2010 Chevrolet Malibu driver assistance & safety tech problems

Related recalls

• Recall 14V252000May 14, 20142,440,524 vehicles
  ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING · ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH · VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

  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 more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.

  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 Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.

What owners say

1. Filed Jul 23, 2026160,000 miTXDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical SystemAcceleration & Cruise Control

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11752487 · source
2. Filed May 19, 2025VABrakesDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

   The issue I'm having is the traction light is on and my rear break lights stay on constantly. I took the car to a shop and had the break light switch replaced. Two days later the lights was back on. I did some research and there was a recall for the exact issue I'm have (NHTSA14V252) when I gave the Chevrolet dealership my VIN they said there were no recalls but there was three recalls but they are no longer open. Is there any thing I can do? Please help

   NHTSA complaint #11661972 · source
3. Filed Mar 18, 2025140,000 miTXDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical SystemLighting

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11649038 · source
4. Filed Dec 19, 2022265,000 miLADriver Assistance & Safety TechEngine

   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,…

   NHTSA complaint #11498043 · source
5. Filed Nov 9, 2021NYDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical SystemSteering

   Had test drove the vehicle everything was fine, picked the vehicle up and drove it home everything was fine, parked in the back of my house the car sat over night I go to pull it out the drive way, the power steering has gotten stuck and I mean it was STUCK!, the “power steering” light came on the dash so I tried my best to turn to just pull it back in the driveway. It was so hard to turn I thought I would brake the steering wheel. Another thing whenever I ride over a bump…

   NHTSA complaint #11439820 · source
6. Filed Jun 5, 2021CABrakesDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

   Recently I was almost rear-ended a few times and got curious as to why?? Well yesterday I was following my 2010 Chevy Malibu in another car and noticed that my brake lights stay on when I'm driving and go off when I brake. Very dangerous! I have read other complaints regarding this issue and I think a recall needs to be issued on these cars. It had also disabled my cruise control.

   NHTSA complaint #11419747 · source
7. Filed Sep 14, 2020NCDriver Assistance & Safety TechSteering

   Tl* the contact owns a 2010 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, the check engine warning light illuminated intermittently. The contact also stated while driving 40 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to turn with the service traction control warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that after starting the vehicle, she was unable to shift out of park. The contact stated she was able to shift into drive gear after 2 hours. The vehicle was…

   NHTSA complaint #11354974 · source
8. Filed Jun 26, 2020145,000 miILDriver Assistance & Safety TechSteering

   We have replaced the electric power steering (eps) torque sensor twice, with differing brands (ac delco, and can't remember the other). Since it's an issue with the eps, the traction control is out/disabled as well. The car feels like it could be potentially dangerous to drive, considering it's a full size sedan and the operator is 115lbs with her children in the car. It's exceptionally difficult to steer at slower speeds, and almost impossible parked. The dealership she…

   NHTSA complaint #11331025 · source
9. Filed May 5, 202035,000 miTXDriver Assistance & Safety TechLightingTransmission & Drivetrain

   In 2012, we were driving along and attempted to back into a parking spot, when the car refused to reverse. It started going slower than the usual speed limit, so i didn't know what to do. I pulled out to head home, but the car didn't get much speed, nor would it reverse at all. I had it towed and the transmission was burned out. I'd only had the car less than 30,000 miles. Chevrolet repaired or rebuilt the transmission. A year later, i was pulled over due to the tail lights…

   NHTSA complaint #11323439 · source
10. Filed Mar 24, 2020135,000 miWVDriver Assistance & Safety TechSteering

    While driving on the interstate, in a curve, the power steering quit working, the wheels turned straight and i had to slam on my brakes to avoid hitting the barrier wall. After turning the car off and restarting it, the power steering began working again. The power steering now quits working after a mile of driving, only to start working again after a restart of the engine. This has been happening for around 20,000 miles.

    NHTSA complaint #11319132 · source
11. Filed Mar 17, 2020120,000 miVADriver Assistance & Safety TechSteering

    When i started the car the steering wheel twitches on its own and when i'm driving the steering wheel gets stiff and it says serivce esc/powersteering.

    NHTSA complaint #11318364 · source
12. Filed Feb 21, 2020200,000 miCADriver Assistance & Safety TechSteering

    On the dash power steering warning comes on along with service esc then esc is off. This has been happening while driving. The power steering will cut off.. Also of i'm idle the steering wheel will start jerking by its self

    NHTSA complaint #11310479 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology