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 17 of 17

Sep 8, 2014SteeringElectrical systemEngine

THE CAR ENGINE STALLS, LOCKS GO UP AND DOWN, PANEL LIGHTS GO OUT, POWER STEERING IS DISABLED, RPM GAUGE REVS UP TO 7000+, THEN ENGINE COMES BACK ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES NEARLY CAUSING CRASHES AND CAUSING EXTREME ANXIETY. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAYS NO ERROR IS STORED ON THE CAR COMPUTER AND THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE INCIDENT. AFTER 2 DAYS IN THE SHOP, I GOT MY CAR BACK, DROVE 378 MILES AND THE INCIDENT HAPPENED AGAIN. IT HAS OCCURRED WITH EVERY MEMBER OF MY FAMILY. I WANT TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY OR I WILL CONTACT AN ATTORNY BEFORE SOMEONE GETS INJURED NOT AFTERWARDS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10631687

Aug 31, 2014Electrical systemEngine

I WAS ON THE ON RAMP, BEHIND ANOTHER CAR DRIVING TO GET ONTO THE HIGHWAY WHEN WE BOTH DROVE THROUGH A BIG PUDDLE OF WATER. THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED AND THE WATER CAME OVER THE HOOD OF MY CAR. MY CAR THEN STALLED AND I COASTED TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ON RAMP. MY CAR WOULD NOT START. THE OTHER CAR CONTINUED DRIVING. NO WATER ENTERED MY VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10629689

Jul 27, 2014SteeringTransmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine

AROUND THE TIME I BOUGHT THE CAR, ON 11/30/12 AT 5812 MILES, UNKNOWN TO ME THE CAR HAD A CONCERN OF LOSS OF BATTERY CHARGE WHICH CALLED FOR AN INSPECTION OF THE GENERATOR CONTROL MODULE. SO A GEN CONTROL MODULE PERFORMANCE TEST PER RECALL WAS PERFORMED. IN MAY OF 2013, I STOPPED AT RED TRAFFIC LIGHT AND THE ENGINE WAS IDLING, WHEN I PROCEEDED TO ACCELERATE BY PLACING MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL AT THE GREEN LIGHT, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF ON ME. THIS HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE AUTOMATIC SHUT-OFF THAT CONSERVES ENERGY. ON 6/24/13 AT 14006 MILES, I TRIED TO GET THEM TO DO A DIAGNOSTICS AND I DON'T THINK THEY DID A DIAGNOSTICS EVEN THOUGH I WAS STILL UNDER BUMPER-TO-BUMPER AND POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. THEY SUGGESTED A TEST DRIVE WITH A MECHANIC FOREMAN TO SEE IF THE ISSUE WOULD PRESENT ITSELF AGAIN. THE ISSUE DID NOT OCCUR AGAIN. IN JULY OF 2013, I THEN COMPLAINED THAT THE CAR HAD POOR ENGINE ACCELERATION ENTERING ONTO A HIGHWAY AND TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE AT 14810 MILES. THEY DID A R&R ECM RECALIBRATE CONTROLLER PROGRAM. ON JULY 26, 2014, I DROVE EARLIER IN THE DAY FOR QUITE A FEW HOURS THROUGH THE CITY AND A LITTLE ON THE HIGHWAY. I ACCELERATED ONCE ON THE HIGHWAY AT WHICH THE ISSUE OF ACCELERATION PRESENTED ITSELF AGAIN. AT 38,548 MILES, THE FOLLOWING MESSAGES WAS SHOWN ON MY DASHBOARD: 1. BATTERY SERVICE NEEDED 2. POWER STEERING SERVICE NEEDED I THEN CALLED ONSTAR AND I ASKED THEM TO DO A DIAGNOSTICS AND THEY GAVE ME THE FOLLOWING MESSAGES: 3. ENGINE CONTROL MODULE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM NOT PERFORMING AS EXPECTED. (P155A) 4. POWERTRAIN SYSTEM HAS DETECTED MALFUNCTION RELATED TO CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM. CRUISE CONTROL DISABLED. (C0800) 5. POWERTRAIN SYSTEM HAS DETECTED MALFUNCTION RELATED TO TRANSMISSION. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL NOT ILLUMINATE. VEHICLE PERFORMANCE AND SHIFT BEHAVIOR MAY BE AFFECTED. TOP SHIFT FEATURE WILL BE DISABLED IF EQUIPPED. (P0826) *JS

NHTSA ODI 10616605

Jul 17, 2014Transmission & drivetrainElectrical system

I STARTED THE CAR AND VIEWED THE MESSAGE "SERVICE POWER STEERING" IN THE MESSAGE CENTER BETWEEN THE ODOMETER AND TACHOMETER. THERE DID NOT SEEM TO BE ANY ISSUE WITH THE STEERING, BUT WANTED TO GET IT CHECKED OUT BY MY LOCAL DEALER SINCE IT WAS LESS THAN A HALF MILE UP THE ROAD. AS I PUT THE CAR INTO THE GEAR, THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. THE INDICATOR LIGHTS THAT NORMALLY SHOW ME WHAT GEAR I AM IN (PRND) WERE BLANK. THEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN, THE CAR SURGED FORWARD VIOLENTLY, AS IF THE MALIBU WAS JUST REAR-ENDED. I THEN TURNED THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED IT. THE ?SERVICE POWER STEERING? MESSAGE APPEARED AGAIN. HOWEVER, THE ?CHECK ENGINE? LIGHT HAD LIT UP, AND THE ?SERVICE PARKING BRAKE? MESSAGE APPEARED AS WELL. THE CAR THEN SURGE VIOLENTLY AGAIN FORWARD WITHOUT SHIFTING INTO ANY GEARS. I THEN SHUT THE CAR OFF AND CALLED SPENCER CHEVROLET TO TELL THEM I WAS GOING TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THEIR SHOP. AFTER A FEW MINUTES, I TRIED ONCE MORE TO START THE CAR AND WAS ABLE TO SHIFT INTO GEAR AND DRIVE IT TO THE SHOP IN LIMP MODE WITH HALF THE WARNING LIGHTS LIT UP ON THE DASH. AFTER FURTHER DIAGNOSTICS, THE MAINTENANCE MANAGER AT SPENCER CHEVROLET INFORMED ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION COMPUTER MODULE (TCM) HAD FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT UNDER WARRANTY. THIS WAS THE THIRD ELECTRICAL ISSUE I HAD WITH THIS VEHICLE (THE TRUNK WAS OPENING ON ITS OWN WHILE DRIVING, PARKED, OR DURING THE NIGHT, AND THE RADIO WAS LOCKING UP WITH NO CONTROL). I WAS WORRIED THAT THE TRANSMISSION ISSUE COULD HAVE HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING, AND DIDN'T WANT TO TAKE ANY RISKS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10611322

Jun 30, 2014Electrical systemSpeed controlEngine

WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE POWER SUDDENLY REDUCED AND A WARNING CAME ON INDICATING REDUCED ENGINE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER WHO HAD IT FOR 2 WEEKS AND DROVE AROUND 500 MILES ON CAR AND WERE UNABLE TO REPLICATE ERROR. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10606919

Jun 23, 2014Electrical system

KEY FOB IS TOO SENSITIVE, ESPECIALLY ON THE TRUNK BUTTON. KEYS ARE IN MY POCKET, AND IF I BUMP UP AGAINST SOMETHING, THE TRUNK IS OPEN. WHEN YOU ARE IN PUBLIC (SAY A PUBLIC PARK FOR A FAMILY REUNION) AND NEED TO STORE LARGE VALUABLES IN YOUR CAR, WHERE DO YOU STORE THEM? IN THE TRUNK. WELL WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU BUMP SOMETHING AND YOUR TRUNK POPS? THOSE VALUABLES GET STOLEN. THE FOB SHOULD HAVE THE TRUNK BUTTON INSET INTO IT, REQUIRE TO PRESS TWO BUTTONS SIMULTANEOUSLY, OR REQUIRE YOU TO PRESS THE TRUNK BUTTON TWICE FOR THE TRUNK TO OPEN. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A CHEVROLET DESIGN ERROR. THE DAY THAT I BOUGHT MY PREVIOUS CHEVY CAR (2012 CAMARO) THIS SAME THING HAPPENED. JUST SO HAPPENED THERE WASN'T ANYTHING IN MY TRUNK WITH THE CAMARO. BUT IT DID RAIN AND MY TRUNK WAS FULL OF WATER THE MORNING. THIS SEEMS LIKE AN EASY FIX, AND I AM SURE THAT I'M NOT THE ONLY PERSON WITH THIS PROBLEM. SUCKS TO SEE MY MOM LOSE A COACH PURSE AND WALLET, PERSONAL AND BUSINESS DEBIT CARDS AND CHECKS, MEDICATION, AND CASH WHILE ON A FAMILY VACATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10605358

Jun 18, 2014Electrical systemLightsFire

FIRE IN THE TAIL LIGHT THAT ALSO GOT SOME OF MY TRUNK. THE FIRE STOPPED 1/4 INCH FORM THE GAS TANK. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10604380

Jun 14, 2014Electrical systemLightsAirbags

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE ON FEBRUARY 7, 2013. BEFORE DRIVING OFF OF THE DEALER LOT, WE ASKED WHY AN AIRBAG LIGHT WAS FLASHING. THE DEALERSHIP ASSURED US IT WAS FINE AND DID NOT LOOK INTO IT. THEY LET US DRIVE THE CAR HOME. AFTER ABOUT A WEEK OF THE LIGHT CONTINUING TO FLASH AND THE CAR NOT RECOGNIZING THAT MY HUSBAND WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND TURNING THE PASSENGER AIRBAG ON, WE DECIDED TO TAKE IT INTO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO GET IT CHECKED OUT. UPON TAKING IT THERE, WE LEARNED THAT THERE HAD BEEN AN ACTIVE RECALL ON MY CAR WITH THE AIRBAG POTENTIALLY BEING ABLE TO DEPLOY IF THE CAR BRAKED TOO HARD. SO WE FOUND OUT WE WERE SOLD THE CAR WITH AN ACTIVE RECALL AND IT WAS NOT FIXED BEFORE PURCHASE. AFTER THIS FIRST INCIDENT ON THE DAY I BOUGHT IT, THERE HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. THE GCM RECALLED, THE WIRING HARNESS RECALLED, BOTH WHICH COULD START A FIRE, I HAVE STEADILY LOST GAS MILEAGE AND NOW AVERAGE ONLY 26 MPG, IF I'M LUCKY, NOT THE 37-40 ADVERSTISED, THERE IS A BUZZING NOISE WHEN TRYING TO GO IN AND OUT OF ECO MODE, WHICH THE DEALERSHIP ASSURED US WAS "PROBABLY NORMAL", AND NOW THERE IS SOME KIND OF SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE VENTS AND MOISTURE ALL OVER THE DRIVER SIDE FLOOR MAT. WE HAVE ALSO RECENTLY FOUND OUT THAT THIS MODEL WAS DISCONTINUED AFTER ONLY ONE YEAR. IN SPITE OF THIS, CHEVY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT, BUT OFFER TO HELP US TRADE IT IN, AND EVEN THEN THEY WOULD NOT GIVE US WHAT THE CAR IS "WORTH". IN MY OPINION, IF CHEVY KNOWS THEY DID SOMETHING WRONG, THEY NEED TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR CUSTOMERS WHO BOUGHT THE WORTHLESS CARS TO BEGIN WITH. I AM A COMPLETELY DISSATISFIED CUSTOMER, YET THEY DON'T SEEM TO CARE, SO THEY HAVE NOW LOST NOT JUST ME AND MY HUSBAND AS CUSTOMERS, BUT ALSO FAMILY AND FRIENDS THAT HAVE HEARD OF OUR TERRIBLE AND UNSAFE EXPERIENCE. *JS

NHTSA ODI 10598326

Jun 10, 2014Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine

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 STEERING AND TRANSMISSION WAS LOCKED-UP. CALLED GM FOR ROAD ASSISTANCE AND CAR WAS JUMP STARTED. I LOOKED TO SEE PROBLEMS WITH THIS MODEL AND FOUND COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME PROBLEM AND ALSO GOING DEAD WHILE DRIVING. BLOGS SAID THEY BROUGHT VEHICLES INTO DEALER AND THEY FOUND NOTHING, WHICH IS THE SAME ANSWER I WAS GIVEN OTHER THEN MY WIFE MUST OF LEFT THE DOOR OPEN. I REFUSED TO PICKED THE CAR UP TO THIS DATE AS WILL NOT HAVE MY WIFE DRIVE THIS VEHICLE IN FEAR THAT IT WILL GO DEAD WHILE DRIVING OR WILL NOT START AND BE STRANDED AT NIGHT. BLOGS STATED THAT THE GENERATOR CONTROL MODULE WAS THE CAUSE AND SEVERAL HAD TO HAVE THE MODULE REPLACED AGAIN. MY VEHICLE WAS ON A RECALL LIST AND THE DEALER STATED THE MODULE WAS REPLACED ONCE A YEAR AGO ( BEFORE 5600 MILES). THE DEALER STATED THE GM EXPERT SPECIALIST CHECKED AND FOUND NO CODES AND WOULD NOT AUTHORIZE A REPLACEMENT MODULE. I BET IF IT WERE ANY SENIOR EXECUTIVE AT GM OR THEIR SPOUSE DRIVING THIS CAR THAT IT WOULD BE REPLACED! I DO BELIEVE THERE IS A HISTORY HERE AND GM DOES NOT WANT TO LIVE UP TO ANOTHER ENGINEERING ERROR. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10597416

Jun 5, 2014Engine & coolingElectrical systemVisibility & wipersAirbagsBody & structureTires

2013 CHEVY MALIBU 1LS MANUFACTURED 11/20/12, CURRENTLY LESS THAN 7,000 MI. 1) CHROME & RADIO GLASS - WHEN SUN SHINES ON CONSOLE IT BLINDS DRIVER & DRIVER MUST COVER AREA WITH A SCARF OR JACKET; CONSOLE IS BEAUTIFUL TO LOOK AT, BUT NOT PRACTICAL FROM A SAFETY VIEWPOINT SINCE THE DRIVER IS BLINDED & CANNOT SEE UNTIL THE AREA IS COVERED FROM THE SUN. 2) WHEN AIR CONDITIONING WAS TURNED ON, A BLAST OF VERY HOT AIR CAME OUT; IT TOOK A COUPLE OF TIMES OF TURNING THE SETTINGS OFF & ON (AT LEAST 60 SECONDS OR LONGER) BEFORE THE HOT AIR STOPPED & THE AIR CONDITIONING CAME ON. THE HOT AIR COULD NOT BE IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF. HAPPENED ONLY ONCE. 3) PASSENGER SIDE FRONT FENDER/BUMPER LOOSE - MAKES NOISE, CAN POP IT BACK IN, BUT ON HOT DAYS, IT POPS OUT, VIBRATES AND MAKES LOUD NOISE UNTIL POPPED BACK IN. 4) REAR WINDOWS - WHEN DOWN 1/2, 3/4 OR FULLY, VIBRATES, MAKES VERY LOUD NOISE THAT SOUNDS LIKE TIRES ARE COMING APART, CAUSING DRIVER TO IMMEDIATELY PULL OVER TO CHECK TIRES, THE DISTRACTION & BEING ON SIDE OF ROAD COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE. 5) NO SPARE TIRE - UNABLE TO LOCATE A TIRE & RIM (OR DONUT TIRE) FOR PURCHASE TO INSERT IN TRUNK TIRE AREA. NO CAN OF GOOP, ALSO GOOP ONLY LASTS FOR 6 MONTHS & MUST BE DISCARDED & NEW CAN PURCHASED. NOT GOOD WHEN STRANDED IN INCLEMENT SNOWY WEATHER OR OUT IN THE HOT DESERT & MUST WAIT FOR TOW TRUCK. I LIKE MY CHEVY MALIBU VERY MUCH, IT HAS BEEN ABLE TO HANDLE ROUGH GRAVEL/DIRT ROADS IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, SNOW, & HIGHWAY TRAVEL. I PLAN TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER SHORTLY FOR AN OIL CHANGE & TO TAKE CARE OF THESE ISSUES. WHAT I DON'T LIKE IS THAT I AM UNABLE TO TURN THE DRIVER AIRBAG OFF (I SIT LESS THAN 12 INCHES FROM THE WHEEL & AM CONCERNED THAT IF IT WERE TO DEPLOY I WOULD BE KILLED) & THAT THE VEHICLE IS FAIRLY LOW TO THE GROUND, MAKING SPEED BUMPS & GETTING OUT OF BUSINESSES WHERE THERE IS A DIP ONTO STREETS DIFFICULT. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10596528

May 31, 2014Electrical system

ON MAY 9, 2014, MY CAR FAILED TO START AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I CALLED GM EMERGENCY VEHICLE ASSISTANCE TO JUMP START MY CAR AND DROVE TO THE DON MEALEY CHEVROLET IN CLERMONT FLORIDA, WHERE MY CAR HAS BEEN FOR 22 DAYS. DURING THIS TIME I HAVE QUESTIONED WHY A PART FOR RELATIVELY NEW CAR IS NOT AVAILABLE. I WAS NOT GIVEN A VALID REASON BY THE DEALERSHIP. I WENT ON LINE AND DISCOVERED THERE MAY HAVE BEEN A RECALL FOR MY CAR LAST YEAR. I WAS NEVER ADVISED ABOUT THIS RECALL EVEN THOUGH THE BAD PART (GENERATOR CONTROL MODULE) CAN CAUSE A FIRE IN THE TRUNK OR ENGINE STALLING. I AM VERY FRUSTRATED AND MORE IMPORTANT HAVE NO FAITH IN MY 2013 MALIBU ECO OR IN GENERAL MOTOR OR MY DEALERSHIP. PLEASE ADVISE MY RIGHTS.

NHTSA ODI 10596120

May 27, 2014Electrical system

TURNED THE CAR ON HEAT CAME ON FULL BLAST FAN AND TEMP GAGE WERE BOTH IN OFF POSITION. IT DID THIS 3 TIMES BEFORE I COULD GET IT INTO THE SHOP A WEEK LATER. THIS CAR ALARM ALSO TURNS ITSELF ON AFTER DRIVING IN THE RAIN. LAST BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST WHEN DRIVING IN SLOW TRAFFIC THE TRANSMISSIONS DOWNSHIFT ON THIS AUTOMATIC VEHICLE IS HORRIBLE IT IS A VIOLENT JERK DOWN AND UP. MY DEALERSHIP CONTINUES TO TELL ME THERE ARE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE FAN ISSUE THE ONLY THING THEY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FIX. I AM BEGINNING TO HATE MY CAR. THE JERK SCARES THE CAP OUT OF ME I AM SCARED ONE DAY IT WILL JUST SLIP IT IS EVEN WORSE WHEN THE AC IS ON EVEN WHEN STOPPING IN NORMAL TRAFFIC IT DOES THIS AND SOMETIMES FEELS LIKE I AM DRIVING OVER A GRAVEL ROAD. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10594388

May 15, 2014Electrical systemVisibility & wipers

WHILE DRIVING WHEN I TURNED ON AC IT WENT FULL BLAST TO HEAT EVEN THOUGH SETTING WAS SET LOW. WENT TO DEALER SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED CHANGED OUT SOMETHING HOWEVER IT DID IT AGAIN JUST A FEW WEEKS AGO. HAVE TO TURN OFF FAN LET IT REST THEN TURN IT BACK ON AFTER A COUPLE OF MINUTES. WORKED GREAT THEN. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME 4 TIMES NOW AND DEALER DOESN'T KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. IT'S CALLED A DEFECT! GM NEEDS TO FIX THIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10588513

May 10, 2014Electrical system

WHEN I STARTED THE CAR THE FAN AND THE HEATER CAME ON FULL BLAST. WITHIN SECONDS IT WAS VERY HOT IN THE CAR. THE FAN AND THE HEATER WERE TURNED OFF AT THE TIME BUT WERE LIT LIKE THEY WERE ON. IT SCARED ME. I TURNED THE FAN ON ALL THE WAY THEN TURN IT BACK,BUT THAT DID NOTHING AS WITH THE HEATER. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND WAITED A MINUTE AND RESTARTED AND IT WAS OKAY. I TOOK TALKED WITH MY GARAGE REPAIR (MAY 9 2014) AND WAS TOLD THEY COULDN'T CHECK THE PROBLEM ON THE COMPUTER UNLESS THE PROBLEM WAS OCCURING AT THAT TIME. I DID NOT INFORM DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED MY CAR AS I DO NOT USE THEM FOR REPAIR OR MAINTENANCE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10587576

May 7, 2014Electrical system

SINCE APRIL THIS HAS HAPPEN 3 TIMES. I WOULD START THE CAR AND WITH EVERYTHING TURNED OUT, THE HEATER COMES ON FULL BLAST. THE FIRST TIME, IT SCARED ME. I HAVE TO TURN THE FAN ON ALL THE WAY THEN TURN IT BACK AND TURN THE HEATER ON FULL BLAST AND BACK OFF TO GET IT TO STOP. I TOOK IT TO A DEALERSHIP YESTERDAY.MAY 6 2014 THEY PUT IT ON THE COMPUTER AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG. FOR BEING A NEW VEHICLE, THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN. WHAT IS THE PROBLEM? *TR

NHTSA ODI 10586999

Apr 1, 2014SteeringElectrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL EXHIBITED A SLIGHT DELAY AND A JERKING MOTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO A COMPUTER GLITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000.

NHTSA ODI 10576395

Jan 15, 2014Electrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU ECO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 13V173000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE SERVICED. SEVERAL WEEKS AFTER THE REPAIRS, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL CRACKLING NOISE FROM TH TRUNK AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE GENERATOR CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,578.

NHTSA ODI 10560065

Nov 25, 2013Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemFuel system

VEHICLE SOLD AND DELIVERED WITH AN OPEN ACTIVE SAFETY RECALL (13142) ON IT AT TIME OF PURCHASE, WHICH WAS A VIOLATION OF FEDERAL LAW TITLE, 49 SUBTITLE VI, CHAPTER 301, SECTION 30112A3 RESTRICTING THE SALE (AND/OR INTRODUCING INTO COMMERCE) OF A VEHICLE WITH A SAFETY DEFECT. THIS INFORMATION IS CONSISTENT WITH THE INFORMATION IN GM RECALL BULLETIN #13142. DEALER SOLD HAVE NOT SOLD OR DELIVERED THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE RECALL WAS ADDRESSED. DEALER/CHEVROLET RISKED THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE OWNER AND GENERAL PUBLIC BY PLACING IT INTO COMMERCE WITH THE OPEN RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10553695

Nov 15, 2013Electrical systemFuel system

WHEN GETTING GAS AFTER STARTING CAR HOT AIR COMES OUT OF THE HEATER VENT'S EVEN WHEN CAR IS TURNED OFF.AT TIMES DOES THIS MOST OF THE TIME WHEN GETTING FUEL' WHEN I TURN OFF ENG.ITS STOPS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10552505

Oct 30, 2013Electrical systemEngine

TRUNK OPENS AUTOMATICALLY WHEN KEY FOB IS CARRIED IN PANTS POCKETS..I'VE TRIED SHIELDING THE FOB, BUT IT IS JUST TO SENSITIVE FOR NORMAL USE!!! I GOT DIFFERENT FOB, BUT IT STILL OPENING MY TRUNK, & I DON'T REALIZE IT, TILL I RETURN TO CAR... MY CAR IS NOT IN A GARAGE, & IN MORNINGS, THE TRUNK IS WET FROM SNOW OR RAIN.. PLUS:ANYONE COULD STEAL FROM MYTRUNK ALL NITE LONG !!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI 10550175

Aug 9, 2013Electrical system

NEW CHEVY MALIBU 2013, CONTINUALLY FAILS TO RUN NORMAL. ELECTRIC SYSTEM AS WELL, AS ANY ELECTRONIC POWERED SYSTEMS TURN OFF WHILE "MID-DRIVING" RENDERING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE WITHOUT ANY GAUGE READOUTS AND OR LIGHTS AS WELL AS EXTERIOR LIGHTING. POTENTIALLY RENDERING DRIVERS( MY FAMILY) UNSAFE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN BACK TO DEALER SHIP 4 TIMES TO HAVE "PART IN BATTERY" FIXED, AFTER EACH TIME VEHICLE RUNS FOR 1 WEEK AND FAILS AGAIN AS IT DID ON THE LATEST DATE 8 AUGUST 2013. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10534433

Jul 11, 2013Electrical systemSpeed controlBrakes

AUTO STOP WILL NOT ENGAGE UNLESS RPM'S ARE UNDER 500..SELDOM WILL "AUTO STOP" ENGAGE !!!! VEHICLE MOTOR WILL NOT GO SLOW ENOUGH TO ENGAGE THIS FEATURE..I HAVE TALKED TO SERVICE AT CHEVROLET DEALER, & THEY SAID THE PROBLEM CAN HAPPEN AT ANYTIME & THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT????? I DO, KEEP COMPLAINING!!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI 10524476

Feb 7, 2013Electrical systemEngine

OUR MALIBU WAS JUST PURCHASED WITH 9 MILES NEW ON JANUARY 31ST AND HAS THE EASIEST ECO FEATURE WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO SHUT DOWN THE VEHICLE AT STOPS. OUR VEHICLE IS NOT SHUTTING DOWN. THE DEALERSHIP STATES THERE IS NO KNOWN ISSUE, BULLETIN, OR RECALL FOR THIS. ANY INFORMATION WOULD BE HELPFUL THANK YOU. *TR ## VIN FAILED ##

NHTSA ODI 10496800

← Newer

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 →