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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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20,000 miles · Feb 14, 2018
Exterior LightingService Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE TAIL LAMP FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. OURISMAN CHEVROLET OF BOWIE (16610 GOVERNORS BRIDGE RD, BOWIE, MD) REPAIRED THE VEHICLE PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000(SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRIC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE TAIL LAMP FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. OURISMAN CHEVROLET OF BOWIE (16610 GOVERNORS BRIDGE RD, BOWIE, MD) REPAIRED THE VEHICLE PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000(SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,000.

NHTSA ODI #11072829

Mileage unknown · Feb 2, 2018
Electrical SystemService BrakesUnknown Or Other

I HAVE BEEN NOTICING AND BEEN TOLD MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE ON WHILE DRIVING DOWN ROAD AND AT TIMES MY CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT FUNCTION AND IT HAPPENS DURING DAY WHEN I CAN'T TELL AND AT NIGHT WHICH OBVIOUSLY IS MORE APPARENT BUT NOT ANY LESS DANGEROUS ...PUTTING TWO TOGETHER MY BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD BE COMING ON AND WHEN I PRESS THE …

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I HAVE BEEN NOTICING AND BEEN TOLD MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE ON WHILE DRIVING DOWN ROAD AND AT TIMES MY CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT FUNCTION AND IT HAPPENS DURING DAY WHEN I CAN'T TELL AND AT NIGHT WHICH OBVIOUSLY IS MORE APPARENT BUT NOT ANY LESS DANGEROUS ...PUTTING TWO TOGETHER MY BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD BE COMING ON AND WHEN I PRESS THE PEDAL TO SLOW DOWN THEY GO OFF...I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED AND AFTER GOOGLING TO FIND A FIX I SEE THERE ARE MANY RECALLS AND COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE WITH THIS YEAR MAKE AND MODEL...AS IT DOES NOT LIST MY VIN TO BE INVOLVED WITH ANY RECALLS IT'S CONCERNING THAT THE SAFETY OF MY KIDS AND I COULD BE AT RISK. I CANNOT FIND ANY POSITIVE FIX TO THE PROBLEM YET AND SEE MANY PEOPLE SPENT HUNDREDS TO THOUSANDS AT DEALERSHIPS ONLY TO FIND THE PROBLEM NOT FIXED...IF THERE'S ANY ASSISTANCE INFORMATION OR GO TO'S YOU CAN PROVIDE I WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED

NHTSA ODI #11066741

42,000 miles · Jan 9, 2018
Exterior LightingService BrakesVehicle Speed Control

I'VE HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR SINCE I BOUGHT IT. THE DEALER HAS NEVER BEEN ABLE TO FIX IT BECAUSE MY CAR NEVER SHOWED ANY "CODES". MY CAR HAS ACCELERATION PROBLEMS, THE RIGHT HEAD LIGHT SOCKET HARNESS KEEPS BURNING OUT AND I'M ALSO STARTING TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH MY BRAKE LIGHTS. MY BRAKE LIGHTS DON'T GO ON WHEN I PRES…

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I'VE HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR SINCE I BOUGHT IT. THE DEALER HAS NEVER BEEN ABLE TO FIX IT BECAUSE MY CAR NEVER SHOWED ANY "CODES". MY CAR HAS ACCELERATION PROBLEMS, THE RIGHT HEAD LIGHT SOCKET HARNESS KEEPS BURNING OUT AND I'M ALSO STARTING TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH MY BRAKE LIGHTS. MY BRAKE LIGHTS DON'T GO ON WHEN I PRESS ON MY BRAKE AND WHEN I DO THEY SOMETIMES STAY ON AFTER I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE. THE ACCELERATION PROBLEM HAPPENS ON A FULL STOP AND ON THE HIGHWAY. I USUALLY GIVE MY SELF EXTRA SPACE TO ACCELERATE BECAUSE MY CAR FAILS AT TIMES. IN THE HIGHWAY MY CAR SOMETIMES STRUGGLES TO CATCH UP TO SPEED WITH THE OTHER CARS. THIS PROBLEM HAS ALMOST CAUSE AND ACCIDENT SEVERAL TIMES.

NHTSA ODI #11061495

67,000 miles · Dec 16, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

THE BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATE WITHOUT THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING PUSHED; THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE PEDAL IS PUSHED; DIFFICULTY ENGAGING AND DISENGAGING THE CRUISE CONTROL; DISABLEMENT OF CRASH THE TRACTION CONTROL, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL.

NHTSA ODI #11055055

Mileage unknown · Dec 11, 2017
Electrical SystemService Brakes

IM HAVING ELECTRIC PROBLEMS WITH CAR. THE BRAKE LIGHT COME ON WHEN DRIVING AND NOT USING THE BRAKES. IT WILL GO OFF AND ON. THE DASH LIGHTS WOULD COME ON AND OFF . THERE IS SOME KIND OF ELECTRIC PROBLEM GOING ON. I HAD PEOPLE AND POLICE FOLLOWING ME LET ME KNOW ABOUT THE BRAKING LIGHT COMMING ON GOING DOWN THE ROAD

NHTSA ODI #11054013

69,500 miles · Nov 30, 2017
Exterior LightingService BrakesVehicle Speed Control

BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ALL THE TIME. SERVICE TRACTION LIGHT ON. SERVICE CVS LIGHT ON.

NHTSA ODI #11051487

118,578 miles · Oct 23, 2017
Service Brakes

THE BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON WHILE DRIVING WITH OUT PRESSING THE BREAK PEDAL. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IT PRESSED THE LIGHTS GO OFF. THE CRUISE CONTROL IS NOT FUCTIONING AND THE ESC INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON.

NHTSA ODI #11035664

201,203 miles · Oct 20, 2017
Service Brakes

THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ON ALL THE TIME WHILE DRIVING. WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE BRAKE LIGHTS GO OFF.

NHTSA ODI #11034786

192,000 miles · Oct 11, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON WHILE DRIVING AND GO OFF WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. SERVICE ESC LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ON AS WELL. UNSURE IF RELATED.

NHTSA ODI #11032998

100,000 miles · Sep 14, 2017
Exterior LightingService Brakes

WAS RECENTLY MADE AWARE (NUMEROUS TIMES IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS) THAT WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD MY BRAKE LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. AT TIMES WHEN NOT APPLYING THE BRAKES THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ON ACTING AS IF I WAS BREAKING AND WHEN I BRAKE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TURN OFF (SO IN OTHER WORDS IT IS REVERSED). AROUND THE SAME TIME T…

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WAS RECENTLY MADE AWARE (NUMEROUS TIMES IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS) THAT WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD MY BRAKE LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. AT TIMES WHEN NOT APPLYING THE BRAKES THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ON ACTING AS IF I WAS BREAKING AND WHEN I BRAKE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TURN OFF (SO IN OTHER WORDS IT IS REVERSED). AROUND THE SAME TIME THAT THIS BEGAN TO HAVE LIKELY STARTED OCCURRING THE FOLLOWING WARNING LIGHTS BEGAN TO APPEAR; "ESC" AND SERVICE TRACTION" (I DO NOT KNOW IF THERE IS ANY RELATION BETWEEN THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND NOTED WARNING LIGHTS). I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ESPECIALLY WITH MY FAMILY IN IT AS THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE NOT GIVING OTHER DRIVERS AROUND ME THE APPROPRIATE INDICATION OF WHAT MY VEHICLES INTENTIONS ARE. THE BRAKE LIGHT PROBLEM HAS BEEN OCCURRING, WHEN IN MOTION, STATIONARY, HIGHWAY AND CITY STREET. POTENTIALLY PARTS THAT MAY REQUIRE REPLACEMENT OR REPAIR; BODY CONTROL MODULE (BCM), BAS, AND HARNESS CONNECTOR.

NHTSA ODI #11023426

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.