Electrical complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 | 36% | — |
| 2024 | 18 | 42% | — |
| 2023 | 12 | 17% | 31,000 miles |
| 2022 | 33 | 33% | 30,000 miles |
| 2021 | 30 | 33% | 72,000 miles |
| 2020 | 57 | 29% | 23,000 miles |
| 2019 | 62 | 32% | 45,000 miles |
| 2018 | 192 | 27% | 47,000 miles |
| 2017 | 161 | 23% | 51,000 miles |
| 2016 | 222 | 26% | 52,000 miles |
| 2015 | 68 | 25% | 54,000 miles |
| 2014 | 86 | 25% | 65,000 miles |
| 2013 | 376 | 45% | 76,000 miles |
| 2012 | 291 | 32% | 88,000 miles |
| 2011 | 235 | 24% | 80,000 miles |
| 2010 | 295 | 22% | 85,000 miles |
| 2009 | 367 | 24% | 90,000 miles |
| 2008 | 233 | 24% | 82,000 miles |
| 2007 | 113 | 12% | 120,000 miles |
| 2006 | 142 | 13% | 98,000 miles |
| 2005 | 180 | 18% | 104,000 miles |
| 2004 | 151 | 13% | 90,000 miles |
| 2003 | 289 | 51% | 80,000 miles |
| 2002 | 259 | 46% | 78,000 miles |
| 2001 | 285 | 40% | 88,000 miles |
| 2000 | 199 | 22% | 80,000 miles |
| 1999 | 144 | 18% | 86,000 miles |
| 1998 | 130 | 13% | 93,000 miles |
| 1997 | 87 | 20% | 89,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Unknown, I parked the vehicle, got out of it, left car running for AC, locked the doors. The car was in park. Locks unlocked door, rear view camera display cut off, AC still running. I am viewing a house, so I walk around house and car still in park, 0-5min. I go in the house, 10-15 later, out of habit hit the lock buttons on car again, because I couldn't see it. When we exit the house the car is gone. Went in reverse and rolled across a road into a fence. When I arrived at the car, the doors were locked and the car was in reverse.
Chevy sold me a vehicle knowing that the radio was faulty and known to glitching out. I took it to the dealer and they replicated the problem. GM has known about the issue since 9/2024 when the issued the bulletin about the problem. They sold me the vehicle knowing that the problem existed and did not disclose that to me. That is a violation of CA law.
The backup camera is failing to shut down when the vehicle is put into drive. The camera will stay on for 30 seconds to five minutes when the car is moving forward. The issue was reported to the local GM dealer and the vehicle was brought in for service. They were unable to replicate the problem, so nothing was repaired by the dealership. The problem used to occur once or twice a month. Its frequency has increased. In the last two weeks, while driving on vacation, the backup camera failed to shut off three or four times each day. Sometimes it lasted only 30 seconds and was mainly inconvenient. Several times it lasted longer. In one instance the camera stayed on for five minutes while driven down the Interstate at night. When the camera stays on, it is very distracting, especially at night. Also, you can use the touch screen to access any other vehicle features while the camera is on. …
On several occasions in [redacted] and while traveling to [redacted] my vehicle has reported esc codes after starting the vehicle. The ignition light, esc light, parking brake lights come on and do not go off while operating the car until I turn the car off and restart it. When I am at a stop light and try to accelerate on numerous occasions the parking brake release light comes on and it will not release and the car will not accelerate in drive or reverse. It has happened while driving and at stop lights on major highways. Once I shut the car off I have to wait for 10 minutes to reset by restarting it. The whole electric system screen a/c steering lighting has blacked out while I am driving on the interstate and residential streets. …
Since purchase been having issues with the vehicle. From shutting off while driving, all dash shutting off while subbing but car still running, car says key fob not in vehicle out key fob on vehicle when trying to lock, radio go crazy. Has been looked at numerous times with different electrical/programming codes. Radio has been replaced over and was scheduled for second radio to be installed Sm but sent out of state to work. Have ask paper trail with Chevrolet since April 8th within 2 weeks after purchase. Car caught on fire while driving last Sunday in Florida there are other reports Chevrolet should have that I'm having issues trying from the dealer's that it was serviced at. Couple also with service appointments could not make due to I travel for my job and loaner vehicles could not be taken out of state. I bought vehicle with 10 miles on it and in 8 months 27555 miles. …
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated the vehicle failed to start when the Push-to-Start button was pressed. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, but the diagnosis was not available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 31,000.
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to exceed 20 MPH while driving. Additionally, the contact stated while his mother was driving approximately 40 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to respond, and the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact's mother was able to pull to the side of the road and allowed the vehicle to roll to a stop. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the failure was related to the vehicle tracker. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred several times while driving. The contact stated that the RPMs dropped to zero. The traction control and the check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer however, the failure could not be replicated. …
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving and attempting to use the Infotainment System, the headlights became inoperable. The contact stated that the cell phone was extremely hot while connected to Bluetooth. The contact stated that while using the radio the failure would not occur. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and the headlight was repaired however, the Infotainment System was not repaired or replaced. The manufacturer was contacted however, no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 1,900.
Related recalls (5)
Electrical system › Ignition
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016.
Electrical system › Software
Genera Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Camaro, Malibu, Silverado and GMC Sierra vehicles. The radio may intermittently fail to provide an audio warning when the key has been left in the ignition and the door is opened or when the driver does not fasten their seat belt.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The recall began on March 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at…
Electrical system › Ignition
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014.
Electrical system › Wiring
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured October 25, 2011, through June 29, 2012 and equipped with the 8-way power adjustable front seat feature. The wiring harness for the power seat may contact the seat frame which may chafe the harness.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the wire harness and repair and secure it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began during December 2013. Owners may contact GM at 1-800-521-7300.
Electrical system › Software
General motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Chevrolet malibu vehicles manufactured from October 24, 2011, through March 31, 2012. After an event of hard braking, the sensing and diagnostic module (sdm) May reset itself.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the sdm. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on June 13, 2012.
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Malibu years have electrical problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2013 (376), 2009 (367), 2010 (295), 2012 (291) and 2003 (289) model years. Electrical complaints make up 45% of all complaints for the 2013.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Malibu electrical problems?
Yes — 5 recalls, including 16V-502 (ignition, Jul 5, 2016); 16V-084 (software, Feb 11, 2016); 14V-400 (ignition, Jul 3, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Malibu electrical problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 82,000 miles; 24% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the ignition › anti-theft › control module (280 mentions), followed by the ignition › switch (111).
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.