The Lemon Index2010 Chevrolet Malibu.
The 2010 Chevrolet Malibu is better than average by owner complaints: 179 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 82, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about airbags, it has 4 recalls, and it gets 20 to 29 mpg combined. The best Chevrolet Malibu year is 2022.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 1,365 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Chevrolet Malibu year. 2010 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 53K to 113K miles on the car (1,072 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- steering complaints mostly came at 75K–135K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 54K–122K miles
- stability control complaints mostly came at 58K–123K miles
Recalls 4
- airbags 2019
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, the air bag inflator may explode due to being overpressurized.
- steering 2014
The affected steering shafts may have a yoke that inadequately supports the u-joint bearing resulting in a premature failure.
- electrical 2014
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.
Show all 4 recalls
- transmission & drivetrain 2012
On these vehicles, the tabs on the transmission shift cable end may fracture and separate.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 1254 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- The air bag light comes on intermittently with a couple trouble codes present
- The vehicle won't start or crank
- Due to low level water leak, in ip structure, a message is displayed about power steering
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2200–3200 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Service airbag indicator light on my 2010 chevy Malibu keeps coming on and going out.
2010 Chevrolet Malibu owner · NHTSA complaint 10420782
More owner reports
It was raining and my windshield wiper blades were on .immediately the blades stop working. L almost hit the fence because l could not see. My car is just 3years old , l do not understand why the blades will stop working.
NHTSA complaint 10525760
Rpm lights up..each time I start ignition..tech unable to find problem.
NHTSA complaint 10355889
Quick answers
Is the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.2× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 82; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Chevrolet Malibu year by this measure is 2022.
What are the most common 2010 Chevrolet Malibu problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (25%), electrical (14%) and steering (13%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu have?
4 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu get?
20 to 29 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2010 Chevrolet Malibu problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 53,000 and 113,400 miles. The middle report was at 82,000 miles, from 1,072 complaints.
Does the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 11% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu cost in fuel a year?
About $2200 to $3200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu have?
2.4L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl.
What Chevrolet Malibu year is better than the 2010?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2022, 2014 and 2015.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works