2013 Chevrolet Malibu Problems

Above Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu.

20122014
Complaints
1,370
per 10K Sold
68.3
US Sales
200,594
Crashes
50
Fires
14
Injuries
46
Fatalities
Recalls
10

Worst 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1361 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:87,151 mi
Crash-related:6
Fires:5
#2200 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:89,677 mi
Crash-related:4
Fires:4
#3180 complaints

Steering Defects

Avg mileage:58,705 mi
Crash-related:6
Considering a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu?

Check the actual VIN — every car is different.

This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).

Check VIN Free

All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu.

Electrical Faults
361
complaints
Crashes
6
Fires
5
Avg Miles
87,151
Engine Problems
200
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
4
Avg Miles
89,677
Steering Defects
180
complaints
Crashes
6
Fires
Avg Miles
58,705
Electronic Stability Control
72
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
92,780
Suspension Failures
63
complaints
Crashes
6
Fires
Avg Miles
81,301
Airbags
59
complaints
Crashes
13
Fires
Avg Miles
71,575
Transmission / Drivetrain
53
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
63,862
Brakes
42
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
61,431
Fuel System
32
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
137,521
Headlight/Taillight Failures
28
complaints
Crashes
Fires
2
Avg Miles
71,719
Unintended Acceleration
27
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
70,253
Wipers & Visibility
26
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
79,570
Wheel Issues
23
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
40,161
Seat-Related Issues
22
complaints
Crashes
Fires
3
Avg Miles
60,694
Body Structure
16
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
47,538
Engine & Cooling
9
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
19,995
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
9
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
83,404
Tire Defects
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
4,450
Structural Problems
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
57,340
Seat Belt Issues
5
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
68,163
Instrument Cluster
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Tires:Temporary/Emergency Spare Tire
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Gasoline Fuel System
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Interior Lighting
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2013 Chevrolet Malibu

10 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~504,449 vehicles.

21V00F000Suspension:rear
~4,271 affected

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, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. These vehicles may have rear toe links that received an improper amount of electrocoating (e-coat) corrosion protection, which could cause the e-coat to become brittle and break away when contacted by road debris. Over time, the e-coat may chip away, exposing the metal toe link and making it more susceptible to corrosion. Corrosion may eventually cause the toe link to thin and ultimately fracture.

21V633000Suspension:rear
~32,894 affected

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, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. These vehicles may have rear toe links that received excessive electrocoating (e-coat) corrosion protection, which could cause the e-coat to become brittle and break away when contacted by road debris. Over time, the e-coat may chip away, exposing the metal toe link and making it more susceptible to corrosion. Corrosion may eventually cause the toe link to thin and ultimately fracture.

20V764000Suspension:rear
~220,006 affected

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, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. These vehicles may have rear toe links that received excessive electrocoating (e-coat) corrosion protection, which could cause the e-coat to become brittle and break away when contacted by road debris. Over time, the e-coat may chip away, exposing the metal toe link and making it more susceptible to corrosion. Corrosion may eventually cause the toe link to thin and ultimately to fracture.

16V502000Electrical System:ignition · Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
~8,367 affected

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, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

15V245000Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)
~3,690 affected

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 vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 102, "Transmission Shift Position Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect."

15V164000Sunroof/Moonroof
~87,063 affected

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 pressed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 118, "Power-Operated Window, Partition, and Roof Panel Systems."

13V566000Seats:front Assembly:power Adjust · Electrical System:wiring
~14,909 affected

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 chafe the harness.

13V024000Suspension:rear
~8,519 affected

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.

12V484000Exterior Lighting:turn Signal
~120,426 affected

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 signal lamp, there is no indication to the driver. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

12V224000Electrical System:software
~4,304 affected

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.

Other Chevrolet Malibu Years

2013 Chevrolet Malibu — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?
Verdict: Above Average Complaints. The 2013 Chevrolet Malibu has 1,370 NHTSA complaints, 50 crash-related, and 10 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Electrical Faults with 361 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu?
Top reported problems: Electrical Faults (361 complaints, avg 87,151 mi); Engine Problems (200 complaints, avg 89,677 mi); Steering Defects (180 complaints, avg 58,705 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 78,221 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA complaints for the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu include 50 crash-related reports, 14 fire reports, 46 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu have any recalls?
Yes — 10 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 504,449 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu?
Slightly worse than average. Most owners are fine; problem clusters are concentrated around specific components. Check the issues table below and match against the specific car's mileage.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Chevrolet Malibu reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

Check Your Specific 2013 Chevrolet Malibu

Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.

Check Any VIN — $4.99