IllustrationPOWER STEERING OFF WILL APPEAR ON DASH WITH EACH OFF LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT OFF.
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
What owners actually said
1,360 reportsSERVICE EAS WARNING LIGHT COMES ON. THEN THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON. THE SERVICE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT COMES ON & THE CAR IS VERY HARD TO CONTROL & NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS & UNSAFE.
2010 CHEVY MALIBU HAS HAD CONSTANT ISSUES WITH LOW BEAM LIGHT BULBS EITHER BURNING OUT, HARNESS WIRE ISSUES, OR BULBS WORKING INTERMITTENT, I HAVE PAID TO HAVE BULBS REPLACED, HARNESSES REPLACED, AND EACH TIME THE FIX WILL WORK FOR A FEW WEEKS OR MONTHS. THE LAST TIME THE HARNESSES WERE REPLACE WAS PROBABLY A YEAR OR TWO AGO, …
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2010 CHEVY MALIBU HAS HAD CONSTANT ISSUES WITH LOW BEAM LIGHT BULBS EITHER BURNING OUT, HARNESS WIRE ISSUES, OR BULBS WORKING INTERMITTENT, I HAVE PAID TO HAVE BULBS REPLACED, HARNESSES REPLACED, AND EACH TIME THE FIX WILL WORK FOR A FEW WEEKS OR MONTHS. THE LAST TIME THE HARNESSES WERE REPLACE WAS PROBABLY A YEAR OR TWO AGO, BUT I AM HAVING THE ISSUES AGAIN. DRIVING WITH A HEADLIGHT OUT IS ILLEGAL AND GM IS WELL AWARE OF ALL OF THESE ISSUES AND NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL TO FOUND THE ROOT CAUSE OF ALL OF THESE ELECTRIC ISSUES AND FIX THE ISSUE PROPERLY. PRIOR THIS CAR HAD ISSUES WITH THE BRAKE LIGHTS NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND THAT ISSUE GOT RESOLVED BY A RECALL. GM NEEDS TO DO A FULL INSPECTION ON THE WIRING AND SEE WHAT IS CAUSING THE SHORTS, THE FUSES TO BLOW, AND WORST OF ALL THE DANGERS OF HAVING EXTERIOR LIGHTS NOT TO WORK PROPERLY. THIS IS A HUGE RISK AND COULD RESULT IN A DEADLY ACCIDENT IF NOT RESEARCHED AND RESOLVED PROPERLY
THE PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT HAS GONE OUT 3 TIMES IN THE PAST 2 YEARS. THE FUSE WAS NOT BLOWN ANY OF THE THREE TIMES.
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, (VEHICLE IN MOTION), I SUDDENLY LOSE POWER STEERING AND THE ABILITY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE SAFELY. IN SOME INSTANCES IT HAS HAPPENED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN OR WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY AS THE HIGHWAY COMES TO A BEND. WHILE AT A STOP SIGN/LIGHT, THE STEERING WHEEL WILL BEGIN TO RATTLE OR SHAKE AND…
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WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, (VEHICLE IN MOTION), I SUDDENLY LOSE POWER STEERING AND THE ABILITY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE SAFELY. IN SOME INSTANCES IT HAS HAPPENED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN OR WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY AS THE HIGHWAY COMES TO A BEND. WHILE AT A STOP SIGN/LIGHT, THE STEERING WHEEL WILL BEGIN TO RATTLE OR SHAKE AND MAKES NOISE.. THIS PROBLEM STARTED APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH AGO BUT HAS BECOME MORE FREQUENT THIS PAST WEEK. AT TIMES IF I PULL OVER AND TURN THE VEHICLE OFF FOR A SHORT TIME THEN RESTART IT, POWER STEERING IS RESTORED BUT SOMETIMES ONLY FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME AND THEN IT GOES OUT AGAIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES IN ONE DAY. I HAVE READ THAT VEHICLES, SAME MAKE AND MODEL, HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS 'SAFETY' ISSUE BUT I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY NOTICES REGARDING GETTING THIS ISSUE FIXED.
LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AFFECTING 2004 TO 2010 CHEVY MALIBUS. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS VEHICLE UP TO 2008 MODEL AND YET MY 2010 HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THE 2009 AND 2010 MODELS WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL
POWER STEERING KEEPS GOING IN AND OUT. CANT DRIVE CAR VERY FAR AT ALL. WHILE DRIVING.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HIS SON WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN HIS BRAKES LIGHT WERE ILLUMINATED WITH THE STABILITY LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER (RON NORRIS BUICK GMC1350 S WASHINGTON AVE, TITUSVILLE, FL 32780) FOR A DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIRS. THE DIAGN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HIS SON WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN HIS BRAKES LIGHT WERE ILLUMINATED WITH THE STABILITY LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER (RON NORRIS BUICK GMC1350 S WASHINGTON AVE, TITUSVILLE, FL 32780) FOR A DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIRS. THE DIAGNOSIS WAS A REPLACEMENT STABILITY CONTROL MODULE. HOWEVER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THIS FAILURE. THE CONTACT'S DAD WAS REFERENCING THIS FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, AND ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL CEASED AND VIBRATED, WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS A SPECIAL COVERAGE FOR THE FAILURE AND TOLD THE CONTACT TO CALL THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL CEASED AND VIBRATED, WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS A SPECIAL COVERAGE FOR THE FAILURE AND TOLD THE CONTACT TO CALL THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE. KENNY ROSS CHEVROLET BUICK GMC DEALER, LOCATED AT 11250 RTE 30, IRWIN, PA 15642, WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE STEERING MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT IN ADDITION TO THE FAILURES STATED BY THE DEALER, THE TORQUE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXCEEDED 150,000 MILES THRESHOLD AND WAS NO LONGER COVERED UNDER THE SPECIAL COVERAGE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 179,028.
I HAVE A 2010 CHEVY MALIBU AND THE PASSENGER HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT. NOT BURNING OUT, BUT QUITS WORKING! I HAVE GONE TO CHANGE THE BULB AND WE REALIZED THAT IT WASN'T BURNT OUT. ALL THE OTHER LIGHTS ON THAT SIDE WORK FINE. WE WIGGLES SOME WIRES AND IT WOULD WORK AGAIN. A FEW TIMES WE COULD TAP ON THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY AND I…
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I HAVE A 2010 CHEVY MALIBU AND THE PASSENGER HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT. NOT BURNING OUT, BUT QUITS WORKING! I HAVE GONE TO CHANGE THE BULB AND WE REALIZED THAT IT WASN'T BURNT OUT. ALL THE OTHER LIGHTS ON THAT SIDE WORK FINE. WE WIGGLES SOME WIRES AND IT WOULD WORK AGAIN. A FEW TIMES WE COULD TAP ON THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY AND IT WOULD COME BACK ON. SO WE PUT IT TOGETHER AGAIN AND IT WORKED FINE FOR 2 WEEKS OR SO BEFORE IT WENT OUT AGAIN.
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.