Electrical System. Review the 375 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. Review the 204 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Steering. Review the 181 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

33 crash reports10 fire reports22 injury reports

Engine complaints

204 reports

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Mileage unknown · Apr 16, 2017

Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

SINCE 2015 CAR HAS EXPERIENCED ENGINE SPEED PROBLEMS, WIRING ISSUES AND EVERY 5-6 MONTHS THE CAR IS IN A CHEVY DEALERSHIP, THEY SAY ITS FIXED BUT THEN ITS BACK IN THE SHOP

NHTSA ODI #10978704

80,120 miles · Apr 4, 2017

Engine

LAST SUMMER, CAR WOULD NOT START; REPLACED BATTERY. IN JANUARY 2017, TOOK IN FOR STARTING ISSUES - FOUND NOTHING. NOW ENGINE LIGHT ON; DEALER COULD NOT ASSIST ME. DRIVING THIS EVENING; BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON THEN TOTAL SHUT DOWN OF VEHICLE - HAD TO TOW IT INTO DEALER.

NHTSA ODI #10970625

Mileage unknown · Mar 9, 2017

Engine

MY 2013 CHEVY MALIBU CAM POSITIONING ACTUATOR CAUSED MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON. WHEN I HAD THE CODE READ, THEY SAID THAT THE SENSOR WAS THROWING THE CODE. MY CAR JUST WENT OUT OF DEALERSHIP WARRANTY WITH 52,XXX MILES ON IT. IS THIS COVERED BY GM RECALL?

NHTSA ODI #10959891

20 miles · Feb 3, 2017

EngineFuel/propulsion SystemStructure

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THE EXHAUST AND POWER HAVE ISSUES...CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON AND POWER TO SYSTEM IS REDUCED. FUEL ECONOMY HAS DECREASED SEVERELY. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF. EXHAUST COMING FROM TAILPIPE EVEN AFTER CAR HAS BEEN RUNNING AWHILE. THIS ISSUE HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING AND OPERATING. SECOND ISSUE IS THE TRUNK LATCH! THE VEHICLE HAS AN OUTSIDE TRUNK RELEASE BUTTON. WHEN VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY LOCKED, THE TRUNK WILL OPEN ON IT'S OWN! WE WILL COME OUT TO THE CAR WITH THE TRUNK WIDE OPEN WHEN WE KNOW WE HAVE LOCKED IT COMPLETELY. CHECKED, DOUBLE CHECKED, EVEN TRIPLE CHECKED BUT WE WILL STILL COME OUT TO A VEHICLE WITH THE TRUNK WIDE OPEN! THIS TRUNK OPENING ISSUE HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED AND OFF BUT, LOCKED!

NHTSA ODI #10949503

46,901 miles · Dec 25, 2016

Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineVehicle Speed Control

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I WAS DRIVING MY 2013 CHEVY, MALIBU WITH 46,901 MILES AT 80MPH ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN MY CAR STARTED LOOSING POWER AND BECAME UNEASY TO DRIVE. THE ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT, STABILITY TRACK LIGHT, AND ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENCE, MY ENGINE AND STABILITY TRACK LIGHTING WOULD COME ON AT RANDOM MAKING THE CAR DIFFICULTY TO DRIVE. I WOULD TAKE THE CAR BACK TO THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT THE TECH COULD NOT REPLICATE/DUPLICATE THE ENGINE LIGHT/STABILITY TRACK COMING. THE DEALERSHIP HAD ME TO PURCHASE A NEW BATTERY AND CHANGE SPARK PLUGS, BUT ENGINE LIGHT/STABILITY TRACK CONTINUED TO COME ON AT RANDOM. DEALERSHIP ADVISED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIX ANYTHING THAT COULD NOT BE REPLICATED/DUPLICATED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10937384

840,000 miles · Dec 13, 2016

Electrical SystemEngine

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FIRST MY DASH CLUSTER WENT OUT NOTHING WORK HAD A NEW ONE PUT IN AFTER ABOUT TWO WEEK IT WENT OUT AGAIN HAD IT AT THE DEALER THEY DON'T KNOW WHY. SO I DID NOT REPLACE IT THIS TIME BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW IF IT WELL HAPPEN AGAIN THE COST TO REPLACE IS ON ME. NOW I'M HAVING MOTOR IS HAVING A OIL LEAK BAD FOUND OUT WHY THE VALEVTRAIN OIL CONTROL PASSAGES INTEGRATED HAS COME APART AND THEY WILL NOT COVER IT ON WARRANTY SAID THAT I DID NOT CHANGE THE OIL WHEN IT CAME TIME TO DO I HAVE IT CHANGE ALL THE TIME AT THE DEALER WHEN IT COME TIME WHEN LIGHT COME ON TO TELL ME. THIS IS HIGH DOLLAR TO PAID FOR IT AS THEY SAID TOP OF THE MOTOR HAS TO BE TAKEN APART. AND THEY WOULD NOT LET GM KNOW OF THIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10935116

61,212 miles · Dec 12, 2016

EnginePower TrainSteering

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE RPMS DECREASED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY RESTART AFTER RECEIVING A JUMP START. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND BATTERY CHARGE, STABILITY TRACK, AND SERVICE POWER STEERING WARNING MESSAGES APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DISPLAY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURES OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,212.

NHTSA ODI #10934733

77,452 miles · Nov 16, 2016

Electrical SystemEngineSteering

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2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU (LT) HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING SERVE ELECTRICAL ISSUES. THIS HIGHLY DANGEROUS DEFECT I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING AS WELL YET THERE IS NO RECALL! FIRST THE MY LINK/NAVIGATION/RADIO MODULE WOULD SHUT OFF AND COME BACK ON. WHILE THIS OCCURS, THE BATTERY VOLTAGE WOULD JUMP DOWN THEN JUMP BACK UP. I CALLED CHEVY/GMC AND THEY RECOMMENDED TO SHUT THE CAR OFF, REMOVE THE KEY, OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR SO THE COMPUTER CAN RESET ITSELF. IT CONTINUED TO HAPPY THROUGH THE COURSE OF COUPLE HOURS THEN FINALLY STOPPED AND WAS WORKING FROM OVER THE COURSE OF 4 DAYS. AS OF YESTERDAY THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF, ENTIRE TOUCHSCREEN MODULE SHUT OFF, AND TURNED BACK ON IN A SPLIT SECOND. ONCE THE CAR TURNED ON, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS COMPLETELY TIGHT, ALMOST LOCKED, AND WE WOULD BARELY TURN INTO OUR DRIVEWAY WHILE IN MOTION ON A 25PM STREET. THANK GOD I WAS NOT COMING OFF A HIGHWAY OR DRIVING FAST LIKE REPORTS OF THIS ISSUE LIKE OTHER CONSUMERS BUT THIS IS DANGEROUS. I AM TERRIFIED OF THIS VEHICLE AND WILL BE TAKING IT TO CHEVY. THERE ARE OVER A HUNDRED COMPLAINTS AND VIDEOS I SAW AFTER I LOOKED UP IF THIS ISSUE WAS COMMON, WHICH IT APPEARS TO BE, ONLINE. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ON THE RECALL LIST BECAUSE THIS CAN CAUSE ACCIDENTS AND SOMEONE CAN GET SERIOUSLY INJURED.

NHTSA ODI #10926353

51,400 miles · Nov 14, 2016

Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WATER PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAIL…

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NHTSA ODI #10925900

49,968 miles · Oct 18, 2016

Electrical SystemEngineSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE ELECTRONIC SCREEN BLANKED OUT, THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NO…

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NHTSA ODI #10916725

Official recalls

21V00F000 · Suspension:rear

Dec 22, 2021

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, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 27, 2022. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212346640. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recalls 20V-764 and 21V-633.

21V633000 · Suspension:rear

Aug 12, 2021

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, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

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. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212330130.

20V764000 · Suspension:rear

Dec 21, 2020

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, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

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. A third notification was mailed on August 19, 201. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202308930.

16V502000 · Electrical System:ignition; Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

Jul 5, 2016

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. 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 and Rollaway Prevention."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

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. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System:ignition

Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

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. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.

Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

15V245000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)

Apr 24, 2015

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured April 10, 2012, to August 2, 2012. 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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

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. GM's number for this recall is 12162.

15V164000 · Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly

Mar 23, 2015

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles October 24, 2011, to March 5, 2015. 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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

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. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15176.

13V566000 · Electrical System:wiring; Seats:front Assembly:power Adjust

Nov 13, 2013

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 feature. The wiring harness for the power seat may contact the seat frame which may chafe the harness.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

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. GM's recall campaign number is 13342.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Seats:front Assembly:power Adjust

Consequence: 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.

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. GM's recall campaign number is 13342.

Electrical System:wiring

13V024000 · Suspension:rear

Jan 23, 2013

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 to the specified torque. This may lead to sudden changes in vehicle handling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Sudden changes in vehicle handling may increase the risk of a crash.

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 contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.

12V484000 · Exterior Lighting:turn Signal

Oct 4, 2012

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 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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

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 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 12212.

12V224000 · Electrical System:software

May 18, 2012

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 DIAGNOSTIC MODULE (SDM) MAY RESET ITSELF.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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 INJURY.

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.