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2010 Chevrolet Malibu lights problems

195 complaints (14% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 97,145. 2 crashes reported.

owner complaints
195
of this car's complaints
14%
typical mileage
97,145
crashes
2
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Brake lights
    13
  • Headlights
    4
  • Hazard flashing warning lights
    1
  • Brake lights: switch
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Chevrolet Malibu lights problems in other years

199720002005201020152023

Specific symptoms reported on the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu lights

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Headlights 95

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2010 Chevrolet Malibu owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jan 7, 2026 · Acceleration, Electrical · 270,000 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that under previous vehicle ownership, the vehicle was repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V252000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting, Vehicle Speed Control, Electronic Stability Control (ESC); however, the recall repair failed to prevent a failure. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the rear brake light failed to illuminate as intended; however, when the brake pedal was released, the brake lights would illuminate. No warning lights were illuminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 270,000.

Filed Mar 18, 2025 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 140,000 miles · TX

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 persisted. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V252000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting, Vehicle Speed Control, Electronic Stability Control (ESC); however, the failure persisted. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the failure might be related to the brake sensors. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

Filed Dec 22, 2024 · Brakes, Electrical · MI

This is in reference to GM Recall Number: 13036 - I noticed that from time to time the service traction warning comes on, service esc warning comes on, my cruise control stops working suddenly. I didn't think anything of it until I finally noticed my brake lights were illuminated in my back window without my foot being on the brake pedal. I replaced the sensor on the brake pedal hoping that would fix it and it did not. I looked up my VIN for active recalls and for some reason it's saying there are none. This is clearly the recall that is listed. I'm worried I'll be driving and someone may either rear end me or get confused thinking I'm braking when I am not. Very unsafe. I'm just unsure what to do. Any help would be appreciated as I need a vehicle and can't be without one.

Filed Jan 19, 2024 · Brakes, Electrical · MO

My 2010 Chevy Malibu randomly started having electrical problems a few weeks ago. My gauge cluster lights will not turn on and I cannot see my blinkers or other information I need in the gauge cluster. The gauge cluster lights wont come on so I cannot see how fast i am going at night. The brake lights illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed. The car is difficult to get out of park. After researching the problems I found that GM has issued recalls for the BCM on Chevrolet Malibus recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012. I then contacted my local chevy dealership and they told me my vehicles VIN does not fall under the recall they issued so I would have to pay to have the problems addressed. I explained to the dealership that this is a well known issue and how unsafe that it is and they then told me “There is nothing we do about it.”. I do not feel safe driving the vehicle and I feel that these issues that it is having will put my life at risk and others because these malfunctions will obviously increase the risk of a crash. I feel that it is wrong to have a customer pay for repairs on a part of a vehicle that has recalls and is a crucial safety component.

Filed Oct 23, 2023 · Lights · MI

The headlights will repeatedly stop working. I got both headlight bulbs replaced and two months later the passenger side low beam light was flickering. it would sometimes come back on if a bump in the road was hit or if it was tapped then it went out completely. This is very costly and unsafe to be driving at night with. It is most likely a problem with the headlight assembly. I have had the vehicle inspected multiple times and there was not anything reported to me. I can not afford to keep spending hundreds of dollars over and over again on the same issue. This is a continuous issue that I have seen in many other Chevy malibus and this needs to be fixed immediately.

Filed Sep 28, 2023 · Lights · CA

The issue is that there are times when the brake lights kick on when I’m not braking and they stay on and when I brake they turn off. I’m at risk and so are the people who drive in back of me. The lights kick on and they don’t know when I’m actively braking. I took it to the Merle stone a year ago now and they “fixed it” but it still occurred. No warning lamps/lights. It was my moms car before it became mine and she’s told me that when she drove it, it was already happening before it was gifted to me so I can’t pinpoint exactly when it started happening. I’ve searched the internet and I’ve came upon stories of other people with this same make and model have the same issue. I currently don’t that the invoice of when they “fixed” the issue but I could always contact the Merle stone and get a copy emailed (hopefully) if needed.

Filed Jun 10, 2023 · Electrical, Lights · AZ

Passenger side low beam headlight wiring harness connector keeps melting even after replacement. Noticed online that many owners are experiencing the same issue. Replaced harness multiple times and same issue reoccurs after two to three weeks of use.

Filed Dec 6, 2022 · Electrical, Lights · OH

I drive down the road and the brake lights come on I hit the brake then they go off. Randomly when I drive service esc service traction come on but as soon as I turn the car off and back on it is gone. Cruise control stopped working as well.

Filed Oct 30, 2022 · Airbags, Lights · AL

Dealer not assisting in recall repairs that weren’t corrected.

Filed Aug 20, 2022 · Brakes, Electrical · TX

The brakes are doing the same thing that was recalled and repaired back in 2014. They are illuminating while driving down the road and turn off while I hit the brakes. I have been pulled over several times and cannot get my car inspected without getting this corrected. I have bought several parts trying to repair this but the parts are not correcting the problem. Cruise control, stability control and sever other functions are not working either all of them are related to the same recall issued back in 2014. Is there any kind of warranty on the recall that was repaired?

Questions about the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu lights

Does the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu have lights problems?

Owners have filed 195 complaints about the lights of the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu, 14% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2010 Chevrolet Malibu lights problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 97,145 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu lights?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Chevrolet Malibu have the most lights problems?

The Chevrolet Malibu model years with the most lights complaints are 2000 (241 complaints), 2012 (202 complaints) and 2010 (195 complaints).

Other 2010 Chevrolet Malibu problems

Steering 454Electrical 295Driver assistance 244Brakes 199Airbags 144Transmission 133Engine 126Acceleration 116Body 44Fuel system 39Wheels 33Seats 25Visibility 24Locks 17Seat belts 16Suspension 13Tires 7

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