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
922 reports, newest first.
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.
Other or unspecified, Apr 19, 2017
THE BRAKE BOOSTER GAVE OUT WHILE APPROACHING A RED LIGHT. I WAS ABLE TO STOP BUT IT WAS DIFFICULT AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME CON AND ENGINE HAD A ROUGH IDLE. HAD TO TOW CAR TO DEALERSHIP AND VERIFIED THAT IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THERE IS NOT A RECALL OR WARRANTIED SO $800.00 LATER IT WILL BE SAFE BUT BUT I WILL BE SET BACK. AFTER DOING RESEARCH I FOUND THAT THERE IS A CURRENT RECALL FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM ON 2014 MODELS. GOOD FOR THOSE OWNERS.
Electrical system, Apr 17, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE BATTERY AND POWER ASSIST WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE A JUMP START WAS REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAM POSITIONING SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT THE DEALER'S FOR MORE DIAGNOSIS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS ABOUT 106,000.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 16, 2017
SINCE 2015 CAR HAS EXPERIENCED ENGINE SPEED PROBLEMS, WIRING ISSUES AND EVERY 5-6 MONTHS THE CAR IS IN A CHEVY DEALERSHIP, THEY SAY ITS FIXED BUT THEN ITS BACK IN THE SHOP
Electrical system, Apr 13, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT VARIOUS WARNING INDICATORS FLASHED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, INCLUDING THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED TO BE DIAGNOSED AND THERE WAS NO AIR BAG RECALL TO ADDRESS THE REPAIR. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BATTERY, BUT THE AIR BAG, TRACTION CONTROL, AND CHECK ENGINE INDICATORS RANDOMLY FLASHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS WAITING ON THE DIAGNOSTIC RESULTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Seats, Apr 12, 2017
THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL FOR THIS MODEL BUT IT DID NOT INCLUDE MY CAR'S VIN FOR SOME REASON. I HAVE HAD DEALERSHIP REPAIR THE PROBLEM TWICE, ONCE WHILE STILL UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY AND THEN RECENTLY DUE TO AIRBAG HARNESS WIRING SHEARING OFF. THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE WIRING AND CHARGED ME THE DEDUCTIBLE UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT ADVISED THE ISSUE COULD HAPPEN AGAIN DUE TO FAULTY DESIGN ENGINEERING. THE ISSUE HAPPENS APPARENTLY WHILE RAISING AND LOWERING THE DRIVER SEAT. THE WIRING HARNESS CAN EASILY GET CAUGHT IN THE GEAR MECHANISM.
Electrical system, Apr 7, 2017
FOR THE THIRD TIME WE ARE WORKING ON SAME ISSUE.. DASH LIGHTING UP AIR BAG STAYING ON. WIRING REPLACE ON SECOND TIME TO DEALERSHIP.. GOING BACK FOR THIS TIME...
Engine, Apr 4, 2017
LAST SUMMER, CAR WOULD NOT START; REPLACED BATTERY. IN JANUARY 2017, TOOK IN FOR STARTING ISSUES - FOUND NOTHING. NOW ENGINE LIGHT ON; DEALER COULD NOT ASSIST ME. DRIVING THIS EVENING; BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON THEN TOTAL SHUT DOWN OF VEHICLE - HAD TO TOW IT INTO DEALER.
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.
Electrical system, Air bags, Mar 31, 2017
THIS WILL BE SECOND TIME OCURRING WITHIN TWO MONTHS..WHILE DRIVING PANEL LIGHTS UP RADIO TURNS ON FOR A FEW MINUTES THEN AIRBAG LIGHT REMAINS ON WHEN EVERYTHIGN ELSE TURNED OFF.. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP TO REPAIR AND THEY STATED IT WAS THE AIRBAG MODULE..REPLACED IT AND A MONTH LATER SAME THING HAPPENED... BACK AT DEALERSHIP TODAY
Visibility/wiper, Mar 20, 2017
THE HEAT AND AIR STOPPED WORKING ENTIRELY, CAUSING THE DEFROST TO ALSO FAIL, CREATING A VISIBILITY HAZARD. AFTER RESEARCHING THE ISSUE I DISCOVERED THAT MANY 2013 AND 2014 MALIBUS WERE RECALLED DUE TO THIS EXACT ISSUE BUT MY CAR WAS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN THE RECALL DATES. THE PROBLEM IS THE SAME BUT MY CAR ISN'T COVERED IN THE RECALL.
Visibility, Mar 20, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE DEFROST SYSTEM WAS ACTIVATED BUT FAILED TO OPERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,900.
Wheels, Electronic stability control (ESC), Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 15, 2017
*TAKATA RECALL* WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT TO HANDLE CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE IN A JERKING MOTION FELT LIKE WHEELS WERE GOING TO FALL OFF. ON TOP OF THAT TOOK CAR TO DEALER SHIP AND THEY DIDN'T HANDLE ISSUE UNTIL MY SECOND VISIT TO SEE IF IT WOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY I HAD TO PAY 100$ AND FIND OUT MY STABILITY SERVICE LIGHT, AND LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ARE ON DUE TO A REAR BEARING HUB BEING BROKE AND THE SENSOR NOT BEING ABLE TO DETECT SPEED CAUSING MY RPM TO BE AS THE TECHNICIAN CALLED IT DRIVE ERRATIC AND TRANSMISSION IS NOT SHIFTING UNTIL 4-6,000 RPMS. ALSO NEEDS A FUEL INJECTION, AND THEY MENTION A FRONT TURN SIGNAL BEING OUT WHICH I NEVER HAD ANY INDICATION OR KNOWLEDGE OF MY HEADLIGHTS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. ALSO, BEGAN TALKING TO CHEVROLET AS I WAS ON THEIR SIGHT AND SEEN RECALLS WHICH I HADN'T BEEN NOTIFIED AND WONDER IF SOME ISSUES THAT ARE OCCURRING ARE FROM PREVIOUS RECALLS THAT WERE BELIEVED TO HAVE NOT AFFECTED ME? IS THAT POSSIBLE? I AM A FULL TIME STUDENT, IN DEBT WITH LOANS AND CAR PAYMENTS AS I DON'T GET ANY SUPPORT FROM FAMILY. THE STEERING ISSUE OCCURRED VERY BADLY AND SUDDENLY ON 3/13/2017. STABILITRAC SERVICE WARNING LIGHT ABS AND TRACTION LIGHTS HAVE BEEN ON SINCE FEBRUARY 15 WENT TO DEALERSHIP ON 20TH THEY SAID THEY WOULD LOOK WHEN I MENTIONED IT, THE ISSUE WASN'T LOOKED AT OR EVEN NOTED JUST MAY NEED 2 FRONT TIRES. CURRENTLY AT 75,259 MILES I GOT THE CAR IN 2015 WITH ABOUT 45,000 MILES. DO HAVE DOCUMENTS FROM THE TWO VISITS TO THE DEALERSHIP AND ONE VISIT FROM ANOTHER MECHANIC. ALSO DIDN'T REALIZE A RECALL OR ISSUE HAS OCCURED WITH A SOLENOID AS MY ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON AND AFTER TAKING IT TO A MECHANIC SHOP VERSUS THE DEALERSHIP I PAID 400$ AND FOUND OUT THAT WAS RECALLED AT ONE POINT PRIOR TO ME OWNING THE VEHICLE.
Engine, Mar 9, 2017
MY 2013 CHEVY MALIBU CAM POSITIONING ACTUATOR CAUSED MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON. WHEN I HAD THE CODE READ, THEY SAID THAT THE SENSOR WAS THROWING THE CODE. MY CAR JUST WENT OUT OF DEALERSHIP WARRANTY WITH 52,XXX MILES ON IT. IS THIS COVERED BY GM RECALL?
Electrical system, Feb 28, 2017
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I TOOK IT IN TO GET CHECKED. BY THE TIME I ARRIVED TO THE DEALERSHIP, EVERYTHING WAS FINE. A WEEK LATER MY WIFE WAS IN THE OUTSIDE WALGREENS LINE WITH HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THE CAR RADIO SCREEN TURNED OF AND THE CAR STARTED TO JUMP A LITTLE. THE CAR RADIO SCREEN TURNED BACK ON AND EVERYTHING WAS BACK TO NORMAL. ABOUT 20 MINUTES LATER SHE WAS AT A STOP LIGHT AND THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPENED. LUCKILY SHE HAD HER FOOT ON THE BREAK AND WAS NOT GOING ANY RATE OF SPEED. I HAVE READ ALMOST ABOUT 100 COMPLAINTS NOW OF A SIMILAR PROBLEM BUT MOST OF THE COMPLAINTS IT HAPPENED WHEN THEY WERE DRIVING AT A CONSIDERABLE SPEED WHERE THE RADIO DASH TURNED OF AND THEY LOSE POWER TO THE CAR FOR A SECOND OR SO. THIS COULD BE A MAJOR ISSUE AND IT NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED BEFORE THERE ARE ANY DEATHS. *TR
Wheels, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Feb 28, 2017
THE ABS LIGHT HAS COME ON STATING THAT I DID NOT HAVE STABIL TRACK CONTROL ANYMORE. THIS HAPPENED WHEN I WAS ENTERING A BUSY ROAD WHEN I SPUN TIRES ON SOME GRAVEL ON PAVEMENT ROAD SURFACE. IT HAPPENED WHEN I SPUN TIRES ON A ICY ROAD DRIVING AT ABOUT 35 MILES AN HOUR DUE TO ROAD CONDITIONS. IT HAPPENED WHEN I WAS DRIVING DOWN A DRY PAVEMENT STATE HIGHWAY AT 65 MILES AN HOUR. A TOTAL OF THREE TIMES. EVERY TIME IT WAS THE SAME PROBLEM BUT DIFFERENT WHEELS. IT HAS HAPPENED WITH LR, RR AND RF WHEELS PART REPLACED WAS 13589507W-(S) WHEEL BEARING ASSEMBLY. THE PROBLEM IS THE ENCODER RING WHICH IS PART OF THIS ASSEMBLY IS CRACKED, PIECES GONE OR THE WHOLE THING GONE. THERE WAS NOT A PROBLEM WITH EARLIER VERSIONS OF THIS ENCODER RING. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS PART WILL BE ON THE NEW 2017 MODELS AND THAT IT WILL AFFECT THE COMPUTER EVEN MORE THAN THE 2013 VERSION WITH SOME FEATURES SUCH AS CRUISE CONTROL.
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.
Visibility, Feb 22, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOWS FOGGED UP WITHOUT WARNING AND COULD NOT BE DEFROSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Electrical system, Air bags, Feb 21, 2017
WHILE DRIVING HOME MY INSTRUMENT PANEL LITE UP AND RADIO STARTED PLAYING FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES THEN CLEARED AND THE SERVICE AIR BAG CAME ON.... HAVE AN APPOINTMENT WITH CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING
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!!
Wheels, Feb 13, 2017
MY MALIBU STARTED MAKING A STRANGE NOISE SHORTLY AFTER I PASSED THE 40000 MILE MARK BACK IN LATE NOVEMBER OF 2016. I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE TIRES AS THEY WERE ORIGINAL TO THE VEHICLE SO I REPLACED ALL 4 BUT THE NOISE WAS STILL THERE. I THEN WENT ON LINE TO INVESTIGATE IF OTHER MALIBU OWNERS WERE HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS. I DISCOVERED THAT THERE WERE MULTIPLE CASES LIKE MINE THAT INVOLVED THE WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLY FAILING ON THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE. I PURCHASED TWO NEW REAR WHEEL ASSEMBLY'S AND INSTALLED THEM WHICH TOOK CARE OF THE PROBLEM. EVEN THE PERSON AT THE AUTO PARTS STORE SHARED WITH ME THAT HE HAD REPLACED 3 ON HIS FATHERS MALIBU. I HAVE NEVER HAD A WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLY FAIL ON ANY VEHICLE I HAVE OWNED LET ALONE ONE WITH LESS THAN 41000 MILES ON IT. IF I HAD NOT REPLACED THE PARTS WHEN I DID I DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE CONSEQUENCE MIGHT HAVE BEEN WHEN THE PARTS FAILED COMPLETELY. I DO HAVE THE PARTS REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE IF NEEDED.
Service brakes, Feb 6, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MAILBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL STIFFENED WITHOUT WARNING WHEN THE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND PUMPED THE BRAKE PEDAL UNTIL IT WORKED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED NINE MONTHS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED A $70.00 REBATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 63,000.
Structure, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 3, 2017
THE EXHAUST AND POWER HAVE ISSUES...CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON AND POWER TO SYSTEM IS REDUCED. FUEL ECONOMY HAS DECREASED SEVERELY. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF. EXHAUST COMING FROM TAILPIPE EVEN AFTER CAR HAS BEEN RUNNING AWHILE. THIS ISSUE HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING AND OPERATING. SECOND ISSUE IS THE TRUNK LATCH! THE VEHICLE HAS AN OUTSIDE TRUNK RELEASE BUTTON. WHEN VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY LOCKED, THE TRUNK WILL OPEN ON IT'S OWN! WE WILL COME OUT TO THE CAR WITH THE TRUNK WIDE OPEN WHEN WE KNOW WE HAVE LOCKED IT COMPLETELY. CHECKED, DOUBLE CHECKED, EVEN TRIPLE CHECKED BUT WE WILL STILL COME OUT TO A VEHICLE WITH THE TRUNK WIDE OPEN! THIS TRUNK OPENING ISSUE HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED AND OFF BUT, LOCKED!
Electrical system, Jan 26, 2017
BURNING SMELL,SMOKE, BATTERY/CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, RUNS ROUGH
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