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2013 Chevrolet Malibu Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 836 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, most often about the electrical (45% of complaints, typically around 76,500 miles). It is 12th of 26 Malibu model years by number of complaints and has 10 recalls.
Most common 2013 Chevrolet Malibu problems
Electrical
376 complaints · 45%Half of these problems showed up before 76,500 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel, alternator/generator/regulator, ignition, wiring.
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH, the steering wheel seized and the vehicle stalled. After several attempts to turn the vehicle on, once the vehicle was able to start, all the electrical functions malfunctioned. The service stabilitrak warning…
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the heat would independently activate while driving and the instrument panel indicated that the vehicle overheated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the sensor in the computer malfunctioned and needed to be replaced. The…
Engine
214 complaints · 26%Half of these problems showed up before 77,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine.
Was driving on left lane of busy interstate when car suddenly began jerking and displayed "reduced engine power" and "engine overspeed", cel & ESC lights also illuminated. Car slowed drastically and almost caused an accident, driver in next lane slammed on his brakes and allowed me to slingshot over to the shoulder.
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…
Steering
181 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: column.
While driving at night went to roll up power windows which in turn caused my headlights to flicker and all dashboard instruments including radio to temporarily stop working. Subsequently gets worse which each occurrence. Last occurrence automatic headlights came on and subsequently caused loss of power steering and…
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle would momentarily shut off causing the power steering assist to fail and making it very difficult to control the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to diagnose the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was…
Other or unspecified
89 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 70,000 miles.
Trunk release : the trunk randomly releases and pops open even while driving down the road. This has happened several times and last happened on 01/10/2018 while it was parked.
While at a stop light on a very busy city street the engine stopped running and the car shut off. My foot was still on the break and the car was in drive. I put the car in park then restarted the car and it started running like it should, there was no warning lights displayed before, during, or after this happened. In…
Stability control
72 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 78,500 miles.
I am having a problem with my speedometer jumping, and there is also an indicater light that keeps popping on saying that my car is losing power. I've taken to the landers dealership where I am purchasing my car from six time's now to be fixed, and yet it continues to happen.
For about a year now s 'service airbag' light has been on, no one who tests it can see what the issue is. When anyone sits in the passenger seat, the dash turns off, all lights on it, stereo, all gauges cease to function as well as the A/C. Has been taken to numerous dealerships & shops with no conclusion besides that…
Suspension
65 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 97,000 miles. Parts named most often: front, adjustment, rear.
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, ([phone]) where it was confirmed that the part…
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…
Air bags
59 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 75,000 miles.
The airbag lite came on and says service airbags, and dings and know it is on all the time and will not go out, I know there have been a lot of recalls on airbags and was wondering if this could also be coming as a recall
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 28 MPH, the "service air bag" warning indicator illuminated without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 79,648.
Transmission
54 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 66,500 miles.
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving at 60 MPH in inclement weather over a bump in the road, the contact lost control of the vehicle as the front end veered. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to diagnose or repair the vehicle.…
Car randomly losses power at any speed. During this time, I am unable to control the car. The power steering is off. This happened to my wife as she made a left turn on a green light on bell road, az (a busy road). There is no way that this should be taken lightly.
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 recalls
Suspension: rear
Risk: A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Suspension: rear
Risk: A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Suspension: rear
Risk: A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Electrical: ignition
Risk: If the key is removed without the transmission in park, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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."
Transmission: gear position indication (prndl)
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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."
Visibility and wipers: sun/moon roof assembly
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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."
Seats: power adjust
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Suspension: rear
Risk: Sudden changes in vehicle handling may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Lights: turn signal
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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."
Electrical: software
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
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.
Questions about the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (376 complaints, typically around 76,500 miles); engine (214 complaints, typically around 77,000 miles); steering (181 complaints, typically around 60,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu have?
- 10 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from December 22, 2021 (suspension). 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?
- It is 12th of 26 Malibu model years by number of complaints, with 836 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.