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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
6 / 0
Average Mileage:
62,176 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 brakes problems

brakes problem

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2010 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Comments (Page 4 of 9)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #115

Aug 042017

Malibu

  • 100,000 miles

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

Was recently made aware (numerous times in the last few weeks) that when driving down the road my brake lights are not working properly. At times when not applying the brakes the brake lights are on acting as if I was breaking and when I brake the brake lights turn off (so in other words it is reversed). Around the same time that this began to have likely started occurring the following warning lights began to appear; "ESC" and service traction" (I do not know if there is any relation between the brake lights and noted warning lights). I do not feel safe driving the vehicle especially with my family in it as the brake lights are not giving other drivers around me the appropriate indication of what my vehicles intentions are. The brake light problem has been occurring, when in motion, stationary, highway and city street. Potentially parts that may require replacement or repair; body control module (BCM), bas, and harness connector.

- Berlin, CT, USA

problem #114

Sep 092017

Malibu

  • 118,785 miles
In 2014 there was a recall involving the ESC system. My vehicle would have issues shifting from park to drive, brake lights would not work when the peddle was pushed and the brake lights would be on when you would take your foot off the brake. My vehicle was "fixed" and was working properly for a period of time. My car now, once again, has the service ESC and traction control off warnings coming on in my vehicle and the brake lights are not working properly. When the brake pedal is pushed down the brake lights do not work. When the pedal is released my brake lights come on. Currently there is no recall for this. This would happen when I was simply braking for a light. My brakes work just not the lights to warn other drivers that I am applying my brakes.

- Telford, PA, USA

problem #113

Aug 252017

Malibu

  • 72,000 miles
While in motion, my 2010 Chevy Malibu ltz has been intermittently giving me a "service traction" "ESC off" notice and the cruise control is also working intermittently.

- Menomonie, WI, USA

problem #112

Jun 052017

Malibu

  • miles

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

Brake lights illuminating while driving without touching the brakes. When touching the brakes the lights go off and have zero brake lights. The traction control and brake lights on dash will pop up on and off.

- Newaygo, MI, USA

problem #111

Aug 092017

Malibu

  • 1,000 miles
ESC, traction, ABS lights come on while car is moving, and when first starting, a trouble code C0131 has been recorded. The problem started in June of 2010. A week after we got the car, the dealer changed brake lite switch, the car has been back to shop 15-20 times it is now 8-9-2017 no one can fix problem, made calls to GM costomer service many times over the 7 years, still no fix, GM wants us to pay for repair and diagnostic as too the car is out of warranty, we feel GM should repair the car free of charge as to this is dangerous and has never been fixed,

- Staten Island, NY, USA

problem #110

Aug 032017

Malibu

  • 88,437 miles
The ESC and traction warning lights came on. ESC not working so I was very very cautious driving. I took to dealer. $1200 + to replace 2 computer modules for brakes, steering, traction. This brings number of modules needing replacement to 4 on this vehicle. Eight days later, all the same lights came on again plus brake fluid light. Called dealer and told to bring car in for diagnostic. I asked about safety and was told to check brake fluid. I said I don't know how. So, I went to car and brake was harder but working. Drove to dealer. When I arrived, there is no brake fluid left. Lucky I made it to the dealer. Was told either part not installed properly or defective part. This was a very dangerous situation that could have cost my life or someone else's life. In researching later, I see a number of complaints about these warning lights and modules. I am lucky there was no incident.

- Slidell, LA, USA

problem #109

Jun 232017

Malibu

  • miles

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

Brake lights on when brake not applied. Brake lights are off when brakes are applied. Ref. Recall 14V252000. To date 4 returns to dealer to fix but issue still present. Problem is intermittent and last occurrence resulted in near end collision from vehicle behind.

- Burton, OH, USA

problem #108

Jul 242017

Malibu

  • miles
"takata recall" the traction service light keeps coming on and says service ESC, then brake lights come on and stay on while driving. When I press on the brake pedal the light so off.

- Eatontown, NJ, USA

problem #107

May 142014

Malibu

  • miles
For the 2014 14V252000 recall, we believe the problem has happened again. We are getting it fixed again at our expense. Sally boyle from the il attorney general's office talked at length with the GM counsel today and GM stated that il has no jurisdiction over them, just the NHTSA.

- Woodridge, IL, USA

problem #106

Jun 202017

Malibu

  • 87,000 miles
Takata recall the breaks are coming on when the break is not engaged and when the break light is engaged it doesn't come on. I have been to get a break light switched out twice and still having the same problem. Over and over and the service traction light also seems to keep coming on and they cannot figure out why. I am wasting money because no one can seem to figure I they problem. This is a very serious dangerous problem and needs to be under recall.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #105

May 132017

Malibu

  • miles

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

Had camshaft sensor installed less than a year ago and engine came on with same sensor code. The electrical system is going out constantly and headlight bulb was repaired 4 times less than a year. Cost me over 600 total one service was done for free because it was repaired and blew the next day. So much work and barely drive to car to and from work only 2 miles. I plan to make a complaint to the attorney general for explanations if not solved or reimbursed. The vehicle stays in the shop more than use. Traction control sensor replaces and came back 2 weeks later. The vehicle also stalled with my children on a busy street where a vehicle almost struck the back side missing my daughter by inches. Unsafe vehicle and too many malfuctions.

- Red Bank, NJ, USA

problem #104

Jan 182017

Malibu

  • 70,000 miles
I was travelling about 25-30mph started to skid (yes it was icy) lightly tapped the brakes then all of a sudden the steering locked up and the brakes also. All I could do was let go and hope for the best. Ending up hitting a fed ex van and pge truck with a snow plow. There is a police report and the car ended up getting totalled. I had only made one payment on it. Insurance claim# 003379048000000016001 usaa, airbag did not deploy.

- Fall River Mills, CA, USA

problem #103

Oct 112011

Malibu

  • 23,955 miles
In 2011with 23955 miles brakes pulsating, mechanic resurfaced front rotors,33146 miles front pads and resurfaced rotors, lf hub reported to have play in it.34764 replaced front brake pads and rotors,55490 miles replaced front brakes and rotors,58458 replaced left hub,58936 miles replaced front brakes pads.in 3446 miles had to replace front brake pads.60147 miles replaced left hub again.64020 replaced front brake rotors(within 8530 miles)70602 replaced right front sway bar.71794 16310 miles replaced back rotors and brake pads again.78164 6370 problems again this time replaced front brakes and rotors.now problems again at 79123 miles.will be diagnosis April 26 2017.absolutely absurd.something is flawed..my tires lasted for 24824 miles.please investigate and help to fix this expensive problem.

- Otego, NY, USA

problem #102

Apr 102017

Malibu

  • 84,325 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. While operating the vehicle, the ESC and traction control sensors illuminated and the cruise control failed to operate. In addition, the rear brake lights illuminated while driving and turned off when depressing the brake pedal. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that an electrical connector was faulty. The connector was replaced and the failure was remedied. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the faulty connector was a different connector associated with NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (service brakes, electrical system, exterior lighting). The failure mileage was 84,325.

- Bryan, OH, USA

problem #101

Sep 112015

Malibu

  • 30,000 miles
2010 Chevy Malibu. Brake system issues.

- Riverview, MI, USA

problem #100

Dec 022016

Malibu

  • miles
We own a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu ltz, we have taken it to the dealer to perform a recall for the brake lights coming on by their self and staying on till you touch the brake, then they will go off for 6 seconds then come on again. We took back to the dealer to look at it again and they said it was brake light switch this time. I have read that other people have changed the brake light switch and still had the problem. I also read that the BCM needed to be replaced to correct this problem after the recall was done. The dealer put some dielectric silicone grease on the connector as a band-aid on the real problem. I assume if the BCM needs to be replaced that would cost GM to much money. I know that a lot of people are having this problem and believe it has been going on since 2004 on many different models. Please help us.

- Powhatan, VA, USA

problem #99

Feb 152017

Malibu 4WD 4-cyl

  • 52,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the traction control and brake light indicators illuminated. When the brake pedal was depressed, the brake light would not illuminate. However, when the brake pedal was not depressed, the brake light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the pedal sensor assembly was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was previously repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control). The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 52,000....updated 05/22/17

- Seven Hills, OH, USA

problem #98

Aug 152016

Malibu

  • miles
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving approximately 55 mph, the brake light illuminated intermittently without the brake pedal being depressed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was serviced per NHTSA campaign number: 14V250000 (service brakes, hydraulic, electrical system, exterior lighting), but the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage and VIN were not available.

- Monca, PA, USA

problem #97

Feb 152017

Malibu

  • 66,000 miles
The electronic stability control and traction control feature malfunctions and shuts off every time I drive the car. Also, the brake lights do not turn on when I apply the brakes with normal pressure. The brake lights do turn on only if a very great abnormal amount of pressure is applied to the brake pedal. Also, occasionally the brake lights turn on when I do not push the brake pedal at all.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #96

Feb 032017

Malibu

  • 150,000 miles
Car was serviced for a 2014 recall because of the brake lights operating in reverse (on when foot is off the brake and off when brake is pressed), problem has returned and I was told that the "fix" that was applied during the recall was just a "band-aid" and that the BCM would have to be replaced. Very unsafe car to drive since the brake lights are telling the drivers behind you that you are not stopping when, in fact, you are stopping. With more and more distracted drivers on the road, who rely on seeing brake lights in their peripheral vision in order to avoid a collision, the danger is increased exponentially. I have contacted GM and was asked "what do you want us to do?", which basically told me that they were unwilling to help me. This needs to fixed before someone is killed or gravely injured.

- Toledo, OH, USA

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