RoadVitals

2010 Chevrolet Malibu

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
1,363
Latest Oct 13, 2026
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
4
Latest Jan 16, 2019
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
55
47 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 1,363 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu, most frequently naming the steering, driver assistance and electrical categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 1,254 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
19V019000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Jan 16, 2019
1,145 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: If the inflator explodes, sharp metal fragments may strike the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The 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.
General Motors LLCManufacturer number N182206630View on NHTSA.gov
14E044000

STEERING

Jul 21, 2014
7,304 units potentially affected
The defect: Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain replacement intermediate steering shafts sold under the Dorman, OE Solutions, and Solutions brand names, part numbers 425-167, 2425167, and 7-3074, for installation on 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6, and 2007-2009 Saturn Aura vehicles. The affected steering shafts may have a yoke that inadequately supports the u-joint bearing resulting in a premature failure.
The risk: A joint bearing that fails prematurely may cause separation of the u-joint resulting in a complete loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Dorman will notify owners, and dealers will refund the purchase price or replace the steering shafts, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492.
Dorman Products, Inc.View on NHTSA.gov
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
2,440,524 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
The 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.
General Motors LLCManufacturer number 13036View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 1,363
Electrical
Filed Oct 13, 2026

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was listed as 170,225. During a service appointment for the check engine warning light illumination, the vehicle history report revealed that the mileage was 210,000.

NHTSA ID
11770933
Incident
Oct 9, 2026
Mileage
210,000 mi
Filed Oct 8, 2026

ESC light is on and steering started to be hard to steer . My vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Safety for myself and others was a very risky.. vehicle was inspected by dealership, but was told that vehicle could not be scanned.

NHTSA ID
11769997
Incident
Sep 21, 2026
Powertrain (other)Tires & wheels
Filed Sep 22, 2026

The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. After starting the vehicle with the transmission in park(P), the gear shift indicator indicated that the transmission was in drive(D). The transmission was shifted into drive(D), and the vehicle jerked and the engine revved loudly, but the vehicle failed to move. The TPMS and check engine warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the gear shifter was loose while shifting, and the vehicle rolled forward while parked. The contact shifted the gear shifter back and forth and then shifted into park(P) before the proper gear was recognized. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V460000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.

NHTSA ID
11766064
Incident
Sep 18, 2026
Mileage
122,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 9, 2026

They do not have brake lights. I was behind them for probably 3-5 miles, their blinkers and other lights seemed to work because they were just the plain lights cars have. They are also a red chevy.

NHTSA ID
11762987
Incident
Dec 31, 1969
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Jul 23, 2026

The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that after driving for 5 miles, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode, with the message "Service Traction" displayed. The contact stated that the vehicle operated as intended after cooling down; however, the failure recurred after driving 5 miles. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with high resistance in the BCM harness. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC); which was previously performed on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed that the recall repair was a one-time free-of-charge repair. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

NHTSA ID
11752487
Incident
Jul 23, 2025
Mileage
160,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jul 20, 2026

The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the steering wheel was shaking and locked up, and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle lost power steering functionality. The power steering warning light was illuminated. A dealer or an independent mechanic was not contacted. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was informed that the warranty on the vehicle had expired. The approximate failure mileage was 146,000.

NHTSA ID
11751580
Incident
Jul 18, 2026
Mileage
146,000 mi
Steering
Filed May 16, 2026

Power steering has gone out.

NHTSA ID
11738341
Incident
May 16, 2026
Steering
Filed May 11, 2026

1.The ESC system and power steering lights come on and sometimes go off making it extremely unsafe to drive due to not having proper control of the steering wheel. It is available for inspections at any time. 2.Being able to turn and use steering wheel correctly puts me and my family at risk for collisions. 3.confirmed by a code reader. And personal Mechanic. 4. No inspections have been made at dealership u called and they said there was no recall. 5. No other than the steering wheel moving on its own when at a stop light.

NHTSA ID
11737052
Incident
May 3, 2026

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

PIC5650N

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes B3055, B3

PIP4902W

This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.

PIT3271Q

This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.

PIP6104

This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.

PIP4902V

This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.

PIP4902U

This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Chevrolet Malibu by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2025121049.0
2024462058.5
2023732063.5
20221001051.2
2021902053.7
20202031151.8
20191931043.0
20187016053.4
20177054049.5
20168419051.0
20152703053.0
20143516052.4
201383710052.5
20129073049.8
20119784050.4
2010Viewing1,3634049.3
20091,5116154.7
20089895048.9
20079776051.0
20061,1199052.6
20059756157.7
20041,1489460.2
20035693049.4
20025674152.9
20017214457.9
20009225760.0
19997893558.2
19989765658.5
19974436759.6
1989300—
1986100—
1983130—
1982230—
1981331—
1980561—
1979461—
1978281—
1977020—
1975210—
1974110—
1973010—
1964100—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.