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)

Newest first · 921 complaints · page 9 of 37

Feb 25, 2021SteeringElectrical systemEngine

WHEN DRIVING, THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY STOP AND LOSE POWER. IT WILL RESTART AGAIN BUT WILL NOT HAVE POWER STEERING. THIS HAPPENS ON CITY STREETS, BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WE HAVE KEPT IT OFF HIGHWAYS. UNKNOWN THE CAUSE, THERE WAS A RECALL ABOUT THIS HAPPENING BUT PER THE VIN IT WAS COMPLETED. WE HAVE OWNED THE CAR 7 MONTHS.

NHTSA ODI 11397861

Feb 24, 2021Airbags

MY CAR WAS RUNNING IN THE DRIVE WHEN IT DIED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. EVERYTHING WENT DEAD. I HAD TO JUMP START IT AND AFTER THAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT WITH THIS LIGHT ON. I TOOK MY CAR TO A CHEVY DEALER WHERE I WAS CHARGED $80.00 TO BE TOLD THAT THE SDM AIRBAG MODULE NEEDS REPLACED AND ESTIMATED COST FOR THIS IS $1100.00. MY CAR ONLY HAS 108232 MILES ON IT AND TO KNOW THAT IT COULD COST ME EITHER MY FAMILIES LIFE OR $1100.00 EVERYTIME THE BATTERY DIES IS NOT A CHOICE ANYONE SHOULD HAVE TO MAKE. AIRBAGS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE THE MOST DEPENDABLE PART OF A VEHICLE AS IT SAVES SO MANY LIVES. HOW DO I KNOW IF THEY ARE EVEN WORKING WITH THE LIGHT OFF IF IT IS THIS SENSITIVE? I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE EVEN IF I GET IT FIXED AND SINCE I JUST PURCHASED THE CAR RECENTLY I OWE TO MUCH TO TRY TO BUY ANYTHING ELSE. HOW CAN PART OF THE SAFETY EQUIPMENT FAIL SO EASILY AND NOT BE ON RECALL? WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF IT HAD DIED WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD INSTEAD OF IN THE DRIVEWAY PUTTING THE CAR INTO GEAR? AFTER LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP IT NOW HAS A NEW CODE BUT I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT TO FIND OUT WHAT ELSE IS WRONG.

NHTSA ODI 11397792

Feb 9, 2021Electrical systemEngineFuel system

ENGINE POWER REDUCED CONTINUES TO SHOW UP AFTER SEVERAL FIXES INCLUDING AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT MANY TIMES I WILL BE DRIVING AND THE VEHICLE WILL TURN OFF OR SLOW DOWN TO DANGEROUSLY SLOW SPEEDS AS LOW AS 10 MILES AND HOUR. THIS IS A CONSTANT ISSUE AND OTHER MALIBU DRIVERS ARE EXPERIENCING.

NHTSA ODI 11395388

Feb 8, 2021

I GOT A RECALL NOTICE STATING RISK: REAR TOE LINK CAN CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND WORSE CASE OF A RISK.

NHTSA ODI 11395311

Feb 7, 2021Electrical systemEngine

CAR COMPLETELY LOSES ENGINE POWER AND ELECTRICAL POWER WHILE DRIVING ! THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES IN LAST 6 MONTHS. DEALER FOUND NOTHING WRONG, NO CODES OR EVIDENCE OF ANY PROBLEMS. THIS SEEMS TO BE SYSTEMIC PROBLEM WITH MALIBU AND OTHER SIMILAR VEHICLES IN GM FAMILY ACCORDING TO SEVERAL ONLINE WEBSITES. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND WILL KILL PEOPLE !!!

NHTSA ODI 11395060

Feb 5, 2021Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROADWAY, WAIT FOR ABOUT 40 MIN UNTIL THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER MC CLUSKEY CHEVROLET (9673 KINGS AUTO MALL RD, CINCINNATI, OH 45249, (513)741-1111) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 125,000.

NHTSA ODI 11394808

Feb 4, 2021SteeringElectrical systemEngine

WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE TURNED OFF AND BACK ON. THE VEHICLE WAS STALLING ALL THE WAY HOME TURNING ON AND OFF. HIGHEST SPEED I WAS DRIVING WAS NO MORE THAN 35 MPH.

NHTSA ODI 11394626

Feb 3, 2021Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO RATTLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND ADDED OIL TO THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE PCV VALVE HAD FROZEN CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 125,000.

NHTSA ODI 11394503

Jan 23, 2021EngineFuel system

MY 2013 CHEVY MALIBU HAS 68,755 MILES I HAVE KEPT UP REGULAR MAINTENANCE ON IT. THE VEHICLE NOW HAS AN ISSUES WITH STALLING WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT OR STOP SIGN AFTER DRIVING IT OF AND ON THROUGHOUT THE DAY. THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP CAN'T FIGURE IT OUT AND I'VE SPENT SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS TAKING IT TO OTHER REPAIR SHOPS. IT CAN BE A SAFE ISSUE IF I'M IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSTATE AT A STOP TRYING TO TURN AND I NEED TO ACCELERATE. I HAVEN'T SEEN ANY RECALLS FOR THIS MODEL. I HAVE HAVING THIS PROBLEM STARTING BACK IN SEPTEMBER OF 2020 UP TILL THIS DATE OF 01/23/2021.

NHTSA ODI 11389525

Jan 18, 2021SuspensionElectrical system

I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN I HEARD STRANGE NOISES. I THEN HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THE CAR BARELY WOULD MOVE. WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE, I SAW THE WHEEL WAS SLANTED. IT WAS TOWED TO A AAA REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THEY DISCOVERED IT WAS A BROKEN TOE LINK THAT HAD ROTTED. WHEN IT BROKE, IT ALSO BENT A BAR IN THE REAR. THE INSPECTOR SAID THE SAME WAS HAPPENING ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED.

NHTSA ODI 11388643

Jan 14, 2021Electrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO JOE FIRMENT CHEVROLET, INC. (37995 CHESTER RD, AVON, OH 44011) WHERE SHE WAS INFORMED THAT SHE HAD A DEFECTIVE GENERATOR CONTROL MODULE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT LINKED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V173000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED HER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND REFERRED HER TO NHTSA FOR ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 117,000.

NHTSA ODI 11388165

Jan 12, 2021Speed controlEngineFuel system

SERVICE STABILITRAK AND ENGINE POWER REDUCED DISPLAY AT HIGH SPEEDS CAUSING CAR TO DRASTICALLY DECREASE SPEED. CANNOT BE FIXED. HAVE TRIED TO REPAIR FOR YEARS

NHTSA ODI 11387717

Dec 28, 2020Electrical system

THE DASH KEEPS GOING OUT. NOT LETTING YOU SEE YOUR SPEED NOR GAS AVAILABLE IN TANK, ETC.

NHTSA ODI 11385214

Dec 28, 2020Electrical systemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START VEHICLE BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CHARGE THE BATTERY HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT FULLY CHARGE. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT THEN DROVE THE VEHICLE TO TROPICAL CHEVROLET (8880 BISCAYNE BLVD, MIAMI SHORES, FL 33138) WHO STATED THE FAILURE WAS AN ENGINE FAILURE AND NOT A FAILURE TO THE BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.

NHTSA ODI 11385231

Dec 28, 2020

WHEN I FIRST GOT THE CAR IT WAS LESS THAN 4 MONTHS OF OWING IT 38,000 MILE, AND I HAD ISSUES. WHEN I WOULD COME TO A STOP AND THE AUTO STOP/START WOULD KICK IN MY CAR WOULD DIE. AND AT ONE TIME IT SMELT LIKE A BURNING RUBBER. THE INITIAL TIME THE CAR DIED AND WOULD NOT START. CALLED DEALERSHIP MATHEWS BUICK IN MARION INDIANA, HAD IT TOWED BUT THEY COULD FIND WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT. WELL IT HAPPENED AGAIN NOT A FEW MONTHS LATER THIS TIME BY THE TIME I GOT TO MY HOME THE SERPENTINE BELT BUSTED FROM WHERE THE "AUTO STOP/START FEATURE" LOCKED UP AND BROKE IT IN HALF. SO FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS LATER "THEY SAID THEY FIXED IT" BUT I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH IT SINCE THEN. NOW MY ENGINE LEAKS DONT KNOW WHY, AND MY CAR WONT EVEN START. I COULD NOT EVEN TELL YOU WHAT THEY FIXED, BUT IT COST ME. I TRIED THE LEMON LAW BUT EVERYTHING HAS TO BE IN A CERTAIN TIME, AND IT HAS TO BE FIXED SO MANY TIMES. I FEEL THE DEALERSHIP SOLD ME A BAD VEHICLE AND KNEW IT!! THIS CAR HAD NOTHING BUT CAUSED ME HEADACHES ALL BECAUSE OF THE AUTO STOP/START FEATURE. I HOPE YOU CAN HELP ME BECAUSE NOW MY CAR DOES NOT RUN NO POWER AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD IT COULD BE THE ALTENATOR BUT APPARENTLY YOU CAN ONLY BUY PARTS FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND JUST FOR THAT IT IS $900!! THIS COVID-19 HAS CAUSED ME A HARDSHIP AND NOW THAT I HAVE A GOOD JOB I HAVE TO RENT A CAR FOR $800/MONTH TO GET TO WORK. I STILL OWE ON THIS CAR SO I AM MAKING CAR PAYMENTS ON TOP OF THE RENTAL. PLEASE HELP THESE ISSUES HAPPEN WHEN I WAS DRIVING. I AM CURRENTLY AT SONS HOUSE AND ALL MY PAPERWORK IS IN STORRAGE. I AM UNCLEAR OF THE DATE IT HAPPENED

NHTSA ODI 11385329

Dec 23, 2020SteeringSpeed control

DRIVING SLOW AND WHEN MAKING TURNS THE CAR STARTS TO SHUT OFF IF NOT GIVEN GAS. THE CAR HAS NO SHUTOFF MULTIPLE TIMES WHEN TRYING TO MAKE A SLOW TURN. THIS LAST TIME I HAD TO RESTART THE CAR THEN THE POWER STERRING WAS OUT COMPLETLY MAKING IT NEAR IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN.

NHTSA ODI 11384644

Dec 22, 2020Electrical systemEngineFuel system

STATES AC AUTO OFF DUE TO HIGH ENGINE TEMP WHEN STARTING CAR FIRST THING IN THE MORNING DURING WINTER TIMES, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON TEMPERATURE GUAGE BROKE, CAR SHOWS FLUID IN OVERFLOW FOR RADIATOR, OIL LEVELS FINE, POWER CAR OFF AND FAN KEEPS RUNNING WITH KEY REMOVED FROM CAR, CAN'T TELL IF ENGINE IS VET HEATING BLOWS LUKE WARM AIR BUT ALL FLUIDS REMAIN NORMAL, THEFT MONITOR LIGHT COMES ON OCCASIONALLY IS THIS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE? NO RECALL OPEN RELATED ON GOING ISSUE, WON'T DRIVE TO AVOID BLOWING A HEAD GASKET, WATER PUMP IS IN TACT NO ISSUES NOR NO OIL OR FLUID LEAKS- HELP!!!!

NHTSA ODI 11384587

Dec 13, 2020Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine

EACH TIME I STOP AT A LIGHT OR STOP SIGN MY VEHICLE STATR VIBRATING , MY RPM STARTS MOVING AND MY CAR DIES. I RESTART IT, BUT MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT NEVER COMES ON. THE DEALERSHIP CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM WITHOUT A CODE.

NHTSA ODI 11383203

Dec 11, 2020SteeringElectrical system

THE DASH SCREEN GOES BLACK AND CUTS POWER, DISCONNECTING CALLS AND BLUE TOOTH CONNECTION, AND POWER STEERING. WHEN THIS HAPPENS I AM UNABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL. THE WHEEL JERKS BACK IN PLACE. THIS HAPPENS WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME WHILE ON THE FREEWAY. IT ONLY CUTS POWER FOR A FEW SECONDS AND IT COMES BACK ON BUT I AM UNABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR WHEN THIS HAPPENS. I AM ALSO UNABLE TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL AT ALL WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THIS HAPPENED A FEW MONTHS BACK A FEW TIMES AND I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY DIDNT KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH IT BECAUSE IT WASNT HAPPENING AT THE TIME. IT MOST RECENTLY HAPPENED YESTERDAY ON 12/10/2020.

NHTSA ODI 11383006

Dec 10, 2020Electrical systemEngine

I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AT A STOP SIGN AND MY CAR SHUT OFF. I TURNED IT BACK ON AND IT DROVE. I WAS AT A RED LIGHT AND MY CAR STARTED TO STALL AND SHUT OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES. I WAS ON A LOCAL STREET. I SEARCHED THIS UP ON GM WEBSITE AND QUITE A FEW PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH NO RESOLUTION

NHTSA ODI 11382818

Dec 8, 2020Electrical system

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR @32 MPH WHEN MY RADIO AND DASHBOARD LIGHTS STARTED TO BLINK OFF AND ON MY CAR WANTED TO STALL OUT I WAS DRIVING IN THE CITY HAD TO TURN IN TO A PARKING LOT TO SHUT CAR OFF AND RESTART IT SO I CAN GET TO THE STORE , I HAVE A VIDEO OF IT DOING IT .I DON'T HAVE THE FEATURES WHEN YOU STOP AT A LIGHT OR STOP SIGN IT SHUTS OFF AND WHEN YOU MOVE IT START BACK UP. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS NEVER KNOW WHEN IT'S GOING TO DO IT AGAIN . I THINK THIS IS AN ELECTRONIC ISSUE

NHTSA ODI 11378520

Dec 8, 2020Steering

I MADE A LEFT HAND TURN AND STEERING WENT OUT OF THE CAR AND HAD TO MANUEVER CAR TO KEEP FROM WRECKING VEHICLE. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY STATED IT WOULD BE 2200 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. MODULE AND MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI 11378561

Nov 28, 2020AirbagsFuel system

ON MOST OF THE 2013 CHEVY MALIBU THE AIR BAG HAS BEEN RECALLED MY CAR HAS HAD THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON SINCE I PURCHASED MY 2013. I DON'T FEEL SAFE AND WHEN I CALLED CHEVY DIRECTLY THEY TOLD ME TO JUST KEEP CHECKING MY VIN # SHOULD BE ON THE RECALL FOR THE AIR BAG SOON. IT'S STILL NOT SHOWING UP. I KEEP GETTING A WARNING LOW ENGINE POWER, SOME ONE SAID DON'T DRIVE A CAR THAT SAYS THIS.

NHTSA ODI 11376790

Nov 22, 2020Electrical systemSpeed controlEngine

I WAS TRAVELING ON 294 SOUTH USING CRUISE CONTROL AT 70 MPH WHEN THE CAR STARTED LOSING POWER BUT ALL INTERNAL APP LIGHTS LIKE THE RADIO REMAINED ON AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS STILL FUNCTIONAL. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS PUT IN PARKED IT SHUT OFF. ONLY ISSUE LIGHTS THAT APPEARED 1 WEEK PRIOR WAS THE ABS SENSOR HAD MALFUNCTIONED ON THE FRONT LEFT TIRE. I ATTEMPTED TO JUMP THE BATTERY BUT IT DID NOT RESPOND. CAR HAD BEEN PARKED AND A FRIEND WHO WORKS ON CARS BELIEVES THE ENGINE IS DEAD EVEN THOUGH THERE SHOWS 23% OF OIL LEFT AND NO OTHER SYMPTOMS OF A BLOWN ENGINE. I HAVE BEEN GOODLAND 2013 CHEVY MALIBU ECO ISSUES AND OTHER THAN POTENTIALLY THE STARTER IT COULD BE THE COMPUTER THAT HAS DIED. I CHANGED OUT THE BATTERY AND IT TURNS EVERYTHING ON, BUT STRUGGLES TO CRANK AND REMAIN ON. I CAME ACROSS SEVERAL LINKS REGARDING A RECALL DUE TO COMPUTER, BUT HONESTLY DON'T KNOW IF ITS EVEN THAT. MECHANIC FRIEND BELIEVES IT COULD ALSO BE THE ECM.

NHTSA ODI 11375802

Nov 19, 2020Airbags

[XXX] THE SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AFTER MY PASSENGER SEAT WAS READJUSTED WHILE IT WAS PARKED. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 54000 MILES ON IT. I READ WHERE THIS HAS BEEN AN ON GOING PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR AND MODEL. DEALER WANTS TO REPLACE THE SENSOR WHICH I WAS QUOTE OVER $1000. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI 11375422

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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 →