Print this page

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
59,597 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 engine problems

engine problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2010 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Comments (Page 1 of 6)

problem #108

May 072021

Malibu 4-cyl

  • miles

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

I purchase the 2010 Chevy malibu, 6/2013. The service traction lights comes on periodically until I am forced to take it in for service. I had to take the car in for this same problem at least 4 times, more or less, also the last time I took the car in, the technician was not able to reset the sensors. A more seasoned tech had to reset the sensors. I am filing a report, because this cost me money every time I take it to the dealer and it is certain a safety issue for me to continue to drive the car with the service traction light coming on and off and stationary at times. It appears to be a defect in the auto system. I should not be required to have to take the car in every year for the same problem and putting myself and others at risk. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Bronx, NY, USA

problem #107

Apr 112021

Malibu

  • 220,000 miles
While driving the cruise control will be set and all of a sudden turn off. The gauges on the dash would sporatically jump up and down and sometimes flatline as if the car was off. When braking the cruise control would engage if my hand pressed the button llocated on the steering wheel causing the vehicle to speed up while trying to slow down. The brake lights would be on while driving without pressing the brakes and would turn on once brakes were pressed. Recall work was reported to be completed January 2015 but problems still persist. There is also a bulletin for special coverage that is limited to 150,000 miles which I don't recieve because my vehicle is over that mileage but the dangers of the vehicle still persist. These problems have been present since I purchased the car 2 or 3 years ago. The last incident happened just 2 days ago. I cantacted Chevy and they said they couldn't cover it because of the miles.

- Washington, NC, USA

problem #106

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 #105

Dec 242020

Malibu

  • 212,000 miles

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

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

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #104

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 #103

Feb 122020

Malibu

  • 180,000 miles
Service eas warning light comes on. Then the rear brake lights stay on. The service power steering warning light comes on & the car is very hard to control & nearly impossible to steer. This is extremely dangerous & unsafe.

- Rockford, MN, USA

problem #102

Aug 152019

Malibu

  • miles

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

I purchased the car from crest auto mall and 1 week later the suspensions gets messed up and then 1 month later the engine blows up now my car is parked in the driveway!

- North Hollywood, CA, USA

problem #101

Apr 012019

Malibu

  • 108,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 25 mph, the vehicle unintentionally accelerated and then slowed down. The ESC and traction control warning indicators were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to kramer tire (6628 providence rd, Virginia beach, va 23464, (757) 346-5739) where the front brakes and rotors were replaced, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic where the passenger side cv joint was replaced, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 108,000.

- Chesapeake, VA, USA

problem #100

Mar 012019

Malibu

  • miles
Traction control light continues to come on. When this happens the brakes malfunction illuminates when I'm not pressing the brakes and goes out when I do. Disables cruise control. Replaced body control module 6 months ago to correct these issues still having the same problem very unsafe.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #99

Oct 022019

Malibu

  • miles
When driving it the transmission don't kick in until you get pass 30 miles and then it's doing everything that you have a recall on some of the other 2010 Chevy Malibu just trying to see why my VIN number hasn't been recall.I have to put my emergency lights own sometime so I won't be in a reck getting my grandkids to and from school I fear for our safety but this is my only transportation so if you can pleas check and see if I have a recall on my VIN number it would please be appreciate sign a caring grandmother trying to keep her family safe 🙏🏽🙏🏽

- Slidell, LA, USA

problem #98

Apr 012017

Malibu

  • 40,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. While the accelerator pedal was depressed, the rpms increased; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate. There was also an abnormal noise detected from the vehicle and the speedometer was not displaying the correct speed. The contact also mentioned that the instrument panel lighting flashed on and off. The vehicle was taken to cardinal Buick GMC (3800 il-15, belleville, il 62226, (618) 233-0303) where the contact was informed that the electrical cluster needed to be replaced and no failure was found with the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 40,000.

- Sahokia, IL, USA

problem #97

Jun 232019

Malibu

  • 99,900 miles
I buy a bulb every other week or month for my headlights on the passenger side keeps going out

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #96

Jul 052019

Malibu

  • 126,000 miles
ESC, traction control lights come on. Then rear brake lights work opposite of standard brake light design. The rear brake lights come on while driving. When brake pedal is depressed, the brake lights turn off. This has been going on for two years now. The dealership just patches the repair. The repair only lasts a few weeks.

- Romeoville, IL, USA

problem #95

Jan 262019

Malibu

  • 80,000 miles
While driving at 60mpg car rpg dropped to nothing, couldn't use the accelerator. Able to move to the side of the road. Got it going again then not even 5 mins later car started shaking badly, couldn't use the accelerator, pulled over. Dash flashes with ESC. Service, traction control, engine reduced and check engine light comes on. This problem has been on going for well over a year. Has nothing to do with colder months, first time it happened it was September. Went out today to warm up my car as it was iced and snowed over, while cleaning it off it was fine. Came back inside to finish getting ready to go and when I came out to my car, it was shaking, RPM was bouncing between 1-3, all the notices were on the dash again. Took it for a drive around the block to see if it would resolve, couldn't get it to go above 15 mpg. I've taken it to numerous garages to get looked at, its always something different. One "fixed" the engine, another did an oil change and filter change, one changed the alternator, etc. Everytime I take it somewhere they "fix" it for it to run for a week or so at a time til this happens again. Luckily it has not caused any accidents but I will not drive it in this condition. Been told its an electrical problem as well but I'm tired of spending money for it not to fix the underlying issue which no one can seem to figure out. I have learned this is a problem for a lot of Chevy Malibu owners. I am unable to get another vehicle so I am stuck with what I currently have.

- Greensburg, PA, USA

problem #94

Apr 112018

Malibu

  • miles
Headlights won't work brand new lightbulbs dashboard lights dim is outcontrol transaction turns on brake light turns on without touching the brakes they basically stay on and more

- Clewiston, FL, USA

problem #93

Nov 182018

Malibu

  • 10,000 miles
My car keeps popping up service ESC, engine power reduced and service traction lights keep coming on. Have had fixed 3 times and sill keeps happening. While vehicle is driving it will die for no reason, once started back up sometimes it stops other times starts shaking and as no power.

- South Bend, IN, USA

problem #92

Nov 132018

Malibu

  • 163,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 50 mph, the brake indicator illuminated independently. In addition, the service traction control warning indicator illuminated and the cruise control became inoperable. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired on February 19, 2015 per NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (service brakes, hydraulic, electrical system, exterior lighting, vehicle speed control, electronic stability control); however, the failure recurred twice. Jeff wyler springfield Chevrolet (located at 2237 w 1st St, springfield, oh 45504, (937) 525-4646) was notified. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and provided case number: [xxx]. the approximate failure mileage was 163,000. *parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- New Carlisle, OH, USA

problem #91

Sep 022018

Malibu

  • 88,000 miles
The brake light comes on when the brakes are not being depressed and goes off when it is being depressed. This disengages the cruise control and also the service ESC light comes on when it happens. The 2014 recall was done by the dealer and yet the problem keeps occurring. There was an update to the recall and this was also done but has not fixed the problem. This issue seems to happen intermittently and randomly.

- Lebanon, OH, USA

problem #90

Aug 312018

Malibu

  • 102,000 miles
Service ESC, service traction control, service air bags, brake lights on when pedal not pressed and not on when pedal is pressed and cruise control doesn't work periodically. These message appear off and on while driving. I have had the sensor under the brake pedal replaced twice now. Last time 14 months ago so no longer under warranty and needs replaced again.

- Gaylord, MI, USA

problem #89

Aug 012018

Malibu

  • 100,615 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving and making turns, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver and shook violently. There was no warning indicator illuminated. In addition, while driving approximately 40 mph and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle started to decelerate and the temperature gauge increased. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 100,615.

- Patterson, NJ, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?