2010 Chevrolet Malibu problems and complaints

Owners have filed 1362 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. The most-reported areas: Steering (455), Electrical System (294), Electronic Stability Control (esc) (227).

Key takeaways

  • 1362 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
  • 41 involve a crash, 14 a fire, 47 reported injuries.
  • Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
Complaints by component
ComponentComplaintsShare
Steering45533%
Electrical System29422%
Electronic Stability Control (esc)22717%
Service Brakes20015%
Exterior Lighting19414%
Air Bags14511%
Power Train13210%
Vehicle Speed Control1169%
Engine1158%
Unknown Or Other635%
Structure443%
Wheels332%

One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

NHTSA 5-Star crash ratings
VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
2010 Chevrolet Malibu 4-DR w/SABNot ratedNot ratedNot ratedNot rated

Latest complaints, as filed

Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.

Service Brakes - filed 2026-09-09

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.

Electrical System,vehicle Speed Control,electronic Stability Control (esc) - filed 2026-07-23

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 t...

Steering - filed 2026-07-20

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 ...

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More for the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu

Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.