Home · 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco · Complaints

What 921 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (921)Crash / fire / injury (52)Electrical system (423)Engine (226)Steering (197)Electronic Stability Control (esc) (84)Airbags (69)Suspension (65)Transmission & drivetrain (61)Brakes (55)Visibility & wipers (44)Fuel system (40)

423 of 921 complaints match · Electrical system · clear filters · page 10 of 17

Oct 9, 2018Electrical systemLightsSpeed control

THE DASHBOARD COMPLETELY WENT OUT NO GAUGES WORK, NO FUSES ARE BLOWN AND DEALERSHIP DOESN'T KNOW WHY

NHTSA ODI 11139179

Oct 6, 2018Electrical system

2013 MALIBU LS SAME PROBLEM AS ECO HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR AWHILE NOW VOLTAGE DROPS ENGING STALLS POWER STERING BRAKES EVERYTHING SHUTS OFF ALSO DOES THIS WHEN YOU TURN TURN SIGNALS ON RADIO EVERY THING SHUTS OFF THIS IS A FACTORY PROBLEM THAT NEED TO BE FIXED THIS COULD CAUSE SOMEONE TO GET HURT OR KILLED NO CONTROL WHEN EVERYTHING SHUTS OFF DOES THIS AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS

NHTSA ODI 11138800

Oct 2, 2018SteeringElectrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTING FLICKERED AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. ADDITIONALLY, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ED RINKE CHEVROLET BUICK GMC (26125 VAN DYKE, CENTER LINE, MI 48015, (866) 461-1170) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 8-4683000874. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO CALL THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,494.

NHTSA ODI 11132897

Sep 27, 2018SteeringElectrical systemEngine

I WOULD BE DRIVING THE CAR AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD WOULD COME ON AND THEN GO OFF. THE STEERING WOULD PULL TO THE LEFT. A COUPLE OF TIMES ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD WOULD COME ON AND THE CAR WOULD CUT OFF WHILE I'M DRIVING ON THE ROAD.

NHTSA ODI 11131967

Sep 26, 2018Electrical system

DRIVING DOWN ROAD ENGINE STALLS FOR 30 TO 40 SECONDS EVERYTHYING SHUTS DOWN LOW VOLTAGE WHEN LIGHTS ARE ON

NHTSA ODI 11131740

Sep 21, 2018SteeringElectrical systemSpeed control

VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN ALL POWER CUT OUT ON SEPT 5, 2018. POWER RESTORED WITHIN 10 SECONDS. TOOK TO DEALER ON SEPT. 6. NO PROBLEM FOUND. ON SEPT. 21 THE VEHICLE LOST POWER 3 SEPARATE TIMES ALL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI 11130567

Sep 16, 2018Electrical systemSpeed controlEngine

CAR IS CURRENTLY PARKED AT A MECHANIC BECAUSE I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. IT BEGAN WITH THE RPMS GOING TO 3000-4000 WHEN BARELY PRESSING GAS PEDAL. THE CAR STALLED AFTER PUTTING IT IN REVERSE NEARLY CAUSING ME TO GET HIT, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON SO WE TOOK IT DIRECTLY TO OUR MECHANIC. THE CODE FOR A BAD CAM SOLENOID WAS LISTED, AND THAT WAS REPLACED. DROVE IT FOR ABOUT A WEEK, STILL NOTICING ISSUES WITH RPMS, AND WHEN BRAKING, THE RPMS WOULD INCREASE. JUST HAD TO DROP IT BACK OFF AT MECHANIC BECAUSE WHILE GOING 30MPH, THE CAR WHEN TO 4000 RPMS AND THE 'ENGINE OVERSPEED' LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH, AND THE CAR WAS LOSING POWER. AFTER I TURNED THE CAR OFF, AND RESTARTED, THE RPMS WOULD NOT GO BEYOND 2000, AND THE FUEL HAND WENT TO A FULL TANK? THIS IS COMPLETELY RIDICULOUS FOR A CAR WITH 70,000 MILES, AND GM SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. THANKFULLY I'VE NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT YET, BUT I'M FEARFUL IF I CONTINUE TO DRIVE THIS CAR, I'LL NOT BE ABLE TO SAY THAT!

NHTSA ODI 11129773

Sep 12, 2018Electrical systemLightsElectronic Stability Control (esc)

DASHBOARD INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FLICKS ON & OFF WHILE DRIVING HIGHWAY, SIDE STREET OR STATIONARY NO DIFFERENCE. CAR ACTS AS IF IT IS BEING STARTED OVER & OVER WHILE DRIVING. CHECK ENGINE, STABILITY CONTROL & OTHER WARNINGS FLASH. BELL DINGS OVER & OVER. NOW 6 MONTHS LATER, INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DOESN'T WORK AT ALL. NO SPEED/OIL/GAS INDICATORS. DEALERSHIP & MECHANIC SHOP CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG DURING DIAGNOSTICS. NO CODES.

NHTSA ODI 11129133

Sep 11, 2018Electrical systemEngine

SATURDAY I WAS PARKING MY CAR AND THE CAR ALL OF A SUDDEN STOPPED. THE WHEEL LOCKED AND THEN THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF. I HAD NO PROBLEM RESTARTING IT. TODAY I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND MY VEHICLE DID THE SAME THING.

NHTSA ODI 11128690

Sep 7, 2018SuspensionElectrical systemEngine

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..

NHTSA ODI 11128046

Sep 7, 2018Transmission & drivetrainElectrical system

THE MECHANIC STATES IT MAY BE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE GENERATOR CONTROL MODULE (GCM) MAY NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE BATTERY WOULDN'T HOLD A CHARGE AND THEN SUDDENLY IT WAS CHARGED AND DRIVING AS NORMAL, THE BATTERY INDICATOR LIGHT WAS ON THE ENTIRE TIME. THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT NOW, BUT STATED THERE WAS A RECALL AND THINKS THAT IS WHAT IS WONT WITH MY VEHICLE. ALSO THE STOP/START FEATURE IS NOT WORKING AT ALL ON THE VEHICLE. IT ACTS LIKE IT WILL CUT OFF INTERMITTENTLY.

NHTSA ODI 11128131

Sep 7, 2018Electrical systemSeats

THE SEAT WILL NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY AND GETS STUCK IN POSITION, CURRENTLY THE BACK IS TILTED NEARLY ALL THE WAY BACK AND WILL NOT TILT BACK UP

NHTSA ODI 11128136

Sep 6, 2018SteeringElectrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

VEHICLE LOOSES POWER CAUSING THE TRACTION LIGHT TO COME ON, POWER STEERING TO GO OUT, VEHICLE BECOMES HARD TO STEER AND EVENTUALLY GOES DEAD. HAPPENS RANDOMLY.

NHTSA ODI 11124755

Sep 4, 2018Electrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

WHILE DRIVING AND MOVING OR USING STEERING DRIVE CAR COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN. I ALMOST HAD 2 ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THIS. IT HAPPENS RANDOMLY SUDDENLY THE CAR WHILE DRIVING SHUTS DOWN, STEREO GOES OFF AND DRIVING STEERING WHEEL GOES HARD I CANT USE IT. WHEN I TURN OFF THE CAR TRYING TO PARK IT IT SHUTS DOWN AND KEYS GET LOCKED OR STUCK, UNABLE TO REMOVE KEYS. WHILE DRIVING SOMETIMES IF YOU TURN ON HIGHLIGHTS IT SHUTS DOWN THE CAR. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE, REALLY DISAPPOINTED WITH GENERAL MOTORS AND CHEVROLET. I ALMOST CRASH WITH OTHER CAR BECAUSE OF THIS. IT REALLY IS A FABRIC ISSUE, THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF CASES AND COMPLAINTS DEMONSTRATING THAT THIS IS A ERROR THAT GM OR CHEVROLET NEEDS TO FIX FOR THE SAFETY OF THEIR CUSTOMERS.

NHTSA ODI 11124429

Sep 2, 2018Electrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

ON AUD. 24, 2018 WHEN I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK MY CAR FELT LIKE IT WAS ABOUT TO CUT OFF. THEN ALL OF SUDDEN EVERYTHING INSIDE WENT BLANK AND THE CAR STALLED. I PUT IN PARK AND STARTED IT BACK UP. THREE MINUTES LATER IT DID THE SAME THING, I PUT IN PARK AGAIN AND STARTED IT BACK UP. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND ON MY WAY HOME THAT AFTERNOON IT DID IT TWICE AGAIN. I SAW WHERE WAS A RECALL IN 2013 BUT MINE MUST HAVE BEEN INCLUDED. ITS VERY SCARY RIDING IN TRAFFIC AND YOUR CALL STALLS AND EVERYTHING JUST SHUTS DOWN ON YOU AND I FEEL IT'S ALSO DANGEROUS. I HAVE READ OTHER COMPLAINTS LIKE THIS AND NEED TO KNOW WHAT AM I SUPPOSE TO DO ABOUT IT. I NEED MY CAR TO GO TO WORK.

NHTSA ODI 11124012

Aug 31, 2018Electrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

I HAVE BEEN HAVING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR IT FIRST STARTED WITH CAMSHAFT AND SOLENOID SWITCH TO HAVING TO REPAIR THE TIMING CHANGE AFTER THAT WAS REPAIRED I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR SHUTTING COMPLETELY DOWN LOCKING MY KEYS IN THE IGNITION I WAS TOLD BY STEVE RAYMOND CHEVROLET TO HAVE THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR CHECK HAD THAT DONE EVERYTHING COME BACK OKAY THEN I WAS TOLD I NEEDED TO CHANGE THE BATTERY IN MY KEY CHAIN DID THAT I WAS STILL HAVING PROBLEMS MY MAIN BATTERY WOULD LOSE VOLTAGE FLUCTUATE UP AND DOWN IF THE BATTERY VOLTAGE GET TO LOW THAT IS WHEN THE WHOLE CAR SHUTS DOWN THEN FINALLY AFTER ALL THAT I WAS TOLD BY ONE OF THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN THAT MY GENERATOR CONTROL MODULE IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY I HAVE CONTACT GM AND REPORTED IT TO THEM THEY ARE TELLING ME MY VIN IS NOT THE ONE WITH THE RECALL MY CAR HAS THE EASSIST INSTALLED IN MY ECO I ASKED THEM TO SEND ME A LISTING OF THE CHEVROLET MALIBU ECO 2013 I WAS TOLD THEY DIDN'T HAVE A LIST I GOT ON NHTSA WEBSITE AND THERE WAS A RECALL ALONG WITH ALOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS GCM IT ALSO STATED THAT THESE CARS WAS NOT TO BE SOLD ULESS THESE VEHICLES WERE REPAIRED WITH NEW GCM INSTALLED IN THEM MY PART NUMBER IS ALSO LISTED WHICH IS 24269448 I ALSO FOUND PAPERWORK FROM GM ABOUT THIS MATTER I NEED FOR THEM TO STEP UP AND REPAIR MY VEHICLE WHEN I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE BACK ON 08/07/2014 I WAS NEVER TOLD THAT I HAD A HYBRID VEHICLE OR IF THERE WAS ANYTHING WRONG WITH THIS CAR.ALSO WHEN IT FIRST STARTED I WAS TOLD IT WAS MY SENSOR IN MY BACK UP CAMERA WAS NOT WORKING BECAUSE I FIRST HAD LOST POWER TO MY RADIO, BACKUP CAMERA, AND AC I WAS BEING TOLD ALL KINDS OF THINGS.

NHTSA ODI 11123605

Aug 31, 2018Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES AND ELECTRONICS WOULD TURN OFF AND ON. IN ADDITION, THE "SERVICE POWER STEERING" MESSAGE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MIKE HAGGERTY GMC (9100 S. KENTON ST., OAKLINE, IL) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION MODULE WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ODI 11123853

Aug 24, 2018Electrical system

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.

NHTSA ODI 11122118

Aug 22, 2018SteeringElectrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED MOVING AND WAS UNABLE TO CHANGE GEARS TO MOVE OFF THE ROADWAY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO GO TO THE LOCATION AND SERVICED THE VEHICLE BY REPLACING THE ALTERNATOR ASSEMBLY; HOWEVER, THE FAILURES CONTINUED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STABILITY CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR FLASHED, VARIOUS OTHER WARNING INDICATORS AND GAUGES FLICKERED, AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME INOPERABLE. ONCE THE WARNING INDICATORS HAD GONE OFF, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE STEERING WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE KEY WAS UNABLE TO BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THE DEALER (VADEN OF BEAUFORT, 103 ROBERT SMALLS PKWY, BEAUFORT, SC 29906, (843) 525-4100) WAS CONTACTED TO SCHEDULE AN DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA ODI 11121595

Aug 15, 2018SteeringElectrical systemLights

MY BATTERY HAS RANDOMLY BEGAN TO DISCHARGE BY ITSELF AND SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE WONT START. THE CAR TOTALLY SHUT DOWN ON ME WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AND ALMOST CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT. CALLED GM AND MY LOCAL CHEVY DEALER AND THE SERVICE MANAGER REFUSED TO HELP ME UNLESS I PAID FOR A DIAGNOSTIC ALTHOUGH I ALMOST LOST MY LIFE TO A KNOWN OPEN RECALL ALL BECAUSE MY VIN NUMBER WASNT ON THE LIST. THIS IS HORRIBLE. IF I DIE DUE TO THIS GM NEEDS TO PAY..

NHTSA ODI 11120009

Aug 15, 2018SteeringElectrical systemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, IT FAILED TO START. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED, ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED, AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO A PARKING LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AN HOUR LATER AND WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT CALLED WALLACE CHEVROLET AT (888) 350-8421 (LOCATED AT 3575 SE FEDERAL HWY, STUART, FL 34994) AND WAS INFORMED TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ODI 11120066

Aug 6, 2018Electrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 55 TO 60 MPH, THE CHARGING SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND CAUSED THE BATTERY TO ENGAGE INTO DISCHARGE MODE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V173000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,000.

NHTSA ODI 11115900

Jul 27, 2018Electrical system

CAMSHAFT ACTUATOR SOLENOID WAS REPLACED UNDER SPECIAL WARRANTY. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AFTER THIS WAS REPLACED. WAS TOLD IT WAS NOW THE INTAKE SOLENOID. THIS ALSO SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER THE SAME WARRANTY. WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST 258.00 TO REPLACE.

NHTSA ODI 11114211

Jul 24, 2018Electrical systemEngineFuel system

THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED MULTIPLE TIMES FOR THE ISSUE OF ATALLING OUT WHILE DRIVING. SEVERAL TIMES I HAVE BEEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH TOTAL ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE ELECTRICAL POWER WILL CUT OUT AFFECTING MY BREAKS, POWER STEERING, GAUGES, AND ENGINE. THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED OVER MULTIPLE OCCASIONS.

NHTSA ODI 11113457

Jul 18, 2018SteeringElectrical system

WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, RADIO AND OTHER ELECTRICS GO BLANK, STEERING WHEEL FEELS LOCKED UP BUT I ASSUME IT HAS LOST POWER STEERING. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. IT CORRECTS ITSELF IN FEW SECONDS BUT ONCE NEARLY SWERVED INTO A CAR AS THE WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN.

NHTSA ODI 11112140

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Working with the data? Download all 921 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 24, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco verdict →