2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Electrical System (19) · Steering (15) · Engine (11)
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
82 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Electrical System 2013-05-06 · campaign 13V173000 · 42,904 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (401)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-26 · PIT5698F · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this pi provides diagnostics tips on how the lin bus works and how to diagnosis it.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-04 · PIP4902W · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Unknown Or Other 2026-04-01 · PIT3271Q · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-09 · PIP6104 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a gds2 session log and upload to a technical assistance case in cx connect.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-09 · PIP4902V · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Unknown Or Other 2026-01-08 · PIP4902U · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Showing the 6 most recent of 401 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2024-02-14 · Electrical System:alternator/Generator/Regulator:integrated Starter(Other Than Propulsion) · 174,000 mi“the contact owns a 2013 chevrolet malibu eco. the contact stated while at a stop light, the power steering was difficult to turn, and the vehicle stalled. the service battery charging system displayed and the check engine and battery warning light illuminated. the vehicle was towed to the residence. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer. the veh…”
2022-05-24 · Electrical System“2013 chevrolet malibu eco. consumer writes in regard to electrical issues with vehicle. the consumer stated that while driving the vehicle would shut off, losing all power. the vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. the consumer stated the battery light illuminated, displays battery saver activated, and then the vehicle loses power.…”
2019-07-25 · Electrical System · 118 mi“takata recall . my car just died out off nowhere while i was just parked and when it finally got jumped the 'service airbag' light came. i've done some research and this has been happening to everybody and the repairs is up to $1000…”
2019-07-25 · Unknown Or Other · 37,000 mi“stereo/navigation intermittent always default to one radio station and settings, passenger seat had a crackling sound a few times no odd smells or smoke, turns signals won't work when stereo is inoperative.…”
2019-05-22 · Service Brakes · 52,500 mi · 💥 crash“i was sitting at a red light, with my foot firmly on the brake. suddenly it started to move and suddenly took off and hit the car in front of me (the car had moved up significantly, but i hadn't, so it had a lot of momentum when it hit)! after the accident report was filed, i tried to start the car to leave, but the car wouldn't start. additiona…”
2019-05-07 · Engine · 94,530 mi“excessive oil consumption regarding the ecotec 2.4l engine (luk). i had purchased my vehicle in september of 2018 with 87,932 miles. the vehicle was inspected and serviced. prior to reaching the recommended 7500 mile oil change interval and before the 'change oil soon' notification, my check engine light illuminated. i had the vehicle towed to a ce…”
2019-05-02 · Engine · 80,000 mi“takara recall i had my car in multiple times in a dealership bergstrom like five times and every time they work on it there's something else wrong . the car has electrical issues the radio turns on and off by itself . the temperature thing became on for high temps when the ac is off.i had replaced multiple sensors replaced like the crankshaft s…”
2019-05-01 · Power Train · 114,000 mi“i was driving and started hearing a loud alter he and then the car seemed to have shut off and started back up the engine light came on i pulled over turned the car off to see if the engine light would go back off it didn't now it keeps making the skreeching sound and still shuts off while driving and on a stop…”
2019-04-28 · Electrical System · 119,000 mi“have been having issues with the battery since i got the car back in 2017. replaced the battery 3 times with a year thinking it was just a dead battery. after the third time it happened took it to the dealership and was told that the battery cables needed to be cleaned and battery needed to be replaced paid 400 dollars for that . 6 months later sam…”
2019-04-02 · Electrical System · 85,500 mi“when stopped at light, car shut down, would not restart. (had stall one other time in parking garage but vehicle restarted). no electrical, no flashers. took to dealership. replaced battery and generator control module due to malfunction. asked about 2013 recall. was told it didn't apply.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.