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

Fuel/propulsion System complaints

32 reports

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75,000 miles · Jul 15, 2019

Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

CAR KEEPS POWERING OFF WHILE DRIVING INSIDE PANEL LIGHTS TURN OFF THEN CAR POWERS DO AND GOES BACK ON

NHTSA ODI #11231976

79,800 miles · Apr 13, 2019

Fuel/propulsion System

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...

NHTSA ODI #11196027

80,000 miles · Mar 7, 2019

Electronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

THE CAR WILL STALL WHILE PULLING INTO TRAFFIC OR AT A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. AFTER MMSEVERAL STOPS IT DRAINS THE BATTERY COMPLETELY. NO PROBLEMS WHEN DRIVING LONG DISTANCES ON THE INTERSTATE. VERY DANGEROUS. L

NHTSA ODI #11184901

123,000 miles · Dec 31, 2018

Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel/propulsion System

MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE SINCE I'VE HAD IT IT HAS REDUCED ENGINE POWER ( STABILTRAK) ON ME WHILE DRIVING. JUST RECENTLY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WITH CODES READING FOR CAMSHAFT ACTUATORS FAILING AND PCM FAILING. THE CAR CHUGS WILL DRIVING AND HAS EVEN DIED WHILE OPERATING.

NHTSA ODI #11164311

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

74,796 miles · Mar 15, 2017

Electronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel/propulsion SystemWheels

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*TAKATA RECALL* WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT TO HANDLE CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE IN A JERKING MOTION FELT LIKE WHEELS WERE GOING TO FALL OFF. ON TOP OF THAT TOOK CAR TO DEALER SHIP AND THEY DIDN'T HANDLE ISSUE UNTIL MY SECOND VISIT TO SEE IF IT WOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY I HAD TO PAY 100$ AND FIND OUT MY STABILITY SERVICE LIGHT, AND LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ARE ON DUE TO A REAR BEARING HUB BEING BROKE AND THE SENSOR NOT BEING ABLE TO DETECT SPEED CAUSING MY RPM TO BE AS THE TECHNICIAN CALLED IT DRIVE ERRATIC AND TRANSMISSION IS NOT SHIFTING UNTIL 4-6,000 RPMS. ALSO NEEDS A FUEL INJECTION, AND THEY MENTION A FRONT TURN SIGNAL BEING OUT WHICH I NEVER HAD ANY INDICATION OR KNOWLEDGE OF MY HEADLIGHTS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. ALSO, BEGAN TALKING TO CHEVROLET AS I WAS ON THEIR SIGHT AND SEEN RECALLS WHICH I HADN'T BEEN NOTIFIED AND WONDER IF SOME ISSUES THAT ARE OCCURRING ARE FROM PREVIOUS RECALLS THAT WERE BELIEVED TO HAVE NOT AFFECTED ME? IS THAT POSSIBLE? I AM A FULL TIME STUDENT, IN DEBT WITH LOANS AND CAR PAYMENTS AS I DON'T GET ANY SUPPORT FROM FAMILY. THE STEERING ISSUE OCCURRED VERY BADLY AND SUDDENLY ON 3/13/2017. STABILITRAC SERVICE WARNING LIGHT ABS AND TRACTION LIGHTS HAVE BEEN ON SINCE FEBRUARY 15 WENT TO DEALERSHIP ON 20TH THEY SAID THEY WOULD LOOK WHEN I MENTIONED IT, THE ISSUE WASN'T LOOKED AT OR EVEN NOTED JUST MAY NEED 2 FRONT TIRES. CURRENTLY AT 75,259 MILES I GOT THE CAR IN 2015 WITH ABOUT 45,000 MILES. DO HAVE DOCUMENTS FROM THE TWO VISITS TO THE DEALERSHIP AND ONE VISIT FROM ANOTHER MECHANIC. ALSO DIDN'T REALIZE A RECALL OR ISSUE HAS OCCURED WITH A SOLENOID AS MY ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON AND AFTER TAKING IT TO A MECHANIC SHOP VERSUS THE DEALERSHIP I PAID 400$ AND FOUND OUT THAT WAS RECALLED AT ONE POINT PRIOR TO ME OWNING THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #10965999

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

44,900 miles · Aug 14, 2016

EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

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WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ON 7/10/16 MY 2013 CHEVY MALIBU LOST POWER, ENGINE LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON AND WENT FROM 55-60 MPH TO 20 MPH. WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE MORE THE CAR COULD SHAKE VIOLENTLY. AFTER STOPPING AND TURNING THE CAR OFF IT WOULD NOT RESTART. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO KERRY CHEVROLET IN ALEXANDRIA, KY. AFTER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING THEY DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED REPLACED. ON 8/10/16 WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHILE IN VACATION IN FLORIDA THE CAR AGAIN STARTED TO LOSE POWER, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SLIP OR MISS AND JERK. AGAIN ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. CAR DIED THREE TIMES WHILE ON THE ROAD TRYING TO GET IT TO A SAFE PLACE FOR A TOW TRUCK TO TOW IT. IT WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP AND THE CAM SHAFT SENSOR WAS REPLACED. CAR CONTINUES TO HESITATE AND MISS.

NHTSA ODI #10895822

49,000 miles · Apr 2, 2016

Fuel/propulsion System

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND APPARENTLY THE VAPOR CANISTER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR ONLY HAS 49K MILES. CRAPPY CHEVY CARS. NOT HAPPY.

NHTSA ODI #10853079

16,631 miles · Mar 1, 2015

EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

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DRIVING 55MPH ON CRUISE CONTROL, I HEARD A WARNING CHIME. LOOKED AT DASH AND THE WORDS ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED WERE ON THE SCREEN. I LOOKED FOR A SYMBOL ON THE DASH TO TELL ME MORE AND SAW THE ENGINE SYMBOL WAS ON. THE CAR DIDN'T PERFORM OUT OF CHARACTER FROM ALREADY GOING 55 ON CRUISE. NOTHING CHANGED IN THE ENGINE PERFORMANCE. I CONTINUED TOWARD HOME AS THAT WAS MY DESTINATION AND WAS LESS THAN 15 MILES FROM HOME. I PARKED THE CAR IN MY GARAGE, TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, WAITED A FEW SECONDS, THEN STARTED THE ENGINE AGAIN. THE WARNING CAME ON RIGHT AWAY. I CALLED THE DEALER WHO I'M LEASING THE CAR FROM BUT IT WAS A SATURDAY AFTERNOON AND THEY WERE CLOSED. I DID LEAVE THEM A MESSAGE TO CALL ME ON MONDAY AND WHY. I HAVE NOT AND WILL NOT DRIVE THE CAR UNTIL I HEAR FROM THE DEALER AND HAVE A DATE AND TIME TO BRING IT IN BECAUSE OF THE CONCERN THE ENGINE COULD POWER DOWN AS I'M DRIVING ACCORDING TO INTERNET FORUMS I SINCE READ THAT OTHERS WITH THE SAME WARNING SAID THEIR CAR DID SLOW DOWN ON A FAST BUSY HIGHWAY. THIS WARNING IS IN THE MANUAL THAT CAME WITH THE CAR AND SAYS IT IS THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR GONE BAD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10691339

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.