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2010 Chevrolet Malibu Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 1,363 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu, most often about the steering (33% of complaints, typically around 100,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about Malibu model year since 2000 and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2010 Chevrolet Malibu problems
Steering
454 complaints · 33%Half of these problems showed up before 100,000 miles. Parts named most often: column, hydraulic power assist, rack and pinion, electric power assist system.
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the steering wheel seized as the power steering warning lamp illuminated. The contact shut off and restarted the engine several times before the power steering warning lamp no longer illuminated. The vehicle was not taken for…
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the steering wheel locked without warning while driving at various speeds. The contact had to turn the steering wheel left and right while restarting it to regain the steering wheel function. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic…
Electrical
295 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 85,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel, wiring, instrument panel.
The theft system is hanging up in my 2001 chevy Malibu and making it not start. I can be stuck without it starting day or night. I have had it to the dealer numerous times at $500 each. They keep saying that it is not a recall and has to be paid 4 by me. On the internet there are numerous complaints about the same…
Car will alarm with "service escape" and "service traction" --- brake lights will then work opposite of what they should. When brakes are not being pressed they are lit but when brakes are pressed brake lights do not work. Happens intermittently but for several days at a time. Have also had cruise control engage…
Stability control
227 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 85,000 miles.
Went into shop for recall of the recall id # 103647 - electronic stability control on 2010 chevy Malibu. When I got my car back from shop. I now get service air bags warning light all the time on my dash.
While driving my 2010 chevy Malibu lt (ecotech engine), the engine starts to stutter and the ESC shuts off and claims it needs servicing. The ESC will go on and off randomly. The check engine light comes on as well. I have had the codes read multiple times and changed multiple parts but to no avail. It keeps stating…
Brakes
199 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 72,000 miles.
While driving down the highway, I noticed my brake lights were on. The brakes were not pressed, nor was the parking brake on. When I would depress my brakes the lights would go off. It seemed as if the brakes were working in reverse. The car behind me almost rear ended me because they did not know I was putting on my…
I called gm and was told that my car was included on the recent recall issued may 14, however there are no parts available yet to fix. I was also made aware that this recall fix would only fix the brake lamps and that the other issues I.e cruise control, electronic stability control, and traction control are not a…
Lights
195 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 96,000 miles. Parts named most often: brake lights, headlights, hazard flashing warning lights.
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving at any speed, the brake lights failed. The contact mentioned that the brake lights would illuminate without engaging the brakes and, when the brake pedal was depressed, the lights failed. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA…
I have had the recall notice (report receipt date: may 14, 2014 NHTSA campaign number: 14v252000 component(s): electrical system , electronic stability control , exterior lighting , service brakes, hydraulic , vehicle speed control ) previously taken care of by oakley Chevrolet buick repair shop about a year ago. The…
Air bags
144 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 55,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the air bag light remained illuminated and activated the air bag warning beeping sound. The vehicle was taken to the dealer a diagnostic was performed, which was unable to locate a failure code. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current…
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the air bag warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that there were no recalls addressing the failure. The failure and current mileages…
Transmission
133 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 74,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving at 15 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal noise and accelerated without warning. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The…
My car wouldn't move after shifting into reverse. I immediately called gm, because my car is till covered under the power tran warranty. Car gets towed to webb dealership( very poor customer service). They replace the transmission on thursday 040/09. Receive a call from [] with webb chevy stating and I quote. "[] the…
Engine
126 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 72,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system.
I received a safety recall notice via mail from gm due to a defect that relates to motor vehicle safety. The notice clearly stated why the (Chevrolet Malibu 2010) was being recalled. The reasons for the recall indeed persisted in the vehicle that I was currently operating so I had it serviced as stated in the notice…
My car wouldn't move after shifting into reverse. I immediately called gm, because my car is till covered under the power tran warranty. Car gets towed to webb dealership( very poor customer service). They replace the transmission on thursday 040/09. Receive a call from [] with webb chevy stating and I quote. "[] the…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2010 Chevrolet Malibu recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: If the inflator explodes, sharp metal fragments may strike the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Stability control: electronic stability control (esc)
Risk: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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
Transmission: gear position indication (prndl)
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu
- What are the most common problems with the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: steering (454 complaints, typically around 100,000 miles); electrical (295 complaints, typically around 85,000 miles); stability control (227 complaints, typically around 85,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from January 16, 2019 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2010 a bad year for the Chevrolet Malibu?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about Malibu model year since 2000, with 1,363 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.