2013 Chevrolet Malibu: owner complaints and recalls
Analysis of 921 owner complaints filed with NHTSA and 10 recall campaigns. Updated 2026-07-25.
921
Complaints
10
Recalls
38
Crash reports
11
Fire reports
34
Injuries
53.2
Severity index
Severity index 53.2 - Medium. This weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints; see methodology.
Among the 145 2013 vehicles we track with at least 40 complaints on file, the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu ranks 92 of 145 by severity, where 1 is the worst. Its severity is higher than 37% of its model-year peers. See the full 2013 ranking.
What actually fails
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints citing it |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 423 | 45.9% |
| ENGINE | 226 | 24.5% |
| STEERING | 197 | 21.4% |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 96 | 10.4% |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 84 | 9.1% |
| AIR BAGS | 69 | 7.5% |
| SUSPENSION | 65 | 7.1% |
| POWER TRAIN | 61 | 6.6% |
The single most-reported system is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, cited in 423 of 921 complaints (45.9%). One complaint can name several systems, so these shares overlap and do not total 100%.
Complaints filed per year
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 30 |
| 2014 | 81 |
| 2015 | 58 |
| 2016 | 98 |
| 2017 | 92 |
| 2018 | 117 |
| 2019 | 129 |
| 2020 | 102 |
| 2021 | 90 |
| 2022 | 34 |
| 2023 | 21 |
| 2024 | 27 |
| 2025 | 23 |
| 2026 (year to date) | 17 |
Complaint volume is declining, consistent with a defect that was addressed by recall or that affected early builds.
Recall campaigns
| Campaign | Reported | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16V502000 | 05/07/2016 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-20 |
| 15V164000 | 23/03/2015 | VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY | General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles October 24, 2011, to March 5, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the Slide or Tilt switch for the roof panel may not be adequately recessed to prevent the switch from inadvertently being pre |
| 15V245000 | 24/04/2015 | POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL) | General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured April 10, 2012, to August 2, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the console transmission gear selection indicator may not illuminate the shift position selected. As such, these vehi |
| 12V484000 | 04/10/2012 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL | General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Buick Regal and model year 2013 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with two turn signal bulbs in each front turn signal. If one of the two front turn signal bulbs burn out in either front turn |
| 13V566000 | 13/11/2013 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING | General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured October 25, 2011, through June 29, 2012 and equipped with the 8-way power adjustable front seat feature. The wiring harness for the power seat may contact the seat frame which may |
| 13V024000 | 23/01/2013 | SUSPENSION:REAR | General Motors is recalling certain model year 2013 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles, manufactured December 6, 2011, through January 15, 2013. One or more rear suspension bolts may not have been tightened to the specified torque. This may lead to sudden changes in vehicle handling. |
| 12V224000 | 18/05/2012 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE | GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 24, 2011, THROUGH MARCH 31, 2012. AFTER AN EVENT OF HARD BRAKING, THE SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE (SDM) MAY RESET ITSELF. |
| 20V764000 | 21/12/2020 | SUSPENSION:REAR | General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Buick Regal, 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2010-2013 Buick Lacrosse vehicles sold or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michiga |
| 21V633000 | 12/08/2021 | SUSPENSION:REAR | General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Buick Regal, Chevrolet Malibu, and Buick Lacrosse vehicles sold or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missou |
| 21V00F000 | 22/12/2021 | SUSPENSION:REAR | General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Buick Lacrosse, 2012-2013 Buick Regal, and 2013 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles sold or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michiga |
Source. US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-07-25. Complaints are unverified consumer reports; volume is influenced by how many units were sold and how long the vehicle has been on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.