2013 Chevrolet Malibu
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 5 |
| 1981 | 3 |
| 1982 | 2 |
| 1983 | 1 |
| 1986 | 1 |
| 1989 | 3 |
| 1997 | 443 |
| 1998 | 976 |
| 1999 | 789 |
| 2000 | 922 |
| 2001 | 721 |
| 2002 | 566 |
| 2003 | 569 |
| 2004 | 1147 |
| 2005 | 975 |
| 2006 | 1115 |
| 2007 | 977 |
| 2008 | 987 |
| 2009 | 1509 |
| 2010 | 1357 |
| 2011 | 976 |
| 2012 | 904 |
| 2013 | 834 |
| 2014 | 349 |
| 2015 | 267 |
| 2016 | 834 |
| 2017 | 696 |
| 2018 | 687 |
| 2019 | 188 |
| 2020 | 190 |
| 2021 | 74 |
| 2022 | 86 |
| 2023 | 49 |
| 2024 | 24 |
| 2025 | 7 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
44% of complaints: electrical system — 364 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
FIRE IN THE TAIL LIGHT THAT ALSO GOT SOME OF MY TRUNK. THE FIRE STOPPED 1/4 INCH FORM THE GAS TANK. *TR
NHTSA ODI report, 20140618
24% of complaints: engine — 204 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURY22% of complaints: steering — 180 distinct reports on file.
CRASH9% of complaints: electronic stability control (esc) — 72 distinct reports on file.
CRASH8% of complaints: suspension — 63 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
While driving my vehicle the rear toe link broke leaving me stranded on the side of the road. With no dealers close I replaced the passenger rear toe link to get the car mobile again.
NHTSA ODI report, 20240104
SAFETY TIMELINE
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 DIAGNOST
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 12V224000 — check if this car was fixed
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 t
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 con
Campaign 13V024000 — check if this car was fixed
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 feat
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
Campaign 13V566000 — check if this car was fixed
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
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-
Campaign 12V484000 — check if this car was fixed
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured April 10, 2012, to August 2, 2012.
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.
Campaign 15V245000 — check if this car was fixed
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles October 24, 2011, to March 5, 2015.
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.
Campaign 15V164000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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.
Campaign 16V502000 — check if this car was fixed
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,...
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.
Campaign 20V764000 — check if this car was fixed
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,...
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.
Campaign 21V633000 — check if this car was fixed
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,...
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 27, 2022.
Campaign 21V00F000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2013 Chevrolet Malibu — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (364 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine issues (204 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for steering issues (180 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 12V224000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 13V024000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 13V566000 (electrical system, seats) has been completed.
- Verify recall 12V484000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V245000 (power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V164000 (visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V502000 (electrical system, power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V764000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V633000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V00F000 (suspension) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 44% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu have?
10 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.