Free. Instant. No signup. Pulls recalls and complaints for your exact vehicle.

Couldn't find that VIN. Check the digits and try again.

ProblemsByVin File / 2010-CHEVROLET-MALIBU
2010 · chevrolet

chevrolet Malibu problems

1 safety recall. 1,356 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.

0 5 10
Reliability score
6.4 / 10

Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.

0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

steering
451 reports · avg $700
moderate
electrical
214 reports · avg $850
moderate
powertrain
117 reports · avg $2,500
moderate
lighting
115 reports · avg $250
moderate
airbags
106 reports · avg $1,100
severe
brakes
54 reports · avg $450
severe
cruise control
48 reports · avg $600
severe
engine
46 reports · avg $3,100
moderate

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2010 Malibu · electrical
THE POWER STEERING CONTROL LOCKS UP THE STEERING SYSTEM. THE BRAKES PULSATES WHEN STOPPING CAUSE LOSING TRACTION. ESC CONTROL IS OFF. MAKING THE VEHICLE NOT DRIVE-ABLE.
12/31/2019 · NHTSA ODI #11292257.0
2010 Malibu · steering
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel would intermittently fail to operate as needed with the power steering assist fault message displayed on the instrument panel. The contact also stated that excessive…
12/30/2021 · NHTSA ODI #11445575.0
2010 Malibu · seatbelts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO LATCH. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE…
12/30/2014 · NHTSA ODI #10668989.0
2010 Malibu · other
DRIVERS SEAT FRAME BROKE AT TWO WELD AREAS. VEHICLE HAS NEVER SUSTAINED ANY DAMAGE TO SEAT. SEAT FRAMED JUST FAILED. DEALERSHIP AND WELDING SHOPS HAVE ALL TOLD ME THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED. *JS
12/30/2014 · NHTSA ODI #10668972.0

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 12V460000 18/09/2012

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

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.

Fix: 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.

Common questions

Is the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?

It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.4 out of 10 based on 1,356 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.

What's the most common problem on the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 451 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The steering is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Chevrolet Malibu has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 1,356 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $700, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 9 hours ago. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with chevrolet. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
Get a free warranty quote →