10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 5 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 6 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 60,449 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
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 contact also stated that the esn warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer on four occasions where it was diagnosed that an unknown part needed to be cleaned. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. In addition, the contact stated that the brake light illuminated without the brake pedal being depressed. The contact also stated that when the brake pedal was depressed the brake light failed to illuminate. The vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control) but the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 106,000. The VIN was not available.
- Wilmerding, PA, USA
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact received a notice for NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was to attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and the harness connector and the bas harness connector, and re-learn the brake pedal home position. The vehicle was repaired under the recall; however, the failure had not occurred until after the recall repair was performed. After the recall was performed, the brake light was continuously illuminated without the brake pedal being depressed. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and they stated that the wiring harness for the third brake light needed to be replaced, but the failure had not occurred until after the vehicle was remedied under the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 113,000. The VIN was unavailable.
- Orlando, FL, USA
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 display and a typed message appears stating "traction control system off". bottom line, when cruise controil fails, we drive with the brake lights illuminate and when braking, brake lights do not illuminate.
- Jacksonville, NC, USA
Air bag warning light illuminates when pressing hard on brake pad and when making turns. Warning light in dash stays on the warning light may go off briefly when driving and it is required to brake hard, but illuminates again when brake is pressed. Sometimes, it comes on during normal driving without braking. Sometimes it comes on when the car is driven over a bump in the road. This malfunction makes it impossible to determine if air bags are actually engaged and will operate during a crash. The problem only increased after body control module (BCM) recall was fixed on the vehicle. It occurs every 1-2 days since the BCM was repaired. Local Chevrolet dealer has not been able to identify a problem and has not been willing to contact GM for information. Extremely concerned for passenger safety.
- Fillmore, IN, USA
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 miles. The contact stated that the vehicle needed another replacement of the brake pads, rotors, and front driver side hub assembly again at 64,020 miles. The contact felt that the braking system was a safety defect on the vehicle. The vehicle had not been repaired again. The failure mileage was 8,528.
- Otego, NY, USA
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. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the rear brakes needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the technician informed that the front brakes needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. In addition, the contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the brake system warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the technician informed that the rear brakes, the rear rotors and the rear passenger side caliper needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the windshield wipers failed to operate. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the wiper transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 25,000.
- Levictown, PA, USA
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the power steering warning lamp illuminated and the vehicle stalled with no warning several times. Also, the contact stated that the rear break light illuminated frequently when the brake pedal was not applied. The contact had to tap the brake pedal to get the light to turn off. The contact was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 14E044000 (steering) and 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control). The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 171,000.
- Columbus, OH, USA
8/29/2014 cruise control was not working on car along with traction control and ABS warring lights going off. Car was taken to a GM dealership to be looked at was told that rear speed sensors were not working and paid 200 dollars for a repair. Didn't even make it home and the same problem started happening along with brake lights that will not go off. Car was taken back to the dealership and this time they found frayed wire and fixed it for no charge. This still did not fix the issue. Was taken to another dealership charged a dx fee to tell me it was the BCM. Finally a recall was issued and when the part came in my care was taken in for the recall repair and this still did not fix the issue. I am paying for a care that I cant even drive. The brake lights will not go off and GM says that I can bring it in if its not from the recall I will have to pay another fee to have a dx done on it. Just really aggravated never again will I buy a GM product. Asked what I was supposed to do in the event of a crash resulting from others not able to see if I am stopping and was advised that GM would then be responsible...updated 01/06/15
- Hamilton , TX, USA
I noticed while driving one morning my brake lights were illuminated, but I was not depressing the brakes. When I pushed the brake pedal, the brake lights went off. At this very same time when I tried to set the cruise control, it would not allow me to do so. This has been an on-again, off-again issue. Some days it works correctly but other days the same problem persists. I researched online and saw that there was a recall by GM for this exact problem, recall id# 14V252000, but when I called the dealership and they checked my VIN # they said that my car was not under the recall, and that they would have to take my car and see if it happens to them in order to fix it. I read the recall and it is exactly the issue that I am having. Please help and add mine, and I'm sure others, VIN#'s to this recall before something horrible happens!
- Jenison, MI, USA
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving 30 mph, the brakes were applied and all four tires seized. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control) however, the part needed was unavailable to perform the recall repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 71,000.
- Coventry , NN, USA
When I start driving my car down the street the brake lights come on. If I tap the peddle the lights will go off for about 2 seconds the come back on again and stay on. When I touch the brakes toslow down they go off and do not come on until I apply full pressure to them. The traction service lights comes on sporadically have taken this in to get it fixed and they cant fix it because they do not have a recall notice on it. What am I to do. This is a serious problem to me.
- Sioux Falls, SD, USA
Brake lights illuminate without brake pedal being pushed.
- Lititiz, PA, USA
I have taken my car to the GM dealer three times in the past year. Each time they stated that they had repaired the "brake signal" and that was the problem. However, even with the current recalls for the same problem, when I called GM dealer last week, they stated that the "charges would be at least $150 to connect to the computer and run diagnostics". well, since I have already spent $500 for the last 3 visits, where they did not listen to me and fixed something was not torn up, why would I waste money on the same issue. There is a recall.. GM states that the recall is not for my specific vehicle, although the problems I have had for one year are the same problems they are recalling the 2010 chev Malibu for at this time. Supposedly, they will recall mine later.. I guess I just wait and hope I do not have a wreck until then. Driving along the highway at any speed, the car will suddenly feel as if I have pressed the brake pedal and pumped it. The ESC and service traction lights then come on. The brake lights then come on when I do not have the brake pedal pushed. When I do press the brake pedal the brake light goes off. I have had to have my brakes changed several times since this began. It also uses more gas since my car thinks I am riding my brakes and pressing the gas also.
- Summerville, GA, USA
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 system needed to be reset. The repairs were made but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 69,000 and the current mileage was 71,000. Updated 8/22/14 updated 08/23/2017
- Mount Rainier, MD, USA
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 40 mph attempting to avoid crashing into another vehicle, the brakes were engaged but failed to stop the vehicle. As a result, the contact crashed into the rear of the second vehicle and the air bags failed to deploy. The front passenger sustained a fractured knee. A police report was filed. Neither the manufacturer nor the dealer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 27,000.
- Kalamazoo, MI, USA
First occurrence I was driving down the road and my warning lights came on for ESC off, service traction control, service ESC at 50 mph. At first it would only come on once every couple weeks but now it comes on almost every time I drive it. It varies (speed doesn't matter) whether or not going down the highway or stopping in a driveway when it comes on but warning lights will come on when you touch the brakes. I also observed that the brake lights stay on while going down the road (when its dark outside) but when you apply the brakes the brake lights go off. I feel this could be dangerous if someone is following behind you and thinks that you have let off the brakes but you are actually slowing down. I don't think that they have an apparent fix for this issue as I see several reports from vehicles ranging from 2008 to 2012 online complaining about this same issue. It is intermittent. When you turn the car off after this occurs the lights will go off. Sometimes only for a short period other times for a week weeks before it comes on again. I took my car to the local dealership but they were no help, didn't even test drive it. I was almost rear ended, other person in car screaming at me, yelling I have no brake lights. I just hope I do not have an accident.
- Thomasville, NC, USA
Rear exterior brake lights stayed on while driving. Lights would go off when brake was slightly depressed and would come back on when pedal was depressed more firmly.
- Garrett, IN, USA
First occurrence I was driving down the road and my warning lights came on for ESC off, service traction control, service ESC at 50 mph. At first it would only come on once every couple weeks but now it comes on almost every time I drive it. It varies (speed doesn't matter) whether or not going down the highway or stopping in a driveway when it comes on but warning lights will come on when you touch the brakes. I also observed that the brake lights stay on while going down the road (when its dark outside) but when you apply the brakes the brake lights go off. I feel this could be dangerous if someone is following behind you and thinks that you have let off the brakes but you are actually slowing down. I don't think that they have an apparent fix for this issue as I see several reports from vehicles ranging from 2008 to 2012 online complaining about this same issue. It is intermittent. When you turn the car off after this occurs the lights will go off. Sometimes only for a short period other times for a week weeks before it comes on again.
- Fowle, MI, USA
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that his brake lights would illuminate when the brakes were not engaged and shut off when applying the brakes. The ESC off warning light illuminated on the instrument panel and the traction in the vehicle malfunctioned. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 28,000. The current mileage was 50,000.
- Flushing, MI, USA
- Jenison, MI, USA