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 · May 2, 2018

Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

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THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER THAT CONTROLS THE GEAR SHIFT THAT SHOWS IF I AM IN PARK, REVERSE, DRIVE, MANUAL DON'T WORK WITH THIS ISSUE AS WELL AS THE CONTROL PANEL BEHIND THE STEERING WHEEL THAT SHOWS MY MILES PER HOUR, FUEL LEVEL, TEMPERATURE GAUGE, MILEAGE AND MORE. THIS IS A SEVERE SAFETY RISK AND I HAVE HAD MY PART FOR THIS ORDERED TWICE BUT THERE IS SO MANY OF THIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL CAR THAT IS NEEDING THEM THAT THEY ARE BACK LOGGED OUT SEVERAL MONTHS. I LIVE IN VALDOSTA GA AND HAVE TO DRIVE AROUND TOWN FOR THE LAW FIRM THAT I WORK FOR AND THIS CAR IS SO UNSAFE THAT I CAN'T DRIVE IT BC I HAVE RAN OUT OF GAS SEVERAL TIMES AND WAS STRANDED. CAN'T TELL HOW FAST I'M GOING SO I HAVE BEEN PULLED OVER SEVERAL TIMES DO TO THAT AS WELL.

NHTSA ODI #11091370

Mileage unknown · May 2, 2018

Air Bags

AIR BAG LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF. WHEN OFF AND I HIT A BUMP IT TURNS BACK ON. I HAVE CHILDREN AND I AM SCARED OF AN EMERGENCY IT WILL NOT FUNCTION.

NHTSA ODI #11091310

20 miles · Apr 30, 2018

Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesVehicle Speed Control

MY TAIL LIGHTS COME ON WITHOUT PRESSING THE PEDAL AND THEY DO NOT COME ON, WHEN THE PEDAL IS PRESSED. VERY, VERY CLOSE TO BEING REAR ENDED. ALL ROADS AND AT ALL SPEEDS. CRUISE CONTROL IS ALSO AFFECTED. ESC LIGHT HAS COME ON. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. NHTSA SAYS THERE IS A RECALL, CHEVROLET SAYS THERE IS NOT.

NHTSA ODI #11091033

Mileage unknown · Apr 29, 2018

Steering

POWER STEERING COMPLETELY GOES OUT

NHTSA ODI #11090872

Mileage unknown · Apr 27, 2018

Electrical SystemEngineVisibility/wiper

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THE ELECTRICAL RANDOMLY MALFUNCTIONS SOMETIMES THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS WON'T WORK AND THEY RANDOMLY COME ON OR GO OFF WHILE DRIVING. WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY THE HEADLIGHTS STOPPED WORKING AND IT WAS ALMOST DARK OUT SIDE I HAD TO PULL OVER AND TURN OFF THE CAR AND RESTART IT A COUPLE TIMES BEFORE THEY CAME BACK ON. THERE IS A LEAK SOMEWHERE THAT CAUSES THE CAR TO OVERHEAT. THE MOTOR BLOWER FOR THE HEATING AND COOLING WILL ALSO RANDOMLY STOP WORKING. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BROKE AND AFTER REPLACING AND FIXING THE PART THEY BROKE AGAIN WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN A CROWDED HIGHWAY IN THE POURING RAIN. I FIXED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS 2 TIMES AND THEY STILL CONTINUE TO MALFUNCTION AND QUIT WORKING. THE EXAUHST HAS A LEAK. THE TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONS AND DOESN'T SHIFT RIGHT WHILE DRIVING IT TAKES FOREVER TO SHIFT AND ONE TIME WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STARTED TO LOSE POWER AND WOULD BARELY DRIVE WHEN I WOULD GIVE IT GAS AND THE BRAKES WOULDN'T WORK IT WAS LIKE THAT FOR ABOUT 8 MINUTES BEFORE IT FINALLY STARTED TO WORK PROPERLY. THERE IS A PIECE THAT CONNECTS TO THE TRANSMISSION THAT KEEPS COMING UNDONE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO NOT BE ABLE TO SHIFT GEARS. I STARTED THE VEHICLE AND TRIED TO PUT IT IN DRIVE BUT IT WOULDN'T WORK AND I FIXED THE PROBLEM AND UPON ARRIVING AT MY DESTINATION THE VEHICLE WENT INTO PARK BUT CONTINUED TO MOVE I HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP IT. THE WARNING LIGHT FOR THE ENGINE, TRACTION CONTROL STABILITY AND THE TIRES HAS BEEN ON FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. THE TURN SIGNALS RANDOMLY QUIT WORKING WHILE DRIVING WHEN I FIRST TURN THEM ON THEY DON'T WORK BUT AFTER A COUPLE SECONDS THEY START TO WORK. THE MID FLAP CAME OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING 55 MPH DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND ALMOST CAUSED ME TO WRECK. THE PARTS AFFECTED IS THE ELECTRICAL, BODY, POWER TRAIN, LIGHTING, WHEELS, SUSPENSION, BRAKES, VISIBILITY/WIPERS AND THE ENGINE.

NHTSA ODI #11090490

89,000 miles · Apr 26, 2018

Steering

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POWER STEERING ISSUE STARTED IN DECEMBER 2017 TO PRESENT. WHEN I WOULD START MY CAR IT WAS HARD TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL THIS HAS HAPPEN 34 TIMES I HAD TO TURN THE CAR OFF THEN RESTART THE CAR PROBLEM WENT A AWAY 4 TIMES WHILE DRIVING ON DOWN THE STREET AND HIGHWAY THE POWER STEERING WOULD GO OUT. HAVE TO STOP TURN THE CAR OFF. RESTART THE CAR. CHEVY ON JANUARY 26, 2018 I HAVE CALL ABOUT THIS PROBLEM THEY HAVE TOLD ME THERE IS A RECALL THE NUMBER IS 15356 CORPORATE OFFICE TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER SEE IF A CODE SHOWS UP IF THE PROBLEM GOES AWAY. AND NO CODE THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT. I HAVE TOLD THEM ANYTHING HAPPENS I WILL HOLD THEM RESPONSIBLE. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO THE DEALER THEY RAN A TEST TOLD ME NO CODE CAME UP.THE LAST TIME WAS NOT GOOD. ON APRIL 25 2018 I HAVE TO START MY CAR 3 TIMES DO TO THE STEERING WHEEL WAS HARD TO TURN MESSAGE CAME UP SAYING SERVICE ESC THEN ESC IS OFF. WHEN LEAVE FROM THE PLACE I WAS AT THE SAME THING HAPPEN AGAIN. BUT WHILE DRIVING ON THE STREET THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT HAD TO COME TO A STOP. TURN THE CAR OFF, AND ON SO I COULD DRIVE HOME. THIS 2 TIMES ON THE SAME NIGHT. MILEAGE WAS AROUND 89,000 NOT SURE

NHTSA ODI #11090210

99,000 miles · Apr 25, 2018

Electronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior Lighting

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE HEAD LAMP FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. IN ADDITION, THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FLAG CHEVROLET (1000 E BELVIDERE RD, GRAYSLAKE, IL 60030). THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THE DEALER'S DIAGNOSIS; HOWEVER, THE HEAD LAMP WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE HEAD LAMP FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000.

NHTSA ODI #11090136

85,000 miles · Apr 22, 2018

Exterior Lighting

PASSENGER SIDE HEAD LIGHT HAS WENT OUT FOUR TIMES IN THE LAST 12-MONTHS.

NHTSA ODI #11089301

Mileage unknown · Apr 20, 2018

Steering

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WE GOT THIS 2010 MALIBU ABOUT A MONTH AGO. ON APRIL 12, 2010 I HAD A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING ON HIGH WAY 9. I PULLED OVER ON THE SHOULDER AND TURNED IT OFF AND WAITED ABOUT 25 MINUTES AND WHEN I STARTED THE ENGINE IT GOES BACK TO NORMAL. FEW DAYS AGO WE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WHILE EXITING THE FREEWAY. AGAIN, WE HAD TO PARK IT ON THE SHOULDER AND WHEN WE TURNED IT OFF AND TURNED IT BACK ON IT WOULD GO BACK TO NORMAL. WE TOOK IT TO THE CLOSEST SHOP AND THE MECHANICS THERE CHECKED IT AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. THEY SAID ALL CHEVYS WITH TRACTION CONTROL ARE LIKE THAT, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S POURING RAIN OR WHEN IT'S TOO COLD, AND I BELIEVE THEY WERE TELLING THE TRUTH BECAUSE I USUALLY HAVE ALL THESE ESC/TRACTION AND STEERING WHEEL WARNING LIGHTS ONLY WHEN IT'S RAIINING OR TOO COLD. PLEASE HELP US AS WE HAVE KIDS AND DON'T WANT TO TAKE THE RISK. THANKS!

NHTSA ODI #11089160

Mileage unknown · Apr 19, 2018

Air Bags

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTICE REGARDING THE WIRING CONNECTOR FOR THE SIDE AIR BAGS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT IF A RELATED WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, THEN THE VEHICLE WOULD BE SERVICED PER THE 'SPECIAL COVERAGE PROGRAM'. IN ADDITION, IF THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATION RELATED TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC FEES TO DETERMINE IF THE VEHICLE HAD A POTENTIAL FAILURE RELATED TO THE 'SPECIAL COVERAGE PROGRAM'. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE, BUT WAS CONCERNED FOR HIS SAFETY AND THE POTENTIAL OF A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #11089012

Official recalls

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)