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).
I brought my 2013 Malibu LT in March of 2021. When I test drove and took it to autozone to get a diagnosis before buying the car nothing was wrong with it. After having the car for about 3 months the problems started. When I went to get it checked again it said that my alternator wasn't working correctly how it should do I replaced the alternator. After getting the alternator replaced my car still stalls while driving and acts like it doesn't want to go. When I try to start my car it barely turns over to start. While I'm driving I can't turn on the radio or lights because it makes my car power go out. The radio lights turn on and off. When I put car in reverse it shuts off. When I'm driving the car shuts off out of nowhere and I have to put it in park and turn it back on. Sometimes it takes awhile to turn back on. …
While driving my 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, the electrical system intermittently fails: the radio shuts off, the instrument cluster goes blank (gauges drop to zero, fuel/temperature show empty), headlights flicker off then on, and turn-signal indicators disappear. Warning messages such as "Service Theft" and "No Key Detected" appear, power steering becomes difficult, and the vehicle shakes, stalls, or even turns off completely at stop signs. Sometimes the engine continues running even after the car is shut off, overheating and producing a burnt smell. These failures began months ago, occur unpredictably, and have been witnessed by an independent shop. The loss of lights, steering, and cluster data creates a serious safety hazard, and the vehicle is available for inspection.
The Generator control module failed on the vehicle causing the battery to lose charge and then the car to shut down. When looking for the part online I came across a bulletin 13142c which talked about the same exact issue that I faced. according to the bulletin the gcm was to have been replaced, however when searching the service history at the Chevy dealer there was a note that the gcm had been inspected, but never replaced. I am looking into this matter to see if I can be reimbursed for the costs of the labor and parts related to the gcm. On a side note this failure did come directly after the car was in a accident where the driverside front end of the car was damaged. The technicians said that the gcm failure had no relationship to the accident.
Driving 55mph on cruise control, I heard a warning chime. Looked at dash and the words engine power is reduced were on the screen. I looked for a symbol on the dash to tell me more and saw the engine symbol was on. The car didn't perform out of character from already going 55 on cruise. Nothing changed in the engine performance. I continued toward home as that was my destination and was less than 15 miles from home. I parked the car in my garage, turned off the engine, waited a few seconds, then started the engine again. The warning came on right away. I called the dealer who I'm leasing the car from but it was a Saturday afternoon and they were closed. I did leave them a message to call me on Monday and why. …
The vehicle was purchased from a dealership in June of 2020. Since owning the vehicle, the vehicle has had nothing but issues. Major issues including a stalling/puttering vibration when stopped at a light as well as just starting the car, it has an extremely loud start and rough. Have had this vehicle in and out of the dealership multiple times including one visit taking 3 weeks with a rental I was given. The issues are still all here, including an overheating with my warning systems not giving any sort of signs or lights, OnStar thankfully told me to get the vehicle in immediately as I was in the red for overheating and the fan still continues to work after the car has been off for a few minutes. A smell of burning comes from the car everyday and overall doesn't feel safe. …
While driving down the road on 7/10/16 my 2013 Chevy Malibu lost power, engine light and traction control light came on and went from 55-60 MPH to 20 MPH. When trying to accelerate more the car could shake violently. After stopping and turning the car off it would not restart. The car was towed to kerry Chevrolet in alexandria, ky. After diagnostic testing they determined that the fuel pump needed replaced. On 8/10/16 while driving down the highway while in vacation in florida the car again started to lose power, the engine began to slip or miss and jerk. Again engine light came on. Car died three times while on the road trying to get it to a safe place for a tow truck to tow it. It was taken to a dealership and the cam shaft sensor was replaced. Car continues to hesitate and miss.
The exhaust and power have issues...check engine light is always on and power to system is reduced. Fuel economy has decreased severely. Check engine light will not go off. Exhaust coming from tailpipe even after car has been running awhile. This issue happens when the vehicle is running and operating. Second issue is the trunk latch! The vehicle has an outside trunk release button. When vehicle is completely locked, the trunk will open on it's own! We will come out to the car with the trunk wide open when we know we have locked it completely. Checked, double checked, even triple checked but we will still come out to a vehicle with the trunk wide open! This trunk opening issue happens when the car is parked and off but, locked!
I have kept up regular maintenance on it. The vehicle now has an issues with stalling while stopped at a light or stop sign after driving it of and on throughout the day. The Chevy dealership can't figure it out and I've spent several hundred dollars taking it to other repair shops. It can be a safe issue if I'm in the middle of an interstate at a stop trying to turn and I need to accelerate. I haven't seen any recalls for this model. I have having this problem starting back in 2020...we replaced the fuel pump thinking that was the problem but nothing...it even does it when I'm trying to park
States ac auto off due to high engine temp when starting car first thing in the morning during winter times, check engine light comes on temperature guage broke, car shows fluid in overflow for radiator, oil levels fine, power car off and fan keeps running with key removed from car, can't tell if engine is vet heating blows luke warm air but all fluids remain normal, theft monitor light comes on occasionally is this an electrical issue? No recall open related on going issue, won't drive to avoid blowing a head gasket, water pump is in tact no issues nor no oil or fluid leaks- help!!!!
The 2013 Chevrolet Malibu turns off or completely de-energizes during operation. On three occasions over the last 2 weeks, the vehicle has turned off or completely de-energized while traveling speeds of between 10 and 35 MPH. On one occasion, the vehicle turned off or completely de-energized while in stop and go traffic. On two separate occasions, the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu has turned off or completely de-energized in the middle of a turn. This occurred once in the face of oncoming traffic during a left turn at an intersection and once during a right turn.
Fuel System complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 34 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, 4% of the model year's 837 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2013 Chevrolet Malibu fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion system 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 fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 23% before 25,000 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.