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 force was needed to operate the vehicle during the failure. Occasionally, the power steering assist functionality would…
2010 Chevrolet Malibu steering problems
moderate 454 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
454
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
11crashes
1fire
6injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 454 steering complaints filed for the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 150,000+ mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Steering accounts for 33% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 12 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 454 steering complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: Avoid 2010 Chevrolet Malibus with the 2.4L engine—the electric power steering fails unpredictably, sometimes without warning, making the car unsafe to drive at low speeds and through turns. GM offers only limited-time coverage (10 years/150,000 miles) and refuses recall status, leaving owners stranded with repair bills of $673–$2,000 after that window closes.
The 2010 Chevrolet Malibu's electric power steering system fails intermittently and without warning, forcing drivers to restart the engine to regain steering assist. Owners report the steering wheel becomes extremely difficult or impossible to turn at low speeds when power assist drops out, especially dangerous during turns at intersections or parking. Warning messages ("POWER STEERING," "SERVICE ESC") appear on the dash along with chimes. The steering wheel also shakes, jerks, or locks up while parked or driving.
Owners describe needing to turn the car off and back on repeatedly to temporarily restore steering function—sometimes requiring 3–5 restarts. The problem worsens over time, occurring more frequently and lasting longer. Some report the steering motor only works when the system is reset. Mechanics consistently diagnose the torque sensor in the steering column as the culprit, requiring full steering column replacement at costs between $673 and $2,000.
The core complaint is coverage disparity: GM issued a recall (14116/14V15300) for 2004–2009 Malibus and a Special Coverage Adjustment (bulletin 15356) for 2010–2012 models limited to 10 years/150,000 miles—but owners past that window or with mileage over 150,000 are denied repair even when dealers confirm they have the identical defect. Dealers acknowledge the issue affects many 2010s but say GM will not cover it under recall.
Same Chevrolet Malibu steering reports on nearby years: 2008 · 2009 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013
Failure modes owners describe
Intermittent electronic power steering loss
Electric power steering assist cuts out suddenly without warning while driving or at startup. Steering becomes extremely difficult or impossible to turn, especially at low speeds. Power returns only after turning the engine off and restarting it, sometimes requiring multiple restarts. The problem recurs intermittently and worsens over time.
When: Reported from 2013 onward; occurs at all speeds and vehicle states (parked, stopped, driving on highway or city streets)
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of power steering assist during driving or at startup; Steering wheel becomes extremely difficult or impossible to turn; Warning messages on dashboard: 'POWER STEERING,' 'SERVICE ESC,' 'SERVICE TRACTION'; Chimes or dings accompanying warning messages; Power steering returns only after engine restart; Problem recurs intermittently with increasing frequency over time; Steering motor only works after system reset; Especially dangerous at low speeds and during turns
Codes mentioned: C0545 (Torque Sensor), C0561 (Steering wheel angle sensor), P2135 (Throttle/Pedal position), C0242 (ESC-related)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers and independent mechanics replace the entire steering column assembly (which includes the torque sensor and steering position sensor) at costs between $673–$2,000 labor included. Some owners report replacement of the power steering motor alone ($800–$1,500) did not resolve the issue. Torque sensor cannot be replaced separately; full column replacement required.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM issued Recall 14116 (later 14V15300) for 2004–2009 Malibus with electric power steering motor replacement at no cost. For 2010–2012 models, GM issued Special Coverage Adjustment (Bulletin 15356) covering repairs up to 10 years or 150,000 miles from original purchase date. Coverage is NOT a recall and has an expiration window. Owners exceeding mileage or time limits are denied coverage despite dealer confirmation of the identical defect. GM has refused to extend recall coverage to 2010 model year, citing VIN-specific exclusions; corporate representatives cite part number mismatches or coverage windows as reasons for denial.
Steering wheel locking or seizure
Steering wheel locks up completely, making the vehicle impossible to steer. Occurs both while stationary and while driving. Releases only after engine restart. Happens without prior warning.
When: Reported across model years; can occur at any mileage and any driving condition
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel locks and cannot be turned at all; Occurs both while parked and while driving; Can happen mid-turn at an intersection, creating immediate crash risk; Steering wheel becomes rigid and unmovable despite driver force; Warning messages appear: 'POWER STEERING,' 'SERVICE ESC'; Only releases after vehicle is shut off and restarted
Codes mentioned: C0545, C0561
Repairs/costs cited: Steering column replacement, $673–$2,000
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Special Coverage Adjustment 15356 (10 years / 150,000 miles). No recall issued for 2010 model year.
Steering wheel shaking, jerking, or vibration
Steering wheel shakes, jerks, or vibrates on its own while driving or parked. Tightening sensation in the wheel; may have a ticking or pinging noise accompanying it. Glitching movements, especially when stopped at lights or during turns.
When: Reported from 2013 onward, intermittent to constant
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel shakes violently on its own, especially when parked; Jerking or tightening sensations in the wheel; Ticking or pinging noise when turning the wheel; Steering wheel glitches/tightens for half-second intervals, happening multiple times in succession; Sensation travels from steering wheel down to brake pedal; Occurs during startup and while driving; Worsens over time with each passing day
Codes mentioned: C0545, C0561
Repairs/costs cited: Steering column replacement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Special Coverage Adjustment 15356 for 2010–2012; mileage and time limits apply
Electronic stability control (ESC) and traction control lights illuminated
Service ESC and traction control warning lights illuminate on the instrument cluster, sometimes accompanied by a chime. Lights come on intermittently or persistently, often coinciding with power steering problems. Dealers are unable to retrieve diagnostic codes even when lights are illuminated.
When: Intermittent to persistent; often accompanies power steering failures
Symptoms owners cite: SERVICE ESC light illuminates; SERVICE TRACTION light illuminates; Warning messages on dashboard; Chimes accompanying warnings; Lights turn on and off intermittently; No diagnostic codes present when scanned by dealer; Lights may remain on constantly despite restarts
Codes mentioned: C0545, C0561, C0242
Repairs/costs cited: Steering column replacement or torque sensor/power steering motor replacement; costs $673–$2,000. ESC computer module replacement reported in one case ($1,200+ for two modules).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Covered under Special Coverage Adjustment 15356 for 2010–2012, limited to 10 years/150,000 miles
Electrical system malfunction (headlights, brake lights, turn signals, battery)
Multiple electrical failures occur concurrently or in sequence: headlights dim, fail, or flicker; brake lights malfunction; turn signal bulbs burn out repeatedly; battery drains prematurely; third brake light operates intermittently; rear defrosters fail; driver seat control fails.
When: Ongoing; some reports of multiple replacements within months
Symptoms owners cite: Headlights dim when steering wheel is turned; Headlights fail or flicker on and off repeatedly; Brake lights illuminate without pressing brake pedal; Rear center brake light failed to illuminate; Turn signal bulbs burn out repeatedly (multiple replacements in months); Battery drains prematurely despite replacement; Third brake light works intermittently, mostly off; Rear defrosters do not work; Driver seat control does not work; All indicators and gauges report incorrectly (e.g., tire pressure sensor shows wrong tire)
Codes mentioned: No codes retrieved in most cases
Repairs/costs cited: Battery and cable replacement attempted; did not resolve issues. No complete repair documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented; dealers unable to diagnose or repair
Synthesized from 454 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
Steering not working correctly it is ver hard to turn steering wheel. Cluster lights went out so dashboard lights do not work, brake lights not working seems to be electrical problems with the vehicle
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet malibu. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering assist and electronic stability control warning lights illuminated. The steering wheel ceased and the contact was unable to turn the steering wheel. On another occasion while driving and attempting to make a left turn, the steering ceased. The vehicle was turned off and…
4 cylinder with electric power steering is not part of the recall..I'm having problems with the power steering completely going out while driving in motion and parking .....also the traction control lights constantly stays on
When I started my vehicle, an indicator light immediately reported a need to service my ESC and my power steering was disabled. After restarting the vehicle, it seemed to correct itself. Now, when driving, my steering wheel vibrates when there is no torque applied to the wheel and makes a chattering noise periodically. This has been going on for a week now.
Steering gets hard to maneuver while driving all lights come on on the dashboard and have to stop and reset vehicle, headlights work when they want to. I was driving on a highway when my steering got hard to use. I had to get on the shoulder and reset the battery, in order to get home safely
Had steering trouble with your 2010 Chevrolet Malibu?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 454 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 358 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 79,984 and 138,000 miles, with the median around 103,300. A quarter of owners report trouble before 79,984; a quarter make it past 138,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2010/Chevrolet/Malibu.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.