2013 Chevrolet MALIBU ECO: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
87 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
53,469 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2013 model year. Data snapshot: . 82 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 47 of 87 complaints (54.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 41 | 47.1% |
| Steering behavior | 25 | 28.7% |
| Engine operation | 21 | 24.1% |
| Braking behavior | 16 | 18.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 4.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 2.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 47 |
| Engine | 22 |
| Steering | 16 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 12 |
| Air Bags | 10 |
| Service Brakes | 9 |
| Power Train | 8 |
| Unknown Or Other | 8 |
Electrical System: 47; Engine: 22; Steering: 16; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 12; Air Bags: 10; Service Brakes: 9; Power Train: 8; Unknown Or Other: 8
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 25 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 12 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 16 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 16 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 11 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 25; 25,000 to 49,999: 12; 50,000 to 74,999: 16; 75,000 to 99,999: 16; 100,000 to 149,999: 11; 150,000 and above: 2
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (25). 5 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 15 |
| 2015 | 9 |
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2017 | 14 |
| 2018 | 26 |
| 2019 | 12 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2013: 4; 2014: 15; 2015: 9; 2016: 5; 2017: 14; 2018: 26; 2019: 12; 2022: 1; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 41 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 25 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 21 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10511587 · 2013-05-12 (May 12, 2013)
WHILE DRIVING STEERING SEEMS TO FEEL AS IF IT IS LOCKING UP. I HAVE TO GIVE IT A LITTLE TUG TO FREE IT AND THAT CAUSES THE CAR TO SWERVE A LITTLE. IT SEEMS LIKE SOMETHING IS HOLDING THE STEERING IN THAT POSITION, WHILE DRIVING THERE IS MOVEMENT IN THE STEERING. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10511587 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10521319 · 2013-06-23 (June 23, 2013)
THE VEHICLE RPM'S DON'T GO LOW ENOUGH, TO INITIATE THE AUTO STOP.. IT ONLY GOES DOWN TO ABOUT 500 RPM'S, WHEN BRAKE, & NOT LOW ENOUGH TO ACTIVATE AUTO- STOP!! EVIDENTLY, THE MOTOR HAS TO GO TO ALMOST ZERO, TO KICK -IN... DEALER SERVICE DEPT DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO, OR TELL ME ??? WHAT SHOULD I DO NEXT ??? *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10521319 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10524476 · 2013-07-11 (July 11, 2013)
AUTO STOP WILL NOT ENGAGE UNLESS RPM'S ARE UNDER 500..SELDOM WILL "AUTO STOP" ENGAGE !!!! VEHICLE MOTOR WILL NOT GO SLOW ENOUGH TO ENGAGE THIS FEATURE..I HAVE TALKED TO SERVICE AT CHEVROLET DEALER, & THEY SAID THE PROBLEM CAN HAPPEN AT ANYTIME & THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT????? I DO, KEEP COMPLAINING!!!! *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10524476 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10534433 · 2013-08-09 (August 9, 2013)
NEW CHEVY MALIBU 2013, CONTINUALLY FAILS TO RUN NORMAL. ELECTRIC SYSTEM AS WELL, AS ANY ELECTRONIC POWERED SYSTEMS TURN OFF WHILE "MID-DRIVING" RENDERING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE WITHOUT ANY GAUGE READOUTS AND OR LIGHTS AS WELL AS EXTERIOR LIGHTING. POTENTIALLY RENDERING DRIVERS( MY FAMILY) UNSAFE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN BACK TO DEALER SHIP 4 TIMES TO HAVE "PART IN BATTERY" FIXED, AFTER EACH TIME VEHICLE RUNS FOR 1 WEEK AND FAILS AGAIN AS IT DID ON THE LATEST DATE 8 AUGUST 2013. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10534433 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10560065 · 2014-01-15 (January 15, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU ECO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 13V173000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE SERVICED. SEVERAL WEEKS AFTER THE REPAIRS, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL CRACKLING NOISE FROM TH TRUNK AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE GENERATOR CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,578.
Owner-reported narrative. 3,578 miles reported. Look up ODI 10560065 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10560278 · 2014-01-16 (January 16, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU ECO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. NO ONE WAS INJURED DURING THE CRASH. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FLASHED BEFORE ACCELERATING. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE AN INVESTIGATOR FURTHER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE BUT COULD NOT DETECT A FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,600. UPDATED 03/05/14*LJ
Owner-reported narrative. 9,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10560278 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10560655 · 2014-01-20 (January 20, 2014)
WHEN DRIVING THE MALIBU AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE STEERING STICKS, ALMOST LIKE A DEAD SPOT AT THE CENTER POSITION. MINOR CORRECTIVE INPUTS ARE DIFFICULT, TAKE MORE FORCE THAN NEEDED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 26,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10560655 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10567990 · 2014-03-08 (March 8, 2014)
PURCHASED 2013 CHEVY MALIBU ECO IN AUGUST 2013, AND RECENTLY STARTED NOTICING THAT STEERING WHEEL BECOMES VERY STIFF AND FEELS LIKE IT LOCKS WHEN DRIVING OVER 60 MPH AND IN A 12 O'CLOCK STEERING POSITION. I HAVE TO JERK IT WHEN MAKING SLIGHT TURNS OR CHANGING LANES, AND HAS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. I TOOK IT TO FREEWAY CHEVROLET IN CHANDLER, AZ. THE CAR WAS LEFT THERE FOR FOUR DAYS, AND DEALER SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY ISSUES. I WAS TOLD THAT THE STEERING POWER IS ELECTRICAL AND THEIR COMPUTER READS THAT THERE ARE NO ISSUES …
Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10567990 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
13V173000 · Electrical System
Reported: 2013-05-06 (May 6, 2013)
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012 and 2013 Buick LaCrosse and Regal, and model year 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco vehicles equipped with eAssist. These vehicles may have a condition in which the Generator Control Module (GCM) may not function properly. This could cause a gradual loss of battery charge and the illumination of the malfunction indicator light.
Consequence: If the vehicle is continued to be driven, the engine may stall and/or the vehicle may not start. In addition, there may be a burning or melting odor, smoke, and possibly a fire in the trunk.
Remedy: GM will notify owners and dealers will test the GCM and replace it, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on June 11, 2013. Owners may contact GM at 1-800-521-7300. GM's recall campaign number is 13136.
NHTSA campaign record ↗