CHEVROLET MALIBU ECO · model year

2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU ECO

154 NHTSA complaints, 8 crash reports, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2013CHEVROLETMALIBU ECO carries 154 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 8 crashes, 1 fire, 4 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2013 MALIBU ECO is electrical system with 47 filings, followed by engine (22) and steering (16). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 1 investigation file overlapping the 2013 MALIBU ECO. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

154
Complaints
8
Crashes
1
Fires
4
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

154 filings

Crashes Reported

8 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM47
ENGINE22
STEERING16
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)12
AIR BAGS10
SERVICE BRAKES9
POWER TRAIN8
UNKNOWN OR OTHER8
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM6
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL4
EXTERIOR LIGHTING2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY1
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM1
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL1
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS1

Recalls (1)

13V17300006/05/2013

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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

Recent Complaints

20240214ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR:INTEGRATED STARTER(OTHER THAN PROPULSION)

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 vehicle was repaired by the contact. The contact stated that the alternator and the starter had failed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 174,000.

Mileage: 174,000

20220524ELECTRICAL 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.

20190725AIR BAGS

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

Mileage: 118

20190725ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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

Mileage: 118

20190725ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

Mileage: 37,000

20190725SEATS

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.

Mileage: 37,000

20190725UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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.

Mileage: 37,000

20190522CrashSERVICE BRAKES

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. ADDITIONALLY, A TON OF ERROR MESSAGES WERE FLASHING, AS WELL AS ALL INDOOR AND OUTDOOR LIGHTS FLASHING, EVEN THE DECORATIVE PANEL BLUE STRIP LIGHTS. I WAS TERRIFIED. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED FROM THE SCENE. AT FIRST, THE OFFICER DIDN'T BELIEVE ME, THAT IT WAS THE CAR'S FAULT, NOT MINE, BUT ONCE SHE SAW WHAT WAS HAPPENING, SHE BELIEVED ME. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SAID THE CAR WAS POSSESSED, HE HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE. THE CAR HAD ALMOST 53,000 MILES ON IT, ONE YEAR TO GO WITH PAYMENTS, AND I HAD BEEN PLANNING TO KEEP IT ONCE IT WAS PAID OFF, UNTIL THIS HAPPENED. IT COULD HAVE BEEN SO MUCH WORSE. WHAT IF IT HIT PEDESTRIANS CROSSING TH

Mileage: 52,500

20190522CrashELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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. ADDITIONALLY, A TON OF ERROR MESSAGES WERE FLASHING, AS WELL AS ALL INDOOR AND OUTDOOR LIGHTS FLASHING, EVEN THE DECORATIVE PANEL BLUE STRIP LIGHTS. I WAS TERRIFIED. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED FROM THE SCENE. AT FIRST, THE OFFICER DIDN'T BELIEVE ME, THAT IT WAS THE CAR'S FAULT, NOT MINE, BUT ONCE SHE SAW WHAT WAS HAPPENING, SHE BELIEVED ME. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SAID THE CAR WAS POSSESSED, HE HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE. THE CAR HAD ALMOST 53,000 MILES ON IT, ONE YEAR TO GO WITH PAYMENTS, AND I HAD BEEN PLANNING TO KEEP IT ONCE IT WAS PAID OFF, UNTIL THIS HAPPENED. IT COULD HAVE BEEN SO MUCH WORSE. WHAT IF IT HIT PEDESTRIANS CROSSING TH

Mileage: 52,500

20190507ENGINE

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 CERTIFIED GM DEALERSHIP TO BE DIAGNOSED ON DECEMBER 14TH 2018. IT WAS NOTED THE VEHICLE WAS 3 QUARTS LOW ON OIL AT 94,530 MILES. I CONTINUED TO MONITOR THE OIL LEVELS THERE AFTER UNTIL MY NEXT SERVICING AT 97,063 MILES, AGAIN THE OIL WAS LOW BUT WITHIN MARGIN AS I HAD TOPPED OFF AS NEEDED. NOW WITH MY VEHICLE AT 100,134 MILES AND STILL LOSING OIL I AM CONCERNED THAT THE ENGINE IS PLAGUED BY THE SAME PROBLEM AS FOUND IN THE 2.4L (LEA) FOUND IN THE EQUINOX AND GMC TERRAIN. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THERE WAS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT WITH THE PISTON RINGS COMBINED WITH THE OIL SPRAY COOLING THAT LEAD TO GM ISSUING A SPECIAL WARRANTY COVERAGE TO THE LEA

Mileage: 94,530

20190502ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

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 SENSOR. MY CAR SHUT OFF ON ME THROUGH THE DRIVE-THROUGH . IT HAS A ROUGH TIME IS STARTING SOMETIMES AND STALLS . NOW IT'S SAYING SOMETHING ABOUT AN OIL PRESSURE SENSOR O2 SENSOR. COUPLE TIMES I HEARD THE CAR BACKFIRE SO I GOT A NEW CADILLAC CONVERTER. I'VE EVEN HAVE SMELLED SOME SMELLS LIKE BURNING. I HEAR A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE FRONT WHEN I GO OVER A LITTLE BUMPS OR WHEN I TURN REALLY SHARP NOT GOING FAST. BEEN HAVING MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH THIS CAR AND WOULD LIKE SOME HELP FIGURING OUT WHAT'S GOING ON WITH T AND WOULD LIKE SOME HELP FIGURING OUT WHAT'S GOING ON WITH IT! I DON'T FEEL SAFE SOMETIMES AND I'M AFRAID MY CAR SIRI MIGHT GO O

Mileage: 80,000

20190502ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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 SENSOR. MY CAR SHUT OFF ON ME THROUGH THE DRIVE-THROUGH . IT HAS A ROUGH TIME IS STARTING SOMETIMES AND STALLS . NOW IT'S SAYING SOMETHING ABOUT AN OIL PRESSURE SENSOR O2 SENSOR. COUPLE TIMES I HEARD THE CAR BACKFIRE SO I GOT A NEW CADILLAC CONVERTER. I'VE EVEN HAVE SMELLED SOME SMELLS LIKE BURNING. I HEAR A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE FRONT WHEN I GO OVER A LITTLE BUMPS OR WHEN I TURN REALLY SHARP NOT GOING FAST. BEEN HAVING MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH THIS CAR AND WOULD LIKE SOME HELP FIGURING OUT WHAT'S GOING ON WITH T AND WOULD LIKE SOME HELP FIGURING OUT WHAT'S GOING ON WITH IT! I DON'T FEEL SAFE SOMETIMES AND I'M AFRAID MY CAR SIRI MIGHT GO O

Mileage: 80,000

20190502ENGINE

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 SENSOR. MY CAR SHUT OFF ON ME THROUGH THE DRIVE-THROUGH . IT HAS A ROUGH TIME IS STARTING SOMETIMES AND STALLS . NOW IT'S SAYING SOMETHING ABOUT AN OIL PRESSURE SENSOR O2 SENSOR. COUPLE TIMES I HEARD THE CAR BACKFIRE SO I GOT A NEW CADILLAC CONVERTER. I'VE EVEN HAVE SMELLED SOME SMELLS LIKE BURNING. I HEAR A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE FRONT WHEN I GO OVER A LITTLE BUMPS OR WHEN I TURN REALLY SHARP NOT GOING FAST. BEEN HAVING MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH THIS CAR AND WOULD LIKE SOME HELP FIGURING OUT WHAT'S GOING ON WITH T AND WOULD LIKE SOME HELP FIGURING OUT WHAT'S GOING ON WITH IT! I DON'T FEEL SAFE SOMETIMES AND I'M AFRAID MY CAR SIRI MIGHT GO O

Mileage: 80,000

20190501POWER TRAIN

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

Mileage: 114,000

20190428ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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 SAME PROBLEM HAPPENS. I'M IN MY CAR BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON , BATTERY VOLTAGE STARTS TO GET LOW, CAR LOSSES ALL POWER AND I AM STRANDED. HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEAL SHIP BECAUSE I JUST HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM 6 MONTHS AGO . AFTER A WEEK IN THE SHOP I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE BELT AND THE REPAIRS WOULD BE 400 DOLLARS AGAIN. I WENT AHEAD AND AGREED TO HAVE THEM WORK ON THE CAR FOR A CALL A DAY LATER SAYING SOMETHING ELSE'S WAS WRONG AND REPAIRS WERE NOW 1550 DOLLAR. WENT AHEAD AND AGREED TO GET IT FIXED ASKED IS THIS GOING TO FIX MY PROBLEM I'M HAVING WITH THE BATTERY WAS TOLD YES. GOT MY CAR OUT THE SHOP AND HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE BATTERY LIGHT AND CA

Mileage: 119,000

20190402ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

Mileage: 85,500

20190311ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU ECO. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS MORE EVIDENT IN COOLER TEMPERATURES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BOB PRICE CHEVROLET BUICK GMC (LOCATED AT 1225 S STATE HWY 16, FREDERICKSBURG, TX 78624, (877)720-6955) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE OR RETRIEVE A FAULT CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

Mileage: 170,000

20190221SERVICE BRAKES

THE ABS AND SERVICE STABILITRAK LIGHTS ARE ON. CANNOT BRAKE USING ABS NOR USE STABILITRAK.

Mileage: 59,000

20190221ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

THE ABS AND SERVICE STABILITRAK LIGHTS ARE ON. CANNOT BRAKE USING ABS NOR USE STABILITRAK.

Mileage: 59,000

20190220ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WAS DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE GOING 70 MPH WHEN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WENT HAYWIRE. THE ENGINE ENGINE STALLED AND LOST POWER STEERING. VERY DANGEROUS!

Mileage: 88,900

Compare 2013CHEVROLETMALIBU ECO to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU ECO have?
The 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU ECO has 154 NHTSA complaints, 8 crashes, 1 fires, 4 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU ECO?
Yes, the 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU ECO has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU ECO?
The most-complained component for the 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU ECO is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 47 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE and STEERING.
Is the 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU ECO safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.