Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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. After starting the vehicle with the transmission in park(P), the gear shift indicator indicated that the transmission was in drive(D). The transmission was shifted into drive(D), and the vehicle jerked and the engine revved loudly, but the vehicle failed to move. The TPMS and check engine warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the gear shifter was loose while shifting, and the vehicle rolled forward while parked. The contact shifted the gear shifter back and forth and then shifted into park(P) before the proper gear was recognized. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V460000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle failed to properly accelerate with an unknown warning light illuminated. The contact was able to pull over on the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but was not diagnosed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 126,000.
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the gear shifter failed to shift into reverse as needed. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer to be diagnosed and was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 46,000.
Yes, the vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The failure of the power steering system made it extremely difficult to steer the vehicle, especially at lower speeds, which put my safety and the safety of others at risk by increasing the likelihood of an accident. It would turn on and go off by itself at random spurts, which was very unusual. No, the problem has not been reproduced by another dealer. The vehicle has not been inspected by the dealer's service department. As well as, not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives. No it just randomly had a warning light one day when I got in it to crank it like a normal day. But never warned me before hand, but when it did come on, But it appeared on the dashboard indicating a power steering issue, and abs and brake warning light. …
My airbag light just recently came on driver frontal airbag may explode NHTSA-19001900 Power steering NHTSA- 14E044000 u joint premature failure Electrical system all out of wack NHSTA-14V252000 bcm resistance result in voltage fluctuations in brake Power train- NHTSA 12V460000 4 speed automatic transmission the tabs on transmission shift cable end may fracture and separate
The passenger light beam will not come on it also messes with my radio it turns it to the aux I keep replacing the Bub in the harness and it's still not working not not to mention the car felt like a lost of power due to I guess the trance when turning a corner or pulling off. The air bag light comes on a few days and turn off.
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the steering wheel was extremely rough to turn. Additionally, the air bag warning light would illuminate intermittently and the battery continued to drain prematurely. The contact also stated that the rear suspension was unstable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times but the dealer was unable to diagnose the failure. The contact was traveling on the highway when the rear suspension failure recurred and the vehicle swayed violently toward the driver's side of the vehicle. The steering wheel seized and as the contact applied force to the steering wheel, the steering wheel seized and the contact crashed into a tree. The air bags only partially deployed. The driver sustained severe injuries and the jaws of life were used to remove an injured passenger from the vehicle. A police report was filed. …
On 9/15/15 I was making a right hand turn from a red light when I heard a loud pop or bang from my front end, when I stepped on the gas the car would not accelerate. My car was out of warranty so after complaining to the dealership and GM they finally had it towed to the dealer (after 2 weeks) to have it fixed or looked at. The check engine light that was on at the time reset it self but the 2codes found in the computer were the p0716 and p0717 transmission codes but since they were historic (which the check engine light has never come on except for the break light issue) the dealership said my car was fine. I picked it up and off I went. 12 days later the vehicle bucked making a left turn, and the vehicle would not accelerate and the check engine light was back on. I was forced to drive to the dealership when the vehicle would not come out of 1st gear. The transmission was shredded. …
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 . …
While driving down the highway in traffic, the transmission started to act like it was going into neutral, slipping shifts without power in the flow of traffic. With intermittent transmission power this caused a serious situation in traffic. I was luckily able to get out of traffic and limp it home. This transmission has 94,000 miles on it. I took the car to the Chevrolet dealer, they took the transmission apart and the transmission suffered the 3-5-r wave plate failure, the plate has a flaw that causes it to break apart and just chew up your transmission, this part is a common failure that breaks and a full rebuild of the transmission is required. The mechanic told me this is an engineering flaw and the new parts that are used to rebuild the transmission are re-engineered to fix the problem. …
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (PRNDL)
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.
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.
Transmission complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 133 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu, 10% of the model year's 1,363 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (13 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2010 Chevrolet Malibu transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 12V-460 (gear position indication (prndl), Sep 18, 2012). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2010 Chevrolet Malibu transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 74,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 4 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.