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: electronic stability control (esc)
84 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 17, 2016
WHEN DRIVING, THE CAR WILL SHUT OFF FOR ABOUT 5 SECONDS AND THEN COME BACK ON FINE BUT THE WHEEL AND THE BRAKES LOCK UP. IT WILL RANDOMLY DO THIS. IT HAPPENS ON NORMAL SIDE STREETS AS WELL AS ON THE INTERSTATE. I HAVE ALSO HAD IT HAPPEN WHILE SITTING STILL IN PARK. THE CAR WAS TURNED ON BUT THE RADIO WOULD BLINK AND THE AIR STOP AND THEN AFTER ABOUT 6 SECONDS IT WILL START AGAIN LIKE NORMAL. HOWEVER ABOUT 4 TIMES IT HAS HAD MAJOR EPISODES WHERE ALL OF THE LIGHTS WILL BLINK (LIKE I WAS RESTARTING THE CAR), THE WHEEL LOCKS UP, THE BRAKES LOCK UP, THE CAR ACTS AS IF IT IS IN NEUTRAL AND THEN ABOUT 6 SECONDS IT WILL JERK LIKE IT'S GOING INTO GEAR AND ONCE I PULL OVER AND RESTART IT, IT MAY HAPPEN AGAIN OR IT MAY BE FINE FOR A WHILE. IT HAS SHOWN ON THE SCREEN ON THESE 4 TIMES WORDS OF "CHECK POWER STEERING OR STABILITRAK WARNING" IT'S VERY SCARY. I'VE ALMOST WRECKED 3 DIFFERENT TIMES BECAUSE THE WHEEL LOCKS UP AND I WAS IN A TURN WHEN IT DID IT. THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS TRAVELING WITH MY YOUNG CHILDREN AND WE WERE ALMOST REAR ENDED BY AN 18 WHEELER ON THE INTERSTATE AT RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. I FEEL LIKE I'M DRIVING A DEATH TRAP. I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP THAT THE DEALER ADVISED ME TO TAKE IT TO. THEY SAY IT IS THE ECM. THE DEALERSHIP IS NOT WILLING TO PAY FOR IT SINCE IT'S NOT COVERED UNDER THE MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY. I'VE HAD THIS CAR SINCE OCTOBER AND ITS BEEN IN THE SHOP 5 TIMES FOR THIS AND OVERHEATING. I'M IN THE PROCESS OF CONTACTING GM ABOUT THIS ISSUE BECAUSE I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING THIS TROUBLE. IT'S EXTREMELY SCARY AND IT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY HURT. IT'S A HAZARD NOT ONLY TO ME AS THE DRIVER AND THE CHILDREN THAT I CARRY IN MY CAR DAILY, BUT THE OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD BECAUSE WHEN IT HAPPENS ITS WITHOUT WARNING AND THE CAR COMPLETELY LOCKS UP.
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), May 17, 2016
PROBLEM 1: DRIVING CAR AT 40MPH (ON A CITY STREET) IT BEGINS TO OVERHEAT, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZES THEN STALLS OUT REPEATEDLY. TAKE VEHICLE TO CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP, TECHNICIAN SAYS NEED TO REPLACE PARKING BRAKE CONTROL MODULE (WATER INTRUSION) GM PAYS 50/50 PAYMENT ASSISTANCE, I PAID $417.23. WITHIN A WEEK'S TIME SEVERAL ISSUES ARISE AS INDICATED BELOW. PROBLEM 2: WHILE CAR IS IN MOTION DRIVING THE CITY STREETS THE DASH LIGHTS AND TOUCH SCREEN RADIO (ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHUTS OFF) FOR ABOUT 5 SECONDS THEN COMES BACK ON. THE BRIEF BOX POPS UP FOR A FEW SECONDS, INDICATING CHECK POWER STEERING, STABILITRAK WARNING LIGHT ON AND PARKING BRAKE SAYS IT'S ON. ALL THIS HAPPENED, EIGHT TIMES IN TEN MINUTES. THEN I PROCEED TO MAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN AND MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP AND I NEARLY HIT A VEHICLE THAT WAS STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT. IT HAPPENS RANDOMLY BUT I DID NOTICE WHEN I HAD THE A/C ON IT HAPPENED REPEATEDLY. AGAIN VEHICLE IS AT CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP AND UNABLE TO RECREATE THE PROBLEM, DEALING WITH GM CORPORATE AT THIS TIME.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 14, 2016
STABILITRAC LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT CAME ON. DIAGNOSED BOTH THE LEFT REAR AND RIGHT REAR ENCODER RING FOR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR BROKEN. BOTH REAR WHEEL HUBS HAD TO BE REPLACED.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Jan 26, 2016
ABS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH MESSAGE TO SERVICE STABILITRAK.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 21, 2016
CAR DIES WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING. RESTARTS ITSELF AFTER A COUNT OF 3. WILL DIE COMPLETELY WHEN STANDING STILL AND ALL THE LIGHTS AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS GO OFF. THE COMPUTER DOES NOT REGISTER THE DYING. I LOSE POWER STEERING IF IN A TURN WHEN IT DIES. IT STARTS WITH THE RADIO. DEALERSHIP CAN'T FIND PROBLEM AND CAN'T SEEM TO RECREATE IT. NO DIAGNOSTIC TRAIL TO FOLLOW.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 8, 2015
SO I HAVE A 2013 MALIBU LT WHICH I HAD TOOK TO THE DEALER FOR A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND ENDED UP BEING THAT THE CAM SHAFT HAD TO BE REPLACED. NOW THAT I GOT MY CAR BACK 2 WEEKS LATER WITH 33,000 MILES IT KEEPS COMING UP WITH SERVICE STABILITRAK. IT STALLS OUT ON ME SO I TAKE IT BACK IN AND THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIKE IS NOT ON. SO I HAVE MY CAR BACK AND IT'S THE SAME PROBLEM...AT A STOP THE CAR WILL SHOW SERVICE STABILITRAK AND THEN SHORTLY AFTER IT WILL JUST SHUT OFF!! TONIGHT DRIVING HOME FROM WORK I GOT SCARED BECAUSE IT DID IT TO ME ABOUT 6 TIMES AND MIND YOU ITS A 20 MINUTE DRIVE. AS I TURNS ON MY LIGHTS WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 35 MILES PER HOUR THE CAR DID IT AGAIN AND SEEMED LIKE IT WAS ABOUT TO JUST SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF ME DRIVING IT. THE CAR SLOWED ITSELF AND THE STEREO SHUT OFF AND THEN EVERYTHING FLASHED AS IF I HAD JUST TURNED THE CAR ON AND ALL THE DOORS RELOCKED ITSELF. AFRAID OF WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN NEXT I'M TAKING IT IN AGAIN AND DEMANDING THAT THEY RESEARCH THE PROBLEM AND FIX IT...AND I DON'T CARE IF THERE IS NO ENGINE LIGHT ON, THEY NEED TO DO SOMETHING BECAUSE I'M TO THE POINT THAT I'M SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR IN FEAR THAT I MIGHT CAUSE A WRECK DUE TO MY CAR SHUTTING OFF BY ITSELF!! IF ANYONE KNOWS HOW TO GET THIS RESOLVED SO I CAN EXPLAIN TO THE MECHANIC AT THE CHEVY DEALER WHO SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR..PLEASE HELP!!
Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Nov 1, 2015
MY FAN KEEPS STAYING ON AFTER MY CAR HAS BEEN TURNED OFF. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES NOW. THIS WEEK MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, MY CAR SIGNALED THAT IT WAS OVERHEATING, AND I NEEDED TO IDLE MY ENGINE. THE TEMPERATURE GUAGE WENT BACK AND FORTH FROM COLD TO HOT. I WAS TOLD AT THE LAST TRIP TO THE DEALER THEY HAD FIXED EVERYTHING AND I HAD A LIFETIME WARRANTY. NOW THERE IS THIS PROBLEM WHERE I CANNOT TURN ON THE DEFROST OR THE CAR WILL THINK IT IS OVER HEATING, BUT THERE IS NO SMOKE AND IT CAN BE IN AS LITTLE AS 30 SECONDS AFTER I START MY CAR. THE PANEL WHERE THE REAR CAMERA GETS WARM BUT NO HEAT COMES OUT OF THE VENTS. MY CONCERN IS THE VEHICLE WILL IGNITE WHILE I AM DRIVING.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, May 5, 2015
WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR KEPT SHUTTING OFF AND THROWING IT INTO THEFT MODE...THIS HAPPENS ON DAILY BASIS NOW AND I'M SCARED IT WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE CONTINUOUS SHUTTING OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING IN CERTAIN SPEEDS...I SEE THERE IS RECALLS ON THIS WHICH I DO KEEP GETTING THE ANTI THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM ERROR MESSAGE IN MY MAIN SCREEN WHEN THIS HAPPENS. WHEN WILL THERE BE A RECALL FOR THIS ON THIS YEAR & MODEL BECAUSE I SEE SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ONLINE? *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, May 23, 2014
3/20 I WAS GOING 35 WHEN IT LOST POWER AND BRAKE.ONSTAR TOWED TO DEALER 4 DAYS LATER WAS TOLD IT WAS TRACTION CONTROL AND FIXED. 4/29 GOING 50 AND LOST POWER, AND BRAKED TO 28 MPH. ONSTAR AGAIN TOWED TO DEALER HAS SAT THERE FOR 24 DAYS AND COUNTING WITH NO RESOLUTION FROM GM. THIS IS A 2013 CHEVY MALIBU.I AM CURRENTLY LOOKING TO HAVE IT DECLARED A LEMON. *TR