Wheel- "crack in rim" we purchase a 2010 Chevrolet malibu in 2013 from ivory Chevrolet in union city, ga. Notice over time that passage tire kept going low, replace tire 2 twice, finally in 2015 bought all new tires from sears to resolve the problem but the passage side kept losing pressure, complaint to sear it not their tires but maybe a crack in rim. Bought a new rim for passage side now the…
2010 Chevrolet Malibu wheels problems
moderate 19 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $400 · see wheels across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
19
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$400
When does it fail?
Of the 19 wheels complaints filed for the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 125,000-150,000 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
Of the 8 model years of Chevrolet Malibu we track for wheels problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 19.
No new NHTSA wheels complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 10 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: Steel rims on the 2010 Malibu have a documented pattern of cracking at the weld seams, causing slow air leaks and requiring costly replacement. Budget for potential rim replacement as part of ownership, and inspect rims closely during any pre-purchase inspection.
Owners consistently report steel rims cracking, most often at the weld seams where the hub attaches to the outer rim. The failure typically manifests as a slow air leak — tires lose 5 to 10 psi every two to three days — prompting repeated tire fill-ups and eventual discovery of the cracked rim. Some owners report multiple rim failures on the same vehicle: one owner replaced rims three times within six months, another twice within a year, and a third owner eventually replaced all four rims. Mileage at failure ranges from 41,500 to 138,800 miles.
A few complaints mention bent rims in addition to cracks. One complaint describes a hubcap design issue where chrome plating peels and creates sharp edges that can cut tire sidewalls during extreme flexing. Another mentions broken wheel lugs (5 on one side, 7 on the other) without clear cause attribution.
Dealership diagnosis consistently identifies the rim as the leak source, not the tire itself. Replacement rims cost $200 to $339 per wheel. Owners note that GM warranty does not cover rim defects after the first year. Several complaints reference numerous other owners experiencing identical failures and express concern about the safety implications of a weakened rim failing suddenly at highway speed.
Same Chevrolet Malibu wheels reports on nearby years: 2013
Failure modes owners describe
Rim crack at weld seam
Factory steel rims develop cracks at the weld seam where the hub joins the outer rim, resulting in air leaks.
When: Ranges from 41,564 to 138,824 miles; some failures occur within first few years of ownership.
Symptoms owners cite: Tire loses 5-10 psi every two to three days; TPMS warning light illuminates; Visible crack in rim at weld area; Air leaking audibly or visibly from rim seam
Repairs/costs cited: Rim replacement $200–$339 per wheel. Owners report rim cannot be repaired and must be replaced entirely. Non-factory replacement rims sometimes substituted when factory rims unavailable.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM acknowledged the issue in some cases (case number 8-1731278803 cited) but stated no recall exists for steel wheel leaking. Warranty does not cover rim defects after first year of ownership.
Rim crack in body or flange
Steel rims develop cracks in the main body or along the 5-star flange design, separate from weld failures.
When: Multiple failures reported on same vehicle; one owner replaced three rims within six months.
Symptoms owners cite: Visible crack in rim body or along star-pattern flange; Tire pressure loss; Bent rim (noted in two complaints)
Repairs/costs cited: Rim replacement required; costs $200–$253 per wheel.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer support documented for this failure mode.
Rim defective weld or missing weld seal
Factory steel rims exhibit incomplete or defective welding at the rim hub-spoke interface, causing air leaks at the seal.
When: Noted on used vehicle purchased in June 2013 with existing condition; failures reported across various mileages.
Symptoms owners cite: Air leak at weld seal area; Tire pressure drops slowly over days; Visual inspection shows missing or incomplete welding
Repairs/costs cited: Rim is unrepairable; replacement required at $200–$339 per wheel.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Certified pre-owned vehicle warranty excluded rim coverage after one year.
Hubcap design defect — chrome peeling and tire damage
Plastic hubcap with chrome plating peels back during tire flexing (e.g., from curb contact), creating sharp edges that cut tire sidewalls.
When: Failure mode triggered by tire flex during curb contact or pothole impact.
Symptoms owners cite: Chrome plating peels from plastic hubcap; Sharp edges created by peeling chrome; Tire sidewall cut, cord visible
Repairs/costs cited: Hubcap and tire replacement required; costs exceeded $200.
Wheel lug breakage
Multiple wheel lugs break on the same vehicle without documented impact or over-tightening; one complaint reports 5 broken lugs on one side and 7 on the other.
When: Recurring issue: initial failure with 1 lug per side, repeated within 3 weeks with 2–1 lugs broken again.
Symptoms owners cite: Broken wheel lugs detected during service; Wheel hub replacement performed; Recurrent failures after repair
Repairs/costs cited: Wheel hubs replaced; number of repair events and total cost not specified.
Synthesized from 19 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
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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 wheels problem on the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 19 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $400 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the wheels typically fail?
Across the 19 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most wheels failures cluster between 38,709 and 100,000 miles, with the median around 59,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 38,709; a quarter make it past 100,000. 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 $400 for wheels 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 wheels?
No active recalls currently cover wheels 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.