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: engine
237 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Jan 5, 2016
IN SUMMER 2015 WHILE USING AC, HEAT RANDOMLY WOULD BLAST OUT. (WHILE IDLE OR DRIVING). WOULD HAVE TO RESTART CAR TO GET AC TO WORK AGAIN. IN THE PAST 2 WEEKS DEC15/JAN16, ENGINE OVERHEATED-IDLE INDICATOR CAME ON WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, ONCE AT 65 MPH, ONCE AT 30 MPH. THEN A FEW MINUTES LATER IT WOULD TURN OFF. I LOOKED AT TEMP GAUGE, AND IT WAS NOT AT AN OVERHEATING LEVEL (HALF WAY ONLY). ALSO, NOW HEAT ONLY INTERMITTENTLY WORKS. I WILL HAVE TO TURN CAR ON AND OFF REPEATEDLY, AND TURN AC ON/OFF, HEAT ON/OFF, DEFROST ON/OFF, AND SOMETIMES THE HEAT WILL FINALLY GET WARM. NEVER SEEMS TO GET HOT LIKE IT'S SUPPOSED TO. TOOK TO REPAIR SHOP FOR THE ENGINE OVERHEATED/IDLE WARNING AND STATED NOTHING WAS WRONG. SAFETY ISSUE NOT HAVING HEAT FOR FRONT WINDSHIELD DEFROST WHEN IT'S UNDER 30 DEGREES OUT. MECHANIC SAID IT'S PROBABLY A COMPUTER ISSUE WITH THE CAR. BUT NOW I'M SEEING THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH MANY CAR OWNERS. GM NEEDS TO RECALL, AS THIS CAN BE A SAFETY CONCERN!
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 30, 2015
WHILE DRIVING HOME, I RECEIVED A WARNING TO SERVICE MY BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM. EVENTUALLY, THE BATTERY SAVER WAS ACTIVATED. I LOST MY POWER STEERING EVENTUALLY AND MY CAR STOPPED RUNNING. I COULD JUMP THE CAR TO START BUT MY CAR WOULD DIE WHEN PUT IN GEAR. MY VEHICLE HAS 51,000 MILES AND YET THE DRIVE BELT BROKE. WHILE REPAIRING IT, THE TECHNICIAN DISCOVERED THAT THE DRIVE BELT TENSIONER PULLEY WAS BAD AND NEEDED REPLACED. MY VEHICLE IS NOT OLD ENOUGH NOR WITH ENOUGH MILES TO WARRANT THIS PART GOING BAD. I HAD TO PAY A $700 REPAIR BILL BECAUSE IT IS OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY. *JS
Steering, Engine, Nov 12, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT AND THEN STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES, BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE OF THE PARTS THAT WERE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Electrical system, Engine, Nov 3, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE REDUCED ENGINE POWER WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED AND CRASHED INTO A CURB. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE DEALER CLEANED THE BATTERY TERMINALS, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED WITH THE REDUCED ENGINE POWER AND ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.
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.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Oct 13, 2015
WHILE DRIVING INTO CHICAGO ON A BUSY INTERSTATE HWY A WARNING DISPLAYED ON THE DASH "SERVICE GENERATOR CONTROL MODULE," BEFORE I COULD REACH A SERVICE CENTER THE VOLTAGE BEGAN TO DROP AND ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS FAILED (LIGHTS, STEERING & BRAKE ASSIST, ETC. THE ENGINE SUBSEQUENTLY STOPPED. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER TO THE SHOULDER. THE BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY DEAD, NO ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS WORKED, E.G. EMERGENCY FLASHERS, COULDN'T REMOVE IGNITION KEY. AFTER WAITING 4 HOURS FOR TOW TRUCK, TOWED TO ROGERS CHEVROLET IN CHICAGO. VEHICLE SAT ON THE LOT TWO DAYS, THEN SERVICE TECH SAID VEHICLE STARTED AND RAN NORMALLY WITH NO FAULT INDICATIONS. VEHICLE CONTINUES TO OPERATE NORMALLY. DEALER ADVISES TO BRING VEHICLE BACK WHEN IT FAILS. CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SERVICE SAYS PERHAPS THE COMPUTER INITIATED A FALSE ERROR REPORT AND THEN SHUTS DOWN THE GCM CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STOP AND THAT'S WHY MY VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL FOR THE GCM PROBLEM. IT WOULD APPEAR FURTHER INVESTIGATION IS WARRANTED. FORTUNATELY NO PERSONAL INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED, BUT MY DOG LEAPED FROM THE STRANDED VEHICLE INTO TRAFFIC RESULTING ON OVER $6,600 IN MEDICAL EXPENSE SO FAR. I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE DEATH/INJURY THRESHOLD IS UNTIL GM WILL REPAIR THEIR OWN FAULTY VEHICLES.
Engine, Sep 28, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000.
Steering, Structure, Engine, Sep 9, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND POWERED DOWN AS THE ENGINE OVER SPEED AND SERVICE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED APPROXIMATELY THIRTY TIMES. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONLY AT 70 MPH OR HIGHER. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE DOORS FAILED TO UNLOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,000.
Electrical system, Engine, Aug 13, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND RESTARTED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INPUT ACTUATOR AND CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
Electrical system, Engine, Aug 5, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES OPERATED INDEPENDENTLY, AND THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART AFTER 10-15 MINUTES. THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000.
Engine, May 22, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THERE VEHICLE EXHIBITED EXTREME HESITATION AND JERKED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE A FAILURE. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED USING A HIGHER LEVEL OF FUEL OCTANE. AFTER THE FUEL WAS DISPENSED, THE ENGINE MODULE FAILED AND WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER. THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50. UPDATED 09/25/15*LJ UPDATED 10/17/2017*CN
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
Engine, Apr 14, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE SPEED DECREASED TO 25 MPH AFTER THE REDUCED ENGINE POWER WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND POWERED THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON; HOWEVER, THE WARNING INDICATOR WAS STILL ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SENSOR IN THE THROTTLE BODY FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,500.
Engine and engine cooling, Visibility, Apr 3, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEATING BECAME INOPERABLE WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE DEFROSTER FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THERMOSTAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V567000 (VISIBILITY). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Mar 23, 2015
FOR NO APPARENT REASON THE VEHICLE WILL STOP AND THE ELECTRIC CONTROLS WILL GO OFF (LIGHTS, DISPLAY INDICATORS AND SIGNALS)....CAR WILL STALL AS IF I HAVE TURNED IT OFF WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH FOR NO REASON WHILE I AM DRIVING. NO WARNING WHATSOEVER AND HAVE PLENTY OF GAS. I HAVE TO SOMETIMES STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC UNTIL I CAN REGAIN SOME CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AND AT THAT POINT IT WILL SEEM AS THOUGH IT IS NOT FULLY FUNCTIONING BECAUSE ALL THE INDICATORS ARE DISPLAYED. (IT SEEMS THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE COMPUTER SYSTEM)..... *TR
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 1, 2015
DRIVING 55MPH ON CRUISE CONTROL, I HEARD A WARNING CHIME. LOOKED AT DASH AND THE WORDS ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED WERE ON THE SCREEN. I LOOKED FOR A SYMBOL ON THE DASH TO TELL ME MORE AND SAW THE ENGINE SYMBOL WAS ON. THE CAR DIDN'T PERFORM OUT OF CHARACTER FROM ALREADY GOING 55 ON CRUISE. NOTHING CHANGED IN THE ENGINE PERFORMANCE. I CONTINUED TOWARD HOME AS THAT WAS MY DESTINATION AND WAS LESS THAN 15 MILES FROM HOME. I PARKED THE CAR IN MY GARAGE, TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, WAITED A FEW SECONDS, THEN STARTED THE ENGINE AGAIN. THE WARNING CAME ON RIGHT AWAY. I CALLED THE DEALER WHO I'M LEASING THE CAR FROM BUT IT WAS A SATURDAY AFTERNOON AND THEY WERE CLOSED. I DID LEAVE THEM A MESSAGE TO CALL ME ON MONDAY AND WHY. I HAVE NOT AND WILL NOT DRIVE THE CAR UNTIL I HEAR FROM THE DEALER AND HAVE A DATE AND TIME TO BRING IT IN BECAUSE OF THE CONCERN THE ENGINE COULD POWER DOWN AS I'M DRIVING ACCORDING TO INTERNET FORUMS I SINCE READ THAT OTHERS WITH THE SAME WARNING SAID THEIR CAR DID SLOW DOWN ON A FAST BUSY HIGHWAY. THIS WARNING IS IN THE MANUAL THAT CAME WITH THE CAR AND SAYS IT IS THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR GONE BAD. *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Jan 5, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU ECO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND NOTICED A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE REAR TRUNK AREA NEAR THE ECO BATTERY. THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO CLEARED THE CODE, BUT DID NOT PROVIDE A SPECIFIC DIAGNOSIS FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE ODOR COULD STILL BE DETECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V173000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION AND DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Engine, Oct 10, 2014
I PURCHASED MY 2013 MALIBU ECO IN NOVEMBER OF 2013. ON OR ABOUT MARCH 1, 2014 WE WERE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MILES PER HOUR WHEN WERE CUT OFF BY A TRUCK. I HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES WITH SOME FORCE TO AVOID A COLLISION AND UPON DOING SO THE MOTOR LOST ALL POWER AND BEGAN TO SHAKE WITH MY SPEED GOING FROM 70 DOWN TO 20 MPH. I COULD NOT REGAIN THE SPEED LIMIT AND HAD TO PULL OVER THINKING IT WAS BECAUSE I WAS DRIVING USING THE MANUAL OPTION. I WAS IN 6TH GEAR WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE HOME AFTER A 90 MILE DRIVE AT ABOUT 45 MPH. I DID NOT REPORT THIS TO THE DEALER AS THE NEXT MORNING I STARTED THE VEHICLE AND IT SEEMED FINE. A MONTH LATER WE TOOK THE SAME TRIP AND THIS TIME THE SAME ISSUE OCCURRED ALTHOUGH IT WAS NOT PRECIPITATED BY A NEAR COLLISION. THE CAR SIMPLY LOST ALL POWER IN WHILE DRIVING CITY STREETS. THE CLUTCHES IN THE TRANSMISSION WERE GRINDING AS I TRIED TO GET THE CAR TO GAIN ENGINE POWER. AGAIN I FOOLISHLY DID NOT REPORT TO THE DEALER AS I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE BACK TO SPEED AFTER ABOUT A HOUR OF DRIVING. IN JUNE THE SAME ISSUE APPEARED AND I FINALLY DID TAKE IT INTO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE BRAKE PEDAL POSITION SENSOR SHORTED CAUSING TRANSMISSION NOT TO DOWNSHIFT PROPERLY. THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE PROBLEM. IN LATE JULY THE SAME ISSUE REOCCURED AND THIS TIME THE DEALER PERFORMED A RECALL ON THE TURN SIGNAL LAMP OUTAGE. THEN IN EARLY SEPTEMBER THE ISSUE REOCCURED WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING LOCALLY. THE CARS BRAKES WERE SO HOT THE WHEEL WEIGHTS AFFIXED TO THE FRONT TIRES WERE LAYING IN OUR DRIVEWAY HAVING MELTED OFF. THIS TIME THE DEALER REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER, FRONT ROTORS, BRAKE PADS AND WHEEL WEIGHTS. IN EARLY OCTOBER I WENT TO HAVE AN OIL CHANGE AND TIRE ROTATION AND WHEN THEY TOOK THE FRONT DRIVER WHEEL OFF THE FRONT BRAKE ROTOR RETAINING BOLT FELL OUT. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Sep 8, 2014
THE CAR ENGINE STALLS, LOCKS GO UP AND DOWN, PANEL LIGHTS GO OUT, POWER STEERING IS DISABLED, RPM GAUGE REVS UP TO 7000+, THEN ENGINE COMES BACK ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES NEARLY CAUSING CRASHES AND CAUSING EXTREME ANXIETY. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAYS NO ERROR IS STORED ON THE CAR COMPUTER AND THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE INCIDENT. AFTER 2 DAYS IN THE SHOP, I GOT MY CAR BACK, DROVE 378 MILES AND THE INCIDENT HAPPENED AGAIN. IT HAS OCCURRED WITH EVERY MEMBER OF MY FAMILY. I WANT TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY OR I WILL CONTACT AN ATTORNY BEFORE SOMEONE GETS INJURED NOT AFTERWARDS. *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Aug 31, 2014
I WAS ON THE ON RAMP, BEHIND ANOTHER CAR DRIVING TO GET ONTO THE HIGHWAY WHEN WE BOTH DROVE THROUGH A BIG PUDDLE OF WATER. THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED AND THE WATER CAME OVER THE HOOD OF MY CAR. MY CAR THEN STALLED AND I COASTED TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ON RAMP. MY CAR WOULD NOT START. THE OTHER CAR CONTINUED DRIVING. NO WATER ENTERED MY VEHICLE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Vehicle speed control, Aug 15, 2014
VEHICLE SLOWED TO 10 MPH RAPIDLY WITHOUT WARNING IN TRAFFIC. WAS ONE HALF MILE FROM ENTERING INTERSTATE. CAR WAS HAULED TO DEALER. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 8, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH THE ENGINE OVERHEATING WARNING SENSOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DROVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE IN ORDER TO COOL THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,083.
Steering, Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Jul 27, 2014
AROUND THE TIME I BOUGHT THE CAR, ON 11/30/12 AT 5812 MILES, UNKNOWN TO ME THE CAR HAD A CONCERN OF LOSS OF BATTERY CHARGE WHICH CALLED FOR AN INSPECTION OF THE GENERATOR CONTROL MODULE. SO A GEN CONTROL MODULE PERFORMANCE TEST PER RECALL WAS PERFORMED. IN MAY OF 2013, I STOPPED AT RED TRAFFIC LIGHT AND THE ENGINE WAS IDLING, WHEN I PROCEEDED TO ACCELERATE BY PLACING MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL AT THE GREEN LIGHT, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF ON ME. THIS HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE AUTOMATIC SHUT-OFF THAT CONSERVES ENERGY. ON 6/24/13 AT 14006 MILES, I TRIED TO GET THEM TO DO A DIAGNOSTICS AND I DON'T THINK THEY DID A DIAGNOSTICS EVEN THOUGH I WAS STILL UNDER BUMPER-TO-BUMPER AND POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. THEY SUGGESTED A TEST DRIVE WITH A MECHANIC FOREMAN TO SEE IF THE ISSUE WOULD PRESENT ITSELF AGAIN. THE ISSUE DID NOT OCCUR AGAIN. IN JULY OF 2013, I THEN COMPLAINED THAT THE CAR HAD POOR ENGINE ACCELERATION ENTERING ONTO A HIGHWAY AND TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE AT 14810 MILES. THEY DID A R&R ECM RECALIBRATE CONTROLLER PROGRAM. ON JULY 26, 2014, I DROVE EARLIER IN THE DAY FOR QUITE A FEW HOURS THROUGH THE CITY AND A LITTLE ON THE HIGHWAY. I ACCELERATED ONCE ON THE HIGHWAY AT WHICH THE ISSUE OF ACCELERATION PRESENTED ITSELF AGAIN. AT 38,548 MILES, THE FOLLOWING MESSAGES WAS SHOWN ON MY DASHBOARD: 1. BATTERY SERVICE NEEDED 2. POWER STEERING SERVICE NEEDED I THEN CALLED ONSTAR AND I ASKED THEM TO DO A DIAGNOSTICS AND THEY GAVE ME THE FOLLOWING MESSAGES: 3. ENGINE CONTROL MODULE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM NOT PERFORMING AS EXPECTED. (P155A) 4. POWERTRAIN SYSTEM HAS DETECTED MALFUNCTION RELATED TO CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM. CRUISE CONTROL DISABLED. (C0800) 5. POWERTRAIN SYSTEM HAS DETECTED MALFUNCTION RELATED TO TRANSMISSION. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL NOT ILLUMINATE. VEHICLE PERFORMANCE AND SHIFT BEHAVIOR MAY BE AFFECTED. TOP SHIFT FEATURE WILL BE DISABLED IF EQUIPPED. (P0826) *JS
Engine, Jul 24, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION POWER THEN STALLED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THAT THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT AND WATER PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jun 30, 2014
WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE POWER SUDDENLY REDUCED AND A WARNING CAME ON INDICATING REDUCED ENGINE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER WHO HAD IT FOR 2 WEEKS AND DROVE AROUND 500 MILES ON CAR AND WERE UNABLE TO REPLICATE ERROR. *TR