2013 Chevrolet Malibu
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 922 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 10th highest complaint count among 26 Malibu model years with reports.
Of the 2013 reports, 38 involved a crash and 11 involved a fire. 34 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Suspension, rearDec 22, 2021
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Buick Lacrosse, 2012-2013 Buick Regal, and 2013 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles sold or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. These vehicles may have rear toe links that received an improper amount of electrocoating (e-coat) corrosion protection, which could cause the e-coat to become brittle and break away when contacted by road debris. Over time, the e-coat may chip away, exposing the metal toe link and making it more susceptible to corrosion. Corrosion may eventually cause the toe link to thin and ultimately fracture.
A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 27, 2022. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212346640. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recalls 20V-764 and 21V-633.
Campaign 21V00F000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, rearAug 12, 2021
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Buick Regal, Chevrolet Malibu, and Buick Lacrosse vehicles sold or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. These vehicles may have rear toe links that received excessive electrocoating (e-coat) corrosion protection, which could cause the e-coat to become brittle and break away when contacted by road debris. Over time, the e-coat may chip away, exposing the metal toe link and making it more susceptible to corrosion. Corrosion may eventually cause the toe link to thin and ultimately fracture.
A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on September 30, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 3, 2022. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212330130.
Campaign 21V633000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, rearDec 21, 2020
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Buick Regal, 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2010-2013 Buick Lacrosse vehicles sold or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. These vehicles may have rear toe links that received excessive electrocoating (e-coat) corrosion protection, which could cause the e-coat to become brittle and break away when contacted by road debris. Over time, the e-coat may chip away, exposing the metal toe link and making it more susceptible to corrosion. Corrosion may eventually cause the toe link to thin and ultimately to fracture.
A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners free of charge. Parts are not currently available. Owners were mailed an interim notification on January 27, 2021, and April 15, 2021. A third notification was mailed on August 19, 201. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202308930.
Campaign 20V764000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, ignitionJul 5, 2016
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.
Campaign 16V502000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmission, gear position indication (prndl)Apr 24, 2015
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured April 10, 2012, to August 2, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the console transmission gear selection indicator may not illuminate the shift position selected. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 102, "Transmission Shift Position Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect."
If the console shift indicator does not illuminate the transmission gear selection, a driver could inadvertently select a transmission position other than the position the driver intended, increasing the risk of a crash.
GM has notified owners, and dealers will replace the transmission gear selection control module, free of charge. The recall began on April 20, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 12162.
Campaign 15V245000 on NHTSA.gov
Visibility, sun/moon roof assemblyMar 23, 2015
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles October 24, 2011, to March 5, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the Slide or Tilt switch for the roof panel may not be adequately recessed to prevent the switch from inadvertently being pressed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 118, "Power-Operated Window, Partition, and Roof Panel Systems."
The Slide or Tilt roof panel switch may inadvertently be pressed and the roof panel may auto-close unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a pinch injury.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the Body Control Module (BCM) software to remove auto-close feature for certain switch positions, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15176.
Campaign 15V164000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, wiringNov 13, 2013
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured October 25, 2011, through June 29, 2012 and equipped with the 8-way power adjustable front seat feature. The wiring harness for the power seat may contact the seat frame which may chafe the harness.
If the harness is chaffed enough to expose the wires, a short circuit could occur, resulting unintended movement of the seat, the seat to become inoperative, sparking under the seat, flickering lights, smoke, or possibly a fire.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the wire harness and repair and secure it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began during December 2013. Owners may contact GM at 1-800-521-7300. GM's recall campaign number is 13342.
Campaign 13V566000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, rearJan 23, 2013
General Motors is recalling certain model year 2013 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles, manufactured December 6, 2011, through January 15, 2013. One or more rear suspension bolts may not have been tightened to the specified torque. This may lead to sudden changes in vehicle handling.
Sudden changes in vehicle handling may increase the risk of a crash.
General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and retighten the bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notifications have already begun and will be completed shortly. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.
Campaign 13V024000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, turn signalOct 4, 2012
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Buick Regal and model year 2013 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with two turn signal bulbs in each front turn signal. If one of the two front turn signal bulbs burn out in either front turn signal lamp, there is no indication to the driver. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
If the driver is not aware that a turn signal is not functioning properly, the driver may continue to drive the vehicle. If half of a front turn signal is not illuminating, other driver's may not be aware that the affected vehicle is turning, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
GM will notify owners, dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Buick at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 12212.
Campaign 12V484000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, softwareMay 18, 2012
GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 24, 2011, THROUGH MARCH 31, 2012. AFTER AN EVENT OF HARD BRAKING, THE SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE (SDM) MAY RESET ITSELF.
IF THIS OCCURS DURING AN AGGRESSIVE TURNING MANEUVER, AND THEN AFTERWARDS A POTENTIAL VEHICLE ROLLOVER EVENT IS SENSED, THE ROOF RAIL AIRBAG MAY UNINTENTIONALLY DEPLOY. ADDITIONALLY, THE AIR BAGS AND/OR SEATBELT PRETENSIONERS MAY NOT DEPLOY DURING A SEVERE CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE SDM. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 13, 2012.
Campaign 12V224000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
424 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, Jan 4, 2018
BLEND DOOR FUNCTIONS DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. DUAL CLIMATE CONTROL ONLY ALLOWS HEAT TO DRIVERS SIDE OF VEHICLE. PASSENGER SIDE BLOWS A/C COLD AIR NO MATTER IF A/C IS ON OR OFF. PERIODICALLY DRIVERS SIDE ONLY WORKS ON DEFROST OR FEET ONLY SETTINGS. HAVE TO HAVE HEAT TO FOOT SETTING AND STUFF BLANKET UNDER PASSENGER SIDE DASH TO HEAT CAR IN WINTER. I CANNOT DEFROST ENTIRE WINDOW.
Electrical system, Jan 3, 2018
RADIO SCREEN BLACKS OUT
Steering, Electrical system, Dec 26, 2017
WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION THE RADIO SCREEN WOULD FLASH OFF AND ON FOLLOWED BY LOSE OF POWER STEERING THE CAR WAS PARKED AND TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO BE INSPECTED
Electrical system, Dec 11, 2017
MY MALIBU'S DASHBOARD WILL GO OUT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. NO SPEED, ODOMETER READINGS, FUEL, TEMPERATURE OR DIGITAL SPEED DISPLAY WORKS. IT WILL COME ON AND WORK FINE BUT WILL RANDOMLY GO OUT WHILE DRIVING. SOMETIMES DURING START UP THE DASH WILL NOT EVEN START UP WITH THE CAR. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT CUSTOMERS SHOULD NOT BE LIABLE TO FIX. I HAVE NO AFTERMARKET PARTS ON THIS CAR AND IT HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN A CRASH.
Steering, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Nov 6, 2017
"CHARGING SYSTEM" ENGINE LIGHT KEEP COMING ON. ALL LIGHTS COME ON DASH BOARD COME ON THEN GO DIM. CAR SHUTS DOWN ON YOU WHILE DRIVING AND STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP. I ALMOST CRASH INTO A LIGHT.
Steering, Electrical system, Nov 1, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SON WAS DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING FAILED TO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING AUTOMATICALLY TURNED OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT'S SON PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAITED 8-10 SECONDS. AFTERWARDS, THE VEHICLE RETURNED TO NORMAL. THE CONTACT'S SON WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO WORK AND BACK HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (SERPENTINI CHEVROLET OF STRONGSVILLE, 15303 ROYALTON RD, STRONGSVILLE, OH 44136), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL OTHER TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER (PAT O'BRIEN CHEVROLET SOUTH, 3880 PEARL RD, MEDINA, OH 44256) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN AFTER THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 866-790-3600 AND STATED THAT THEY WERE UNAWARE OF THE ISSUE AND THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. CASE NUMBER: 8-314031920 WAS PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Electrical system, Oct 24, 2017
THIS 2013 CHEVY MALIBU IS LIKE A METAL DEATH TRAP, IN MY OPINION. I'M NOTICING A LOT MORE ISSUES WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE CAR (AS I'M DRIVING) WILL COMPLETELY SHUT OFF; THE RADIO WILL FIRST SHUT OFF, MY DASHBOARD WILL GO BLACK, AND MY STEERING WHEEL WILL LOCK UP. USUALLY I CAN TELL WHEN IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN, BECAUSE WHEN I'M AT A LIGHT, I CAN JUST SEE THE LIGHTS ON MY DASHBOARD FLICKERING, SO IF I HAVE TIME, I WILL TURN IT ON AND OFF REAL QUICK. SOMETIMES WHEN I DO THAT THOUGH, MY CAR WON'T TURN BACK ON. BUT, WHEN IT DOES WORK, IT'S JUST A TEMPORARY FIX AND WILL START AGAIN ONCE I START TO DRIVE. THIS WILL HAPPEN MULTIPLE TIMES A DAY. I WILL TRY TO TURN, AND MY STEERING WHEEL WILL JUST LOCK WHERE I CANNOT CONTROL MY CAR AS I'M DRIVING. SEVERAL TIMES THIS HAS ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. WHEN I'M ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 65-70 MPH, I CAN'T CONTROL MY CAR FOR 5-10 SECONDS, LET'S JUST SAY IT'S ONE OF THE SCARIEST MOMENTS THAT YOU CAN HAVE WHILE OPERATING A VEHICLE. ONE TIME IT HAPPENED, I ALMOST HIT A MAN ON HIS BICYCLE. I'VE CALLED CHEVY, THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT'S WRONG. APPARENTLY THERE'S NO OPEN RECALLS OR BULLETINS FOR THIS ISSUE. WHEN I TAKE IT TO GET IT CHECKED, THEY CAN NEVER FIND AN ISSUE. DOES SOMEONE NEED TO GET SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED FOR CHEVY TO ADDRESS THIS?
Steering, Electrical system, Oct 11, 2017
THIS IS MY SECOND COMPLAINT CONSIDERING THIS ISSUE. LOSS OF POWER STEERING, RADIO GOES BLACK, GAUGE CLUSTER GOES BLACK. SINCE MY LAST COMPLAINT THIS HAS OCCURRED NO LESS THAN 15 TIMES WITH TWO VERY CLOSE ACCIDENTS. THIS IS BECOMING A VERY DANGEROUS VEHICLE. AND I PLEAD WITH YOU TO OPEN A RECALL THANK YOU. IT HAS NOW OCCURRED ON BOTH CITY ROADS AND HIGHWAY SPEEDS. IT SEEMS TO GET WORSE WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL IS USED.
Power train, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 9, 2017
WHILE DRIVING ACROSS A BRIDGE AT ABOUT 50MPH, THE ENGINE LIGHT, POWER STEERING, ABS AND BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM WARNING LIGHTS ALL CAME ON AND THEN THE CAR COMPLETELY LOST ALL POWER. I HAD LITTLE CONTROL OF THE CAR BUT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL ONTO THE SHOULDER. I COULD HAVE CRASHED ONTO THE MEDIAN OR ANOTHER FASTER CAR COULD HAVE HIT ME, I COULD HAVE DIED. TRIED TO GET A JUMP BUT IT WOULD NOT STAY ON ONCE CABLES WERE REMOVED. TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE 2 BUSINESS DAYS LATER I'M TOLD THE TIMING CHAINS, CAM SHAFT AND FUEL PUMP NEED REPLACING. CAR IS UNDER 38,000 MILES. I HAVE WITNESSED MY DASHBOARD AND RADIO LIGHT UP WHEN NO ONE IS IN IT AND ALL DOORS ARE LOCKED. CAR TURNED OFF ONCE LAST WEEK WHILE I WAS DRIVING UNDER 20MPH BUT IMMEDIATELY TURNED BACK ON BY ITSELF. JUST THOUGHT MAYBE I USED BAD GASOLINE. HAVE TO WAIT 2-3 MORE DAYS JUST FOR THEM TO START WORKING ON IT AND CANNOT GET AN ESTIMATE ON HOW LONG THE WORK WILL TAKE. CHEVY REFUSES A LOANER/RENTAL CAR UNTIL THE CAR IS BEING WORKED ON EVEN THOUGH THEY ALREADY RENDERED IT INOPERABLE. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR AND HAVEN'T HAD THIS PREOWNED VEHICLE EVEN A YEAR YET. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS CAR AND EVEN MORE DISAPPOINTED WITH THE SERVICE AND LACK OF HELP AND ACCOMMODATIONS FROM CHEVROLET. ALSO DISAPPOINTED THAT THE WARRANTY DOESN'T TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THE INCONVENIENCE THE CUSTOMER FACES WHEN THEIR CAR IS DOWN.
Steering, Electrical system, Oct 6, 2017
THIS IS MY SECOND REPORT. THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER STEERING AND THE ENTIRE GAUGE CLUSTER GOES DARK. ALMOST CAUSED A WRECK TODAY. IT HAPPENED TWICE TODAY AND ONCE YESTERDAY. THIS IS GETTING OUT OF HAND. NEEDS TO BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY. THANK YOU
Electrical system, Sep 27, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE KEY WAS PLACED IN THE IGNITION, BUT FAILED TO TURN OVER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM LOCKED UP. AS A RESULT, THE BATTERY WAS DRAINED AND THE CONTACT BECAME LOCKED IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO EXIT THROUGH THE TRUNK. THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT FAILED TO ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO START. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, Sep 22, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE DEFROSTER AND AIR CONDITIONING UNIT CEASED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PHILLIPS CHEVROLET (1730 TORRENCE AVE, LANSING, IL), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED DUE TO LIMITED STAFFING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED AND THE FUSES WERE CHECKED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,519.
Steering, Electrical system, Sep 11, 2017
CAR IS CAUSING THE BATTERY TO GO BAD. WHEN THE BATTERY GOES BAD THE WHOLE CAR STARTS ACTING UP; LOSE POWER STEERING, STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP, DASH LIGHTS FLICKER UNTIL TURNED OFF, IN DASH SCREEN TURNS OFF BEFORE CAR DIES. AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR THREE MONTHS LATER MY BATTERY WENT BAD (CAR STARTED ACTING FUNNY AND GRADUALLY DECLINED IN QUALITY OVER A WEEK'S TIME) I REPLACED THE BATTERY AND NOW 2 YEARS LATER THE BATTERY IS BAD AGAIN. THIS IS A DANGEROUS CAR TO BE IN AS THE WHOLE CAR DIES WHILE DRIVING AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING. IT HAS HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY, INTERSTATE, PARKING LOT AND CITY STREET. TWO DIFFERENT BATTERIES SHOULD NOT GO BAD BEFORE THERE LIFE TIME. I BELIEVE THIS HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE CAR ITSELF AND ALSO THE CAR SHOULD NOT BE DESIGNED FOR THE STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK UP AND REMAIN SOLELY ON THE NORMAL BATTERY.
Steering, Electrical system, Sep 7, 2017
THE RADIO SHUTS OFF. THE CLIMATE CONTROL GOES HAYWIRE. AND THE STEERING LOCKS UP. THIS HAS ONLY HAPPENED WHLE THE CAR IS STOPPED. BUT READING ALL THE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN AT ANY TIME. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. SOMETHING NEEDS TO HAPPEN IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THERE ARE FATALITIES.
Steering, Electrical system, Sep 5, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU ECO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING, THE BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE ENGINE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER BOB BELL CHEVROLET LOCATED AT 1 KANE ST, BALTIMORE, MD 21224; WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH, THE BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DROVE TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY DRAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS THE NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 800-521-7300. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE NUMBER 8-3240086194 WAS PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Sep 4, 2017
WHILE DRIVING MY CHEVROLET 2013 MALIBU LTZ MY STABILTRACK LIGHT AND SERVICE POWER STEERING PUMP LIGHT CAME ON MY DASH IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS ANY WHERE FROM ZERO TO THIRTY MILES PER HOUR THE CAR WILL RANDOMLY LOSE ENGINE POWER AND WILL STALL BUT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WILL STAY ON BUT THE HEAD LIGHTS GO OUT AND THE POWER STEERING WILL GO OUT MAKING THE VEHICLE HARD TO TURN. THE CAR DIES JUST ABOUT EVERY TIME I AM EITHER ACCELERATING FROM 0 MPH TO ANY LOW SPEED UNLESS I SLAM ON THE GAS PEDAL. IN BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC IM RESTARTING MY MALIBU EVERY 3 SECONDS AFTER IT DIES. IT'S IS SO DANGEROUS IF I HAVE TO TURN AND THEIR IS ONCOMING TRAFFIC CAUSE THE CAR COULD JUST DIE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TURN AND BE SMASHED BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THIS HAPPENS ON THE STREET ON THE HIGHWAY ANYWHERE IM DRIVING . CAR WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY HELD IT FOR 2 WEEKS AND SAID IT WAS A OIL PUMP SOLENOID VALVE BEING STUCK. AS SOON AS I DROVE OFF THE LOT I DIDNT EVEN GET AROUND THE CORNER AND THE CAR DIED AT A LOW SPEED AND THE STABILITY LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH THE POWER STEERI MY PUMP AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. VEHICLE HAS TO BEEN TAKEN IN SEVERAL TIMES FOR CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSOR FAILURE ALSO. CAR FAILURES HAVE BEEN COMMON SINCE THE DATE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE
Steering, Electrical system, Sep 1, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FLASHED OFF AND ON. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A TURN AND THE STEERING LOST POWER. THE SERVICE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AT: GEORGE MATICK CHEVROLET, 313-531-7100, WHERE A MULTI POINT INSPECTION WAS PERFORMED AND THE POWER STEERING MODULE WAS ALSO REPROGRAMMED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE SAME DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WAS RECOMMENDED BUT NOT COMPLETED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,060.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Aug 30, 2017
CAR STARTS EVER NOW AND THAN. IT WON'T START ALL THE TIME AND BREAKS DOWN ALL THE ELECTRICAL IN THE CAR HAS PROBLEMS IF THE CAR STARTS IT WILL SHUT OFF AND THE STEERING LOCKS UP WHICH COULD KILL ME OR SOMEONE ELSE THE BREAKS WON'T WORK WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THE LIGHTS SHUT OFF RADIO SHUTS OFF NOTHING ELECTRICAL WORKS I'M SCARED TO DRIVE THIS CAR. NOT SURE WHAT IT IS AND THE DEALER ISN'T SURE WHAT IT IS
Steering, Electrical system, Aug 30, 2017
CAR RADIO TURNS TO BLACK ALONG WITH DASHBOARD CLUSTER DISPLAY, STEERING MAY OR MAY NOT WORK DEPENDING ON THE SEVERITY OF THE COMPUTER RESTART. IN SEVERE RESTARTS THE RADIO IS NEITHER ON NOR ARE ANY CLIMATE CONTROL OPTIONS. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO OCCUR DURING LOW ACCELERATION OR AT IDLE.
Electrical system, Aug 9, 2017
7/31/17 MY CAR WOULDNT START DASHBOARD SAID SERVICE BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM-ATTEMPTED TO CHARGE BATTERY (WHICH WAS AT 83%) MY FATHER JUMPED MY CAR THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO TURN BUT IT STARTED AND WITHIN 5 MILES THE WHOLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHUT DOWN HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP (8/1/17-AT THIS TIME I ALSO OPENED A CASE WITH GM DUE TO AN OPEN RECALL THAT MY VIN DIDNT FIT BUT ISSUE WAS VERY SIMILAR) AFTER 4 DAYS OF WAITING (8/4/17) THEY SAID IT WAS JUST MY BATTERY-THEY REPLACED MY BATTERY AND 8/5/17 2 DAYS AFTER PICKING MY CAR UP MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND TODAY IS THE SOONEST THEY COULD DO A SECOND DIAGNOSTIC ON MY CAR SO I WILL BE DROPPING IT OFF..FYI I CALLED GM 08/03/17 TO ASK THAT THEY TOW MY CAR TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP SINCE THE ONE I PAID TO HAVE IT TOWED TO WAS TAKING SO LONG TO GET TO IT AND WAS TOLD BY A SENIOR ADVISOR, ALEETHA, THAT THEY RECEIVED AN EMAIL FROM THE CUSTOMER RELATIONS MANAGER ON 08/01/17 STATING THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS THE ISSUE AND THEY WERENT GOING TO COVER IT I ADVISED THAT I HAD JUST SPOKEN WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS ADVISED THAT THEY HADNT EVEN TAKEN A LOOK AT MY CAR NEEDS TO SAY ALEETHA TOLD ME I WASNT CAR SAVVY ENOUGH TO KNOW WHETHER THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS AFFECTING MY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (I HAD MY LOWER CONTROL ARM REPLACED 11/2016) AND THERE WAS NOTHING SHE COULD DO I ASKED THAT WE DO A CONFERENCE CALL WITH THE CUSTOMER RELATIONS MANAGER AND SHE STATED SHE WOULD CALL ME RIGHT BACK WITH HER ON THE PHONE AND I NEVER HEARD BACK FROM HER. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP RIGHT BACK AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY NEVER CONTACTED GM WITH THAT INFORMATION BECAUSE MY CAR STILL HADNT BEEN LOOKED AT.
Electrical system, Aug 8, 2017
THE RADIO/NAVIGATION IN MY VEHICLE RANDOMLY TURNS OFF. I BEGAN A SEARCH ON THE WEB TO SEE IF THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE ONLY TO FIND THAT THIS IS A FREQUENT OCCURRENCE AND IT COULD LEAD TO MORE DANGEROUS PROBLEMS, YET CHEVY WON'T RECALL IT AND THE NHTSA DOESN'T SEEM TO WANT TO GET INVOLVED. HERE IS THE LINK FROM OTHERS WITH THE SAME OR SIMILAR SITUATIONS REGARDING ELECTRICAL (RADIO/NAVIGATION) AMONG OTHER THINGS THAT OCCUR AFTER THE RADIO/NAVIGATION APPEAR TO BEGIN FAILING: HTTPS://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/CHEVROLET/MALIBU/2013/ELECTRICAL/ELECTRICAL_SYSTEM-2.SHTML THE PROBLEM STARTED 3 DAYS AGO. I THOUGHT IT WAS ONLY A NAVIGATION SYSTEM ISSUE. THEN THE TOUCH SCREEN (RADIO AND NAVIGATION) GO BLANK AND ONLY SOME OF THE ITEMS REAPPEAR. THE RADIO HAS TURNED OFF ON ITS OWN AT LEAST THREE TIMES. THE CLOCK WASN'T APPEARING ON THE SCREEN. THE CLOCK THEN READ 23:32 BUT IT WAS ACTUALLY 7:45 P.M. IS IT GOING TO TAKE DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY FOR ATTENTION? THE VEHICLE HAS DONE THIS WHEN I START IT AND WHILE I'M DRIVING. NOT ALL OF THE MENU ITEMS REAPPEAR ON THE TOUCH SCREEN AFTER THE PROBLEM STARTS. SO FAR, I HAVE NOT HAD ANY OTHER ELECTRICAL ISSUES, BUT THIS IS SCARY, AND I WILL FILE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IF THINGS GET WORSE.
Steering, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jul 30, 2017
WHILE GETTING ON THE EXPRESSWAY THE CAR CUT OFF ON THE RAMP WHILE GOING 24MPH. I WAS UNABLE TO TURN ON HAZARD LIGHTS, NOTHING AT ALL WOULD WORK. I COULD NOT IMMEDIATELY RESTART THE CAR. I COULD NOT REMOVE THE KEY EITHER. I HAD TO WAIT APPROXIMATELY 3 MINS FOR THE CAR TO LIGHT UP AND THEN I COULD RESTART THE CAR. ON THE WAY HOME ON THE RAMP ON THE EXPRESSWAY THE CAR LOST POWER STEERING AND JERKED TO THE LEFT. THE ENIGINE DID NOT STOP THIS TIME. IN THIS CASE FORTUNATELY THERE WERE NO INJURIES.
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 28, 2017, crash
WHEN DRIVING THE CAR THE RADIO PANEL, AIR CONDITIONING, CONTROL PANEL AND POWER STEERING GOES OUT. WHEN DRIVING OVER 45 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE ENGINE WILL NOT STOP. HOWEVER, WHEN DRIVING 45 MPH OR BELOW ON CITY STREETS, THE CAR WILL SHUT COMPLETELY OFF AND I WILL HAVE TO RESTART THE CAR. EVERYTHING GOES COMPLETE OFF. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS NOW. THE CAR HAS HAD THIS ISSUE WHILE IN TRAFFIC AND I WAS HIT FROM BEHIND. FORTUNATELY, WE WERE PULLING OFF FROM A STOP LIGHT AND THE IMPACT WAS NOT ENOUGH TO CAUSE AN INJURY. I HAVE RESEARCHED ON YOUTUBE AND ONLINE AND THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER CONSUMERS WITH THIS EXACT SAME ISSUE. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NEVER COMES ON BUT IT DOES SAY SERVICE POWER STEERING AND SERVICE STABILI TRAK. SOMETIMES WHEN THE CAR IS NOT MOVING (PARKED) IT WILL ALSO CUT OFF. ONCE, I WENT TO START THE CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START AND IT WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO REMOVE THE KEY. I TRIED MAKING SURE THE CAR WAS IN PARK (WHICH I KNEW IT WAS BECAUSE IT HAD BEEN PARKED FOR HOURS) BUT NOTHING WOULD MOVE. I ALMOST HAD IT TOWED AND THEN OUT THE BLUE EVERYTHING POPPED ON. CHEVROLET ADVISED THAT THEY "THINK" IT COULD BE THE BATTERY CABLES AND THE FUSE BOX BUT CANNOT GUARANTEE THAT THIS WILL FIX THE ISSUE. I HAVE ALREADY PAID 167.00 FOR THEM TO "TIGHTEN" THE CABLES AND TELL ME WHAT THEY "THINK" MAY BE THE ISSUE. I ALSO HAVE VIDEO OF THE CAR WHILE HAVING THIS ISSUE BUT IT IS NOT IN THE FORMAT ALLOWED FOR UPLOAD. THE LAST TIME IT HAD THIS ISSUE WAS TODAY 07/28/2017.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jul 18, 2017
I WAS DRIVING DOWN MY DRIVEWAY AND MY RADIO WAS SHUTTING OFF AND ON AND THEN MY VEHICLE WOULD DIE AND THE KEY WOULD LOCK UP, I HAD TO SIT THERE FOR A MINUTE BEFORE IT WOULD FINALLY START BACK UP.THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE ALREADY. LUCKILY I WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY WHEN IT HAPPENED
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 9, 2017
PURCHASED THIS 2013 MALIBU LT IN AUGUST OF 2016. AFTER ABOUT A MONTH, I STARTED EXPERIENCING POWER FAILURE AND POWER STEERING LOSS WHILE DRIVING. ON SOME OCCASIONS, THE ELECTRICAL ISSUES AND POWER FAILURE IS TRIGGERED BY ENGAGING THE TURN SIGNAL. SEARCHED YOUTUBE AND DISCOVERED THAT DOZENS OF OTHER 2013 MALIBU OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. THE SCARY PART OF THIS ISSUE IS THAT THE CAR STALLS OUT COMPLETELY WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING AT ANY GIVEN SPEED. AND WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT AS WELL. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT A DOZEN TIMES SINCE ABOUT A MONTH AFTER PURCHASE AUGUST 2016; THE LAST EXPERIENCE WAS ON THIS PAST FRIDAY, JULY 7, 2017.THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AS I HAVE ALREADY EXPERIENCED TWO NEAR-MISS ACCIDENTS. I'VE READ SEVERAL POSTS OF OTHERS WHO HAVE SPENT MONEY ON DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIRS ONLY TO DISCOVER THAT THE PROBLEM REOCCURS. I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO WASTE ON FRUITLESS REPAIRS AS I'M STILL PAYING A NOTE PLUS FULL COVERAGE INSURANCE ON THIS VEHICLE. I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY COMPLAINTS THAT IT WILL TAKE FOR SOMETHING TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM, BUT SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE IN A HURRY.