10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 4 / 4
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 7 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 61,897 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
My service ESC/traction light comes on and the brakes comes O without being pressed, this doesn't happen all the time. I have had it looked at and the mechanic couldn't find anything wrong. I have researched my VIN and there are no recalls, however I have noticed that the brake issue has been recalled on Malibu's before. The brake comes on randomly while I am driving so does the ESC light, on various surfaces.
- Canton, OH, USA
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. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 98,000.
- Granville, OH, USA
Was turning onto the interstate and the RPM was at 5 but I was only going 20 mph.
- Jacksonville, FL, USA
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 unknown. The failure mileage was 38,000.
- Clearlake, CA, USA
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the steering wheel was loose and the radio turned off and on independently. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
- Akron, OH, USA
Vehicle has service airbag on repeatedly, seat belt alarm goes off even when seat belt is properly fastened. While driving car suddenly lost power and service ESC, service traction control, engine power reduced. Car suddenly dropped down to 27 mph in the middle of traffic. I was able to avoid a serious accident by suddenly turning into a parking lot. This is very dangerous and can be fatal if occurs on freeway. No one can provide any reason as to why this keeps happening. I have no warranty on vehicle and purchased from a dealer 3 years ago. I have called the dealer and have had car looked at but the only suggestion is to blindly replace different sensors and parts. We need a recall done so no lives are lost due to this severe car malfunction.
- El Mirage, AZ, USA
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving at any speed, the brake lights remained illuminated. When the brake pedal was depressed, the brake lights turned off. The contact stated that "service ESC" and "traction control is off " appeared on the instrument panel. Also, the steering and accelerator pedal felt heavy and the vehicle slowed down. The issue recurred numerous times. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control) and was repaired in 2014. The failure recurred. The dealer and manufacturer were notified. The vehicle was not repaired again. The approximate failure mileage was 24,000.
- Elyria, OH, USA
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.
- Jacksonville, FL, USA
Brake lamp malfunction. Brake lights stay on until brake pedal pushed at which time, brake lights extinguish. Traction control and cruise control also fail. Same vehicle with same issue was previously subject to safety recall 13036. Recall was completed and issue continued. Brake apply sensor was replaced, prior to recall and issue remained. Recall work was completed on 11/15/14. Issues intermittently occur and in June 2016 vehicle taken to GM dealer where brake apply sensor was replaced. Issue still remains as brake lights stay on until pedal pushed, traction control and cruise control failure. A previous complaint was filed with NHTSA regarding this vehicle and above issues prior to recall. Issues occur when vehicle is stationary, and in motion on city streets and interstate highways. More documents available upon request
- Chatham, IL, USA
Vehicle was moving at about 35 mph when the drivers information center indicated a electronic stability service, traction control service and ESC off messages. This happened multiple times over a two day period. Car was taken to dealer for diagnostics and they said that the computer had stored a P0300 code which is engine misfire. The engine runs fine however there is a slight vibration at idle while in park or neutral. GM also sent out a letter to me stating that there was a problem with the throttle posistion sensor that may cause this to happen. The dealer did not attempt to diagnos the problem with the sensor and stated that the engine had a bad #2 cyclinder with compression at 100lbs. The P0300 code can be caused by the various electronic messages that have appeared and the engine is not the problem. They wanted to tear it down at a cost of $2300 to fix a problem that does not exist. This car only has 39000 miles on it. There are numerous reports of this same isssue with NHTSA and GM has not dealt with the problem. Another issue relating to this is the fact that the engine reduced power message comes on in some vehilcle and the car slows down and is very dangerous to drive on the higways. So far my car has not done that. I believe there should be some pressure exerted on GM to correct these multiple problems with their vehicle since the government bailed them out along with our taxpayer funds.
- Valencia, PA, USA
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the traction control and the service ESC warning indicators had illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission, the power steering control module, and the electronic control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 14E044000 (steering ) however the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 92,958.
- Deland, FL, USA
Had to get a repair on the exhaust vvt solenoid for the exhaust side of the engine. Codes: P0013 & P0014.
- Lawrenceville, GA, USA
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.
- Marshall, TX, USA
The body control module (BCM) went out and the dealer or GM will not pay for the repairs despite there being known issues and recalls involving issues with the BCM. The gauge will not work correctly, the lights flicker, the shifting is affected, etc. Please see recalls 14V252000, 14V252000, 14V252000 & 14V252000.
- Garland, TX, USA
I was turning onto a freeway on ramp when a engine power reduced message came up on my dashboard. The cars speed then dropped to about 10 miles an hour and started shaking violently. Thankfully I was only moving at about 30 mph and was able to pull to the shoulder safely.
- Las Vegas, NV, USA
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 along with the engine light. So I began to accelerate again and the gears had trouble shifting and horse power was reduce when trying to take off. The car would slip gear at 40 mph and around 60 - 65 mph. Lights will not go off unless negative battery post is removed and then reconnected.then problem returns when car is driven again. I searched my VIN number and there is no recall for my VIN but my car has the same issues as 100S of other 2010 Chevy Malibu. I really dont feel safe driving this car. I wish I any other option to getting this problem fixed asap!!!
- N. Charlestom, SC, USA
Right now I have the service ESC and service traction light on again for the 3rd time. I took each time to Chevy classic in grapevine tx and they told me no codes the 1st time, took it to clay cooley in irving--light came on then no codes they showed. Today 4-15=16 light came on again and I took it to classic Chevy and they found 3 codes this time. They say I will have to pay for this! I should not since there was an open recall on 5/14/2014 for 2010 Malibu's. my car is doing this now !@!!@ it needs to be fixed at no charge to me!! I feel like this is the most dangerous car on the road for me and my daughter. I don't want to be a statistic if we have a car crash and it was all because Chevy kept making excuses to not fix my crap car for me. The other recall was the brake system not illuminating I got that letter a little too late. Someone rear ended me in Oct 2012 while I was stopped at a red light. Maybe those stupid back brake lights were not working then!!!!!! someone at classic or clay cooolye Chevy needs to fix this ESC light on my car and fix all the recalls for free. I also have an eps recall letter that was sent to me but someone at Chevy told me the light has to come on for them to fix it. This is ridiculous. My car needs to be fixed for all these problems it has no matter if the light is on or not. But the light is on for service ESC and traction right now!@ GM or Chevy needs to pay for it and fix this car. The consumer stated the dealer did not completely fix the problem. They only lubricated and she continued to experience problems with the brakes, service light and ESC light. Also, the front axle was leaking.
- Keller, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the service ESC warning indicator illuminated intermittently. In addition, the brake light illuminated without the pedal being depressed. The contact stated that the brake light stopped functioning after the pedal was depressed. In addition, the traction and cruise control failed. The failure occurred approximately six times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the brake pedal position sensor needed to be replaced and the brake switch needed to be calibrated. The switch was calibrated; however, the failure recurred. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number" 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000. Updated 05/11/16
- Lapeer, MI, USA
My 2010 Chevy Malibu driver side front door will not open. Driver door will not open from the inside of the vehicle after the doors are unlocked or from the outside by pulling on the handle. It does not matter if you unlock from inside using unlock/lock button on door or outside using key fob, the door will not open. Major safety issue in the event of an accident or an emergency, the driver or passengers whose doors are affected will not be able to get out of the affected door. Tried penetrating oil and grease to lubricate actuator and has not fixed problem. Also happens randomly, does not matter temperature or weather conditions. No current recalls out on this issue, and repair costs range upwards of $350. The pull handle inside the car feels like it is not engaging with the components to unlatch the door, and the same feeling is observed when trying to open the car on the outside using the outside door handle.
- Charles Town, WV, USA
- Amarillo, TX, USA