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: suspension
65 reports, newest first. Show all
Suspension, Mar 15, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V764000 (SUSPENSION) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED WALIER CHEVROLET (195 WINCHESTER ST, KEENE, NH 03431, (603) 499-4378) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Suspension, Mar 12, 2021, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUSPENSION FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER A WEEK LATER FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V764000 (SUSPENSION). THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD TO SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION AS HE SUFFERED CHEST AND HEAD INJURY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE AND WAS TOWED TO A JUNKYARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER TO GET DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Suspension, Mar 8, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V764000 (SUSPENSION) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT SPOKEN WITH A DEALER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE GETTING THE TIRES REPLACED, HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE SUSPENSION LOOKED AS IF IT WAS DAMAGED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN FULLY DIAGNOSED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Suspension, Mar 2, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V764000 (SUSPENSION) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CONTACTED QUALITY CHEVROLET BUICK GMC OF ENGLEWOOD (386 GRAND AVE, ENGLEWOOD, NJ 07631) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Suspension, Feb 26, 2021, crash
2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SUSPENSION ROD FAILURE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE DRIVER STATED THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE CONSUMER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE RECALL UNTIL AFTER THE ACCIDENT. *JS (RECALL RELATED INCIDENT) TS
Suspension, Seat belts, Feb 26, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V674000 (SUSPENSION) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CONTACTED BACHMAN CHEVROLET (9650 BLUEGRASS PARKWAY, LOUISVILLE, KY 40299, (502) 632-0211) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE FAILED TO LATCH AND UNLATCH CORRECTLY. THE SEAT BELT REMAINED LOCKED IN THE LATCH POSITION AND REQUIRED SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO UNLATCH. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Suspension, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jan 18, 2021
I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN I HEARD STRANGE NOISES. I THEN HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THE CAR BARELY WOULD MOVE. WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE, I SAW THE WHEEL WAS SLANTED. IT WAS TOWED TO A AAA REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THEY DISCOVERED IT WAS A BROKEN TOE LINK THAT HAD ROTTED. WHEN IT BROKE, IT ALSO BENT A BAR IN THE REAR. THE INSPECTOR SAID THE SAME WAS HAPPENING ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED.
Suspension, Seats, Jun 5, 2019
DRIVER SEAT CONTROL PANEL MISSING SEAT WILL NOT MOVE
Suspension, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Apr 17, 2019
I DROVE FOUR HOURS TO BUY THIS CAR GET THERE ITS POUR RAIN DO TEST DRIVE AROUND BLOCK BUY CAR GET READY AND LEAVE AND STOP AT GAS STATION CAUSE ITS OUT OF GAS WELL PASSENGER REAR TIRE HAD 5 LBS OF AIR IN IT FILL IT UP GET ON HIGHWAY AND CAR STARTS SHAKING LIKE CRAZY AND IS ALL OVER THE ROAD CAR LOT IS CLOSE AND SO IS RENTAL PLACE SO I DRIVE HOME AND HAVE TEXTED OWNER TO TELL HIM TO GET TOW TRUCK AT MY HOUSE IN MORNING TO PICK IT UP I DIDN'T WANT IT AND HE DID REASON IM WRITING THIS IS I TOLD HIM HOW BAD THIS CAR WAS AND I LOOKED ON THERE SITE AND ITS BACK UP FOR LESS THAN I BOUGHT IT FOR THAT CAR IS WAY TO DANGEROUS TO BE ON THE ROAD
Suspension, Electrical system, Engine, Sep 7, 2018
MY VEHICLE HAD REPAIRS LAST YEAR 2 TIMES, THE ENGINE WAS REBUILT ALMOST COMPLETELY. THE SUSPENSION WENT OUT, THE ESC AS WELL, ELECTRICAL ISSUES. DRAINING BATTERY CONSTANTLY. THE DASH SHOWED ENGINE RUNNING HOT PULLED OVER LET IT COOL AND IT WOULD NOT RESTART..
Suspension, Power train, Wheels, Jan 20, 2017, crash
WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT AHEAD ON A CITY STREET, AT APPROXIMATELY 30-35MPH, THE AXLE SHAFT ON THE FRONT, RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR BROKE. THE BROKEN AXLE SHAFT CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WHERE MY CAR WENT TO THE RIGHT AND I HIT THE BACK-LEFT SIDE OF A VAN; THAT IMPACT SENT THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR UP IN THE AIR WHERE I WAS ONLY TRAVELING ON THE TWO LEFT WHEELS. ALTHOUGH I THOUGHT MY CAR WAS GOING TO FLIP AND LAND ON IT'S ROOF, THE CAR DID COME BACK DOWN ON THE RIGHT WHEELS, BUT LANDED/HIT THE FRONT OF THE VAN AND THE BACK OF A PICK-UP TRUCK. *TR
Suspension, Power train, Wheels, Aug 20, 2016
WHEEL BEARING FROM GM DONT LAST. MY CAR HAS 75000 MILES AND HAVE ALREADY REPLACED ALL 4 AND THOSE WERE DONE MAY 9 USING GM PARTS AND HAVE ANOTHER ONE THAT IS FAILING.
Suspension, Jul 28, 2016
THIS IS THE SECOND WHEEL BEARINGS I HAD TO REPLACE IN A YEAR. MAKES A SCREECHING NOISE.
Suspension, Jun 27, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING AN ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO MONTHS LATER WITH THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL BEARING NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WHEEL BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
Suspension, Sep 9, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON ONE OCCASION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WHEEL BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.