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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
42,000 miles · Jan 9, 2018
Exterior LightingService BrakesVehicle Speed Control

I'VE HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR SINCE I BOUGHT IT. THE DEALER HAS NEVER BEEN ABLE TO FIX IT BECAUSE MY CAR NEVER SHOWED ANY "CODES". MY CAR HAS ACCELERATION PROBLEMS, THE RIGHT HEAD LIGHT SOCKET HARNESS KEEPS BURNING OUT AND I'M ALSO STARTING TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH MY BRAKE LIGHTS. MY BRAKE LIGHTS DON'T GO ON WHEN I PRES…

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I'VE HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR SINCE I BOUGHT IT. THE DEALER HAS NEVER BEEN ABLE TO FIX IT BECAUSE MY CAR NEVER SHOWED ANY "CODES". MY CAR HAS ACCELERATION PROBLEMS, THE RIGHT HEAD LIGHT SOCKET HARNESS KEEPS BURNING OUT AND I'M ALSO STARTING TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH MY BRAKE LIGHTS. MY BRAKE LIGHTS DON'T GO ON WHEN I PRESS ON MY BRAKE AND WHEN I DO THEY SOMETIMES STAY ON AFTER I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE. THE ACCELERATION PROBLEM HAPPENS ON A FULL STOP AND ON THE HIGHWAY. I USUALLY GIVE MY SELF EXTRA SPACE TO ACCELERATE BECAUSE MY CAR FAILS AT TIMES. IN THE HIGHWAY MY CAR SOMETIMES STRUGGLES TO CATCH UP TO SPEED WITH THE OTHER CARS. THIS PROBLEM HAS ALMOST CAUSE AND ACCIDENT SEVERAL TIMES.

NHTSA ODI #11061495

145,000 miles · Jan 8, 2018
Steering

MY VEHICLE WAS GIVING A WEIRD VIBE WHEN I DROVE IT BUT THE MECHANIC SAID IT JUST NEEDED AN ALIGNMENT. SO I GOT THAT DONE. SHORTLY AFTER IT STARTED AGAIN, THIS TIME IT STARTED THIS WEIRD TWITCH IN THE STEERING COLUMN AS WELL. THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT, WARNING LIGHTS FOR POWER STEERING AND ECS FLASHED CONTINUOUSLY. I PARKED AND…

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MY VEHICLE WAS GIVING A WEIRD VIBE WHEN I DROVE IT BUT THE MECHANIC SAID IT JUST NEEDED AN ALIGNMENT. SO I GOT THAT DONE. SHORTLY AFTER IT STARTED AGAIN, THIS TIME IT STARTED THIS WEIRD TWITCH IN THE STEERING COLUMN AS WELL. THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT, WARNING LIGHTS FOR POWER STEERING AND ECS FLASHED CONTINUOUSLY. I PARKED AND TURNED THE CAR OFF TO GO GET FLUID. WHEN I GOT BACK REALIZED NO RESERVOIR. SO I TURN THE CAR BACK ON AND THE POWER STEERING WORKED AGAIN. HOWEVER, IT STOPS WORKING RANDOMLY WITHOUT ANY TYPE OF INDICATION.

NHTSA ODI #11061092

125,980 miles · Jan 8, 2018
Steering

I AM HAVING ISSUES WITH THE POWER STEERING

NHTSA ODI #11061087

Mileage unknown · Jan 7, 2018
Steering

POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON THEN POWER STEERING GOES OUT. I TURN CAR OFF THEN RE START AND IT GOES AWAY. THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON ME 7 TIMES THE OTHER DAY. IT GOES OUT JUST AFTER I START MY CAR SOMETIMES. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY SINCE MY DRIVE TO WORK IS GOING AROUND A LOT OF CURVES. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN GOING…

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POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON THEN POWER STEERING GOES OUT. I TURN CAR OFF THEN RE START AND IT GOES AWAY. THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON ME 7 TIMES THE OTHER DAY. IT GOES OUT JUST AFTER I START MY CAR SOMETIMES. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY SINCE MY DRIVE TO WORK IS GOING AROUND A LOT OF CURVES. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT A WEEK. I'VE READ THERE ARE LOTS OF OTHER ISSUES WITH THIS WITH OTHER DRIVERS. LUCKILY I'VE MANAGED TO COAST IN STRAIGHT WAYS TO STOP SIGNS SO I CAN TURN OFF AND RESTART MY CAR. I MAY NOT BE THAT LUCKY ALWAYS.

NHTSA ODI #11061031

87,000 miles · Jan 2, 2018
Electrical SystemPower Train

I WAS DRIVING ON THE I89 NORTH IN CONCORD, NH WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED ACCELERATING AND THE RPMS WENT REALLY HIGH. I HEARD A SPINNING NOISE - LIKE SOMETHING WAS SPINNING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. PRESSING THE GAS PEDDLE DIDN'T INCREASE THE CARS SPEED. THEN I SHIFTED TO THE MANUAL MODE AND TRIED TO USE THE GEAR SHIFTING PA…

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I WAS DRIVING ON THE I89 NORTH IN CONCORD, NH WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED ACCELERATING AND THE RPMS WENT REALLY HIGH. I HEARD A SPINNING NOISE - LIKE SOMETHING WAS SPINNING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. PRESSING THE GAS PEDDLE DIDN'T INCREASE THE CARS SPEED. THEN I SHIFTED TO THE MANUAL MODE AND TRIED TO USE THE GEAR SHIFTING PADDLES TO SHIFT. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO A GEAR TO GET ME TO THE NEXT EXIT EVEN THOUGH IT KEPT SHIFTING IN AND OUT OF GEAR WHILE I PROCEEDED SLOWLY OFF THE HIGHWAY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON STEADY. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT PUT MYSELF AND EVERYONE AROUND ME AT RISK OF A MAJOR ACCIDENT. ONCE I WAS OFF THE HIGHWAY AND SAFE, I PLUGGED IN MY DIAGNOSTICS TOOL I CARRY IN MY CAR (I TOOK A AUTO REPAIR CLASS A FEW YEARS BACK). THE DIAGNOSIS CODES THE CARS COMPUTER PROVIDED ARE P0776 AND P0700 - INDICATING A MAJOR MALFUNCTION OF THE TRANSMISSION AND A SOLENOID PROBLEM. I TOOK A PHOTO OF THE CODES. I FOUND OUT TODAY THAT THERE IS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THE SAME ISSUE ON THE 2009 CHEVY MALIBU'S. THE EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FROM 5/100K TO 10/120K. CLEARLY GM SHOULD DO THE SAME FOR THE 2010 MODELS AS WELL. IT'S THE SAME 6 SPEED TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA ODI #11057914

91,394 miles · Dec 28, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

WHEN I STARTED MY VEHICLE, AN INDICATOR LIGHT IMMEDIATELY REPORTED A NEED TO SERVICE MY ESC AND MY POWER STEERING WAS DISABLED. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, IT SEEMED TO CORRECT ITSELF. NOW, WHEN DRIVING, MY STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES WHEN THERE IS NO TORQUE APPLIED TO THE WHEEL AND MAKES A CHATTERING NOISE PERIODICALLY. THIS HAS …

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WHEN I STARTED MY VEHICLE, AN INDICATOR LIGHT IMMEDIATELY REPORTED A NEED TO SERVICE MY ESC AND MY POWER STEERING WAS DISABLED. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, IT SEEMED TO CORRECT ITSELF. NOW, WHEN DRIVING, MY STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES WHEN THERE IS NO TORQUE APPLIED TO THE WHEEL AND MAKES A CHATTERING NOISE PERIODICALLY. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A WEEK NOW.

NHTSA ODI #11057096

67,000 miles · Dec 16, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

THE BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATE WITHOUT THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING PUSHED; THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE PEDAL IS PUSHED; DIFFICULTY ENGAGING AND DISENGAGING THE CRUISE CONTROL; DISABLEMENT OF CRASH THE TRACTION CONTROL, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL.

NHTSA ODI #11055055

71,000 miles · Dec 16, 2017
Steering

ESC-STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT ON, POWER STEERING ISSUE. CAR HAS TROUBLE TURNING AND IS A SAFETY HAZARD. GM HAS RECALLED 1/3/ MILLION CARS FOR THIS SAME ISSUE-AFFECTING MALIBU, COBALT'S AND HHR EDITIONS.

NHTSA ODI #11055037

95,000 miles · Dec 16, 2017
Fuel/propulsion System

PLASTIC FUEL LINE FROM FUEL PUMP ON TOP OF TANK CRACKED LEAKING FUEL ALL OVER TOP OF FUEL TANK. I DO NOT KNOW WHEN THE CRACK FIRST APPEARED, BUT THE CAR WAS LEAKING GAS IN THE DRIVEWAY.

NHTSA ODI #11055022

Mileage unknown · Dec 14, 2017
Steering

I AM CONSTANTLY GETTING A WARNING THAT MY POWER STEERING IS OUT AND "SERVICE ESC". I RESTART THE VEHICLE AND IT GOES AWAY FOR A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME THEN I HAVE THE SAME WARNING SIGN ON THE DASH AND THE STEERING IS HARD AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #11054705

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.