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)

226 of 921 complaints match · Engine · clear filters · page 5 of 10

Oct 1, 2019Transmission & drivetrainEngine

BOTH THE TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE WENT OUT AT THE SAME TIME. I TOOK IT TO APPLE VALLEY MOTORS IN MARTINSBURG WV, A CHEVY DEALERSHIP. THEY CONTACTED THE THIRD PARTY WARRANTY COMPANY (PORTFOLIO) AND THEY MADE THE DEALERSHIP REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION WITH A JUNKYARD TRANSMISSION. BUT WHEN I TOOK IT IN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AND I ASSUMED THAT IT WAS ON BECAUSE OF THE TRANSMISSION. BUT ALSO ASSUMED THAT BECAUSE IT WAS A DEALERSHIP WITH SPECIAL TRAINED TECHNICIANS THAT THEY WOULD CHECK ALL THE CODES AND CLEAR THEM BEFORE THEY RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO ME. WELL THEY DIDN'T AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS STILL ON WHEN I PICKED IT UP BUT THOUGHT MAYBE I HAD TO DRIVE IT A COUPLE MILES TO RESET THE LIGHT. WELL THE LIGHT DID GO OUT BUT CAME BACK ON ABOUT A WEEK LATER AND WHEN I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER THEY CALLED THE WARRANTY COMPANY AND THEY SAID THAT BECAUSE NOW THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT I HAD, EXPIRED 8 DAYS PRIOR THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. I CALLED BOTH GM AND CHEVY AND EXPLAINED THE SITUATION AND NEITHER ONE WILL ASSIST ME WITH THE PROBLEM ONLY BECAUSE THE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY EXPIRED EVEN THOUGH I HAVE LESS THAN A 100K ON IT. THEY GAVE ME A CASE NUMBER BUT IN THE END THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. NO WAY SHOULD BOTH THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION GO BAD AT THE SAME TIME ESPECIALLY WITH LESS THAN 100K ON IT. THIS IS IN ADDITION TO ANOTHER COMPLAINT THAT I JUST FILED WITH YOU REGARDING THE CAR LOOSING ALL POWER WHILE I AM DRIVING. THAT PROBLEM HAPPENED ON BOTH THE HIGHWAY AT OVER 70 MPH AND IN THE CITY AT SLOWER SPEEDS. IN ADDITION TO THE TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE GOING OU, 30 DAYS PRIOR THE HYDROLIC TRANSMISSION LINES BLEW OUT WHILE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED AND IT COST ME ABOUT 900.00 OUT OF POCKET BECAUSE IT WAS WAS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY.

NHTSA ODI 11265446

Sep 30, 2019Electrical systemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE OFF THE HIGHWAY AND ATTEMPTED TO HAVE THE ENGINE JUMPSTARTED. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS JUMPSTARTED, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED TOTAL ELECTRICAL FAILURE. ALSO, THE KEY WOULD NOT EJECT FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS DRAINED. THE MECHANIC CHARGED THE BATTERY. WHILE DRIVING HOME, THE FAILURE RECURRED AS THE CONTACT PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY. AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR FLASHED. THE CONTACT CALLED HALL CHEVROLET BUICK GMC (385 W DALLAS ST, CANTON, TX 75103, 903-567-8148) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE AND NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.

NHTSA ODI 11258987

Sep 23, 2019SteeringBrakesEngine

AS I WAS DRIVING 35 MPH ON A BUSY DOWNTOWN LOCATION IN MY AREA OF NEW ORLEANS, MY 2013 CHEVY MALIBU DECIDED TO SHUT DOWN ON ME. AT FIRST WHEN I STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, THE CAR STALL AS THOUGH IT WANTED TO CUT OFF BUT IT DIDN'T AT THAT MOMENT. WHEN I MADE IT TO THE SECOND RED LIGHT THE CAR SHUT COMPLETELY OFF THEN CAME RIGHT BACK ON. I WAS TERRIFIED AS MY 12 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER SAT IN THE BACK SEAT OF THE CAR SO I DECIDED TO HEAD HOME WHICH WAS 15 MINS FROM THE LOCATION WHERE I WAS PLUS I ALSO HAD TO TRAVEL OVER A BUSY MISSISSIPPI RIVER BRIDGE TO GET TO MY HOUSE FROM THAT LOCATION. AS I WAS MAKING MY WAY BACK TOWARDS THE BRIDGE TO GET HOME, I NOTICE DIFFERENT SIGNALS FLASHING ACROSS MY DASHBOARD, THEN THE CAR SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY GIVING ME LITTLE TO NO TIME TO MAKE A DECISION TO PULL OVER. THE STEELING WHEEL LOCKED UP GIVING ME NO CONTROL AS TO WHICH WAY TO STEER THE VEHICLE, CAR COMPLETELY DEAD. I WAS SO BLESSED THAT NO CARS WAS IN THE WAY OF WHERE THE CAR WAS GOING. THE CAR REFUSED TO START AGAIN AND KEY GOT STUCK . I HAD TO GET IT TOWED HOME. I'M BEGGING CHEVY, PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE. I HAVE SEEN LOTS OF REVIEWS REGARDING THESE MAKE AND MODELS AND IT LOOKS LIKE NOTHING IS BEING DONE. I HAD A 2006 CHEVY MALIBU WHICH I LOVED SO MUCH THAT I DECIDED TO TRUST CHEVY WITH MY NEXT CAR. AS I CLOSED MY EYES THAT NIGHT I COULD ONLY IMAGINE WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPEN IF I WAS ON THAT BRIDGE HEADING HOME WITH CARS TRAVELING 60-70MPH? WHAT IF I WAS INFRONT OF A RIVER, ON A TRAIN TRACK, IN FRONT OF A BIG BODY VEHICLE SUCH AS A BUS OR 18-WHEELER OR SOMEONE WALKING IN THE DIRECTION THE CAR WAS GOING? SOMEONE, IF HAVEN'T ALREADY COULD TRULY CAUSE DAMAGE TO THEIR LIFE OR SOMEONE ELSE'S LIFE. PLEASE CHEVY THINK ABOUT THE FAMILY LIVES WHICH ARE BEING PUT IN DANGER, EVEN THE DEALERSHIP'S DONT TRULY KNOW THE ISSUES.

NHTSA ODI 11257287

Sep 23, 2019Electrical systemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING, THE BATTERY IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT DRAINED ALL OF THE POWER AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. AS A RESULT, THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES ALSO SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT HAD TO PLACE TWO FEET ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND MANEUVER THE STEERING WHEEL WITHOUT POWER STEERING ABILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER, INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, OR MANUFACTURER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.

NHTSA ODI 11257456

Sep 16, 2019Electrical systemEngine

GENERATOR CONTROL MODULE- ENGINE IS STALLING AND COMPLETELY SHUTTING OFF WHEN STOPPED OR SLOWING DOWN AT INTERSECTION OR STOPPED AT LIGHTS OR STOP SIGNS. SWITCHING FROM HYBRID TO GAS

NHTSA ODI 11255903

Sep 12, 2019Transmission & drivetrainEngineFuel system

THE 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU TURNS OFF OR COMPLETELY DE-ENERGIZES DURING OPERATION. ON THREE OCCASIONS OVER THE LAST 2 WEEKS, THE VEHICLE HAS TURNED OFF OR COMPLETELY DE-ENERGIZED WHILE TRAVELING SPEEDS OF BETWEEN 10 AND 35 MPH. ON ONE OCCASION, THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF OR COMPLETELY DE-ENERGIZED WHILE IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU HAS TURNED OFF OR COMPLETELY DE-ENERGIZED IN THE MIDDLE OF A TURN. THIS OCCURRED ONCE IN THE FACE OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC DURING A LEFT TURN AT AN INTERSECTION AND ONCE DURING A RIGHT TURN.

NHTSA ODI 11254977

Sep 4, 2019Electrical systemEngineCrash1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, IT FAILED TO START AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS JUMPSTARTED BY THE CONTACT'S SPOUSE AND DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTO RETAIL STORE AND AN UNKNOWN CHEVROLET DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT A NEW BATTERY WAS NEEDED. THE CONTACT PURCHASED A NEW BATTERY; HOWEVER, A WEEK LATER, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER, ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AGAIN, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN, AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED A BUS. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISING AND SORENESS TO THE ARMS, NECK, WRIST, SHOULDER, AND BACK THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. AFTERWARDS, A MESSAGE DISPLAYED INDICATING THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LOSING POWER AND IT WOULD NOT HOLD A CHARGE WHEN IT WAS JUMPSTARTED. AS SOON AS THE JUMPER CABLES WERE REMOVED, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND WAS LATER TAKEN TO CHEVROLET OF HOMEWOOD (18033 HALSTED ST, HOMEWOOD, IL 60430, (708) 251-4692). THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE BODY DAMAGE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,009.

NHTSA ODI 11253188

Aug 19, 2019SteeringElectrical systemEngine

19 AUGUST 2019 ON THIS DAY TWICE I EXPERIENCE LOSS OF POWER ON THE VEHICLE AND POWER STEERING. LUCKILY I DID NOT HIT ANY CARS. WAS DRIVING BELOW 35 MPH THE FIRST INCIDENT IS WHEN I CAME TO A RED LIGHT THE RADIO TURN OFF FIRST THEN THE CAR FELT SLUGGISH AND THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN LOST CONTROL OF EVERYTHING AND WAS COASTING. VEHICLE GAIN POWER BY IT SELF AND RESUME OPERATIONS. DURING EVERY LIGHT I STOP IT FELT LIKE IT WANTED TO LOSE POWER. CAME TO A PARKING LOT DRIVING AROUND 5 MPH COMPLETELY THE CAR SHUT OFF FIRST RADIO AND THEN WHOLE VEHICLE THIS TIME IT DID NOT GAIN POWER BY IT SELF. HAD TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN PARK TURN THE KEY OFF AND RESTART IT WAS ABLE TO PARK IT. AFTER READING HERE SEEMS A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE AN IMMEDIATE INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE OPEN BECAUSE THIS CAN POSSIBLY HAPPEN IN THE HIGHWAY IF I LOSE CONTROL POWER IN THE POWER STEERING I COULD POTENTIALLY CRASH OF GET HIT BY A CAR . CALL GM AND THEY SAID THEY DO NOT HAVE A BULLETIN ASK THEM FOR AN ADDRESS TO SUBMIT A FORMAL COMPLAINT AND WAS GIVEN ONE. I DON'T THINK GM CARES HOPEFULLY YOU GUYS CAN LOOK INTO THE ISSUE AND GET AND ANSWER AS TO WHY IS HAPPENING CONSUMERS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY A DIAGNOSTIC FEE AND NOT GET ANSWERS

NHTSA ODI 11245113

Aug 18, 2019Electrical systemEngine

USING TURN SIGNAL OR POWER WINDOWS THE VEHICLE DIES AND QUICKLY RESTARTS. ALL POWER IS LOST MOMENTARILY. HAPPENS WHEN BATTERY VOLTAGE IS BELOW 13.5 VOLTS. LOSS OF POWER STEERING ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT TWICE. IT WAS NOT WET OUT OR RAINING, HAD BEEN DRY FOR SEVERAL DAYS SO WEATHER DOES NOT SEEM TO BE TRIGGERING THE ISSUE. SERVICE STABIL TRAK WARNING ALSO FLASHED IN AND CLEARED UPON POWER DISRUPTION.

NHTSA ODI 11244793

Aug 18, 2019Engine

WAS DRIVING ALONG ABOUT 35 MPH WHEN CAR SUDDENLY SHUTS OFF AND POWER STEERING IS GONE CAUSING ME TO ALMOST GO OFF THE ROAD. VERY DANGEROUS PLEASE MAKE THE RECALL PUBLIC.

NHTSA ODI 11244821

Aug 10, 2019Engine

CAR WAS JERKING WHILE ACCELERATING HAPPENED FOR ABOUT 5 MINS THEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON

NHTSA ODI 11242964

Aug 6, 2019Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ENGINE POWER REDUCED WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HAMILTON CHEVROLET (LOCATED AT 5800 E 14 MILE RD, WARREN, MI 48092, (586) 838-1537) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO RETRIEVE A FAULT CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. PIIR = Y. *JB

NHTSA ODI 11242045

Aug 5, 2019Electrical systemEngine

SINCE I GOT THE VEHICLE USED FROM A DEALERSHIP ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO IT HAS AN INTERMITTENT STALLING PROBLEM WHERE DURING CITY DRIVING THE CAR WILL RANDOMLY STALL WITHOUT WARNING WHILE IN DRIVE OR REVERSE AT A SLOW AND NORMAL IDLE MEANING THE CARS NOT MOVING EXAMPLE WOULD BE SITTING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT,STOPPING AT A MAILBOX OR GOING THROUGH A DRIVE THRU OR EVEN COASTING IN REVERSE OUT OF A DRIVEWAY, I HAVE HAD THE CAR INTO 3 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS AND THEY HAVE DONE MULTIPLE THINGS AND CANNON SEEM TO FIX THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 11241812

Jul 23, 2019Engine

THE A/C BLOWS OUT HOT AIR. SINCE I'VE BEEN CONSISTENTLY BLOWING IT OR TRYING TO BECAUSE IT IS SUMMER, MY CAR STARTING JERKING. IT MIGHT WORK EVERY NOW AND AGAIN. SOMETIMES, ONCE I'M SLOWING DOWN AND THE AIR IS SUPPOSEDLY BLOWING, MY CAR CUTS OFF ON ME WHILE I'M IN DRIVE. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE PARKING THE CAR AS WELL AS COMING TO A STOP AT A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. I NEEDED TO DEFROST MY WINDOWS, IT CUT OFF ON ME A RED LIGHT.

NHTSA ODI 11234251

Jul 15, 2019Electrical systemEngineFuel system

CAR KEEPS POWERING OFF WHILE DRIVING INSIDE PANEL LIGHTS TURN OFF THEN CAR POWERS DO AND GOES BACK ON

NHTSA ODI 11231976

Jul 8, 2019Electrical systemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, THE KEY TURNED IN THE IGNITION; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE DID NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS JUMPSTARTED AND DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT THE CAMSHAFT FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE PERFORMED NORMALY FOR A WEEK, BUT LATER WOULD NOT START AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SAME INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT THE VARIABLE VALVE TIMING INTAKE AND EXHAUST FAILED AND NEEDED REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BOTH TIMES. THE MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT THE WIRING ON THE BATTERY WAS DONE IMPROPERLY. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,080.

NHTSA ODI 11230052

Jul 3, 2019SteeringElectrical systemEngine

CAR SHUTS OFF COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS SPORADIC THEN SHUTS DOWN.

NHTSA ODI 11229291

May 9, 2019Engine

DAMAGE TO OIL PAN FROM COMING IN CONTACT WITH THE GROUND

NHTSA ODI 11206584

May 7, 2019Engine

EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION REGARDING THE ECOTEC 2.4L ENGINE (LUK). I HAD PURCHASED MY VEHICLE IN SEPTEMBER OF 2018 WITH 87,932 MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND SERVICED. PRIOR TO REACHING THE RECOMMENDED 7500 MILE OIL CHANGE INTERVAL AND BEFORE THE 'CHANGE OIL SOON' NOTIFICATION, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A CERTIFIED GM DEALERSHIP TO BE DIAGNOSED ON DECEMBER 14TH 2018. IT WAS NOTED THE VEHICLE WAS 3 QUARTS LOW ON OIL AT 94,530 MILES. I CONTINUED TO MONITOR THE OIL LEVELS THERE AFTER UNTIL MY NEXT SERVICING AT 97,063 MILES, AGAIN THE OIL WAS LOW BUT WITHIN MARGIN AS I HAD TOPPED OFF AS NEEDED. NOW WITH MY VEHICLE AT 100,134 MILES AND STILL LOSING OIL I AM CONCERNED THAT THE ENGINE IS PLAGUED BY THE SAME PROBLEM AS FOUND IN THE 2.4L (LEA) FOUND IN THE EQUINOX AND GMC TERRAIN. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THERE WAS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT WITH THE PISTON RINGS COMBINED WITH THE OIL SPRAY COOLING THAT LEAD TO GM ISSUING A SPECIAL WARRANTY COVERAGE TO THE LEA VARIANT HOWEVER NO COVERAGE WAS EXTENDED TO THE LUK VARIANT. IT IS ALSO TO MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THERE IS NO DISCERNIBLE DIFFERENCE INTERNALLY BETWEEN BOTH VARIANTS WITH THE LUK ENGINE SLIGHTLY MODIFIED TO SUPPORT THE (BAS) BELT ALTERNATOR STARTER MILD HYBRID DRIVETRAIN. BOTH STILL CONTAIN THE SAME PISTONS, PISTON RINGS, AND OIL JET SPRAY TECHNOLOGIES. AT THIS POINT I HAVE RAISED MY CONCERNS WITH GM AND HAVE SCHEDULED A OIL CONSUMPTION TEST TO BE DONE (RULED TO BE UNRELIABLE IN THE LAWSUIT REGARDING LEA TYPE ENGINES). I AM ALSO RAISING MY CONCERNS HERE AS WELL AS I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE AS A RESULT OF MANUFACTURE DEFECT AND I BELIEVE GM INTENDS TO SKIRT THE ISSUE BY ONLY ADDRESSING THE TYPE OF ENGINE INVOLVED IN THE ORIGINAL LAWSUIT AND ONLY THOSE VEHICLES FOR WHICH THEY WERE EQUIPPED. I APPRECIATE TAKING YOUR TIME TO REVIEW THIS CASE AND HOPE TO SEE A RESOLUTION.

NHTSA ODI 11206061

May 6, 2019Engine

THE CAR WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET, MY DAUGHTER WAS SLOWING DOWN COMING UP TO A RED LIGHT. BEFORE SHE STOPPED THE AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED BLOWING THEN THE CAR TURNED OFF. SHE PUT IT IN PARK AND WAS ABLE TO TURN IT BACK ON. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IT HAS TURNED OFF ON ITS OWN, THE FIRST TIME IT WAS WHEN SHE PUT IT IN REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING SPACE.

NHTSA ODI 11205889

May 2, 2019Electrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

TAKARA RECALL I HAD MY CAR IN MULTIPLE TIMES IN A DEALERSHIP BERGSTROM LIKE FIVE TIMES AND EVERY TIME THEY WORK ON IT THERE'S SOMETHING ELSE WRONG . THE CAR HAS ELECTRICAL ISSUES THE RADIO TURNS ON AND OFF BY ITSELF . THE TEMPERATURE THING BECAME ON FOR HIGH TEMPS WHEN THE AC IS OFF.I HAD REPLACED MULTIPLE SENSORS REPLACED LIKE THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. MY CAR SHUT OFF ON ME THROUGH THE DRIVE-THROUGH . IT HAS A ROUGH TIME IS STARTING SOMETIMES AND STALLS . NOW IT'S SAYING SOMETHING ABOUT AN OIL PRESSURE SENSOR O2 SENSOR. COUPLE TIMES I HEARD THE CAR BACKFIRE SO I GOT A NEW CADILLAC CONVERTER. I'VE EVEN HAVE SMELLED SOME SMELLS LIKE BURNING. I HEAR A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE FRONT WHEN I GO OVER A LITTLE BUMPS OR WHEN I TURN REALLY SHARP NOT GOING FAST. BEEN HAVING MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH THIS CAR AND WOULD LIKE SOME HELP FIGURING OUT WHAT'S GOING ON WITH T AND WOULD LIKE SOME HELP FIGURING OUT WHAT'S GOING ON WITH IT! I DON'T FEEL SAFE SOMETIMES AND I'M AFRAID MY CAR SIRI MIGHT GO OUT OR SOMETHING AND IT WON'T RUN OR START FOR ME WHEN I'M DRIVING. PLEASE HELP.

NHTSA ODI 11205384

Apr 18, 2019Body & structureEngineCrash1 injury

WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE IN OUR 2013 CHEVY MALIBU WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, WHEN ABOUT 1/2 WAY INTO THE SPACE I EXPERIENCED AN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION BY THE VEHICLE. THIS CAUSED ME TO CRASH INTO A BOLLARD IN FRONT OF THE CONVENIENCE STORE CAUSING SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF THE CAR. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, CAUSING ME TO HIT MY HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL. *DT ADD CPSC *JS

NHTSA ODI 11197250

Apr 18, 2019SteeringElectrical systemEngine

WHEN DRIVING MY MALIBU IT SEEMS TO HAVE A SHORT CIRCUIT WHEN I TURN THE WHEEL EVEN THE SLIGHTEST. I HAVE CHANGED THE BATTERIES CHECKED ALL THE WIRES AND EVERYTHING SEEMS FINE. I HAVE FIGURED OUT EVEN WHEN I'M DRIVING 70MPH ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY FAMILY IN THE CAR THE POWER STEERING WILL GO OUT AND MAKE IT HARD FOR ME TO EVEN TURN. I HAVE READ ONLINE THAT THIS IS HAPPENING TO MALIBU'S EVERYWHERE AND THAT GM IS NOT WILLING TO MAKE IT A NATIONAL RECALL BECAUSE IT MUST BE HAPPENING WHILE THEY SEE THE CAR. SO I GUESS I HAVE TO WAIT FOR ME TO CRASH? TO SEE THAT THE POWER STEERING GAVE OUT ON ME ALONG WITH THE REST OF THE ELECTRICAL WORK ON THE INSIDE OF THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI 11197269

Apr 10, 2019Electrical systemSpeed controlEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LUNGED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS APPLIED AND THERE WAS A CONSTANT LOSS OF POWER. THE CONTACT HAD TO CONSTANTLY PULL THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO COYLE CHEVROLET BUICK GMC (1801 BROADWAY ST, , IN 47129, (812) 218-1100) AND SERVICED UNDER THE WARRANTY. AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED, THE DEALER DIAGNOSED AND REPLACED THE SONLY , SONLY BOLT, SONLY GENERATOR, AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR, FLUSHED THE COOLANT, REPLACED COMPRESSOR KIT(2), AND PERFORMED ADDITIONAL REPAIRS. HOWEVER, THE FAILURES STILL OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. .*BP CONSUMER STATED TRANSMISSION WAS NOT THE PROBLEM. CAM-ACTUATORS HAVE DUST WHICH CAUSES A CAR TO FLUTTER OR DIE. CONSUMER TOLD THE MECHANIC THAT WAS NOT THE PROBLEM THERE ARE OF COMPLAINTS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. AS OF 5/15/19 CAR IS STILL IN THE SHOP.*JP

NHTSA ODI 11195353

Mar 24, 2019Engine

3/19/19 I WENT IN FOR AN OIL/FILTER CHANGE AND A "PREMIER ENGINE OIL SERVICE" (WHICH WAS EXPLAINED AS A ENGINE FLUSH TO MY WIFE). SATURDAY MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ACTIVATES AND I PUT A CODE READER ON AND A P0010 (INTAKE CAMSHAFT POSITION ACTUATOR SOLENOID CONTROL CIRCUIT). AFTER RESEARCHING I SAW THIS HAS BEEN A RECURRING PROBLEM ON OTHER MALIBU MODELS BUT DID NOT SEE ANYTHING FOR MY VIN, SHOULD I HANDLE HIS ON MY OWN OR REFER BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TO DETERMINE IF THIS IS THEIR ERROR?

NHTSA ODI 11191203

← NewerOlder →

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 →