Most common 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco problems
Share of the 87 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Chevrolet Malibu Eco complaints by model year
2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco recalls (1)
Electrical system
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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco:
Generator Control Module Fires
On July 5, 2013 the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query RQ13-003 to investigate whether the service procedures utilized in recall bulletins 13136 and 13142 for safety recall 13V-173 were sufficient to identify the safety defect in the subject vehicles.These safety recalls were issue on May 3, 2013 to address the improper function of the Generator Control Module (GCM) in certain model year (MY)…
Sands Chevrolet/Hybrid System Fire/Stall
NHTSA opened AQ14-001 to determine whether Sands Chevrolet of Surprise, Arizona complied with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, 49 U.S.C. Chapter 301 (Safety Act) and its implementing regulations.
What 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco owners say
Electrical system all 49 →
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu ECO. The contact stated while at a stop light, the power steering was difficult to turn, and the vehicle stalled. The Service battery charging system displayed and the check engine and battery warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was repaired by the contact. The contact stated that the alternator and the starter had failed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 174,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco. While driving 45-70 MPH, the battery saver mode warning indicator illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle until someone provided jumper cables to jumpstart the vehicle. The contact stated that there was a smoke odor emitting from the trunk of the vehicle. Upon inspecting the vehicle, there was no evidence of a fire. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 13V173000 (electrical system). The manufacturer and dealer were contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000. Updated 08/22/17 the consumer stated the vehicle's failure persisted.
Engine & cooling all 23 →
While driving into chicago on a busy interstate hwy a warning displayed on the dash "service generator control module," before I could reach a service center the voltage began to drop and electrical components failed (lights, steering & brake assist, etc. The engine subsequently stopped. Fortunately I was able to maneuver to the shoulder. The battery was completely dead, no electrical systems worked, e.g. Emergency flashers, couldn't remove ignition key. After waiting 4 hours for tow truck, towed to rogers Chevrolet in chicago. Vehicle sat on the lot two days, then service tech said vehicle started and ran normally with no fault indications. Vehicle continues to operate normally. Dealer advises to bring vehicle back when it fails. …
Takara recall I had my car in multiple times in a dealership bergstrom like five times and every time they work on it there's something else wrong . The car has electrical issues the radio turns on and off by itself . The temperature thing became on for high temps when the ac is off.I had replaced multiple sensors replaced like the crankshaft sensor. My car shut off on me through the drive-through . It has a rough time is starting sometimes and stalls . Now it's saying something about an oil pressure sensor o2 sensor. Couple times I heard the car backfire so I got a new Cadillac converter. I've even have smelled some smells like burning. I hear a clunking noise in the front when I go over a little bumps or when I turn really sharp not going fast. …
Steering
Nov 2014 I got a safety steering issue with is call took it to the deal action Chevy 2 times they did nothing about letter # 14232 on 6/21/2015 I had an accident because of this steering safet issue that GM/Chevy did not do anything about they did not do a recall because it would cost millons of dollars I got blamed for the accident that was because of GM/Chevy all GM/Chevy did was open a case # 8-1613872160 on 10/9/15 and GM/Chevy did nothing
Vehicle make, model, and year: 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco vehicle VIN no.: [redacted] incident date: 06/21/2015 incident time: 10:40:00 am incident location: [redacted] approximate monetary value: 100000 are you willing to testify in court regarding this complaint? (x)yes( )no did you complain directly to the business? (x)yes( )no if so, who? Chevy customer accurance what was the response from the business? Case #[redacted] nothing on 9/7/2015 I bought this brand new Chevy Malibu Eco with a sticker price of over $28.000 dollars there where many issues and recalls back in nov 2014 I got a letter from Chevy regarding a safety issue with the steering in this car GM did not do a recall as you know it would have cost them millons of dollars to do a recall instead they sent this letter out I took the letter to the Chevy dealer 2 times they did nothing on 6/21/15 I was coming from seeing my …
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco a good car?
There isn't enough complaint history for the Malibu Eco to compare model years reliably. So far owners have filed 87 complaints with NHTSA.
What is the most common problem with the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco?
The electrical system — 49 complaints, 56% of all complaints for this model year, most often about propulsion system › traction battery. Next are the engine & cooling (23) and steering (16).
How many recalls does the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco have?
There is 1 recall for the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco, the most recent from May 6, 2013 (electrical system). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 54,000 miles; 45% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.