Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).
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.
I purchase the 2010 Chevy malibu, 6/2013. The service traction lights comes on periodically until I am forced to take it in for service. I had to take the car in for this same problem at least 4 times, more or less, also the last time I took the car in, the technician was not able to reset the sensors. A more seasoned tech had to reset the sensors. I am filing a report, because this cost me money every time I take it to the dealer and it is certain a safety issue for me to continue to drive the car with the service traction light coming on and off and stationary at times. It appears to be a defect in the auto system. I should not be required to have to take the car in every year for the same problem and putting myself and others at risk. [redacted]
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. …
Wheel- "crack in rim" we purchase a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu in 2013 from ivory Chevrolet in union city, ga. Notice over time that passage tire kept going low, replace tire 2 twice, finally in 2015 bought all new tires from sears to resolve the problem but the passage side kept losing pressure, complaint to sear it not their tires but maybe a crack in rim. Bought a new rim for passage side now the driver side started doing the same thing when back to sear, it not the tire but the wheel has a crack also, call GM on 12/28/2015 the rep send me to bellamy strickland they stated "parts: 131139 wheel leaking from center piece where attached to outer rim, case number 8-1731278803, no case in system for steel wheels leaking recommended to replace wheel for $233.84". I have replace the right wheel (rim) now the left wheel is crack. …
I was driving down a city street when all of a sudden I lost the ability to steer my escl came on. My wheels locked up.I just bought the car in August and have had nothing but problems with it and I'm now concerned as well about airbag safety I'm scared about how risky and dangerous this car really is Malibu is most recalled vehicles had I known ahead I would never have purchased this deadly weapon. I'm 22 a single mom who is responsible and now have a vehicle issue and a potential deadly one at that . Please do something it's not an error on my end I know that for fact. And of course there's no driving it at all. So please take time to take this matter serious god bless
I found a complaint before about the power steering going out on my car. Today is October 17th 2018 the incident happened at about 5:50 in the morning my wife was driving to work in the vehicle on the freeway and the power steering went out again and the wheel locked up and turnt the car onto a construction she was able to stop the vehicle. She tells me that every light came on and started flashing then it went away and said ese, no power steering, service, no traction. She turned off the vehicle and started it back up and everything worked again, this has happened more than one time and each year is happening more and more.
One of my new tires continually deflate. After taking to tire co. 6of8wks to get air, I was told I have a cracked wheel and will pay $500 for a used wheel or up to $1000 for authorized dealer to replace it. I pay $50 extra f/platinum warranty and had to pay for airbag svc'ing to get inspection--and $100 deductible from warranty company. In 2yrs, I've paid $1200 f/warranty plus $150 deductible@authorized service ctr-pinkerton chev in lynchburg, va-and it took 3 weeks that I had to bum a ride to work or pay a cab. Now, I'm riding on a "donut" and my gas mileage is <8mpg........w/a $389 car note and $200 car insurance note.
1) GM is covering up a defect in rims ( not completely welded, I have the rim as evidence) 2) currently my service ESC, traction, air bag lights are all on ( so is my air bag gonna explode? Is my car not stable enough to be driven?) 3) 2011 I paid to have my car fixed because the brake lights stayed on. ( maybe had 3000 miles) 4) my brake lights currently stay on.( aprox 70,000 miles) 5) I have contacted GM several times, have not spoke to anyone. 6) when the car behind me can not tell if I am stopping because my lights stay on and I am killed along with the person behind me... Maybe someone will listen.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu equipped with four hankook optimo h727 tires, size: 225/50r/18 (na). Upon inspection, it was discovered that the front driver side tire experienced tread cracking and tread surface dilapidation of the inner edge. There was also exposed steel belts and evidence of bubbling. The failure was reported to the dealer (Apple bees automotive located in fox point, wi) where it was diagnosed that the tire appeared to be defective. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The tire failure mileage was 40,000 and vehicle failure mileage was 150,000.
2010 Chevrolet Malibu manufacturer steel wheel are defected, and Chevrolet GM will not take responsibility for this manufacturing defect in the molding of the steel, at a cost of $233.84 from the dealers to replace. Customer service send me to bellamy strickland in mcdonough, ga and they also found the crack in the steel rim. There are many consumer complaints about this problem, dated as far back as 2008 from consumers. This will be the second steel rim I will need to replace at my expense. This is a hazardous and dangerous for the owner/driver and the public.
Wheel & Tire complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are wheel & tire problems on the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 39 complaints about the wheels & tires of the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu, 3% of the model year's 1,363 complaints. The component named most often is pressure monitoring and regulating systems (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2010 Chevrolet Malibu wheel & tire problems?
No. NHTSA lists no wheels & tires 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 wheel & tire problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles, and 26% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to wheels & tires 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.