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 · Mar 13, 2017

Steering

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SYMPTOMS STARTED OCCASIONALLY MAINLY WHILE GOING STRAIGHT, AT ANY SPEED, WOULD STAY OFF UNTIL I RESTARTED THE CAR, NOW IT INCREASED TO ALL THE TIMEN WITHIN A FEW MONTHS. WHEN ELECTRIC POWER STEERING IS ON THE STEERING WHEEL WILL SHAKE IN PARK...AND WOULD JERK THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE DRIVING. POWER STEERING GOES OUT.. SAYS TO SERVICE POWER STEERING AND SERVICE ESC. MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER ESPECIALLY AND THE LOWER SPEEDS, I FEEL LIKE I AM DRIVING AS IF I AM DRIVINT A SEMI, FORCES ME TO TAKE WIDER TURNS. DID CONTACT GM, THEY DIDN'T SEEM TO CARE THAT MY CAR HAS SAME SYMPTOMS AS OTHER PREVIOUSLY RECALLED VEHICLES. THE CAR WAS OUT OF THE SPECIAL WARRANTY GM ISSUED DUE TO MILEAGE, I HOWEVER BOUGHT THE CAR USED WITH 170,000 IT HAD ALREADY SURPASSED THE WARRANTY.

NHTSA ODI #10960323

101,000 miles · Mar 12, 2017

Air BagsCrash

SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY WHEN A CAR SMASHED INTO THE SIDE OF ME ... I WAS DOING 30MPH WHEN I WAS HIT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. POLICE REPORT WAS MADE EVEN THO THE AIRBAG DIDN'T GO OFF...

NHTSA ODI #10960214

134,400 miles · Mar 9, 2017

Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR RANDOMLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,400.

NHTSA ODI #10959762

139,110 miles · Mar 8, 2017

Air Bags

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TAKATA RECALL. I HAVE A 2010 CHEVY MALIBU THAT SHOULD BE INCLUDED INTO THE TAKATA RECALL. I JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR TWO WEEKS AGO AND "SERVICE AIR BAG" CAME ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING. AFTER FURTHER INVESTING, GM NEVER ISSUE AN ACTUAL RECALL FOR THE 2010 CHEVY MALIBU. INSTEAD THEY CREATED A "MALIBU SAFETY PROGRAM" THAT ONLY INCLUDES 2010 CHEVY MALIBU ENDING IN THE VIN NUMBERS OF: A4100001 A4166698 AF100056 AND AF271265. MY VIN NUMBER ISN'T INCLUDED IN THIS LIST. THEREFORE I HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. FOR AN ISSUE THAT IS OUT OF MY CONTROL.

NHTSA ODI #10959668

111,000 miles · Mar 8, 2017

Steering

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND BACK ON AND THE VEHICLE PERFORMED AS INTENDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000.

NHTSA ODI #10959490

90,000 miles · Mar 7, 2017

Electronic Stability Control (esc)

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MY VEHICLE WAS PART OF THE FOLLOWING RECALL: * ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL RECALL FOR 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU * RECALL ANNOUNCED MAY 14 2014 * NHTSA REFERENCE #14V252000 THE RECALL WAS INITIALLY "REPAIRED" IN MAY 2014 AT PENSKE CHEVROLET IN INDIANAPOLIS, IN. ABOUT A MONTH LATER I HAD TO TAKE VEHICLE BACK BECAUSE THE ESC ERROR WAS STILL HAPPENING. I WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER RECALL BECAUSE IT HAD BEEN "REPAIRED", AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE "REPAIR" OUT OF POCKET. AFTER SOME NEGOTIATION THEY AGREED TO PERFORM THE SAME "REPAIR" FOR FREE. IN 2016 THE ESC ERROR STARTED AGAIN. THIS TIME I TOOK IT TO BILL ESTES CHEVROLET IN INDIANAPOLIS, IN. THEY DIDN'T LISTEN TO MY COMPLAINT OR ISSUE WITH THE RECALL BECAUSE MY VIN SHOWS NO CURRENT RECALL FOR THE ESC ISSUE. THEY CONVINCED ME THAT IT WAS A SENSOR ISSUE AND "REPAIRED" THE VEHICLE TO THE TUNE OF $500+. WITHIN THE WEEK THE VEHICLE AGAIN HAD THE ESC ERROR, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, AND ENGINE BUCKING. RETURNED THE CAR TO BILL ESTES CHEVROLET AND AGAIN MY DISCUSSION ABOUT THE ESC ERROR RECALL WAS OVERLOOKED. I WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE HAD A CRACKED MANIFOLD AND DAMAGED O2 SENSOR. THEY "REPAIRED" THE VEHICLE TO THE TUNE OF $800. FOR THE NEXT WEEK, EVERYDAY AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE ABOUT 6 MILES THE ESC ERROR WOULD OCCUR. CURRENTLY WE ARE CALLING FOR AN APPOINTMENT TO GET THIS "REPAIRED" AT BILL ESTES CHEVROLET. AFTER MUCH INTERNET RESEARCH, I AM GOING TO SPECIFICALLY ASK THAT THEY PERFORM AGAIN THE PROCEDURE OUTLINED IN THE RECALL. I THINK THAT THIS A RECURRING PROBLEM THAT MAY NEED TO "REPAIRED" OFTEN UNTIL GM/ CHEVROLET COMES UP WITH A PERMANENT SOLUTION. FOR NOW MY WIFE DRIVES THE VEHICLE TO WORK MORE THAN 20 MILES A DAY. AT ANYTIME BECAUSE OF THIS ESC ERROR, SHE COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HAVE AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI #10959063

130,000 miles · Feb 28, 2017

Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

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AT FIRST, WHEN STARTING VEHICLE, DIC WOULD DISPLAY SERVICE ESC AND POWER STEERING. TURNING VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON WOULD USUALLY CLEAR THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER, WHILE DRIVING IN A STRAIGHT LINE, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD RANDOMLY START MOVING AN INCH OR SO TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT. AFTER A COUPLE OF DAYS, WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE SERVICE ESC AND POWER STEERING MESSAGES WOULD DISPLAY AGAIN, AND POWER STEERING WAS LOST. THIS STARTED HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY TO THE POINT WHERE I CAN'T COMPLETE A TRIP WITHOUT THE POWER STEERING DROPPING OUT. RESEARCH SHOWS GM IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, AND MY VEHICLE WILL BE FIXED UNDER GM SPECIAL COVERAGE 15356, SINCE I AM UNDER 150,000 MILES. HOWEVER, I FEEL THIS IS HAPPENING TO ENOUGH TO WARRANT A GENERAL RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #10957628

85,000 miles · Feb 26, 2017

Air BagsSeats

FAULTY PASSENGER PRESENCE MODULE , AIRBAG WARNING FAULT LIGHT ON. . THE DEALERSHIP RECOMMENDED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE MODULE AT MY OWN EXPENSE OF $800. I FEEL THAT MY FAMILY AND MY SAFETY IS AT RISK DUE TO A FAULTY DESIGN THAT GM IS AWARE OF WITH ITS AIRBAG COMPONENTS. AIRBAGS SHOULD BE WORKING FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE, A…

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NHTSA ODI #10957089

52,000 miles · Feb 23, 2017

Exterior LightingService Brakes

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRACTION CONTROL AND BRAKE LIGHT INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE BRAKE LIGHT WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. HOWEVER, WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS NOT DEPRESSED, THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PEDAL SENSOR ASSEMBLY WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000. ...UPDATED 05/22/17 *BF *CN

NHTSA ODI #10956449

Mileage unknown · Feb 22, 2017

Electrical SystemExterior LightingService Brakes

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V250000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10956236

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)