Reliable Auto DB

2013 Chevrolet Malibu reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2013 Chevrolet Malibu has 922 complaints with NHTSA after 14 years, or 57 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Malibu years here — over the median of the other years, which is 14. NHTSA has 10 recalls on file, including Rear, Ignition, and Gear position indicator.

2012 Chevrolet Malibu
Photo by Kevauto, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Complaints

922

Per year

57

Recalls

10

Years on the road

14

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Electrical system (424 of 922), then Engine (226) and Steering (197). Those filings include 38 that report a crash, 11 that report a fire, and 24 that report an injury.

Next to 2012 and 2014

The 2012 Malibu has 906 complaints, 36 per year, and the 2014 has 363 complaints, 25 per year. The 2013 has more complaints per year than the 2012. The 2013 has more complaints per year than the 2014.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (10)

Recall suspension, rear 2021-12-22 · NHTSA campaign 21V00F000
Summary 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.
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 suspension, rear 2021-08-12 · NHTSA campaign 21V633000
Summary 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.
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 suspension, rear 2020-12-21 · NHTSA campaign 20V764000
Summary 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.
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 electrical system, ignition 2016-07-05 · NHTSA campaign 16V502000
Summary 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."
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 powertrain, automatic transmission, gear position indicator 2015-04-24 · NHTSA campaign 15V245000
Summary 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."
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 visibility, sunroof 2015-03-23 · NHTSA campaign 15V164000
Summary 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."
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 electrical system, wiring 2013-11-13 · NHTSA campaign 13V566000
Summary 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.
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 suspension, rear 2013-01-23 · NHTSA campaign 13V024000
Summary 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.
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 exterior lighting, turn signal 2012-10-04 · NHTSA campaign 12V484000
Summary 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."
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 electrical system, software 2012-05-18 · NHTSA campaign 12V224000
Summary 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.
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.

Complaints by component (922 total)

Electrical system
424
Engine
226
Steering
197
Electronic stability control (ESC)
84
Air bags
69
Suspension
65
Powertrain
61
Service brakes
53
Fuel and propulsion system
38
Speed control
32
Exterior lighting
30
Visibility and wipers
27
Structure
25
Wheels
25
Seats
23
Visibility
18
Engine and engine cooling
12
Tires
11
Seat belts
6
Equipment
3
Forward collision avoidance
2
Fuel system, gasoline
2
Hydraulic brakes
2
Interior lighting
2
Latches, locks, and linkages
1
Show 17 more Show less
Crash-flagged

38

Fire-flagged

11

Injury reports

24

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

22012302013812014582015982016922017117201812920191022020902021342022212023272024232025182026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the electrical system failed inside the vehicle, causing the air conditioning system to fail to operate, and the window control…"
    Electrical system · filed 2026-07-24
  • "While driving my 2013 Chevrolet Malibu (2.5L), I experienced a sudden and severe failure of the braking system. [Insert exactly what happened here—for example: 'The brake pedal suddenly went completely to the floor,'…"
    Unknown or other, Service brakes, Engine · filed 2026-05-19
  • "My battery warning light on the dash is illuminated with the notification saying "service battery charging system." I've researched online and found out that more vehicles of the same year make and model of my vehicle…"
    Electrical system, Engine · filed 2026-05-05
  • "My backup camera is not working properly. I show a large cloudy spot in the view."
    Unknown or other · filed 2026-04-30
  • "The vehicle was purchased on 04/07 and represented with a mileage of 167,334 at the time of sale. No issues with the odometer or mileage accuracy were disclosed prior to purchase. On 04/08, the vehicle was taken to…"
    Electrical system, Unknown or other, Engine · filed 2026-04-27

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2013 Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 4 stars
2013 Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD w/rear SAB's 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 4 stars
2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco eAssist 4 DR FWD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 4 stars
2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco eAssist 4 DR FWD w/rear SAB's 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Malibu 2.5L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 22 33 26 MPG $2500
Malibu 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 21 29 24 MPG $2700
Malibu eAssist 2.4L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 25 36 29 MPG $2250

Specs and fitment

8th generation, 2012–2015
Body styles Sedan
Oil 5W-30 (most engines); 5W-20 (2.4L where specified) , 5 qt capacity
Tire size 215/60R16 to 235/50R18 (trim-dependent)

Known issues for this generation

Recall 15V-164 covers certain 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles: the slide or tilt switch for the roof panel may not be recessed enough, so the roof panel may auto-close unexpectedly and increase pinch-injury risk; dealers update Body Control Module software to remove auto-close for certain switch positions. Recall 13V-024 covers certain 2013 Malibu vehicles: one or more rear suspension bolts may not have been tightened to specification, which can cause sudden handling changes; dealers inspect and retighten the bolts.

Compare

Previous year 2012 Chevrolet Malibu Next year 2014 Chevrolet Malibu See every Chevrolet Malibu model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?

The 2013 Chevrolet Malibu has 922 complaints with NHTSA after 14 years, or 57 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Malibu years here — over the median of the other years, which is 14. NHTSA has 10 recalls on file, including Rear, Ignition, and Gear position indicator.

What are common problems with a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu?

The complaints owners file most often name Electrical system (424 of 922), then Engine (226) and Steering (197). Those filings include 38 that report a crash, 11 that report a fire, and 24 that report an injury.

Is the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2012 Malibu has 906 complaints, 36 per year, and the 2014 has 363 complaints, 25 per year. The 2013 has more complaints per year than the 2012. The 2013 has more complaints per year than the 2014.

Has the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu been recalled?

The 2013 Chevrolet Malibu has 10 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu?

Owners have filed 922 complaints about the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu is 26.3 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

When did the current Chevrolet Malibu body style debut?

The 9th-generation Malibu launched for the 2016 model year (2016-2025).

What engine oil does a Chevrolet Malibu use?

5W-30 (most engines); 5W-20 (2.4L where specified)

What does NHTSA recall 15V-164 cover on the Chevrolet Malibu?

Recall 15V-164 covers certain 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles: the slide or tilt switch for the roof panel may not be recessed enough, so the roof panel may auto-close unexpectedly and increase pinch-injury risk; dealers update Body Control Module software to remove…