Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).
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 driving my vehicle the rear toe link broke leaving me stranded on the side of the road. With no dealers close I replaced the passenger rear toe link to get the car mobile again. Once that was done I called the dealer to setup an appointment to do the recall repair. After dropping the car off at the dealer I received a call back stating that I would need to replace my OEM lug nuts at an inflated dealer price in order for them to do the repair. My issue is that these OEM lug nuts should also be included in the recall because I've done nothing to create an issue with the lug nuts. Swelling lug nuts is a major ongoing issue among the big 3 automakers and this should be corrected. Allowing the companies to sell cars with low quality lug nuts is insane. …
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the rear tow link fractured. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V633000 (Suspension) and the contact was informed that the lug nuts were swollen. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 250,000.
I have contacted the dealer multiple times since August 2021(first notification of the official recall). I am told that I am in a waiting list because the manufacturer(GM) has not provided the repair parts. I have contacted the Customer Assistance Number provided on the recall letter multiple times with no results. I filled out the manufacturer survey based on the contacts to the assistance number indicating my dissatisfaction and requested a follow up contact. No results. I keep getting notices from the manufacturer that I have not had the recall fixed and the dealer will not fix it. I feel stuck.
While driving straight ahead on a city street, at approximately 30-35mph, the axle shaft on the front, right side of the car broke. The broken axle shaft caused an accident where my car went to the right and I hit the back-left side of a van; that impact sent the right side of the car up in the air where I was only traveling on the two left wheels. Although I thought my car was going to flip and Land on it's roof, the car did come back down on the right wheels, but landed/hit the front of the van and the back of a pick-up truck.
These problems occurred on paved or concrete city streets. At least once last month and 3 times this month I experienced transient episodes of what I categorize as power steering failure while driving. Three of these times were at reduced speeds less than 20 MPH during a turn and once traveling 65 MPH down a straight section of the highway. On two of the turning events I managed to avoid head on collisions with other vehicles at the intersection/parking entrance. These episodes are short durations and May be characterized by sudden stiffness in the wheel, jerking to one side or what seems like a power steering failure. On the last event today a power loss to my console was noted. …
My Malibu started making a strange noise shortly after I passed the 40000 mile mark back in late November of 2016. I thought it might be tires as they were original to the vehicle so I replaced all 4 but the noise was still there. I then went on line to investigate if other Malibu owners were having similar problems. I discovered that there were multiple cases like mine that involved the wheel hub assembly failing on this particular vehicle. I purchased two new rear wheel assembly's and installed them which took care of the problem. Even the person at the auto parts store shared with me that he had replaced 3 on his fathers Malibu. I have never had a wheel hub assembly fail on any vehicle I have owned let alone one with less than 41000 miles on it. If I had not replaced the parts when I did I do not know what the consequence might have been when the parts failed completely. …
The ABS light has come on stating that I did not have stabil track control anymore. This happened when I was entering a busy road when I spun tires on some gravel on pavement road surface. It happened when I spun tires on a icy road driving at about 35 miles an hour due to road conditions. It happened when I was driving down a dry pavement state highway at 65 miles an hour. A total of three times. Every time it was the same problem but different wheels. It has happened with lr, rr and rf wheels part replaced was 13589507w-(s) wheel bearing assembly. The problem is the encoder ring which is part of this assembly is cracked, pieces gone or the whole thing gone. There was not a problem with earlier versions of this encoder ring. …
I am the 2nd owner of my 2013 Chevy Malibu ltz we bought at 19,000 miles, it has been in the shop more than any car I have had!! When I first got it the wheel bearings went out and not just one they went out one by one at end expenses of $900 at one time at xmas!! It's been running good now, it now has 130,000 miles on it. But from day one the rims have been peeling off they had some coating over it and it's slowly peeling off making my car look really bad!! I called Chevy and they refused to give me any replacement rims! Now we are in the process of sand blasting them and painting them. But why Chevy wouldn't replace these ans make their own cars look cheap and crappy is beyond me!! I'm just hoping my car isn't going to have all these stalling issues that people are having! I plan to drive this car until it's a rust bucket!! Lol ;-)
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 30 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal noise coming from the rear of the vehicle without warning. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer (transwest Chevrolet Buick, 1200 w main st, sterling, co, 80751) where it was diagnosed that the speed sensor and rear passenger wheel hub failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided case number: 8-3108717924. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the drive train warranty and that the bumper to bumper warranty had expired. The manufacturer informed the contact to call NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 69,900.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 50 MPH, the windshield wipers failed and caused the instrument panel lights to flicker. The failure continued until the instrument panel dimmed completely. The dealer diagnosed that there was a loose battery cable. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure continued intermittently. In addition, while turning the vehicle, the wheels seized and the instrument panel lights dimmed. The vehicle was restarted, but the failure recurred. The contact notified the manufacturer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 34,200.
Wheel & Tire complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are wheel & tire problems on the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 31 complaints about the wheels & tires of the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, 4% of the model year's 837 complaints. The component named most often is temporary/emergency spare tire (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2013 Chevrolet Malibu wheel & tire problems?
No. NHTSA lists no wheels & tires 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 wheel & tire problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 41,000 miles, and 35% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to wheels & tires 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.