Chevrolet Malibu Complaints (2013)

924 consumer complaints on file.

#11695212October 23, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING, SERVICE BRAKES
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced several electrical failures, causing a loss of power and the vehicle to stall. The vehicle also lost power steering and braking functionality. While inspecting under the hood, the contact discovered that the battery terminals were extremely hot to the touch. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 60,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11691303October 3, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
While driving my 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, the electrical system intermittently fails: the radio shuts off, the instrument cluster goes blank (gauges drop to zero, fuel/temperature show empty), headlights flicker off then on, and turn-signal indicators disappear. Warning messages such as “Service Theft” and “No Key Detected” appear, power steering becomes difficult, and the vehicle shakes, stalls, or even turns off completely at stop signs. Sometimes the engine continues running even after the car is shut off, overheating and producing a burnt smell. These failures began months ago, occur unpredictably, and have been witnessed by an independent shop. The loss of lights, steering, and cluster data creates a serious safety hazard, and the vehicle is available for inspection.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11688706September 21, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING, ENGINE
my power steering intermittently 'locks"Cannnot remove key from ignition.Car loses its data memory, time &date go haywire. A lot of times car wont start.I have taken it a few times to my mechanic. He has run scans, but all the codes are clear.This is the problem.He has checked the Battery&Altenator, all fine.He tried cleaning some ground wires. He feels bad charging me money because he cant fix a problem that he doesnt see.!! When the car is in the shop,the intermittent problem is not evident.!!! Very frustrating.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11688107September 18, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, STEERING
While my daughter has been driving our 2013 Chevrolet Malibu 2013, the vehicle continues to experience add loss of electric power. The dashboard display and infortainment system went down black. The problem first began -2019-2020 and continues to recur about once or twice a month. The most recent incident occurred on September 18, 2025, with my daughter behind the wheel. An independentc mechanic confirmed that cause is a manufacturer's defect in the fuse box located near the battery. He stated this is a widespread issue and refused to repair it, advising Chevrolet should address it. Chevrolet Waldorf kept my car for over a month but only replaced the battery, could find the issue, which did not resolve the defect. This recurring failure creates a serious safety risk to the driver, passenger, and others on the road because the car can lose power and steering at anytime. This issue was he subject of prior NHTSA complaint I submitted in 2020 (ID 11315997), and it has continued despite the report. Everytime this defect occurs with Chevrolet Malibu 2013... my family's safety, and the safety of others on the road is placed in jeopardy. GM must be held accountable to correct this ongoing safety defect beforer more lives are placed at risk, and NHTSA's response wil demonstrate where consumer safety is being prioritized or neglected. The upload PDF shows the name BUTTERFLIES (is me asking questions) in a malibu forum date 2021.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11685459September 6, 2025
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11683959August 29, 2025
AIR BAGS
I got sick and I split a utility pole. The airbags did not deploy
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11683448August 27, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving at 55 MPH, the "Service Battery Charging System" message was displayed, followed by the battery warning being illuminated. Simultaneously, the Service Stabili-trak, power steering, and ABS messages were displayed. The vehicle immediately lost steering assist, and the steering wheel became firm, and while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to slow down as intended. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road. Subsequently, the headlights turned off, the interface shut off, and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the alternator was running at 11 volts instead of 13 volts. The mechanic determined that both the alternator and the GCM (Generator Control Module) needed to be replaced; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 260,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11680746August 14, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The knob that slides and opens the hidden compartment behind the radio has melted and gets black goo all over everything. It's definitely a widespread problem that many people have experienced and should be recalled. I can't find just a replacement knob without replacing the entire thing.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11680367August 13, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
I I took the car to get a smog and it didn't pass due to battery pack malfunction which leads to the alternator going out and drain the battery causing the vehicle to stall even turning off at times and the most dangerous part is it could cause a fire in the backseat and the trunk this is what the technician at the small place told me he said it's very dangerous and I need to get rid of the vehicle or fix it and there is a recall but when I put my VIN number it shows no recall but if I look up the year make and model of my vehicle it shows that every call is for that exact problem
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11678651August 6, 2025
AIR BAGS, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My instrument cluster is failing
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11676413July 26, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES
Brake pedal sticks. I took to Chevrolet dealership because I saw a recall describing this exact scenario. That it was binding due to a faulty brake pedal assembly The technician diagnosed this to be the exact issue in the recall but refused to repair stating my VIN was not covered and I would have to contact your organization due to this being a safety issue to get the vin added
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11666199June 10, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
Out of no where my car would not start. I got it jumped and took it to an auto store and they checked the battery and alternator health and it all came back great. I was able to drive it home from there and two hours later it wouldn’t start again
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11666018June 10, 2025
ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the temperature gauge started to indicate that the engine was overheating, prompting the contact to discontinue driving the vehicle. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11664767June 4, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
There is a recall on the brake booster on the 2014 Malibu manufactured in 2013 my car is a 2013 and I have the same issue.i have had multiple things wrong.I was driving and had no brakes at all I had to push hard and it finally stopped. Hazardous to drive now until fixed.i feel it should be covered as it is the same issue on the 2014
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11659825May 8, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The instrument cluster temporarily shorts out or goes blank and them comes back on and resets in a different display mode. There are various display modes having different information such as mph, fuel efficiency, etc. Several repair shops tell me that in order to diagnose the problem, the cluster has to be exhibiting the problem when they look at it. In other words, it has to be a continuous short out. It's not continuous, it's temporary and sporadic or random. This is a direct safety issue in that the driver has no reading on the vehicle speed and when the short out becomes long term or permanent the car will have to be driven with no reading of speed or engine monitoring parameters such as temperature and oil pressure. New clusters are no longer available and rebuilt requires shipping the existing cluster for exchange. This is a common problem, as documented through Google search. Concerning the vehicle speed question below, anywhere from 0 to 70 mph.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11655146April 17, 2025
TIRES
See attached document for complaint.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11653061April 6, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
My instrument cluster isn't working correctly. Some days I go out to start my car and the instrument cluster works. As I'm driving down the road my instrument cluster just stops working. My speedometer doesn't work, my rpms, the lights, temperature gauge and gas gauge just stops working. It's very scary and my transmission doesn't want to shift and my engine power is bogging down. This is really dangerous and I feel like my life is in danger. I pull off the road and shut my 2013 Chevy Malibu off and restart it and sometimes it comes back on and instrument cluster works but start driving and the instrument cluster stops working again. I have had my mechanic try to figure it out but so far I haven't been able to find out where the issue is so I haven't been able to fix it. My brakes have also been not engaging properly. I have had to replace my brakes 3 times so far after I got the brakes fixed for the 3rd time I haven't had very many problems. I also had to replace all my hubs as well as the brakes. Also something electrical isn't functioning correctly and when I shut my car off it makes a clicking noise right after I turn my car off. I'm a member of a Chevy Malibu group and there are thousands of people from all over the world with the same issues that I'm having with my vehicle. No warning lights have came on for any of the problems I'm having with my car. Please look into this and help me,us that are having these issues Thank you for your time. The next question of what date I can't really answer because it's been multiple dates. The question below about what mph I was going I can't answer because my mph wasn't working.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11652133April 1, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving at various speeds with the A/C engaged, the vehicle lost motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated, and the message "Service Battery Soon" was displayed. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road and was able to restart. The vehicle was taken to an Auto Zone, where the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was then taken to an unknown dealer, where it was diagnosed with a low voltage battery. No further information was provided. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,670.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11651085March 27, 2025
AIR BAGS
Service air bag notification is on. Which is a safety issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11650076March 24, 2025
STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle was rusted underneath at the midway point to the rear of the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact referenced DTC: TPOA90, indicating a failure with the drive motor "A" performance. The contact called an independent mechanic. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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