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2010 Chevy Malibu

2010 Chevy Malibu review: Nothiong But Trouble 20

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9:52 pm EST
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I bought a NEW 2010 Chevy Malibu in September (2009). Here we are, January 15, 2010 and my car has been in the shop 4 times for a total of 21 days!

First, I noticed water coming in from under the dash/kick panel on the passenger side. I took it to Carl Black of Kennesaw, GA. Their "Techs" could not find the leak. I only find out after a few days the dealership put my car in their carwash for 30 minutes and that was it! No water then there must NOT be a leak. They billed my warranty, GM, approx $300.

The second time it went in for the SAME reason! This time the dealer replaced the passenger door weather strip, I told them that this was not the problem due to the location the water was traveling. It wasn't but they still billed GM about $285.

The 3rd time it went in for the SAME reason the dealer could not find the leak after having the car about 9 days! After notifying the dealer and filing a complaint with GM a water leak expert was hired, by GM. He found the leak in the upper body seal, passenger side near the windshield. (The dealers techs wanted to remove the windshield but where stopped by the W.L.E)

Now i just had to take the car in because of a rattle noise in the front end. The techs found that the shocks and shock mounts where, in their words, "coming apart"!

I bought the car with about 3 miles on it and it now has 5000 miles on it! All these problems in less then 5000 miles? I wouldnt recommend anyone to buy a 2010 Malibu! I have filed numerous complaints with GM and even asked them to take the car back and let pick another vehicle of the same value. But, GM is super slow to respond to complaints.

SAVE YOUR MONEY AND BUY A DIFFERENT VEHICLE THEN THE "NEW" CHEVY MALIBU!

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20 comments
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Craig Betts
, US
Aug 20, 2015 10:21 pm EDT

I have a 2010 Malibu LT same problem, water leaking in under dash near kick panel all over door speaker. Never had a car with this problem. 100 percent defect. 28000 New ball joints and struts too. Hope my local dealer can figure my leak problem out. Losing faith in GM

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Routh
Winnabow, US
Feb 03, 2015 9:05 am EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I have a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu 2LT that has had numerous problems with roof leaks. I have taken it back to the dealer I bought it from several times and was told the leaks were coming from the drain tubes from the roof channels/gutters. Apparently, they become dislodged, and the water drains into the headliner and subsequently the floorboard and dash area. This is definitely a problem! I do have a sunroof, but the leaks are not coming from the sunroof. Each time, upon supposedly fixing the issue, the dealer tells me all four of the drain tubes have been checked and secured; and the leaks should not reoccur. But, the leaks have reoccurred, and I believe this is a defect in the design of the Malibu model. Perhaps, a class action lawsuit is in order here, as it seems many others have experienced the same problem. I am ready to consult with an attorney, as I believe everyone with this same problem deserves some remuneration!

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santom
colleyville, US
Sep 02, 2013 3:42 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

i have 2011 ltz with sutter, now in most of the car. Begging GM to buy back. They said normal, small engine V 6, so not so small. THE car is getting worse with each month. No help from dealership or corp. Has anyone had any luck with buy back?

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DThompson10
Angola, US
Aug 15, 2013 5:26 pm EDT

I have a 2010 Chevy Malibu I purchased in November of 2010. The first year was fine, but then the entire electrical system went out. That was at aout 60, 000 miles. The dealership had the car for 3 weeks waiting for the part to come from the factory. Apparently it wasn't a part they keep around the shop. Now, my roof is leaking horribly. I don't know if its the sunroof or the doors. Its in the front just above both doors. When it rains hard, the water pours in.

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IrrateCustomer2012
College Station, US
Jan 30, 2013 11:47 am EST

I bought a 2010 Malibu LTZ and it has been in the shop 10x for a roof leak. First the dealership said my sunroof was leaking, and that they fixed the issue. Well ever since, they clean the headliner and have even replaced it once, but its still leaking. They basically told me i was crazy and that it was just a residual stain coming back every time, even though i showed them where the roof was WET! It wasn't until this past week when my husband had them remove the headliner and give him the car to find the leak that we found it. There is air seeping in along the driver side seals and also water. Same goes for the other side. They only want to use epoxy to fix this issue when really it would need the roof taken off and completely resealed to keep from having this issue again at a later date. I feel like my only choice is going to be the Lemon Law. I love the car but i am so sick of having to use a rental car! Sad that my plumber husband found the leaks no problem but yet the professionals couldn't find it. makes me really question their services.

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Jane01
Savannah, US
Jul 14, 2011 3:18 pm EDT

Problems with my 2009 Malibu: The automatic lock broke on the rear driver's side door and only unlocks manually, something is leaking into the back passenger-side foot, a piece of the tire rim broke off one day as I was driving down the road. Dan Vaden Chevy in Savannah will not promise me a replacement while mine is in the shop and cannot get an appointment with them for a week although my car smells terrible and the carpet is going to be completely ruined after sitting soaking wet for 5 days. When I bought the car from them, the salesman told me I would "never be without a car during service. Even an oil change, we will provide you a loaner." Now they keep explaining it is against GM policy to promise a loaner unless they know the car will be in the shop overnight. Hassle. The car is of poor quality. Regret buying.

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G Wehrli
Blackstone, US
Jun 30, 2011 12:33 am EDT

Just purchased a left over 2010 Malibu LTZ a couple of months ago. Probably shouldn't have done that as it was left over for a reason. Purchased the vehicle with approximately 500 miles on it. Noticed a small but steady vibration at highway speeds (55-70 mph) on the trip home. Called the dealership the next day and was told to drive the car for 500-1000 miles and that it was due to the tires sitting for a long period of time. Didn't really buy their answer but went ahead and put the 1000 miles on it (vibration is still there). Balanced the tires twice now and nothing has changed. It is currently in the shop for the 3rd time and fully expect to hear it is either "normal" or there is nothing more that can be done. Really enjoy the Malibu in most respects but if Chevy will not stand behind their vehicle, this will be the last one my family buys. Lemon attourney on standby.

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MYZK
, QA
May 24, 2011 4:04 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I need your help, to whome can i send this claim in order to exchange this car.
I Got a new Chevy Malibu LTZ 2010 in January 2011.

I faced a serious manifacture problem in the new car that was about to lead to a serious accident.

The engine stopped while i was driving on the road, which lead to the steering wheel to be locked and the breaks to stop working while driving on High speed. I had to use the hand break to stop the car while avoiding running cars from hitting me from the back.

I sent the car to the Shop, they kept the car for 4 days and gave it to me, claiming the the problem is fixed.

I took the car on Tuseday May 10th, 2011.

After 7 days on Tuseday May 17th, 2011 and while driving on the road the Engine turned off again and i faced hard time trying to stop the car and avoiding harming myself and others on the road.

The car is now at Chevrolet shop trying to fix it

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C Ebben
Merrill, US
Apr 20, 2011 9:22 pm EDT

I have a 2010 Malibu LT2 and the front drivers seat is falling abart. The stitching is pulling apart and on the side of the lower drivers seat the so-called leather is cracking. Yes I put alot of miles on (50000 per year) but I am not a big guy and these seats should not wear out in 1 year. Would not recommend the Malibu.

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q parker
, US
Apr 13, 2011 6:19 pm EDT

Wish I would have read your complaints before purchasing mines. I bought my car in may of 2010. Well sad to say I have had the same problem with my car. Not only that after returning my car for the third time for the same problem, they called themselves cleaning it up. But left my headliner a mess. Trying to stay american made, but american service sinks.

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dale riner
Walkersville, US
Apr 01, 2011 2:42 pm EDT

I also have a 2010 malibu with the 6 speed automatic trans and have had it calibrated 3 times and I still have a shuddering vibration in the trans when I accerate from a stopped position. GM is telling me this is normal for this car and are refusing to do any more work on the vehicle so i am starting the lemon law process today.

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Sheann K
Clearwater, US
Mar 12, 2011 2:40 am EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I own a 2010 Malibu and have the same problem with the leaks around the driver side windshield and door seal. I bought it in July 2010 and its been in the service department 3 times for the leak and 1 time for engine pressure issue (maybe related to the leak getting into the wiring system) They have replaced window seals, outside door water channel runners, headliner, door mounts, carpeting and even the seat heater control. What am I suppose to do? Some people are advising me to contact a Florida Lemon Law attorney, but it seems like a long process. I love the way the car drives, but I am certainly frustrated with these leaks!

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L. Vann Smith
, US
Feb 25, 2011 7:23 pm EST

I just finished with the local Chevrolet dealership and they were very helpful. I myself ended up with the front end rattle solution. It turned out to be the air duct coming from the manifold to the air cleaner and the air cleaner canister. They were just floating with not attachment to the frame. I took some flame resistant padding and placed it between the duct and the mount of the engine where they contacted each other. I also took insulation and positioned it between the canister and the fender well stopping the movement there. This so far has stopped my front end rattles and the local dealership is currently passing this along to GM engineers. Good luck.

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L. Vann Smith
, US
Feb 10, 2011 10:57 pm EST

I have a 2010 malibu ltz and have had the car in the dealership 4 times now. First they said could not find a rattle in the front end. After explaining that it is on washboard type of bumps they checked it again. Still saying they could not find a rattle. So I went in and stayed with it telling them to test drive it with me, they did but over the smoothest roads they could find. I took the car out again with me driving and found the bumps necessary, then they said oh ...that rattle. They replaced the steering column ...why i don't know but it still rattles in the right front just as before...what do we do?

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Jwhee
Clarkston, US
Feb 09, 2011 1:56 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I don't know where you live but there are Lemon Law attorneys who will take cases at no charge to you, they collect from the auto companies. If you are in MI you might try Brian Parker out of Troy MI. I do like the Malibu, but w/o the problems.

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magic69006
Baton, US
Feb 06, 2011 11:12 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I am feeling your pain. I am in the process of trying to get my 2010 Malibu fixed for the same issue. A bad weld on the roof and water was leaking in running across who know what and settling on the floor in the back seat behind the drive seat, right where my main body wire harness sits. Took it to the dealer and they pretty much had to disassemble the entire car, they've removed the windshield, head liner, seats and center console. It's never going to be the same. I am now waiting for new carpet and new seat runner bars, since mine now have rust on them. I've been dealing with GM customer complaint rep and told them that I wanted them to buy the car back...guess you know where that went. They told me that AFTER and only AFTER the carpet and other items were fixed would they talk to me about what else they're going to do for me. They won't buy it back then they better at least give me an extended warranty that's going to cover the issues I'm most certainly going to have down the road as a result of their lack of quality control. This vehicle went through what at least 4 QC checks and a water test and no one noticed this was a problem? This was my first new GM vehicle and it will be my last.

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TanP
, US
Jan 14, 2011 6:40 pm EST

I have a 2009 Malibue LTZ have had so many problems with the brake system less than a month after I purchase it. GM had the car over a month before they was able to fix it and less than a year later I had to take it in for the same issue. This is my first and last GM car. You would have never thought you would have problems with a brand new car. Where is the dependability?

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Jwhee
Clarkston, US
Jan 09, 2011 7:48 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

2010 Malibu LT2
Purchased in March. Regretting it already! Like the car but do not like the front end noise that sounds like it is coming from the r. front wheel well area. Slow vibratiing knocking noise especially on washboard type pavement. Dealership writes it up differently 2 times I have had it in. Say it is a "Normal" noise for the 2010 Malibu's. Baloney! If it is normal then all of the Malibu's have a quality issue.
We want to support an American nameplate but I'm afraid in many respects it's still the old GM. I will see if problem is resolved by GM or if I have legal recourse if they don't. Did someone say "Class Action"?

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tambarksdale
South Boston, US
Oct 07, 2010 1:16 pm EDT

i'm having the same leak problem with my 2010 malibu and it leaked into my airbags, wire harness (shorting the car out) into my power steering and floorboards. i have 1054 miles on it and only had it 50 days

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Sydspapa
Omaha, US
Jun 28, 2010 2:45 pm EDT

Sounds like you got a lemon my friend. I have a 2009 Malibu with 38000 miles on it with no issues whatsoever. Keep pestering GM to take it back and look up lemon laws in your state. Best of luck.

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