Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
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 was looking up some info and noticed that some 2012-2014 Chevy malibu had an issue with the front and rear defrost not properly working . How would I know if my car was involved in that recall or if it was fixed. Because right now I am having trouble with front windshield defrost and also the rear window defrost and I see that was a recall and I don't know if my car was done
Car is stuck in heat. Sometimes the controls come on by themselves and hard to turn off. Heat does not defrost the window it sometime make it worse and hard to see while driving. Was told that it is not the compressor but the wiring and programming of the control system. A recall for other years have been issued for similar issues. This is the third report filed.
The window on the passenger side in the rear was found to be shattered. The car was in a private home garage, there was no glass outside the garage and the window glass was bowed toward the outside. The car was unlocked and there was nothing missing. Thus there was no vandalism, no object from the outside hit the window, and nothing from the inside hit the window. It is my supposition that the glass was not tempered correctly.I live in tampa and it was ~90 degrees the day before I noted the shattered glass. I had been using the air conditioner.if the glass was not tempered correctly the change in temperature would cause the glass to shatter. This could be a problem for other windows in my car and in other GM autos. General motors has refused to pay the $346 it cost to repair the window. They want to "test" the glass. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the heat worked in the vehicle; however, the defrost did not work without warning. An unknown local dealer was contacted; however, due to the amount of the diagnostic test, the appointment was not scheduled. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but they were unavailable to diagnose the failure and there were no relay codes. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and provided case number: 8-3447350312. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in any open recalls and recommended taking the vehicle to be diagnosed for the failure. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving approximately 45 MPH on a roadway, the tempered glass fractured from outside the vehicle. The visor was closed and prevented the glass from completely entering the vehicle and impacting the contact's visibility. The dealer was contacted (vermilion Chevrolet Buick GMC, 1615 georgetown rd, tilton, il 61833, [phone]), but the vehicle was not diagnosed. The insurance company was notified. The VIN was not available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the defrost was not functional without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the electronic climate control software was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 13V567000 (visibility). The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving in inclement weather, the defroster and air conditioning unit ceased to function. The vehicle was taken to phillips Chevrolet (1730 torrence ave, lansing, il), but was not diagnosed due to limited staffing. The contact stated that the battery was replaced and the fuses were checked, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 49,519.
Climate control issues. Fan is stuck at one speed on passenger side and will not heat. When A/C compressor is on it blows ice cold air. When heat is on it also blows ice cold air, no matter the setting whether in "Sync" mode or not. The climate zone does not change from high to low of vice versa. This causing heating issues in colder weather and defroster issues on passenger side of vehicle.
Blend door functions do not work properly. Dual climate control only allows heat to drivers side of vehicle. Passenger side blows A/C cold air no matter if A/C is on or off. Periodically drivers side only works on defrost or feet only settings. Have to have heat to foot setting and stuff blanket under passenger side dash to heat car in winter. I cannot defrost entire window.
Used switch to roll down passenger window, touch screen went black, came back on maybe after 30 sec or so. While driving touch screen occ black out, all electronic go out , no turn signal, no digital speed, power steering. After fueling went to start car, it wouldn't start, no lights no power at all, did this three times in one day. I hadn't had car thirty days.
Related recalls
Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles October 24, 2011, to March 5, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the Slide or Tilt switch for the roof panel may not be adequately recessed to prevent the switch from inadvertently being pressed.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the Body Control Module (BCM) software to remove auto-close feature for certain switch positions, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2015.
Window & Wiper complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 30 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, 4% of the model year's 837 complaints. The component named most often is glass, side/rear (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2013 Chevrolet Malibu window & wiper problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 15V-164 (sun/moon roof assembly, Mar 23, 2015). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2013 Chevrolet Malibu window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 89,000 miles, and 21% 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.