Model year record

2013 Chevrolet Malibu

10 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 1,460 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 21V00F000

Suspension: rear

Component
Suspension: rear
Manufacturer
General Motors, LLC
Vehicles affected
4,271
Reported to NHTSA
2021-12-22
Owners notified
2022-01-27

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 21V633000

Suspension: rear

Component
Suspension: rear
Manufacturer
General Motors, LLC
Vehicles affected
32,894
Reported to NHTSA
2021-08-12
Owners notified
2022-01-03

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 20V764000

Suspension: rear

Component
Suspension: rear
Manufacturer
General Motors, LLC
Vehicles affected
220,006
Reported to NHTSA
2020-12-21
Owners notified
2021-08-19

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 16V502000

Electrical system: ignition

Component
Electrical system: ignition
Manufacturer
General Motors LLC
Vehicles affected
8,367
Reported to NHTSA
2016-07-05
Owners notified
2016-10-14

Defect description

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

Safety risk

If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.

Recall campaignNHTSA 15V245000

Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)

Component
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)
Manufacturer
General Motors LLC
Vehicles affected
3,690
Reported to NHTSA
2015-04-24
Owners notified
2015-04-20

Defect description

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured April 10, 2012, to August 2, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the console transmission gear selection indicator may not illuminate the shift position selected. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 102, "Transmission Shift Position Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect."

Safety risk

If the console shift indicator does not illuminate the transmission gear selection, a driver could inadvertently select a transmission position other than the position the driver intended, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

GM has notified owners, and dealers will replace the transmission gear selection control module, free of charge. The recall began on April 20, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 12162.

Recall campaignNHTSA 15V164000

Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly

Component
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly
Manufacturer
General Motors LLC
Vehicles affected
87,063
Reported to NHTSA
2015-03-23
Owners notified
2015-04-21

Defect description

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles October 24, 2011, to March 5, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the Slide or Tilt switch for the roof panel may not be adequately recessed to prevent the switch from inadvertently being pressed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 118, "Power-Operated Window, Partition, and Roof Panel Systems."

Safety risk

The Slide or Tilt roof panel switch may inadvertently be pressed and the roof panel may auto-close unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a pinch injury.

Manufacturer remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the Body Control Module (BCM) software to remove auto-close feature for certain switch positions, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15176.

Recall campaignNHTSA 13V566000

Seats: front assembly: power adjust

Component
Seats: front assembly: power adjust
Manufacturer
General Motors LLC
Vehicles affected
14,909
Reported to NHTSA
2013-11-13
Owners notified
2013-12-04

Defect description

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured October 25, 2011, through June 29, 2012 and equipped with the 8-way power adjustable front seat feature. The wiring harness for the power seat may contact the seat frame which may chafe the harness.

Safety risk

If the harness is chaffed enough to expose the wires, a short circuit could occur, resulting unintended movement of the seat, the seat to become inoperative, sparking under the seat, flickering lights, smoke, or possibly a fire.

Manufacturer remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the wire harness and repair and secure it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began during December 2013. Owners may contact GM at 1-800-521-7300. GM's recall campaign number is 13342.

Recall campaignNHTSA 13V024000

Suspension: rear

Component
Suspension: rear
Manufacturer
General Motors LLC
Vehicles affected
8,519
Reported to NHTSA
2013-01-23
Owners notified
2013-01-21

Defect description

General Motors is recalling certain model year 2013 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles, manufactured December 6, 2011, through January 15, 2013. One or more rear suspension bolts may not have been tightened to the specified torque. This may lead to sudden changes in vehicle handling.

Safety risk

Sudden changes in vehicle handling may increase the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and retighten the bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notifications have already begun and will be completed shortly. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.

Recall campaignNHTSA 12V484000

Exterior lighting: turn signal

Component
Exterior lighting: turn signal
Manufacturer
General Motors LLC
Vehicles affected
120,426
Reported to NHTSA
2012-10-04
Owners notified
2014-09-08

Defect description

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Buick Regal and model year 2013 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with two turn signal bulbs in each front turn signal. If one of the two front turn signal bulbs burn out in either front turn signal lamp, there is no indication to the driver. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Safety risk

If the driver is not aware that a turn signal is not functioning properly, the driver may continue to drive the vehicle. If half of a front turn signal is not illuminating, other driver's may not be aware that the affected vehicle is turning, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

GM will notify owners, dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Buick at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 12212.

Recall campaignNHTSA 12V224000

Electrical system: software

Component
Electrical system: software
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS LLC
Vehicles affected
4,304
Reported to NHTSA
2012-05-18
Owners notified
2012-06-13

Defect description

GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 24, 2011, THROUGH MARCH 31, 2012. AFTER AN EVENT OF HARD BRAKING, THE SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE (SDM) MAY RESET ITSELF.

Safety risk

IF THIS OCCURS DURING AN AGGRESSIVE TURNING MANEUVER, AND THEN AFTERWARDS A POTENTIAL VEHICLE ROLLOVER EVENT IS SENSED, THE ROOF RAIL AIRBAG MAY UNINTENTIONALLY DEPLOY. ADDITIONALLY, THE AIR BAGS AND/OR SEATBELT PRETENSIONERS MAY NOT DEPLOY DURING A SEVERE CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Manufacturer remedy

GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE SDM. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 13, 2012.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system38776,356 mi
Engine22078,825 mi
Steering18560,000 mi
Unknown or other9765,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)7279,000 mi
Air bags6674,863 mi
Suspension6590,000 mi
Power train5565,000 mi
Service brakes4958,280 mi
Fuel/propulsion system3382,300 mi
Exterior lighting2970,000 mi
Vehicle speed control2972,000 mi
Visibility/wiper2689,000 mi
Wheels2340,850 mi
Seats2246,000 mi
Structure: body1643,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling1029,083 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system988,900 mi
Tires81,800 mi
Structure752,000 mi
Seat belts564,000 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel484,084 mi
Tires: temporary/emergency spare tire43,000 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator3128,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery2
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys251,000 mi
Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking2
Fuel system, gasoline24,041 mi
Interior lighting212,700 mi
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields2100,433 mi
Visibility290,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch152,000 mi
Electrical system: propulsion system: traction battery: thermal management: air handling/filtration1115,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring1133,300 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner162,050 mi
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift1
Forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control1
Latches/locks/linkages152,000 mi
Seat belts: front: warning light/devices160,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic191,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: wheel speed sensor/tone ring169,900 mi
Steering: column165,000 mi
Structure: body: door116,000 mi
Suspension: adjustment: automatic electrical/hydraulic1
Suspension: front: wheel bearing145,000 mi
Suspension: rear1
Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems1
Vehicle speed control: cruise control112,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core130,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: rear window129,000 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear115,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls125,000 mi
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs1250,000 mi

The 2012 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2014 model has 2 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.