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
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 29, 2016
SEVERAL TIMES NOW THE CAR RADIO AND ELECTRICAL HAS JUST SHUT OFF . SHORTLY THERE AFTER --- THE STEERING LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING. SUCH THAT THERE WAS AN INABILITY TO MAINTAIN CONTROL, AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS UNABLE TO BE MOVED AT ALL. THIS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED FOR MY DAUGHTER AND MY GRANDCHILDREN. THUS SAFETY IS A MAJOR CONCERN. IF INDEED MY DAUGHTER WERE TO HAVE BEEN IN A BUSY INTERSECTION WHEN THIS HAPPENED TODAY, SHE OR MY GRANDCHILDREN COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN KILLED. CHEVROLET DEALER REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING WITHOUT A RECALL AND HAVE SAID THAT THE DIAGNOSTIC WOULD BE $100.00 TO PERFORM. IN MY 30 YEARS OF DRIVING EXPERIENCE AND MY HUSBANDS 22 YEARS OF ACTIVE DUTY ARMY SERVICE AND MANY MECHANICAL FIXES THAT WE HAVE DONE TO NUMEROUS VEHICLES WE HAVE NEVER SEEN SOMETHING AS DANGEROUS THAT A MANUFACTURER WOULD REFUSE TO RECALL. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE AND GOD FORBID ANYTHING HAPPENS TO MY DAUGHTER OR MY GRANDCHILDREN THERE IS NOW DOCUMENTATION TO REQUEST CHEVROLET FIX THE PROBLEM, AS I WILL BE SURE TO HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR NEGLIGENCE. WE HAVE MAINTAINED PROPER MAINTENANCE, THERE ARE NO FAULT CODES THAT HAVE COME UP THAT WILL INDICATE AN ISSUE THAT WOULD CAUSE THE STEERING TO JUST LOCK UP STRAIGHT. WE HAD THE BATTERY CHECKED, THE BATTERY TERMINALS CHECKED AND WE KEEP TRYING TO NARROW DOWN THE CAUSE. BUT WE ARE NOW AT AN IMPASSE AND THIS IS MOST CERTAINLY A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT WE HAVE FOUND ON MULTIPLE FORUMS IN COMMON WITH OTHER OWNERS. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, MID TURN, CITY STREET, AND UNABLE TO MAKE THE TURN . WOULD HAVE CRASHED HAD BEEN GOING FASTER, OR HAD OTHER CARS BEEN COMING . *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Dec 19, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS AND POWER. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000.
Electrical system, Dec 13, 2016
MY CHEVY MALIBU HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL ISSUES. IT STARTED AFTER MY CAR DIED AT THE END OF AN HOUR'S DRIVE. I THOUGHT I WAS EXPERIENCING BATTERY ISSUES BUT PERSISTED MONTHS WITH NO OTHER ISSUES. IT HAPPENED AGAIN 4 MONTHS LATER (DECEMBER 3RD), AND THE FOLLOWING DAY THE CAR COMPLETELY DIED ON ME WHILE TRAVELING HIGHWAY SPEEDS DURING A SNOW STORM. MY POWER STEERING WAS BARELY OPERABLE, WHILE MY LIGHTS HEAT AND RADIO COMPLETELY STOPPED FUNCTIONING. THE DEALERSHIPS SEEM TO BE CLULESS ABOUT THE ISSUE. THE ONE I VISITED SEEMED ADAMANT THAT THE ISSUE COULD BE STEMMING FROM MY KEY! CHEVY HAS BEEN HELPFUL ONLY IN THE SENSE THAT THEY GAVE ME A $100 CREDIT TO GET THE CAR DIAGNOSED (WHICH HASN'T GIVEN ANY RESULTS). I'VE SEEN SOME OF THE HORROR STORIES FROM THIS ISSUE AND AM TERRIFIED TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE AGAIN UNTIL SOMETHING IS FIXED.
Electrical system, Engine, Dec 13, 2016
FIRST MY DASH CLUSTER WENT OUT NOTHING WORK HAD A NEW ONE PUT IN AFTER ABOUT TWO WEEK IT WENT OUT AGAIN HAD IT AT THE DEALER THEY DON'T KNOW WHY. SO I DID NOT REPLACE IT THIS TIME BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW IF IT WELL HAPPEN AGAIN THE COST TO REPLACE IS ON ME. NOW I'M HAVING MOTOR IS HAVING A OIL LEAK BAD FOUND OUT WHY THE VALEVTRAIN OIL CONTROL PASSAGES INTEGRATED HAS COME APART AND THEY WILL NOT COVER IT ON WARRANTY SAID THAT I DID NOT CHANGE THE OIL WHEN IT CAME TIME TO DO I HAVE IT CHANGE ALL THE TIME AT THE DEALER WHEN IT COME TIME WHEN LIGHT COME ON TO TELL ME. THIS IS HIGH DOLLAR TO PAID FOR IT AS THEY SAID TOP OF THE MOTOR HAS TO BE TAKEN APART. AND THEY WOULD NOT LET GM KNOW OF THIS. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Dec 9, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT CRANK, BUT THE BATTERY WAS FULLY CHARGED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE KEY DID NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION AND THE GEAR SHIFTER WOULD NOT SHIFT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Dec 5, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING POWER LOSS AND LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,700.
Electrical system, Dec 4, 2016
RADIO, INTERIOR LIGHTS, AND POWER STEERING STOPS WORKING WHEN I TURN ON MY SIGNAL LIGHTS OR SOMETIMES WHEN I'M JUST RIDING. IT SEEMS TO ALWAYS HAPPEN WHEN I'M GOING AT SPEEDS 40MPH AND ABOVE. IT'S VERY SCARY AND MY GIRLFRIEND WHOM IS PREGNANT WITH OUR CHILD HAS HAD THIS HAPPEN TO HER ON THE HIGHWAY.
Electrical system, Seats, Nov 26, 2016
MY DRIVER SEAT IS STUCK ALL THE WAY IN THE FULL RECLINE POSITION AND WONT GO BACK UP. I CONTACTED CHEVY DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME 1,400 TO BUY A WHOLE NEW SEAT. I DONT HAVE 1400 LAYING AROUND TO BUY A NEW WHOLE SEAT AND THAT IT TROUBLES ME THAT A WHOLE SEAT WOULD GO OUT WITH MY CAR WHEN IT HAS LESS THAN 45,000 MILES. NOW MY WIFE AND I ARE FORCED TO DRIVE A UNSAFE CAR BECAUSE NOT ONLY WE DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY LAYING AROUND FOR A SEAT THAT SHOULDN'T EVEN BE BROKE AT 42000 MILES. IVE CONTACTED GM BUT THEY HAVE NOT CONTACTED ME BACK YET. I ALSO PAID 130 DOLLARS FOR THE DEALERSHIP TO TELL ME THAT I NEED A WHOLE NEW SEAT? I COULD HAVE TOLD THEM THAT. I HOPE I DON'T GET IN A ACCIDENT PROBABLY WONT HAVE A CHANCE WITH THE WAY THE SEAT IS SITTING SEAT BELT WONT WORK PROPERLY.
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Nov 16, 2016
2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU (LT) HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING SERVE ELECTRICAL ISSUES. THIS HIGHLY DANGEROUS DEFECT I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING AS WELL YET THERE IS NO RECALL! FIRST THE MY LINK/NAVIGATION/RADIO MODULE WOULD SHUT OFF AND COME BACK ON. WHILE THIS OCCURS, THE BATTERY VOLTAGE WOULD JUMP DOWN THEN JUMP BACK UP. I CALLED CHEVY/GMC AND THEY RECOMMENDED TO SHUT THE CAR OFF, REMOVE THE KEY, OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR SO THE COMPUTER CAN RESET ITSELF. IT CONTINUED TO HAPPY THROUGH THE COURSE OF COUPLE HOURS THEN FINALLY STOPPED AND WAS WORKING FROM OVER THE COURSE OF 4 DAYS. AS OF YESTERDAY THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF, ENTIRE TOUCHSCREEN MODULE SHUT OFF, AND TURNED BACK ON IN A SPLIT SECOND. ONCE THE CAR TURNED ON, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS COMPLETELY TIGHT, ALMOST LOCKED, AND WE WOULD BARELY TURN INTO OUR DRIVEWAY WHILE IN MOTION ON A 25PM STREET. THANK GOD I WAS NOT COMING OFF A HIGHWAY OR DRIVING FAST LIKE REPORTS OF THIS ISSUE LIKE OTHER CONSUMERS BUT THIS IS DANGEROUS. I AM TERRIFIED OF THIS VEHICLE AND WILL BE TAKING IT TO CHEVY. THERE ARE OVER A HUNDRED COMPLAINTS AND VIDEOS I SAW AFTER I LOOKED UP IF THIS ISSUE WAS COMMON, WHICH IT APPEARS TO BE, ONLINE. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ON THE RECALL LIST BECAUSE THIS CAN CAUSE ACCIDENTS AND SOMEONE CAN GET SERIOUSLY INJURED.
Electrical system, Oct 31, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT FAILED TO START AND AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE DOORS WERE LOCKED. THE CONTACT HAD TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE DOOR IN ORDER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Oct 25, 2016
WHILE DRIVING THE RADIO AND INTERIOR LIGHTS GO OUT AND POWER STEERING STOPS WORKING. SEEMS TO HAPPEN WHEN LEFT BLINKER IS USED. HEADLIGHTS WILL FLICKER WHEN THIS HAPPENS ALSO. THERE IS NO WARNING PRIOR TO SHUTDOWN. ONE OCCURRENCE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF ON ITS OWN AFTER POWER SURGE. VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE, I ALMOST HIT A PARKED CAR BECAUSE OF THIS FAILURE. IT HAPPENS ON HIGHWAY OR NEIGHBORHOOD. CAR IS PARKED AT DEALERSHIP TIL PROBLEM CAN BE RESOLVED. ODOMETER HAS 53,000 MILES ON IT. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 24, 2016
2013 CHEVY MALIBU CONTINUES TO POWER DOWN WHILE DRIVING. RADIO WILL SHUT OFF THEN ELECTRICAL PANEL AND OFTEN TIMES IT WOULD LOSE COMPLETE POWER AND CAUSE THE POWER STEERING TO SHUT OFF. VERY DANGEROUS. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES THEY CONTINUE TO FINAGLE THE NEGATIVE WIRING. BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT; NO FIX. SOMETHING IS DEFECTIVE AND POSE RLLY CHEVY CAN'T FIGURE IT OUT. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 24, 2016
VEHICLE MOVING ON CITY STREET, LOST POWER TO RADIO, NAVIGATION SYSTEM, ETC., THEN LOST STEERING. LOST STEERING WHILE MAKING U-TURN. LOST STEERING IN FORWARD AND REVERSE WHILE PARKING VEHICLE. POWER TO CONTROL PANELS SHUT DOWN DURING BOTH INCIDENTS. OCCURRED BRIEFLY ON HIGHWAY WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGH RATE OF SPEED. THE LOSS OF POWER AND STEERING HAS BECOME MORE FREQUENT AND LASTING FOR A LONGER PERIOD OF TIME. VEHICLE IS NOW AT DEALERSHIP FOR SAME ISSUE. I PURCHASED VEHICLE 3 MONTHS AGO. MY 17 Y/O SON USES THIS VEHICLE AND I AM CONCERNED ABOUT HIS SAFETY. I LOOKED INTO THIS PROBLEM ON THE WEB AND DISCOVERED THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL. I RECEIVED A PHONE CALL FROM THE DEALERSHIP WHERE MY CAR IS BEING SERVICED. THEY CANNOT FIND A PROBLEM. THIS WAS EXPECTED BASED ON WHAT I HAVE READ. I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING BEFORE ESPECIALLY SINCE GM HAS RECALLED EARLIER MODELS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM BUT REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE 2013. YOU CANNOT UNDERSTAND THE NERVOUSNESS YOU FEEL BEFORE GETTING INTO THE DRIVER'S SEAT UNLESS YOU HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS YOURSELF. FOR GM AND DEALERSHIP TO KNOWINGLY ALLOW A PERSON TO PURCHASE THIS VEHICLE AND DRIVE OFF THEIR LOT WITH A SERIOUS ISSUE SUCH AS THIS IS MIND BLOWING. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Oct 24, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE DOORS LOCKED ON THEIR OWN AND THE CONTACT COULD NOT EXIT THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE IGNITION KEY BECAME STUCK ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 52,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Oct 21, 2016
MY CAR INITIALLY STARTED WITH THE RADIO AND TOUCH SCREEN POWERING OFF FOR A FEW SECONDS. THEN, I WAS DRIVING AND WENT TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, THE RADIO POWER WENT OFF AS WELL AS THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, AGAIN ONLY FOR A FEW SECONDS. NOW, WHEN IT HAPPENS (IT'S HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY), THE HEADLIGHTS AND DASH LIGHTS FLICKER AS WELL AS THE RADIO POWER SHUTS OFF AND THE STEERING LOCKS UP. IT ALL ONLY LASTS AROUND 4-5 SECONDS, BUT CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS AT THE WRONG TIME. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHO COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM, IN WHICH I EXPLAINED IT'S SPORADIC AND UNPREDICTABLE. THIS IS BECOMING A SAFETY ISSUE AND MORE FRIGHTENING THAT DEALERSHIPS ARE UNAWARE OF THE ISSUE OR HOW TO FIX IT. GM REALLY NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS BEFORE IT CAUSES A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Oct 18, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE ELECTRONIC SCREEN BLANKED OUT, THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,968. UPDATED 12/01/16*LJ*****UPDATED 12/22/16*LJ UPDATED 7/9/18 *JB
Electrical system, Oct 12, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S POWER SEIZED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER ONE ATTEMPT, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 11, 2016
I HAVE HAD PROBLEM WITH THE 2013 MALIBU SINCE I PURCHASE IT ON OCTOBER 22, 2015. ON OCTOBER 07,2016 ME AND MY CHILD ALMOST GOT HIT BY A 18 WHEELER GETTING OFF THE INTERSTATE. I RAN IN THE DITCH TO AVOID HAVING A ACCIDENT. I LOOK IN THE DASH OF THE CAR AND IT STATED THAT ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED AND WHEN I PUSH THE GAS DOWN IT TOLD ME ENGINE OVERSPEED. THE CAR IS PARK NOW BECAUSE I DO NOT FEEL SAFE.
Electrical system, Oct 10, 2016
WHEN DRIVING, SPECIFICALLY AT NIGHT, ALL LIGHTS FLICKER OFF, WHILE DRIVING OR SITTING IDLE. ALSO WHEN I PUT ON THE TURN SIGNAL, OR JUST MAKE A TURN, STOP, ACCELERATE. THERE IS NO REASON, JUST HAPPENS, THE LIGHTS FLICKER OFF. ALL OF THE LIGHTS, INCLUDING THE SCREEN. ALL THE LIGHTS GO COMPLETELY OUT FOR A FEW SECONDS THEN COME RIGHT BACK ON. TWICE THE CAR HAS TURNED OFF, ALL THE LIGHTS GO OUT, THEN THEY COME BACK ON, BUT OF COURSE THE CAR IS STILL OFF. LUCKILY THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED IN MY DRIVEWAY. THE SECOND TIME, HOWEVER, I WAS ON THE ROAD, WITH MY KID IN THE CAR. WE WERE AT A RED LIGHT AND THE WHOLE CAR TURNED OFF. THE LIGHTS CAME BACK ON BUT I HAD TO TURN THE CAR BACK ON. I HAVE BEEN READING ABOUT THIS ISSUE ON SEVERAL DIFFERENT FORUMS AND GM SHOULD MAKE THIS A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE IS HURT OR WORSE.
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 5, 2016
ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS MY 2013 MALIBU HAS LOST POWER CAUSING A STEERING ISSUE. IT COULD BE WHILE DRIVING, TURNING, STOPPING OR ACCELERATING. THE CAR WILL LOSE POWER TO THE TOUCH SCREEN RADIO CAUSING THE SCREEN TO GO BLACK, THEN I LOSE THE STEERING MOMENTARILY AND THEN EVERYTHING WILL COME BACK ON. THIS CAN HAPPEN ONCE OR SOMETIMES IT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN WHICH CAUSES THE SERVICE STABILITRACK WARNING LIGHT TO COME ON OR THE SERVICE POWER STEERING LIGHT TO COME ON. THIS HAS ALSO LED TO THE CAR STALLING AND LOSING ALL ELECTRICITY AND THEN STARTING BACK UP RIGHT AWAY. THE MORE ELECTRONICS YOU USE SUCH AS THE BLINKER CAUSES THE PROBLEM TO GET WORSE AND USUALLY ENDS UP IN THE CAR STALLING. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER FOUR SEPARATE TIMES FOR THIS ISSUE AND NOTHING HAS BEEN FIXED. I HAVE NOT HAD MY CAR MORE THAN A WEEK SINCE AUGUST 22,2016 BECAUSE I REFUSE TO DRIVE THE CAR UNTIL IT IS FIXED. THE DEALER IS FOCUSING ON MY AFTER MARKET REMOTE STARTER WHICH IS WRONG SEEING THERE ARE MANY OF THE SAME OCCURRENCES LISTED ON TIS WEBSITE.
Electrical system, Oct 4, 2016
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE ELECTRONICS AND POWER STEERING WILL TURN OFF CAUSING AND TURN BACK ON. THIS ALSO OCCURS WHILE MAKING TURNS WITHOUT WARNING.
Steering, Electrical system, Service brakes, Oct 4, 2016
WHILE DRIVING CAR INSTRUMENT PANEL TURNS OFF, AFTER WHICH STEERING LOCKS UP AND BRAKES BECOME INOPERABLE. INSTRUMENT PANEL TURNS OFF FOR SECONDS, THEN AS THE INSTRUMENT PANEL TURNS BACK ON, ALL MESSAGES ON INSTRUMENT PANEL FLASH (IE ENGINE LIGHT, LOW BATTERY, ETC). MOST COMMON MESSAGE IS ABOUT STABILINK. EVEN AFTER INSTRUMENT PANEL TURNS BACK ON, THE STEERING WHEEL WILL REMAIN STIFF AND HARD TO MOVE UNTIL YOU LEAVE THE CAR OFF FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. THERE SEEMS TO BE NO RHYME OR REASON TO THE PROBLEM, OTHER THAN DRIVING IT. I'VE HAD IT HAPPEN IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC WHERE I'M GOING FROM NOT MOVING TO AT MAX 5 MPH, I'VE HAD IT HAPPEN ON AN EMPTY HIGHWAY GOING 65 MPH, I'VE HAD IT HAPPEN TWO MINUTES INTO MY DRIVE, AND I'VE HAD IT HAPPEN 40 MINUTES INTO MY DRIVE. STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT ALWAYS LOCK UP IN THE MIDDLE OF A TURN, BUT MOST FREQUENTLY IT HAPPENS WHEN MAKING A SHARP TURN. I HAVE VIDEO OF THE OCCURRENCE OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND WHAT HAPPENS TO THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BUT AM UNABLE TO UPLOAD IT. I'VE TRIED TO GET THE WHOLE THING ON VIDEO BUT IT REALLY JUST DEPENDS ON IF SOMEONE IS IN THE CAR WITH ME OR IF MY PHONE WAS AT THE READY AND I'M IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT TO RECORD. IT'S SCARY ENOUGH TO HAVE THE STEERING AND BRAKES BE USELESS TO ME, SO MY FOCUS IS USUALLY MORE ON CONTROLLING THE CAR.
Electrical system, Engine, Oct 4, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND TURNING LEFT, THE VEHICLE STALLED. A "SERVICE THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEMS" MESSAGE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Electrical system, Sep 26, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM INTERMITTENTLY STOPPED FUNCTIONING, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF POWER STEERING, ABS FUNCTIONALITY, AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS OPERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY EIGHT TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SOLENOIDS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE MANUFACTURER'S DENIAL OF THE CLAIM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Sep 19, 2016, crash
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON - WHEN CHECKED AT THE DEALER THEY TOLD ME NO CODE FOUND FOR TWO YEARS, THEN AS TIME WENT ON IT STARTED ADDING SERVICE POWER STEERING AND AC/DC SHUT DOWN. AFTER NUMEROUS VISITS TO THE DEALER AND TWO MAJOR REPAIRS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STILL COMES ON, AND THE POWER STEERING LOCKS UP. ON AUGUST 24, 2016, I WAS DRIVING 50+ MPH ON A CURVY ROAD WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, FOLLOWED IMMEDIATELY BY THE SERVICE POWER STEERING, FOLLOWED BY SOMETHING STABILIZER, FOLLOWED BY AC/DC SHUT DOWN, TO ENGINE OVERHEATED IDLE ENGINE. THE POWER STEERING LOCKED UP AND I WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE CAR AND RAN OFF THE ROAD. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO HAD JUST WORKED ON THE CAR FOR THE SECOND TIME IN A MONTH, AND THEY FOUND NO CODES - NO SURPRISE! I COMPLAINED TO CHEVY FOR THE THIRD TIME AT CORPORATE LEVEL AND THEY HAD DENIED MY CLAIM AS BEING SAFETY RELATED. I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT A CAR YOU SUDDENLY CAN'T STEER ISN'T CONSIDERED A SAFETY ISSUES. I ALSO FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT CHEVY CAN'T RECOGNIZE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE 2013 MALIBU. HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE BEFORE THEY ADDRESS THIS ISSUE? ALSO, WHY ARE THEY WAITING ON CODES WHEN THE PROBLEM IS MOST LIKELY AN ELECTRICAL/COMPUTER PROBLEM. IF THE COMPUTER ISN'T WORKING ITS NO SURPRISE THAT THE WARNINGS ARE NOT THROWING A CODE! COMMON SENSE! ALSO, A CAR DOESN'T THROW WARNING LIGHTS AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS WITHOUT SOMETHING SETTING IT OFF! HENCE YOU HAVE A PROBLEM!