The Lemon Index

All cars · Chevrolet Malibu · 2010

2010 Chevrolet Malibu. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index82100 = average car
Complaints179NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold198,770U.S. model year
Per 100K sold90complaints
Year rank#10 of 23#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 5

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
2.4L 4-cylAuto (S6)FWD22 / 33 / 26Regular$2,400
2.4L 4-cylAuto 4-spdFWD22 / 30 / 25Regular$2,500
2.4L 4-cyl hybridAuto 4-spdFWD26 / 34 / 29Regular$2,150
3.5L 6-cylAuto 4-spdFWD18 / 29 / 22Regular$2,850
3.6L 6-cylAuto (S6)FWD17 / 26 / 20Regular$3,100

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 53,000 and 113,400 miles. Median 82,000, from 1,072 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Steering100,30075,000–135,000372
Electrical85,00054,100–122,700197
Stability control85,00058,200–123,500196
Lights96,60058,100–129,900136
Brakes73,40042,500–106,000136

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Airbags25%
Electrical14%
Steering13%
Brakes13%
Transmission & drivetrain11%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
1,365411435015

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 4

  • 19V019000 Jan 2019 Air Bags / Frontal / Driver Side / Inflator Module

    Defect. 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.

    Remedy. 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.

  • 14E044000 Jul 2014 Steering

    Defect. 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 Pontiac G6, and 2007-2009 Saturn Aura vehicles. The affected steering shafts may have a yoke that inadequately supports the u-joint bearing resulting in a premature failure.

    Risk. 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.

    Remedy. Dorman will notify owners, and dealers will refund the purchase price or replace the steering shafts, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492.

  • 14V252000 May 2014 Electrical System / Wiring

    Defect. 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 manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. 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. These fluctuations can cause one or

    Risk. Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.

    Remedy. GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General M

  • 12V460000 Sep 2012 Power Train / Automatic Transmission / Gear Position Indication (Prndl)

    Defect. 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 fracture and separate.

    Risk. If the tabs were to fracture and separate, the shift lever and the actual position of the transmission gear may not match. The driver would be able to move the shifter to 'PARK' and remove the ignition key, but the transmission gear may not be in 'PARK.' The vehicle may not be able to be restarted and the vehicle could roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible cr

    Remedy. GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a retainer over the cable end or replace the shift cable as necessary. This service will be performed free of charge. Notification to owners began on on November 9, 2012. Owners were instructed to not bring their vehicles for repair until January 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.

Manufacturer communications 1254

Chevy filed 1254 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • 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

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardNoNo

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
20078199128,312Steering
2008105186178,253Steering
200992119161,568Transmission & drivetrain
201082179198,770Airbags
201176185204,808Electrical
201287203210,952Electrical
201393236200,594Electrical

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

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