2013 Chevrolet Malibu problems and recalls

46% of owner complaints on the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu related to the Electrical System (424 of 922).

922
Complaints
10
Recalls
38
Crash reports
11
Fire reports
34
Injuries
53.9
Severity index

Severity index 53.9 Medium. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 53.9p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 100 of 145 by severity index among 2013 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 31% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2013 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

Electrical SystemElectrical System: 424 complaints (46.0%)424 46%EngineEngine: 226 complaints (24.5%)226 25%SteeringSteering: 197 complaints (21.4%)197 21%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 96 complaints (10.4%)96 10%Electronic Stability Co…Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 84 complaints (9.1%)84 9%Air BagsAir Bags: 69 complaints (7.5%)69 7%SuspensionSuspension: 65 complaints (7.0%)65 7%Power TrainPower Train: 61 complaints (6.6%)61 7%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM42446.0%
ENGINE22624.5%
STEERING19721.4%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER9610.4%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)849.1%
AIR BAGS697.5%
SUSPENSION657.0%
POWER TRAIN616.6%

Complaints filed per year

0651302012: 22013: 302014: 812015: 582016: 982017: 922018: 1172019: 1292020: 1022021: 902022: 342023: 212024: 272025: 232026: 18 (partial year)121314151617181912920212223242526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20122
201330
201481
201558
201698
201792
2018117
2019129
2020102
202190
202234
202321
202427
202523
2026 (year to date)18
Filings in 2023 to 2025 ran 0.3x those in 2020 to 2022 (71 against 226).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
16V50200005/07/2016ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITIONGeneral 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
15V16400023/03/2015VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLYGeneral 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
15V24500024/04/2015POWER 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
12V48400004/10/2012EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNALGeneral 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
13V56600013/11/2013ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRINGGeneral 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
13V02400023/01/2013SUSPENSION:REARGeneral 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.
12V22400018/05/2012ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWAREGENERAL 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.
20V76400021/12/2020SUSPENSION:REARGeneral 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
21V63300012/08/2021SUSPENSION:REARGeneral 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
21V00F00022/12/2021SUSPENSION:REARGeneral 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

Other Chevrolet Malibu model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 13 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-08-06. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.