2010 Chevrolet Malibu: Transmission stopped working
Common wear/failure (not a recall)
Symptoms
Owners of the 2010 Malibu report: transmission stopped working. CarComplaints.com lists 30 owner complaints, average mileage 101,550 miles.
NHTSA has 133 owner complaints for the 2010 Malibu in this area. Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11766064 (filed 09/22/2026): “The contact owns a 2010 chevrolet malibu. after starting the vehicle with the transmission in park(p), the gear shift indicator indicated that the transmission was in drive(d). the transmission was shifted into drive(d), and the vehicle jerked and the engine r…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11595843 (filed 06/22/2024): “• yes, the vehicle is available for inspection upon request. • the failure of the power steering system made it extremely difficult to steer the vehicle, especially at lower speeds, which put my safety and the safety of others at risk by increasing the likelih…”
Likely causes
Sources do not establish a single root cause; diagnosis is needed. Owner-reported fixes are listed below.
Fix, in plain English
Most common owner-reported solutions on CarComplaints.com: new transmission (22 reports) rebuild transmission (6 reports). Check for open recalls and extended warranty coverage with a dealer before paying out of pocket.
DIY difficulty: Pro
Diagnosis needs a scan tool; repair or replacement needs a lift, transmission jack and the manufacturer's fluid fill/relearn procedure. (Our assessment.)
Cost
CarComplaints.com owners report a typical repair cost of about $3,260 (owner-reported average, not a quote).
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
AutoZone · O'Reilly · Advance · RockAuto
Sources
Page last updated .