How many engine complaints does the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu have?

NHTSA lists 222 engine complaints for the 2010 Malibu, which is 16% of the 1,359 total complaints filed for that model year.

Is there a recall for the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu engine?

No related recalls are listed in the NHTSA data for the engine problem area on the 2010 Malibu.

At what mileage do 2010 Malibu engine problems typically show up?

The median mileage at failure for engine complaints on the 2010 Malibu is 70,200 miles, though some owners reported issues within the first few hundred miles.

What kind of engine issues do owners report on the 2010 Malibu?

Owners describe stalling at speed, sudden loss of power with the check engine light on, startup vibration and rattling noise, and unexpected acceleration or lurching during shifts.

Were there any crashes or fires linked to engine complaints?

NHTSA data shows 4 crashes, 2 fires, and 3 injuries associated with the 222 engine complaints for the 2010 Malibu.

2010 Chevrolet Malibu Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 222 engine complaints for the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu, 16% of all 1,359 complaints filed for the year. Owners reported stalling, sudden loss of power, and rough running, with a median failure mileage of 70,200. No engine-related recalls are on file for this model year.

Engine complaints: 222; 16% of 1,359
Crashes reported: 4
Fires reported: 2
Injuries reported: 3
Median mileage: 70,200 mi
Related recalls: 0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

Engine stalls suddenly at speed, sometimes above 25 mph, with steering and braking becoming harder to control immediately after.
Vehicle loses power or drops from higher speed to a crawl unexpectedly while the check engine light comes on, in one case traced to coolant leaking onto electrical wiring.
New vehicles with very low mileage show strong vibration at startup and rattling noise during acceleration, with owners describing the engine as feeling like it might stop running.
Some owners report the vehicle accelerating on its own or lurching into gear during shifts around certain speeds, tied to transmission and engine interaction.
A noxious, electrical-type odor was reported coming from the engine compartment shortly after purchase.
In one case smoke was seen coming from the engine after the vehicle allegedly accelerated on its own and crashed.

When 2010 Chevrolet Malibu engine complaints were filed

First complaint Feb 4, 2010, latest Jul 23, 2026.

222 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2010 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2014 Q2 (17).

Engine recalls for the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Malibu model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

2010222 (16%)
2011223 (23%)
2012144 (16%)
2013229 (27%)
2014137 (39%)
201581 (30%)
2016373 (45%)
2017314 (45%)
2018339 (49%)
201970 (37%)
202070 (35%)
202114 (16%)
202236 (37%)
202318 (26%)
20244 (10%)
20250 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How many engine complaints does the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu have?: NHTSA lists 222 engine complaints for the 2010 Malibu, which is 16% of the 1,359 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu engine?: No related recalls are listed in the NHTSA data for the engine problem area on the 2010 Malibu.
At what mileage do 2010 Malibu engine problems typically show up?: The median mileage at failure for engine complaints on the 2010 Malibu is 70,200 miles, though some owners reported issues within the first few hundred miles.
What kind of engine issues do owners report on the 2010 Malibu?: Owners describe stalling at speed, sudden loss of power with the check engine light on, startup vibration and rattling noise, and unexpected acceleration or lurching during shifts.
Were there any crashes or fires linked to engine complaints?: NHTSA data shows 4 crashes, 2 fires, and 3 injuries associated with the 222 engine complaints for the 2010 Malibu.