2010 Chevrolet Malibu Transmission & Powertrain Problems
Owners filed 132 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu, 10% of all complaints that year, with a median failure mileage of 74,450. GM issued recall 12V460000 for a shift cable issue on 2008-2010 Malibus.
- Transmission & Powertrain complaints
- 132
- 10% of 1,359
- Crashes reported
- 3
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 4
- Median mileage
- 74,451 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical transmission symptoms owners report
- Vehicle unexpectedly drops into neutral for a short period while driving around 30 mph, then resumes acceleration on its own.
- Transmission hesitates before hard downshifts or upshifts around 15, 35, and 50 mph, causing a noticeable lurch or jerk into gear.
- Cars have failed to move or engage gear immediately after taking delivery, with the transmission feeling stuck in neutral before slamming into gear.
- Vehicle intermittently shifts into fourth gear at 20 mph and above, jerking and pulling forward with strong force.
- Some owners report the engine stalls or loses power after releasing the accelerator, then suddenly regains speed unexpectedly.
- A grinding or knocking noise from the transmission area occurs at low speeds, which dealers sometimes could not duplicate or repair.
When 2010 Chevrolet Malibu transmission complaints were filed
First complaint Apr 23, 2010, 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 the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu have?
- NHTSA lists 132 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu, which is 10% of all complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a transmission recall for the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu?
- Yes. Recall 12V460000 covers 2008-2010 Chevrolet Malibu, 2007-2010 Saturn Aura, and Pontiac G6 models with a 4-speed automatic transmission, addressing a shift cable issue. GM's remedy is installing a retainer over the cable end or replacing the shift cable.
- At what mileage do 2010 Malibu transmission problems usually appear?
- The median mileage at failure for Transmission & Powertrain complaints on the 2010 Malibu is 74,450 miles, though some owners reported issues within the first few thousand miles.
- Did the 2010 Malibu transmission problems cause any crashes or injuries?
- NHTSA data links 3 crashes and 4 injuries to Transmission & Powertrain complaints filed for the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu, with no reported fires.