What 921 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco

Hybrid Power train issues. Haven't drove the car for more than a week and a half. Apparently was fixed but obviously was not. Could be the gcm or generator

NHTSA ODI 11709527

GM reclassified a known safety defect affecting over 300,000 vehicles as a “special coverage campaign” instead of a recall. This has allowed them to deny timely repairs and loaner vehicles, leaving owners without safe transportation.I have been without my vehicle since August 2021. I began actively trying to repair it again in June 2025, and the dealer has had it for the past week with no resolution. Both Benton Chevrolet and Gwatney Chevrolet in Arkansas have refused to coordinate a loaner despite GM’s ability to authorize one. My family is displaced, and this is a safety hazard.GM Case #[XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11685459

78153 miles 2013 Malibu econotec never 1 problem until out of the blue timing chain eats thru plastic and metal tensioners with metal and plastic shavings going into engine delillo Chevy Huntington Beach ca along with my mechanic confirmed engine replacement here lies my hazard and or product defect timing chain causes stalling idling compete shutdown rpms up and down no engine light comes I was on the freeway and on streets car completely stalls I have to shift in nuetral and pray it’s starts almost getting rear ended 3 times if this is not a safety issues wow you got to kick me I’ve read numerous reports of same issues and still no recalls plus 78,153 miles and I’m to replace the engine I’ve never heard a mechanic say old is that engine it’s how many miles this is my safety complaint

NHTSA ODI 11581446

In July 2023, my husband was driving ON THE HIGHWAY when the car suddenly decelerated itself. A system error message came up saying service stabilitrak and reduced engine power - he couldn't go more than 40 mph. We took it to the repair shop and they determined the high pressure fuel failed and the engine was running off the lift pump. They replaced the high pressure fuel pump with gasket and pressure line. Then, in late September 2023, the car turned off while my husband was driving (while he was stopped). He was able to turn it back on and drive it home. There were no warning lights/messages. We took it to the repair shop, but there were no error codes and they were unable to determine the issue. Next, at the end of October 2023, when coming to a stop the vehicle shut off again - almost every time my husband would come to a stop. When this happened, it still had power (because the radio was still on), but he had to shut vehicle off completely and restart it each time. There were no warning lights/messages. We took it back to the repair shop. Again, no codes were stored in ecm/tcm. This time, they test drove it while monitoring the data. They determined that the torque converter clutch was hanging up. They also experienced some long shifts and occasional slippage and determined that the transmission would need to be replaced. The issues above are just the most recent issues. Aside from regular brakes, tires, and oil changes, other work I’ve had done on the car includes the repair/replacement of: rear suspension toe link recall (three times), water pump, brake booster vacuum, a/c compressor, timing chain, guides, tensioner, cam actuators, intake and cam actuators, exhaust cam solenoid, exhaust manifold bolts with associated hardware and gaskets, thermostat (twice), battery (twice), spark plugs, and back left hub assembly. I have still have the documentation for all of the above.

NHTSA ODI 11553194

My 2013 Chevy Malibu Eco 2LT has 120,000 miles on it. I purchased the vehicle at 68,000 miles from the only owner of the car. I have had the car 6 years and kept up on all maintenance. While I was driving in a 45mph zone my vehicle’ s interior lighting started flashing. My dash flashed then said service stability track, car went blank then back on said service power steering flashed again and said service battery charging system and then went completely dead. When I got to the bottom of the hill to turn off main road my brakes had locked up in the rear and I had no power steering and wheel locked could not turn wheel. Vehicle would not allow me to shift into neutral so I could be pushed out of traffic and I had no flashers or any power. Battery was 1year old. My biggest concern is that the vehicle never alerted me with a service engine light. There was no indication that my alternator was not responding. And mechanics and dealership service shop are wanting thousands of dollars for possible parts and labor without a clear idea of what the exact issue is. I believe that this issue was recalled but since my vehicle was not manufactured in a specific state was never repaired. I believe that my GCM has a malfunction that was to be replaced and reprogrammed with the appropriate software!!

NHTSA ODI 11519574

I was trying to see if I could get a recall for a new motor because my motor makes weird popping noises when driving and reversing also a recall for suspension front and back shocks and springs because those are also making bad horrible noises

NHTSA ODI 11515365

My wife and I bought this beautiful 2013 Chevy Malibu.upon the first couple of days we had to take the car back to the dealer cause it was repeatedly shut down on us.The used car dealership never fixed the problem.As I done my research on this à2013 Chevy Malibu it has 9 recalls and these recalls been issued since 11-13-2013.These are all the recalls on 2013 Chevrolet Malibu by National highway traffic safety.suspension 12-22-2021.suspension 08-12-2021.... suspension 12-10-2020...... electrical system tran 7-5-2016.....visibility 03-23-2015.... electrical system seats 11-13-2013... electrical system software 5-7-2012. Please tell me how to go abought all these defects

NHTSA ODI 11496009

Transmission stopped cold still on the.freeway due to codes.These codes that read on the code reader were (P0796) pressure solenoid control performance and the other code(P0722) speed sensor,no signal .These 2codes are coming from the transmission.GM ISSUED a recall for 2013 Chevy Malibu engine stalling.7-10-2020 Chevy Malibu were flagged for electrical system power train..

NHTSA ODI 11496008

My car charging system keep coming on I changed the alternator 2 times it worked for a while. While driving it went dead I was 4 hrs from home. Took my son to a football camp in Tallahassee at fsu. On way him voltage dropped from my battery but the aux battery say it’s charging the Emc is not charging my battery under the hood. It’s recalls for my year I have under 100,000

NHTSA ODI 11476739

Car starts idling up and down while stopped at light. When the car is given the gas to go it will not pick up speed it stalls and car completely turns off in drive. While parked in parking lot I put the car in reverse and it would not move and that has happened 5 times. The engine light comes on and I have taken it to 4 different mechanics to put the diagonstic test on it and it comes up with idle sensor, change it and 2 days later car starts jerking and will not go over 35mph and finally dies. While driving 55mph on the hwy the car looses speed and wont go over 35 mph. Nobody is allowed to drive this car until chevy fixes it, and it will sit in my yard until then because my family is more important than a piece of metal. I wont sell it because of this danger either. I crank it up every month but it has not been driven in 2 years.

NHTSA ODI 11457921

The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while coming to a stop, the vehicle would stall without warning. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated. The local dealer was contacted but offered no assistance. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 185,195.

NHTSA ODI 11428366

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT INTO PARK HOWEVER, AN ERROR MESSAGE "PLEASE SHIFT TO PARK" WAS DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT MANIPULATED THE GEAR SHIFTER UNTIL THE GEAR SHIFTER ENGAGED INTO PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION GEAR POSITION SELECTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CHUCK NASH CHEVROLET BUICK GMC LOCATED AT 3209 N. INTERSTATE 35 FRONTAGE RD, SAN MARCOS, TX 78666, (512) 253-8815, WAS CONTACTED AND MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V245000 (POWER TRAIN) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000.

NHTSA ODI 11362283

THE CONSOLE TRANSMISSION GEAR SELECTION INDICATOR DOES NOT ILLUMINATE THE SHIFT POSITION SELECTED. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE GEAR SELECTION ILLUMINATION GOES OFF AND I NO LONGER HAVE GEAR SELECTION ACCESS NOR ACCELERATION CONTROL. I HAVE HAD TO DANGEROUSLY ROLL OFF THE HIGHWAY INTO A SAFER PLACE TO ATTEMPT TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. AFTER A FEW ATTEMPTS THE ILLUMINATION RETURNS AND I HAVE CONTROL AGAIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED RANDOMLY AND I'VE TRIED TO GET HELP FROM DEALERSHIP AND GM BUT EVERYONE THAT I'VE SPOKEN TO DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THIS RECALL. I WILL ATTACH A COPY OF THE RECALL FOR A BETTER UNDERSTANDING.

NHTSA ODI 11341826

MY CAR CONTINUES TO LOSE POWER AND WITH IT COMES SO MANY ELECTRICAL ISSUES. BRAKE ASSIST WONT DISENGAGE, NO POWER BEYOND ENGINE IDLING, AND THE SERVICE BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM CONTINUES TO POP UP EVEN THOUGH IT AND THE BATTERY IN THE TRUNK WERE REPLACED BY THE DEALER. I'VE HAD THIS CAR FOR A MONTH AND IT'S GIVEN ME NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS.

NHTSA ODI 11338252

LOSS OF POWER A LOT. AUTO STOP FEATURE MAKES A STRONG FUEL SMELL. BURNING AND SMOKE COMING FROM FRONT RIGHT SIDE UNDER HOOD. BOUGHT THIS CAR A MONTH AGO.

NHTSA ODI 11331900

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH AN UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHT FLASHING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE ALSO STALLED WHILE MAKING A TURN. THE CONTACT CALLED VALMARK CHEVROLET LOCATED AT 725 I-35 SOUTH, NEW BRAUNFELS, TX 78130, (830)-214-1742, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED IN 2013 UNDER AN UNKNOWN RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000.

NHTSA ODI 11331052

MY CAR JERKS WHEN SLOWING SOMETIMES LIKE IM DROPPING IT DOWN IN FIRST GEAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11325538

MY CHEVROLET MALIBU ECO KEEPS STALLING I ALMOST HAD A ACCIDENT

NHTSA ODI 11321496

I PURCHASED A 2013 CHEVY MALIBU 53,000 MILES IN OCTOBER OF 2018 FROM BOB PULTE CHEVROLET. THE CAR RAN GREAT UNTIL ALMOST A YEAR TO THE DATE OF PURCHASE, AT 72,534 MILES, ISSUES BEGAN. WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, FOOT ON BRAKE, I LOOKED DOWN AT THE DASHBOARD AND NOTICED THE RPM NEEDLE HAD DROPPED TO 0 & THE CAR HAD STALLED.I PUT THE CAR IN PARK, TURNED THE KEY OFF AND THEN BACK ON TO START THE CAR. IT SOUNDED AS IF IT DIDN'T WANT TO START BUT ULTIMATELY DID. I CONTINUED DRIVING AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN AT THE NEXT RED LIGHT. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE NEAREST REPAIR SHOP WHICH WAS FIRESTONE, TO HAVE IT CHECKED & WAS TOLD THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY NEEDED REPLACED. THE FOLLOWING WEEK THE CAR STALLED AS IT HAD 1ST TIME & THEN SPORADICALLY AGAIN AND AGAIN WHEN I SLOWED DOWN APPROACHING A RED LIGHT, STOP SIGN & WHEN PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE. EACH TIME THE CAR STALLED IT WAS DIFFICULT TO START AGAIN. I TOOK THE CAR TO A DIFFERENT FIRESTONE FOR A FRESH SET OF EYES. THIS TIME THE CAR STALLED WHEN THEIR TECHNICIAN DROVE THE CAR. A FUEL SYSTEM CLEANING WAS RECOMMENDED & DONE. THE NEXT SUGGESTION WAS TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY. A FEW DAYS LATER, THE CAR STALLED AGAIN. WHEN THE CAR DOES STALL I WOULD LOSE POWER TO EVERYTHING EXCEPT THE RADIO. THE LIGHTS SHUT OFF, DOORS STAY LOCKED & THE CAR CANNOT BE STEERED.I NEXT TOOK THE CAR TO THE BOB PULTE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP & DISCUSSED THE PROBLEM WITH THEM. AFTER HAVING THE CAR FOR TWO DAYS, THEY ADVISED THE CAR DID NOT STALL WHEN THEY DROVE IT, THERE WERE NO CODES, NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON & WITHOUT THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THE NEXT DAY WHEN I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE AT WORK, THE CAR STALLED AGAIN. I CALLED BOB PULTE AGAIN-THEY SAID THEY WOULD UPDATE THE ECM MODULE AND REPROGRAM THE THROTTLE BODY AND EVERYTHING THAT GOES ALONG WITH IT - BELIEVING FIRESTONE WAS UNABLE TO DO IT. THE CAR CONTINUES TO STALL.

NHTSA ODI 11307613

WHEN STOPPING THE VEHICLE I TRANSMISSION IN THE PARK POSITION. VEHICLE MESSAGE CENTER KEEP SAYING TO PLACE CAR IN PARK. MUST MOVE SHIFT LEVER BETWEEN 5 -20 TIMES TO FINALLY GET IT TO STAY IN PARK POSITION. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT SO MECHANIC HAS TROUBLE DIAGNOSING PROBLEM. CAR ONLY HAS ABOUT 50K MILES ON IT.

NHTSA ODI 11299162

LOSS OF POWER OF CAR IT KILL MY FACTORY BATTERY HAD BUY A NEW ONE AND POWER STEERING IS NOT WORKING

NHTSA ODI 11298363

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

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY MY CAR WILL JUST SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY THEN TURN BACK ON. SOMETIME THE RADIO WILL GO OUT WITH POWER STEERING, ETC. IT JUST SHUTS DOWN FOR NO REASON. WE'VE REPLACEMENT THE BATTERY CABLE SEVERAL MONTHS AGO AS WE HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AND IT WORKED FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS. IF I USE MY TURN SIGNAL SOMETIMES IT WILL SHUT DOWN AND TURN BACK ON. DID IT ABOUT 20 TIMES TODAY ON THE WAY TO WORK. WITH MY TWO SMALL CHILDREN IN THE CAR WITH ME. I AM USUALLY DRIVING AROUND 65 TO 75 MPH WHEN THIS HAPPENS.

NHTSA ODI 11288658

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