Problems · NHTSA complaints

2013 Chevrolet Malibu problems

Owners filed 924 complaints about the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu with NHTSA between Jun 2012 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (425).

Complaints
924
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
38
Reported by owners
Fires
11
Reported by owners
Injuries
34
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Electrical system425
  2. Engine226
  3. Steering197
  4. Electronic stability control (esc)84
  5. Air bags69
  6. Suspension65
  7. Power train62
  8. Service brakes53
  9. Fuel/propulsion system38
  10. Vehicle speed control32
  11. Exterior lighting30
  12. Visibility/wiper27
  13. Structure25
  14. Wheels25

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 4, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20122
201330
201481
201558
201698
201792
2018117
2019129
2020102
202190
202234
202321
202427
202523
202620

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Electrical system

425 reports7 crashes6 fires3 related recalls
“My high Voltage cable has melted into the generator of my 2013 Chevy Malibu Eco hybrid. This causes my front battery to drain really fast. I seen online that there was a recall on the generator control module my battery control module was changed but I keep like five batteries with me at all times so I can change out when my front battery drained I think this is a safety hazard I need this problem fixed I'm at there has been no recall on my 2013 Chevy Malibu Eco can you help me”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 2, 2026Power train, Electrical system, Unknown or otherODI 11768573

Engine

226 reports4 crashes4 fires
“While driving my 2013 Chevrolet Malibu (2.5L), I experienced a sudden and severe failure of the braking system. [Insert exactly what happened here—for example: 'The brake pedal suddenly went completely to the floor,' 'The brakes unexpectedly locked up,' 'The vehicle experienced a sudden loss of braking power,' or 'The brake warning lights illuminated right as the brakes failed']. This occurred while traveling at approximately 25 mph on a one-lane road. This total/partial loss of braking power created an immediate safety hazard and a high risk of a crash. The vehicle had to be shifted into manual, then safely coasted to a stop. No prior warning signs or brake issues occurred immediately leading up to this event.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 19, 2026Unknown or other, Service brakes, EngineODI 11738680

Steering

197 reports8 crashes
“I have not been involved in no incident or accident with anybody but my vehicle is installing up and dying in the middle of the road the power steering is locking up the battery is draining and the car is cutting off I had the battery replaced and I'm still losing power in my battery and I can't figure out why I'm not too long after the battery dying and the vehicle starting up and dying it started overheating for no known reason at all shortly after sorting the overheat my navigational system and my radio has started to fail I took it to several places to have it put on machines they can figure out why the check engine light is on or why the battery is dying because it's showing that it has battery the battery life they don't know why it's falling up and down I'm checking till not sound but other than that they're not getting no read out on the machine they put it off of I'll contact the dealership because on certain 2013 Chevy Malibu equals they have a recall on the general control module system Burger is being defensive but I'm on my specific then there's not a recall online but everything that happens with the defective general control module it sounds like…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 6, 2026Steering, Electrical system, EngineODI 11722387

Electronic stability control (esc)

84 reports2 crashes
“HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE EASSIST SYSTEM. THE AUTO STOP FUNCTION CAUSE THE CAR TO STALL AND STOP AND SHAKE SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING AND STOP AT THE LIGHT OR STOP SIGN I HAVE TO DRIVE IN MANUEL MODE TO DRIVE THE CAR. IF THE CAR NOT IN PART OF IT'S NEUTRAL THE CAR HAS ROLLED BACKWARDS OFF THE PARKING PAD. THAT HAPPENED JUST ONE TIME TO ME. AFTER READING ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE REPORTING THIS, I KEEP THE SAFETY BREAK ON. ALSO I READ ABOUT THE RECALL ON THE E ASSIST . I'M CURRENTLY HAVING THE SAME ISSUES BUT MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT INCLUDED. I GOT THE CAR USED AND ONLY HAD IT FOR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 3, 2020Unknown or other, Electronic stability control (esc)ODI 11372798

Air bags

69 reports16 crashes
“The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the air bag warning illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed and DTC: B101D – (Air bag module failure) was retrieved. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 142,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 24, 2025Air bagsODI 11638295

Suspension

65 reports7 crashes4 related recalls
“THIS IS MY 3RD COMPLAINT (Ref: Previous Reports). THE VEHICLE IS NOW A TOTAL LOSS. 1. UNRESOLVED ENGINE/STEERING (Prior Complaints): This 2013 Malibu has a documented history of sudden engine stalling and total loss of power steering at highway speeds. Despite reporting this twice to the NHTSA and to GM, the manufacturer failed to provide a remedy. 2. RECENT SYSTEMIC COLLAPSE: Prior to the car becoming completely undrivable in my driveway, the instrument cluster suffered a total blackout (no speedometer/indicators). This matches GM TSB MC-10181662-9999, proving a known design defect in the electrical system/BCM. 3. RECALL DISCREPANCY: In addition to these engine/steering failures, a mandatory federal recall for the Rear Suspension Toe Link (20V764), which I was notified of in 2020, has 'vanished' from the system without being performed. 4. DENIAL OF SERVICE: The dealer is demanding a $1,900 diagnostic fee to even look at these documented, life-threatening safety defects, including the free federal recall. This is a violation of the Maryland Implied Warranty of Merchantability. On January 6, 2026, the check engine light illuminated, followed by a total…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 25, 2026Suspension, Electrical system, EngineODI 11726999
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 4, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.