Model year record

2013 Chevrolet Malibu ECO

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 154 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 13V173000

Electrical system

Component: Electrical system
Manufacturer: General Motors LLC
Vehicles affected: 42,904
Reported to NHTSA: 2013-05-06
Owners notified: 2013-06-11

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Electrical system	47	70,000 mi
Engine	22	64,000 mi
Steering	16	48,500 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)	12	80,000 mi
Air bags	10	20,000 mi
Service brakes	9	42,815 mi
Power train	8	19,200 mi
Unknown or other	8	95,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	6	57,000 mi
Vehicle speed control	4	5,000 mi
Exterior lighting	2	352 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator: integrated starter(other than propulsion)	1	174,000 mi
Electrical system: propulsion system: traction battery	1	38,548 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system	1	51,316 mi
Equipment: electrical	1	20,000 mi
Seats	1	37,000 mi
Visibility/wiper	1	31,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system	1	8,500 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls	1	14,878 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly	1	15,000 mi
Wheels	1	61,000 mi

The 2014 model has 8 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.