2010 Chevrolet Malibu Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 133about this part
- Share
- 10%of 1,363 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 74,200miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 133 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu, 10% of the 1,363 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 74,200 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Car just stopped without warning! Very scary situation! Fortunately no other car crashed into me but that would've been a likely scenario. Not only a costly repair but an extreme safety issue. $3400 to repair! Apparently and unfortunately I'm not alone. Chevy should step up and help us all out. Like many others, never a chevy again!”
NHTSA complaint #11141680, filed 2018-10, 99,300 miles“Driving on the freeway going 60 and the car started revving really high until I got my speed down to forty and it wouldn't go more than 40. When I stopped to let car cool and I restarted it, I drove it around the block a few times and it started the same revving and not going faster tnan 40. I tried to back the car into my driveway and it would not go.”
NHTSA complaint #11034129, filed 2017-10, 250 miles“Over a period of about a month, 2010 chevy Malibu began losing power steering. I would turn off car to restart electrical system, it worked for a couple of weeks. Then power steering went out completely. Repair shop informed me of extended warranty for the car but unfortunately it expired 3 days after my problem occurred. Loss of power steering happens when in motion, when starting car and when parked. Shaking wheel.”
NHTSA complaint #11311561, filed 2020-02, 126,000 miles“Was driving on the freeway and my transmission randomly went out. It was slipping with RPM going out of control. Once this started happening my speed and acceleration were not synchronizing so I had to exit. It was a very scary experience and then the check engine light went on. My car is fairly new and had been kept up to par so this came out of nowhere.”
NHTSA complaint #10855174, filed 2016-04, 70,000 miles“Takata recall my car made a hum sound while accelerating when I just got in it on my 2 minute journey home. While going straight, the car no longer continued to accelerate and stopped on the street. After restarting the car, the engine light turned on and would still not move in any gear.”
NHTSA complaint #11184962, filed 2019-03, 105,470 milesRelated recalls
- 12V460000Sep 18, 2012General 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…Covers: Chevrolet Malibu 2008–2010, Saturn Aura 2007–2010, Pontiac G6 2008–2010
Related service bulletins
- 11011205Oct 28, 2024This informational bulletin explains Unscheduled Supplemental Services and the importance of GM Simplified Maintenance Schedules.
- 11010651Oct 10, 2024This service bulletin informs the technician of an alternate lift procedure that has been developed when the lift plate does not fit the top of the transmission case for 6T30…
- 11009756Sep 17, 2024This bulletin provides information on Policies Applicable to All U.S. Dealers for Engine and Transmission Assembly Replacement Under Warranty, Policy or Customer Enthusiasm and…
- 11009088Sep 16, 2024This service bulletin provides information on some vehicles that may rock or move slightly forward or rearward while in Park at start up after cold soak. This condition may be…
- 11006421Jul 24, 2024GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or…
- 11005311Jul 9, 2024This service bulletin provides information on Driveline Clunk Noise and what is acceptable and what is considered normal operation.
- 11001321May 16, 2024This bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of water or ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
- 11000119Apr 26, 2024This service bulletin provides technicians with information to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak, and what is considered fluid seepage.
- 10250347Feb 2, 2024This Warranty Admin service bulletin provides guidelines for Dealers Not Required and for Dealers Required to Contact the PQC for engine or transmission assembly replacement and…
- 10249579Jan 12, 2024This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 8% |
| 2024 | 6 | 14% |
| 2023 | 8 | 11% |
| 2022 | 24 | 24% |
| 2021 | 28 | 31% |
| 2020 | 59 | 30% |
| 2019 | 68 | 35% |
| 2018 | 171 | 24% |
| 2017 | 139 | 20% |
| 2016 | 166 | 20% |
| 2015 | 31 | 11% |
| 2014 | 52 | 15% |
| 2013 | 54 | 6% |
| 2012 | 49 | 5% |
| 2011 | 112 | 11% |
| 2010 | 133 | 10% |
| 2009 | 121 | 8% |
| 2008 | 86 | 9% |
| 2007 | 47 | 5% |
| 2006 | 43 | 4% |
| 2005 | 65 | 7% |
| 2004 | 64 | 6% |
| 2003 | 13 | 2% |
| 2002 | 5 | 1% |
| 2001 | 18 | 3% |
| 2000 | 26 | 3% |
| 1999 | 21 | 3% |
| 1998 | 50 | 5% |
| 1997 | 9 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu
454 complaintsElectrical system
295 complaintsElectronic stability control
227 complaintsBrakes
199 complaintsExterior lighting
194 complaintsAir bags
144 complaintsVehicle speed control
116 complaintsEngine
115 complaintsOther or unknown
87 complaintsBody and structure
44 complaintsFuel system
39 complaintsWheels
33 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