YearToAvoid

2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 26 engine complaints for the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco, 30% of its 87 total complaints that year, with a median failure mileage of 54,000 miles. No related recall is listed for this engine issue.

Engine complaints
26
30% of 87
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
54,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Owners report the engine stalling or losing power suddenly while driving at various speeds, sometimes on the highway.
  • Several complaints describe the auto stop/start feature failing to engage because engine RPM would not drop low enough, with dealers unable to diagnose the cause.
  • Some owners report the service engine light coming on along with a burning odor near the rear eco battery, accompanied by repeated stalling.
  • Multiple reports describe complete electrical shutdowns while driving, including loss of steering assist, brakes, and lights, sometimes tied to a generator control module warning.
  • One owner reported the vehicle accelerated unexpectedly and crashed into another vehicle, with instrument panel lights flashing beforehand.
  • A cam shaft solenoid failure and a fractured serpentine belt were each cited as causes of stalling in separate complaints.

When 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco engine complaints were filed

First complaint Jun 23, 2013, latest May 7, 2019.

2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco engine complaints: complaints filed per month3Jun 2013May 2014Oct 2014Jul 2016Sep 2017Aug 2018Mar 2019
26 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jun 2013 to May 2019; peak May 2018 (3).

Engine recalls for the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Malibu Eco model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201326 (30%)
  2. 20142 (17%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are engine problems in the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco?
NHTSA has 26 engine complaints for the 2013 Malibu Eco, which is 30% of all 87 complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco engine?
No related recall is listed in NHTSA data for this engine problem area.
At what mileage do engine problems typically show up?
The median mileage at failure among reported engine complaints is 54,000 miles.
Did the engine issues cause any crashes or injuries?
NHTSA data shows 1 crash and 0 injuries and 0 fires associated with these engine complaints.
What kind of engine failures do owners describe?
Owners report stalling at various speeds, failure of the auto stop/start feature to engage, cam shaft solenoid failure, a fractured serpentine belt, and electrical shutdowns affecting engine operation.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.