repaired · 2015 Q1
Electrical system
Risk. If the vehicle is continued to be driven, the engine may stall and/or the vehicle may not start.
2013 Chevrolet Malibu ECOProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 87 owner complaints about the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu ECO, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 1 safety recall, and for recall 13V-173 the manufacturer reports only 94% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 14, 2024. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu ECO has problems
87 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
49Electrical system2 crash/fire/injury
22Engine
16Steering2 crash/fire/injury
12Electronic stability control (ESC)
10Air bags3 crash/fire/injury
9Service brakes1 crash/fire/injury
8Power train
6Fuel/propulsion system
4Vehicle speed control
107 other systems
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 49 | 2 |
| Engine | 22 | 0 |
| Steering | 16 | 2 |
| Electronic stability control (ESC) | 12 | 0 |
| Air bags | 10 | 3 |
| Service brakes | 9 | 1 |
| Power train | 8 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 6 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 1 |
| 7 other systems | 10 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
1 recall
2013 Chevrolet Malibu ECO recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Chevrolet.
Mileage at failure
When do electrical system problems start?
73kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 46 electrical system complaints. 78% were reported before 100,000 miles.
11under 30k miles36under 100k miles10100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2013 vs. every other Malibu ECO year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Malibu ECO median. How we score
'13'14
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
2 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu ECO, and the recalls they led to.
- Sands Chevrolet/Hybrid System Fire/StallNo recall
- Generator Control Module FiresNo recall
In owners' words
What Malibu ECO owners report
Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu ECO. The contact stated while at a stop light, the power steering was difficult to turn, and the vehicle stalled. The Service battery charging system displayed and the check engine and battery warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the…
2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU ECO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF, LOSING ALL POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED, DISPLAYS BATTERY SAVER…
STEREO/NAVIGATION INTERMITTENT ALWAYS DEFAULT TO ONE RADIO STATION AND SETTINGS, PASSENGER SEAT HAD A CRACKLING SOUND A FEW TIMES NO ODD SMELLS OR SMOKE, TURNS SIGNALS WON'T WORK WHEN STEREO IS INOPERATIVE.
Own a 2013 Malibu ECO?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.