IllustrationPOWER REDUCED ENGINE, TRACTION CONTROL,
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 reportsTHE BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON WHEN THE BRAKES ARE NOT BEING DEPRESSED AND GOES OFF WHEN IT IS BEING DEPRESSED. THIS DISENGAGES THE CRUISE CONTROL AND ALSO THE SERVICE ESC LIGHT COMES ON WHEN IT HAPPENS. THE 2014 RECALL WAS DONE BY THE DEALER AND YET THE PROBLEM KEEPS OCCURRING. THERE WAS AN UPDATE TO THE RECALL AND THIS WAS ALSO DONE…
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THE BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON WHEN THE BRAKES ARE NOT BEING DEPRESSED AND GOES OFF WHEN IT IS BEING DEPRESSED. THIS DISENGAGES THE CRUISE CONTROL AND ALSO THE SERVICE ESC LIGHT COMES ON WHEN IT HAPPENS. THE 2014 RECALL WAS DONE BY THE DEALER AND YET THE PROBLEM KEEPS OCCURRING. THERE WAS AN UPDATE TO THE RECALL AND THIS WAS ALSO DONE BUT HAS NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM. THIS ISSUE SEEMS TO HAPPEN INTERMITTENTLY AND RANDOMLY.
PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT. REPLACED BULB MULTIPLE TIMES, 100/HR SHOP LABOR JUST TO TAKE OFF BUMPER TO GET TO BULB. AT THIS POINT A TICKET WOULD HAVE BEEN CHEAPER.
SERVICE ESC, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, SERVICE AIR BAGS, BRAKE LIGHTS ON WHEN PEDAL NOT PRESSED AND NOT ON WHEN PEDAL IS PRESSED AND CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T WORK PERIODICALLY. THESE MESSAGE APPEAR OFF AND ON WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE HAD THE SENSOR UNDER THE BRAKE PEDAL REPLACED TWICE NOW. LAST TIME 14 MONTHS AGO SO NO LONGER UNDER…
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SERVICE ESC, SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, SERVICE AIR BAGS, BRAKE LIGHTS ON WHEN PEDAL NOT PRESSED AND NOT ON WHEN PEDAL IS PRESSED AND CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T WORK PERIODICALLY. THESE MESSAGE APPEAR OFF AND ON WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE HAD THE SENSOR UNDER THE BRAKE PEDAL REPLACED TWICE NOW. LAST TIME 14 MONTHS AGO SO NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND NEEDS REPLACED AGAIN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT ALSO HEARD A CLICKING NOISE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE CONTACT HAD TO CONSTANTLY MANEUVER THE STEERING WHEEL, WHICH W…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT ALSO HEARD A CLICKING NOISE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE CONTACT HAD TO CONSTANTLY MANEUVER THE STEERING WHEEL, WHICH WAS EXTREMELY TIGHT WHEN TURNING IT IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE DEALER (ROSS DOWNING CHEVROLET, 600 S MORRISON BLVD, HAMMOND, LA 70403, 866-206-4720) INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED IN 2014 PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14E044000 (STEERING). SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY CURRENT RECALLS, THE DEALER DID NOT OFFER TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP, BUT THE CLICKING NOISE AND STEERING WHEEL FAILURES CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED ONE RECALL FOR THIS YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL VEHICLE WITH 11 TSBS FOR THE STEERING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,497.
HAVE A 2010 MALIBU WITH APPROXIMATELY 112,000 MILES ON IT. CAR IS WELL MAINTAINED AND HAS HAD REGULAR MAINTENANCE / VEHICLE INSPECTIONS (INCLUDING A WEEK PRIOR TO INCIDENT). I WAS OUT RUNNING ERRANDS AND HAD STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT. A FEW MINUTES LATER AS I WAS TURNING ON TO THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR JOLTED FORWARD AND THEN REFUSED …
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HAVE A 2010 MALIBU WITH APPROXIMATELY 112,000 MILES ON IT. CAR IS WELL MAINTAINED AND HAS HAD REGULAR MAINTENANCE / VEHICLE INSPECTIONS (INCLUDING A WEEK PRIOR TO INCIDENT). I WAS OUT RUNNING ERRANDS AND HAD STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT. A FEW MINUTES LATER AS I WAS TURNING ON TO THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR JOLTED FORWARD AND THEN REFUSED TO ACCELERATE. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER IT OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS. CAR COULD NOT BE DRIVEN AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO MY MECHANIC AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT MY TRANSMISSION WAS SHOT AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. VERY COSTLY REPAIR THAT NEEDED TO BE DONE AS IT IS MY ONLY VEHICLE. SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH 2010 MALIBUS THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED!!!
THE HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT. I HAVE REPLACED THE PASSENGER LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHT 3 TIMES AND IT IS OUT AGAIN. WITH THE WAY THE CAR IS MADE AND HAVING TO REMOVE THE FRONT OF THE CAR TO CHANGE THE LIGHT IS GETTING VERY EXPENSIVE AND INCONVENIENCING.
HEADLIGHT LOW BEAMS CONTINUE TO GO OUT. NOT BURNING OUT BUT GOING OUT PREMATURELY. HAVE TO BE CHANGED AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH.
THE STOP LAMPS COME ON ALL BY THEMSELF, IF THE LAMPS ARE ILLUMINATED THEY WILL TURN OFF WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS PRESSED. THIS ALSO AFFECTS THE TRACTION CONTROLS AND STABILITY CONTROL, THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. ALSO CRUISE CONTROL BECOMES INOPERATIVE. GM HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THIS AND HAS AN EXTENDED WARRA…
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THE STOP LAMPS COME ON ALL BY THEMSELF, IF THE LAMPS ARE ILLUMINATED THEY WILL TURN OFF WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS PRESSED. THIS ALSO AFFECTS THE TRACTION CONTROLS AND STABILITY CONTROL, THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. ALSO CRUISE CONTROL BECOMES INOPERATIVE. GM HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THIS AND HAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THIS PROBLEM. HOWEVER THEY'VE CAPPED IT AT 150,000 MILES WHICH PUTS ME OUT OF WARRANTY. WHEN I SPOKE TO GM THEY ADMITTED THIS AND SAID BECAUSE I WASN'T THE ORIGINAL OWNER I WOULDN'T BE NOTIFIED. THEY DON'T WANT TO HELP!
WHILE DRIVING MY CAR ON THE HIGHWAY OUT OF NOWHERE POWER ENGINE REDUCED WOULD COME UP ON THE DASH AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND TRANSMISSION AND TRACTION WARNING LIGHTS WOULD SHOW ON DASH AS WELL ALSO POWER STEERING SHOW ON DASH AND THE CAR JERK A LITTLE AND THE SPEEDOMETER AND FUEL HAND WOULDN'T MOVE
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.