2013 Chevrolet Malibu Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2013 Chevrolet Malibu has 835 NHTSA complaints, 10 recalls, and a complaint index of 70, ranking 7th worst out of 21 model years. It carries a Caution verdict, driven mainly by electrical system problems (45% of complaints).
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 70/100
- #7 of 21 Malibu years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 835
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 10
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 33
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 10
- Injuries
- 32
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 26
- 22 city / 33 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 32 / 0
Top 2013 Chevy Malibu problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System378 (45%)
- Engine229 (27%)
- Steering181 (22%)
- Brakes114 (14%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires92 (11%)
- Other90 (11%)
- Airbags59 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain53 (6%)
- Structure & Body47 (6%)
- Fuel System34 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Electrical fires reported in tail lights and near the driver seat wiring, in some cases spreading toward the trunk or gas tank area.
- Airbags failed to deploy in multiple frontal and head-on crashes, sometimes leaving occupants with head, back, and chest injuries.
- Owners describe a reduced engine power warning followed by sudden stalling, in one case while driving 70 mph before hitting a curb.
- Dashboard warnings for tire pressure and seat belts appeared erratically alongside other electrical malfunctions while driving.
- One owner reported the vehicle accelerating on its own while idling and crashing into another vehicle.
2013 Chevrolet Malibu recalls
10 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 21V00F000Dec 22, 2021Suspension, Wheels & Tires4,271 vehicles
Suspension:rear
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 21V633000Aug 12, 2021Suspension, Wheels & Tires32,894 vehicles
Suspension:rear
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 20V764000Dec 21, 2020Suspension, Wheels & Tires220,006 vehicles
Suspension:rear
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.
Risk: 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.
2013 Chevrolet Malibu fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 22 MPG
- Highway
- 33 MPG
- Combined
- 26 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,500
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2013 compared with other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?
- It ranks 7th worst among 21 Malibu model years tracked, with a complaint index of 70 and a Caution verdict based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu?
- Electrical system issues are the top problem area, accounting for 45% of complaints (378 total), including reports of fires and warning light malfunctions.
- Does the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for the 2013 Malibu, covering the suspension, electrical system, transmission, and visibility/wipers.
- How does the 2013 Malibu compare to other years?
- Its complaint index of 70 is lower than 2008-2012 (all Avoid, index 80-100) but higher than 2014, 2015, and 2017-2020, which rank Good.
- Are airbags a concern in the 2013 Malibu?
- NHTSA lists 59 airbag-related complaints, including reports of non-deployment during crashes, with 13 crashes tied to this problem area.