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.
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. An unknown orange warning indicator flashed as she attempted to start the vehicle. The contact had to use a spare key in order to start the vehicle. On another occasion, the spare key also failed to start the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact to take the vehicle to a Chevrolet dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 121,000.
The entire electrical system will randomly shut down causing loss of power steering, power brakes, entire dashboard, all lights, hazard lights etc. This can happen at any time, on the freeway, stopped at a light, parked etc. Sometimes it goes dark and restarts itself while driving....sometimes it goes dark and won't restart for minutes or longer while in traffic without working hazard lights. If parked, it can't be taken out of 'park" to push it out of traffic or try to start it in "neutral" and the key can't be removed from the ignition.there are no error codes to diagnose the issue and it won't ever happen while it is in the shop (of course) this is the ultimate safety hazard to me and my family.
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the instrument cluster warning indicators were flickering and the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the dimmer switch and battery were drained and needed to be replaced. The contact called rick hendrick Buick (3244 commerce ave nw, duluth, ga 30096, (770) 954-8718) and informed them of the failures. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 85,000.
My battery completely died and I needed a jump. The jump ended up not working so I purchased a new battery. Now the airbag light is on and will not go off. After researching this problem I see that this is a known issue and still no recall on this problem. I have a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu eco. The forums are saying it's a problem with the SDM component. Codes B101D-00(electronic control unit hardware) and U0184-00(lost communication with radio).
The timing chain in the engine is bad and there is a loud noise. The car shuts down at a stop and will not always restart. Also the gps/radio screen started going off and on and then completely went dark.
- Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 40 mph on the freeway, the steering seized and the vehicle lost power without warning. The contact managed to veer the vehicle to the shoulder of the road. The vehicle failed to restart and the key would not release from the ignition. Approximately two hours later, the vehicle did not resume normal operation. The failure recurred multiple times. The manufacturer and dealer were made aware of the failure. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 13V173000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was approximately 66,000. The vehicle was towed to do the dealer and consumer was told it was not electrical problem but block cable was replaced.
As I am driving either on the highway at over 70 mph or in the city I have lost all power to the vehicle. Loss of power steering, power breaks everything. The car shuts completely down and just before all the check engine and service lights flash through. This has happened 4 times and the last time I was pulling into apple valley motors in martinsburg wv parking lot, lost power and hit the curb and blew out a tire because I lost power steering. The dealer will do nothing about it there are many of the same complaints for the same problem on Chevy Malibu forum. Com finally someone suggested that we should report the problem here. I have had to put 3 batteries in the year that I owned it. Not only this but the transmission and engine both went bad at the same time. I only have 86K on it. I contacted both GM and Chevy and explained the situation and neither one will assist me. They gave me a case number but in the end they said there is nothing they can do because all warranties have expired. ( they expired because of the date, I am still under the mileage portion of the warranty) as of right now my car is at the dealership because I can't afford to have it fixed and the dealership, GM/Chevy or the third party warranty that expired 8 days after they replaced the transmission will not help either. Luckily I only hit a curb at a very slow speed. I could have killed someone. This has happened both on the highway and in the city while I am in motion. The dealership that I purchased it at had to change the battery in the trunk during the first 30 days that I owned it. That fixed the problem for a while. But I don't know if that is the cause of this problem or not. The first time this happened was app 4 months ago and has happened a total of 4 times since then. And still the no one will help or look into the issue. The most recent was last week.
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 70 mph, the vehicle completely shut off without warning. The contact was able to coast the vehicle off the highway and attempted to have the engine jumpstarted. Once the vehicle was jumpstarted, the vehicle experienced total electrical failure. Also, the key would not eject from the ignition switch. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who stated that the battery was drained. The mechanic charged the battery. While driving home, the failure recurred as the contact pulled into the driveway. After the failure occurred, the check engine warning indicator flashed. The contact called hall Chevrolet Buick GMC (385 w dallas St, canton, tx 75103, 903-567-8148) and was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle and no further assistance was offered. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 129,000.
This happened two days in a row I was driving me so me turning a corner and my car just stopped steer wheel locked up could move the car or nothing near had an accident I'm a petrified because I don't know when this god happens again I vaule my life this recall seriously needs to be looked into I worked hard many long days to save to get this car just for it to turn out bad I seriously need help with this life threatening issue.
While my wife was driving home the other day on a city street in a 20 mile zone the instrument panel went black..took to dealer they say they have never heard of this issue...so I believed them...till I get home and do a little research...there are hundreds of this complaint here on this site...next day I go to service manager...his reply I have been here 13 years and never seen this...oh I think someone is blowing smoke"? who knows the truth?? I have read many complaints of this issue...I dont know what to do except pay these guys...oh...one more thing before I go...if I ordered the part from them it was 275.00...I said I want the core to have it inspected. Independantly...oh thatll be $500 dollars please....what 500 for a core charge...now it really smells fishy...so I bought a new one from another dealer for 56.00....how does it smell now ??..big corporate cover up?"...seems this is a common problem with about 62 to 75 K miles with this model
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 40 mph, the charging system error warning indicator illuminated. The contact mentioned that the battery did not hold a charge. An unknown local dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle was previously inspected for the failure. No further assistance was provided. The vehicle was not taken to an dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving, the battery in the engine compartment drained all of the power and shut off the engine. As a result, the power steering and brakes also shut off. The contact had to place two feet on the brake pedal to stop the vehicle and maneuver the steering wheel without power steering ability. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer, independent mechanic, or manufacturer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The failure mileage was 84,000.
While driving 385 miles from home the dashboard battery light comes on. We had just replaced the battery 1 month prior to this event. Turned the center screen to the volt meter to watch the car slowly drain the new battery. The voltage would go down, then go up, but never as far as it was before the decline. Pulled the car into a supercenter parking lot and lost all power steering, all power brakes, there was absolutely no warning this was going to happen, thank goodness I got off the freeway. At 80 mph there would have been no control. We had just enough engine to limp the car into a parking space and avoid getting hit by other cars in this busy parking lot. Bought new battery tester, new battery, and tools to the sum of $250 make necessary repairs in parking lot. I had no choice, we were stranded far from home in 97 deg. Heat. Turned North to head home, while watching the car devour a brand new battery. Once again the volt meter from 14.4 volts to 13.5, then back to 14.3 to 13.4 the new battery was going to have a short life. We made it 50 miles on the freeway and the volt meter was down to 11.8 from a new 14.4 when purchased. Turned to the nearest town 35 miles East. Worried the car was going to shut down on a two lane highway traveling at 80 mph. Hoping the steering would not go out with out warning again. The scariest situation I have ever been in, there was no where for us to go if it did. Made it to a local auto parts store, just to find out that in 85 miles the car had drained the new battery we got a jump start and limped to a local hotel. Once again having to pullout onto a busy highway with no steering, no brakes, and no way home. We called a family member and they set off on the 5 hr drive to come tow us home. We rented a car dolly and pulled our broken car the entire way home. It sits in the drive way as I type this giving no codes for me to follow.
Generator control module- engine is stalling and completely shutting off when stopped or slowing down at intersection or stopped at lights or stop signs. Switching from hybrid to gas
My car keeps losing power. It starts with the radio flashing on and off. Then the steering locks up. The car sometimes shuts all the way off. It starts back up but it will shut off while driving. I purchased the car May 2019. It has happened several times. Most recently 9/16/2019. Driving the radio flashed the steering wheel tightened. It didnt shut down. But it when through that process like 5-6 times back to back. When researching the issue I see my car is not the only car having this problem. It appears to be a wide spread issue with the 2013 Chevy Malibu. It should be addressed.
2013 Malibu eco eassist there is a recall for this type of car, the car is in the shop and need a generator control module..according to her VIN # they are saying that it doesn't apply to this vehicle.. but it's the same type of car that the recall is on. The car while running on highway for 50 miles or more will start the loss of battery charging. If you continue to drive the car will cutoff and have to be towed. This has happened on two or three occasions.
The electrical system will randomly shuts down. Usually starts with the entertainment console, and progresses to the power steering, and eventually a full power shut down. Stationary or while driving, doesn't matter, complete shut down. Vehicle does restart as if nothing happened. Dealership and GM no help. This problem has been ongoing since 2018 with multiple dealership services, and 2 seperate complaints to GM. 2 near miss collisions due to power steering loss.
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. While attempting to drive the vehicle, it failed to start and all the warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was jumpstarted by the contact's spouse and driven to the contact's residence. The contact took the vehicle to an auto retail store and an unknown Chevrolet dealer and was informed that a new battery was needed. The contact purchased a new battery; however, a week later, while driving approximately 30 mph, the vehicle lost power, all the warning indicators illuminated again, the steering wheel became difficult to turn, and the vehicle did not stop when the brake pedal was depressed. As a result, the contact rear ended a bus. The contact sustained bruising and soreness to the arms, neck, wrist, shoulder, and back that required medical attention. A police report was filed. Afterwards, a message displayed indicating that the vehicle was losing power and it would not hold a charge when it was jumpstarted. As soon as the jumper cables were removed, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and was later taken to Chevrolet of homewood (18033 halsted St, homewood, il 60430, (708) 251-4692). The dealer stated that they would not diagnose the vehicle until the body damage was repaired. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,009.
Instrument panel powers off while driving, says service air bag, service tire monitor system, service theft deterrent system. Radio powers off also with message that says lost communication with telematics module. Air conditioner powers off also. Last from anywhere from 1 min to 20 mins. Not showing speed odometer, gas, or rpms on dash board. Happened to me about 20 times in the last month while driving, feel the need to have something to be done after researching they have alot of complaints about this same problem
19 August 2019 on this day twice I experience loss of power on the vehicle and power steering. Luckily I did not hit any cars. Was driving below 35 mph the first incident is when I came to a red light the radio turn off first then the car felt sluggish and the engine shut down lost control of everything and was coasting. Vehicle gain power by it self and resume operations. During every light I stop it felt like it wanted to lose power. Came to a parking lot driving around 5 mph completely the car shut off first radio and then whole vehicle this time it did not gain power by it self. Had to place the vehicle in park turn the key off and restart it was able to park it. After reading here seems a lot of people are having this issue an immediate investigation should be open because this can possibly happen in the highway if I lose control power in the power steering I could potentially crash of get hit by a car. Call GM and they said they do not have a bulletin ask them for an address to submit a formal complaint and was given one. I don't think GM cares hopefully you guys can look into the issue and get and answer as to why is happening consumers should not have to pay a diagnostic fee and not get answers
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Lenexa, KS, USA