2013 Chevrolet Malibu problems and complaints
Owners have filed 923 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. The most-reported areas: Electrical System (425), Engine (226), Steering (197).
Key takeaways
- 923 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
- 38 involve a crash, 11 a fire, 34 reported injuries.
- Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 425 | 46% |
| Engine | 226 | 24% |
| Steering | 197 | 21% |
| Unknown Or Other | 97 | 11% |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 84 | 9% |
| Air Bags | 69 | 7% |
| Suspension | 65 | 7% |
| Power Train | 62 | 7% |
| Service Brakes | 55 | 6% |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 38 | 4% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 32 | 3% |
| Exterior Lighting | 30 | 3% |
One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD w/rear SAB's | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| 2013 Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Latest complaints, as filed
Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.
Power Train,electrical System,unknown Or Other - filed 2026-10-02
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 w...
Electrical System - filed 2026-07-24
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the electrical system failed inside the vehicle, causing the air conditioning system to fail to operate, and the window control buttons failed to roll the window down. The battery saver active warning light was illuminated. The vehi...
Unknown Or Other,service Brakes,engine - filed 2026-05-19
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 ...
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More for the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu
Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.