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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
6 / 0
Average Mileage:
60,449 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 5 of 9)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #100

Dec 022016

Malibu

  • miles

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

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

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

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

problem #95

Jan 022017

Malibu

  • 109,000 miles
Brake lights stay illuminated while driving and turns off when brake pedal is engaged. It is also illuminated while the car is running and while idling in park. This happens on a daily basis. There has been no resolution to this issue despite being assessed by a technician on numerous occasions. The ESC and traction control lights on cluster constantly stays illuminated as well as the tire sensor indicator. The cruise control malfunctions too. No one ever knows how to repair these issues. I do not have the funds to put into this vehicle any longer. I am afraid to drive this vehicle every time I get in it. It is a danger to all on the roadways when a vehicle's brake system fails in any way. I have no other choice as this is the only vehicle my family owns at this time. From what I have read, GM has multiple vehicles in operation with the same issues. What makes it so bad, the problems date back as far as 2004. How do you keep producing cars with the same issues year after year" are there no repercussions" please help.

- Woodland, AL, USA

problem #94

Mar 152016

Malibu

  • 92 miles

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

Trafficator continues to malfunction, ocassional brake failures and other digital lights malfunctioned and stopped to function any completely. I was almost in a deadly crash again. Sterring wheel. Not once these incidence happened all happened on motion.

- Sterling Heights, MI, USA

problem #93

Oct 112016

Malibu

  • 85,250 miles
My 2010 Malibu lt, had the 13036 recall 11/03/2014 after I received the notice from GM. There were no malfunctions at that time. Now as I speak, the brake lights comes on without me hitting the brake peddle and they all go off when I hit the brakes, when I talked to the dealer they recommend I bring it in and they will try to find out what is causing this. Price range $500-$1250. Now if you look on any GM forum page or just google the situation that I am having, you will find thousands of the same problem. It looks like GM does not have safety in mind after you purchase their vehicles! the 13036 recall has been revised several times, so if you had the recall performed in the early stages, they note your vehicle as completed and send you on your way. I can not drive my car because of this issue- that sucks!!!!! I contacted GM, by email and also left a message last year when the service traction control warning message started. I have not heard from GM. Still no safety recall!!!!

- Amarillo, TX, USA

problem #92

Oct 242016

Malibu 4-cyl

  • 32,000 miles
My service ESC/traction light comes on and the brakes comes O without being pressed, this doesn't happen all the time. I have had it looked at and the mechanic couldn't find anything wrong. I have researched my VIN and there are no recalls, however I have noticed that the brake issue has been recalled on Malibu's before. The brake comes on randomly while I am driving so does the ESC light, on various surfaces.

- Canton, OH, USA

problem #91

Aug 192016

Malibu

  • 109,800 miles
On Aug 19th, I went to dealer in dulles to look for a car posted as private, but any how, I ended up buying Chevy because dealer explained me the cars good features and misled me about the previous cars condition as the carfax shows it was haildamaged, used as rental, and it has a open recall. Without informing me about the open recall or anything else, the dealer sold me this car without showing me carfax, as I asked carfax, he showed me minor part of minor in his phone and misled and lied to me and sold this car. I drove for almost 3 week and went to Toyota dealership and found out it had open recall, haildamaged, and used as rental, but the dealer didnt disclose me anything. When I went to return this car, then dealer named chris said it doesnt have to disclose anything. Note, eventhough, it might be safety concern like that open recall. I am tired of driving this car with a open recall for almost one and half month, and I don't like this car and want to return to a dealer because he lied and misled about the condition of the car and endanger mine and my family life without even informing me about the recall. Please kindly take a concrete measure, so that dealers this are not misleading and lieing about the car's condition. I filed complaint in consumer protection too and they mentioned about transportation safety administration. Please kindly help me.

- Sterling, VA, USA

problem #90

Aug 262016

Malibu

  • 73,800 miles

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

Issue started 08/27/16 while 19 year old was driving at night. As the brake pedal is compressed the brake lights go off. While driving they are on. Service traction and ESC warnings come on intermittently. I have contacted Chevrolet and have been advised there is not an open recall for this vehicle. A case has been opened with the manufacturer. I have been driving the vehicle several times and have almost been rear ended several times due to this issue. The vehicle is scheduled for inspection and maintenance 09/01/16 at miller and sons Chevrolet. They have been advised of the issue. I have a suspicion this is a recurring issue on a previous recall (14V252000) after seeing some recent complaints from those whom have had the issue fixed the first time. This is the 5 time in 2 months I have had to have this vehicle in the shop. Once for intake and exhaust solenoid replacement. "tapping noises" these ultimately led to a timing chain replacement of which GM covered $800. I had to pay $600. In all I have spent over $900 on this vehicle for repairs which I feel should have been covered under other vehicle recalls. Either fix the existing problems or take the vehicle off the market and buy back.

- Aliquippa, PA, USA

problem #89

Aug 192016

Malibu

  • 71,000 miles
As I pulled out from work, I noticed that as the car should have been going into second or third gear, the RPM's just revved. I was heading down a hill at the time, and when it got to around 30-35 mph, the gear caught (thank goodness because it was starting to get a bit scary at that moment) and was able to be driven like normal. I had a few stop lights along the way home, and each time that I came to a complete stop and then started driving, the same thing would occur. As I got home, I called the nearest dealership, david stanley Chevrolet here in Oklahoma city, to make an appointment to have it looked at. It sat in the garage for the duration of the weekend, and then I took it in this morning (Monday Aug.22nd) for my appointment. As I was driving from my house to the dealership (around 8 miles) I noticed that it had gotten worse. A few times on the trip I did not think that it was going to make it the whole way there and then about a mile or so from the dealership, the check engine light came on. Later, I had to go in reverse after I arrived and found that the car would not shift into reverse. I dropped it off to have them do the diagnostic on it for $120. As I got home, my wife and I did some research on our car, trying to figure out what it might be while the diagnostic was taking place. I have to say that I was shocked by what I found. Website after website with comments from other Chevy Malibu owners ranging from 2000, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011 describing the exact same issues I was having. All describing a "broken 35R wave plate" that results in a "loss of reverse gear, slipping or harsh 3rd or 5th gear shift"..

- Oklahoma City, OK, USA

problem #88

Jul 052016

Malibu

  • 99,200 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 25 mph, the brake lights illuminated without the brake pedal being depressed. In addition, the service air bag error message was displayed across the message board. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 99,200.

- San Angelo, TX, USA

problem #87

May 302016

Malibu

  • 24,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving at any speed, the brake lights remained illuminated. When the brake pedal was depressed, the brake lights turned off. The contact stated that "service ESC" and "traction control is off " appeared on the instrument panel. Also, the steering and accelerator pedal felt heavy and the vehicle slowed down. The issue recurred numerous times. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control) and was repaired in 2014. The failure recurred. The dealer and manufacturer were notified. The vehicle was not repaired again. The approximate failure mileage was 24,000.

- Elyria, OH, USA

problem #86

Jul 172016

Malibu

  • 103,000 miles
Repairs were completed a couple of years ago on this vehicle from recall id 14V252000, however, my vehicle has recently experienced the similar symptoms as described on the recall. The service traction, service ESC and ESC off warnings display on the dashboard unpredictably. This happens whether the vehicle is idling or in motion. When the warnings pop up the brake lights are illuminated without depressing the pedal, the brake lights turn off briefly when depressed, however, when the brake pedal is released, the brake lights come back on and remains on. Also when the warnings are displayed, the cruise control disengages, and I'm able to shift out of park without depressing the brake. Turning the key off resets the warnings, but the warnings and symptoms return again - sometimes immediately and other times it may take hours of driving. I'm concerned that the original recall repairs did not correct the problem.

- Salisbury, MD, USA

problem #85

Jul 152013

Malibu

  • 67,000 miles
Takata recall-my air bag light has been on since shortly after I purchased the vehicle in Aug. 2011. I am terrified if I am in an accident they won't deploy and myself or a passenger may be seriously injured. My son and I were coming back home from denver and my car started acting strange like it was going to die and it sure did while we were almost out of eisenhower tunnel on the West end, we were almost rear ended by an 18 wheeler! thank god he made it around us safely and no accident occurred. I am sure I reported this already shortly after it happened and never received a response in any shape or form. I was able to get the car started after about ten minutes and drove home without any further problems, was shaking like a leaf all the way....my son too. I have also had problems with the car shimmering when I apply the brake at 55-60 mph and it isn't just a little its sever and doesn't stop until I get back under that speed, I am afraid of loosing control. I do want to say I am very disappointed in the car, I bought it because I believed it would be a great vehicle to own and I was proud to drive it....the Chevrolet emblem meant something to me. I doubt I would ever buy another one, I would be afraid to! it is so sad that the quality of products and the pride in the manufacturing of them has taken a back seat to profit.....the recalls in this country are ridiculous! can't recall specifc date as to tunnel incident, its been a few years back, the other two problems have been happening since I purchased the vehicle in 2011

- Leadville, CO, USA

problem #84

Jul 222016

Malibu

  • miles
I have repeatedly filed complaints with GM that my service air bag light stays on / my breaklight located in back window works opposite of what it is supposed to. I am notifing you in writing that GM has not done anything to help me. I guess if my air bag expolodes while im driving and I kill some folks in an accident I just want you to be aware

- Sheridan, AR, USA

problem #83

Jun 242016

Malibu

  • 44,000 miles
Brake lamp malfunction. Brake lights stay on until brake pedal pushed at which time, brake lights extinguish. Traction control and cruise control also fail. Same vehicle with same issue was previously subject to safety recall 13036. Recall was completed and issue continued. Brake apply sensor was replaced, prior to recall and issue remained. Recall work was completed on 11/15/14. Issues intermittently occur and in June 2016 vehicle taken to GM dealer where brake apply sensor was replaced. Issue still remains as brake lights stay on until pedal pushed, traction control and cruise control failure. A previous complaint was filed with NHTSA regarding this vehicle and above issues prior to recall. Issues occur when vehicle is stationary, and in motion on city streets and interstate highways. More documents available upon request

- Chatham, IL, USA

problem #82

May 022016

Malibu

  • 70,000 miles
My 2010 Chevy Malibu is having issues with the break lights working in reverse, the ESC traction control sensor is going off. We have replaced the break light switch and it's still not working. I have seen multiple complaints regarding this issue. I am an avid Chevy person, I have had the car in for all recalls and it happened about a year after. Car was in motion

- Kannapolis, NC, USA

problem #81

Jun 242016

Malibu

  • 140,000 miles
The original recall for this issue is 13036, this involved the brake lights malfunctioning due to a faulty connector and or connection. GM instructed their personnel to clean the part, apply corrosive resistant grease to it and reattach. The issue is, this is only a temporary fix and the problem will continue to manifest itself unless the entire housing is replaced (at a cost of almost 600.00). I took my car for the recall "repair" in Sept of 2014, the third week of June 2015 my brake lights started working in reverse order again. This part needs to be replaced, not cleaned. The person at the dealership said as much, telling me that cleaning it would help in the short term but only for a few months, if that. That means that GM is allowing millions of people to drive these cars knowing full well that the brake lighting system is subject to failure, which is very hard for the driver to detect. Please reopen this recall, or open a new one to have this problem fixed correctly, just think of a Malibu with a family in it stopped in traffic on the expressway, the semi coming up behind them doesn't know traffic is stopped because the brake lights are not on, the driver of the Malibu has no clue that their lights are working in reverse order, you can imagine how tragic the ending of that story could be.

- Toledo, OH, USA

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