Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Chevrolet Malibu owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
While my daughter has been driving our 2013 Chevrolet Malibu 2013, the vehicle continues to experience add loss of electric power. The dashboard display and infortainment system went down black. The problem first began -2019-2020 and continues to recur about once or twice a month. The most recent incident occurred on September 18, 2025, with my daughter behind the wheel. An independentc mechanic confirmed that cause is a manufacturer's defect in the fuse box located near the battery. He stated this is a widespread issue and refused to repair it, advising Chevrolet should address it. Chevrolet Waldorf kept my car for over a month but only replaced the battery, could find the issue, which did not resolve the defect. This recurring failure creates a serious safety risk to the driver, passenger, and others on the road because the car can lose power and steering at anytime. …
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. …
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. …
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.
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. …
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. …
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.
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!
Tl* 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.
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).....
Acceleration complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, 3% of the model year's 837 complaints. The component named most often is cruise control (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2013 Chevrolet Malibu acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, though it has 10 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2013 Chevrolet Malibu acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 72,000 miles, and 27% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.