PartMatchup

2013 Chevrolet Malibu

Counts come from unverified consumer complaints filed with NHTSA and cannot be compared between models — how to read them.

Common problems reported on the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu

Share of the 794 complaints on file that name each component group. A complaint can name more than one group, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
Component group Complaints Share
Electrical System 352 44.3%
Engine 188 23.7%
Steering 176 22.2%
Unknown or Other 79 9.9%
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) 72 9.1%
Suspension 63 7.9%
Air Bags 52 6.5%
Power Train 51 6.4%
Service Brakes 41 5.2%
Fuel/Propulsion System 31 3.9%
Exterior Lighting 27 3.4%
Vehicle Speed Control 26 3.3%

794 complaints filed between June 19, 2012 and December 1, 2024.

At what mileage the Chevrolet Malibu failed

Mileage at which owners reported the failure. The bar spans the middle half of the reports (25th to 75th percentile); the line inside it is the median. Shared scale within this page only.
Component group Median Reports
Electrical System 76,904 274
Engine 78,000 145
Steering 60,000 152
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) 79,000 63
Suspension 94,000 25
Air Bags 72,432 36
Power Train 66,500 38
Service Brakes 58,280 33
Fuel/Propulsion System 82,300 23
Exterior Lighting 70,000 20

Across all components, half the reported failures happened before 69,000 miles, with the middle half falling between 36,000 and 97,000. Based on the 593 complaints (75%) that record a mileage.

A low figure does not mean the car stops working at that mileage. It means the reported failures clustered early, which most often points to a fault built into a production batch — usually the kind of thing a warranty repair or a recall campaign addresses.

How this mix compares with other model years

Share of this model year’s complaints naming each group, against the median share across all 276 model years on this site. The tick marks that typical share.
Component group Here Typical
Engine 23.7% 16.6%
Electrical System 44.3% 13.4%
Power Train 6.4% 10.2%
Unknown or Other 9.9% 10.2%
Service Brakes 5.2% 6.4%
Steering 22.2% 6.2%
Air Bags 6.5% 5.8%
Fuel/Propulsion System 3.9% 4.5%

This compares the subjects of the complaints, not how many there are. A share needs no denominator, so unlike a count it can honestly be held against a norm — but a group sitting above the typical share means people complained about that part more often relative to everything else on this car, not that the car is worse than another.

How serious the complaints were

Reported across all complaints on file: 30 injuries and 0 deaths. These shares sit within this model’s own complaints — they say nothing about how it compares to another model.

Recall campaigns

10 campaigns. A recall repair is free at a dealer regardless of how many owners the car has had. Check the car’s own VIN — a campaign listed here may already have been carried out on it.

21V00F000 Suspension: Rear December 22, 2021

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.

Consequence: A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 27, 2022. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212346640. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recalls 20V-764 and 21V-633.

Campaign covered 4,271 vehicles across model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 — a count for the whole campaign, not for this model year alone.

21V633000 Suspension: Rear August 12, 2021

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.

Consequence: A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on September 30, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 3, 2022. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212330130.

Campaign covered 32,894 vehicles across model year 2013 — a count for the whole campaign, not for this model year alone.

20V764000 Suspension: Rear December 21, 2020

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.

Consequence: A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners free of charge. Parts are not currently available. Owners were mailed an interim notification on January 27, 2021, and April 15, 2021. A third notification was mailed on August 19, 201. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202308930.

Campaign covered 220,006 vehicles across model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 — a count for the whole campaign, not for this model year alone.

16V502000 Electrical System: Ignition · Power Train: Automatic Transmission: Control Module (TCM/PCM/TECM) July 5, 2016

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."

Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.

Campaign covered 8,367 vehicles across model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 — a count for the whole campaign, not for this model year alone.

15V245000 Power Train: Automatic Transmission: Gear Position Indication (Prndl) April 24, 2015

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."

Consequence: If the console shift indicator does not illuminate the transmission gear selection, a driver could inadvertently select a transmission position other than the position the driver intended, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: GM has notified owners, and dealers will replace the transmission gear selection control module, free of charge. The recall began on April 20, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 12162.

Campaign covered 3,690 vehicles across model year 2013 — a count for the whole campaign, not for this model year alone.

15V164000 Visibility: Sun/Moon Roof Assembly March 23, 2015

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."

Consequence: The Slide or Tilt roof panel switch may inadvertently be pressed and the roof panel may auto-close unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a pinch injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the Body Control Module (BCM) software to remove auto-close feature for certain switch positions, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15176.

Campaign covered 87,063 vehicles across model years 2013, 2014, 2015 — a count for the whole campaign, not for this model year alone.

13V566000 Electrical System: Wiring · Seats: Front Assembly: Power Adjust November 13, 2013

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.

Consequence: If the harness is chaffed enough to expose the wires, a short circuit could occur, resulting unintended movement of the seat, the seat to become inoperative, sparking under the seat, flickering lights, smoke, or possibly a fire.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the wire harness and repair and secure it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began during December 2013. Owners may contact GM at 1-800-521-7300. GM's recall campaign number is 13342.

Campaign covered 14,909 vehicles across model year 2013 — a count for the whole campaign, not for this model year alone.

13V024000 Suspension: Rear January 23, 2013

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.

Consequence: Sudden changes in vehicle handling may increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and retighten the bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notifications have already begun and will be completed shortly. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.

Campaign covered 8,519 vehicles across model year 2013 — a count for the whole campaign, not for this model year alone.

12V484000 Exterior Lighting: Turn Signal October 4, 2012

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."

Consequence: If the driver is not aware that a turn signal is not functioning properly, the driver may continue to drive the vehicle. If half of a front turn signal is not illuminating, other driver's may not be aware that the affected vehicle is turning, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Buick at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 12212.

Campaign covered 120,426 vehicles across model years 2011, 2012, 2013 — a count for the whole campaign, not for this model year alone.

12V224000 Electrical System: Software May 18, 2012

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.

Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS DURING AN AGGRESSIVE TURNING MANEUVER, AND THEN AFTERWARDS A POTENTIAL VEHICLE ROLLOVER EVENT IS SENSED, THE ROOF RAIL AIRBAG MAY UNINTENTIONALLY DEPLOY. ADDITIONALLY, THE AIR BAGS AND/OR SEATBELT PRETENSIONERS MAY NOT DEPLOY DURING A SEVERE CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy: GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE SDM. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 13, 2012.

Campaign covered 4,304 vehicles across model year 2013 — a count for the whole campaign, not for this model year alone.

NCAP crash-test ratings

Variant Overall Frontal Side Rollover
2013 Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD w/rear SAB's 5 5 5 4
2013 Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD 5 5 5 4

Ratings are out of 5 stars.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist

Written and checked by someone who does this work; it is not derived from the data. The complaint counts decide only the order: the assemblies this model’s owners complain about most come first.

Electrical system

Related complaint groups: Electrical System (352), Exterior Lighting (27)

With the car parked

On the road

Red flags

Suspension, control arms, steering

Related complaint groups: Steering (176), Suspension (63)

With the car parked

On the road

Red flags

Cost if it needs work: Low to moderate. Depends on what turns out to be the source. Plus an alignment after the replacement.

Engine and cooling system

Related complaint groups: Engine (188), Engine and Engine Cooling (10)

Come to a cold car. A warmed-up engine hides a hard start, smoke and knocking. If the car is already warm, that is a yellow flag: ask for 30–40 minutes to let it cool. A refusal to let it cool is a red flag.

With the car parked

On the road and after

Red flags

Airbags and the VIN recall check

Related complaint groups: Air Bags (52), Seat Belts (6)

The most reliable procedure in this library — it does not depend on hearing, experience or inspection conditions.

Required procedure

Inspection

Automatic transmission

Related complaint groups: Power Train (51)

Checking the fluid level during an inspection is usually not possible — many cars need a lift, some have no dipstick at all, and Honda’s procedure differs from the rest. So this assessment is built on behavior, not on fluid.

With the car parked

On the road

Questions for the seller

Red flags

Cost if it needs work: Expensive. The most expensive of the likely assemblies; a repair is often comparable to the value of the car.

Axles and CV joints

Related complaint groups: Power Train (51)

With the car parked

On the road

Cost if it needs work: Relatively low. A good indicator of how the car has been treated overall.

Brakes

Related complaint groups: Service Brakes (41)

With the car parked

On the road

After the drive

Red flags

Cost if it needs work: Moderate. Confirm actual cost against local prices at the time of purchase.

The Chevrolet Malibu year by year

Model year Complaints Median mileage Recalls
2010 1,337 82,000 3
2011 951 80,000 3
2012 882 85,600 2
2013 (this page) 794 69,000 10
2014 324 58,000 6
2016 773 50,000 9

Read the mileage column down this table with care. A newer year has simply been driven less, so its median sits lower for that reason alone — the figure is censored from above by how long the cars have been on the road, not only by how they were built. The same applies to the complaint counts: an older year has had more years in which to collect them.

Where the mileage figure does compare cleanly is between different models of the same year, which have had the same time to accumulate miles.

Other Chevrolet model years

All model years