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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
59,013 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2013 Chevrolet Malibu engine problems

engine problem

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2013 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #25

Aug 012022

Malibu

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Car randomly goes into engine reduced power mode and won't go over 50mph. Power steering either won't turn the wheels and will start working again without warning while driving and jerks wheel to the right. Service stabilitrac warning would come on intermittently and disable traction control. Service stabilitrac warning is on now everytime I crank the vehicle and traction control is never working. I have pictures where it has went in limp mode and videos of the gauges doing crazy things after this warning has come up. Very dangerous. Car will jerk the wheel without warning when power steering warning comes on.

- Cleveland, TX, USA

problem #24

Jan 152022

Malibu

  • miles
Car gives engine power reduced warning and then drastically loses speed. Another warning saying engine over speed comes up and the car is unable to accelerate at safe speeds. This is dangerous because I can easily be rear ended by this malfunction especially when driving on the highway. I have children and having them at risk of being in a motor vehicle accident due to a malfunctioning car does not sit well with me. I have seen this issue reported on several other platforms. When I took the car to the dealership regarding this issue I was told I needed to replace the battery but 2 batteries later and I-??m still having the same issue. There is no warnings or signs prior to this malfunction happening, it is unpredictable and at random, making it that more dangerous. I would also like to add that this has happened a repeated number of times, it is not an isolated incident. But as of late it has been occurring more frequently.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #23

Jul 152020

Malibu

  • miles
Instrument cluster goes out and is available for inspection. It first went out in the middle of driving 80 on the freeway with others in my vehicle. I have taken it to a Point S mechanic who has confirmed the issue and can be easily recreated just by turning the car on. Nobody has inspected other than a mechanic because I did not know that was even an option. No, there was absolutely no warning to indicate the issue, only the check engine light would work and that issue has been temporarily resolved. Due to research, I, along with many others, have come to the conclusion that it is a fault in manufacturing where one of the resisters in the cluster was not soldered correctly causing a failure in connection. I believe there should have been a recall on the equipment, especially seeing as how common this issue is and that the product isn't even made/sold anymore. It is upsetting to see the ratio of 2 investigations compared to over 700 complaints.

- Boise , ID, USA

problem #22

Dec 292020

Malibu

  • 190,102 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Service stabilitrak and engine power reduced display at high speeds causing car to drastically decrease speed. Cannot be fixed. Have tried to repair for years

- Natchez, MS, USA

problem #21

Dec 232020

Malibu

  • 126,000 miles
Driving slow and when making turns the car starts to shut off if not given gas. The car has no shutoff multiple times when trying to make a slow turn. This last time I had to restart the car then the power sterring was out completly making it near impossible to turn.

- Clarkston, MI, USA

problem #20

Nov 112020

Malibu

  • 109,500 miles
I was traveling on 294 South using cruise control at 70 mph when the car started losing power but all internal app lights like the radio remained on and the steering wheel was still functional. Once the vehicle was put in parked it shut off. Only issue lights that appeared 1 week prior was the ABS sensor had malfunctioned on the front left tire. I attempted to jump the battery but it did not respond. Car had been parked and a friend who works on cars believes the engine is dead even though there shows 23% of oil left and no other symptoms of a blown engine. I have been goodland 2013 Chevy Malibu eco issues and other than potentially the starter it could be the computer that has died. I changed out the battery and it turns everything on, but struggles to crank and remain on. I came across several links regarding a recall due to computer, but honestly don't know if its even that. Mechanic friend believes it could also be the ECM.

- Melrose Park, IL, USA

problem #19

Aug 242020

Malibu

  • 94,137 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My 2013 Chevy Malibu is stalling while driving, and has a rough idle, my check engine light is not on, took to the car lot multiple times, they cleaned throttle and put new spark plugs on it, thought that took care of the problem but as I drove the car the same day it stalled on me again and their is little acceleration power.this all took place while driving on a main street.it seems alot of people with Malibu's are having this same problem and it seems no one knows what the problem is, this is very a noting to be paying for a vehicle which one can barely drive, not to mention it's very dangerous (kids are in the car) car just stalls and barely accelerates, someone could run into the back of you! please investigate this problem!

- Rock Island, IL, USA

problem #18

Feb 262020

Malibu

  • 80,000 miles
While on the road or highway the car power off and on while driving.it has happened on many occasions. It is dangerous

- Waldorf, MD, USA

problem #17

Jan 102019

Malibu 4-cyl

  • miles
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle lunged when the accelerator pedal was applied and there was a constant loss of power. The contact had to constantly pull the vehicle over to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to coyle Chevrolet Buick GMC (1801 broadway St, , in 47129, (812) 218-1100) and serviced under the warranty. After the warranty expired, the dealer diagnosed and replaced the sonly, sonly bolt, sonly generator, air conditioning compressor, flushed the coolant, replaced compressor kit(2), and performed additional repairs. However, the failures still occurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was not available.. consumer stated transmission was not the problem. Cam-actuators have dust which causes a car to flutter or die. Consumer told the mechanic that was not the problem there are of complaints with this same problem. As of 5/15/19 car is still in the shop.

- Charlestown, IN, USA

problem #16

Feb 102019

Malibu

  • 113,000 miles
Expressway.the radio blacked out, stopped playing and then the car started shutting down-everything!steering went out, radio, lights, blinkers, etc.I took it as slow as I could all the way home and got onto back roads.this proved to be even more hazardous-every time I turned the steering wheel it would start to shut down again & again, all the way home.I took the car to the dealer-fixed but now happening again.sometimes it happens quickly and recovers quickly enough that the engine is not involved.my warning sign is that the radio cuts out and the screen goes blank.that's when I know to prepare myself. Sometimes that is all that happens.other times it's major! I look for an escape route-can I get off the road quickly, are there other cars around me, brace both hands on the steering wheel, slow my speed and pray.2/10/19, I was driving 55+ mph on a 2 lane road.it was a fast radio out, fast engine wind down and out of power and door locks went on and off.there was a driveway for me to pull in to and assess the situation.engine then engaged and things seemed back to normal.I continued home, had 2 issues but I was going slower as I was aware this may happen again.I pulled over and continued each time.I had to stop at the store and was pulling into a parking spot and the car was trying to shut down and steering went out more than once until I finally got in the parking spot.drove home, parked.I went into the house an read the manual.I decided to go out and check my fuses.key fob did not work.doors were unlocked, got in car, put key in the ignition and car was totally dead.key would not come out of the ignition.my husband called tow truck in the am to jump.car would not jump so he had it towed to dealer where it is at this moment.I am afraid I'm going to be killed or cause someone else harm if they end up crashing into me because of the quick shut down and loss of steering!!!

- Chelsea, MI, USA

problem #15

Aug 102018

Malibu

  • 79,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The dashboard completely went out no gauges work, no fuses are blown and dealership doesn't know why

- Country Club Hills, IL, USA

problem #14

Sep 242018

Malibu

  • 118,000 miles
I was driving on the highway going 70mph and the car lost power and the service stabili track and reduce power messages came on and slowed down to 30mph. Thank god I got to pull over safely.my son and I had to be towed home

- Maricopa, AZ, USA

problem #13

Sep 212018

Malibu

  • 143,000 miles
Vehicle was traveling at highway speeds when all power cut out on Sept 5, 2018. Power restored within 10 seconds. Took to dealer on Sept. 6. no problem found. On Sept. 21 the vehicle lost power 3 separate times all at highway speeds again.

- Sidney, OH, USA

problem #12

Sep 052018

Malibu

  • 72,000 miles
Car is currently parked at a mechanic because I'm afraid to drive it. It began with the rpms going to 3000-4000 when barely pressing gas pedal. The car stalled after putting it in reverse nearly causing me to get hit, the engine light came on so we took it directly to our mechanic. The code for a bad cam solenoid was listed, and that was replaced. Drove it for about a week, still noticing issues with rpms, and when braking, the rpms would increase. Just had to drop it back off at mechanic because while going 30mph, the car when to 4000 rpms and the 'engine overspeed' light came on the dash, and the car was losing power. After I turned the car off, and restarted, the rpms would not go beyond 2000, and the fuel hand went to a full tank? this is completely ridiculous for a car with 70,000 miles, and GM should be held accountable. Thankfully I've not been involved in a car accident yet, but I'm fearful if I continue to drive this car, I'll not be able to say that!

- Gainesville, GA, USA

problem #11

Dec 202016

Malibu 4-cyl

  • 46,901 miles
I was driving my 2013 Chevy, Malibu with 46,901 miles at 80mph on the interstate when my car started loosing power and became uneasy to drive. The engine service light, stability track light, and engine power is reduced was illuminated on the dashboard. Prior to this incidence, my engine and stability track lighting would come on at random making the car difficulty to drive. I would take the car back to the Chevrolet dealership only to be told that the tech could not replicate/duplicate the engine light/stability track coming. The dealership had me to purchase a new battery and change spark plugs, but engine light/stability track continued to come on at random. Dealership advised that they could not fix anything that could not be replicated/duplicated.

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #10

Nov 222016

Malibu

  • 73,000 miles
I was driving to work going about 45 to 50 miles per hour on the highway, then my vehicle stalled, vibrated, and wouldn't go past 30 mph. Reduced engine power signal came on and traction control light and engine light came on. I then exited onto the feeder and coasted to work.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #9

Oct 072016

Malibu

  • 72,000 miles
I have had problem with the 2013 Malibu since I purchase it on October 22, 2015. On October 07,2016 me and my child almost got hit by a 18 wheeler getting off the interstate. I ran in the ditch to avoid having a accident. I look in the dash of the car and it stated that engine power is reduced and when I push the gas down it told me engine overspeed. The car is park now because I do not feel safe.

- Magnolia, MS, USA

problem #8

Jul 012016

Malibu

  • 51,000 miles
While driving, service air bags, service anti teft system, warnings come on, A/C, radio shut off aswell as gas, speed odometer, all gauges shut down.

- San Antoniio, TX, USA

problem #7

Jan 012016

Malibu

  • 12,700 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving approximately 15 mph, all the interior lights suddenly failed to function. In addition, the vehicle was making an abnormal noise coming from the engine compartment. The contact also stated that when the brake pedal was depressed, the accelerator pedal felt abnormally soft. Additionally, the ignition key failed to release from the ignition switch when the vehicle was turned off. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the technician informed that the failure was unable to be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 12,700.

- Lake Orion, MI, USA

problem #6

Dec 092014

Malibu 4-cyl

  • 34,000 miles
For no apparent reason the vehicle will stop and the electric controls will go off (lights, display indicators and signals)....car will stall as if I have turned it off with the ignition switch for no reason while I am driving. No warning whatsoever and have plenty of gas. I have to sometimes stop in the middle of traffic until I can regain some control of the vehicle. And at that point it will seem as though it is not fully functioning because all the indicators are displayed. (it seems that there is something wrong with the computer system).....

- Washington, DC, USA

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