2010 Chevrolet MALIBU
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2010 Chevrolet MALIBU has 2200 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 3.9x the segment average of 561. The most common issue is steering problems (21% of all complaints), specifically: can someone please see if the 2010 chevrolet malibu has the same steering as the cobalt? i have owned this car for 1 month now and have the same issue. problem: over 45mph there is a disconnected feeling in the steering. on rough roads or on a windy day the car is hard to keep in your lane. i hav. There are 4 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 8 fire reports filed.
2200
Total Complaints
4
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
3.9x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
STEERING
454 complaints- • CAN SOMEONE PLEASE SEE IF THE 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU HAS THE SAME STEERING AS THE COBALT? I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR FOR 1 MONTH NOW AND HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. PROBLEM: OVER 45MPH THERE IS A DISCONNECTED FEELING IN THE STEERING. ON ROUGH ROADS OR ON A WINDY DAY THE CAR IS HARD TO KEEP IN YOUR LANE. I HAV
- • RENTED A BRAND NEW (45 MILES) 2010 CHEVY MALIBU. SEVERAL TIMES OVER 4 DAYS, THE POWER STEERING WOULD GIVE OUT BRIEFLY. THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING IN MOUNTAIN ROADS AND COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS. I RETURNED THE CAR WITH A NOTE TO THE RENTAL COMPANY. *TR
- • TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE ESC SERVICE WARNING AND POWER STEERING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE STEERING WHEEL THEN BECAME EXTREMELY STIFF AND DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE SHE WAS
“CAN SOMEONE PLEASE SEE IF THE 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU HAS THE SAME STEERING AS THE COBALT? I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR FOR 1 MONTH NOW AND HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. PROBLEM: OVER 45MPH THERE IS A DISCONNECTED FEELING IN THE STEERING. ON ROUGH ROADS OR ON A WINDY DAY THE CAR IS HARD TO KEEP IN YOUR LANE. I HAV”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2010 Chevrolet MALIBU
Based on 1,697 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 82K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.
SUSPENSION
TIRES
SPEED CONTROL
FUEL SYSTEM
DOORS/LATCHES
ELECTRICAL
Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.
Recalls (4)
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.
Risk: If the inflator explodes, sharp metal fragments may strike the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: GM has notified owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall began February 25, 2019. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-522-9559. GM's number for this recall is N182206630.
Above-average theft risk
The Chevrolet MALIBU was the #19 most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025, with approximately 5,300 thefts reported to law enforcement.
Notes: Popular midsize sedan
Source: NICB Hot Wheels 2025 report + HLDI theft loss studies. Model-year ranking; not all years of this model have identical risk.
Charging Cost Calculator for 2010 Chevrolet MALIBU
Live EIA pricesBased on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2010 Chevrolet MALIBU
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Chevrolet MALIBU Service Intervals
GM Oil Life System dynamically calculates oil change interval. DEXOS-approved oil required.
"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.
Chevrolet New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
These are the terms for a new Chevrolet. If you're buying a used 2010 MALIBU, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Chevrolet dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.
EV Incentives for 2010 Chevrolet MALIBU
Updated 2026-07Federal Tax Credit (Section 30D) — Expired 2025-09-30
Section 30D new clean vehicle credit ($7,500 max) expired for vehicles acquired after Sept 30, 2025 per Public Law (One Big Beautiful Bill Act). Vehicles acquired on or before that date remain eligible on the buyer's 2025 return. No federal purchase credit exists for post-9/30/2025 acquisitions.
State-Level Incentives (Still Active in 14 States)
Source: US Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center + state DOR / DEQ program pages. Program details and eligibility limits change frequently — always verify with the linked source before purchase.
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 2200 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐STEERING: CAN SOMEONE PLEASE SEE IF THE 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU HAS THE SAME STEERING AS THE COBALT? I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR FOR 1 MONTH NOW AND HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. PROBLEM: OVER 45MPH THERE IS A DISCONNECTED FEELING IN THE STEERING. ON ROUGH ROADS OR ON A WINDY DAY THE CAR IS HARD TO KEEP IN YOUR LANE. I HAV
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ELECTRICAL: I BOUGHT A 2010 CHEVY MALIBU IN NOVEMBER OF 2010 AND THE CAR ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN JANUARY OF 2010. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY WHILE I WAS SLEEPING. AT APPROXIMATELY 9 P.M. MY NEIGHBORS AWAKE ME TO NOTIFY ME THAT MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. THEY HAD CALLED 911 AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD SHOWN
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS: I PURCHASED THE 2010 MALIBU, USED FROM THE DEALERSHIP- THEY WERE THE OWNERS PREVIOUSLY. I PURCHASED IT IN OCT. 2011 AND HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP 8 TIMES IN THE 9 MONTHS OF OWNING IT. ONE TIME THE ENTIRE DRIVER SIDE FLOOR HAD 1+ INCHES OF STANDING WATER IN IT, AFTER A RAIN. THE ESC LIGHT CONTI
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐BRAKES: VERY DELAYED RESPONSE TO BRAKING. I WAS ABOUT FOUR CARS AWAY WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKE. I WAS GOING ABOUT 40MPH WHEN I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKE. VEHICLE KEPT ROLLING UNTIL EVENTUALLY IT HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. IT FELT LIKE I WAS JUST DRIVING WITH THE FOOT ON THE GAS VERY SLOWLY. ITS IN THE SHOP NOW BEI
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 4 recalls have been completed — free at any Chevrolet dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Chevrolet MALIBU — Year Comparison
How does 2010 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 2200
- Recalls
- 4
- Fire reports
- 8
- Crash reports
- 56
- Injury reports
- 63
- Segment avg
- 561
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2010 Chevrolet MALIBU