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, Other or unspecified, Jul 30, 2017
WHILE GETTING ON THE EXPRESSWAY THE CAR CUT OFF ON THE RAMP WHILE GOING 24MPH. I WAS UNABLE TO TURN ON HAZARD LIGHTS, NOTHING AT ALL WOULD WORK. I COULD NOT IMMEDIATELY RESTART THE CAR. I COULD NOT REMOVE THE KEY EITHER. I HAD TO WAIT APPROXIMATELY 3 MINS FOR THE CAR TO LIGHT UP AND THEN I COULD RESTART THE CAR. ON THE WAY HOME ON THE RAMP ON THE EXPRESSWAY THE CAR LOST POWER STEERING AND JERKED TO THE LEFT. THE ENIGINE DID NOT STOP THIS TIME. IN THIS CASE FORTUNATELY THERE WERE NO INJURIES.
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 28, 2017, crash
WHEN DRIVING THE CAR THE RADIO PANEL, AIR CONDITIONING, CONTROL PANEL AND POWER STEERING GOES OUT. WHEN DRIVING OVER 45 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE ENGINE WILL NOT STOP. HOWEVER, WHEN DRIVING 45 MPH OR BELOW ON CITY STREETS, THE CAR WILL SHUT COMPLETELY OFF AND I WILL HAVE TO RESTART THE CAR. EVERYTHING GOES COMPLETE OFF. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS NOW. THE CAR HAS HAD THIS ISSUE WHILE IN TRAFFIC AND I WAS HIT FROM BEHIND. FORTUNATELY, WE WERE PULLING OFF FROM A STOP LIGHT AND THE IMPACT WAS NOT ENOUGH TO CAUSE AN INJURY. I HAVE RESEARCHED ON YOUTUBE AND ONLINE AND THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER CONSUMERS WITH THIS EXACT SAME ISSUE. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NEVER COMES ON BUT IT DOES SAY SERVICE POWER STEERING AND SERVICE STABILI TRAK. SOMETIMES WHEN THE CAR IS NOT MOVING (PARKED) IT WILL ALSO CUT OFF. ONCE, I WENT TO START THE CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START AND IT WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO REMOVE THE KEY. I TRIED MAKING SURE THE CAR WAS IN PARK (WHICH I KNEW IT WAS BECAUSE IT HAD BEEN PARKED FOR HOURS) BUT NOTHING WOULD MOVE. I ALMOST HAD IT TOWED AND THEN OUT THE BLUE EVERYTHING POPPED ON. CHEVROLET ADVISED THAT THEY "THINK" IT COULD BE THE BATTERY CABLES AND THE FUSE BOX BUT CANNOT GUARANTEE THAT THIS WILL FIX THE ISSUE. I HAVE ALREADY PAID 167.00 FOR THEM TO "TIGHTEN" THE CABLES AND TELL ME WHAT THEY "THINK" MAY BE THE ISSUE. I ALSO HAVE VIDEO OF THE CAR WHILE HAVING THIS ISSUE BUT IT IS NOT IN THE FORMAT ALLOWED FOR UPLOAD. THE LAST TIME IT HAD THIS ISSUE WAS TODAY 07/28/2017.
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 9, 2017
PURCHASED THIS 2013 MALIBU LT IN AUGUST OF 2016. AFTER ABOUT A MONTH, I STARTED EXPERIENCING POWER FAILURE AND POWER STEERING LOSS WHILE DRIVING. ON SOME OCCASIONS, THE ELECTRICAL ISSUES AND POWER FAILURE IS TRIGGERED BY ENGAGING THE TURN SIGNAL. SEARCHED YOUTUBE AND DISCOVERED THAT DOZENS OF OTHER 2013 MALIBU OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. THE SCARY PART OF THIS ISSUE IS THAT THE CAR STALLS OUT COMPLETELY WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING AT ANY GIVEN SPEED. AND WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT AS WELL. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT A DOZEN TIMES SINCE ABOUT A MONTH AFTER PURCHASE AUGUST 2016; THE LAST EXPERIENCE WAS ON THIS PAST FRIDAY, JULY 7, 2017.THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AS I HAVE ALREADY EXPERIENCED TWO NEAR-MISS ACCIDENTS. I'VE READ SEVERAL POSTS OF OTHERS WHO HAVE SPENT MONEY ON DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIRS ONLY TO DISCOVER THAT THE PROBLEM REOCCURS. I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO WASTE ON FRUITLESS REPAIRS AS I'M STILL PAYING A NOTE PLUS FULL COVERAGE INSURANCE ON THIS VEHICLE. I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY COMPLAINTS THAT IT WILL TAKE FOR SOMETHING TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM, BUT SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE IN A HURRY.
Steering, Electrical system, Jun 14, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATED, THE STEERING COLUMN SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LONG HAMMER AUTO DEALER FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER, BUT A DIAGNOSIS WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY EIGHT TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 2, 2017
I HAD FOUR RECALLS DONE ON 3/17/17 AT EMERSON CHEVY IN AUBURN, ME. 15176, 12212, 13142, AND 13342. CAR HAD BEEN TOWED TO DEALERSHIP WHEN IT DIED ON SIDE OF ROAD. THEN ABOUT TWO MONTHS LATER, IT DIES ON SIDE OF ROAD AGAIN (BATTERY NOT CHARGING AGAIN!!). PAID OVER $1,000 TO GOODWIN CHEVROLET IN OXFORD, ME TO SUPPOSEDLY FIX IT. ON 6/1/17, MY DAUGHTER WENT OFF THE ROAD WHEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN (BATTERY DRAIN, STEERING FAILS, ETC. LUCKILY SHE WAS NOT GOING VERY FAST AND WENT INTO A FIELD. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SOME ONE GETS KILLED!
Steering, May 5, 2017
WHILE DRIVING IN TOWN THE TURNING SIGNAL BLINKS WITH NO SOUND THEN THE SCREEN GOES BLACK THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT. I HAVE SEEN OVER 50 COMPLAINTS ON LINE REGARDING THIS ISSUE AND GM ISSUED A RECALL BUT NOT ON THE 2013. I BELIEVE THE ORIGINAL RECALL IS LISTED AS 14V-153 ADDITIONAL MODELS/YEARS WERE ADDED UNDER 14772 ... THERE ARE ALSO ADDITIONAL DAY THIS HAPPENED ALSO 4/29 & 05/01/2017
Steering, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Apr 25, 2017
I HAVE A 13 MALIBU LTZ BUT AS I'M DRIVING THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUTS OFF AND COMES BACK ON IN THE MIDDLE OF ME DRIVING. I HAD IT SENT TO A SHOP THEY DIAGNOSED IT BUT FOUND NOTHING SAID THE KEY WAS POSSIBLY A PROBLEM. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND GOT A NEW KEY SO FOR A MONTH OR SO THE ISSUE WAS FINE. I STARTED DRIVING AGAIN AND AS I HAVE MY BLINKERS ON I'M GETTING READY TO TURN AND THE CAR SHUTS OFF AGAIN.. I'M IN 5PM TRAFFIC THIS IS SCARY BUT AS THE CAR SHUT OFF THE WHEEL LOCK IT CUTS RIGHT BACK ON. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID MY BATTERY SINCE IT WASN'T CHANGED IN AWHILE SO I HAVE THE BATTERY REPLACED. THE CAR WAS FINE NOW TWO MONTHS LATER IT DID IT ALL OVER AGAIN.. I'M GETTING READY TO TURN AND AGAIN EVERYTHING SHUTS OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING THEN CUTS BACK ON. I'M VERY FRUSTRATED I PAY A CAR NOTE AND INSURANCE AND I DON'T HAVE MONEY TO GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED.. THERE ARE SOOOO MANY COMPLAINTS I JUST WISH IT WOULD BE RECALLED AND FIXED. IT'S VERY DANGEROUS WHEN THIS CAR SHUTS OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING WHEN THERE ARE OTHER CARS AROUND. I'M SCARED TO DRIVE IT BUT IT'S MY ONLY CAR AND I'M PAYING NOTES ON IT. IF I HAD THE MONEY TO TRADE IT IN I WOULD!! THIS ALL HAPPENED ON A CITY STREET WHEN THERE'S CARS AND TRAFFIC .. SOMETIMES IT HAPPENS WHEN I'M DRIVING BUT MOSTLY EVERY TIME WHEN I'M TURNING. EVERYTHING SHUTS OFF THE WHOLE CAR IT'S SCARY.
Steering, Electrical system, Apr 3, 2017
CAR BOUGHT FROM THE DEALERSHIP AS USED WITH 28K MILES IN NOV 2014. IN MARCH 2015, THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO LOCK WHILE TURNING. MEANWHILE, THE SCREEN AND THE RADIO RESTARTS. THE LOCKING OF THE STEERING WHEEL HAPPENS UNDER DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMIT TO WHEN PARKING, CRUISING ON THE NEIGHBOURHOOD (SPEED BELOW 30 MPH), CHANGE LANES IN HIGHWAYS (SPEED AROUND 50 MPH), AND SEVERAL TIMES WHILE THE CAR WAS ACTUALLY PARKED WITHOUT MOTION. THE CAR WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP IN APRIL 2015 FOR THE FIRST TIME. IN THE FOLLOWING TWO YEARS UNTIL LAST WEEK (MARCH 2017), THE DEALERSHIP REPLIED "COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE ISSUE" EVERY SINGLE TIME. IN THE RECENT SEVERAL TIMES OF ME VISITING THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE, THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY CABLES (WITH A CHARGE FOR $750), AND THE FUSE BOX (WITH A CHARGE OF $108), BUT STILL, THE PROBLEM EXISTS. THE LAST VISIT TO THE DEALER ENDS UP WITH THE ROUTINE REPLY OF "CAN NOT DUPLICATE" BUT THEY DID ADMIT THAT THERE IS INDEED AN ISSUE SINCE I SHOWED THEM A VIDEO I RECORDED WHEN THE ISSUE HAPPENS. THE LOCKING OF THE STEERING WHEEL HAPPENS EVERY SINGLE TIME WHEN I TRIED TO ROTATE THE STEERING WHEEL (TO MAKE TURNING WHILE DRIVING OR PARKING OF COURSE), BUT THE ISSUE IS THAT IT DOES NOT ALWAYS HAPPEN. IT ONLY HAPPENS EVERY NOW AND THEN. THAT IS WHY I AM STILL DRIVING IT AFTER TWO YEARS SINCE UNFORTUNATELY, THAT IS MY ONLY CAR. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SINCE THE LOCKING OF THE STEERING WHEEL ONLY LOCKS WHILE TURNING. IT CAN CAUSE ACCIDENTS IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD AND A LETHAL ACCIDENT ON THE HIGHWAYS. THE GM OFFERED ME A COUPON FOR SOME CREDIT TO BE APPLIED TO MY NEXT PURCHASE OF A NEW GM CAR BUT I DON'T THINK THAT IS A SOLUTION I CAN ACCEPT. I AM ATTACHING SOME OF THE SERVICE HISTORIES TO SUPPORT MY STATEMENT. THERE ARE MORE BUT I CAN ONLY UPLOAD 5.
Steering, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Feb 24, 2017
WHILE DRIVING AND GOING TO CHANGE LANES, I TURN ON MY TURN SIGNAL TO CHANGE LANES AND THE POWER STEERING STOPS WORKING, THE DASH GAUGES FLICKER AND THE RADIO CUTS OUT AND SOMETIMES THE MOTOR CUTS OFF. THIS ALSO OCCURS WHEN SITTING STILL, THE STEERING WHEEL WILL BOUNCE IF TURNING ONE DIRECTION OR THE OTHER. I HAVE SEEN MANY OF THESE COMPLAINTS ONLINE AND NO RESOLUTION. THIS ALSO HAPPENS WHILE TURNING. THIS HAPPENS EVERY DAY.
Steering, Electrical system, Feb 14, 2017
TURNING LEFT INTO MY DRIVEWAY, (LUCKILY NOT GOING VERY FAST) THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT SEVERAL TIMES IN A ROW AND THEN THE SCREEN PROMPTED TO "SERVICE POWER STEERING". CHECKED FLUID LEVEL AND IT WAS FINE. READ THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF OTHERS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. MY CHILDREN COULD GET HURT! AND I PAID TOO MUCH MONEY FOR THIS CAR TO BE UNABLE TO DRIVE IT AND FEEL GOOD ABOUT IT! SMH!!
Steering, Jan 17, 2017
MY 2013 MALIBU KEEPS HAVING POWER STEERING FAILURE. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT FLASHED AND STAYED ON. AT THE SAME TIME IT LOCK THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE DRIVING. I SEE THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM HAPPENING WITH THE MALIBU 2013 MODELS AND OWNERS HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS DEFECT TO THE DEALERS. NOT SURE IF THERE HAS BEEN ANY RECALLS ON THIS; HOWEVER, THE DEFECTS ARE CAUSING PEOPLE DRIVING THE MALIBU TO HAVE ACCIDENTS BECAUSE THE POWER STEERING LOCKS AS SOON AS THE POWER STEERING LIGHT IS DISPLAYED. THE CAR ALSO SEEMS TO STALL A BIT WHEN THE LIGHT COMES ON. THE WHEELS ARE LOCKED AND I CANNOT TURN THE WHEELS AT ALL UNTIL IT UNLOCKS ON ITS OWN. *TR
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.
Steering, Power train, Engine, Dec 12, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE RPMS DECREASED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY RESTART AFTER RECEIVING A JUMP START. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND BATTERY CHARGE, STABILITY TRACK, AND SERVICE POWER STEERING WARNING MESSAGES APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DISPLAY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURES OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,212.
Steering, Service brakes, Dec 5, 2016
THERE ARE PERIODS OF TIME WHEN I PUT MY TURN SIGNAL ON AND MY WHEEL LOCK UP, THE RADIO TURNS OFF AND ALL THE POWER SHUTS DOWN IN THE CAR. THE BRAKES FEEL LIKE THEY ARE LOCKING.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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!