2010 Chevrolet Malibu Seats Problems
- Complaints
- 25about this part
- Share
- 2%of 1,363 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 72,560miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 25 complaints about the seats of the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu, 2% of the 1,363 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 72,560 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 5 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My wife had turned on the seat heater. After a period of time she felt the back of the seat getting very hot and then smelled something burning and saw smoke inside the car.. She leaned forward and then turned off the switch to the seat heater. I examined the seat and discovered a dime sized burn through hole in the seat. The burn trough is approximately shoulder high on the seat.”
NHTSA complaint #10706667, filed 2015-04, 52,000 miles“Faulty passenger presence module , airbag warning fault light on. . The dealership recommended the replacement of the module at my own expense of $800. I feel that my family and my safety is at risk due to a faulty design that GM is aware of with its airbag components. Airbags should be working for the life of the vehicle, and if they are failing the manufacturer should replace those faulty designed parts at no expense to the owners.”
NHTSA complaint #10957089, filed 2017-02, 85,000 miles“Stopped behind traffic and the vehicle behind me did not. Not sure how fast they were going, but fast enough to hit the rear of my car 2 times and push me into the vehicle in front of me. The problem is-- my air bags did not deploy. I am having issues with back and neck since the seat belt did not hold me in place. The drivers seat broke, but the passengers seat belt held, but no air bags.”
NHTSA complaint #10593551, filed 2014-05, 82,000 miles“I could smell a faint electrical smoke smell while the car was running, then the instrument panel quit working completely. I then also noticed the driver side seat also quit heating.”
NHTSA complaint #11388939, filed 2021-01, 155,000 miles“While driving my vehicle, the power assisted front seat moved forward approximately 1/4 to 1/2 inch on the right portion of the seat. This also happened when turning the vehicle as well, e.g. If to the left the right portion of the seat would move forward, if the turn was to the right the right portion of the seat would move back. Eventually the driver's seat sloped downward to the right. This created a hazardous situation while driving. I have owned many cars and never once have I had a seat break like this. Apparently this is a problem with GM vehicles from what I have been able to read. …”
NHTSA complaint #10735289, filed 2015-07, 59,450 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11000158May 1, 2024This service bulletin includes information on Interior Cleaning - Instrument Panel (IP), Hard or Plastic Surfaces, Seats, Carpet, Leather, Vinyl, Fabric Cleaner, Stain Remover…
Seats: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 | 5% |
| 2022 | 1 | 1% |
| 2021 | 1 | 1% |
| 2018 | 2 | 0% |
| 2017 | 6 | 1% |
| 2016 | 6 | 1% |
| 2015 | 10 | 4% |
| 2014 | 6 | 2% |
| 2013 | 23 | 3% |
| 2012 | 36 | 4% |
| 2011 | 38 | 4% |
| 2010 | 25 | 2% |
| 2009 | 30 | 2% |
| 2008 | 8 | 1% |
| 2007 | 16 | 2% |
| 2006 | 8 | 1% |
| 2005 | 62 | 6% |
| 2004 | 69 | 6% |
| 2003 | 2 | 0% |
| 2001 | 5 | 1% |
| 2000 | 2 | 0% |
| 1999 | 3 | 0% |
| 1998 | 6 | 1% |
| 1997 | 4 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu
454 complaintsElectrical system
295 complaintsElectronic stability control
227 complaintsBrakes
199 complaintsExterior lighting
194 complaintsAir bags
144 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
133 complaintsVehicle speed control
116 complaintsEngine
115 complaintsOther or unknown
87 complaintsBody and structure
44 complaintsFuel system
39 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology