Is the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu a bad year?
1,363 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Malibu years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu are in line with other Malibu years. Steering, electrical system, stability control and 3 more stand out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2010 Malibu owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 101,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 454 (33%) | 78k–135k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 295 (22%) | 56k–123k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Stability controlSTANDS OUT | 227 (17%) | 60k–125k miles · around this mileage | — |
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 199 (15%) | 44k–103k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Exterior lightingSTANDS OUT | 194 (14%) | 59k–130k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Speed controlSTANDS OUT | 116 (9%) | 49k–102k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 133 (10%) | 52k–102k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Fuel system | 39 (3%) | 54k–104k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Wheels | 33 (2%) | 42k–102k miles · around this mileage | Wheel bearing / hub assembly replacement (one wheel) $230–$750 |
| Seats | 25 (2%) | 59k–101k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Traction control | 23 (2%) | 38k–103k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Air bags | 144 (11%) | 28k–86k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Engine | 125 (9%) | 54k–100k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Body structure | 44 (3%) | 60k–88k miles · mostly behind | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 101,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 1,363 complaints: 41 mention a crash · 14 mention a fire · 35 report an injury · 15 say the car was towed.
17 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Car hesitates to change gears at higher speeds and stalls after driving reasonably short distances. The driver front wheel bearings have been changed for only a few months and are already causing the same problem as before.
When my wife, two kids, and myself were driving to a friends house to take care of their pets, our chevy Malibu experienced a severe drop in power.
The rack and pinion on drivers side end rattles at slow speed. I have tried 3 different brand front brakes and all have squeaked,the transmission cooler line started leaking.the car has 69,000 on it as of now 1/26/2013.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 101,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu: 4
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, the air bag inflator may explode due to being overpressurized. If the inflator explodes, sharp metal fragments may strike the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The affected steering shafts may have a yoke that inadequately supports the u-joint bearing resulting in a premature failure. A joint bearing that fails prematurely may cause separation of the u-joint resulting in a complete loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
On these vehicles, the tabs on the transmission shift cable end may fracture and separate. If the tabs were to fracture and separate, the shift lever and the actual position of the transmission gear may not match.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Chevrolet: 392
Repair instructions Chevrolet sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal…
Internal Engine Noise or Damage After Oil Filter Replacement
Driveline Clunk Noise and what is acceptable and what is considered normal operation
Rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up
Neighbouring years
2009 Malibu: 1,510 complaints, keep it · 2011 Malibu: 978 complaints, keep it.
Every Chevrolet Malibu year
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Questions
Is the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu a bad year?
1,363 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Malibu years. At 101,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: steering (454), electrical system (295), stability control (227), brakes (199), exterior lighting (194).
How many recalls does the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu have?
4 recall campaigns list this model year: Air bags (NHTSA 19V-019), Steering (NHTSA 14E044000), Speed control (NHTSA 14V-252), Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 12V-460). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.