One problem related to manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe has been reported for the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu based on all problems reported for the 2010 Malibu.
While driving suddenly the car jerked (like a transmission error) and then the message on the display would show "service esc" and "traction off". I brought the car in first to run an electrical test, where they reprogramed a sensor (cost=$158. 95). A few days later the very same issue happened and at this time when I came to a stop sign I went to accelerate and my car had shut itself off. I then brought it in where the found codes regarding the manifold absolute pressure (map) sensor problems. The service place then monitored both the computer data for the map sensor and the actual sensor data during test drive and found that when the problem occurs the computer data drops out but the sensor data remains the same, they suggested that it could be a possible wiring problem, and I agreed to have them replace the sensor. (cost+$275. 15). Nothing happened until a few weeks later and the very same issue occurred. My husband played around with some wires and had noticed that there was a possible way that condensate could get into where the sensors were and so he fixed that issue. I have not had this issue since then. Just wanting to see if there is a recall for this problem and to get a proper fix.