2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
5/5
Safety Rating
1,358
Owner Complaints
10
Recalls
203
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU
The 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU has received a total of 1,358 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It earned an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program crash tests. There have been 12 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with SUSPENSION:REAR. 203 technical service bulletins have been issued by General Motors, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Electrical System (358 complaints), Engine (195 complaints), and Steering (179 complaints).
Recalls for the 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU
NHTSA has recorded 12 recalls for the 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU, potentially affecting up to 527,725 vehicles.
Recall 21V00F000 — SUSPENSION:REAR
| 4,271 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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...
View full details →Recall 21V633000 — SUSPENSION:REAR
| 32,894 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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...
View full details →Recall 20V764000 — SUSPENSION:REAR
| 220,006 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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...
View full details →Recall 16V502000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
| 8,367 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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....
View full details →Recall 16V502000 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
| 8,367 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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....
View full details →Recall 15V164000 — VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
| 87,063 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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...
View full details →Recall 15V245000 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
| 3,690 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
View full details →Recall 12V484000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
| 120,426 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
View full details →Recall 13V566000 — SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
| 14,909 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
View full details →Recall 13V566000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
| 14,909 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
View full details →Recall 13V024000 — SUSPENSION:REAR
| 8,519 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: Sudden changes in vehicle handling may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
View full details →Recall 12V224000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
| 4,304 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU
1,358 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
Gradual battery charge loss, check engine light (MIL) illumination, and engine stall or failure to start. Burning/melting odor. Warning Lights: "Service Charging System" or battery light on dash. Electrical Failure: Vehicle stalled, won't start, has a dead battery. Noise/Smell: Burning odor, smoke from the trunk, or rattling/squealing noises. Specific Eco Model Issues: The 2013 Eco model (eAssist) has a known recall for a failing Generator Control Module but for some reason doesn't include my Vin number in the recall even tho I've experienced these same issues.
The engine light came on, later while driving the car shuts down engine reduced speed, engine power reduced. I have to restart the car and sometimes that dont help. Also the (ABS) light came on service stabilitrak, my anti brakes went out
The engine light came on, later while driving the car shuts down engine reduced speed, engine power reduced. I have to restart the car and sometimes that dont help. Also the (ABS) light came on service stabilitrak, my anti brakes went out
The engine light came on, later while driving the car shuts down engine reduced speed, engine power reduced. I have to restart the car and sometimes that dont help. Also the (ABS) light came on service stabilitrak, my anti brakes went out
Generator Control Module, I seen there was recalls on 2013 Chevy Malibu Eco equipped with eAssist. That is what my car is and the GCM is out of it.
Safety Rating for the 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU
The 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
| Test Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Frontal Crash | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Side Crash | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Rollover | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Safety ratings are based on controlled crash tests conducted by NHTSA. A 5-star rating indicates the highest level of occupant protection.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU
General Motors, LLC has issued 203 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
18-NA-180 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
This Warranty Administration Bulletin Provides High Voltage Battery Exchange Process Information.
18305 — ENGINE
18305 - Customer Satisfaction Program. Certain vehicles, serviced with a replacement engine, may have a condition in which the service engine camshaft cap bolts were not tightened to specification during the manufacturing process. If the camshaft cap bolts were not tightened to specification, they may loosen, resulting in loss of...
17NA080 — FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to clean the ports and the passages of the cylinder head to correct the MIL on.
16NA303 — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to install a battery ground cable to correct a radio display blank, instrument cluster gauges Inoperative or steering stiff conditions
17NA354 — BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to replace the rear view camera if found short from water leaking past the wiring harness seal.
17NA354 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to replace the rear view camera if found short from water leaking past the wiring harness seal.
16NA348 — EQUIPMENT
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to install dust deflectors when replacing wheel bearings on vehicles no matter what the concern is of the vehicle.
16-NA-303 — STEERING
Radio Display Blank, Instrument Cluster Gauges Inoperative and/or Steering Stiff Some customers may comment that the radio display goes blank, the instrument cluster gauges are inoperative and/or the steering is stiff. This may be an intermittent concern, but more likely to duplicate when driving at slower speeds, such as in...
16-NA-303 — EQUIPMENT
Radio Display Blank, Instrument Cluster Gauges Inoperative and/or Steering Stiff Some customers may comment that the radio display goes blank, the instrument cluster gauges are inoperative and/or the steering is stiff. This may be an intermittent concern, but more likely to duplicate when driving at slower speeds, such as in...
16-NA-303 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Radio Display Blank, Instrument Cluster Gauges Inoperative and/or Steering Stiff Some customers may comment that the radio display goes blank, the instrument cluster gauges are inoperative and/or the steering is stiff. This may be an intermittent concern, but more likely to duplicate when driving at slower speeds, such as in...
Showing 10 of 203 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the CHEVROLET MALIBU
- 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU — 1,483 complaints
- 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU — 2,349 complaints
- 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU — 2,195 complaints
- 2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU — 1,512 complaints
- 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU — 1,466 complaints
- 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU (current)
- 2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU — 560 complaints
- 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU — 388 complaints
- 2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU — 1,419 complaints
- 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU — 1,156 complaints
- 2018 CHEVROLET MALIBU — 1,155 complaints
Other CHEVROLET Models
- CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 — 22,175 total complaints
- CHEVROLET IMPALA — 15,197 total complaints
- CHEVROLET TAHOE — 12,511 total complaints
- CHEVROLET EQUINOX — 12,135 total complaints
- CHEVROLET BLAZER — 11,032 total complaints
- CHEVROLET SILVERADO — 10,928 total complaints
- CHEVROLET SUBURBAN — 10,375 total complaints
- CHEVROLET COBALT — 10,106 total complaints