ON MARCH 1, 2017 AT 28981 MILES, THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, (NOT THE FIRST TIME). THE NEXT DAY, THE STABILITY CONTROL AND THE ABS LIGHTS BOTH ALSO CAME ON. IN BOTH OCCASIONS THE CAR WAS MOVING AT ABOUT 40 MPH ON A CITY STREET. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, THEY CHARGED ME $153 TO GET A DIAGNOSIS.THEY WANTED ANOTHER $850 TO HAVE IT FIX…

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ON MARCH 1, 2017 AT 28981 MILES, THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, (NOT THE FIRST TIME). THE NEXT DAY, THE STABILITY CONTROL AND THE ABS LIGHTS BOTH ALSO CAME ON. IN BOTH OCCASIONS THE CAR WAS MOVING AT ABOUT 40 MPH ON A CITY STREET. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, THEY CHARGED ME $153 TO GET A DIAGNOSIS.THEY WANTED ANOTHER $850 TO HAVE IT FIXED. I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER SHOP THAT DID IT FOR $190. THESE WERE 2 SEPARATE PROBLEMS, ONE WAS THE AIRBAG LIGHT (A CONNECTION UNDER THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT), AND THE OTHER WAS A SENSOR IN THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL (THE STABILITY/ABS LIGHT).

NHTSA ODI #11182838

142,000 miles · Feb 25, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesSteering

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, THE CLUSTER PANEL STARTS SHOWING WARNING LIGHTS FOR THE STEERING, SERVICE ESC, AND THE MIL LIGHT WAS ON, THE CAR LOST POWER, LOST POWER STEERING AND HAD NO POWER, NO MATTER WHAT I DID, THE CAR WOULD NOT RESPOND. THIS PUTTING MY FAMILY AND ME IN DANGER, WE WERE DRIVING ON THE IDL IN TULSA OKLAHOMA AT …

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WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, THE CLUSTER PANEL STARTS SHOWING WARNING LIGHTS FOR THE STEERING, SERVICE ESC, AND THE MIL LIGHT WAS ON, THE CAR LOST POWER, LOST POWER STEERING AND HAD NO POWER, NO MATTER WHAT I DID, THE CAR WOULD NOT RESPOND. THIS PUTTING MY FAMILY AND ME IN DANGER, WE WERE DRIVING ON THE IDL IN TULSA OKLAHOMA AT RUSH HOUR, VERY, VERY BUSY ROAD AT THAT TIME OF DAY. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM, THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE THAT WILL END UP GETTING SOMEONE KILLED. THE CAR IS COMPLETELY UNSTABLE, ERRATIC AND VERY HARD TO DRIVE, YOU LOSE POWER (NO ACCELERATION) AND POWER STEERING. THE CAR HAS 142,000 MILES ON IT, THAT SEEMS TO BE WHEN IT HAPPENING TO OTHER VEHICLES ALSO.

NHTSA ODI #11182434

35,000 miles · Jan 27, 2019
Service Brakes

VEHICLE CAN SHIFT FROM PARK TO DRIVE WITHOUT BRAKE BEING APPLIED

NHTSA ODI #11172345

Mileage unknown · Dec 26, 2018
Electrical SystemService Brakes

I BOUGHT MY MALIBU IN 2014. FROM RON MARHOFER CHEVROLET. NOT KNOWING THERE WERE RECALLS ON MY CAR WHEN I BOUGHT IT. IN 2016, WITH 75K MILES I WAS HAVING TROUBLES, BRAKE LIGHTS WERE COMING ON WHEN I ACCELERATED THE GAS. GOT THE RECALL FIXED. NOW, AT 102K MILES AND 2 YEARS LATER, THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE COMING BACK ON. MY DEALERSHIP…

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I BOUGHT MY MALIBU IN 2014. FROM RON MARHOFER CHEVROLET. NOT KNOWING THERE WERE RECALLS ON MY CAR WHEN I BOUGHT IT. IN 2016, WITH 75K MILES I WAS HAVING TROUBLES, BRAKE LIGHTS WERE COMING ON WHEN I ACCELERATED THE GAS. GOT THE RECALL FIXED. NOW, AT 102K MILES AND 2 YEARS LATER, THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE COMING BACK ON. MY DEALERSHIP TOLD ME SINCE MY WARRANTY WAS UP, I WOULD HAVE TO PAY A $99 DIAGNOSTIC ON TOP OF LABOR. I WROTE CHEVROLET LAST WEEK AND THEY DENIED THIS HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE RECALL BECAUSE NO ONE ELSE HAS BEEN COMPLAINING.. IT'S FRUSTRATING AND SUCH A SCANDAL. I HAVE AN APPT WITH MY DEALERSHIP NEXT WEEK TO TAKE A LOOK. I FEEL THIS IS GOING TO BE A COSTLY MATTER, FOR SOMETHING GM IS TRYING GO COVER UP. SHAME ON YOU GM!

NHTSA ODI #11163603

125,000 miles · Dec 19, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior LightingService Brakes

HEADLIGHT CONNECTION OVERHEATS MAKING HEADLIGHT GO OUT. ABS CONTROL LOCKS BRAKES DURRING NORMAL DRIVING. REAR BRAKE LIGHTS ENGAGE WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT PRESSING ON BRAKE.

NHTSA ODI #11162401

Mileage unknown · Dec 7, 2018
Service BrakesSteering

ON 12. 06. 2018 THE POWER STEERING CODE C0454. LAST YEAR NOV. 2018, IT WAS THE TIMING CHAIN, THEN THE ESC, WHICH IS STILL UNRESOLVED , THEN I HAD TO PUT IN A NEW TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA ODI #11156717

163,000 miles · Nov 13, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE BRAKE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INDEPENDENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE CRUISE CONTROL BECAME INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ON FEBRUARY 19, 2015 PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V2…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE BRAKE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INDEPENDENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE CRUISE CONTROL BECAME INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ON FEBRUARY 19, 2015 PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. JEFF WYLER SPRINGFIELD CHEVROLET (LOCATED AT 2237 W 1ST ST, SPRINGFIELD, OH 45504, (937) 525-4646) WAS NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: [XXX]. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 163,000. *PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *AN

NHTSA ODI #11151150

Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 2018
Service Brakes

MY BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ON WHEN I AM DRIVING AND THEN WHEN THE BRAKES ARE PRESSED THE BRAKE LIGHTS GO OFF. IT'S A SCARY THING BECAUSE IT REALLY CONFUSES THE CARS BEHIND ME.

NHTSA ODI #11143391

112,000 miles · Sep 20, 2018
Service Brakes

THE BRAKES LIGHTS STAY ON WHILE DRIVING AND GO OFF WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. THE TRACTION CONTROL SERVICE ALERT COMES ON THE DASH ALSO. CONCERNED THAT NUMEROUS IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS FOUND ON THE CAR COMPLAINTS WEB SITE NOTING THE DEALERS HAVE NO CLUE HOW TO FIX THE ISSUE. MEANWHILE, OCCUPANTS ARE AT RISK OF REAR COLLI…

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THE BRAKES LIGHTS STAY ON WHILE DRIVING AND GO OFF WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. THE TRACTION CONTROL SERVICE ALERT COMES ON THE DASH ALSO. CONCERNED THAT NUMEROUS IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS FOUND ON THE CAR COMPLAINTS WEB SITE NOTING THE DEALERS HAVE NO CLUE HOW TO FIX THE ISSUE. MEANWHILE, OCCUPANTS ARE AT RISK OF REAR COLLISION DUE TO BRAKE LIGHTS NOT COMING ON DURING BRAKING.

NHTSA ODI #11130464

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.