2013 Chevrolet Malibu: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu: 10 recalls, 836 owner complaints and up to 26 mpg combined.
_1X7A7375.jpg){kind=link}
Recalls
10 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Electrical Vehicle recall #12V224000 · 2012 · 4,304 vehicles
What's wrong: After an event of hard braking, the sensing and diagnostic module (sdm) May reset itself.
Why it matters: 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…
The fix: 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.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #12V484000 · 2012 · 120,426 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014.
Suspension Vehicle recall #13V024000 · 2013 · 8,519 vehicles
What's wrong: One or more rear suspension bolts May not have been tightened to the specified torque. This May lead to sudden changes in vehicle handling.
Why it matters: Sudden changes in vehicle handling May increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
Electrical, Seats Vehicle recall #13V566000 · 2013 · 14,909 vehicles
What's wrong: The wiring harness for the power seat May contact the seat frame which May chafe the harness.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Visibility (wipers, glass) Vehicle recall #15V164000 · 2015 · 87,063 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #15V245000 · 2015 · 3,690 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Gm has notified owners, and dealers will replace the transmission gear selection control module, free of charge. The recall began on April 20, 2015.
Electrical, Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #16V502000 · 2016 · 8,367 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: If the key is removed without the transmission in park, the vehicle May rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: 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.
Suspension Vehicle recall #20V764000 · 2020 · 220,006 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: A rear toe link fracture May reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
Suspension Vehicle recall #21V633000 · 2021 · 32,894 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: A rear toe link fracture May reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
Suspension Vehicle recall #21V00F000 · 2021 · 4,271 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: A rear toe link fracture May reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 27, 2022.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 10 mention a fire, 32 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Electrical (376): the most common themes are electrical failure (181), stalls / loses power (135).
- Engine (204): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (90), warning light on (71), electrical failure (55).
- Steering (181): the most common themes are steering problems (164).
- Other / unknown (89): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (21), warning light on (19).
The 2013 Chevrolet Malibu has 836 owner complaints, ranking #13 of 29 Malibu model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 667). Complaints peaked in 2019 (117 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 69,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2012 (907 complaints, 2 recalls), 2014 (351 complaints, 6 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 33 | 26 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 29 | 24 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/moHeads up: we may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices checked 2026-10 and can change. We never host or link to pirated manuals. Disclosure
FAQ
Does the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 10 vehicle recalls for the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2013 Chevrolet Malibu problems?
Owners have filed 836 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (376), engine (204), steering (181).
What gas mileage does the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu get?
EPA ratings run up to 26 mpg combined (2.5 L, Automatic (S6)), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.