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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 7 of 14)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #157

Apr 062018

Malibu

  • 60,000 miles

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

Front passenger headlight has gone out again. This bulb has been replaced numerous times. In reviewing several different websites, this problem is reported repeatedly, even with comments of GM mechanic stating there is an issue with the harness but GM is not recalling it. I pray that a child never runs out into the street and gets hit by a car as a result of the driver not being able to see on the right hand side of their car because GM does not want to pay to fix this known issue with the harness and the constant complaints they are aware..

- Buford, GA, USA

problem #156

Jul 072016

Malibu

  • 10 miles
I got the car in 2015 and from that I have had problem with the steering light coming on and shutting off the power steering which my wife was driving and she lost control of the car and almost ran into a pole. This has happened more than one time and when she turn off the car, it works again but then happens again. I have more problems with the headlights going out over and over and the socket being burned out and have to replace them as well now my radio has power but doesn't come on, after it was just working. I can't hear any door chimes or turn signal signs. It like a problem after a problem with the electrical components in this car. I am buy this car but we don't even feel safe to drive it. It has only 79000 miles but the problems started happening around 50,000 miles and when I got the car it had 43,000 miles I believe.

- Cleveland, OH, USA

problem #155

Feb 262018

Malibu

  • miles
I have change the lights on my wife's Malibu 4 times in the past 2 years I believe there may be a problem or defected harness. After talking to other owners they have the same issues. The mechanic that replaced the light said he believes he changed several lights on Malibu and they continue to go out. He believes Chevy has an harness problem

- Baltyimore, MD, USA

problem #154

Mar 102018

Malibu

  • 160,000 miles

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

"takata recall while driving on a city street my steering locked up and light came on the steering would not work

- Carnegie, PA, USA

problem #153

May 052017

Malibu

  • miles
My 2010 Malibu headlights were replaced five times in a year. I paid over $1000 just to have a $15 light bulb replaced. Something is happening because it occurs only on the passenger side only. There should be some type of recall or reimbursement. As of today. I can not afford to spend $200 just to go out again in a week. I am driving with one light because I refuse to fix it until GM do something about this problem. This is insane and something needs to get done immediately.

- Red Bank, NJ, USA

problem #152

Jan 012018

Malibu

  • miles
I have been noticing and been told my brake lights were on while driving down road and at times my cruise control would not function and it happens during day when I can't tell and at night which obviously is more apparent but not any less dangerous...putting two together my brake lights would be coming on and when I press the pedal to slow down they go off...I bought this car used and after googling to find a fix I see there are many recalls and complaints regarding this issue with this year make and model...as it does not list my VIN to be involved with any recalls it's concerning that the safety of my kids and I could be at risk. I cannot find any positive fix to the problem yet and see many people spent hundreds to thousands at dealerships only to find the problem not fixed...if there's any assistance information or go to's you can provide I would be greatly appreciated

- Thorndale, TX, USA

problem #151

Dec 312017

Malibu

  • 87,000 miles

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

I was driving on the I89 North in concord, nh when the car suddenly stopped accelerating and the rpms went really high. I heard a spinning noise - like something was spinning at a high rate of speed. Pressing the gas peddle didn't increase the cars speed. Then I shifted to the manual mode and tried to use the gear shifting paddles to shift. I was able to get it to a gear to get me to the next exit even though it kept shifting in and out of gear while I proceeded slowly off the highway. The check engine light came on steady. At highway speeds this was a very dangerous situation that put myself and everyone around me at risk of a major accident. Once I was off the highway and safe, I plugged in my diagnostics tool I carry in my car (I took a auto repair class a few years back). The diagnosis codes the cars computer provided are P0776 and P0700 - indicating a major malfunction of the transmission and a solenoid problem. I took a photo of the codes. I found out today that there is an extended warranty for the same issue on the 2009 Chevy Malibu's. the extended the warranty from 5/100K to 10/120K. Clearly GM should do the same for the 2010 models as well. It's the same 6 speed transmission.

- Concord, NH, USA

problem #150

Sep 072017

Malibu

  • miles
Im having electric problems with car. The brake light come on when driving and not using the brakes. It will go off and on. The dash lights would come on and off. There is some kind of electric problem going on. I had people and police following me let me know about the braking light comming on going down the road

- Flint, MI, USA

problem #149

Oct 052017

Malibu

  • 173,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving at an unknown speed, the reduce power, check engine, and ESC service traction indicators illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an unknown independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the throttle box, idle control sensor, module control sensor, throttle position sensor, oxygen control sensor, and the transmission control module needed to be repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 173,000.

- Oak Park, MI, USA

problem #148

Oct 282017

Malibu

  • 37,900 miles
Drivers door will not open. Door locks work but outside and inside door handles/latches will not open door. It is in a solid state of being locked. Thie door will not open when parked and ignition off nor with ignition on. Brakes engaged, brakes disengaged doesn't matter. Safety issue in case I need to get out asap.

- Holland, MI, USA

problem #147

Mar 032017

Malibu

  • 115,987 miles

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

I was involved in a hit and run back in March 2017 the person backed into the pass-side of my car as I was driving 35 mph down the main road, the side impact airbag did not deploy from impact, the dealership said this is not a takata issue as they were replaced by the current recall and they don't know why they didn't deploy. The electrical issue is the onstar response system didn't detect the crash and call for help- I had to push the button to get help. The car can not get directions sent to it from onstar and the electrical keeps failing/loosing power and I was told to replace the batter and alternator but it still does it and the wires R fine. Dealership told me to replace the computer control system but seems their guessing and I don't have $1,200 around to do it. The side impact airbag should of deployed and the onstar sensor should of detected it and called for help.

- Jamestown, NY, USA

problem #146

Mar 032017

Malibu

  • 76,000 miles
Ignition problems, electrical problems throughout the car and brake light, plus transmission is not shifting gears.

- Columbus, MS, USA

problem #145

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 #144

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 #143

Jul 092017

Malibu

  • 103,000 miles
Recall 13036D: I was extremely disappointed to learn that the issue with my 2010 Malibu was not covered under recall 13036D. I have had issues with this car for over a year and have taken it to the Chevrolet dealership that I purchased the car from multiple times. They have performed the "fix" listed below as found at https://GM.oemdtc.com/4133/13036D-product-safety-recall-brake-lamp-malfunction-2004-2012-Chevrolet-Pontiac-Saturn. This resolved the issue for less than a week. My cruise control does not respond. My brake lights constantly turn on when the brake pedal is not pushed and turn off when the brake is pressed. This is a highly dangerous situation and obviously due to a faulty product. There is no way that this could have been prevented by the consumer, me. The last time I took the car in to have this looked at they told me that the body control module would need to be replaced and the part is $600. That is completely unacceptable. Why on earth, would I pay to have a part replaced when the company, that means you Chevy, is aware that there is an issue which is potentially dangerous to the customer. I have been a Chevy owner all my life and I have always recommended your product to people looking to purchase new or used vehicles, due to the reliability I have experienced. But this issue is more than enough for me to never want to deal with your company again. If you know the part is malfunctioning and the workaround does not completely resolve the issue then the part needs to be replaced on your dime and not at the expense of the customer. That should be common sense and really just good business. I hope you, as a company, can see the light and resolve this issue without needing a loyal customer to send an angry email for something that should have been resolved as soon as the problem arose.

- Warren, MI, USA

problem #142

Jul 022017

Malibu

  • 100,000 miles
I have been stranded too many times with this vehicle. The vehicle just won't start sometimes and I have numerous people saying it is the security malfunction in the vehicle preventing the vehicle won't start. I've spent so much time and money. I do not recommend anyone buying this product. It is Chevrolet Malibu. Note, this is maybe 15th times it happen to me within 2 months period of time.

- Dunellen, NJ, USA

problem #141

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 #140

May 132017

Malibu

  • miles
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 #139

May 152017

Malibu

  • 80,000 miles
The brake lights come on without pressing the brake pedal. The dealer took the car in and said their diagnostics did not show any problem. I followed my wife home and for the last mile the brake lights stayed on.

- Omaha, NE, USA

problem #138

May 132017

Malibu

  • 110,000 miles
This has happened a few times to me now. I was heading home on the highway with the cruise control set on about 67 mph and all of the sudden the engine lost power and the car starts coasting. "engine power reduced" came across the computer display. Like I said, this has happened before. I could pull over to a stop, shut off the car and it would reset, and the car would be fine for me to make it home. But this last time, the car would not restart at all. I got the car towed home, checked the battery, the cables, and even replaced the starter, and it still does the same thing.... starter will not engage to turn the motor over to start.

- Low Moor, IA, USA

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