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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
10,700 miles · Jun 9, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Unknown Or Other

OUT OF NO WHERE MY CAR STARTED SHAKING I WAS IN THE HEAT WITH MY DAUGHTER IT SAID SERVICE ESC/SERVICE TRAC. I HAVE HAD MANY PEOPLE LOOK AT IT, I'VE HAD THEM TEST EVERYTHING BUT NOTHING SEEMS TO HELP IT DIDN'T DO IT FOR AWHILE THEN I LEFT MY CAR ON WITH THE A/C WHILE PICKING UP MY DAUGHTER WE WERE SITTING IN THE HEAT OUTSIDE HER …

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OUT OF NO WHERE MY CAR STARTED SHAKING I WAS IN THE HEAT WITH MY DAUGHTER IT SAID SERVICE ESC/SERVICE TRAC. I HAVE HAD MANY PEOPLE LOOK AT IT, I'VE HAD THEM TEST EVERYTHING BUT NOTHING SEEMS TO HELP IT DIDN'T DO IT FOR AWHILE THEN I LEFT MY CAR ON WITH THE A/C WHILE PICKING UP MY DAUGHTER WE WERE SITTING IN THE HEAT OUTSIDE HER SCHOOL SHE ONLY 2 AND COMPLAIN HOW HOT IT IS WHILE I'M TRYING SEE IF I CAN FIX IT. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES OUT OF NO WHERE IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC.

NHTSA ODI #11100707

90,000 miles · Jun 7, 2018
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT A GREEN LIGHT, ANOTHER VEHICLE STRUCK THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE STRUCK A POLE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD AND NECK INJURIE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT A GREEN LIGHT, ANOTHER VEHICLE STRUCK THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE STRUCK A POLE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD AND NECK INJURIES THE REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ODI #11100387

127,800 miles · Jun 4, 2018
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

MALIBU DECREASES SPEED AND DOWNSHIFTS AND ENGINE POWER REDUCED COMES UP IN MESSAGE CENTER, NO BUMPS, HARD BRAKING, NO CARWASHES, SIMPLY DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 45MPH AND CAR ILLUMINATES ENGINE LIGHT. SEVERAL PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED ALREADY FOR EXAMPLE THROTTLE BODY, KNOCK SENSOR, MAF SENSOR, BATTERY, FUSE BOX, ACCELERATOR PEDA…

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MALIBU DECREASES SPEED AND DOWNSHIFTS AND ENGINE POWER REDUCED COMES UP IN MESSAGE CENTER, NO BUMPS, HARD BRAKING, NO CARWASHES, SIMPLY DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 45MPH AND CAR ILLUMINATES ENGINE LIGHT. SEVERAL PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED ALREADY FOR EXAMPLE THROTTLE BODY, KNOCK SENSOR, MAF SENSOR, BATTERY, FUSE BOX, ACCELERATOR PEDAL ALL OF THESE PARTS AND MY ISSUE STILL PERSISTS. SEVERAL COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN MADE FOR THIS YEAR MAKE AND MODEL THEREFORE I DO NOT FEEL LIKE THIS IS AN ISOLATED ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11099868

150,000 miles · Jun 4, 2018
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11099570

715,000 miles · May 22, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Unknown Or Other

SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, SERVICE ESC, LIGHTS COME ON AS DRIVING. LIGHTED UP ON INFORMATION PANE. SECOND TIME THIS IS HAPPENED. TOOK TO DEALER LAST TIME THEY DID SOME RESET AND CHARGED $75.

NHTSA ODI #11097300

99,000 miles · May 22, 2018
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE ESC WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUBURBAN CHEVROLET (12475 PLAZA DRIVE, EDEN PRAIRIE, MN 55344) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE ESC WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUBURBAN CHEVROLET (12475 PLAZA DRIVE, EDEN PRAIRIE, MN 55344) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 99,000. *TT

NHTSA ODI #11097266

79,368 miles · May 15, 2018
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

I PURCHASED THIS CAR IN SEPTEMBER 2016 AND NOT MORE THAN TWO DAYS OF OWNING IT MY ESC LIGHTS DISABLED AND MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE STUCK ON, I BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED THE BREAK PEDAL SENSOR, AND THE LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN, I BROUGHT IT IN AGAIN AND THEY ONCE AGAIN REPLACED THE SENSOR, THIS PROBLEM HAS YET TO B…

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I PURCHASED THIS CAR IN SEPTEMBER 2016 AND NOT MORE THAN TWO DAYS OF OWNING IT MY ESC LIGHTS DISABLED AND MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE STUCK ON, I BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED THE BREAK PEDAL SENSOR, AND THE LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN, I BROUGHT IT IN AGAIN AND THEY ONCE AGAIN REPLACED THE SENSOR, THIS PROBLEM HAS YET TO BE FIXED ALMOST TWO YEARS LATER, THE ESC CONSTANTLY DISABLES AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON AND STAY STUCK I AM LUCKY I HAVE NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. THE DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT IT FROM HAVE FAILED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. NOW THEY ARE TELLING ME I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR A PROBLEM THAT THEY NEVER ACTUALLY FIXED. I WILL BE DRIVING AND MY CHECK TRACTION LIGHT WILL COME ON AND MY ESC LIGHT WILL SAY OFF. YOU CAN SEE BY THE ATTACHED DOCUMENT I ORIGINALLY REPORTED THIS PROBLEM ON 9/26/2016, I PURCHASED THE CAR SEPTEMBER 24, 2016... TWO DAYS LATER AND THIS ISSUE STARTED OCCURRING AND NOW TWO YEARS LATER AND IT IS STILL NOT FIXED.

NHTSA ODI #11093873

88,649 miles · May 8, 2018
Unknown Or Other

SO I'M PUTTING THE CAR IN PARK THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK YOU CAN'T USE THE KEY FOB YOU ALSO CAN'T USE IT INSIDE HANDLE TO OPEN IT OR THE OUTSIDE AND IT'LL STAY LOST 4 DAYS AND THEN UNLOCK ITSELF IT'LL BE OKAY FOR A FEW DAYS AND THEN THE SAME THING HAPPENS ALL OVER AGAIN THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE IF YOU CAN'T GET OUT OF …

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SO I'M PUTTING THE CAR IN PARK THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK YOU CAN'T USE THE KEY FOB YOU ALSO CAN'T USE IT INSIDE HANDLE TO OPEN IT OR THE OUTSIDE AND IT'LL STAY LOST 4 DAYS AND THEN UNLOCK ITSELF IT'LL BE OKAY FOR A FEW DAYS AND THEN THE SAME THING HAPPENS ALL OVER AGAIN THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE IF YOU CAN'T GET OUT OF YOUR CAR IN A HURRY WHEN THERE IS AN ACCIDENT OR YOU NEED TO TO ME THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IT CAN BE WORKING FINE YOU CAN GO INTO THE STORE YOU CAN COME OUT YOU CAN'T GET IN THE CAR OR YOU CAN GET IN THE CAR TO COME HOME AND I CAN'T GET OUT OF THE CAR YES I BOUGHT MY CAR USED FROM TREGEMBO MOTORS AND OF COURSE THAT PART'S NOT UNDER WARRANTY I'VE LOOKED AT ALL THE REVIEWS THIS IS A BEEN A KNOWN PROBLEM FOR YEARS AND GM IS AWARE OF IT THEY NEED TO FIX IT THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME I'VE BEEN LOCKED IN OR OUT OF MY CAR THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER A MONTH

NHTSA ODI #11092584

Mileage unknown · May 8, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior LightingService Brakes

SERVICE ESC AND SERVICE TRACTION LIGHTS ON. BRAKE LIGHTS ON WHEN NOT PUSHING BRAKE, THEN OFF WHEN PUSHING BRAKE. WHILE DRIVING AND WHILE STATIONARY

NHTSA ODI #11092387

107,000 miles · May 4, 2018
Steering

MAY 4TH 2018 I WAS DRIVING AND STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO SHAKE AND TIGHTEN UP, I PULLED OVER AND PUT ON HAZARD LIGHTS , IT FELT IF I HAD A FLAT TIRE , POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON, I SHUT CAR OFF THAT TURNED BACK ON PROCEEDED TO PULL ON TO HIGHWAY AND CAR SEEMED FINE AGAIN , I AM SCARED TO DRIVE.

NHTSA ODI #11091684

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.