2013 Chevrolet MALIBU
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2013 Chevrolet MALIBU has 1382 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.5x the segment average of 561. The most common issue is electrical problems (27% of all complaints), specifically: our malibu was just purchased with 9 miles new on january 31st and has the easiest eco feature which is supposed to shut down the vehicle at stops. our vehicle is not shutting down. the dealership states there is no known issue, bulletin, or recall for this. any information would be helpful thank y. There are 10 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 9 fire reports filed.
1382
Total Complaints
10
Recalls Issued
5/5
Safety Stars
2.5x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
ELECTRICAL
375 complaints- • OUR MALIBU WAS JUST PURCHASED WITH 9 MILES NEW ON JANUARY 31ST AND HAS THE EASIEST ECO FEATURE WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO SHUT DOWN THE VEHICLE AT STOPS. OUR VEHICLE IS NOT SHUTTING DOWN. THE DEALERSHIP STATES THERE IS NO KNOWN ISSUE, BULLETIN, OR RECALL FOR THIS. ANY INFORMATION WOULD BE HELPFUL THANK Y
- • TRUNK OPENS AUTOMATICALLY WHEN KEY FOB IS CARRIED IN PANTS POCKETS..I'VE TRIED SHIELDING THE FOB, BUT IT IS JUST TO SENSITIVE FOR NORMAL USE!!! I GOT DIFFERENT FOB, BUT IT STILL OPENING MY TRUNK, & I DON'T REALIZE IT, TILL I RETURN TO CAR... MY CAR IS NOT IN A GARAGE, & IN MORNINGS, THE TRUNK IS W
- • WHEN GETTING GAS AFTER STARTING CAR HOT AIR COMES OUT OF THE HEATER VENT'S EVEN WHEN CAR IS TURNED OFF.AT TIMES DOES THIS MOST OF THE TIME WHEN GETTING FUEL' WHEN I TURN OFF ENG.ITS STOPS. *TR
“OUR MALIBU WAS JUST PURCHASED WITH 9 MILES NEW ON JANUARY 31ST AND HAS THE EASIEST ECO FEATURE WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO SHUT DOWN THE VEHICLE AT STOPS. OUR VEHICLE IS NOT SHUTTING DOWN. THE DEALERSHIP STATES THERE IS NO KNOWN ISSUE, BULLETIN, OR RECALL FOR THIS. ANY INFORMATION WOULD BE HELPFUL THANK Y”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2013 Chevrolet MALIBU
Based on 994 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 70K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.
SPEED CONTROL
BODY/STRUCTURE
WHEELS
TIRES
SEATS/RESTRAINTS
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 (10)
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."
Risk: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Above-average theft risk
The Chevrolet MALIBU was the #19 most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025, with approximately 5,300 thefts reported to law enforcement.
Notes: Popular midsize sedan
Source: NICB Hot Wheels 2025 report + HLDI theft loss studies. Model-year ranking; not all years of this model have identical risk.
Fuel Cost Calculator for 2013 Chevrolet MALIBU
Live EIA pricesBased on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.
5-Year Gas Price History
EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → todaySource: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2013 Chevrolet MALIBU
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 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, 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 1382 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐ELECTRICAL: OUR MALIBU WAS JUST PURCHASED WITH 9 MILES NEW ON JANUARY 31ST AND HAS THE EASIEST ECO FEATURE WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO SHUT DOWN THE VEHICLE AT STOPS. OUR VEHICLE IS NOT SHUTTING DOWN. THE DEALERSHIP STATES THERE IS NO KNOWN ISSUE, BULLETIN, OR RECALL FOR THIS. ANY INFORMATION WOULD BE HELPFUL THANK Y
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ENGINE: OUR MALIBU WAS JUST PURCHASED WITH 9 MILES NEW ON JANUARY 31ST AND HAS THE EASIEST ECO FEATURE WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO SHUT DOWN THE VEHICLE AT STOPS. OUR VEHICLE IS NOT SHUTTING DOWN. THE DEALERSHIP STATES THERE IS NO KNOWN ISSUE, BULLETIN, OR RECALL FOR THIS. ANY INFORMATION WOULD BE HELPFUL THANK Y
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐STEERING: MY SON WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN THE CARS STEERING DRASTICALLY PULLED HIM TOTALLY OFF THE ROAD !!!! LUCKY THERE WAS NO ONE TO THE RIGHT OF HIM THEY WOULD OF BEAN KILLED .THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM! THE DEALER IS TRYING TO BRUSH IT OFF LIKE NOTHING HAPPENED. NILES SALES & SERVICE KEY WEST F
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐OTHER: ON MY WAY TO WORK TODAY I HAD A FLAT TIRE, WHICH RESULTED IN ME HAVING TO CALL ONSTAR BECAUSE THERE WAS NO SPARE OR JACK IN THE TRUCK. ONCE I CALLED ON STAR IT TOOK THEM THREE TIMES CALLING ME BACK TO GET ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE ON THE PHONE. I WAS STUCK FOR TWO AND A HALF HOURS BEFORE THE TOW TRUCK EV
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 10 recalls have been completed — free at any Chevrolet dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Chevrolet MALIBU — Year Comparison
How does 2013 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 1382
- Recalls
- 10
- Fire reports
- 9
- Crash reports
- 42
- Injury reports
- 38
- Segment avg
- 561
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2013 Chevrolet MALIBU