2010 Chevrolet Malibu problems, complaints and recalls
NHTSA data checked October 31, 2026 · counts are computed from NHTSA's public APIs, not estimated
Summary
NHTSA's public complaint database lists 1,365 owner complaints for the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu, and its recall database lists 4 safety recall campaigns for it.
Leaving out "unknown or other", the component group owners named most often is steering (455 complaints, 33%), followed by electrical system (295) and electronic stability control (esc) (227). A complaint can name more than one group, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
41 complaints say a crash happened and 14 mention a fire; together the complaints report 47 injuries and 0 deaths.
Among Chevrolet Malibu model years 2010–2020 in NHTSA's data, 2010 has the most complaints (1,365, against a median of 714 for the other years).
The newest recall is 19V019000, received January 16, 2019, for air bags.
1,365owner complaints
4recall campaigns
41complaints reporting a crash
14complaints reporting a fire
47injuries reported
0deaths reported
Complaints by component
Owners pick one or more component groups when they file. Share is the percent of the 1,365 complaints that name the group.
Component group (NHTSA label)
Complaints
Share
Steeringsteering column, rack and power steering: loss of assist, wander
455
33%
Electrical Systembattery, wiring, alternator, lights on the dash, infotainment faults
295
22%
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)stability control engaging or failing unexpectedly
Forward Collision Avoidanceautomatic emergency braking and collision warnings, including false braking
3
<1%
Interior Lighting
1
<1%
Lane Departurelane-keeping assist and lane departure warning
1
<1%
Service Brakes, Air
1
<1%
Recalls (4)
Newest first. Summary, risk and remedy are NHTSA's own recall text (a U.S. government record), shown as published. A recall applies only to the vehicles its notice names; your VIN lookup is the final word.
NHTSA campaign 19V019000
Received January 16, 2019 · Air Bags (frontal: driver side: inflator module)
What's wrong: 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.
Risk: 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.
NHTSA campaign 14E044000
Received July 21, 2014 · Steering
What's wrong: 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.
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.
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.
NHTSA campaign 14V252000
Received May 14, 2014 · Electrical System (wiring)
What's wrong: 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.
Risk: 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.
NHTSA campaign 12V460000
Received September 18, 2012 · Power Train (automatic transmission: gear position indication (prndl))
What's wrong: 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.
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.
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 instructed to not bring their vehicles for repair until January 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.
When the complaints were filed
By the year the complaint reached NHTSA. A late rise often means a part wearing out with age or a problem drawing attention after a recall.
How many complaints has NHTSA received about the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu?
1,365 owner complaints as of October 31, 2026, per NHTSA's complaints API.
What is the most common problem reported for the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu?
Steering is named in 455 of 1,365 complaints (33%); NHTSA's group covers steering column, rack and power steering: loss of assist, wander.
How many recalls does the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu have?
4 recall campaigns in NHTSA's recall database, most recently 19V019000 (January 16, 2019). Check a specific car's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Is 2010 a bad year for the Chevrolet Malibu?
By complaint count, 2010 ranks 1st of 11 Malibu model years 2010–2020 in NHTSA's data. Raw counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how old they are.
How to read these numbers
Complaints are reports owners file with NHTSA. NHTSA does not confirm each one, and one problem can be reported more than once.
Counts are not adjusted for sales: a model that sold twice as many cars can collect twice the complaints without being worse per car.
Older model years have had more time to collect complaints.
A recall listed here may not cover every car of this model year. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.