What 921 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco

Driver going 60+ mph hit metal guardrail, spun and slammed into concrete side of bridge. No airbags deployed

NHTSA ODI 11722735

I got sick and I split a utility pole. The airbags did not deploy

NHTSA ODI 11683959

While driving my vehicle the rear toe link broke leaving me stranded on the side of the road. With no dealers close I replaced the passenger rear toe link to get the car mobile again. Once that was done I called the dealer to setup an appointment to do the recall repair. After dropping the car off at the dealer I received a call back stating that I would need to replace my OEM lug nuts at an inflated dealer price in order for them to do the repair. My issue is that these OEM lug nuts should also be included in the recall because I've done nothing to create an issue with the lug nuts. Swelling lug nuts is a major ongoing issue among the big 3 automakers and this should be corrected. Allowing the companies to sell cars with low quality lug nuts is insane. Dealers thinking that customers should pay for a flaw in their own design of the lug nuts before they will do any repairs is even more insane. How my car sits now I am refused recall service on my car that is unsafe to drive due to them releasing cars with unsafe lug nuts. Then to add a paywall to you getting your recall repairs. This is extremely unsafe and unethical, and I pray that the NHTSA will do something about this ongoing issue that is putting millions of Americans in danger and allowing these companies to take advantage of their customer base. I took action to bring this to your attention and I hope you will take preventive action to keep Americans safe on the roads.

NHTSA ODI 11563518

The contact owned a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 65 MPH and his son another vehicle behind made him aware of sparks seen coming from underneath the front of the vehicle. The contact stated that smoke was seen coming from underneath the hood and exit the highway. The contact stated that soon after exiting the vehicle, it caught fire. The check engine and loss of power steering warning lights were illuminated. The fire department extinguished the flames and informed the contact that the origin of the fire came from the engine compartment. Both a fire department and police report were filed. The vehicle remained at an out-of-state junkyard. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 119,000.

NHTSA ODI 11497289

2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO TOE LINK SUSPENSION ROD FAILURE. THE CONSUMER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL UNTIL AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE CRASHED DUE TO THE FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI 11477334

******* DUPLICATE VOQ ******* THIS COMPLAINT IS BEING MARKED FOR DELETION BECAUSE IT IS AN INADVERTENT DUPLICATE OF ODI# 11438859*DJR ******* DUPLICATE VOQ *******

NHTSA ODI 11438855

The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V764000 (Suspension). The contact stated that while driving at 35 mph, the rear wheels were wiggling and the vehicle went side to side before the contact lost control of the vehicle and ended up in a ditch. The contact sustained injuries to his neck, right shoulder, and back. The passenger did not sustain injuries. The contact's son transported him to the hospital where medical attention was received. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V764000 (Suspension). The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

NHTSA ODI 11438859

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUSPENSION FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER A WEEK LATER FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V764000 (SUSPENSION). THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD TO SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION AS HE SUFFERED CHEST AND HEAD INJURY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE AND WAS TOWED TO A JUNKYARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER TO GET DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11402614

2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SUSPENSION ROD FAILURE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE DRIVER STATED THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE CONSUMER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE RECALL UNTIL AFTER THE ACCIDENT. *JS (RECALL RELATED INCIDENT) TS

NHTSA ODI 11398353

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER SON WAS DRIVING AT 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE GCM MODULE FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SHUT OFF. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE TRUNK. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER AND REMAINED IN THE DEALER SINCE JUNE OF 2020. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO OPEN RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.

NHTSA ODI 11343847

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN THE CAR STALLED WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE. SMOKE THEN STARTED RISING FROM THE HOOD. ABOUT 5 MINUTES LATER FLAMES STARTING SHOOTING OUT AND THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE CAR WAS ENGULFED

NHTSA ODI 11342655

MY BREAK BOOSTER WENT OUT AGAIN FOR 3RD TIME WITH IN A YEAR AND HALF I HAVE TAKEN TO A PLACE TO GET IT FIXED THIS IS ON SAFE.I WAS DRIVING ALL 3 TIMES WHEN IT WENT OUT. I WAS STOPPING AT A LIGHT.

NHTSA ODI 11341609

CAR SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER ME RIGHT AFTER I TURNED ON THE IGNITION

NHTSA ODI 11337916

MY DAUGHTERS MALIBU LITERALLY IGNITED AND CAUGHT FIRE WHILE SHE WAS IN IT OVER THE WEEKEND. SHE WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT, NOTICED A FUNNY SMELL, TURNED THE IGNITION OFF AND SMOKE WAS BILLOWING OUT OF THE ENGINE. SHE GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND REALIZED THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. IT WENT FROM A SMALL FIRE TO EVERYTHING BUT THE TRUNK ENGULFED IN LESS THAN 3 MINUTES. THESE THINGS DON'T JUST HAPPEN RANDOMLY. I FEEL THERE WAS A MECHANICAL ISSUE OR SOMETHING NOT BUILT CORRECTLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11328930

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AND THE KEY WAS PULLED OUT, THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY AND CRASHED INTO A WALL. THERE WAS NO INJURY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CASE NUMBER WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED BUT WAS DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FOUR DIFFERENT DEALERS, INCLUDING THE VICTORY CHEVROLET DEALER (866-900-6224, LOCATED AT 717 RHYNE RD, CHARLOTTE, NC 28214) WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. . THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO AND INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE NHTSA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 125,000.

NHTSA ODI 11298194

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD LOCK AND THERE WOULD BE AN ABNORMAL NOISE WITHOUT WARNING INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HOLIDAY AUTOMOTIVE SALES LOCATED AT 321 N ROLLING MEADOWS DR, FOND DU LAC, WI 54937, WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WOULD CONTINUE TO OCCUR ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING A 50 MPH AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT INTO A CURVE, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A DITCH. NO INJURIES OR DAMAGES OCCURRED DUE TO THE FAILURE AND THE POLICE WERE NOT CALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AT A STEADY 20 MPH TO HEISER CHEVROLET LOCATED AT 2620 W WASHINGTON ST, WEST BEND, WI 53095 WHERE THE VEHICLE REMAINED IN THEIR POSSESSION AND PROVIDED A LOANER VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THE FAILURE AND FILED A CASE WITH THE MANUFACTURER, THE CONTACT HAD YET TO HEAR BACK FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000.

NHTSA ODI 11297377

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

TAKATA RECALL THE LIGHTS ON MY DASH KEPT GOING IN AND OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND WHILE STATIONARY. WHILE MY CAR WAS OFF, WITH NO KEY IN THE IGNITION, THE GAUGES WOULD MAKE CLICKING SOUNDS AND BOUNCE UP AND DOWN ABOUT AN 8TH OF AN INCH. THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH WOULD STAY OFF FOR DAYS AT A TIME, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO SEE HOW FAST I WAS GOING OR HOW MUCH GAS WAS IN THE CAR. SOMETIMES THE LIGHTS WOULD CLICK ON FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS AND THEN THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD BE STUCK AT THE LAST SPEED I WAS GOING AT, FOR DAYS, WITHOUT SHOWING ANYTHING ON THE DIGITAL SPEEDOMETER. WHEN I TOOK IT TO GET LOOKED AT, NO CODES WERE FOUND. MY CAR KEPT DYING WHILE I WAS DRIVING, WENT AND HAD MY BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR TESTED AND THEY WERE 100% FINE. CAR DASH LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING ON AND OFF WHILE I WAS GOING AROUND A CURVE. CHECK ENGINE, OIL, WIPER FLUID, GAS LIGHT, EVERYTHING FLASHED ON AND OFF, THEN MY STEERING LOCKED UP, CAUSING ME TO GO OFF OF THE ROAD AND HIT A TREE. MY CAR WAS TOTALED.

NHTSA ODI 11221009

ON 2016 I HAD A COLLISION CLAIM NUMBER 3005632019 -1-7. I DIDN'T HAVE DEDUCTIBLES AND THEREFORE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FIXED IMMEDIATELY BUT THE INSURANCE HAD PAID PART OF THEIR PORTION. ON APRIL 8TH I WAS INVOLVED ON ACCIDENT AND HAD INJURIES WHICH I WAS DISCHARGED FROM TREATMENT NOT LONG. THEREFORE THE VEHICLE STILL HAD THE BENT. ON MARCH 12TH 2019 THE VEHICLE WAS HIT AGAIN ON THE REAR ALONG THE TIRE. NOW I HAD THE VEHICLE FIXED BOTH DAMAGES AT MAACO AT TACOMA. THIS WAS DONE THROUGH THE INSURANCE. WHEN I TOOK THE VEHICLE AT MAACO THERE WAS NO AIRBAG LIGHT. THEY WERE REPLACING THE PASSENGER DOOR AND FIXING THE BENT FOR BOTH COLLISION. WHEN I PICKED UP THE VEHICLE I NOTICED THE AIR BAG LIGHT AND I INFORMED THE MAACO REPRESENTATIVE. HE TOLD ME IT WILL GO AWAY BY ITS OWN. IT DIDN'T GO AWAY AND WE AGREED WITH THEM TO TAKE IT BACK. WHEN I FOLLOWED UP WITH THEM THEY SAID THAT THEY CAN'T FIX THE PROBLEM BUT HAD CONTACTED THE INSURANCE. DAYS PASSED WITHOUT GETTING AN UPDATED. LASTLY I AM TOLD TO DRIVE THE CAR BACK WITH ME AND THAT I HAVE TO PROVE TO THE INSURANCE THAT THE LIGHT IS CAUSED BY THE OLD ACCIDENT. I FEEL IT IS NOT SAFE FOR ME TO DRIVE IT WITH THE LIGHT ON AS IT IS NOT SAFE FOR ANYONE. I DON'T HAVE TRANSPORTATION AND I AM PAYING THE INSURANCE AND THE LOAN.

NHTSA ODI 11209905

I WAS SITTING AT A RED LIGHT, WITH MY FOOT FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE. SUDDENLY IT STARTED TO MOVE AND SUDDENLY TOOK OFF AND HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME (THE CAR HAD MOVED UP SIGNIFICANTLY, BUT I HADN'T, SO IT HAD A LOT OF MOMENTUM WHEN IT HIT)! AFTER THE ACCIDENT REPORT WAS FILED, I TRIED TO START THE CAR TO LEAVE, BUT THE CAR WOULDN'T START. ADDITIONALLY, A TON OF ERROR MESSAGES WERE FLASHING, AS WELL AS ALL INDOOR AND OUTDOOR LIGHTS FLASHING, EVEN THE DECORATIVE PANEL BLUE STRIP LIGHTS. I WAS TERRIFIED. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED FROM THE SCENE. AT FIRST, THE OFFICER DIDN'T BELIEVE ME, THAT IT WAS THE CAR'S FAULT, NOT MINE, BUT ONCE SHE SAW WHAT WAS HAPPENING, SHE BELIEVED ME. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SAID THE CAR WAS POSSESSED, HE HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE. THE CAR HAD ALMOST 53,000 MILES ON IT, ONE YEAR TO GO WITH PAYMENTS, AND I HAD BEEN PLANNING TO KEEP IT ONCE IT WAS PAID OFF, UNTIL THIS HAPPENED. IT COULD HAVE BEEN SO MUCH WORSE. WHAT IF IT HIT PEDESTRIANS CROSSING THE STREET? I WAS AT A COMPLETE STANDSTILL. WHEN MY MECHANIC EVALUATED IT, A BUNCH OF ERROR CODES PRINTED OUT, ONE OF WHICH WAS U0121 MULTI-AXIS ACCELERATION SENSOR LOST COMMUNICATION WITH ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE. I'M PRETTY SURE THIS WAS WHAT CAUSED THE ACCIDENT, BUT BOTH GENERAL MOTORS AND MY CHEVROLET DEALER SAY THIS MEANS NOTHING. I SOLD THE CAR AND BOUGHT A MITSUBISHI MIRAGE. I WILL NEVER BUY A CHEVY AGAIN. ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES, ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ARE HAPPENING TO OTHER CHEVY'S (MY MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR ALONE) - SO FAR ABOUT 167 THAT I'VE READ ABOUT, BUT NO ONE'S DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT.

NHTSA ODI 11209320

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

IF THE KEY IS REMOVED WITHOUT THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK, THE VEHICLE MAY ROLLAWAY AS OCCUPANTS ARE EXITING , INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY

NHTSA ODI 11190014

DRIVER HIT A STATIONARY OBJECT HEAD ON AT APPROXIMATELY 50MPH AND HEAD WENT THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD.

NHTSA ODI 11140421

HAD AN ACCIDENT ON 5/24/2018 IT WAS A HEAD ON COLLISION WHERE THE AT FAULT DRIVER BROKE THE LIGHT AND RAN IN YO MY CAR THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY I SUSTAINED A FRACTURED ANKLE AND A NECK INJURY DUE TO THE ACCIDENT

NHTSA ODI 11113940

FIRE RESULTING FROM DEFECTIVE POWER SEAT CONTROL MOTOR.

NHTSA ODI 11076845