10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 2 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 3 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 67,028 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. While driving 35 mph, both of the low beam headlights shut off. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent over a period of time. The first time the failure occurred, the low beam headlights were replaced individually by an independent mechanic. When the low beam headlights shut off at once, the contact took the vehicle to jim browne Chevrolet of tampa, Florida where it was diagnosed that the circuits in both of the low beam headlights were faulty. In addition, the dealer stated that there was a recall; however, the year and model of the vehicle was not included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 131,000.
- Tampa, FL, USA
Drivers side low beam bulb needs to be replaced often. Ive had this car for 4 years, since novemeber 2013, and ive changed the low beam bulb at least 6 times. Ive used different lightbulb manufacturers. Therefore, I believe its not the bulbs itself, but rather an electrical problem. Ive also checked the low beam fuse each time the light had gone out, and the fuse was still good, but I changed it anyway. This happened when car was in motion, idling, and upon being started.
- Rockford, IL, USA
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. While operating the vehicle, the ESC and traction control sensors illuminated and the cruise control failed to operate. In addition, the rear brake lights illuminated while driving and turned off when depressing the brake pedal. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that an electrical connector was faulty. The connector was replaced and the failure was remedied. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the faulty connector was a different connector associated with NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (service brakes, electrical system, exterior lighting). The failure mileage was 84,325.
- Bryan, OH, USA
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the traction control and brake light indicators illuminated. When the brake pedal was depressed, the brake light would not illuminate. However, when the brake pedal was not depressed, the brake light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the pedal sensor assembly was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was previously repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 (electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control). The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 52,000....updated 05/22/17
- Seven Hills, OH, USA
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving approximately 55 mph, the brake light illuminated intermittently without the brake pedal being depressed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was serviced per NHTSA campaign number: 14V250000 (service brakes, hydraulic, electrical system, exterior lighting), but the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage and VIN were not available.
- Monca, PA, USA
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 45 mph, the driver side head lamp and passenger side high and low beam blinker lights failed without warning. The lights were replaced, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.
- Franklin, VA, USA
Car was serviced for a 2014 recall because of the brake lights operating in reverse (on when foot is off the brake and off when brake is pressed), problem has returned and I was told that the "fix" that was applied during the recall was just a "band-aid" and that the BCM would have to be replaced. Very unsafe car to drive since the brake lights are telling the drivers behind you that you are not stopping when, in fact, you are stopping. With more and more distracted drivers on the road, who rely on seeing brake lights in their peripheral vision in order to avoid a collision, the danger is increased exponentially. I have contacted GM and was asked "what do you want us to do?", which basically told me that they were unwilling to help me. This needs to fixed before someone is killed or gravely injured.
- Toledo, OH, USA
Trafficator continues to malfunction, ocassional brake failures and other digital lights malfunctioned and stopped to function any completely. I was almost in a deadly crash again. Sterring wheel. Not once these incidence happened all happened on motion.
- Sterling Heights, MI, USA
2010 Malibu with 108, xxx miles, headlights go out at various times, bulbs have been replaced and the issue continues. No help from dealer except offer to replace headlights again.
- Powder Springs, GA, USA
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
- Roscoe, IL, USA
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 there is not an open recall for this vehicle. A case has been opened with the manufacturer. I have been driving the vehicle several times and have almost been rear ended several times due to this issue. The vehicle is scheduled for inspection and maintenance 09/01/16 at miller and sons Chevrolet. They have been advised of the issue. I have a suspicion this is a recurring issue on a previous recall (14V252000) after seeing some recent complaints from those whom have had the issue fixed the first time. This is the 5 time in 2 months I have had to have this vehicle in the shop. Once for intake and exhaust solenoid replacement. "tapping noises" these ultimately led to a timing chain replacement of which GM covered $800. I had to pay $600. In all I have spent over $900 on this vehicle for repairs which I feel should have been covered under other vehicle recalls. Either fix the existing problems or take the vehicle off the market and buy back.
- Aliquippa, PA, USA
NHTSA campaign number: 14V252000 impacted this vehicle and the vehicle was serviced in accordance with the recall at a Chevrolet dealership. 14V252000 states: "in the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the body control module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the brake apply sensor (bas) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: The brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed;..." when driving behind the vehicle while my wife was driving it I noticed the brake lights were on when my wife was driving and seemed to go off when she would have pressed on the brakes. When a Chevrolet dealer was contacted and I explained the condition was consistent with the recall symptoms, I was told it was already fixed and any further work would cost money. After researching the "fix" in the recall I checked the electrical connection at the BCM. It did have dielectric gel applied to the bdm where the cable connected so repair was done. After removing and inserting the cable several times to remove any corrosion at the electrical connection as described in the recall, and putting it back together myself, the problem hasn't returned yet. However, the condition of having brake lights reversed is extremely dangerous and there was no indication of the problem, initially. Before I re-applied the fix I did discover that the cruise control wouldn't engage when the condition was present (it was a frequent condition but wasn't always there). There were no other indications the brake lights were reversed other than looking at the lights from outside the vehicle. My concern is that GM's fix might be flawed as the recall condition recurred on my vehicle after the designated fix was performed at the GM dealership, causing risk to us and other vehicle owners.
- Wooster, OH, USA
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 25 mph, the brake lights illuminated without the brake pedal being depressed. In addition, the service air bag error message was displayed across the message board. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 99,200.
- San Angelo, TX, USA
BCM issue resulting in brake lights not working properly. Brakes lights are on when brake is not applied, and go off when brake is applied. Brake light goes on after car reaches a speed of 15 mph. Recall prior replaced the harness in 2014, but now Chevy dealer is saying this is not related, yet it is the same symptoms of original recall back in 2014. The recall repair in 2014 seems to have been a band-aid on what could lead to a serious accident and loss of a life if not repaired correctly. Customers should not be responsible for repair of a known issue that GM only put a temporary fix on but never solved the entire problem.
- Buford, GA, 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
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
Safety recall 13036B brake lamp malfunction third brake light stays on all the time. Will go off when I press on the brake pedal. Will only engage when pedal is pushed all the way to floor. Also effects traction control, cruise control and shifting in/out of park. Dealer said it was already fixed, I have no record of it. They, dealer snd GM will not take care of their issue. Very big safety issue, I do not feel safe in my vehicle.
- St Charles, IL, 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
- Berlin, CT, USA