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2010 Chevrolet Malibu

The Verdict

5 Total Klunk

The 2010 Chevrolet Malibu has 1,357 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are body (538 complaints) and electrical (368 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 5/100, it earns a "Total Klunk" rating. If you're shopping for a Chevrolet Malibu, consider the 2025 model year which has 99% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2025 has 99% fewer complaints

View the 2025 Chevrolet Malibu dashboard →

5

Klunk Score: Total Klunk

Among the most complained-about vehicle years on record. Strongly consider alternatives.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

Recalls 1

Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.

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

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 d...

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...

Reported Apr 10, 2026

Get notified if a recall hits this car.

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
200010520737925315
2001957335520514
200265513621126
20031195629412913
200411207731410084
20057547833816259
20069217617616151
20076443915011742
20084807525612477
2009744150404100107
2010538184368153114
20113243832020091
20122806038414633
20132474433725637
201495355614233
20156713828124
201621575110334122
2017182419829999
20181453483313111
20192610336950
20202129306644
2021190181819
2022212143316
202319210171
2024112822
202550101

By Category

Body
538
Electrical
368
Brakes
184
Engine
153
Transmission
114

By Severity

1
651
2
638
3
15
4
53

Worst Problems

Complaints

Body 1

Power steering has gone out.

2mo ago
Body 2

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.

2mo ago
Body 2

Power steering went out and I'm told it's a sensor that is in the steering column. Very expensive to have fixed due to location of the sensor. I seen a recall for this problem however it is only good for 150,000 miles or 10 years. I just purchased this car 2 years ago with 172,000 miles. This recall should still be valid if it hasn't been repaired. I almost wrecked the car not realizing this happened while driving.

2mo ago
Body 1

The driver's seat bracket broke causing the seat to sag to the right and for the back of the seat to rise up. Pictures were taken and are attached. Available for inspection until fixed. The view is from the front. My finger points to the failed weld. In an accident, the seat might break off causing the driver to sustain serious injury. The sudden shift in the seat could cause the driver to panic resulting in an accident. I have not yet taken it into the dealer for review. This problem has been reported to your website as well as RepairPal and The Center for Auto Safety websites. No one has, as of now, inspected this failure. There are no warning lights or other sources avaliable to inform of this danger.

3mo ago
Body 2

The power steering goes out at times. When I start up or when I am driving my steering will get harder and I get a power steering warning on the dash. If I shut the car off, sometimes it goes away but most of the time it does not.

4mo ago
Body 2

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.

5mo ago
Body 1

My steering wheel is twitching & possibly failing due to the torque steering sensor & it is very unsafe to drive

5mo ago
Electrical 2

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.

5mo ago
Electrical 2

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.

6mo ago
Electrical 1

Power Steering Randomly Goes off taking the Traction Control with it. Terrible for the snow roads to have. Have to life the steering wheel slightly when starting to the car get it to work. Steering Angle Sensor or Torque Position Sensor Maybe??

7mo ago
Electrical 2

I lost power steering while driving, making the wheel hard to turn. While the car is idle, the steering wheel shakes. Also “ESC” pops on on the dashboard.

8mo ago
Body 2

Lug studs repeatedly snap at wheel no matter how installed.

13mo ago
Body 1

The blinker level does not automatically shut off after the turn is preformed. It never has. Yes it can be inspected if asked. Because of this fault, people driving behind me have thought I am turning and have attempted to go around my vehicle, almost causing collision on several occasions. This puts myself, my passengers, and the other vehicle in immediate danger. As well as the vehicle behind the one attempting to go around my vehicle. Yes it has been reproduced by multiple car repair shops. There is never a time that the turn lever has worked properly. When talking to the previous owner, he indicated that he also had the same problem since he purchased the vehicle. Many online vehicle specific forums have owners who talk about having the same problem and the accidents they've gotten in due to it. There are no warning lights. The blinker stays active as well as the dash light indicating the blinker is still on. The date indicated was the most recent it happened and almost caused an accident.

13mo ago
Engine 2

The car will drive but is unable to turn. It's like the steering wheel is locked.

13mo ago
Brakes 1

The issue I'm having is the traction light is on and my rear break lights stay on constantly. I took the car to a shop and had the break light switch replaced. Two days later the lights was back on. I did some research and there was a recall for the exact issue I'm have (NHTSA14V252) when I gave the Chevrolet dealership my VIN they said there were no recalls but there was three recalls but they are no longer open. Is there any thing I can do? Please help

14mo ago
Electrical 2

I was driving down the highway when the passenger side curtain airbags deployed for no reason. Air bag deployment stunned the driver, but fortunately did not cause accident.

14mo ago
Body 1

My power steering quit working

15mo ago
Electrical 1

The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact had been informed by other drivers that the brake lights failed to illuminate as intended while driving. Additionally, the contact stated that the brake lights randomly illuminated while driving. The traction control warning light was illuminated intermittently, causing the cruise control to become inoperable. The contact stated that as an independent mechanic, he had replaced the brake sensors twice; however, the failure persisted. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V252000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting, Vehicle Speed Control, Electronic Stability Control (ESC); however, the failure persisted. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the failure might be related to the brake sensors. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

16mo ago
Body 2

The shift lever does not want to release from park. I cant get it to go into drive. Traction light comes on and overrides cruise control. Refer to recall dated 5/14/2014 #14V252000 or GM recall 13036. It is in for repair now. Almost $500 for repair.

17mo ago
Body 1

The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 30-40 MPH, the power steering assist warning light illuminated. The contact stated while making a left turn, the vehicle became difficult to maneuver and the steering wheel vibrated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

17mo ago

1357 total

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