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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

Service Brakes complaints

184 reports
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118,785 miles · Sep 12, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

IN 2014 THERE WAS A RECALL INVOLVING THE ESC SYSTEM. MY VEHICLE WOULD HAVE ISSUES SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE, BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT WORK WHEN THE PEDDLE WAS PUSHED AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD BE ON WHEN YOU WOULD TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE BRAKE. MY VEHICLE WAS "FIXED" AND WAS WORKING PROPERLY FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. MY CAR NOW, O…

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IN 2014 THERE WAS A RECALL INVOLVING THE ESC SYSTEM. MY VEHICLE WOULD HAVE ISSUES SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE, BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT WORK WHEN THE PEDDLE WAS PUSHED AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD BE ON WHEN YOU WOULD TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE BRAKE. MY VEHICLE WAS "FIXED" AND WAS WORKING PROPERLY FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. MY CAR NOW, ONCE AGAIN, HAS THE SERVICE ESC AND TRACTION CONTROL OFF WARNINGS COMING ON IN MY VEHICLE AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS PUSHED DOWN THE BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT WORK. WHEN THE PEDAL IS RELEASED MY BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON. CURRENTLY THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS. THIS WOULD HAPPEN WHEN I WAS SIMPLY BRAKING FOR A LIGHT. MY BRAKES WORK JUST NOT THE LIGHTS TO WARN OTHER DRIVERS THAT I AM APPLYING MY BRAKES.

NHTSA ODI #11022820

72,000 miles · Aug 25, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesVehicle Speed Control

WHILE IN MOTION, MY 2010 CHEVY MALIBU LTZ HAS BEEN INTERMITTENTLY GIVING ME A "SERVICE TRACTION" "ESC OFF" NOTICE AND THE CRUISE CONTROL IS ALSO WORKING INTERMITTENTLY.

NHTSA ODI #11019626

Mileage unknown · Aug 18, 2017
Service Brakes

BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATING WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT TOUCHING THE BRAKES. WHEN TOUCHING THE BRAKES THE LIGHTS GO OFF AND HAVE ZERO BRAKE LIGHTS. THE TRACTION CONTROL AND BRAKE LIGHTS ON DASH WILL POP UP ON AND OFF.

NHTSA ODI #11016107

1,000 miles · Aug 9, 2017
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

ESC,TRACTION,ABS LIGHTS COME ON WHILE CAR IS MOVING, AND WHEN FIRST STARTING, A TROUBLE CODE C0131 HAS BEEN RECORDED. THE PROBLEM STARTED IN JUNE OF 2010. A WEEK AFTER WE GOT THE CAR, THE DEALER CHANGED BRAKE LITE SWITCH, THE CAR HAS BEEN BACK TO SHOP 15-20 TIMES IT IS NOW 8-9-2017 NO ONE CAN FIX PROBLEM, MADE CALLS TO GM COSTOM…

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ESC,TRACTION,ABS LIGHTS COME ON WHILE CAR IS MOVING, AND WHEN FIRST STARTING, A TROUBLE CODE C0131 HAS BEEN RECORDED. THE PROBLEM STARTED IN JUNE OF 2010. A WEEK AFTER WE GOT THE CAR, THE DEALER CHANGED BRAKE LITE SWITCH, THE CAR HAS BEEN BACK TO SHOP 15-20 TIMES IT IS NOW 8-9-2017 NO ONE CAN FIX PROBLEM, MADE CALLS TO GM COSTOMER SERVICE MANY TIMES OVER THE 7 YEARS, STILL NO FIX, GM WANTS US TO PAY FOR REPAIR AND DIAGNOSTIC AS TOO THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY ,WE FEEL GM SHOULD REPAIR THE CAR FREE OF CHARGE AS TO THIS IS DANGEROUS AND HAS NEVER BEEN FIXED ,

NHTSA ODI #11013987

88,437 miles · Aug 4, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesSteering

THE ESC AND TRACTION WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. ESC NOT WORKING SO I WAS VERY VERY CAUTIOUS DRIVING. I TOOK TO DEALER. $1200 + TO REPLACE 2 COMPUTER MODULES FOR BRAKES, STEERING, TRACTION. THIS BRINGS NUMBER OF MODULES NEEDING REPLACEMENT TO 4 ON THIS VEHICLE. EIGHT DAYS LATER, ALL THE SAME LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN PLUS BRAKE FLUI…

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THE ESC AND TRACTION WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. ESC NOT WORKING SO I WAS VERY VERY CAUTIOUS DRIVING. I TOOK TO DEALER. $1200 + TO REPLACE 2 COMPUTER MODULES FOR BRAKES, STEERING, TRACTION. THIS BRINGS NUMBER OF MODULES NEEDING REPLACEMENT TO 4 ON THIS VEHICLE. EIGHT DAYS LATER, ALL THE SAME LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN PLUS BRAKE FLUID LIGHT. CALLED DEALER AND TOLD TO BRING CAR IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC. I ASKED ABOUT SAFETY AND WAS TOLD TO CHECK BRAKE FLUID. I SAID I DON'T KNOW HOW. SO, I WENT TO CAR AND BRAKE WAS HARDER BUT WORKING. DROVE TO DEALER. WHEN I ARRIVED, THERE IS NO BRAKE FLUID LEFT. LUCKY I MADE IT TO THE DEALER. WAS TOLD EITHER PART NOT INSTALLED PROPERLY OR DEFECTIVE PART. THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT COULD HAVE COST MY LIFE OR SOMEONE ELSE'S LIFE. IN RESEARCHING LATER, I SEE A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THESE WARNING LIGHTS AND MODULES. I AM LUCKY THERE WAS NO INCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI #11012822

Mileage unknown · Jul 27, 2017
Service Brakes

BRAKE LIGHTS ON WHEN BRAKE NOT APPLIED. BRAKE LIGHTS ARE OFF WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. REF. RECALL 14V252000. TO DATE 4 RETURNS TO DEALER TO FIX BUT ISSUE STILL PRESENT. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND LAST OCCURRENCE RESULTED IN NEAR END COLLISION FROM VEHICLE BEHIND.

NHTSA ODI #11010994

Mileage unknown · Jul 24, 2017
Service Brakes

"TAKATA RECALL" THE TRACTION SERVICE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND SAYS SERVICE ESC , THEN BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON AND STAY ON WHILE DRIVING. WHEN I PRESS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THE LIGHT SO OFF.

NHTSA ODI #11010276

Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 2017
Electrical SystemService Brakes

FOR THE 2014 14V252000 RECALL, WE BELIEVE THE PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED AGAIN. WE ARE GETTING IT FIXED AGAIN AT OUR EXPENSE. SALLY BOYLE FROM THE IL ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE TALKED AT LENGTH WITH THE GM COUNSEL TODAY AND GM STATED THAT IL HAS NO JURISDICTION OVER THEM, JUST THE NHTSA.

NHTSA ODI #11006244

87,000 miles · Jun 20, 2017
Electrical SystemService Brakes

TAKATA RECALL THE BREAKS ARE COMING ON WHEN THE BREAK IS NOT ENGAGED AND WHEN THE BREAK LIGHT IS ENGAGED IT DOESN'T COME ON. I HAVE BEEN TO GET A BREAK LIGHT SWITCHED OUT TWICE AND STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. OVER AND OVER AND THE SERVICE TRACTION LIGHT ALSO SEEMS TO KEEP COMING ON AND THEY CANNOT FIGURE OUT WHY. I AM WASTIN…

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TAKATA RECALL THE BREAKS ARE COMING ON WHEN THE BREAK IS NOT ENGAGED AND WHEN THE BREAK LIGHT IS ENGAGED IT DOESN'T COME ON. I HAVE BEEN TO GET A BREAK LIGHT SWITCHED OUT TWICE AND STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. OVER AND OVER AND THE SERVICE TRACTION LIGHT ALSO SEEMS TO KEEP COMING ON AND THEY CANNOT FIGURE OUT WHY. I AM WASTING MONEY BECAUSE NO ONE CAN SEEM TO FIGURE I THEY PROBLEM. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND NEEDS TO BE UNDER RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #11000135

Mileage unknown · May 30, 2017
Electrical SystemService BrakesVehicle Speed Control

HAD CAMSHAFT SENSOR INSTALLED LESS THAN A YEAR AGO AND ENGINE CAME ON WITH SAME SENSOR CODE. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS GOING OUT CONSTANTLY AND HEADLIGHT BULB WAS REPAIRED 4 TIMES LESS THAN A YEAR. COST ME OVER 600 TOTAL ONE SERVICE WAS DONE FOR FREE BECAUSE IT WAS REPAIRED AND BLEW THE NEXT DAY. SO MUCH WORK AND BARELY DRIVE TO …

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HAD CAMSHAFT SENSOR INSTALLED LESS THAN A YEAR AGO AND ENGINE CAME ON WITH SAME SENSOR CODE. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS GOING OUT CONSTANTLY AND HEADLIGHT BULB WAS REPAIRED 4 TIMES LESS THAN A YEAR. COST ME OVER 600 TOTAL ONE SERVICE WAS DONE FOR FREE BECAUSE IT WAS REPAIRED AND BLEW THE NEXT DAY. SO MUCH WORK AND BARELY DRIVE TO CAR TO AND FROM WORK ONLY 2 MILES. I PLAN TO MAKE A COMPLAINT TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR EXPLANATIONS IF NOT SOLVED OR REIMBURSED. THE VEHICLE STAYS IN THE SHOP MORE THAN USE. TRACTION CONTROL SENSOR REPLACES AND CAME BACK 2 WEEKS LATER. THE VEHICLE ALSO STALLED WITH MY CHILDREN ON A BUSY STREET WHERE A VEHICLE ALMOST STRUCK THE BACK SIDE MISSING MY DAUGHTER BY INCHES. UNSAFE VEHICLE AND TOO MANY MALFUCTIONS.

NHTSA ODI #10992156

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.