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

80,000 miles · Jun 5, 2017

Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE REICHARD CHEVROLET DEALER LOCATED IN BROOKVILLE, OH TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WAVE PLATE LOCATED IN THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY B…

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NHTSA ODI #10993155

158,000 miles · Jun 2, 2017

Visibility/wiper

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS IN THE RAIN, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAITED UNTIL THE RAIN STOPPED TO RESUME DRIVING. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (LOU FUSZ CHEVROLET LOCATED ON 5120 N SERVICE RD, ST PETERS, MO, 63376) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIPER MOTOR WAS WORKING, BUT THE WIPER TRANSMISSION MODULE DETACHED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT OFFER FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 158,000. UPDATED 07/27/17*LJ *JS

NHTSA ODI #10992948

Mileage unknown · May 30, 2017

Electrical SystemService BrakesVehicle Speed Control

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HAD CAMSHAFT SENSOR INSTALLED LESS THAN A YEAR AGO AND ENGINE CAME ON WITH SAME SENSOR CODE. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS GOING OUT CONSTANTLY AND HEADLIGHT BULB WAS REPAIRED 4 TIMES LESS THAN A YEAR. COST ME OVER 600 TOTAL ONE SERVICE WAS DONE FOR FREE BECAUSE IT WAS REPAIRED AND BLEW THE NEXT DAY. SO MUCH WORK AND BARELY DRIVE TO CAR TO AND FROM WORK ONLY 2 MILES. I PLAN TO MAKE A COMPLAINT TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR EXPLANATIONS IF NOT SOLVED OR REIMBURSED. THE VEHICLE STAYS IN THE SHOP MORE THAN USE. TRACTION CONTROL SENSOR REPLACES AND CAME BACK 2 WEEKS LATER. THE VEHICLE ALSO STALLED WITH MY CHILDREN ON A BUSY STREET WHERE A VEHICLE ALMOST STRUCK THE BACK SIDE MISSING MY DAUGHTER BY INCHES. UNSAFE VEHICLE AND TOO MANY MALFUCTIONS.

NHTSA ODI #10992156

70,000 miles · May 22, 2017

Service BrakesSteeringCrash

I WAS TRAVELLING ABOUT 25-30MPH STARTED TO SKID (YES IT WAS ICY) LIGHTLY TAPPED THE BRAKES THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE STEERING LOCKED UP AND THE BRAKES ALSO. ALL I COULD DO WAS LET GO AND HOPE FOR THE BEST. ENDING UP HITTING A FED EX VAN AND PGE TRUCK WITH A SNOW PLOW. THERE IS A POLICE REPORT AND THE CAR ENDED UP GETTING TOTAL…

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NHTSA ODI #10991051

80,000 miles · May 19, 2017

Electrical System

THE BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON WITHOUT PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE DEALER TOOK THE CAR IN AND SAID THEIR DIAGNOSTICS DID NOT SHOW ANY PROBLEM. I FOLLOWED MY WIFE HOME AND FOR THE LAST MILE THE BRAKE LIGHTS STAYED ON.

NHTSA ODI #10990622

110,000 miles · May 15, 2017

Electrical SystemEngine

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THIS HAS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES TO ME NOW. I WAS HEADING HOME ON THE HIGHWAY WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SET ON ABOUT 67 MPH AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND THE CAR STARTS COASTING. "ENGINE POWER REDUCED" CAME ACROSS THE COMPUTER DISPLAY. LIKE I SAID, THIS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE. I COULD PULL OVER TO A STOP, SHUT OFF THE CAR AND IT WOULD RESET, AND THE CAR WOULD BE FINE FOR ME TO MAKE IT HOME. BUT THIS LAST TIME, THE CAR WOULD NOT RESTART AT ALL. I GOT THE CAR TOWED HOME, CHECKED THE BATTERY, THE CABLES, AND EVEN REPLACED THE STARTER , AND IT STILL DOES THE SAME THING.... STARTER WILL NOT ENGAGE TO TURN THE MOTOR OVER TO START.

NHTSA ODI #10985842

150,000 miles · May 13, 2017

Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

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THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED SHAKING ON ITS OWN AND I WOULD MOVE THE WHEEL AND IT WOULD STOP. IT HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR ABOUT A MONTH AND WOULD HAVE LIKE A TICKING NOISE. THIS WEEK I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND THE WHEEL SHOOK AGAIN AND THEN IT LOCKED AND I WAS UNABLE TO MOVE IT. I WAS DRIVING! I GOT TO A RED LIGHT AND IT WOULD NOT MOVE. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND TURNED IT BACK ON AND THE WHEEL WOULD MOVE AGAIN. A LIGHT CAME ON AND SAID POWER STEERING EPS NEEDS ATTENTION. IT KEPT HAPPENING AGAIN AND AGAIN AND IT WAS SCARY BECAUSE THERE WAS TRAFFIC. I HAD TO DRIVE IT LIKE THAT BACK HOME BECAUSE IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE ESPECIALLY TRYING TO TURN THE WHEEL IN CORNERS. THAT CAN CAUSE A CRASH. ALSO, I'VE ALWAYS HAD ISSUES WITH THE SENSORS ON THE CAR. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE FUSES OFTEN, DIFFERENT SENSOR LIGHTS COME ON IT KEEPS SAYING (ABS) AND THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE TO BE REPLACED OFTEN BECAUSE OF AN ELECTRIC SHORT.

NHTSA ODI #10985499

95,000 miles · May 12, 2017

Seats

SEAT FRAME WELDS ARE BROKEN, BOTTOM FRONT RIGHT SIDE TUBE ON DRIVERS SEAT.

NHTSA ODI #10985066

152,000 miles · May 8, 2017

Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR DISPLAYED "OFF" AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THREE INDEPENDENT MECHANICS. THE FIRST INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS AN INNER TIE ROD FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A TIRE SHOP WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A TIRE ROD AND SWAY BAR MALFUNCTION. THE BRACKETS ON THE SWAY BAR WERE REPLACED, BUT THE ISSUE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A THIRD INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE WITH A POSSIBLE RACK AND PINION MALFUNCTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT OF A RECALL AND WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A GENERAL MOTOR DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 152,000.

NHTSA ODI #10984201

40,458 miles · May 2, 2017

Air Bags

SERVICE AIR BAGS LIGHT REMAINS LIT. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP YESTERDAY REGARDING A CONSTANT WARNING LIGHT INDICATING A MALFUNCTION OF THE AIR BAG SYSTEM. THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT IT WAS CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE AIRBAG MODULE AND WIRING HARNESS. AT THAT TIME, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN…

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NHTSA ODI #10983082

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)