2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU

What owners reported to NHTSA, ranked by how often and how seriously.

This is complaint data, not a random sample.

It only includes owners who chose to file a federal complaint, so it over-represents dramatic and safety-related problems and under-represents minor issues an owner just had fixed without reporting. Read this as what NHTSA complainants report most, not as this vehicle's true failure rate. Full methodology.

Component ranking

  1. #1

    steering electric assist

    214 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    215
    incidents
    Typical range: 81,500–148,000 mi

    Median 112,500 mi, based on 322 reports (15% had no usable mileage)

    • "CAN SOMEONE PLEASE SEE IF THE 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU HAS THE SAME STEERING AS THE COBALT? I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR FOR 1 MONTH NOW AND HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. PROBLEM: OVER 45MPH THERE IS A DISCONNECTED FEELING IN THE STEERING. ON ROUGH ROADS OR ON A WINDY DAY THE…"~500 mi, complaint #757025
    • "I FOUND A COMPLAINT BEFORE ABOUT THE POWER STEERING GOING OUT ON MY CAR. TODAY IS OCTOBER 17TH 2018 THE INCIDENT HAPPENED AT ABOUT 5:50 IN THE MORNING MY WIFE WAS DRIVING TO WORK IN THE VEHICLE ON THE FREEWAY AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AGAIN AND THE WHEEL…"~82,000 mi, complaint #1507213
    • "AT FIRST I LOST POWER STEERING WHEN TRAVELING HIGH SPEEDS ON THE HIGHWAY. NOW THE POWER STEERING FAILS WITH JUST SHORT TRIPS AROUND TOWN. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN, ESPECIALLY FOR MY WIFE. SHE DOES NOT HAVE THE STRENGTH TO TURN THE WHEEL AT SLOW SPEEDS. I…"~111,500 mi, complaint #1051205
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT ALSO HEARD A CLICKING NOISE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED IN EITHER DIRECTI…"~143,497 mi, complaint #1495570
    • "THE POWER STEERING SENSOR WILL SUDDENLY GO OFF AND MY WHEEL LOCKS, I CANNOT TURN MY WHEELS, I FEEL REALLY UNSAFE I ALMOST CRASHED WITH MYSELF AND KIDS."~240,000 mi, complaint #1411345
  2. #2

    stability and traction control

    115 unsafe

    115
    incidents
    Typical range: 48,000–103,000 mi

    Median 78,000 mi, based on 224 reports (22% had no usable mileage)

    • "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 TI…"~1,000 mi, complaint #1398996
    • "ALL IN ONE WEEKEND (WHILE OUT OF TOWN) FIRST THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND TO CRUISE CONTROL COMMANDS (ENGAGE OR DISENGAGE) IF ENGAGED THROUGH THE STEERING COLUMN CONTROLS. THE SERVICE ESC LIGHT KEEPS COMING OFF AND ON AT RANDOM WHILE EITHER SITTING OR DRIVIN…"~49,800 mi, complaint #1070984
    • "MY SERVICE ESC/SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL INDICATOR WAS FLASHING. IT CAUSED MY CAR TO STALL, THEN THE ENGINE DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WITH TRAFFIC APPROACHING BEHIND ME. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE AND IT CAUSED MY BRAKE LIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE WHEN NOT DE…"~78,000 mi, complaint #1075294
    • "WHEN DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ONE FOLLOWED BY TRACTION CONTROL,REDUCED ENGINE POWER, AND LOSS OF POWER. I COULDN'T ACCELERATE AND I WAS IN THE FAST LANE WHEN IT HAPPENED GOING 70 MPH. I LOST POWER AND LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT OVER TO…"~98,327 mi, complaint #1522625
    • "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, SERVICE ESC, LIGHTS COME ON AS DRIVING. LIGHTED UP ON INFORMATION PANE. SECOND TIME THIS IS HAPPENED. TOOK TO DEALER LAST TIME THEY DID SOME RESET AND CHARGED $75."~715,000 mi, complaint #1470313
  3. #3

    airbag system

    93 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    94
    incidents
    Typical range: 25,000–84,000 mi

    Median 57,000 mi, based on 110 reports (28% had no usable mileage)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU LT. WHILE DRIVING WITH A PASSENGER, THE FRONT AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THE AIR BAG ON LIGHT SHOULD HAVE ILLUMINATED ONCE THE SEATS WERE OCCUPIED. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERAT…"~1,000 mi, complaint #799678
    • "THE AIR BAG SERVICE MESSAGE APPEARED IN THE DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER AND THE AIR BAG SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON. IT WENT BACK OFF BEFORE I COULD GET IT TO THE DEALER. NEVERTHELESS I TOOK IT IN TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SUGGESTED I KEEP…"~27,783 mi, complaint #1052807
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECAL…"~53,000 mi, complaint #931640
    • "FAULTY PASSENGER PRESENCE MODULE , AIRBAG WARNING FAULT LIGHT ON. . THE DEALERSHIP RECOMMENDED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE MODULE AT MY OWN EXPENSE OF $800. I FEEL THAT MY FAMILY AND MY SAFETY IS AT RISK DUE TO A FAULTY DESIGN THAT GM IS AWARE OF WITH ITS AIRBA…"~85,000 mi, complaint #1358866
    • "WHEN DRIVING CAR AIR BAG LIGHT HAS FLASHED ON AND OFF ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS EACH TIME AS SOON AS STEERING WHEEL MOVE POSITION THE LIGHT GOES OUT THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE MAKE AND MODEL YEAR BUT MY VIN IS NOT LISTED."~172,000 mi, complaint #1558423
  4. #4

    power steering hydraulic

    1 stranded, 78 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    80
    incidents
    Typical range: 63,000–122,500 mi

    Median 91,000 mi, based on 101 reports (18% had no usable mileage)

    • "2010 MALIBU POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONING LESS THAN 10,000 MILES. I'VE BEEN FIGHTING WITH GM FOR MANY MONTHS TO FIX PROBLEMS,ENGINE KNOCKING NOISE,AIR CONDITIONING HAS MOLD SMELL. THIS CAR NEARLY CAUSE ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF POWER STEERING MALFUNCTION..THIS IS A…"~7,000 mi, complaint #835085
    • "THE POWER STEERING IN THE VEHICLE WILL RANDOMLY STOP WORKING MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. ONCE THE CAR IS SHUT OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES AND TURNED BACK ON THE POWER STEERING WILL WORK AS IT SHOULD UNTIL IT RANDOMLY GOES OUT AGAIN. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND SHOU…"~72,000 mi, complaint #1269212
    • "WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE MY POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING AT LOW SPEEDS. THIS WAS AS I WAS TURNING, SO IT CAUSED QUITE A BIT OF PANIC. I THOUGHT THIS WAS A ONE-TIME ISSUE, HOWEVER 2 MONTHS LATER, I AM DRIVING TO SCHOOL AND TAKING A TURN WHEN IT HAPPENS AGA…"~93,000 mi, complaint #1342121
    • "MY POWER STEERING TORQUE SENSOR WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE. HAVE HAD RANDOM ISSUES GOING BACK YEARS WITH THE POWER STEERING BUT NEVER WHILE DRIVING. USUALLY ONLY WHEN STARTING THE CAR. GM SAID,EVEN THOUGH IT'S THE SAME EXACT PART NUMBER LISTED IN THE…"~124,000 mi, complaint #1157054
    • "DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ABOUT A 2 HOUR TRIP AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND AT FIRST I COULD TURN THE CAR OFF THEN BACK ON AND IT WORKED BUT ONLY A FEW MINUTE AND THE SAME NIGHT IT WENT COMPLETELY OUT AND NOW IT DOESN'T WORK AT ALL. IT'S VERY…"~180,000 mi, complaint #1714402
  5. #5

    lighting exterior

    39 unsafe, 1 broken, 33 annoyance

    73
    incidents
    Typical range: 81,000–137,500 mi

    Median 108,000 mi, based on 76 reports (36% had no usable mileage)

    • "THE HEADLAMPS PROVIDE POOR VISIBILITY. THE ILLUMINATION OF THE LOW BEAMS IS ONLY ABOUT 15 FEET IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THIS REQUIRES US TO DRIVE WITH THE HIGH BEAMS ON MOST OF THE TIME. HOWEVER, WHEN ONCOMING TRAFFIC ARE COMING, WE SWITCH BACK TO LOW BEAMS…"~40,000 mi, complaint #1052045
    • "REPEATING HEADLAMP FAILURE. BULBS HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES IN PAST YEAR. BOTH BULBS (DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES) HAVE BEEN REPLACED DURING SERVICE THOUGH ONLY ONE HAD FAILED, IN HOPES OF EXTENDING TIME BETWEEN THE NEXT REQUIRED SERVICE. HEADLAMP BULB…"~85,000 mi, complaint #1656625
    • "MY PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT WONT STAY ON. WHEN IT DIED I WENT TO REPLACE IT AND IT TURNED ON SO I WENT TO PUT IT BACK TOGETHER AND IT TURNED OFF AGAIN, SO I TOOK IT BACK A PART. I WENT THROUGH THAT A FEW TIMES BEFORE GIVING UP"~110,000 mi, complaint #1623481
    • "I HAVE TO REPLACE MY HEADLIGHTS ON MY 2010 CHEVY MALIBU 3 TIMES OVER THE LAST 12 MONTHS. TWICE HAS BEEN IN THE PASSENGER SIDE. WHEN I SEE OTHER 2009-2012 MALIBU. IT LOOKS AS IF THEY ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE OF THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLOGHT BEING OUT"~138,012 mi, complaint #1650557
    • "PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT. REPLACED BULB MULTIPLE TIMES, 100/HR SHOP LABOR JUST TO TAKE OFF BUMPER TO GET TO BULB. AT THIS POINT A TICKET WOULD HAVE BEEN CHEAPER."~250,000 mi, complaint #1495957
  6. #6

    brake hydraulics

    63 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    64
    incidents
    Typical range: 49,500–109,000 mi

    Median 74,000 mi, based on 100 reports (28% had no usable mileage)

    • "VERY DELAYED RESPONSE TO BRAKING. I WAS ABOUT FOUR CARS AWAY WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKE. I WAS GOING ABOUT 40MPH WHEN I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKE. VEHICLE KEPT ROLLING UNTIL EVENTUALLY IT HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. IT FELT LIKE I WAS JUST DRIVING WITH THE FOOT ON THE G…"~2,000 mi, complaint #785606
    • "DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AT NIGHT WITH MY CRUISE CONTROL ON. ALL OF A SUDDEN IT TURNS OFF AND I NOTICE MY BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED IN MY REAR VIEW MIRROR. I TAP THE BRAKE ONLY TO HAVE THEM COME BACK ON. IT KEPT DOING IT FOR ABOUT 20 MILES THEN STOPPED. IT HAS…"~51,729 mi, complaint #968726
    • "I GET THE SERVICE ESC ALERT AND WHEN I BRAKE, MY BRAKE LIGHTS DON'T LIGHT UP BUT WHEN I'M NOT BRAKING, THEY DO NOT LIGHT UP. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR AT LEAST TWO YEARS OFF AND ON"~70,000 mi, complaint #1320352
    • "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…"~109,000 mi, complaint #1353689
    • "THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ON ALL THE TIME WHILE DRIVING. WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE BRAKE LIGHTS GO OFF."~201,203 mi, complaint #1415845
  7. #7

    transmission automatic

    10 stranded, 53 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    64
    incidents
    Typical range: 54,000–93,000 mi

    Median 71,500 mi, based on 86 reports (14% had no usable mileage)

    • "TRANSMISSION FORGETS HOW TO SHIFT WHEN DRIVING UPHILL AT AROUND 65 MPH AND RPMS START BOUNCING BETWEEN 2000 TO 2400 RPM. THIS WILL CONTINUE FOR QUITE SOME TIME AND TYPICALLY HAPPENS WHEN OUTDOOR AMBIENT TEMP IS ABOVE 90F. THIS PROBLEM CAUSES A SERIOUS SAFETY…"~1,000 mi, complaint #877115
    • "SLOW TO ACCELERATE THEN JERKS FORWARD .CAR HAS65000 ON IT NO TRANSMISSION LEAKS PLUS THE TRANSMISSION IS SEALED .NO DIP STICK TO CHECK LEVEL.DEALER SAID THAT'S BECAUSE IT'S A SEALED UNIT.THEY ASLO SAID L DONT HAVE TO CHANGE IT JUST YET.LOW MILES.HOWEVER I'VE H…"~60,000 mi, complaint #1711355
    • "WHILE DRIVING THE CAR THROUGH A INTERSECTION THE CAR SEEMED TO LOOSE POWER. THE CAR WAS ABLE TO ONLY BE MOVED WHEN PUT INTO 2ND GEAR WITH THE MANUAL MODE. REVERSE WAS GONE. THIS HAPPENED ALL OF A SUDDEN WITH NO ISSUES TO THE TRANSMISSION BEFORE HAND."~78,750 mi, complaint #1531754
    • "I WAS TRYING TO REVERSE MY 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU LS WHEN I REALIZED I COULDN'T GET MY CAR OUT OF PARK. THE SHIFT CABLE IN MY TRANSMISSION IS BROKEN! THIS SAME SHIFT CABLE THAT WAS REPLACED DURING THE FIRST ROUND OF RECALLS BACK IN EARLY 2013 IS NOW BROKEN!…"~95,555 mi, complaint #1109809
    • "TAKATA RECALL MY 2010 CHEVY MALIBU WAS IN PARK AND TURNED OFF. TURNED ON THE CAR PUT IT IN DRIVE AND DRIVE TONDRIVE FORWARD AND THE CAR WOULDN'T MOVE. IT SOUNDS LIKE IT'S ACCELERATING BUT THE CAR WON'T MOVE AT ALL. PUT CAR IN PARK AND IT WILL REVERSE FINE. GO…"~160,000 mi, complaint #1547067
  8. #8

    engine stall or no start

    10 stranded, 36 unsafe

    46
    incidents
    Typical range: 55,000–106,500 mi

    Median 84,500 mi, based on 70 reports (18% had no usable mileage)

    • "CAR SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING! EVERYTHING DIES. CANNOT RESTART. HAPPENED TWICE. DEALER REPLACED SENSOR. WORKED FOR A WEEK, THEN DIED AGAIN IN TRAFFIC. TOWED BACK TO DEALER, WHO HAS NO IDEA WHY THIS HAPPENS. NO RECALL NOTICE EVER RECEIVED FROM CHEVY. BUT I…"~22,117 mi, complaint #1281192
    • "WHILE STOPPED ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. PROCEEDING TO 20 TO 30 MPH, FORWARD MOTION DISENGAGED AND RPM WENT ABOVE 3K WITH ANY MOTION. POWER TRAIN GRINDED AND STAGGERED TO MOTION. STOPPED AND CALLED FOR TOW. *TR"~65,139 mi, complaint #1057856
    • "ENGINE POWER DROPS SUDDENLY ON HIGHWAY OR IN TRAFFIC AFTER 45MINS OF DRIVING, REDUCED ENGINE POWER, SERVICE ENGINE, SERVICE AIRBAG MESSAGES COME ON ALSO ESC MESSAGE THEN ENGINE STALLS AND MOVES AT ABOUT 10MPH FROM DRIVING AT ANYWHERE BETWEEN 30MPH TO 70MPH. RE…"~85,000 mi, complaint #1410921
    • "CAR JUST STOPPED WITHOUT WARNING! VERY SCARY SITUATION! FORTUNATELY NO OTHER CAR CRASHED INTO ME BUT THAT WOULD'VE BEEN A LIKELY SCENARIO. NOT ONLY A COSTLY REPAIR BUT AN EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE. $3400 TO REPAIR! APPARENTLY AND UNFORTUNATELY I'M NOT ALONE. CH…"~99,300 mi, complaint #1508321
    • "I HAVE A 2010 AND REPEATEDLY HAVE ISSUES. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER AS IT COMPLETELY LOST POWER IN RUSH HOUR. CAR DASH SAID SERVICE ABS, POWER, SAVER MODE, TRACTION CONTROL, SERVICE ESC AND THEN DIED. I TOOK TO SHOP AND THEY REPLACED THE PCM IS WHAT THEY TOLD…"~172,000 mi, complaint #1581443
  9. #9

    door latch and hinge

    1 stranded, 29 unsafe, 2 broken

    32
    incidents
    Typical range: 55,000–95,500 mi

    Median 73,500 mi, based on 36 reports (29% had no usable mileage)

    • "I WAS GOING TO WORK , WHEN I ARRIVED AT WORK MY DRIVER FRONT DOOR WAS STUCK SHUT IT WOULD NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE . I HAD TO CRAWL OVER CONSOLE TO GET OUT OF CAR THRU PASSENGER SIDE, AND NOW I HAVE TO GET IN IT TO DRIVE IT FROM PASSENGER SIDE."~18,900 mi, complaint #1685255
    • "UPON ARRIVING AT MY DESTINATION I ATTEMPTED TO EXIT VEHICLE BUT THE DRIVER'S DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. IT COULD NOT BE OPENED FROM EITHER THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE. TRIED LOCKING AND UNLOCKING THE DOOR FROM THE KEY REMOTE, FROM THE BUTTONS ON THE DOOR AND MANUALL…"~59,865 mi, complaint #1068779
    • "DRIVER SIDE FRONT DOOR FAILED TO OPEN BACK IN AUGUST 2015, FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WILL NOW NOT OPEN AS OF 5/30/19. SO AS OF RIGHT NOW, NEITHER FRONT DOOR WILL OPEN. PULLED INTO A PARKING GARAGE AND TRIED EXITING THRU THE PASSENGER SIDE ( LIKE I HAVE THE LAS…"~78,000 mi, complaint #1570721
    • "CAR DOOR WILL GO OUT. CAR DOOR WILL NOT OPEN AND WILL BE STUCK CLOSED. CAR WAS STATIONARY. HAD TO GO OUT THROUGH THE WINDOWS. COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS IF YOU WERE IN AN EMERGENCY AND COULDN'T EXIT VEICHLE BECAUSE THE DOORS WOULDN'T OPEN."~98,000 mi, complaint #1343538
    • "The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the front driver’s side door would not open from inside or outside the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failur…"~196,000 mi, complaint #1758480
  10. #10

    wiring harness

    27 unsafe, 3 annoyance

    30
    incidents
    Typical range: 42,000–113,000 mi

    Median 76,000 mi, based on 39 reports (46% had no usable mileage)

    • "THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS DO NOT ALWAYS COME ON WHEN THE CAR IS FIRST STARTED AND SOMETIME THEY GO OFF WHILE DRIVING. MY SON-IN-LAW TOLD ME TO PULL OVER, SHUT OFF THE MOTOR, PUMP THE FOOT FEED 3 TIMES AND THEN RESTART THE VEHICLE. THAT SEEMS TO WORK MOST OF THE TI…"~5,000 mi, complaint #1475333
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE DRIVING AND WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD FAIL TO ILLUMINATE AS NE…"~46,281 mi, complaint #1743671
    • "NOV 2, 2013, SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON AT START, WON'T TURN OFF EVEN AFTER TURNING OFF, RESTARTING. LIGHT STAYS ON APPROX. 1 HR., TURNS OFF AFTER NEXT RESTART. NOV. 10, 2013, HEAR "DING" - DRIVING IN STOP & GO TRAFFIC JUST BEFORE SUNDOWN. ALL LIGHTS ON DASH T…"~80,000 mi, complaint #1042934
    • "PASSENGER LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT WAS REPLACED 4 TIMES. UPON REMOVAL OF THE 4TH HEADLIGHT I NOTICED THE WIRING HARNESS WAS MELTED. I REPLACED THE WIRING HARNESS WITH A NEW ONE AND NOW THE LOW BEAM DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. I JUST RECEIVED A TICKET LAST NIGHT FROM THE P…"~125,000 mi, complaint #1642682
    • "The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving over rough roads, the vehicle displayed a Service Traction, Service EFC and EFC Off, and Engine Power Reduced messages. After coming to a complete stop and then the attempting to a…"~265,000 mi, complaint #1860227
  11. #11

    control module

    26 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    27
    incidents
    Typical range: 42,000–99,500 mi

    Median 80,000 mi, based on 41 reports (29% had no usable mileage)

    • "BRAKE LIGHTS ENGAGE WHEN BRAKE PETAL IS NOT ENGAGED AND DO NOT LIGHT WHEN BRAKE PEDAL IS PRESSED. CENTER BRAKE LIGHT RARELY WORKS. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN CAR SEEMS TO BE SHORT CIRCUITED AS LIGHTS ON CONSOLE BLINK. ESC CONTINUOUSLY IS TURNED OFF, ENGINE LIGHT W…"~5,000 mi, complaint #1611794
    • "WHILE DRIVING SUDDENLY THE CAR JERKED (LIKE A TRANSMISSION ERROR) AND THEN THE MESSAGE ON THE DISPLAY WOULD SHOW "SERVICE ESC" AND "TRACTION OFF". I BROUGHT THE CAR IN FIRST TO RUN AN ELECTRICAL TEST, WHERE THEY REPROGRAMMED A SENSOR (COST=$158.95). A FEW DA…"~44,000 mi, complaint #1101483
    • "CAR WAS RECALLED FOR #13036 FROM ESTERO BAY CHEVROLET 9/05/2014 ESTERO FLORIDA.THE CAR IS STILL MALFUNCTIONING. TAKEN CAR BACK TO DEALER, THEY STATED THEY CHECK THE WORK DONE. THE CAR STILL SHIFT OUT PARK AND GETS STUFF IN PARK AND WILL NOT SHIFT OUT WITHOUT F…"~80,000 mi, complaint #1110928
    • "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 TI…"~103,000 mi, complaint #1390714
    • "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 LLOCA…"~220,000 mi, complaint #1740678
  12. #12

    hv system fault reduced power

    23 unsafe

    23
    incidents
    Typical range: 52,000–97,500 mi

    Median 59,000 mi, based on 33 reports (20% had no usable mileage)

    • "TWO DAYS AGO MY HUSBAND, TWO CHILDREN AND I WERE DRIVING AT ABOUT 40-45 MPH WHEN OUR 2010 CHEVY MALIBU DRASTICALLY SLOWED DOWN AND WOULDN'T ACCELERATE WITH THE GAS PEDAL PRESSED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. AT THE SAME TIME SERVICE ESC, SERVICE TRACTION AND ENGIN…"~13,000 mi, complaint #1442518
    • "WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, MY CAR LOST POWER. SEVERAL VEHICLES ALMOST STRUCK ME ON HIGHWAY, VERY VERY, SCARY EXPERIENCE. . DURING DRIVING, FOLLOWING MESSAGES APPEARED: 1)ENG PWR REDUCED 2)SERVICE ESC 3)SERVICE TRACTION 4)ESC OFF 5) SERVICE AIRBAG. I ALSO NO…"~53,896 mi, complaint #1023638
    • "I WAS DRIVING BACK TO WORK ON MY LUNCH BREAK AND THREE ALERTS CAME ACROSS THE SCREEN. 1)SERVICE ESC 2) ENGINE POWER REDUCED 3) SERVICE TRACTION. TT MY VEHICLE WOULD BARELY GAIN SPEED. WHEN I WAS FORCED TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT, AND THE LIGHT FINALLY TURNED G…"~59,000 mi, complaint #1057093
    • "FREEWAY DRIVING SPEED OF 65 MPH. TURNED OFF FREEWAY ON TO A [REDACTED ADDRESS]. ENGINE LIGHT, SERVICE ESC LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS ALL CAME ON. CAR WENT INTO "LIMP MODE" AND REDUCED DRIVING TO ONLY 20 MPH. DROVE 5 MILES IN LIMP MODE TO GET HOME. GOT…"~96,000 mi, complaint #1340286
    • "WHILE DRIVING MY CAR ON THE HIGHWAY OUT OF NOWHERE POWER ENGINE REDUCED WOULD COME UP ON THE DASH AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND TRANSMISSION AND TRACTION WARNING LIGHTS WOULD SHOW ON DASH AS WELL ALSO POWER STEERING SHOW ON DASH AND THE CAR JERK A LITTLE AND TH…"~234,567 mi, complaint #1491271
  13. #13

    wheel or rim

    2 stranded, 19 unsafe, 1 broken

    22
    incidents
    Typical range: 13,000–73,500 mi

    Median 51,000 mi, based on 28 reports (10% had no usable mileage)

    • "MY WIFE, DRIVING DOWN A CITY STREET IN OUR 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU, HAD TO SWERVE TO HER RIGHT TO AVOID A TRUCK THAT WAS COMING AROUND A CURVE IN HER LANE, AND IN THE PROCESS OF AVOIDING THE ONCOMING VEHICLE , SCRAPPED THE CURB WITH HER RIGHT FRONT TIRE. UPON CH…"~2,300 mi, complaint #796676
    • "2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU MANUFACTURER STEEL WHEEL ARE DEFECTED, AND CHEVROLET GM WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THE MOLDING OF THE STEEL, AT A COST OF $233.84 FROM THE DEALERS TO REPLACE. CUSTOMER SERVICE SEND ME TO BELLAMY STRICKLA…"~13,113 mi, complaint #1256817
    • "WE HAVE A 2010 MALIBU LTZ. ONE OF THE TIRES KEPT GOING FLAT. TOOK THE CAR INTO THE TIRE SHOP AND THE WORKER FOUND A CRACK IN THE RIM THAT COULD NOT BE FIXED. THE ENTIRE RIM HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $200. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE RIMS…"~55,000 mi, complaint #962484
    • "ALL FOUR TIRES ARE LOSING AIR AND HAVE PUT AIR IN 3 TIMES. HAVE BEEN TOLD THE RIMS ARE CRACKED AND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. SAFETY IS OF CONCERN AND IT WILL COST $600 - $700 TO FIX. FOR WHAT INFORMATION I HAVE GM IS NOT DOING A THING ABOUT…"~73,265 mi, complaint #998060
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TPMS WARNING LIGHT KEPT RANDOMLY ILLUMINATING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT AIR WAS LEAKING FROM ALL FOUR TIRES. A MECHANIC INSPECTED THE TIRES AND STATED THAT THE FACTORY RIMS…"~138,824 mi, complaint #1307644
  14. #14

    acceleration loss or hesitation

    19 unsafe

    19
    incidents
    Typical range: 55,500–134,000 mi

    Median 98,000 mi, based on 37 reports (10% had no usable mileage)

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED PROCEEDING TO A COMPLETE STOP. SUDDENLY, DURING ACCELERATION FROM THE FULL STOP WITHIN A FEW SECONDS THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE FAILURES OCCURRED INTERMITTENTL…"~500 mi, complaint #746141
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE IDLING, THE ENGINE HESITATED AND THE RPM'S RANDOMLY INCREASED AND DECREASED. ALSO, THE SERVICE TRACTION, ESC, AND CHECK ENGINE INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE COUL…"~55,000 mi, complaint #1316495
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN THE WEATHER WAS BELOW 50 DEGREES, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE REDUCE ENGINE POWER AND TRACTION CONTROL INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. T…"~98,000 mi, complaint #1324693
    • "MALIBU DECREASES SPEED AND DOWNSHIFTS AND ENGINE POWER REDUCED COMES UP IN MESSAGE CENTER, NO BUMPS, HARD BRAKING, NO CARWASHES, SIMPLY DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 45MPH AND CAR ILLUMINATES ENGINE LIGHT. SEVERAL PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED ALREADY FOR EXAMPLE THROTT…"~127,800 mi, complaint #1473332
    • "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..…"~178,000 mi, complaint #1682479
  15. #15

    steering column

    19 unsafe

    19
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=24, median 75,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "THE VECHILE LOST SPEED AS I WAS DRIVING INTO A PARKING SPACE. I THEN PUT IT IN PARK. AT THAT POINT THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS BLINKING. THE CAR WAS SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY AS IF IT WOULD ALL JUST FALL APART IN PIECES. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS HARD TO TURN AND ALSO RAPI…"~10,200 mi, complaint #1405958
    • "POWER STEERING WARNING PLUS THE CHECK ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CAME ON WHEN WE STARTED THE CAR, AND THE STEERING WOULD NOT WORK. WE WERE AT THE TIME IN THE NORTH CAROLINA MOUNTAINS. WE TURNED THE IGNITION OFF, TRIED AGAIN, AND THE POWER STEERING RETURNED. NONETHELE…"~68,000 mi, complaint #1059561
    • "WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON EXPRESSWAY. POWER STEERING CAME UP ON DISPLAY AND STEERING WHEEL WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND CODE STATED THAT STEERING COLUMN NEEDED REPLACED. HUGE SAFETY ISSUE CAUSE THERE WAS NO WARNING AND STEERING…"~92,400 mi, complaint #1042345
    • "I STARTED THE CAR THEN BEGAN TO PULL AWAY FROM PARK. THE DRIVER'S INFO DISPLAY HAD A MESSAGE POP UP - SOMETHING ABOUT STEERING, OR ESC, OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. I THINK IT WENT OFF OR MAYBE IT WENT OFF WHEN I STOPPED THE CAR AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF TO TRY AND…"~97,000 mi, complaint #1355519
    • "DRIVING IN VERY BUSY CITY TRAFFIC AND I ALMOST WRECKED BECAUSE THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. I DROVE IT HOME BUT IT WAS VERY HARD TO MAKE A TURN. THIS WAS VERY SCARY AND I PULLED IT UP ON COMPUTER AND I SEE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING THEY HAD THE SAME PROBLEM…"~128,000 mi, complaint #1052541
  16. #16

    brake booster

    18 unsafe

    18
    incidents
    Typical range: 38,000–97,000 mi

    Median 64,000 mi, based on 34 reports (11% had no usable mileage)

    • "BRAKE LIGHTS STAYING ON, REPAIRED 5 TIMES, A LOT OF SENSOR PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR!"~17,000 mi, complaint #1462624
    • "BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON WHEN NOT PRESSING THE BRAKES. CRUISE CONTROL TURNS OFF WITHOUT TAPPING THE BRAKES, TRACTION CONTROL SAYS IT NEEDS TO BE SERVICED . I CYCLE POWER TO THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE PROBLEM GOES AWAY FOR A FEW MINUTES THEN COMES BACK ON. THI…"~38,000 mi, complaint #1036390
    • "WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL ILLUMINATE WITHOUT PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. ONCE THE BRAKE PEDAL IS PRESSED, THE BRAKE LIGHTS GO OUT AND WILL COME BACK ON APPROXIMATELY 5 SECONDS LATER. IN AN EMERGENCY STOP, THE DRIVER BEHIND ME WILL NOT HAVE W…"~58,500 mi, complaint #986885
    • "I WENT TO LEAVE ONE MORNING AND MY CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. ONLY WHEN I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR WOULD IT FINALLY MOVE INTO DRIVE. AFTER DRIVING IT A DAY OR TWO MY SERVICE TRACTION AND MY SERVICE ESC LIGHTS HAVE BEEN COMING ON SINCE J…"~93,000 mi, complaint #1018120
    • "MY BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ILLUMINATED WHEN I DO NOT PUSH ON THE BRAKE WHEN I DO PUSH ON THE BRAKE THEY DISAPPEAR I CAN'T PUT MY CRUISE CONTROL ON WHEN THIS HAPPENS THIS HAPPENS WHILE I'M DRIVING IT STARTED HAPPENING ABOUT A MONTH AGO AT A HUNDRED AND NINETY-EIGHT TH…"~198,000 mi, complaint #1477265
  17. #17

    other

    9 unsafe, 8 annoyance

    17
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=10, median 48,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "CHEVY MALIBU 2010 - BRAND NEW WITH 16MI ON ODOMETER. *TR"~578 mi, complaint #783364
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH WITH THE REAR WINDOWS OPENED, THERE WAS A PRESSURE BUILD UP IN THE CABIN CAUSING HER TO BECOME NAUSEOUS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STAT…"~700 mi, complaint #1064780
    • "FIRST OF ALL I AM A MUSICIAN AND THIS CAR HAS CUT MY FINGERS BADLY ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. ONCE I WAS AT AN AUDITION AND BLOOD WAS EVERYWHERE. YOU KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM CAUSE THE WEB SAYS YOU HAVE RECEIVED MANY MANY MANY COMPLAINTS. LISTEN IF THE CHROME TAPE…"~30,000 mi, complaint #1450110
    • "OUR CHEVY MALIBU WAS BROAD SIDED ON THE RIDERS SIDE AT 10:10 AM ON THE FORTH OF APRIL, 2015. THIS WAS AT A YIELD INTERSECTION IN AIKEN, SC. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL NEAR MISSES WITH THIS CAR WITH VEHICLES COMING FROM THE LEFT. THIS ACCICENT WAS CLEARLY MY FAULT.…"~77,000 mi, complaint #1173996
    • "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…"~109,800 mi, complaint #1324229
  18. #18

    steering rack mechanical

    16 unsafe

    16
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=21, median 70,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "I PURCHASED THIS CAR WITH 14,444 MILES AFTER 500 MILES I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. THIS CAR WAS TAKEN BACK TO CHEVY AND THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEMS AFTER 7 TRIES. I THAN TOOK THE CAR TO THE CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP AND ALL THEY DID WAS SET IN THE CAR AND…"~14,915 mi, complaint #947060
    • "ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS SINCE I GOT THIS CAR IN 2010, THE STEERING WHEEL HAS BECOME VERY DIFFICULT, IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE AT TIMES, TO TURN WHEN PARALLEL PARKING. WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS IN EXTREME ROTATION, IT BECOMES VERY RIGID AND DIFFICULT TO TURN, MAKING IT…"~20,000 mi, complaint #991158
    • "MY VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING STEERING PROBLEMS IN WHICH IT IS HARD TO STEER THE WHEEL OF THE VEHICLE WHILE MAKING TURNS AND DRIVING. ALSO, THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WARNING LIGHT ALSO DISPLAYS TRACTION CONTROL. *TR"~80,000 mi, complaint #1041098
    • "WHILE GOING THRU A TURN THE INPUT SHAFT CAME OUT OF THE RACK AND PINION CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING. WHEELS WENT STRAIGHT CAUSING THE CAR TO JUMP THE CURB AND STRIKE BOULDERS IN THE LAND SCAPE. *TR"~124,511 mi, complaint #1106974
    • "The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while idling at a stop light and attempting to make a left turn, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle. No warning lights were illumin…"~236,574 mi, complaint #1859342
  19. #19

    abs module

    15 unsafe

    15
    incidents
    Typical range: 74,000–134,000 mi

    Median 118,500 mi, based on 27 reports (25% had no usable mileage)

    • "CENTER BRAKE LIGHT DOES NOT CONSISTENTLY LIGHT UP WHEN PROMPTED BY BRAKE PEDAL. SOMETIMES IT WILL WORK, SOMETIMES WITH A LITTLE MORE EFFORT ON THE PEDAL, SOMETIMES NOT AT ALL. SERVICE ESC WILL ALSO AT TIMES COME ON. BOTH ISSUES WERE PART OF A RECALL AND SUPPOS…"~29,500 mi, complaint #1248342
    • "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 T…"~73,800 mi, complaint #1313300
    • "THE BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON WHILE DRIVING WITH OUT PRESSING THE BREAK PEDAL. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IT PRESSED THE LIGHTS GO OFF. THE CRUISE CONTROL IS NOT FUCTIONING AND THE ESC INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON."~118,578 mi, complaint #1416521
    • "I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK AND MY CRUISE CONTROL CUT OFF BY ITSELF THEN I NOTICED BY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE ON. SO I PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND TURNED MY CAR OFF THEN TURNED IT BACK ON AND PROCEEDED TO WORK. MY BRAKE LIGHTS CAME BACK ON. WHEN I CAME…"~134,000 mi, complaint #1217772
    • "BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON WHILE DRIVING AND GO OFF WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. SERVICE ESC LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ON AS WELL. UNSURE IF RELATED."~192,000 mi, complaint #1413785
  20. #20

    engine internal

    1 stranded, 11 unsafe, 1 broken

    13
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=15, median 89,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "AT 500 MILES, A NOXIOUS ODOR SIMILAR TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT EMANATES FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *TR"~500 mi, complaint #758068
    • "WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE SERVICE ESC, TRACTION CONTROL, AND REDUCED ENGINE POWER WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. CAR ALSO MISFIRED. TAKEN TO INDEPENDENT AUTO REPAIR SHOP, THROTTLE BODY REPLACED. CODES FOUND AT GARAGE PO300, P…"~53,500 mi, complaint #1267287
    • "THE FIRST TIME I WAS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN WHEN MY CAR SHUT OFF. IT WOULD NOT STARTED. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER, THEY SAID IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP WHICH THEY REPLACED. I HAD THE CAR 1 DAY WHEN IT DID THE SAME THING ONLY THIS TIME IT SHUT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIV…"~73,000 mi, complaint #1058284
    • "THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. THE ERROR CODE IS P0010. I CAN'T DRIVE MY CAR 6 MONTHS WITHOUT SOME ISSUE. THIS IS JUST THE LATEST IN A LONG LINE OF PROBLEMS. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY STEERING COLUMN WHEN THE CAR WAS ONLY 4.5 YEARS OLD. I HAD TO REPLACE THE…"~130,000 mi, complaint #1305810
    • "MY 2010 CHEVY MALIBU LT 2.4 L BEGAN MISFIRING ON CYLINDER 1 GIVING ME TH CODES P0201 AND P0301. AFTER GETTING THOSE READINGS I BEGAN DRIVING HOME AND THE CAR BEGAN TO JERK AND LOSE POWER FOLLOWED BY THE SERVICE TRACTION AND SERVICE ESC WARNING LIGHTS FLASHING…"~887,669 mi, complaint #1277151
  21. #21

    power windows and locks

    12 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    13
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=10, median 76,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "DRIVER SIDE DOOR AT TIMES FAILED TO OPEN FROM EITHER OUTSIDE OR INSIDE. KEYFOB REMOTE PROPERLY LIFTS AND LOWERS THE LOCK KNOB LIFTER TO LOCK OR UNLOCK POSITION. MINUTES, HOURS AND ONE TIME, TWO DAYS WOULD GO BY THEN THE DOOR WOULD EVENTUALLY UNLOCKS TO OPEN.…"~50,000 mi, complaint #1367807
    • ""TAKATA RECALL": THE DOOR LOCK DOES NOT WORK AT TIMES. THE DOOR WILL NOT SHUT AS WELL AS THE DOOR'S LOCK ASSEMBLY NOT DISENGAGING. THE LOCKING ASSEMBLY WILL EITHER NOT UNLOCK OR WILL NOT ALLOW THE DOOR TO STAY LATCHED. IT HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING WHEN MOVIN…"~60,000 mi, complaint #1329400
    • "DOOR LOCKS DON'T UNLOCK THE DOORS TRAPPING OCCUPANTS INSIDE THE CAR. MANUAL OR ELECTRICAL DON'T WORK. MODULES ARE DEFECTIVE, AND MANUAL LOCK PULL DOES NOT WORK EITHER. VEHICLE COULD BE RUNNING OR NOT RUNNING-STILL DOES NOT WORK. IF YOU ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW AND…"~87,000 mi, complaint #1511795
    • "SO I'M PUTTING THE CAR IN PARK THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK YOU CAN'T USE THE KEY FOB YOU ALSO CAN'T USE IT INSIDE HANDLE TO OPEN IT OR THE OUTSIDE AND IT'LL STAY LOST 4 DAYS AND THEN UNLOCK ITSELF IT'LL BE OKAY FOR A FEW DAYS AND THEN THE SAME THING…"~88,649 mi, complaint #1467037
    • "DOOR LOCKS NOT WORKING RIGHT , PEOPLE INSIDE VEHICLE UNABLE TO EXIT UNLESS THEY CLIMB OUT THE WINDOWS AS DOORS SEEM TO UNLOCK BUT WONT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE . THIS IS A ISSUE BECAUSE IN THE EVENT OF THE CRASH YOU WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO OPEN THE…"~156,000 mi, complaint #1542695
  22. #22

    seat mechanism

    11 unsafe, 1 broken, 1 annoyance

    13
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=11, median 84,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SWITCH LANES AND WHEN LOOKING OVER HIS LEFT SHOULDER TO SEE IF ANY VEHICLES WERE IN HIS BLIND SPOT, THE DESIGN AND HEIGHT OF THE HEAD REST BLOCKED HIS V…"~14,000 mi, complaint #819126
    • "WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE, THE POWER ASSISTED FRONT SEAT MOVED FORWARD APPROXIMATELY 1/4 TO 1/2 INCH ON THE RIGHT PORTION OF THE SEAT. THIS ALSO HAPPENED WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE AS WELL, E.G. IF TO THE LEFT THE RIGHT PORTION OF THE SEAT WOULD MOVE FORWARD, IF…"~59,450 mi, complaint #1200352
    • "DRIVERS SEAT FRAME BROKE AT TWO WELD AREAS. VEHICLE HAS NEVER SUSTAINED ANY DAMAGE TO SEAT. SEAT FRAMED JUST FAILED. DEALERSHIP AND WELDING SHOPS HAVE ALL TOLD ME THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED. *JS"~72,560 mi, complaint #1142984
    • "SEAT FRAME WELDS ARE BROKEN, BOTTOM FRONT RIGHT SIDE TUBE ON DRIVERS SEAT."~95,000 mi, complaint #1377484
    • "DRIVERS SEAT (POWER) BROKEN AWAY FROM SLIDING SEAT TRACK ON BACK PASSENGER SIDE OF DRIVER SEAT ALLOWING COMPLETE SEAT TO TILT AND HIT DOOR DURING RIGHT TURN AFFECTING ABILITY TO DRIVE VEHICLE. *TR"~110,000 mi, complaint #1114934
  23. #23

    wiper and washer

    11 unsafe, 1 broken, 1 annoyance

    13
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=13, median 75,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, SHE ACTIVATED THE DEFROSTER AND APPROXIMATELY FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER THE REAR GLASS SHATTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE DEFROSTER…"~33,000 mi, complaint #970300
    • "DURING A TORRENTIAL DOWNPOUR, I SWITCHED ON MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS. I WAS TRAVELING AT 65 MILES PER HOUR ON THE HIGHWAY. AFTER SLOWING MY SPEED, I SWITCHED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO THE HIGHEST SPEED. AFTER ABOUT 30 SECONDS, I HEARD A LOUD BANG, AND THE WIPERS…"~66,000 mi, complaint #1297732
    • "ON 6/30/14, DUE TO RAIN ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, THE WIPER STOPPED WORKING AGAIN, BUT DUE TO THIS OCCURRED OVER A YEAR AGO AND 12,000 WARRANTY EXPIRED, MY WIFE AND WERE TOLD IT HAD TO BE REPLACED AGAIN AND WE HAD TO PAY FOR IT (MILEAGE 92284). THIS HAS ALSO…"~92,284 mi, complaint #1384878
    • "BACK IN APRIL OF 2013, THE WIPER STOPPED WORKING DURING HEAVY RAIN AND HEAVY WINDS. TOOK CAR TO LOU FUSZ CHEVROLET OF ST. PETERS, MO (WHICH IS WHERE THE CAR WAS FIRST BOUGHT IN JUNE 2010). MY WIFE AND I WERE ADVISED THAT WIPER TRANSMISSION/MODULE LOOSE AT MOTO…"~113,245 mi, complaint #1384879
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS IN THE RAIN, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAITED UNTIL THE RAIN STOPPED TO RESUME DRIVING. THE FAILURE RECURRED…"~158,000 mi, complaint #1382168
  24. #24

    fuel tank and lines

    8 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    9
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=10, median 88,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR IN THE VEHICLE AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS FILLED UP WITH FUEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK AND NECK FILLER WERE LEA…"~25,069 mi, complaint #1241850
    • "AFTER PARKING MY 2010 CHEVY MALIBU, I CAN SMELL GASOLINE AT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE EXTERIOR (GAS TANK IS ON OPPOSITE SIDE). THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR SOME TIME SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN MARCH 2013. I DON'T KNOW WHEN I FIRST SMELLED IT. I ALSO HAVE HAD…"~56,200 mi, complaint #1105445
    • "FUEL LEAK AT FUEL TANK. FUEL PRESSURE LINE AT FUEL PUMP MODULE CRACKED AND LEAKING FUEL EXTERNALLY. *TR"~56,299 mi, complaint #1119666
    • "I HAVE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS CAR THAT I BELIEVE TO BE MANUFACTURER DEFECTS. THE MOST SERIOUS ISSUE I FOUND TODAY (4/19/2014) WHEN I SMELLED GAS OUTSIDE OF MY CAR. UPON LOOKING UNDERNEATH MY CAR I FOUND MY GAS TANK LEAKING ONTO MY EXHAUST PIPE. I CONSID…"~88,144 mi, complaint #1058120
    • "PLASTIC FUEL LINE FROM FUEL PUMP ON TOP OF TANK CRACKED LEAKING FUEL ALL OVER TOP OF FUEL TANK. I DO NOT KNOW WHEN THE CRACK FIRST APPEARED, BUT THE CAR WAS LEAKING GAS IN THE DRIVEWAY."~95,000 mi, complaint #1433350
  25. #25

    seatbelt and pretensioner

    5 unsafe, 4 annoyance

    9
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "I NOTICED MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE A SIMILAR COMPLAINT FOR THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM. MY DRIVER SEAT BELT IS FASTENED, BUT THE SEATBELT LIGHT WILL COME ON AND CHIME INTERMITTENTLY AT RANDOM TIMES WHILE DRIVING. I ENSURED ALL CABLES WERE CONNECTED, BUT THIS DOESN…"~26,800 mi, complaint #1128395
    • "CHILD WAS PUTTING SEAT BELT ON AND IT BROKE. SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACT. *TR"~54,000 mi, complaint #1014178
    • "WHEN BUCKLING SEAT BELT IT WILL CLICK BUT SEAT BELT LIGHT STAYS ON I HAVE TO TRY SEVERAL TIME FOR THE LIGHT TO GO OFF. THIS HAPPENS WHEN ITS WARM OR HOT OUTSIDE. ONLY DRIVERS SIDE IS EFFECTED WITH THIS PROBLEM. *TR"~63,000 mi, complaint #1051390
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THE SEAT BELT SENSOR WHICH INDICATED IF THE SEAT BELT IS FASTENED FAILED TO OPERATE AS INTENDED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE SEAT BELT WAS SECURELY BUCKLED, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SHOWED THAT…"~95,879 mi, complaint #1640335
    • "DRIVER TAIL LIGHT GOES IN AND OUT WHEN IT FEELS LIKE IT, AND MY SEAT BELT LGHT COMES ON AND DINGS EVEN THOUGH I HAVE MY SEAT BELT ON. ALSO MY TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON AS WELL EVEN THOUGH THE ROADS ARE DRY"~96,000 mi, complaint #1426634
  26. #26

    key fob and immobilizer

    3 stranded, 4 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    8
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "WHILE DRIVING , IF THE KEYS ARE WIGGLED THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHUTS DOWN. TOTAL SYSTEM SHUT DOWN. WIGGLE KEYS AROUND AND WAIT 2 MIN.+-, CAR WILL START AND DRIVE OK. HAS HAPPENED 2 TIMES SO FAR. TAKING TO CHEVY DEALER ON 12/7/2015."~40,000 mi, complaint #1242155
    • "WE GOT UP THIS MORNING, WENT TO GET INTO OUR CAR AND AS I TRIED TO UNLOCK IT I NOTICED MY KEYLESS ENTRY WOULD NOT UNLOCK THE DOOR. I ASKED MY BOYFRIEND IF HIS WAS WORKING, AND HIS WOULDN'T OPEN THE CAR EITHER. SO I UNLOCKED THE DOOR MANUALLY AND NO ALARM SOUND…"~66,880 mi, complaint #1216106
    • "THE THEFT SYSTEM IS HANGING UP IN MY 2001 CHEVY MALIBU AND MAKING IT NOT START. I CAN BE STUCK WITHOUT IT STARTING DAY OR NIGHT. I HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES AT $500 EACH. THEY KEEP SAYING THAT IT IS NOT A RECALL AND HAS TO BE PAID 4 BY ME. ON TH…"~85,000 mi, complaint #773713
    • "MY CAR WOULDN'T START, SO I LOOKED IT UP ON THE INTERNET. THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT WAS ON, IT TOLD ME TO UNPLUG MY BATTERY SO THE CAR WOULD REBOOT THE SYSTEM. I DID THAT, THEN IT STARTED. IT HAPPENS NOW ABOUT ONCE A WEEK. I HAVE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THAT YEAR…"~92,000 mi, complaint #1231132
    • "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 RECOMM…"~100,000 mi, complaint #1388996
  27. #27

    throttle and pedal

    8 unsafe

    8
    incidents
    Typical range: 56,000–113,500 mi

    Median 81,000 mi, based on 28 reports (7% had no usable mileage)

    • "I WAS TRAVELING ON A SIDE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY. I WAS TOLD THIS WAS DUE TO A FAULTY THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. HAD I BEEN TRAVELING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED ON A BUSY HIGHWAY, IT IS LIKELY THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS INJURY. CHEVROLET DID…"~50,000 mi, complaint #1047952
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND STARTED FLASHING RAPIDLY. THE ENGINE POWER ALSO DECREASED AND THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY DECELERATED TO 20 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKE…"~65,000 mi, complaint #1026181
    • "THE TPS SENSOR WAS SHOT. THE WARRANTY DIDN'T COVER IT. I GOT STRANDED ON THE HIGHWAY AT NIGHT BECAUSE MY CAR WAS BUCKING AND I GOT SCARED BECAUSE THE POWER OF THE ENGINE KEPT FLUCTUATING. I LATER READ ABOUT MANY OTHER MALIBU OWNERS THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBL…"~69,000 mi, complaint #1046523
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE CLOCK WAS RESET, THE LOW ENGINE COMPRESSION, AND THE CHECK TRANSMISSION LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. ADDITION…"~81,000 mi, complaint #1089209
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS NOT SENDING THE PROPE…"~115,000 mi, complaint #1163710
  28. #28

    cruise control conventional

    4 unsafe, 2 annoyance

    6
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=10, median 44,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "VEHICLE WAS OPERATING ON CRUISE CONTROL AT APPROX. [REDACTED ADDRESS] GRADE.. DRIVER PUSHED RES+ BUTTON ON STEERING WHEEL TO INCREMENT CRUISE CONTROL SET SPEED AND THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY WENT TO WIDE-OPEN-THROTTLE. DRIVER IMMEDIATELY REACTED BY TAPPING BRAKE P…"~23,300 mi, complaint #786271
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN THE CONTACT DISENGAGED THE CRUISE CONTROL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ABRUPTLY AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS…"~37,000 mi, complaint #1094541
    • "CRUISE CONTROL FAILS TO ENGAGE OR EVEN INDICATE THAT IT IS ON WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL BUTTON AND SET - BUTTONS ARE APPLIED. THE UPPER REAR BRAKE LIGHTS FAIL TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED SOMETIMES. *TR"~44,112 mi, complaint #1069480
    • "CRUISE CONTROL RAMDOMLY WORKS. WHEN CRUISE CONTROL FAILS, THIRD BRAKE LIGHT AND TWO REAR BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATE. WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED THEN THE THREE LIGHTS THEN GO OFF. WHEN CRUISE CONTROL FAILS THE TRIANGULAR TSC WARNING LIGHT ALSO APPEARS ON THE DISPLA…"~55,000 mi, complaint #1191328
  29. #29

    instrument cluster

    4 unsafe, 2 annoyance

    6
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=13, median 28,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE HEADLIGHTS AND INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,…"~23,555 mi, complaint #1089741
    • "INTERIOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE LIGHTS IN THE DASHBOARD---DASH LIGHTS (DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER) AND RADIO LIGHTS OCCASIONALLY DO NOT COME ON AND/OR FREQUENTLY GO OFF WHILE DRIVING. RADIO WILL BE WORKING THEN AUX IMPUT DEVICE WILL APPEAR AND THE RADIO S…"~28,000 mi, complaint #1106831
    • "DASHBOARD CLUSTER IS OUT AND GOES IN AND OUT AS WELL AS THE DIGITAL GEAR CHANGE. IT STARTED GIVING ME TRANSMITION ISSUES AND NOW ANYTHING DIGITAL IS COMPLETELY OUT."~108,000 mi, complaint #1304053
    • "SAFETY OF MY FAMILY IS MY MAIN CONCERN, I DON'T KNOW WHAT SPEED I'M GOING A I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE, I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S AN ENGINE PROBLEM, BECAUSE NOTHING IN THE PANEL IS WORKING!"~160,000 mi, complaint #1611241
    • "Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while reviewing O'Reilly diagnostic report, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mile…"~192,000 mi, complaint #2168444
  30. #30

    timing belt or chain

    1 stranded, 5 unsafe

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "1 YEAR AGO MY CAR FLASHED ESC SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL REDUCE ENGINE POWER AND REDUCED MY SPEND TO 40MPH ON A BUSY INTERSTATE! CALLED GM STATED WHAT HAPPEN AND I KNEW THEY HAD A RECALL BUT OF COURSE MY CARS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. BROUGHT THE CAR…"~68,000 mi, complaint #1303163
    • "The contact's mother owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the timing…"~77,000 mi, complaint #1864101
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, WHEN THE VEHICLE'S TIMING CHAIN BEGAN TO MAKE A RATTLING NOISE AND JUMPED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND TAKEN TO THE DEALER.…"~79,000 mi, complaint #1337798
    • "TIMING CHAIN BOLTS SHEERED OFF, CAUSING CHAIN TO COME OFF AND OTHER THINGS TO BREAK, RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING ON MAJOR HIGHWAY."~160,000 mi, complaint #1510846
    • "MY CAR WAS MAKING WEIRD NOISE UNDER THE HOOD. I HAVE MAINTAINED MY CAR VERY WELL. COME TO FIND OUT THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE AND SMASHED ALL THE VALVES. THE MECHANIC SAID BECAUSE OF IT BEING IN A PLASTIC MECHANISM, THAT'S A PROBLEM AND A BAD DESIGN ON CHEVROLE…"~172,000 mi, complaint #1701311
  31. #31

    brake pads and rotors

    3 unsafe, 1 broken

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. AT 8,528 MILES, THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO HAVE THE BRAKE PADS, ROTORS, AND FRONT DRIVER SIDE HUB ASSEMBLY REPLACED AT 29,955 MILES AND THEN AGAIN AT 34,761 M…"~8,528 mi, complaint #1178768
    • "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 L…"~23,955 mi, complaint #1373512
    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. T…"~25,000 mi, complaint #1152534
  32. #32

    engine oil consumption

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "THE ENGINE HAS AN ECO-TECH IT IS GETTING FUEL IN OIL , YOU CAN SMELL IT ON CAP. THIS IS CAUSING THE ENGINE TO BURN OIL , USE MORE GAS.THE CAR ONLY HAS 27000 MILES ON IT. EXCELLENT CONDITION. USING OIL AT AN ACCELERATED RATE, YOU HAVE TO MONITOR OR VALVES CHATT…"~26,000 mi, complaint #1096325
    • "2010 CHEVY MALIBU WITH THE 2.4 ECO TEC. 47000 MILES AND ALREADY BURNING OIL. ALREADY REPLACED THE INTAKE AND HAD WIRING TROUBLES.WHEEL BEARING WENT OUT AT 27000 MILES WHAT A POS. *TR"~46,274 mi, complaint #1156971
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE, THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED HIM THAT THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE VEHICLE AND THERE WAS A FUEL ODOR PRESENT IN THE OIL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WOUL…"~54,000 mi, complaint #1373988
  33. #33

    interior trim

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE REAR OF THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BECAME EXTREMELY HOT WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE HEATED SEATS. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT A HOLE WAS…"~41,000 mi, complaint #1166775
    • "MY WIFE HAD TURNED ON THE SEAT HEATER. AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME SHE FELT THE BACK OF THE SEAT GETTING VERY HOT AND THEN SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING AND SAW SMOKE INSIDE THE CAR.. SHE LEANED FORWARD AND THEN TURNED OFF THE SWITCH TO THE SEAT HEATER. I EXAMINED THE…"~52,000 mi, complaint #1176067
    • "CHROME PAINT ON INTERIOR HANDLERS IS PEELING CAUSING CUTS/LACERATIONS ON PEOPLE'S HANDS. "~60,000 mi, complaint #1263228
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHROME PLATING ON ALL THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES WAS PEELING AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO SUSTAIN MINOR CUTS ON THE HAND. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT REQUIRED. THE C…"~106,000 mi, complaint #1200208
  34. #34

    tpms

    3 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKES WERE NOT BEING ENGAGED AND TURNED OFF WHEN THEY WERE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TPN SYS…"~69,000 mi, complaint #1081818
    • "THIRD BRAKE LIGHT SOMETIMES WORKS OFTEN DOES NOT WORK"~170,000 mi, complaint #1728392
  35. #35

    transmission manual clutch

    1 stranded, 3 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, IT LOST POWER AND SHUT OFF. AN HOUR LATER THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART, BUT SHUT OFF AGAIN AFTER APPROXIMATELY THREE MINUTES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED…"~40,006 mi, complaint #1346586
    • "VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD AND JUST STOPPED MOVING. FOUND THAT A LOT OF GM PRODUCTS HAVE 3-5-R CLUTCH WAVE [REDACTED PLATE]. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED ON A BUSY HIGHWAY. *TR"~81,500 mi, complaint #1153583
    • "MY 2010 CHEVY MALIBU LT 2.4L WON'T GO INTO PARK AND SHIFTER FEELS LOOSE. IF I PUT IT IN PARK POSITION IT SLIDES DOWN TO REVERSE. IN ORDER TO TAKE THE KEY OUT THE IGNITION I HAVE TO SET MY EMERGENCY BRAKE PUT THE SHIFTER TO (P) AND TAKE MY KEYS OUT. WHEN I DO T…"~94,600 mi, complaint #1177681
    • "ON AUGUST 21, [REDACTED ADDRESS] MY CAR IN REVERSE TO BACK UP OUT OF A PARKING SPACE IN A RESIDENTIAL PARKING LOT. THEN I ATTEMPTED TO PLACE MY CAR INTO DRIVE TO PULL OFF AND THE GEAR SHIFT MOVED BUT MY CAR STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS. SO IMMEDIATELY STEPPED ON…"~185,000 mi, complaint #1310419
  36. #36

    glass and windshield

    2 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "2010 CHEVY MALIBU ROOF LEAK FROM BAD WELD WATER RAN DOWN HEADLINER AND FLOODED BACK FLOOR BEHIND DRIVE SEAT. WATER WAS ALMOST 1" DEEP. WATER RAN DOWN HEADLINER ACROSS WIRING FOR AIRBAGS, LIGHTS AND SETTLED ALONG FLOOR NEAR THE MAIN BODY WIRING HARNESS. RUST O…"~14,969 mi, complaint #851963
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GLASS IN THE SUNROOF SHATTERED AND CRUMBLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NOTHING HAD STRUCK THE GLASS PRIOR TO THE FAILURES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WAS TOLD THERE HAD BEE…"~58,000 mi, complaint #940543
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER FROM THE WINDSHIELD PILLAR PENETRATED THE VEHICLE AND WETTED THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE A…"~73,000 mi, complaint #1053342
  37. #37

    exhaust system

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "PURCHASED VEHICLE AT 30K MILES AT BEGINNING OF YEAR AND WITHIN THE SAME YEAR TOWARDS THE END OF THE YEAR UPON START UP THE VEHICLE BEGIN MAKING A LOUD EXHAUST NOISE (SEVERAL OCCASSIONS). I TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSSHIP ON TWO SEPERATE OCCASSIONS AND TH…"~45,000 mi, complaint #1005094
    • "SOMETIME AROUND 70,000 MILE WHEN WE WOULD CRANK UP THE CAR WE WOULD HEAR A LOUD EXHAUST NOISE. AFTER THE CAR WARMED UP, THE NOISE WOULD GO AWAY. WE TOOK IT INTO THE LOCAL DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS NORMAL. WE HAVE ALSO HAD ENGINE RUNNING PROBLEMS SINCE EARLY…"~70,000 mi, complaint #1004949
  38. #38

    fluid leak unspecified

    1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "WATER LEAKS INSIDE THE CAR WHEN IT RAINS OUTSIDE OR WHEN I GO THROUGH A CAR WASH. THE ISSUE WASN'T DETECTED AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE HOWEVER IT WAS NOTICED SEVERAL MONTHS LATER DURING A PERIOD OF FREQUENT AND HEAVY RAIN. THE ISSUE BEGAN WITH WATER DRIPPING ON…"complaint #1099204
    • "EVERYTIME IT RAINS OR I GO THRU A CAR WASH WATER LEAKS IN THE CAR.. I'VE HAD THE SEAL REPLACED AND I'M STILL HAVING THE PROBLEM.. I'M CONCERNED THIS COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO OTHER PARTS OF MY CAR."complaint #1181635
  39. #39

    fuel injector

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "I PURCHASED THE 2010 MALIBU, USED FROM THE DEALERSHIP- THEY WERE THE OWNERS PREVIOUSLY. I PURCHASED IT IN OCT. 2011 AND HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP 8 TIMES IN THE 9 MONTHS OF OWNING IT. ONE TIME THE ENTIRE DRIVER SIDE FLOOR HAD 1+ INCHES OF STANDING WATER…"~57,000 mi, complaint #928397
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL INJECTOR AND WIRE HARNESS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED.…"~67,000 mi, complaint #1200326
  40. #40

    heater core and blower

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "I HAVE WATER IN MY BACK FLOOR AND MY HEAT AND AIR DOESNT WORK SOMETIME. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY COULDNT FIND WHERE THE WATER WAS COMING FROM"complaint #1332040
    • "2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER STATES DEFROSTER FOR CLEARING THE WINDSHIELD OF MOISTURE BUILD UP WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER HIS VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THERE WAS A CONSTANT ODOR OF MOLD/MILDEW COMING FROM TH…"complaint #932565
  41. #41

    sunroof

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "SINCE WE BOUGHT THE CAR ON MORE THAN ONE OCASSION THE SUNROOF HAS LEAKED, THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON WHEN YOU MOVE THE PASSENGER SEAT, AND THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT IN THE WINDOW DOES NOT WORK."complaint #1282976
    • "VEHICLE SUNROOF LEAKS THROUGH TO CENTER CONSOLE, FRONT DOME LIGHT, CARPETS AND SPEAKERS. THIS OCCURS AT ALL TIMES, STATIONARY AND IN MOTION. MORE SO AFTER RAIN AND CAR WASHING. I NOW HAVE WATER STAINS, MOLD AND SMELL THROUGHOUT CAR."complaint #1284981
  42. #42

    suspension struts shocks

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "UPON ACCELERATING FROM A PARKING LOT TO THE ROAD I HEARD A LOUD BANG FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR. I STOPPED TO DO A VISUAL INSPECTION AS IT SOUNDED LIKE IT CAME FROM THE REAR SUSPENSION. I CONTINUED A MILE DOWN THE ROAD WHILE SLOWING FOR A STOP SIGN I HEARD AN…"~35,875 mi, complaint #911171
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS PARALLEL PARKING, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS DETECTED COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SHARRETT BUICK GMC ([REDACTED ADDRESS], HAGERSTOWN, MD 21740, [REDACTED PHONE]) WHERE…"~98,869 mi, complaint #1544372
  43. #43

    unintended acceleration

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, A CHIME WAS HEARD AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE ENGI…"~81,000 mi, complaint #1137395
    • "TL* 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 ([REDACTED ADDRESS], VIRGIN…"~108,000 mi, complaint #1624508
  44. #44

    ac compressor and refrigerant

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "A/C HAS STRONG MOLD SMELL. SMELL IS PERSISTENT EVEN AFTER A/C IS NOT IN USE. HAD IT SERVICED TWICE, BUT DEALERSHIP ONLY SPRAYED ANTI-MOLD SPRAY TO SUBDUE SMELL. WILL NEED TO GO EVERY MONTH FOR THIS TO BE TREATED. DEALERSHIP EXPLAINED SMELL IS DUE CONDENSER'S C…"complaint #853663
  45. #45

    battery and charging

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "WE WERE DRIVING AND SMELLED A STRONG ODER. OUR EYES STARTED TO BURN AND WE BECAME NAUSEOUS AND DIZZY. WHEN WE ARRIVED HOME WE LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND SAW A POWERFUL GAS SEEPING FROM THE BATTERY. I HAVE A VIDEO OF THE GAS COMING FROM THE ADELCO BATTERY. *J…"complaint #1594137
  46. #46

    climate control module

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE COMPUTER CHIP IN THE VEHICLE CAUSED THE AIR CONDITIONER TO MALFUNCTION. THE AIR CONDITIONER WOULD BLOW HOT AIR AND CHANGE THE TEMPERATURE OF THE VEHICLE IN 95 DEGREE WEATHER. THE CONTACT…"~2,600 mi, complaint #806493
  47. #47

    corrosion and rust

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "MY MALIBU LEAKIN WATER BY THE METALLIC STRUCTURE OF THE ROOF IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S AUTO GLASS BUSINESS UP AND NOTED THAT THE WINDSHIELD IS NO PROBLEM, THE PROBLEM IS IN THE METAL CEILING JOISTS FACTORY DEFAULT IN THE INSULATION CEILING. THAT SAM…"complaint #1246905
  48. #48

    driveshaft axle cv

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "IN JANUARY OF 2014 , MY FATHER NOTICED THERE WAS A HUGE DARK SPOT ON MY SIDE OF THE DRIVE WAY. SO LATER IN THE DAY I TAKE MY CAR TO VALVOLINE AND THEY LET ME KNOW THAT MY CARE IS LEAKING OIL. I TAKE THE CAR TO SALLAS AUTO SHOP AND THEY TELL ME THAT MY CARS AXE…"~114,162 mi, complaint #1087573
  49. #49

    engine cooling

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY DECELERATED FROM 35 MPH TO 10 MPH AS THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STALL BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWE…"~1,400 mi, complaint #817846
  50. #50

    fuel pump

    1 stranded

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "VEHICLE LOST THROTTLE WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, HAD TO PULL OVER AND RESTART ENGINE. AFTER AN HOUR, EXITED HIGHWAY TO RE-FUEL. ENGINE DIED ON THE RAMP WITHOUT ANY WARNING ON THE HIGHWAY, HAD TO PUSH IT OFF THE RAMP AND TOW TO THE DEALER FOR FUEL PUMP. *JS"~120,000 mi, complaint #1066152
  51. #51

    noise or vibration unspecified

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "EVERYTIME I TURN LEFT THERE IS SOME KIND OF CLICKING GRINDING NOISE."~91,000 mi, complaint #1481720
  52. #52

    paint and clearcoat

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "THE PAINT ON THE HOOD IS COMING OFF AND FADING OUT BAD. *TR"complaint #1134213
  53. #53

    parking brake

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "ON THIS DATE I WAS ATTEMPTING TO DEPART ON VACATION. I GOT IN MY CAR WHICH WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE AND THE ENGINE WOULD NOT CRANK. IT WAS IN PARK. I INSTRUCTED MY WIFE TO CALL AAA. WHILE SHE WAS GONE I OPENED THE DOOR TO TRY AGAIN AND THE CAR STARTED TO ROLL D…"~82,000 mi, complaint #1060921
  54. #54

    starter

    1 stranded

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS…"~38,000 mi, complaint #1315437
  55. #55

    suspension arms and bushings

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY ROUGH TO TURN. ADDITIONALLY, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY AND THE BATTERY CONTINUED TO DRAIN PREMATURELY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED TH…"~1,000 mi, complaint #1074699
  56. #56

    tire failure

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU EQUIPPED WITH FOUR HANKOOK OPTIMO H727 TIRES, SIZE: 225/50R/18 (NA). UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD CRACKING AND TREAD SURFACE DILAPIDATION OF THE INNER EDGE. TH…"~150,000 mi, complaint #1383447
  57. #57

    transmission cvt

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "CPO 2010 CHEVY MALIBU @59K NO KNOWN ISSUES PRIOR TO EXPLANATIONS ABOUT 3 DAYS AGO I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR NEW TIRES AND HAD A MECH CHECK A CLICKING NOISE THAT I NOTICED WHEN I WOULD PLACE THE CAR IN DRIVE AND BEGIN TO MOVE. HE STATED THAT THE NOISE WAS COM…"~59,632 mi, complaint #1023599

Recall-sized clusters

These are large batches of near-identical complaints (recall notifications, service campaigns), kept separate from the ranking above so they don't drown out individually-reported problems.

Not matched to any cluster below: every campaign NHTSA has on file for this exact make/model/year is 12V460000, 14E044000, 14V252000, 19V019000. This is a vehicle-wide list, not an attribution - see below for which clusters have a real, complainant-cited match.

Search NHTSA's own recall and complaint database for CHEVROLET MALIBU directly.