2010 Chevrolet Malibu vs 2010 Kia Optima
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2010 Chevrolet Malibu | 2010 Kia Optima |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 1,359 | 75 |
| Recall campaigns | 3 | 1 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 1,252 | 34 |
| Investigations | 0 | 2 |
| Crash reports | 41 | 7 |
| Fire reports | 14 | 2 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 20–29 | 23–25 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 84,000 mi | 70,818 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Chevrolet Malibu | Kia Optima |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 454 | 2 |
| Electrical System | 294 | 13 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 227 | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 194 | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 183 | 4 |
| Air Bags | 144 | 17 |
| Power Train | 132 | 24 |
| Engine | 115 | 9 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Loss of power | 81 | 0 |
| Vibration / shaking | 69 | 0 |
| Steering problems | 68 | 0 |
| Airbag warning light | 58 | 8 |
| Stalling | 57 | 0 |
| Check engine light | 57 | 0 |
| Hesitation / surging | 21 | 6 |
| Electrical failures | 21 | 0 |
2010 Chevrolet Malibu
2010 Kia Optima
Compare all Chevrolet Malibu vs Kia Optima years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.