Does the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu, the most recent reported on January 16, 2019 (Air bags: frontal, driver side, inflator module). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu?

Owners have filed 1,363 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is steering (454 complaints), followed by electrical system (295).

How many 2010 Chevrolet Malibu complaints mention a crash or fire?

41 of 1,363 complaints report a crash and 14 a fire; 47 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2010 Chevrolet Malibu recalls and problems

3 recalls and 1,363 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu.

recalls

1,363

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2010 Chevrolet Malibu recalls

Air bags: frontal, driver side, inflator module

NHTSA campaign 19V019000 · reported January 16, 2019 · General Motors LLC · 1,145 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2011 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, the air bag inflator may explode due to being overpressurized.
The risk: If the inflator explodes, sharp metal fragments may strike the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: GM has notified owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall began February 25, 2019. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-522-9559. GM's number for this recall is N182206630.

Electronic stability control (ESC) · Vehicle speed control: cruise control · Exterior lighting: brake lights, switch · Exterior lighting: brake lights · Electrical system: wiring

NHTSA campaign 14V252000 · reported May 14, 2014 · General Motors LLC · 2,440,524 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.
The risk: Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.

Power train: automatic transmission, gear position indication (prndl)

NHTSA campaign 12V460000 · reported September 18, 2012 · General Motors LLC · 426,240 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Saturn Aura and model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Malibu and Pontiac G6 vehicles, equipped with a 4-speed automatic transmission. On these vehicles, the tabs on the transmission shift cable end may fracture and separate.
The risk: If the tabs were to fracture and separate, the shift lever and the actual position of the transmission gear may not match. The driver would be able to move the shifter to 'PARK' and remove the ignition key, but the transmission gear may not be in 'PARK.' The vehicle may not be able to be restarted and the vehicle could roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible crash without prior warning.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a retainer over the cable end or replace the shift cable as necessary. This service will be performed free of charge. Notification to owners began on on November 9, 2012. Owners were instructed to not bring their vehicles for repair until January 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Steering454
Electrical system295
Electronic stability control (ESC)227
Exterior lighting194
Service brakes184
Air bags144
Power train133
Vehicle speed control116
Engine115
Unknown or other64

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Oct 13, 2026 · Electrical system · 210,000 miles
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was listed as 170,225. During a service appointment for the check engine warning light illumination, the vehicle history…

Oct 8, 2026 · Unknown or other
ESC light is on and steering started to be hard to steer . My vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Safety for myself and others was a very risky.. vehicle was inspected by dealership, but was told that vehicle could not be scanned.

Sep 22, 2026 · Power train · 122,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. After starting the vehicle with the transmission in park(P), the gear shift indicator indicated that the transmission was in drive(D). The transmission was shifted into drive(D), and the vehicle jerked and the engine revved loudly, but the vehicle failed to move. The TPMS and…

Sep 9, 2026 · Service brakes
They do not have brake lights. I was behind them for probably 3-5 miles, their blinkers and other lights seemed to work because they were just the plain lights cars have. They are also a red chevy.

Jul 23, 2026 · Electrical system · 160,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that after driving for 5 miles, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode, with the message "Service Traction" displayed. The contact stated that the vehicle operated as intended after cooling down; however, the failure recurred after driving 5 miles. The vehicle was…

Malibu model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
2007	3	977	37	2
2008	4	989	30	5
2009	5	1,509	41	9
2010	3	1,363	41	14
2011	3	978	40	17
2012	2	907	50	13
2013	10	837	33	10

Across all years, the 2009 Malibu has the most complaints (1,509). All Chevrolet Malibu years →

Questions

Does the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu, the most recent reported on January 16, 2019 (Air bags: frontal, driver side, inflator module). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu?: Owners have filed 1,363 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is steering (454 complaints), followed by electrical system (295).
How many 2010 Chevrolet Malibu complaints mention a crash or fire?: 41 of 1,363 complaints report a crash and 14 a fire; 47 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received October 13, 2026.