IllustrationBRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATING WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT TOUCHING THE BRAKES. WHEN TOUCHING THE BRAKES THE LIGHTS GO OFF AND HAVE ZERO BRAKE LIGHTS. THE TRACTION CONTROL AND BRAKE LIGHTS ON DASH WILL POP UP ON AND OFF.
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 reportsESC,TRACTION,ABS LIGHTS COME ON WHILE CAR IS MOVING, AND WHEN FIRST STARTING, A TROUBLE CODE C0131 HAS BEEN RECORDED. THE PROBLEM STARTED IN JUNE OF 2010. A WEEK AFTER WE GOT THE CAR, THE DEALER CHANGED BRAKE LITE SWITCH, THE CAR HAS BEEN BACK TO SHOP 15-20 TIMES IT IS NOW 8-9-2017 NO ONE CAN FIX PROBLEM, MADE CALLS TO GM COSTOM…
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ESC,TRACTION,ABS LIGHTS COME ON WHILE CAR IS MOVING, AND WHEN FIRST STARTING, A TROUBLE CODE C0131 HAS BEEN RECORDED. THE PROBLEM STARTED IN JUNE OF 2010. A WEEK AFTER WE GOT THE CAR, THE DEALER CHANGED BRAKE LITE SWITCH, THE CAR HAS BEEN BACK TO SHOP 15-20 TIMES IT IS NOW 8-9-2017 NO ONE CAN FIX PROBLEM, MADE CALLS TO GM COSTOMER SERVICE MANY TIMES OVER THE 7 YEARS, STILL NO FIX, GM WANTS US TO PAY FOR REPAIR AND DIAGNOSTIC AS TOO THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY ,WE FEEL GM SHOULD REPAIR THE CAR FREE OF CHARGE AS TO THIS IS DANGEROUS AND HAS NEVER BEEN FIXED ,
THE ESC AND TRACTION WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. ESC NOT WORKING SO I WAS VERY VERY CAUTIOUS DRIVING. I TOOK TO DEALER. $1200 + TO REPLACE 2 COMPUTER MODULES FOR BRAKES, STEERING, TRACTION. THIS BRINGS NUMBER OF MODULES NEEDING REPLACEMENT TO 4 ON THIS VEHICLE. EIGHT DAYS LATER, ALL THE SAME LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN PLUS BRAKE FLUI…
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THE ESC AND TRACTION WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. ESC NOT WORKING SO I WAS VERY VERY CAUTIOUS DRIVING. I TOOK TO DEALER. $1200 + TO REPLACE 2 COMPUTER MODULES FOR BRAKES, STEERING, TRACTION. THIS BRINGS NUMBER OF MODULES NEEDING REPLACEMENT TO 4 ON THIS VEHICLE. EIGHT DAYS LATER, ALL THE SAME LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN PLUS BRAKE FLUID LIGHT. CALLED DEALER AND TOLD TO BRING CAR IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC. I ASKED ABOUT SAFETY AND WAS TOLD TO CHECK BRAKE FLUID. I SAID I DON'T KNOW HOW. SO, I WENT TO CAR AND BRAKE WAS HARDER BUT WORKING. DROVE TO DEALER. WHEN I ARRIVED, THERE IS NO BRAKE FLUID LEFT. LUCKY I MADE IT TO THE DEALER. WAS TOLD EITHER PART NOT INSTALLED PROPERLY OR DEFECTIVE PART. THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT COULD HAVE COST MY LIFE OR SOMEONE ELSE'S LIFE. IN RESEARCHING LATER, I SEE A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THESE WARNING LIGHTS AND MODULES. I AM LUCKY THERE WAS NO INCIDENT.
BRAKE LIGHTS ON WHEN BRAKE NOT APPLIED. BRAKE LIGHTS ARE OFF WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. REF. RECALL 14V252000. TO DATE 4 RETURNS TO DEALER TO FIX BUT ISSUE STILL PRESENT. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND LAST OCCURRENCE RESULTED IN NEAR END COLLISION FROM VEHICLE BEHIND.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE GEAR SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL WITHOUT WARNING AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND THE CONTACT WAITED FOR FIVE MINUTES. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND OPERATE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE GEAR SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL WITHOUT WARNING AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND THE CONTACT WAITED FOR FIVE MINUTES. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND OPERATED NORMALLY; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED ANOTHER DAY. IN ADDITION, WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE JOLTED AS IF IT WERE GOING TO STALL. THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (FELLERS CHEVROLET, 715 MAIN ST, ALTAVISTA, VA, 24517) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REBUILT OR REPLACED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN AN OPEN RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V460000 (POWER TRAIN). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 152,000.
"TAKATA RECALL" THE TRACTION SERVICE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND SAYS SERVICE ESC , THEN BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON AND STAY ON WHILE DRIVING. WHEN I PRESS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THE LIGHT SO OFF.
FOR THE 2014 14V252000 RECALL, WE BELIEVE THE PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED AGAIN. WE ARE GETTING IT FIXED AGAIN AT OUR EXPENSE. SALLY BOYLE FROM THE IL ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE TALKED AT LENGTH WITH THE GM COUNSEL TODAY AND GM STATED THAT IL HAS NO JURISDICTION OVER THEM, JUST THE NHTSA.
RECALL 13036D: I WAS EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED TO LEARN THAT THE ISSUE WITH MY 2010 MALIBU WAS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 13036D. I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THIS CAR FOR OVER A YEAR AND HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP THAT I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM MULTIPLE TIMES. THEY HAVE PERFORMED THE "FIX" LISTED BELOW AS FOUND AT HTTPS://GM…
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RECALL 13036D: I WAS EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED TO LEARN THAT THE ISSUE WITH MY 2010 MALIBU WAS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 13036D. I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THIS CAR FOR OVER A YEAR AND HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP THAT I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM MULTIPLE TIMES. THEY HAVE PERFORMED THE "FIX" LISTED BELOW AS FOUND AT HTTPS://GM.OEMDTC.COM/4133/13036D-PRODUCT-SAFETY-RECALL-BRAKE-LAMP-MALFUNCTION-2004-2012-CHEVROLET-PONTIAC-SATURN. THIS RESOLVED THE ISSUE FOR LESS THAN A WEEK. MY CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT RESPOND. MY BRAKE LIGHTS CONSTANTLY TURN ON WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS NOT PUSHED AND TURN OFF WHEN THE BRAKE IS PRESSED. THIS IS A HIGHLY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND OBVIOUSLY DUE TO A FAULTY PRODUCT. THERE IS NO WAY THAT THIS COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED BY THE CONSUMER, ME. THE LAST TIME I TOOK THE CAR IN TO HAVE THIS LOOKED AT THEY TOLD ME THAT THE BODY CONTROL MODULE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AND THE PART IS $600. THAT IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE. WHY ON EARTH, WOULD I PAY TO HAVE A PART REPLACED WHEN THE COMPANY, THAT MEANS YOU CHEVY, IS AWARE THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE WHICH IS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS TO THE CUSTOMER. I HAVE BEEN A CHEVY OWNER ALL MY LIFE AND I HAVE ALWAYS RECOMMENDED YOUR PRODUCT TO PEOPLE LOOKING TO PURCHASE NEW OR USED VEHICLES, DUE TO THE RELIABILITY I HAVE EXPERIENCED. BUT THIS ISSUE IS MORE THAN ENOUGH FOR ME TO NEVER WANT TO DEAL WITH YOUR COMPANY AGAIN. IF YOU KNOW THE PART IS MALFUNCTIONING AND THE WORKAROUND DOES NOT COMPLETELY RESOLVE THE ISSUE THEN THE PART NEEDS TO BE REPLACED ON YOUR DIME AND NOT AT THE EXPENSE OF THE CUSTOMER. THAT SHOULD BE COMMON SENSE AND REALLY JUST GOOD BUSINESS. I HOPE YOU, AS A COMPANY, CAN SEE THE LIGHT AND RESOLVE THIS ISSUE WITHOUT NEEDING A LOYAL CUSTOMER TO SEND AN ANGRY EMAIL FOR SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN RESOLVED AS SOON AS THE PROBLEM AROSE.
I HAVE BEEN STRANDED TOO MANY TIMES WITH THIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE JUST WON'T START SOMETIMES AND I HAVE NUMEROUS PEOPLE SAYING IT IS THE SECURITY MALFUNCTION IN THE VEHICLE PREVENTING THE VEHICLE WON'T START. I'VE SPENT SO MUCH TIME AND MONEY. I DO NOT RECOMMEND ANYONE BUYING THIS PRODUCT. IT IS CHEVROLET MALIBU. NOTE, THIS IS …
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I HAVE BEEN STRANDED TOO MANY TIMES WITH THIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE JUST WON'T START SOMETIMES AND I HAVE NUMEROUS PEOPLE SAYING IT IS THE SECURITY MALFUNCTION IN THE VEHICLE PREVENTING THE VEHICLE WON'T START. I'VE SPENT SO MUCH TIME AND MONEY. I DO NOT RECOMMEND ANYONE BUYING THIS PRODUCT. IT IS CHEVROLET MALIBU. NOTE, THIS IS MAYBE 15TH TIMES IT HAPPEN TO ME WITHIN 2 MONTHS PERIOD OF TIME.
ENGINE POWER REDUCE LIGHT CAME ON AND I LOST POWER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY.
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.