Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2010 Chevrolet Malibu owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact had been informed by other drivers that the brake lights failed to illuminate as intended while driving. Additionally, the contact stated that the brake lights randomly illuminated while driving. The traction control warning light was illuminated intermittently, causing the cruise control to become inoperable. The contact stated that as an independent mechanic, he had replaced the brake sensors twice; however, the failure persisted. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V252000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting, Vehicle Speed Control, Electronic Stability Control (ESC); however, the failure persisted. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the failure might be related to the brake sensors. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. …
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that after driving for 5 miles, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode, with the message "Service Traction" displayed. The contact stated that the vehicle operated as intended after cooling down; however, the failure recurred after driving 5 miles. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with high resistance in the BCM harness. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC); which was previously performed on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed that the recall repair was a one-time free-of-charge repair. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving over rough roads, the vehicle displayed a Service Traction, Service EFC and EFC Off, and Engine Power Reduced messages. After coming to a complete stop and then the attempting to accelerate, the vehicle started to jerk. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who replaced the accelerator pedal twice however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was returned to the certified mechanic, and it was determined that water was leaking into the wiring harness and the wiring harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 265,000.
I have had many issues with the cam shaft sensors/actuators on my 2010 Chevy Malibu and have had to have them replaced now 3 times. When this occurs my car seems to surge and sounds like it is going to turn off. The first time was in January, 2014. I was at a busy intersection and was afraid it was going to die right there in the middle of taking off. Somehow I made it a few more miles down the road before there was no other option but to pull over. I paid to have this fixed. The second time this occurred was in July, 2015. I was 6 states away from home and again was at a busy intersection when it began to surge and sounded like it was going to die. We made it to an auto store where the sparks plugs were changed and thankfully, we were able to make it home. However, after being home 1 week, I noticed the surging again and took it to a mechanic to have it looked at. …
Right now I have the service ESC and service traction light on again for the 3rd time. I took each time to Chevy classic in grapevine tx and they told me no codes the 1st time, took it to clay cooley in irving--light came on then no codes they showed. Today 4-15=16 light came on again and I took it to classic Chevy and they found 3 codes this time. They say I will have to pay for this! I should not since there was an open recall on 5/14/2014 for 2010 Malibu's. My car is doing this now !@!!@ it needs to be fixed at no charge to me!! I feel like this is the most dangerous car on the road for me and my daughter. I don't want to be a statistic if we have a car crash and it was all because Chevy kept making excuses to not fix my crap car for me. The other recall was the brake system not illuminating I got that letter a little too late . …
Vehicle was moving at about 35 MPH when the drivers information center indicated a electronic stability service, traction control service and ESC off messages. This happened multiple times over a two day period. Car was taken to dealer for diagnostics and they said that the computer had stored a p0300 code which is engine misfire. The engine runs fine however there is a slight vibration at idle while in park or neutral. GM also sent out a letter to me stating that there was a problem with the throttle posistion sensor that May cause this to happen. The dealer did not attempt to diagnos the problem with the sensor and stated that the engine had a bad #2 cyclinder with compression at 100lbs. The p0300 code can be caused by the various electronic messages that have appeared and the engine is not the problem. …
1 year ago my car flashed ESC service traction control reduce engine power and reduced my spend to 40mph on a busy interstate! Called GM stated what happen and I knew they had a recall but of course my cars VIN was not included in the recall. Brought the car to a local GM dealer ship to put on machine to see if any codes would show up nothing came up!!! I was told the message would have to be showing to service vehicle. Well here we are a year later with the car in the shop because my car reduces engine power without warning stalls and my ESC service traction reduce engine power came on message board but did not stay after I turned key of course because it shut the car off after 2-5 minutes. I have video of it reading ESC traction service but that does not help! Car now needs a new timing chain and has metal in the oil! …
Issue started 08/27/16 while 19 year old was driving at night. As the brake pedal is compressed the brake lights go off. While driving they are on. Service traction and ESC warnings come on intermittently. I have contacted Chevrolet and have been advised there is not an open recall for this vehicle. A case has been opened with the manufacturer. I have been driving the vehicle several times and have almost been rear ended several times due to this issue. The vehicle is scheduled for inspection and maintenance 09/01/16 at miller and sons Chevrolet. They have been advised of the issue. I have a suspicion this is a recurring issue on a previous recall (14V252000) after seeing some recent complaints from those whom have had the issue fixed the first time. This is the 5 time in 2 months I have had to have this vehicle in the shop. Once for intake and exhaust solenoid replacement. …
While driving at 60mpg car rpg dropped to nothing, couldn't use the accelerator. Able to move to the side of the road. Got it going again then not even 5 mins later car started shaking badly, couldn't use the accelerator, pulled over. Dash flashes with ESC. Service, traction control, engine reduced and check engine light comes on. This problem has been on going for well over a year. Has nothing to do with colder months, first time it happened it was September. Went out today to warm up my car as it was iced and snowed over, while cleaning it off it was fine. Came back inside to finish getting ready to go and when I came out to my car, it was shaking, RPM was bouncing between 1-3, all the notices were on the dash again. Took it for a drive around the block to see if it would resolve, couldn't get it to go above 15 mpg. …
Electric power steering stopped working on match 18, 2019. I was turning right onto busy 4 lane city street from a parking lot, speed < 5 MPH. Could not turn into right lane, struggled to swing car into left lane w/o crossing median. It was not simply a loss of power steering. I've driven old cars that never had power steering and this was 10 times more difficult to steer. I think I strained a muscle in my shoulder. Turning did not get easier as I accelerated, eventually to abt 40 MPH. Struggled through 3 more hair raising turns (all turns made) before parking it at home. The ESC/TCS indicator came on in the parking lot and stayed on. Error msgs displayed were power steering, service ESC, service air bag. I heard no chimes. We gave my daughter this used car in 2015. She had complained a couple of weeks prior that steering sometimes became difficult. …
Traction Control complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are traction control problems on the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 240 complaints about the stability & traction control of the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu, 18% of the model year's 1,363 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2010 Chevrolet Malibu traction control problems?
No. NHTSA lists no stability & traction control recall for the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2010 Chevrolet Malibu traction control problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 85,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 4 injuries to stability & traction control problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.