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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 4
Injuries / Deaths:
7 / 0
Average Mileage:
62,732 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2010 Chevrolet Malibu electrical problems

electrical problem

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2010 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Comments (Page 3 of 14)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #237

Jan 192021

Malibu

  • 155,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I could smell a faint electrical smoke smell while the car was running, then the instrument panel quit working completely. I then also noticed the driver side seat also quit heating.

- Elberfeld, IN, USA

problem #236

Jan 162021

Malibu

  • 104,613 miles
I had just left the gas station after filling up with gas I came to a stoplight and when I went to take off from a stop the car started sputtering and only going at very low power I turned the car around and noticed there was a tick in the steering wheel and it moved back and forth the steering became hard to turn as I lost my power steering then the car shut off when I started the car again it was still running at half power I managed to make it back to the house and upon restarting the car it was stuck in limp mode and was displaying power steering and electronic stability control lots on the dash after resetting the codes it runs properly but then kicks back into limp mode and loses steering ability of the electronic assist.

- Calvert City, KY, USA

problem #235

Aug 212020

Malibu

  • miles
The headlights keep breaking. The right side more often. I see these Malibu's on the road all the time with a headlight out. It's expensive to replace and shouldn't happen as often as it does.

- Downers Grove, IL, USA

problem #234

May 202020

Malibu

  • 148,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The power steering sensor stop's steering during driving and traction loss. This car is very dangerous and costly to repair. I pray nobody dies from this. I see many complaints about this from other owners.

- Vevay, IN, USA

problem #233

Dec 062020

Malibu

  • miles
The brake lights illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed. The brake lights fail to illuminate when the brake pedal is pushed. This has been an on going problem and we only realize it still exists when one of our family is following the 2010 Malibu in another car. We had brought the vehicle in to a Chevrolet service center in the past and were charged for a "repair". when we again noticed the problem we brought the vehicle into a Firestone service center and they charged us for a "repair". we just noticed the problem again and now are afraid to drive the vehicle. A search of the VIN shows no unrepaired recalls so we are not sure if the original owner had already brought it in (we are the second owner) or if this particular VIN was not thought to be affected. Regardless, it sounds like a known problem and we are hoping not to have to pay a third time and then still have an issue. Please let us know our options. Thank you in advance.

- Buellton, CA, USA

problem #232

Nov 302020

Malibu

  • 120,000 miles
I was driving down a city street when all of a sudden I lost the ability to steer my escl came on. My wheels locked up.I just bought the car in August and have had nothing but problems with it and I'm now concerned as well about airbag safety I'm scared about how risky and dangerous this car really is Malibu is most recalled vehicles had I known ahead I would never have purchased this deadly weapon. I'm 22 a single mom who is responsible and now have a vehicle issue and a potential deadly one at that. Please do something it's not an error on my end I know that for fact. And of course there's no driving it at all. So please take time to take this matter serious god bless

- Moore, OK, USA

problem #231

Oct 232019

Malibu

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I bought my car used from a buy here pay here and maybe a month or so after buying my car I started noticing different little quirks here and there with my car, like if it's wet outside my brake lights either do not work or it looks like I am riding my breaks, if it's wet out my car hesitants while driving, my check air bags light is on, the traction control signal is on, my steering arm makes a very weird noise sometimes the list goes on and when I decided to check and see if my car had any recalls on it, to my discovery there is at least 4 one just from 2019 and all sounds so very much like what my car has been doing for months. I am hoping to receive some information back on what to do next.

- Corinna, ME, USA

problem #230

Oct 012020

Malibu

  • 158,958 miles
Low beam head lights keep going out, no matter how much I get them fixed. I can bang on the front end and sometimes they'll come on, but sometimes not. Tired if replacing and or fixing them, every few months! also my svc tire monitor light keeps coming on and say low tire pressure and my tires are not low......

- Swartz Creek, MI, USA

problem #229

Sep 252019

Malibu

  • miles
Both low beam headlights keeps going out I changed both harness 4 times and they keep coming on and going off. Also window brake light lights up when it wants to when I press the brake and both front door speakers keeps coming on and going off. Sometimes the switch on driver side door will lock/unlock doors and sometimes it want. At this point I don't know what the issue is that's causing this my mechanic thinks it's an electrical issue that's causing all of this. Also key fob stopped working so I changed the battery still didn't work took to see if maybe it needed to be reprogrammed but was told once again my car has some electrical issues.

- Dudley, NC, USA

problem #228

Aug 032020

Malibu

  • 178,000 miles
While commuting to work from home on a main intersection a power reduction occurred causing the vehicle to lose power, speed, and the abilities to function normally close to work I parked in the nearest parking lot and scheduled a repair at a automotive shop... after inspecting it a mechanic replaced throttle body, gas pedal and air intake hose costing $860.. upon pickup about 5 minutes into driving a power reduction still occured upon reinspection and no codes in a diagnostic check my mechanic informed me he wasn't able to solve the problem...I than had the car towed to a local Chevy dealership who than ran a diagnostic check and did a few minor repairs and a cluster instrument coming out to $910..upon pickup from certified dealer a power reduction again reoccurring I had to pay a extra $100 to have it towed back to the dealer ship for repair for it being extremely dangerous to Transport it manually feeling the headache and the pain of costly repairs for a problem without a definite possible way of repairing I feel its a safety issue that has been over looked by GM Chevy now knowing the story of the power reducing in many GM vehicles I forsure would never recommend this auto maker.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #227

Mar 102020

Malibu

  • 90,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle goes into power engine reduced mode/ESC off/ service traction control mode. The car loses speed and goes about 20 mph the RPM go crazy and car shakes violently. It has happened for the past 3 years and it happens while iddle, while driving it, while the ac is on or off it happens all the time. Ive replaced the throttle body twice, accelerator pedal 3 times, battery, map sensor, knock sensor, battery terminals, power train relay, spark plugs, cleaned all the corosion and its been at the Chevy dealer numerous times for this same issue and still the car is not fixed. Ive spent so much money and even Chevy cannot find whats wrong with this car. Its happened while on the highway, streets, while turning or stopped at a light. All my electrial dosent work. My passenger low beam light keeps blowing out and my speakers keep going in and out. There needs to be a recall on this car. This is just unacceptable and very dangerous.

- Moreno Valley, CA, USA

problem #226

Jan 142020

Malibu

  • 89,300 miles
My check engine, power steering, service ESC, ESC off, brake system (!), ABS system lights all flash, and all of my gauges fluctuate simultaneously. The same problem keeps occurring, and I have had my control computer nodule replaced, as well as my power steering module replaced at lynch Chevrolet in kenosha, wi. While driving my car shifts/jerks, and my steering wheel locks up, almost causing me to crash. When I come to a stop at a light or sign, my car does not want to accelerate, causing me to be in an intersection for longer than normal because my car won't take off. The vehicle also jerks into different gears while all of these service lights are flashing. This feels very dangerous to drive, and the problem cannot be resolved. It started in January and is continuing to happen despite replacing parts.

- Racine, WI, USA

problem #225

Feb 012020

Malibu

  • 80,000 miles
Dash lights: ESC off, service ESC light, brake system (!), ABS system, power steering, lights flash and all gauges fluctuate. I have replaced the main control module, as well as power steering module at dealership, and the problem still continues!!!! have read about other same models doing this same problem. It will come on, and then next time I start my vehicle, it stops. Then comes back on. Sometimes stays on for weeks. Or is gone for weeks.this has happened even with professional repairs. This happens when stationary and idling and while driving.

- Racine, WI, USA

problem #224

Mar 252020

Malibu

  • miles
I have had to replace my passenger and drivers side headlights for the 5th time in the last 3 years. Just replaced the passenger headlight last week and exactly a week later, it is back out on the same side, 6th time. In the past, I've had both replaced when one blows out because of how you have access the headlights, the car repair shops charges me $180 and up. Imagine me having to doing this that much because it is mandatory to get repaired. I can not drive with one headlight or none. One blows and a few months later the other blows or the same. It is hard to tell exactly at what point it happens because at times you just don't know it is out until someone calls you or a kind driver let's you know. I found out this last time by pulling into my garage and seeing the dim glare on the front wall as I was pulling in. There are lots of others with this problem in the google search for a resolution. People have tried several options for repairs and no luck. This must be recalled. The 2010 Chevy Malibu design to repair the headlight makes it highly inconvenient for my pockets due to the cost of labor. Many shops have refused servicing me because of the amount of time it takes to get to the headlight by taking off the bumper and the number of screws to be removed etc. I have had to miss work, go in late or leave early to get my headlight/S replaced. Totally unacceptable and unlucky being an owner of this vehicle.

- Cordova, TN, USA

problem #223

Mar 252020

Malibu

  • 85,000 miles
Repeating headlamp failure. Bulbs have been replaced three times in past year. Both bulbs (driver and passenger sides) have been replaced during service though only one had failed, in hopes of extending time between the next required service. Headlamp bulb replacement on this vehicle is complex, requiring removal of the front-end/bumper assembly to access the lamp assembly, usually requiring body shop expertise and cost (>$200+) versus a quick diy job or local service mechanic. Internet searches indicate many customers with similar problems, pointing to a failed design by Chevrolet with the daylight running time circuitry causing high currents leading to high temperatures and overheating/melting/deformed connectors, pigtail and wiring components. A vehicle without two working headlamps is an operational, citational and safety hazard, thus disabling the vehicle. This design problem must be addressed by recall.

- River Forest, IL, USA

problem #222

Feb 242020

Malibu

  • 82,000 miles
Power steering needs serviced. Steering wheel shakes side to side. It can take multiple times to start it before it will work. Driving down the road it goes out.

- Big Rapids, MI, USA

problem #221

Mar 032020

Malibu

  • 160,000 miles
Drove to the store and when I started my car to leave my steering wheel was locked up and on my dash read power steering, service ESC, service air bag and traction light was on.

- Poteau, OK, USA

problem #220

Feb 192020

Malibu

  • 138,012 miles
I have to replace my headlights on my 2010 Chevy Malibu 3 times over the last 12 months. Twice has been in the passenger side. When I see other 2009-2012 Malibu. It looks as if they are having the same issue of the passenger side headloght being out

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #219

Feb 082020

Malibu

  • miles
2010 Chevy Malibu has had constant issues with low beam light bulbs either burning out, harness wire issues, or bulbs working intermittent, I have paid to have bulbs replaced, harnesses replaced, and each time the fix will work for a few weeks or months. The last time the harnesses were replace was probably a year or two ago, but I am having the issues again. Driving with a headlight out is illegal and GM is well aware of all of these issues and needs to issue a recall to found the root cause of all of these electric issues and fix the issue properly. Prior this car had issues with the brake lights not working properly and that issue got resolved by a recall. GM needs to do a full inspection on the wiring and see what is causing the shorts, the fuses to blow, and worst of all the dangers of having exterior lights not to work properly. This is a huge risk and could result in a deadly accident if not researched and resolved properly

- Buford, GA, USA

problem #218

Feb 062020

Malibu

  • 126,000 miles
Power steering keeps going in and out. Cant drive car very far at all. While driving.

- Ontario, OH, USA

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