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: steering
197 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), May 18, 2020
VEHICLE OCCASIONALLY LOSES POWER WHEN IN TRAFFIC OR REDUCED SPEED, STABILITRAK MALFUNCTIONS CONSISTENTLY, INITIATING "LIMP MODE", POWER STEERING WENT OUT THIS MORNING AS MY SPEED REDUCED. *TR
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), May 17, 2020
I WOKE UP AND WENT TO THE STORE AND WHEN I CAME OUT TO START THE CAR IT DIDN'T START. THE LIGHTS AND RADIO CAME ON AND EVERYTHING WORK EXCEPT WINDOWS WILL NOT GO UP OR DOWN. THE MESSAGE CENTER THEN SHOWED MESSAGE "SERVICE POWER STEERING" CAR WONT START NOW AND BATTERY AND EVERYTHING ELSE IS GOOD AND NEW.
Steering, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Apr 12, 2020
WHEN I WAS PARKED I WAS ROLLING THE WINDOWS WITH THE CAR RUNNING AND ALL THE LIGHTS AND CAR WAS CUTTING OFF. WHILE I'M DRIVING I LOSE POWER ALL MY DASH LIGHTS GO OUT AND WHILE MAKING A TURN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP TO WHERE I CAN NOT CORRECT MYSELF FROM TURNING SO I HAVE TO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET UNTIL THE POWER COMES BACK ON.
Steering, Mar 11, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, AND ATTEMPTING TO TURN LEFT, THE VEHICLE STALLED FOR APPROXIMATELY 3 TO 5 SECONDS. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND OPERATED AS DESIGNED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT APPROXIMATELY THIRTY MINUTES LATER THE VEHICLE RODE OVER A BUMP IN THE ROADWAY AND THE SERVICE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Mar 2, 2020
WHILE ON THE ROAD OR HIGHWAY THE CAR POWER OFF AND ON WHILE DRIVING .IT HAS HAPPENED ON MANY OCCASIONS. IT IS DANGEROUS
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Feb 11, 2020
I BOUGHT THIS 2013 MALIBU IN FEBRUARY 2014. IN 2016 IT STARTED WITH THE MANY ISSUES. THE HYBRID SYSTEM WHEN STOPPED AT STOP SIGN OR LIGHT WOULD DIE. THE CAR WOULD COMPLETELY DIE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THAT LEAD TO THE POWER STEERING GOING OUT. EVERY CODE ON THE DASH BOARD WOULD COME ON. THEN THE BATTERY WOULD JUST COMPLETELY DIE AND NEED TO BE JUMPED. IT WOULD RUN OK FOR A FEW DAYS THEN BE DEAD THE NEXT. MORE AND MORE THE BATTERY WOULD COMPLETELY BE DEAD EVERY FEW DAYS. HAD TWO NEW BATTERIES INSTALLED AND IT WOULD TEST FINE USUALLY. SEEMED THAT SOMETHING WAS DRAINING IT SOMEHOW. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER MANY TIME AND COULD NEVER GET A DEFINITIVE ANSWER. FINALLY IN NOVEMBER 2019 I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND IT COMPLETELY DIED AND WOULD NOT TAKE A CHARGE (JUMP). STRANDED ON THE HIGH I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO COYLE CHEVROLET ONLY TO BE TOLD THEY DIDN'T HAVE A HYBRID MECHANIC TO LOOK AT IT. THEN HAD IT TOWED TO BACHMAN CHEVROLET ONLY FOR THEM TO TELL ME AFTER HAVING IT FOR TWO WEEKS THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE ENGINE. EITHER THEY NEEDED TO DISASSEMBLE IT TO FIND THE PROBLEM OR I WOULD NEED TO GET A NEW ENGINE FOR $7,000. I HAD A CLAIM WITH GM BUT THEY ALSO JUST GAVE ME THE RUN AROUND. THE CAR ITSELF IS ONLY WORTH $3,500-$4,500. I STILL WAS PAYING ON THE LOAN FOR IT ALSO. NOT ONLY HAVE I NOT HAD A CAR SINCE NOVEMBER I HAVE A CAR THAT WON'T START AND CAN NOT TRADE IN ON ANOTHER CAR. ALTHOUGH THERE WAS MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUES NO RECALLS ARE ON THE CAR FOR THEM. VERY FRUSTRATING SITUATION I DEALT WITH FOR A FEW YEARS WITH THE CAR AND NO SOLUTION FOR A FIX. I LOVED THAT CAR AND CHEVY BUT VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THEM. NEED TO INVEST IN ANOTHER MODEL I GUESS.
Steering, Engine, Jan 31, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 A CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED A MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHICH STATED ENGINE POWER WAS REDUCED. THE STEERING WHEEL CEASED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSES OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,833.
Steering, Jan 6, 2020, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD LOCK AND THERE WOULD BE AN ABNORMAL NOISE WITHOUT WARNING INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HOLIDAY AUTOMOTIVE SALES LOCATED AT 321 N ROLLING MEADOWS DR, FOND DU LAC, WI 54937, WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WOULD CONTINUE TO OCCUR ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING A 50 MPH AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT INTO A CURVE, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A DITCH. NO INJURIES OR DAMAGES OCCURRED DUE TO THE FAILURE AND THE POLICE WERE NOT CALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AT A STEADY 20 MPH TO HEISER CHEVROLET LOCATED AT 2620 W WASHINGTON ST, WEST BEND, WI 53095 WHERE THE VEHICLE REMAINED IN THEIR POSSESSION AND PROVIDED A LOANER VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THE FAILURE AND FILED A CASE WITH THE MANUFACTURER, THE CONTACT HAD YET TO HEAR BACK FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Dec 12, 2019
I HAVE A 2013 MALIBU LT WITH 52,000 MILES ON IT. LAST MONTH ON THE 20TH OF NOVEMBER SERVICE POWER STEERING WARNING STARTED TO FLASH ON THE INFORMATION SYSTEM. WHEN THAT HAPPENS MY DOORS WOULD LOCK AND MY CAR WOULD STALL. HOWEVER; UNLIKE MOST OTHER CONSUMERS WHO ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM MY STEERING WHEEL DIDN'T GET TIGHT AND I DID NOT LOSE CONTROL OF MY CAR. I COULD NOT DO MORE THAN 40MPH AND SOMETIMES IF I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD SERVICE POWER STEERING WOULD COME ON AND THE DOORS WOULD LOCK AND THE CAR WOULD STALL AND THEN GO BACK TO NORMAL. I TOOK MY CAR IN TO GENESIS CHEVROLET TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. THEY HAD MY CAR FOR ABOUT A GOOD 4 TO 5 HOURS. THEY THEN CAME AND INFORMED ME THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH MY CARE BECAUSE, NO CODES WHERE POPPING UP AND THE MECHANIC TRIED 4 TIMES BUT COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE SITUATION I WAS HAVING. IT IS NOW DECEMBER 11TH AND I AM STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I JUST DROVE TO WORK TODAY AND WENT TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN DOWN THE STREET LEADING TO MY JOB THE SERVICE POWER STEERING FLASHED AGAIN ,THE CAR STALLED ,AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THIS TIME THE CAR SLOWED ALL THE WAY DOWN UNTIL IT CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. EVEN THOUGH MY CAR HAD COME TO A COMPLETE STOP IT WAS STILL ON AND RUNNING. MY RADIO STILL WORKED MY HEAT WAS STILL ON AND I STILL COULD SHIFT MY GEAR SHIFT. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK TURNED IT OFF FOR ABOUT A MINUTE AND THEN STARTED IT BACK UP. WHEN I STARTED IT BACK UP THE ENGINE LIGHT HAD GONE OFF AND I WAS ABLE TO ACCELERATE MY CAR AND PULL INTO THE PARKING LOT OF MY JOB. *TR
Steering, Nov 20, 2019
THE KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. I HAD TO GET A NEW IGNITION BACK IN NOV 2017. NOW NOV 2019 THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING. IM AFRAID THIS MY BE A EVERY TWO YEAR PROBLEM. I'VE FOUND OUT HOW TO GET THE KEY UNSTUCK BUT THAN THREE HOURS HAD PAST WAITING FOR HELP AND MY BATTERY HAD DIE.
Steering, Electrical system, Service brakes, Nov 6, 2019
THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WILL RANDOMLY SHUT DOWN CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES, ENTIRE DASHBOARD, ALL LIGHTS, HAZARD LIGHTS ETC. THIS CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME, ON THE FREEWAY, STOPPED AT A LIGHT, PARKED ETC. SOMETIMES IT GOES DARK AND RESTARTS ITSELF WHILE DRIVING....SOMETIMES IT GOES DARK AND WON'T RESTART FOR MINUTES OR LONGER WHILE IN TRAFFIC WITHOUT WORKING HAZARD LIGHTS. IF PARKED, IT CAN'T BE TAKEN OUT OF 'PARK" TO PUSH IT OUT OF TRAFFIC OR TRY TO START IT IN "NEUTRAL" AND THE KEY CAN'T BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION.THERE ARE NO ERROR CODES TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE AND IT WON'T EVER HAPPEN WHILE IT IS IN THE SHOP (OF COURSE) THIS IS THE ULTIMATE SAFETY HAZARD TO ME AND MY FAMILY.
Steering, Electrical system, Oct 15, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH ON THE FREEWAY, THE STEERING SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO VEER THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND THE KEY WOULD NOT RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION. APPROXIMATELY TWO HOURS LATER, THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V173000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 66,000.*PM THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DO THE DEALER AND CONSUMER WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT ELECTRICAL PROBLEM BUT BLOCK CABLE WAS REPLACED.*JB
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Oct 1, 2019
AS I AM DRIVING EITHER ON THE HIGHWAY AT OVER 70 MPH OR IN THE CITY I HAVE LOST ALL POWER TO THE VEHICLE. LOSS OF POWER STEERING, POWER BREAKS EVERYTHING. THE CAR SHUTS COMPLETELY DOWN AND JUST BEFORE ALL THE CHECK ENGINE AND SERVICE LIGHTS FLASH THROUGH. THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES AND THE LAST TIME I WAS PULLING INTO APPLE VALLEY MOTORS IN MARTINSBURG WV PARKING LOT, LOST POWER AND HIT THE CURB AND BLEW OUT A TIRE BECAUSE I LOST POWER STEERING. THE DEALER WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT IT THERE ARE MANY OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM ON CHEVY MALIBU FORUM. COM FINALLY SOMEONE SUGGESTED THAT WE SHOULD REPORT THE PROBLEM HERE. I HAVE HAD TO PUT 3 BATTERIES IN THE YEAR THAT I OWNED IT. NOT ONLY THIS BUT THE TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE BOTH WENT BAD AT THE SAME TIME. I ONLY HAVE 86K ON IT. I CONTACTED BOTH GM AND CHEVY AND EXPLAINED THE SITUATION AND NEITHER ONE WILL ASSIST ME. THEY GAVE ME A CASE NUMBER BUT IN THE END THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO BECAUSE ALL WARRANTIES HAVE EXPIRED. ( THEY EXPIRED BECAUSE OF THE DATE, I AM STILL UNDER THE MILEAGE PORTION OF THE WARRANTY) AS OF RIGHT NOW MY CAR IS AT THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD TO HAVE IT FIXED AND THE DEALERSHIP, GM/CHEVY OR THE THIRD PARTY WARRANTY THAT EXPIRED 8 DAYS AFTER THEY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT HELP EITHER. LUCKILY I ONLY HIT A CURB AT A VERY SLOW SPEED. I COULD HAVE KILLED SOMEONE. THIS HAS HAPPENED BOTH ON THE HIGHWAY AND IN THE CITY WHILE I AM IN MOTION. THE DEALERSHIP THAT I PURCHASED IT AT HAD TO CHANGE THE BATTERY IN THE TRUNK DURING THE FIRST 30 DAYS THAT I OWNED IT. THAT FIXED THE PROBLEM FOR A WHILE. BUT I DON'T KNOW IF THAT IS THE CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM OR NOT. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS APP 4 MONTHS AGO AND HAS HAPPENED A TOTAL OF 4 TIMES SINCE THEN. AND STILL THE NO ONE WILL HELP OR LOOK INTO THE ISSUE. THE MOST RECENT WAS LAST WEEK.
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 28, 2019
THIS HAPPENED TWO DAYS IN A ROW I WAS DRIVING ME SO ME TURNING A CORNER AND MY CAR JUST STOPPED STEER WHEEL LOCKED UP COULD MOVE THE CAR OR NOTHING NEAR HAD AN ACCIDENT I'M A PETRIFIED BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHEN THIS GOD HAPPENS AGAIN I VAULE MY LIFE THIS RECALL SERIOUSLY NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO I WORKED HARD MANY LONG DAYS TO SAVE TO GET THIS CAR JUST FOR IT TO TURN OUT BAD I SERIOUSLY NEED HELP WITH THIS LIFE THREATENING ISSUE.
Steering, Service brakes, Engine, Sep 23, 2019
AS I WAS DRIVING 35 MPH ON A BUSY DOWNTOWN LOCATION IN MY AREA OF NEW ORLEANS, MY 2013 CHEVY MALIBU DECIDED TO SHUT DOWN ON ME. AT FIRST WHEN I STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, THE CAR STALL AS THOUGH IT WANTED TO CUT OFF BUT IT DIDN'T AT THAT MOMENT. WHEN I MADE IT TO THE SECOND RED LIGHT THE CAR SHUT COMPLETELY OFF THEN CAME RIGHT BACK ON. I WAS TERRIFIED AS MY 12 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER SAT IN THE BACK SEAT OF THE CAR SO I DECIDED TO HEAD HOME WHICH WAS 15 MINS FROM THE LOCATION WHERE I WAS PLUS I ALSO HAD TO TRAVEL OVER A BUSY MISSISSIPPI RIVER BRIDGE TO GET TO MY HOUSE FROM THAT LOCATION. AS I WAS MAKING MY WAY BACK TOWARDS THE BRIDGE TO GET HOME, I NOTICE DIFFERENT SIGNALS FLASHING ACROSS MY DASHBOARD, THEN THE CAR SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY GIVING ME LITTLE TO NO TIME TO MAKE A DECISION TO PULL OVER. THE STEELING WHEEL LOCKED UP GIVING ME NO CONTROL AS TO WHICH WAY TO STEER THE VEHICLE, CAR COMPLETELY DEAD. I WAS SO BLESSED THAT NO CARS WAS IN THE WAY OF WHERE THE CAR WAS GOING. THE CAR REFUSED TO START AGAIN AND KEY GOT STUCK . I HAD TO GET IT TOWED HOME. I'M BEGGING CHEVY, PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE. I HAVE SEEN LOTS OF REVIEWS REGARDING THESE MAKE AND MODELS AND IT LOOKS LIKE NOTHING IS BEING DONE. I HAD A 2006 CHEVY MALIBU WHICH I LOVED SO MUCH THAT I DECIDED TO TRUST CHEVY WITH MY NEXT CAR. AS I CLOSED MY EYES THAT NIGHT I COULD ONLY IMAGINE WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPEN IF I WAS ON THAT BRIDGE HEADING HOME WITH CARS TRAVELING 60-70MPH? WHAT IF I WAS INFRONT OF A RIVER, ON A TRAIN TRACK, IN FRONT OF A BIG BODY VEHICLE SUCH AS A BUS OR 18-WHEELER OR SOMEONE WALKING IN THE DIRECTION THE CAR WAS GOING? SOMEONE, IF HAVEN'T ALREADY COULD TRULY CAUSE DAMAGE TO THEIR LIFE OR SOMEONE ELSE'S LIFE. PLEASE CHEVY THINK ABOUT THE FAMILY LIVES WHICH ARE BEING PUT IN DANGER, EVEN THE DEALERSHIP'S DONT TRULY KNOW THE ISSUES.
Steering, Sep 9, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE JERKED WHILE THE FAILURE OCCURRED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED UNLESS THE FAILURE OCCURRED IN THEIR PRESENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 6, 2019
THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WILL RANDOMLY SHUTS DOWN. USUALLY STARTS WITH THE ENTERTAINMENT CONSOLE, AND PROGRESSES TO THE POWER STEERING, AND EVENTUALLY A FULL POWER SHUT DOWN. STATIONARY OR WHILE DRIVING, DOESN'T MATTER, COMPLETE SHUT DOWN. VEHICLE DOES RESTART AS IF NOTHING HAPPENED. DEALERSHIP AND GM NO HELP. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE 2018 WITH MULTIPLE DEALERSHIP SERVICES, AND 2 SEPERATE COMPLAINTS TO GM. 2 NEAR MISS COLLISIONS DUE TO POWER STEERING LOSS.
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Aug 19, 2019
19 AUGUST 2019 ON THIS DAY TWICE I EXPERIENCE LOSS OF POWER ON THE VEHICLE AND POWER STEERING. LUCKILY I DID NOT HIT ANY CARS. WAS DRIVING BELOW 35 MPH THE FIRST INCIDENT IS WHEN I CAME TO A RED LIGHT THE RADIO TURN OFF FIRST THEN THE CAR FELT SLUGGISH AND THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN LOST CONTROL OF EVERYTHING AND WAS COASTING. VEHICLE GAIN POWER BY IT SELF AND RESUME OPERATIONS. DURING EVERY LIGHT I STOP IT FELT LIKE IT WANTED TO LOSE POWER. CAME TO A PARKING LOT DRIVING AROUND 5 MPH COMPLETELY THE CAR SHUT OFF FIRST RADIO AND THEN WHOLE VEHICLE THIS TIME IT DID NOT GAIN POWER BY IT SELF. HAD TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN PARK TURN THE KEY OFF AND RESTART IT WAS ABLE TO PARK IT. AFTER READING HERE SEEMS A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE AN IMMEDIATE INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE OPEN BECAUSE THIS CAN POSSIBLY HAPPEN IN THE HIGHWAY IF I LOSE CONTROL POWER IN THE POWER STEERING I COULD POTENTIALLY CRASH OF GET HIT BY A CAR . CALL GM AND THEY SAID THEY DO NOT HAVE A BULLETIN ASK THEM FOR AN ADDRESS TO SUBMIT A FORMAL COMPLAINT AND WAS GIVEN ONE. I DON'T THINK GM CARES HOPEFULLY YOU GUYS CAN LOOK INTO THE ISSUE AND GET AND ANSWER AS TO WHY IS HAPPENING CONSUMERS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY A DIAGNOSTIC FEE AND NOT GET ANSWERS
Steering, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Aug 7, 2019
COMING HOME FROM WORK ON 8/6/2019 TRAVELING DOWN MD-210 HIGHWAY, WITH CAR MOTION, THE RADIO CUT OFF AND THEN ENTIRE CAR SHUT OFF. WE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, SO MY HUSBAND TOOK THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION RESTARTED THE CAR AND WE TRAVELED HOME. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME, WE HAD OUR CAR CHECKED AT OUR MECHANIC'S SHOP BUT AT THE TIME HE COULD NOT DETERMINE WHAT THE ISSUE COULD BE AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE ISSUE. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME, THE RADIO CUTS OFF, INSTRUMENT DASH LIGHTS, CUTS OFF AND THE THE POWER STEERING SHUTS DOWN JUST FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS, IT HAPPENED WHEN WE TRAVELED TO WORK, MY HUSBAND TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL RIGHT TO GET ON THE HIGHWAY, THE RADIO WENT OFF FOR A FEW SECONDS THEN IT CAME BACK HOME. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND GOD FORBID IF THIS HAPPENS WHILE CAR IN MOTION ON A GREEN LIGHT IT COULD KILL SOMEONE. PLEASE RECALL THIS VEHICLE ASAP.
Steering, Electrical system, Aug 2, 2019
WHILE DRIVING MY CAR SHOT OFF TEMPORAILY CAUSING MY STEERING TO LOCK NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. IT HAS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES IN THE LAST WEEK. THE ONLY WARNING IS THE RADIO SHUTS OFF. VERY DANGEROUS AND REPORTED IN MANY FORUMS.
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 30, 2019
A FEW TIMES THAT I HAVE BEEN DRIVING MY CAR, I HAVE EXPERIENCED ISSUES WITH THE CAR TURNING OFF AND LOSING POWER STEERING AND CONTROL WHILE IN MOTION. THE WHOLE CAR TURN OFF AND WHEEL LOCKS UP, PREVENTING ME FROM BEING ABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR. COUNTLESS SEARCHING THROUGH FORUMS LED ME TO FIND MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE. AND FROM THE FORUMS, MANY CLAIM THE REASON FOR THESE PROBLEMS HAPPENING IS FAULTY BATTERY CABLES THAT GM THAT DOESN'T WANT TO ADMIT. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE I HAVE HAD MY CAR TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND IN THE CITY. AND I'M NOT THE ONLY EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE. IT'S WIDESPREAD AMONG 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU'S. HERE IS A LINK TO ONE OF MANY FORUMS TAKING ABOUT THIS ISSUE: HTTPS://WWW.CARGURUS.COM/CARS/DISCUSSION-T33502_DS916791
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Jul 3, 2019
CAR SHUTS OFF COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS SPORADIC THEN SHUTS DOWN.
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 18, 2019, crash
TAKATA RECALL THE LIGHTS ON MY DASH KEPT GOING IN AND OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND WHILE STATIONARY. WHILE MY CAR WAS OFF, WITH NO KEY IN THE IGNITION, THE GAUGES WOULD MAKE CLICKING SOUNDS AND BOUNCE UP AND DOWN ABOUT AN 8TH OF AN INCH. THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH WOULD STAY OFF FOR DAYS AT A TIME, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO SEE HOW FAST I WAS GOING OR HOW MUCH GAS WAS IN THE CAR. SOMETIMES THE LIGHTS WOULD CLICK ON FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS AND THEN THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD BE STUCK AT THE LAST SPEED I WAS GOING AT, FOR DAYS, WITHOUT SHOWING ANYTHING ON THE DIGITAL SPEEDOMETER. WHEN I TOOK IT TO GET LOOKED AT, NO CODES WERE FOUND. MY CAR KEPT DYING WHILE I WAS DRIVING, WENT AND HAD MY BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR TESTED AND THEY WERE 100% FINE. CAR DASH LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING ON AND OFF WHILE I WAS GOING AROUND A CURVE. CHECK ENGINE, OIL, WIPER FLUID, GAS LIGHT, EVERYTHING FLASHED ON AND OFF, THEN MY STEERING LOCKED UP, CAUSING ME TO GO OFF OF THE ROAD AND HIT A TREE. MY CAR WAS TOTALED.
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 10, 2019
SOMETIMES IT HAPPENS WHEN I TURN ON MY BLINKER OTHERS ITS RANDOM BUT THE CAR STALLS AND THE RADIO TURNS OFF ALONG WITH THE POWER STEERING.
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Apr 18, 2019
WHEN DRIVING MY MALIBU IT SEEMS TO HAVE A SHORT CIRCUIT WHEN I TURN THE WHEEL EVEN THE SLIGHTEST. I HAVE CHANGED THE BATTERIES CHECKED ALL THE WIRES AND EVERYTHING SEEMS FINE. I HAVE FIGURED OUT EVEN WHEN I'M DRIVING 70MPH ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY FAMILY IN THE CAR THE POWER STEERING WILL GO OUT AND MAKE IT HARD FOR ME TO EVEN TURN. I HAVE READ ONLINE THAT THIS IS HAPPENING TO MALIBU'S EVERYWHERE AND THAT GM IS NOT WILLING TO MAKE IT A NATIONAL RECALL BECAUSE IT MUST BE HAPPENING WHILE THEY SEE THE CAR. SO I GUESS I HAVE TO WAIT FOR ME TO CRASH? TO SEE THAT THE POWER STEERING GAVE OUT ON ME ALONG WITH THE REST OF THE ELECTRICAL WORK ON THE INSIDE OF THE CAR.