2010 Chevrolet Malibu Reliability
The 2010 Chevrolet Malibu has 1,365 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about steering and electrical system. Compared with nearby Malibu model years (2008–2012), it rates as a year to avoid: its complaint rate runs well above the Malibu's typical year, while the 2012 has a cleaner record.
By CarWhere Research · Updated 2026-11-04 · Source: NHTSA
1,365
NHTSA owner complaints
4
Recall campaigns
41
Complaints citing a crash
14
Complaints citing a fire
2010 Chevrolet Malibu complaints by component
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2010 model year, filed between 2009 and 2026. A complaint can name more than one component.
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 455 | 33% |
| Electrical system | 295 | 22% |
| Stability control | 227 | 17% |
| Service brakes | 199 | 15% |
| Exterior lighting | 194 | 14% |
| Air bags | 145 | 11% |
| Powertrain / transmission | 133 | 10% |
| Speed control / throttle | 116 | 8% |
2010 Chevrolet Malibu recalls
4 recall campaigns on NHTSA record for the 2010 model year, by the date NHTSA received the manufacturer's report. Recall repairs are free at a dealer.
| NHTSA campaign | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12V460000 | Sep 18, 2012 | Powertrain / transmission — automatic transmission / gear position indication (prndl) | General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Saturn Aura and model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Malibu and Pontiac G6 vehicles, equipped with a 4-speed automatic transmission. On these vehicles, the tabs on the transmission shift cable end may… |
| 14V252000 | May 14, 2014 | Electrical system — wiring | General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles… |
| 14E044000 | Jul 21, 2014 | Steering | Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain replacement intermediate steering shafts sold under the Dorman, OE Solutions, and Solutions brand names, part numbers 425-167, 2425167, and 7-3074, for installation on 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu, 2005-2010… |
| 19V019000 | Jan 16, 2019 | Air bags — frontal / driver side / inflator module | General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2011 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, the air bag inflator may explode due to being overpressurized. |
How the 2010 compares with nearby Malibu years
Verdicts compare these Malibu model years with each other.
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 1,017 | 5 | Steering | Avoid |
| 2009 | 1,536 | 6 | Steering | Avoid |
| 2010 (this page) | 1,365 | 4 | Steering | Avoid |
| 2011 | 978 | 4 | Electrical system | Caution |
| 2012 | 907 | 3 | Electrical system | Solid |
Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA and are not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, so they compare years of the same model rather than different models.
What to check on a used 2010 Chevrolet Malibu
- Steering: check for a steering warning light, heavy or notchy steering and clunks over bumps; power-steering faults show up at low speed.
- Electrical: test every light, window, lock, the infotainment screen and the charging system; scan for stored fault codes.
- Brakes: check pedal feel, pulling and grinding, and look at rotor and pad wear; ask when the brake fluid was last changed.
- Lights: check headlights (low and high), brake lights and turn signals; condensation inside the housings is worth noting.
- Recalls: confirm each of the 4 campaigns above was completed on this VIN; open recalls are repaired free at a dealer.
- History: run the VIN for salvage, theft and odometer records, and have an independent mechanic inspect the car before you pay.
Check this exact car
Any 2010 Chevrolet Malibu can be better or worse than its model year. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015. Free preview first; the full report is $12.99, one time.
2010 Chevrolet Malibu reliability FAQ
Is the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?
The 2010 Chevrolet Malibu has 1,365 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about steering and electrical system. Compared with nearby Malibu model years (2008–2012), it rates as a year to avoid: its complaint rate runs well above the Malibu's typical year, while the 2012 has a cleaner record.
What are the most common 2010 Chevrolet Malibu problems?
The most-reported problem areas in NHTSA owner complaints for the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu are steering (455), electrical system (295), stability control (227), service brakes (199). One complaint can name more than one component.
Does the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu have recalls?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu, including 12V460000 (powertrain / transmission — automatic transmission / gear position indication (prndl)) and 14V252000 (electrical system — wiring). Recall repairs are free at a dealer, and whether one was done is tracked by VIN.
How does the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu compare with the 2009 and 2011 models?
By NHTSA records, the 2009 has 1,536 complaints and 6 recalls (avoid); the 2011 has 978 complaints and 4 recalls (caution). The 2010 has 1,365 complaints and 4 recalls.
How do I check a specific used 2010 Chevrolet Malibu?
Run its VIN. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015, with a free preview first and the full report at $12.99, one time. Pair it with an independent pre-purchase inspection.
More Chevrolet Malibu research
Other Chevrolet Malibu model years:
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation owner complaints (all body-style listings for the 2010 Malibu, de-duplicated by complaint number) and NHTSA recall campaigns, retrieved 2026-11-04.