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2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 87 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco, most often about the electrical (56% of complaints, typically around 73,000 miles). It is the most complained-about Malibu Eco model year since 2000 and has 1 recall.
Most common 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco problems
Electrical
49 complaints · 56%Half of these problems showed up before 73,000 miles. Parts named most often: propulsion system, alternator/generator/regulator.
Battery recharge system draining battery when car is in idol and or connected to a cellular device or when passenger is sitting in passenger seat battery depletes.
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…
Engine
23 complaints · 26%Half of these problems showed up before 59,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system.
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco. The contact stated that the service engine light illuminated and noticed a burning odor coming from the rear trunk area near the eco battery. The vehicle stalled several times, but the contact was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer…
The car will stop in the middle of driving it! The codes on my car is p00014 and p00010. This issue will cause accidents. Please notify the drives of this recall I have went to the safercar link and checked me car VIN and the recall has not been sent out for this car but it will cause injuries if not death. My car…
Steering
16 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 50,500 miles.
Started car and had no power steering and a warning to service. Brought to dealer and was told after the vehicle had warmed up that the electric assist motor had quit and there has been issues with this during cold weather. It had been below zero for an extended period. The vehicle was parked overnight and lucky I had…
While driving and signaling to change lane the steering wheel locked and the radio turned off. I took it to the dealer after speaking with chevy. They were unable to replicated the issue. It happened a few more times then aug 8, 2015 I was able to record a 2 minute video of the issue. It is uploaded on you tube…
Stability control
12 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles.
Dashboard notification received indicating "reduced engine power" and to "service stabilitrak". This leads to stalling and/or loss of power to vehicle. Loss of vehicle power has happened while driving on multiple occasions leaving the driver and passengers in unsafe locations such as on the freeway and in city…
When I am driving my car, the whole car shut off. The battery goes basically dead and my steering locks on me. I then have to put it in park in the middle of the road just so I can restart the car. I was on the freeway yesterday with my 6 six year old godson and the car shut off in the middle of driving in traffic on…
Air bags
10 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 27,500 miles.
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco. While operating the vehicle, the check battery sensor, the air bag indicator, and the service power steering indicator suddenly illuminated and the vehicle suddenly shut off. The battery was recharged, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to castle Chevrolet in…
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco. Upon starting the vehicle, the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer for diagnostic testing and repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.
Brakes
9 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 44,500 miles.
During warm weather, brakes will remain engaged when brake pedal is released. Pumping brakes can help to release brakes. If foot is not on the accelerator, the car will rapidly come to a stop. I took the car into the dealership with these issues and it was determined to be the brake pedal pivot bushing sticking or…
Bought used in 2014 with 22k miles from certified chevy dealer. In july, 2016 (now 45k miles), the vehicle would suddenly shut off at low speeds or stops (highway during construction and at stop lights, also when going at a high speed and slamming on the brakes when someone pulled in front of US). Brought to…
Transmission
8 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 29,000 miles.
While driving into chicago on a busy interstate hwy a warning displayed on the dash "service generator control module," before I could reach a service center the voltage began to drop and electrical components failed (lights, steering & brake assist, etc. The engine subsequently stopped. Fortunately I was able to…
We bought this vehicle used with only 5600 miles and has been running fine except for slight smell in rear area. We drove the night before and it was ok, but the next morning the battery was absolutely dead. No lights, horn, wipers, interior lights, got the vehicle pushed out of the garage but no power brakes or…
Other or unspecified
8 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 97,500 miles.
The vehicle was stationary at first from the night before. When we got in to leave, it was slow starting. We pulled out & noticed the power steering was a little stiffer than normal. We drove about 5 miles to our destination & the car stalled completely, all power was lost, including our doors being stuck locked & our…
2013 malibu, low engine power/ service stabilitrak. Smelling like melting burning rubber, won't pick up speed on acceleration, it died at the stoplight. Continued on as I accelerated to go up a hill it died, I was in town on city street. The car behind me almost hit me thank goodness there was not a car coming and…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco recalls
Electrical: electrical system
Risk: If the vehicle is continued to be driven, the engine may stall and/or the vehicle may not start. In addition, there may be a burning or melting odor, smoke, and possibly a fire in the trunk.
Fix: Gm will notify owners and dealers will test the gcm and replace it, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on june 11, 2013. Owners may contact gm at 1-800-521-7300. Gm's recall campaign number is 13136.
Full defect summary
General motors (gm) is recalling certain model year 2012 and 2013 buick lacrosse and regal, and model year 2013 chevrolet malibu eco vehicles equipped with eassist. These vehicles may have a condition in which the generator control module (gcm) may not function properly. This could cause a gradual loss of battery charge and the illumination of the malfunction indicator light.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Sands chevrolet/hybrid system fire/stall
Summary
Nhtsa opened aq14-001 to determine whether sands chevrolet of surprise, arizona complied with the requirements of the national traffic and motor vehicle safety act, 49 u.s.c. Chapter 301 (safety act) and its implementing regulations. The safety act requires, among other things, that a manufacturer notify its dealers of defects related to motor vehicle safety and non-compliances with federal motor vehicle safety standards and, in turn, that a dealer not sell and deliver a new vehicle subject to a recall unless the recall remedy has been performed (49 u.s.c. ?? 30112(a), 30120(I)).NHTSA issued an information request (ir) letter to sands chevrolet on may 5, 2014.sands chevrolet responded to thi
Generator control module fires
Summary
On july 5, 2013 the office of defects investigation (odi) opened recall query rq13-003 to investigate whether the service procedures utilized in recall bulletins 13136 and 13142 for safety recall 13v-173 were sufficient to identify the safety defect in the subject vehicles.these safety recalls were issue on may 3, 2013 to address the improper function of the generator control module (gcm) in certain model year (my) 2012-13 buick lacrosse and regal and my 2013 chevrolet malibu eco equipped with eassist.this condition may result in a loss of battery charge, engine stall and/or inability for the vehicle to start.in severe cases it may also lead to odor, smoke and possibly a fire in the trunk.du
Questions about the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (49 complaints, typically around 73,000 miles); engine (23 complaints, typically around 59,000 miles); steering (16 complaints, typically around 50,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from May 6, 2013 (electrical). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2013 a bad year for the Chevrolet Malibu Eco?
- It is the most complained-about Malibu Eco model year since 2000, with 87 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.
Other Chevrolet Malibu Eco years
- 2013