2010 Chevrolet Malibu Transmission & Powertrain Problems
NHTSA lists 133 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu, 10% of all 1,361 complaints filed for the year, with a median failure mileage of 74,200. A related recall (12V460000) covers a shift cable issue on the 4-speed automatic transmission.
- Transmission & Powertrain complaints
- 133
- 10% of 1,361 complaints
- All complaints this year
- 1,361
- Crashes reported
- 3
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 4
- Median mileage
- 74,200 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical transmission symptoms owners report
- Owners report the transmission briefly slips into neutral or fails to accelerate for several seconds before resuming normal power.
- Some describe hard, jerky upshifts and downshifts at specific speeds, such as around 15, 20, 35, and 50 mph, sometimes with a forward lurch.
- Several complaints describe the vehicle stalling while decelerating or coasting, then unexpectedly accelerating on its own.
- Owners report intermittent hesitation on acceleration from a stop or low speed, with the dealer unable to duplicate the failure.
- A few drivers noted unusual noise coming from the transmission area at low speeds that dealers could not diagnose or repair.
- One complaint described the transmission not engaging at all shortly after delivery, requiring the vehicle to slam into gear.
When 2010 Chevrolet Malibu transmission complaints were filed
First complaint Nov 30, 2009, latest Sep 22, 2026.
Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu
- NHTSA 12V460000Sep 18, 2012Transmission & Powertrain426,240 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl)
General 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 4-speed automatic transmission. On these vehicles, the tabs on the transmission shift cable end may fracture and separate.
Risk: If the tabs were to fracture and separate, the shift lever and the actual position of the transmission gear may not match. The driver would be able to move the shifter to 'PARK' and remove the ignition key, but the transmission gear may not be in 'PARK.' The vehicle may not be able to be restarted and the vehicle could roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible crash without prior warning.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a retainer over the cable end or replace the shift cable as necessary. This service will be performed free of charge. Notification to owners began on on November 9, 2012. Owners were instructed to not bring their vehicles for repair until January 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.
Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Malibu model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many transmission complaints does NHTSA have for the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu?
- NHTSA lists 133 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2010 Malibu, which is 10% of the 1,361 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a transmission recall for the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu?
- Yes. Recall 12V460000, reported in 2012, covers 4-speed automatic transmission shift cable tabs on 2008-2010 Malibu models; GM installs a retainer or replaces the cable.
- At what mileage do 2010 Malibu transmission problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for transmission issues on this model year is 74,200 miles.
- Were there any crashes or injuries linked to these transmission complaints?
- NHTSA data for this problem area on the 2010 Malibu lists 3 crashes and 4 injuries, with no fires reported.