2013 Chevrolet Malibu Problems

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 76,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
• Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
• Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the electrical system failed inside the vehicle, causing the air conditioning system to fail to operate, and the window control buttons failed to roll the window down. The battery saver active warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 114,000 miles

Gradual battery charge loss, check engine light (MIL) illumination, and engine stall or failure to start. Burning/melting odor. Warning Lights: "Service Charging System" or battery light on dash. Electrical Failure: Vehicle stalled, won't start, has a dead battery. Noise/Smell: Burning odor, smoke from the trunk, or rattling/squealing…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 77,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
• Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
• Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
• Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the serpentine belt detached. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the serpentine belt needed to be reinstalled. The vehicle was repaired…Owner complaint, filed 2026

The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while idling at a stoplight, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The failure occurred on several occasions. The contact stated that after restarting the vehicle, the vehicle operated normally, but failed to immediately restart on several occasions. The vehicle was taken back to…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 125,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 60,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
• On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
• A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

I made a left hand turn and steering went out of the car and had to manuever car to keep from wrecking vehicle. Took to dealer and they stated it would be 2200 to fix the problem. Module and motor needed to be replaced.Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 96,000 miles

The contact owns a 2013 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 MPH, and attempting to turn left, the vehicle stalled for approximately 3 to 5 seconds. The vehicle was restarted and operated as designed. The contact stated that approximately thirty minutes later the vehicle rode over a bump in the roadway…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 146,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 72,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
• The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
• Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.

Tools that help

What owners said

Brake pedal sticks. I took to Chevrolet dealership because I saw a recall describing this exact scenario. That it was binding due to a faulty brake pedal assembly The technician diagnosed this to be the exact issue in the recall but refused to repair stating my VIN was not covered and I would have to contact your organization due to this…Owner complaint, filed 2025

The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle hesitated to respond, causing a stopping distance delay. Additionally, the contact noticed a burning odor. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure recurred while driving. The…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 91,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 71,000 miles. Parts named most: Defroster / defogger / HVAC system (9).

What to check before you buy

• Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
• Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.

Tools that help

What owners said

I was looking up some info and noticed that some 2012-2014 Chevy malibu had an issue with the front and rear defrost not properly working . How would I know if my car was involved in that recall or if it was fixed. Because right now I am having trouble with front windshield defrost and also the rear window defrost and I see that was a…Owner complaint, filed 2023

The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the defroster gear actuator fractured and had fallen onto the ground, causing the defroster to become inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the defroster needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure.…Owner complaint, filed 2022, at 120,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 97,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
• Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
• Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH on the highway, there was a high-pitched sound coming from the vehicle, and the contact temporarily lost control of the vehicle. The driver was able to regain control of the vehicle. The vehicle was restarted afterwards, but became inoperable. The…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 143,000 miles

After being repaired for recall - 99recall N212330130 rear suspension safety recall. There is a noise coming from the rear of vehicle when drivingOwner complaint, filed 2024

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 75,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
• Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the air bag warning illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed and DTC: B101D, (Air bag module failure) was retrieved. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 142,000 miles

The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the garage after two weeks, he started the vehicle and reversed onto the driveway. The driver's side and passenger's side air bags deployed without impact or warning. There were no reported injuries. The contact called the local dealer, but…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 111,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 66,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
• Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
• Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
• If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.

Tools that help

What owners said

Transmission stopped cold still on the.freeway due to codes.These codes that read on the code reader were (P0796) pressure solenoid control performance and the other code(P0722) speed sensor,no signal .These 2codes are coming from the transmission.GM ISSUED a recall for 2013 Chevy Malibu engine stalling.7-10-2020 Chevy Malibu were…Owner complaint, filed 2022

My car charging system keep coming on I changed the alternator 2 times it worked for a while. While driving it went dead I was 4 hrs from home. Took my son to a football camp in Tallahassee at fsu. On way him voltage dropped from my battery but the aux battery say it’s charging the Emc is not charging my battery under the hood. It’s…Owner complaint, filed 2022

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 80,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
• On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
• Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

The Generator control module failed on the vehicle causing the battery to lose charge and then the car to shut down. When looking for the part online I came across a bulletin 13142c which talked about the same exact issue that I faced. according to the bulletin the gcm was to have been replaced, however when searching the service history…Owner complaint, filed 2024

I just bought the car on march 16, 2019, after several days, the check engine light came on, dealership cleaned the injectors and 2 days later, the check engine light is on again...now they say it needs new injectors, but the car only has 79,000 miles on it...Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 79,800 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 39,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
• Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
• The tire pressure light should go out after startup.

Tools that help

What owners said

I have contacted the dealer multiple times since August 2021(first notification of the official recall). I am told that I am in a waiting list because the manufacturer(GM) has not provided the repair parts. I have contacted the Customer Assistance Number provided on the recall letter multiple times with no results. I filled out the…Owner complaint, filed 2022

Have had the car for approximately 3 years. Used about 50000 miles. I am on my 3rd wheel hub bearing assembly. They are lasting one about a year.Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 25,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 60,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
• Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.

Tools that help

What owners said

I seem to have a short in the drivers side seat adjuster. At times when adjusting the seat a warning comes up to replace air bag and sometimes shuts off the radio. I have read that there was a recall at one point for this problem.Owner complaint, filed 2022

The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the driver’s side seat became defective and would not remain sturdy while driving. The contact has had to duct tape parts of the seat to prevent the seat from moving while driving. The contact called and notified the dealer about the failure. An appointment was scheduled…Owner complaint, filed 2021

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 72,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
• Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.

Tools that help

What owners said

My 2013 chevy malibu is stalling while driving ,and has a rough idle, my check engine light is not on, took to the car lot multiple times, they cleaned throttle and put new spark plugs on it, thought that took care of the problem but as I drove the car the same day it stalled on me again and their is little acceleration power.this all…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 94,137 miles

The contact owns a 2013 chevrolet malibu. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the cruise control failed to activate. The contact parked the vehicle and tried various times, but the cruise control was still inoperable. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or repaired. The [VIN] was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was…Owner complaint, filed 2016, at 12,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 50,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (16).

What to check before you buy

• Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
• Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
• Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle was rusted underneath at the midway point to the rear of the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact referenced DTC: TPOA90, indicating a failure with the drive motor "A" performance. The contact called an independent mechanic. The local…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 120,000 miles

Noticed musty smell in car. Opened trunk to find interior wet. Lifted floor of trunk out and found spare wheel well overflowing with water. This has been an ongoing issue. Discovery made while vehicle was stationary. Photos taken after shopvacuuming out as much water as possible and letting trunk air dry. Water damage visible on porous…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 74,590 miles

What to check before you buy

• Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
• Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
• Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.

Tools that help

What owners said

There is a recall on the brake booster on the 2014 Malibu manufactured in 2013 my car is a 2013 and I have the same issue.i have had multiple things wrong.I was driving and had no brakes at all I had to push hard and it finally stopped. Hazardous to drive now until fixed.i feel it should be covered as it is the same issue on the 2014Owner complaint, filed 2025