This page covers 9 recalls, 833 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu.
24–26 mpg combined
9–9.8 L/100km
Midsize Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 2 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Complaints about the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu cluster heavily around the electrical system and steering. On the electrical side, owners frequently describe stalling or unexpected shutdowns while driving, instrument cluster failures including odometers that stop tracking mileage, and backup camera malfunctions. Steering complaints are nearly as common, with owners reporting sudden loss of power steering, particularly at highway speeds, a pattern that appears across multiple reports rather than isolated cases. Engine complaints rank third, with stalling described as the dominant symptom, often overlapping with the electrical reports since owners attribute unexpected shutdowns to both systems. A recurring thread across all three categories is the vehicle losing power or responsiveness while in motion, with the steering loss and stalling complaints appearing together in several reports.
833
Total Complaints
33
Crash-Related
10
Fire-Related
22
With Injuries
By System
The 2013 Chevrolet Malibu has 9 recalls, the most serious involving the airbag control module, which can reset after hard braking and then fire the roof rail airbags unexpectedly during a subsequent maneuver.
A second electrical concern involves vehicles with 8-way power adjustable front seats: the seat wiring harness can chafe against the seat frame, and if the insulation wears through, a short circuit can cause the seat to move on its own, stop working entirely, or produce sparking underneath. On the suspension side, rear toe links on vehicles registered in certain northern and mid-Atlantic states can fracture and reduce steering control, and separately, rear suspension bolts on some vehicles may not have been tightened to spec, which can cause sudden handling changes. The transmission gear indicator on some vehicles may not light up to show which gear is selected, making it possible to accidentally shift into the wrong position. There is also a sunroof concern on vehicles equipped with a sliding or tilting roof panel: the switch can be pressed accidentally, causing the panel to close without warning and potentially pinching an occupant. Note that recall 7 in the input references 2016 Malibu and Buick Verano models, not the 2013 Malibu, so it has been omitted from this summary as it does not appear to apply to this vehicle.
At a glance
What can fail
Rear toe links may lack proper corrosion protection coating, causing it to become brittle and chip away when hit by road debris. Exposed metal corrodes over time, thinning the toe link until it fractures.
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Rear toe links may have excessive coating that becomes brittle and breaks when hit by road debris. Over time, the coating chips away, exposing the metal underneath to rust. Rust can thin and fracture the toe link.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and fasteners at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Rear toe links received excessive coating that becomes brittle and breaks away from road debris. As the coating chips off, the metal corrodes. Over time, corrosion can cause the toe link to thin and fracture.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and fasteners at no cost. Parts are not yet available.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The electronic park lock lever may allow you to remove the ignition key even when the transmission is not in PARK, which can lead to unintended vehicle movement.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the key cylinder lock housing if necessary, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The console display that shows which gear you've selected may not light up, so you won't see what gear position the transmission is in.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the transmission gear selection control module at no cost to restore the display function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The slide or tilt switch for the roof panel isn't recessed deeply enough, so it can be accidentally pressed during normal use.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the roof control software to disable the auto-close feature for certain switch positions.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The wiring harness for the power seat may rub against the seat frame, causing the insulation to wear through.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the wiring harness and repair or secure it as needed at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
One or more rear suspension bolts may not be tightened to the proper specification, which can cause sudden changes in how the vehicle handles.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the rear suspension bolts and retighten them as needed at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
After hard braking, the sensing and diagnostic module may reset itself.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the sensing and diagnostic module at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
