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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

What owners actually said

1,360 reports
Mileage unknown · Sep 16, 2019
Exterior Lighting

EVER SINCE I HAVE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THE HEADLIGHTS. THE PASSENGER SIDE WOULD CONSTANTLY GO OUT. EVERYTIME I HIT A BUMP OR WOULD HIT IT. IT WOULD COME BACK ON. RECENTLY I REPLACED BOTH BULBS. THE PASSENGER SIDE HAS OFFICIALLY DIED. NOW THE DRIVER SIDE IS ACTING UP. I HAVE TO HIT BASICALLY…

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EVER SINCE I HAVE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THE HEADLIGHTS. THE PASSENGER SIDE WOULD CONSTANTLY GO OUT. EVERYTIME I HIT A BUMP OR WOULD HIT IT. IT WOULD COME BACK ON. RECENTLY I REPLACED BOTH BULBS. THE PASSENGER SIDE HAS OFFICIALLY DIED. NOW THE DRIVER SIDE IS ACTING UP. I HAVE TO HIT BASICALLY EVERY MORNING TO TURN IT ON BEFORE I GO TO WORK. WHILE I AM DRIVING IT WILL GO OUT SPORADICALLY AND COME BACK ON.

NHTSA ODI #11255597

120,000 miles · Sep 13, 2019
Electrical System

I HAVE BEEN TO MANY FORUMS AND MANY MALIBU OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE I AM WITH MY CAR. A LOT OF MONEY AND MANY HOURS WAISTED ON THIS ISSUE. MY RIGHT LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHT KEEPS BURNING OUT. I CHANGED THE BULB, THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT, AND THE WIRE HARNESS, BUT THE LIGHT KEEPS BURNING OUT. ANNOYING ISSUE! TO BE ABLE TO REACH TH…

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I HAVE BEEN TO MANY FORUMS AND MANY MALIBU OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE I AM WITH MY CAR. A LOT OF MONEY AND MANY HOURS WAISTED ON THIS ISSUE. MY RIGHT LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHT KEEPS BURNING OUT. I CHANGED THE BULB, THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT, AND THE WIRE HARNESS, BUT THE LIGHT KEEPS BURNING OUT. ANNOYING ISSUE! TO BE ABLE TO REACH THE HEADLIGHT, YOU NEED TO TAKE OFF THE FRONT BUMPER. THERE IS NO OTHER WAY AROUND IT. I ALSO HAVE MY BRAKE LIGHTS THAT COME ON BY THEMSELVES. I CAN BE DRIVING WITH MY FOOT OFF OF THE BREAK AND IN MY REAR VIEW I CAN SEE MY BREAK LIGHTS LIT UP. VERY UNSAFE. PEOPLE THINK I AM BREAKING WHEN I AM NOT. THIS IS ALSO AN ON GOING ISSUES ON MALIBU'S MADE IN AND AROUND 2010. PLEASE HELP!

NHTSA ODI #11255220

78,000 miles · Aug 30, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Seat Belts

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL ESC LIGHT COMES ON AND SAYS SERVICE THEN ESC OFF. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THESE CARS. SEAT BELTS FAIL. SAFETY ISSUE. AND OUR WILL NOT START BECAUSE THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM IS ACTIVATED FOR NO REASON. ALL OF THESE ARE CONSISTENT WITH SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS. GM SHOULD BE ASHAMED FOR SELLING VE…

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ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL ESC LIGHT COMES ON AND SAYS SERVICE THEN ESC OFF. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THESE CARS. SEAT BELTS FAIL. SAFETY ISSUE. AND OUR WILL NOT START BECAUSE THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM IS ACTIVATED FOR NO REASON. ALL OF THESE ARE CONSISTENT WITH SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS. GM SHOULD BE ASHAMED FOR SELLING VEHICLES THAT FAIL. APPROXIMATELY 78,000 MILES. HOPEFULLY THEY WILL STEP UP AND CORRECT THESE PROBLEMS!!

NHTSA ODI #11252526

76,000 miles · Aug 29, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

THE ESC LIGHT COMES ON AND TELLS ME IT NEEDS SERVICED. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON EVEN IF MY FOOT IS NOT ON THE BRAKE. IT ALSO HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE GEAR SHIFT WHEN TRYING TO PULL IT OUT OF PARK. THIS ALSO DISABLES MY CRUISE CONTROL. THIS ISSUE HAPPENS SOMETIMES AS SOON AS I START THE CAR OR AFTER DRIVING FOR A …

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THE ESC LIGHT COMES ON AND TELLS ME IT NEEDS SERVICED. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON EVEN IF MY FOOT IS NOT ON THE BRAKE. IT ALSO HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE GEAR SHIFT WHEN TRYING TO PULL IT OUT OF PARK. THIS ALSO DISABLES MY CRUISE CONTROL. THIS ISSUE HAPPENS SOMETIMES AS SOON AS I START THE CAR OR AFTER DRIVING FOR A BIT. I'VE TAKEN THE CAR IN TO GET THE PROBLEM FIXED. THEY REPLACED THE BRAKE SENSOR AND THAT WORKED FOR A WEEK THEN THE ESC LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS STAYED ON.

NHTSA ODI #11252250

140,000 miles · Aug 28, 2019
Steering

CAR NOTED POWER STEERING ON THE DASH. WENT TO ALL LOCAL MACHANICS FOR THEM TO SAY THAT IT'S A FUSE THAT NOONE CARRIES. EVERY SINCE I OWNED MY MALIBU IT HAS BEEN RANDOM THINGS THAT I AS A BUYER THINK CHEVY SHOULD HAVE FIXED. THE REAR TAIL LIGHT FOR EXAMPLE 6 OUT OF 10 MALIBU THIRD BRAKE LIGHT IS OUT WHY? IT'S A COSTLY FIX. BUT TH…

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CAR NOTED POWER STEERING ON THE DASH. WENT TO ALL LOCAL MACHANICS FOR THEM TO SAY THAT IT'S A FUSE THAT NOONE CARRIES. EVERY SINCE I OWNED MY MALIBU IT HAS BEEN RANDOM THINGS THAT I AS A BUYER THINK CHEVY SHOULD HAVE FIXED. THE REAR TAIL LIGHT FOR EXAMPLE 6 OUT OF 10 MALIBU THIRD BRAKE LIGHT IS OUT WHY? IT'S A COSTLY FIX. BUT THIS WITH THE STEERING IS OUT OF THE BLUE AND LOOKS AS IF I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE LOOKING AT THESE YOUTUBE VIDEOS THEY ARE AN ISSUE.. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME

NHTSA ODI #11252107

68,980 miles · Aug 22, 2019
Power Train

DRIVING CAR, PRESSED ON GAS PEDAL, CAR WILL NOT MOVE, HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALER, WAS INFORMED I NEEDED NEW TRANSMMISION, CAR ONLY HAD 69,000 MILES AND WARRANTY IS EXPIRED!!!!

NHTSA ODI #11245624

40,000 miles · Aug 21, 2019
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

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.

NHTSA ODI #11245443

103,300 miles · Aug 18, 2019
Steering

VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN POWER STEERING STARTED SHAKING LEFT TO RIGHT BUT THERE WERE NO WARNINGS ON THE DASH ABOUT POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONS. TIRES ARE NEW AND AT THE PROPER AIR SETTINGS.

NHTSA ODI #11244839

20 miles · Aug 18, 2019
Electrical System

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD MY DRIVER SIDE TAIL LIGHT/BRAKE LIGHT STOPS WORKING RANDOMLY WITH BUMPY ROADS. IT GOES OUT AND WILL GO BACK ON USUALLY WITHIN THE NEXT FEW BUMPS, AND ITS NOT ALL THE TIME.

NHTSA ODI #11244789

120,000 miles · Aug 15, 2019
Exterior Lighting

PASSENGER LOW BEAM SOCKET BURNS OUT I'VE REPLACED THE HARNESS TWICIN LAST SIX MONTHS WITH A FEW NEW BULBS

NHTSA ODI #11244078

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.