Problems · NHTSA complaints

2010 Chevrolet Malibu problems

Owners filed 1,365 complaints about the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu with NHTSA between Nov 2009 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is steering (455).

Complaints
1,365
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
41
Reported by owners
Fires
14
Reported by owners
Injuries
47
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Steering455
  2. Electrical system295
  3. Electronic stability control (esc)227
  4. Exterior lighting194
  5. Service brakes184
  6. Air bags145
  7. Power train133
  8. Vehicle speed control116
  9. Engine115
  10. Structure44
  11. Wheels33
  12. Fuel/propulsion system31
  13. Seats25
  14. Traction control system23

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20092
201043
201118
201229
201387
2014212
2015161
2016145
2017129
2018156
2019139
202099
202141
202233
202332
202413
202511
202615

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Steering

455 reports11 crashes1 fire1 related recall
“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 not contacted. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was informed that the warranty on the vehicle had expired. The approximate failure mileage was 146,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 20, 2026SteeringODI 11751580

Electrical system

295 reports4 crashes5 fires1 related recall
“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was listed as 170,225. During a service appointment for the check engine warning light illumination, the vehicle history report revealed that the mileage was 210,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 13, 2026Electrical systemODI 11770933

Electronic stability control (esc)

227 reports2 crashes
“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 taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with high resistance in the BCM harness. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC); which was previously performed on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed that the recall repair was a one-time free-of-charge repair. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 23, 2026Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (esc)ODI 11752487

Exterior lighting

194 reports2 crashes1 fire
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 7, 2026Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed controlODI 11709371

Service brakes

184 reports5 crashes
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 9, 2026Service brakesODI 11762987

Air bags

145 reports26 crashes1 related recall
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 10, 2025Air bagsODI 11660211
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.