2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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N/A

Safety Rating

2,195

Owner Complaints

72 Crashes 17 Fires

4

Recalls

ACTIVE RECALL

29

Service Bulletins

0

Investigations

Overview of the 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU

The 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU has received a total of 2,195 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 8 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, STEERING, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC). 29 technical service bulletins have been issued by General Motors, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Steering (444 complaints), Electrical System (287 complaints), and Electronic Stability Control Esc (226 complaints).

Recalls for the 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU

NHTSA has recorded 8 recalls for the 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU, potentially affecting up to 12,637,309 vehicles.

Recall 19V019000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

| 1,145 vehicles affected

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.

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.

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Recall 14E044000 — STEERING

| 7,304 vehicles affected

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.

Consequence: 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.

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.

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Recall 14V252000 — ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

| 2,440,524 vehicles affected

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...

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...

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Recall 14V252000 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

| 2,440,524 vehicles affected

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...

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...

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Recall 14V252000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

| 2,440,524 vehicles affected

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...

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...

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Recall 14V252000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

| 2,440,524 vehicles affected

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...

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...

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Recall 14V252000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

| 2,440,524 vehicles affected

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...

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...

View full details →

Recall 12V460000 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)

| 426,240 vehicles affected

Defect: 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: 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...

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Owner Complaints for the 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU

2,195 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Steering
Complaints: 444 11 Crashes 1 Fire 6 Injuries
Electrical System
Complaints: 287 4 Crashes 4 Fires 7 Injuries
Electronic Stability Control Esc
Complaints: 226 2 Crashes 3 Injuries
Service Brakes
Complaints: 183 5 Crashes 6 Injuries
Exterior Lighting
Complaints: 176 2 Crashes 1 Fire 3 Injuries
Air Bags
Complaints: 140 24 Crashes 26 Injuries
Power Train
Complaints: 120 3 Crashes 4 Injuries
Engine
Complaints: 115 1 Fire
Vehicle Speed Control
Complaints: 111 3 Crashes 1 Fire 3 Injuries
Unknown Or Other
Complaints: 63 1 Injury
Fuelpropulsion System
Complaints: 31
Structurebody
Complaints: 31 1 Crash 2 Injuries
Wheels
Complaints: 29 1 Crash 1 Injury
Traction Control System
Complaints: 23 1 Crash 1 Injury
Seats
Complaints: 20 2 Crashes 2 Fires 5 Injuries
Visibilitywiper
Complaints: 19 2 Fires
Seat Belts
Complaints: 15 2 Crashes 6 Injuries
Service Brakes Hydraulic
Complaints: 15 2 Crashes 3 Injuries
Exterior Lightingbrake Lights
Complaints: 13
Latcheslockslinkages
Complaints: 13
Power Trainautomatic Transmission
Complaints: 13
Suspension
Complaints: 12 1 Crash 2 Injuries
Structurebodydoor
Complaints: 10 1 Injury
Engine And Engine Cooling
Complaints: 8
Fuel System Gasoline
Complaints: 8
Exterior Lightingheadlights
Complaints: 4
Seatsfront Assemblyseat Heatercooler
Complaints: 4 4 Fires
Vehicle Speed Controlcruise Control
Complaints: 4 1 Crash
Air Bagsfrontal
Complaints: 3 2 Crashes 4 Injuries
Air Bagssidewindow
Complaints: 3 1 Injury
Electrical System Instrument Clusterpanel
Complaints: 3
Forward Collision Avoidance Adaptive Cruise Control
Complaints: 3
Latcheslockslinkagesdoorslatch
Complaints: 3
Structure
Complaints: 3 1 Crash 2 Injuries
Tires
Complaints: 3 1 Crash 2 Injuries
Wheelsrim
Complaints: 3
Engine And Engine Coolingengine
Complaints: 2
Equipment
Complaints: 2 1 Crash
Steeringcolumn
Complaints: 2
Steeringhydraulic Power Assistpower Steering Fluid
Complaints: 2
Tirespressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems
Complaints: 2
Electrical Systeminstrument Panelspeedometerodometer
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemwiring
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemwiringfuses And Circuit Breakers
Complaints: 1 1 Fire
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling System
Complaints: 1
Equipmentapplianceair Conditioner
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lightingbrake Lightsswitch
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lightinghazard Flashing Warning Lights
Complaints: 1
Interior Lighting
Complaints: 1
Lane Departure Blind Spot Detection
Complaints: 1
Latcheslockslinkagesdoorslock
Complaints: 1
Seat Beltsfront
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 1 Injury
Seatsfront Assemblyhead Restraint
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Air
Complaints: 1 1 Crash
Steeringelectric Power Assist System
Complaints: 1
Steeringrack And Pinion
Complaints: 1
Suspensionfront
Complaints: 1
Tirestemporaryemergency Spare Tire
Complaints: 1
Tirestreadbelt
Complaints: 1
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac System
Complaints: 1
Visibilitypower Window Devices And Controls
Complaints: 1
Visibilitysunmoon Roof Assembly
Complaints: 1
Visibilitywindshield
Complaints: 1
Visibilitywindshield Wiperwasherlinkages
Complaints: 1
Wheelshub
Complaints: 1

Most Recent Complaints

#11717933 | STEERING | | N/A miles
In 2014 there was a recall issue on 2004 to 2009 Chevrolet malibus 2.4 l motors with the electric power steering assist motor. They were to be replaced with labor and free cost. A recall is a safety issue that has no expiration date. In 2015 GM issued a special coverage adjustment for 2010 through 2012 Chevy malibus. This special adjustment is for those vehicles 2010 through 2012 to have the power steering assist motor replaced for up to 10 years or 150,000 miles from the original service date. The problem with that is I have a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu that has the exact same electric power steering assist motor that the 2004 through 2009 half but yet I only have a special coverage adjustment which is not even close to a recall where there is no expiration date on when the manufacturer would replace the electric power steering assist motor free of charge. The issue with the electric power steering assist motor was a malfunctioning of a bushing issues in the motor. I have the same electric power assist motor in my Malibu that all the recall Malibu's 2004 to 2009 have. So what made the difference after 2009 with this product the electric power steering assist motor? Today February 13th 2026 my electric power steering assist motor will only work when I reset the system. I almost had an accident because the power steering went out and I was driving. Took my Malibu to repair shop called Express pro in Indianapolis Indiana and they diagnosed it power steering assist motor failing. I do not fall under the special coverage adjustment although that's really for non-safety concerns a recall is first safety issues with no expiration date and my 2010 Malibu should be in the recall. I cannot afford $1,500 to get this motor replaced which I had no clue there was even a recall until today. The car will set until there is a recall issue which is the only fair thing to do when it was issued for 2004-2009 Malibu's since there was no change in the electric power steering assist motor.
#11717284 | STEERING | | N/A miles
My steering wheel is twitching & possibly failing due to the torque steering sensor & it is very unsafe to drive
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while reviewing O'Reilly diagnostic report, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 159,000, and the current odometer reading was 174,804; however, O'Reilly service report listed the mileage at 192,000.
#11709371 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | | 270,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that under previous vehicle ownership, the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V252000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting, Vehicle Speed Control, Electronic Stability Control (ESC); however, the recall repair failed to prevent a failure. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the rear brake light failed to illuminate as intended; however, when the brake pedal was released, the brake lights would illuminate. No warning lights were illuminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 270,000.
#11709371 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | | 270,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that under previous vehicle ownership, the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V252000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting, Vehicle Speed Control, Electronic Stability Control (ESC); however, the recall repair failed to prevent a failure. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the rear brake light failed to illuminate as intended; however, when the brake pedal was released, the brake lights would illuminate. No warning lights were illuminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 270,000.

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Safety Rating for the 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU

NHTSA has not yet tested the 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU in its New Car Assessment Program.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU

General Motors, LLC has issued 29 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

18055 — AIR BAGS

18055 - Special Coverage. Certain Chevrolet Malibu and Pontiac G6 vehicles, may have a condition where the front seat side impact airbag (SIAB) connectors under the seat may experience small relative movement between the pins and sockets. DTC?s related to SIAB wiring connectors may be found even with product improvements...

SB-15-08-45-001 — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

PONTIAC/SATURN/CHEVROLET: SOME VEHICLES ARE EXPERIENCING MULTIPLE ISSUES/SYMPTOMS CAUSED BY BODY HARNESS HARD CONTACT AGAINST FLOOR EDGE PANEL UNDER LEFT REAR SEAT CUSHION. MODEL 2004-12 MALIBU, MALIBU MAXX, 2007-09 AURA, 2005-10 G6. *PE

12-06-01-008B — EQUIPMENT

This informational bulletin provides dealership personnel information on unscheduled supplemental services (including flushing services and additives) and proper use of GM simplified maintenance schedules (Canada only).

PIC6047 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that will go into a learn mode after a tire rotation but a sensor or sensors will not activate with the Tire Pressure Monitoring tool. Technician will need to remove the fuse for the OnStar system then complete the...

PIP4716F — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have a short, sharp rattle noise from the front of the engine at start up. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes P0011 P0014 P0016 or P0017. Technician will need to inspect the engine belt. If the vehicle...

06-00-89-029J — EQUIPMENT

This informational bulletin provides tips on how to care for the interior of the vehicle using products.

PI1152 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

HVAC Stuck in Defrost Mode, DTCs B0248, B0268 or B0408 Set Condition/Concern Some customers may comment that the HVAC system is stuck in the defrost mode. When checking the vehicle for DTCs, the HVAC control module may report B0248, B0268 or B0408 set as current. Once the DTC(s) are cleared,...

SB-0000164892-A — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT

SUMMARY TO BE PROVIDED ON A FUTURE DATE.

PI-0116-B — STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

CHEVROLET: DUE TO LOW LEVEL WATER LEAK, IN IP STRUCTURE, A MESSAGE IS DISPLAYED ABOUT POWER STEERING OR REDUCED POWER. *PE

PI-0498 — SUSPENSION:FRONT:HUB

GM: 2010-2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU. ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM AND TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM WARNING LIGHTS ARE ON. THE WHEEL BEARING HUB AND/OR SPEED SENSOR PIGTAIL TERMINALS MAY BE CORRODED DUE TO MOISTURE. *RM

Showing 10 of 29 technical service bulletins.

NHTSA Investigations for the 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU

There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.

Other Model Years of the CHEVROLET MALIBU

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