IllustrationI PURCHASED THE CAR FROM CREST AUTO MALL AND 1 WEEK LATER THE SUSPENSIONS GETS MESSED UP AND THEN 1 MONTH LATER THE ENGINE BLOWS UP NOW MY CAR IS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY!
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Malibu years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1190–25K
12225–50K
22050–75K
24475–100K
256100–150K
110150K+
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
Vehicle Speed Control complaints
116 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE UNINTENTIONALLY ACCELERATED AND THEN SLOWED DOWN. THE ESC AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KRAMER TIRE (6628 PROVIDENCE RD, VIRGINIA BEACH, VA 23464, (757) 346-5739) WHERE THE FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE UNINTENTIONALLY ACCELERATED AND THEN SLOWED DOWN. THE ESC AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KRAMER TIRE (6628 PROVIDENCE RD, VIRGINIA BEACH, VA 23464, (757) 346-5739) WHERE THE FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE PASSENGER SIDE CV JOINT WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.
TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME ON. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE BRAKES MALFUNCTION ILLUMINATES WHEN I'M NOT PRESSING THE BRAKES AND GOES OUT WHEN I DO. DISABLES CRUISE CONTROL. REPLACED BODY CONTROL MODULE 6 MONTHS AGO TO CORRECT THESE ISSUES STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM VERY UNSAFE.
WHEN DRIVING IT THE TRANSMISSION DON'T KICK IN UNTIL YOU GET PASS 30 MILES AND THEN IT'S DOING EVERYTHING THAT YOU HAVE A RECALL ON SOME OF THE OTHER 2010 CHEVY MALIBU JUST TRYING TO SEE WHY MY VIN NUMBER HASN'T BEEN RECALL.I HAVE TO PUT MY EMERGENCY LIGHTS OWN SOMETIME SO I WON'T BE IN A RECK GETTING MY GRANDKIDS TO AND FROM SC…
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WHEN DRIVING IT THE TRANSMISSION DON'T KICK IN UNTIL YOU GET PASS 30 MILES AND THEN IT'S DOING EVERYTHING THAT YOU HAVE A RECALL ON SOME OF THE OTHER 2010 CHEVY MALIBU JUST TRYING TO SEE WHY MY VIN NUMBER HASN'T BEEN RECALL.I HAVE TO PUT MY EMERGENCY LIGHTS OWN SOMETIME SO I WON'T BE IN A RECK GETTING MY GRANDKIDS TO AND FROM SCHOOL I FEAR FOR OUR SAFETY BUT THIS IS MY ONLY TRANSPORTATION SO IF YOU CAN PLEAS CHECK AND SEE IF I HAVE A RECALL ON MY VIN NUMBER IT WOULD PLEASE BE APPRECIATE SIGN A CARING GRANDMOTHER TRYING TO KEEP HER FAMILY SAFE 🙏🏽🙏🏽
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE RPMS INCREASED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THERE WAS ALSO AN ABNORMAL NOISE DETECTED FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE SPEEDOMETER WAS NOT DISPLAYING THE CORRECT SPEED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE RPMS INCREASED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THERE WAS ALSO AN ABNORMAL NOISE DETECTED FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE SPEEDOMETER WAS NOT DISPLAYING THE CORRECT SPEED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING FLASHED ON AND OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CARDINAL BUICK GMC (3800 IL-15, BELLEVILLE, IL 62226, (618) 233-0303) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ELECTRICAL CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND NO FAILURE WAS FOUND WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
I BUY A BULB EVERY OTHER WEEK OR MONTH FOR MY HEADLIGHTS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE KEEPS GOING OUT
ESC , TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS COME ON. THEN REAR BRAKE LIGHTS WORK OPPOSITE OF STANDARD BRAKE LIGHT DESIGN. THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON WHILE DRIVING. WHEN BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, THE BRAKE LIGHTS TURN OFF. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR TWO YEARS NOW. THE DEALERSHIP JUST PATCHES THE REPAIR. THE REPAIR ONLY LASTS A FEW WEEKS.
WHILE DRIVING AT 60MPG CAR RPG DROPPED TO NOTHING, COULDN'T USE THE ACCELERATOR. ABLE TO MOVE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. GOT IT GOING AGAIN THEN NOT EVEN 5 MINS LATER CAR STARTED SHAKING BADLY, COULDN'T USE THE ACCELERATOR, PULLED OVER. DASH FLASHES WITH ESC. SERVICE, TRACTION CONTROL, ENGINE REDUCED AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES O…
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WHILE DRIVING AT 60MPG CAR RPG DROPPED TO NOTHING, COULDN'T USE THE ACCELERATOR. ABLE TO MOVE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. GOT IT GOING AGAIN THEN NOT EVEN 5 MINS LATER CAR STARTED SHAKING BADLY, COULDN'T USE THE ACCELERATOR, PULLED OVER. DASH FLASHES WITH ESC. SERVICE, TRACTION CONTROL, ENGINE REDUCED AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ON GOING FOR WELL OVER A YEAR. HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH COLDER MONTHS, FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED IT WAS SEPTEMBER. WENT OUT TODAY TO WARM UP MY CAR AS IT WAS ICED AND SNOWED OVER, WHILE CLEANING IT OFF IT WAS FINE. CAME BACK INSIDE TO FINISH GETTING READY TO GO AND WHEN I CAME OUT TO MY CAR, IT WAS SHAKING, RPM WAS BOUNCING BETWEEN 1-3, ALL THE NOTICES WERE ON THE DASH AGAIN. TOOK IT FOR A DRIVE AROUND THE BLOCK TO SEE IF IT WOULD RESOLVE, COULDN'T GET IT TO GO ABOVE 15 MPG. I'VE TAKEN IT TO NUMEROUS GARAGES TO GET LOOKED AT, ITS ALWAYS SOMETHING DIFFERENT. ONE "FIXED" THE ENGINE, ANOTHER DID AN OIL CHANGE AND FILTER CHANGE, ONE CHANGED THE ALTERNATOR, ETC. EVERYTIME I TAKE IT SOMEWHERE THEY "FIX" IT FOR IT TO RUN FOR A WEEK OR SO AT A TIME TIL THIS HAPPENS AGAIN. LUCKILY IT HAS NOT CAUSED ANY ACCIDENTS BUT I WILL NOT DRIVE IT IN THIS CONDITION. BEEN TOLD ITS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AS WELL BUT I'M TIRED OF SPENDING MONEY FOR IT NOT TO FIX THE UNDERLYING ISSUE WHICH NO ONE CAN SEEM TO FIGURE OUT. I HAVE LEARNED THIS IS A PROBLEM FOR A LOT OF CHEVY MALIBU OWNERS. I AM UNABLE TO GET ANOTHER VEHICLE SO I AM STUCK WITH WHAT I CURRENTLY HAVE.
HEADLIGHTS WON'T WORK BRAND NEW LIGHTBULBS DASHBOARD LIGHTS DIM IS OUTCONTROL TRANSACTION TURNS ON BRAKE LIGHT TURNS ON WITHOUT TOUCHING THE BRAKES THEY BASICALLY STAY ON AND MORE
MY CAR KEEPS POPPING UP SERVICE ESC, ENGINE POWER REDUCED AND SERVICE TRACTION LIGHTS KEEP COMING ON. HAVE HAD FIXED 3 TIMES AND SILL KEEPS HAPPENING. WHILE VEHICLE IS DRIVING IT WILL DIE FOR NO REASON, ONCE STARTED BACK UP SOMETIMES IT STOPS OTHER TIMES STARTS SHAKING AND AS NO POWER.
Official recalls
319V019000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.