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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 →

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

Structure complaints

44 reports
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67,000 miles · Nov 2, 2016
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE PUSHING THE LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTON INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE OR WHILE INSERTING THE KEY IN THE DOOR LOCK. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE PUSHING THE LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTON INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE OR WHILE INSERTING THE KEY IN THE DOOR LOCK. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.

NHTSA ODI #10923864

60,000 miles · Oct 27, 2016
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

"TAKATA RECALL": THE DOOR LOCK DOES NOT WORK AT TIMES. THE DOOR WILL NOT SHUT AS WELL AS THE DOOR'S LOCK ASSEMBLY NOT DISENGAGING. THE LOCKING ASSEMBLY WILL EITHER NOT UNLOCK OR WILL NOT ALLOW THE DOOR TO STAY LATCHED. IT HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING WHEN MOVING, STATIONARY, DRIVING ON ANY TYPE OF ROAD OR PARKING AREA. WE HAD DA…

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"TAKATA RECALL": THE DOOR LOCK DOES NOT WORK AT TIMES. THE DOOR WILL NOT SHUT AS WELL AS THE DOOR'S LOCK ASSEMBLY NOT DISENGAGING. THE LOCKING ASSEMBLY WILL EITHER NOT UNLOCK OR WILL NOT ALLOW THE DOOR TO STAY LATCHED. IT HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING WHEN MOVING, STATIONARY, DRIVING ON ANY TYPE OF ROAD OR PARKING AREA. WE HAD DAVIDSON CHEVROLET IN WATERTOWN, NEW YORK ON MARCH 7, 2016 FOR A SEAT BELT PROBLEM AND HAD THE DOOR LOOKED AT THAT DAY. WE WERE INFORMED IT WOULD COST OVER $500.00 TO REPLACE THE PART. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND I HAVE ALMOST FALLEN OUT OF CAR WHILE DRIVING WHEN THIS HAS HAPPENED. THE CAR WAS NOT IN AN ACCIDENT AND NOTHING CAUSED THIS TO HAPPEN. THE LAST DATE THIS HAPPENED WAS 10-27-2016. THE FIRST IT HAPPENED WAS LAST YEAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10919374

67,000 miles · Oct 17, 2016
Structure

DRIVER DOOR WON'T OPEN. RIGHT BEFORE IT WOULDN'T OPEN, THE DOOR WOULDN'T CLOSE. IT WOULD JUST BOUNCE OPEN. GOT THE DOOR TO FINALLY CLOSE AND NOW IT WON'T OPEN. TRIED UNLOCKING AND LOCKING IT AND NOTHING. SEEN LOTS OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING AND HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR MALIBUS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10916510

Mileage unknown · Sep 18, 2016
Structure

THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WILL RANDOMLY STAY LOCKED EVEN WHEN ITS NOT LOCKED. THIS IS A SAFTEY HAZARD. YOU CANNOT OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE LOCK ACTUATOR.

NHTSA ODI #10907416

145,000 miles · Feb 25, 2016
Electrical SystemStructure

MY 2010 CHEVY MALIBU DRIVER SIDE FRONT DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. DRIVER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AFTER THE DOORS ARE UNLOCKED OR FROM THE OUTSIDE BY PULLING ON THE HANDLE. IT DOES NOT MATTER IF YOU UNLOCK FROM INSIDE USING UNLOCK/LOCK BUTTON ON DOOR OR OUTSIDE USING KEY FOB, THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. MAJOR SA…

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MY 2010 CHEVY MALIBU DRIVER SIDE FRONT DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. DRIVER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AFTER THE DOORS ARE UNLOCKED OR FROM THE OUTSIDE BY PULLING ON THE HANDLE. IT DOES NOT MATTER IF YOU UNLOCK FROM INSIDE USING UNLOCK/LOCK BUTTON ON DOOR OR OUTSIDE USING KEY FOB, THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT OR AN EMERGENCY, THE DRIVER OR PASSENGERS WHOSE DOORS ARE AFFECTED WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE AFFECTED DOOR. TRIED PENETRATING OIL AND GREASE TO LUBRICATE ACTUATOR AND HAS NOT FIXED PROBLEM. ALSO HAPPENS RANDOMLY, DOES NOT MATTER TEMPERATURE OR WEATHER CONDITIONS. NO CURRENT RECALLS OUT ON THIS ISSUE, AND REPAIR COSTS RANGE UPWARDS OF $350. THE PULL HANDLE INSIDE THE CAR FEELS LIKE IT IS NOT ENGAGING WITH THE COMPONENTS TO UNLATCH THE DOOR, AND THE SAME FEELING IS OBSERVED WHEN TRYING TO OPEN THE CAR ON THE OUTSIDE USING THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE.

NHTSA ODI #10838209

60,000 miles · Feb 23, 2016
StructureInjury

CHROME PAINT ON INTERIOR HANDLERS IS PEELING CAUSING CUTS/LACERATIONS ON PEOPLE'S HANDS.

NHTSA ODI #10837864

83,500 miles · Jan 10, 2016
Electrical SystemStructure

DOOR LATCH MALFUNCTIONS. THE AUTO LOCK FUNCTION DOES NOT WORK WHEN TRANSITIONING FROM DRIVE TO PARK, AND THE DOOR IS UNABLE TO BE OPENED AND CLOSED. THE ONLY WAY TO EXIT/ENTER THE VEHICLE IS BY CRAWLING ACROSS PASSENGER SEAT - SAFETY CONCERN.

NHTSA ODI #10819202

Mileage unknown · Dec 21, 2015
Electrical SystemStructure

MY MALIBU LEAKIN WATER BY THE METALLIC STRUCTURE OF THE ROOF IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S AUTO GLASS BUSINESS UP AND NOTED THAT THE WINDSHIELD IS NO PROBLEM, THE PROBLEM IS IN THE METAL CEILING JOISTS FACTORY DEFAULT IN THE INSULATION CEILING. THAT SAME DIAGNOSIS IT ISSUED THREE WORKSHOPS OF CAR REPAIR. IT IS A PROBLEM O…

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MY MALIBU LEAKIN WATER BY THE METALLIC STRUCTURE OF THE ROOF IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S AUTO GLASS BUSINESS UP AND NOTED THAT THE WINDSHIELD IS NO PROBLEM, THE PROBLEM IS IN THE METAL CEILING JOISTS FACTORY DEFAULT IN THE INSULATION CEILING. THAT SAME DIAGNOSIS IT ISSUED THREE WORKSHOPS OF CAR REPAIR. IT IS A PROBLEM OF MAKING THE 2010 MALIBU.

NHTSA ODI #10811495

96,000 miles · Dec 17, 2015
Structure

DRIVER DOOR HANDLES INCONSISTENTLY WORK. ONE DAY THEY WILL BE FINE, THE NEXT NEITHER INSIDE OR OUTSIDE HANDLES WORK. THE MECHANISM FOR THE DOOR LOCK APPEARS TO BE WORKING FINE.

NHTSA ODI #10810966

65,000 miles · Nov 2, 2015
Structure

DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM IN THE DRIVERS DOOR HAS BEEN FAILING, POWER DOOR LOCK ON DRIVERS DOOR FAILS QUITE OFTEN. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE DRIVER CAN NOT OPEN THE DRIVERS DOOR EITHER WITH THE POWER UNLOCK OR MANUALLY WITH THE DOOR LOCK IN THE UP POSITION OR FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF THE DRIVERS DOOR WITH THE DOOR HANDLE. IT IS LI…

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DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM IN THE DRIVERS DOOR HAS BEEN FAILING, POWER DOOR LOCK ON DRIVERS DOOR FAILS QUITE OFTEN. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE DRIVER CAN NOT OPEN THE DRIVERS DOOR EITHER WITH THE POWER UNLOCK OR MANUALLY WITH THE DOOR LOCK IN THE UP POSITION OR FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF THE DRIVERS DOOR WITH THE DOOR HANDLE. IT IS LIKE THE DOOR MECHANISM IS DISABLED. DOES NOT MATTER IF THE CAR IS IN MOTION OR NOT HAPPENS WHEN PARKED OR THE CAR HAS JUST COME TO A STOP. THE DRIVER MUST CRAWL OVER THE CENTER DIVIDER AND OUT THE PASSENGER SIDE TO EXIT OR BACK OVER TO DRIVE THE CAR. HAVE AN APPOINTMENT TO GET IT REPAIRED FOR $350 AT THE CHEVROLET DEALER ON NOVEMBER 11TH BUT THINK THIS SHOULD BE COVERED BY GM AS I HAVE READ THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2008 TO 2010 MALIBU CARS AND CERTAINLY IS A SAFETY ISSUE BEING TRAPPED IN THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI #10787779

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.