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

Steering has the most complaints at 455, followed by the electrical system at 295 and electronic stability control at 227.

Does the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu have recalls?

Yes, the by-year data shows 3 recalls for 2010. The Recalls section on this page lists them.

How many complaints does the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu have?

NHTSA has 1,365 owner complaints on file. These are unverified owner reports.

What is the gas mileage of the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu?

See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.

Is the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?

The complaint record is large, with steering and electrical problems reported most often. See the by-year section to compare it with other model years.

2010 Chevrolet Malibu Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 1,365 owner complaints on file for the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu^[1]. Steering leads the list with 455 complaints^[2].

1,365owner complaints^[1]

3recalls^[3]

20–29MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Owners reported problems in several areas, and these are the biggest groups.

Steering. 455 complaints^[2]. Owners describe a loose, disconnected feel on the road, power assist that cuts out for a moment, and a wheel that turns stiff after warning lights come on.
Electrical System. 295 complaints^[5]. In the stories we read, owners describe dash lights that act up, a car that will not start, and water getting into wiring. A few also describe a fire.
Electronic Stability Control. 227 complaints^[6]. Owners describe stability and traction warning lights that come on and stay on, often after several shop visits.
Brakes. 199 complaints^[7]. Owners describe a delayed response when braking, grinding noises, longer stopping distances, and brake lights that do not behave.
Exterior Lighting. 194 complaints^[8].
Air Bags. 145 complaints^[9].
Power Train. 133 complaints^[10].
Engine. 126 complaints^[11].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2010 Malibu is necessarily included.

Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module (19V019), January 2019. About 1,145 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[12]
Electronic Stability Control (Esc) (14V252), May 2014. About 2,440,524 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Gear Position Indication (Prndl) (12V460), September 2012. About 426,240 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, the car rolling away, parts separating. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[14]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
Malibu, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[15]	18 / 29 / 22	$3,050
Malibu, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive^[16]	19 / 29 / 23	$2,900
Malibu, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[17]	22 / 33 / 26	$2,600
Malibu, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[18]	17 / 26 / 20	$3,350
Malibu, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive^[19]	22 / 33 / 26	$2,600
Malibu, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[20]	22 / 30 / 25	$2,700
Malibu, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive^[21]	22 / 30 / 25	$2,700
Malibu Hybrid, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[4]	26 / 34 / 29	$2,300

Safety ratings

NHTSA lists these versions as not rated: 4 DR FWD^[22].

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine	Horsepower
2010 Chevrolet Malibu with 2.4L 4-cylinder^[23]	170 hp

How 2010 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Malibu model year. The 2010 is highlighted^[3].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
1997	446	4
1998	981	3
1999	793	1
2000	933	3
2001	734	2
2002	583	2
2003	585	2
2004	1,697	7
2005	1,393	4
2006	1,387	6
2007	1,036	3
2008	1,017	4
2009	1,534	5
2010	1,365	3
2011	978	3
2012	907	2
2013	924	11
2014	363	6
2015	270	3
2016	865	10
2017	725	4
2018	711	6
2019	195	1
2020	199	1
2021	90	2
2022	99	1
2023	71	2
2024	43	2
2025	11	1

NHTSA's counts for the Malibu show 1,365 complaints and 3 recalls for 2010^[3]. Among the 29 model years listed, 24 have fewer complaints than 2010 and 4 have more^[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2025 (11) and the most are for 2004 (1,697)^[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2010 Malibu?

The 2010 Malibu has a long complaint record, with 1,365 reports on file^[1]. Steering, electrical and stability control groups sit at the top^[2]^[5]^[6]. The reports include 41 that mention a crash and 14 that mention a fire^[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and three recalls are on file for this year^[3]. If you are shopping for one, check the steering and the warning lights on a test drive and ask for repair records.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu?: Steering has the most complaints at 455^[2], followed by the electrical system at 295^[5] and electronic stability control at 227^[6].
Does the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu have recalls?: Yes, the by-year data shows 3 recalls for 2010^[3]. The Recalls section on this page lists them.
How many complaints does the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu have?: NHTSA has 1,365 owner complaints on file^[1]. These are unverified owner reports.
What is the gas mileage of the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu?: See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.
Is the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?: The complaint record is large^[1], with steering and electrical problems reported most often^[2]^[5]. See the by-year section to compare it with other model years.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Chevrolet Malibu

2010 this page
2011 978 complaints, 3 recalls
2012 907 complaints, 2 recalls
2013 924 complaints, 11 recalls
2014 363 complaints, 6 recalls
2015 270 complaints, 3 recalls
2016 865 complaints, 10 recalls
2017 725 complaints, 4 recalls

Compare all model years of the Chevrolet Malibu

Other Chevrolet models from 2010

2010 Chevrolet Camaro 295 complaints, 2 recalls
2010 Chevrolet Cobalt 583 complaints, 5 recalls
2010 Chevrolet Equinox 784 complaints, 3 recalls

All Chevrolet models

Similar cars from 2010: midsize cars

2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class 252 complaints, 5 recalls
2010 Mercury Milan 1,062 complaints, 11 recalls
2010 Toyota Prius 2,829 complaints, 10 recalls
2010 Volvo S80 27 complaints, 5 recalls
2010 Acura TL 64 complaints, 3 recalls
2010 Cadillac CTS 68 complaints, 3 recalls

All midsize cars we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 1,365 owner complaints on file for the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu (41 mention a crash, 14 a fire, 47 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
455 complaints name the steering component group (11 crashes, 1 fires, 6 injuries, median mileage at failure 100,615). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Chevrolet Malibu model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Malibu Hybrid, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 26 city / 34 highway / 29 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
295 complaints name the electrical system component group (4 crashes, 5 fires, 7 injuries, median mileage at failure 85,000). NHTSA vehicle records
227 complaints name the electronic stability control (esc) component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 85,000). NHTSA vehicle records
199 complaints name the brakes component group (8 crashes, 0 fires, 9 injuries, median mileage at failure 71,500). NHTSA vehicle records
194 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 97,145). NHTSA vehicle records
145 complaints name the air bags component group (26 crashes, 0 fires, 31 injuries, median mileage at failure 54,000). NHTSA vehicle records
133 complaints name the power train component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 74,100). NHTSA vehicle records
126 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 72,500). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 19V019, filed January 16, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 14V252, filed May 14, 2014: Electronic Stability Control (Esc). NHTSA recall database
Recall 12V460, filed September 18, 2012: Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Gear Position Indication (Prndl). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Malibu, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 29 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Malibu, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 29 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Malibu, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 33 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Malibu, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 26 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Malibu, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 33 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Malibu, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 30 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Malibu, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 30 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
EPA Test Car List, 2010 Chevrolet Malibu with 2.4L 4-cylinder: rated 170 hp. www.epa.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2010 Chevrolet Malibu: problems, recalls and fuel economy