For those looking for a family-friendly and affordable car—and an option for a little power in the form of a V6 engine—the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu might just be your best bet. Everything about the Malibu is comfortable, from the spacious front and rear seats to the smooth acceleration. Plus, the price is right: between $2,000 and $8,000.

But nothing is perfect, and even the steady and strong Malibu has some problems drivers must contend with.

Jerry

, the

car insurance

shopping app, has your guide to the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu problems you should be aware of. Plus, everything you should know about finding a low

Chevrolet Malibu insurance cost

The most common 2010 Chevrolet Malibu problems

The 2010 Chevrolet Malibu is a domestic sedan with plenty to offer, including a standard six-speed automatic transmission on all trims—except the

—safety features like anti-lock disc brakes, stability and traction control, and OnStar emergency telematics; and an available V6 engine that gets up to 252 horsepower. Plus, the model has been a staple of the Chevy lineup for years, and one of the only midsize sedans from the maker setting the standard.

Its reputation precedes it as a solid and reliable family car, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some issues for you to be on the lookout for.

The 2010 Chevrolet Malibu has 1,285 complaints issued to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (

NHTSA

). That may seem like a lot, but keep in mind that these issues have been collected over the course of a decade as of 2022. As the 2010 models on the road get older, there are more likely to be age-related issues. No matter the reason, it's good to keep in mind exactly what those issues are so you can be prepared.

The most common complaints about the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu are about the steering, electrical system, electronic stability control, and exterior lighting. Of these, issues with the electric steering have been the biggest concern for drivers.

There have been four recalls for the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu since its release. Those include:

Driver's front airbag inflator might explode: Too much pressure in the airbag inflator may cause it to explode in the event that a crash triggers the airbag to be deployed.

U-joint in the steering shaft separates due to lack of support: This separation can lead to a complete loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Brake lights

randomly illuminate or turn off: Issues with voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit can cause brake lights to come on at random, or to not come on when the brake pedal is pushed. This can also lead to issues with cruise control and traction control.

Transmission shift cable detaching: This can cause a discrepancy between what the shift lever indicates and the actual position of the transmission gear. In some cases, this results in the car rolling away after they have turned off their car.

In addition, drivers have mentioned issues with the smoothness of the gear shift, visibility,

transmission fluid leaking

, and ease of getting into the vehicle.

MORE: Are Chevrolets expensive to maintain?

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Is the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?

Though it has its fair share of issues, the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu ranks high among midsize family sedans for reliability.

According to RepairPal, the Malibu ranks 9th out of 24 midsize cars, with a rating of 4.0 out of 5.0. Because it is over 10 years old, however, 2010 Malibus are more likely to visit the repair shop than newer models.

J.D. Power also gives the 2010 Malibu score of 83 out of 100 for reliability and quality. The score is attributed to a few things: the Malibu’s government 5-star safety rating, its six high-strength steel safety cage airbags, and the quality of the model for this score.

The overall cost of

car repairs

for a 2010 Malibu is $509. That’s about average for a sedan of its age according to ConsumerReports.com, which found the annual repair cost for a 10-year-old sedan to be around $409.

MORE:

The most common Chevrolet problems

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If you’re looking at getting the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu for your ride, it’s probably a relief to know that even these older models are reliable. To take that peace of mind even further, you can turn to

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