2013 Chevrolet MALIBU ECO
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2013 Chevrolet MALIBU ECO has 154 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 154. The most common issue is electrical problems (32% of all complaints), specifically: auto stop will not engage unless rpm's are under 500..seldom will "auto stop" engage !!!! vehicle motor will not go slow enough to engage this feature..i have talked to service at chevrolet dealer, & they said the problem can happen at anytime & they don't know what to do about it????? i do, k. There is 1 recall issued for this model year. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.
154
Total Complaints
1
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
1.0x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
ELECTRICAL
49 complaints- • AUTO STOP WILL NOT ENGAGE UNLESS RPM'S ARE UNDER 500..SELDOM WILL "AUTO STOP" ENGAGE !!!! VEHICLE MOTOR WILL NOT GO SLOW ENOUGH TO ENGAGE THIS FEATURE..I HAVE TALKED TO SERVICE AT CHEVROLET DEALER, & THEY SAID THE PROBLEM CAN HAPPEN AT ANYTIME & THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT????? I DO, K
- • NEW CHEVY MALIBU 2013, CONTINUALLY FAILS TO RUN NORMAL. ELECTRIC SYSTEM AS WELL, AS ANY ELECTRONIC POWERED SYSTEMS TURN OFF WHILE "MID-DRIVING" RENDERING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE WITHOUT ANY GAUGE READOUTS AND OR LIGHTS AS WELL AS EXTERIOR LIGHTING. POTENTIALLY RENDERING DRIVERS( MY FAMILY) UNSAFE. VEHICL
- • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU ECO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 13V173000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE SERVICED. SEVERAL WEEKS AFTER THE REPAIRS, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL CRACKLING NOISE FROM TH TRUNK
“AUTO STOP WILL NOT ENGAGE UNLESS RPM'S ARE UNDER 500..SELDOM WILL "AUTO STOP" ENGAGE !!!! VEHICLE MOTOR WILL NOT GO SLOW ENOUGH TO ENGAGE THIS FEATURE..I HAVE TALKED TO SERVICE AT CHEVROLET DEALER, & THEY SAID THE PROBLEM CAN HAPPEN AT ANYTIME & THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT????? I DO, K”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2013 Chevrolet MALIBU ECO
Based on 146 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 57K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.
AIR BAGS
TRANSMISSION
FUEL SYSTEM
STEERING
BRAKES
ELECTRICAL
Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.
Recalls (1)
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.
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.
Fix: 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.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2013 Chevrolet MALIBU ECO
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Chevrolet MALIBU ECO Service Intervals
GM Oil Life System dynamically calculates oil change interval. DEXOS-approved oil required.
"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.
Chevrolet New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
These are the terms for a new Chevrolet. If you're buying a used 2013 MALIBU ECO, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Chevrolet dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 154 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐ELECTRICAL: AUTO STOP WILL NOT ENGAGE UNLESS RPM'S ARE UNDER 500..SELDOM WILL "AUTO STOP" ENGAGE !!!! VEHICLE MOTOR WILL NOT GO SLOW ENOUGH TO ENGAGE THIS FEATURE..I HAVE TALKED TO SERVICE AT CHEVROLET DEALER, & THEY SAID THE PROBLEM CAN HAPPEN AT ANYTIME & THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT????? I DO, K
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ENGINE: THE VEHICLE RPM'S DON'T GO LOW ENOUGH, TO INITIATE THE AUTO STOP.. IT ONLY GOES DOWN TO ABOUT 500 RPM'S, WHEN BRAKE, & NOT LOW ENOUGH TO ACTIVATE AUTO- STOP!! EVIDENTLY, THE MOTOR HAS TO GO TO ALMOST ZERO, TO KICK -IN... DEALER SERVICE DEPT DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO, OR TELL ME ??? WHAT SHOULD I DO N
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐STEERING: WHILE DRIVING STEERING SEEMS TO FEEL AS IF IT IS LOCKING UP. I HAVE TO GIVE IT A LITTLE TUG TO FREE IT AND THAT CAUSES THE CAR TO SWERVE A LITTLE. IT SEEMS LIKE SOMETHING IS HOLDING THE STEERING IN THAT POSITION, WHILE DRIVING THERE IS MOVEMENT IN THE STEERING. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS: I HAD FOUR RECALLS DONE ON 3/17/17 AT EMERSON CHEVY IN AUBURN, ME. 15176, 12212, 13142, AND 13342. CAR HAD BEEN TOWED TO DEALERSHIP WHEN IT DIED ON SIDE OF ROAD. THEN ABOUT TWO MONTHS LATER, IT DIES ON SIDE OF ROAD AGAIN (BATTERY NOT CHARGING AGAIN!!). PAID OVER $1,000 TO GOODWIN CHEVROLET IN OXF
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 1 recall have been completed — free at any Chevrolet dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Chevrolet MALIBU ECO — Year Comparison
How does 2013 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
Full years-to-avoid analysis →NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 154
- Recalls
- 1
- Fire reports
- 1
- Crash reports
- 7
- Injury reports
- 4
- Segment avg
- 154
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2013 Chevrolet MALIBU ECO