IllustrationPOWER STEERING WARNING IS COME ON WHEN TRY TO START CAR . NOT SAFETY TO DRIVE .WHAT TO DO???
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
Wheels complaints
33 reportsONE OF MY NEW TIRES CONTINUALLY DEFLATE. AFTER TAKING TO TIRE CO. 6OF8WKS TO GET AIR, I WAS TOLD I HAVE A CRACKED WHEEL AND WILL PAY $500 FOR A USED WHEEL OR UP TO $1000 FOR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO REPLACE IT. I PAY $50 EXTRA F/PLATINUM WARRANTY AND HAD TO PAY FOR AIRBAG SVC'ING TO GET INSPECTION--AND $100 DEDUCTIBLE FROM WARRANT…
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ONE OF MY NEW TIRES CONTINUALLY DEFLATE. AFTER TAKING TO TIRE CO. 6OF8WKS TO GET AIR, I WAS TOLD I HAVE A CRACKED WHEEL AND WILL PAY $500 FOR A USED WHEEL OR UP TO $1000 FOR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO REPLACE IT. I PAY $50 EXTRA F/PLATINUM WARRANTY AND HAD TO PAY FOR AIRBAG SVC'ING TO GET INSPECTION--AND $100 DEDUCTIBLE FROM WARRANTY COMPANY. IN 2YRS, I'VE PAID $1200 F/WARRANTY PLUS $150 DEDUCTIBLE@AUTHORIZED SERVICE CTR-PINKERTON CHEV IN LYNCHBURG, VA-AND IT TOOK 3 WEEKS THAT I HAD TO BUM A RIDE TO WORK OR PAY A CAB. NOW, I'M RIDING ON A "DONUT" AND MY GAS MILEAGE IS <8MPG........W/A $389 CAR NOTE AND $200 CAR INSURANCE NOTE.
RIM LEAKS AIR. THERE ARE AIR LEAKS AT THE STEEL SEAMS WHERE THE HUB SPOKES ARE WELDED. IN THESE AREAS, THERE DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE ANY WELDING DONE AT ALL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TPMS WARNING LIGHT KEPT RANDOMLY ILLUMINATING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT AIR WAS LEAKING FROM ALL FOUR TIRES. A MECHANIC INSPECTED THE TIRES AND STATED THAT THE FACTORY RIMS WHEEL WELLS FRACTURED INTERNALLY AND WERE PREMATURELY DETERIORATING. T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TPMS WARNING LIGHT KEPT RANDOMLY ILLUMINATING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT AIR WAS LEAKING FROM ALL FOUR TIRES. A MECHANIC INSPECTED THE TIRES AND STATED THAT THE FACTORY RIMS WHEEL WELLS FRACTURED INTERNALLY AND WERE PREMATURELY DETERIORATING. THE MECHANIC RECOMMENDED THAT ALL FOUR RIMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO RECOMMENDATION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,824.
I HAVE HAD 2 OF MY STEEL RIM GET CRACKS IN THEME IS THERE A RECALL ON THEME, I ALSO HAD 5 WHEEL LUGS ON THE LEFT FRONT BREAK AND 7 ON THE RIGHT NOT FROM OVER TIGHTENING WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THATS WHAT THEY TOLD ME AT THE TIME I HAD 1 ON EACH SIDE BROKEN THEY I HAD THEME REPAIR EM AND 3 WEEKS LATER I HAD 2 ON ONE SIDE 1 S…
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I HAVE HAD 2 OF MY STEEL RIM GET CRACKS IN THEME IS THERE A RECALL ON THEME, I ALSO HAD 5 WHEEL LUGS ON THE LEFT FRONT BREAK AND 7 ON THE RIGHT NOT FROM OVER TIGHTENING WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THATS WHAT THEY TOLD ME AT THE TIME I HAD 1 ON EACH SIDE BROKEN THEY I HAD THEME REPAIR EM AND 3 WEEKS LATER I HAD 2 ON ONE SIDE 1 SIDE BRAKE I REPLACED THE WHEEL HUBS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RIMS WERE CRACKING AND THE TIRES WERE LOW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS LOW DUE TO THE CRACKED RIM. THE RIM WAS REPLACED TWICE. THE RIM WAS PURCHASED FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIF…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RIMS WERE CRACKING AND THE TIRES WERE LOW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS LOW DUE TO THE CRACKED RIM. THE RIM WAS REPLACED TWICE. THE RIM WAS PURCHASED FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU MANUFACTURER STEEL WHEEL ARE DEFECTED, AND CHEVROLET GM WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THE MOLDING OF THE STEEL, AT A COST OF $233.84 FROM THE DEALERS TO REPLACE. CUSTOMER SERVICE SEND ME TO BELLAMY STRICKLAND IN MCDONOUGH, GA AND THEY ALSO FOUND THE CRACK IN THE STEEL RIM. T…
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2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU MANUFACTURER STEEL WHEEL ARE DEFECTED, AND CHEVROLET GM WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THE MOLDING OF THE STEEL, AT A COST OF $233.84 FROM THE DEALERS TO REPLACE. CUSTOMER SERVICE SEND ME TO BELLAMY STRICKLAND IN MCDONOUGH, GA AND THEY ALSO FOUND THE CRACK IN THE STEEL RIM. THERE ARE MANY CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, DATED AS FAR BACK AS 2008 FROM CONSUMERS. THIS WILL BE THE SECOND STEEL RIM I WILL NEED TO REPLACE AT MY EXPENSE. THIS IS A HAZARDOUS AND DANGEROUS FOR THE OWNER/DRIVER AND THE PUBLIC.
WHEEL- "CRACK IN RIM" WE PURCHASE A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU IN 2013 FROM IVORY CHEVROLET IN UNION CITY, GA. NOTICE OVER TIME THAT PASSAGE TIRE KEPT GOING LOW, REPLACE TIRE 2 TWICE, FINALLY IN 2015 BOUGHT ALL NEW TIRES FROM SEARS TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM BUT THE PASSAGE SIDE KEPT LOSING PRESSURE, COMPLAINT TO SEAR IT NOT THEIR TIRES …
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WHEEL- "CRACK IN RIM" WE PURCHASE A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU IN 2013 FROM IVORY CHEVROLET IN UNION CITY, GA. NOTICE OVER TIME THAT PASSAGE TIRE KEPT GOING LOW, REPLACE TIRE 2 TWICE, FINALLY IN 2015 BOUGHT ALL NEW TIRES FROM SEARS TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM BUT THE PASSAGE SIDE KEPT LOSING PRESSURE, COMPLAINT TO SEAR IT NOT THEIR TIRES BUT MAYBE A CRACK IN RIM. BOUGHT A NEW RIM FOR PASSAGE SIDE NOW THE DRIVER SIDE STARTED DOING THE SAME THING WHEN BACK TO SEAR, IT NOT THE TIRE BUT THE WHEEL HAS A CRACK ALSO, CALL GM ON 12/28/2015 THE REP SEND ME TO BELLAMY STRICKLAND THEY STATED "PARTS: 131139 WHEEL LEAKING FROM CENTER PIECE WHERE ATTACHED TO OUTER RIM, CASE NUMBER 8-1731278803, NO CASE IN SYSTEM FOR STEEL WHEELS LEAKING RECOMMENDED TO REPLACE WHEEL FOR $233.84". I HAVE REPLACE THE RIGHT WHEEL (RIM) NOW THE LEFT WHEEL IS CRACK. THERE ARE A NUMEROUS OF COMPLAINTS FROM CONSUMERS ABOUT THEIR STEEL RIM CRACKING BUT GM AND THEIR DEALERSHIP REFUSE TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS HAZARDOUS AND DANGEROUS SITUATION, I AM ASKING FOR THE NHTSA TO LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE THE CRACK IN THE STEEL WHEEL INDICATES THAT THE METAL IS WEAKENED AND VULNERABLE TO FAILURE THAT MAY CAUSE DEAD OR SERIOUS INJURIES TO BODY AND PROPERTY.
1) GM IS COVERING UP A DEFECT IN RIMS ( NOT COMPLETELY WELDED, I HAVE THE RIM AS EVIDENCE) 2) CURRENTLY MY SERVICE ESC, TRACTION, AIR BAG LIGHTS ARE ALL ON ( SO IS MY AIR BAG GONNA EXPLODE? IS MY CAR NOT STABLE ENOUGH TO BE DRIVEN?) 3) 2011 I PAID TO HAVE MY CAR FIXED BECAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS STAYED ON. ( MAYBE HAD 3000 MILE…
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1) GM IS COVERING UP A DEFECT IN RIMS ( NOT COMPLETELY WELDED, I HAVE THE RIM AS EVIDENCE) 2) CURRENTLY MY SERVICE ESC, TRACTION, AIR BAG LIGHTS ARE ALL ON ( SO IS MY AIR BAG GONNA EXPLODE? IS MY CAR NOT STABLE ENOUGH TO BE DRIVEN?) 3) 2011 I PAID TO HAVE MY CAR FIXED BECAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS STAYED ON. ( MAYBE HAD 3000 MILES) 4) MY BRAKE LIGHTS CURRENTLY STAY ON.( APROX 70,000 MILES) 5) I HAVE CONTACTED GM SEVERAL TIMES, HAVE NOT SPOKE TO ANYONE. 6) WHEN THE CAR BEHIND ME CAN NOT TELL IF I AM STOPPING BECAUSE MY LIGHTS STAY ON AND I AM KILLED ALONG WITH THE PERSON BEHIND ME... MAYBE SOMEONE WILL LISTEN.
THE RIM ON MY TIRE IS NOT WELDED TOGETHER....LOSING AIR DAILY AND HAS BEEN FOR A WHILE BUT GOT WORSE. NO IMPACT AT ALL THIS IS A DEFECT IN MANUFACTURING. *TR
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.