2013 Chevrolet Malibu Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 376about this part
- Share
- 45%of 837 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 76,356miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 376 complaints about the electrical system of the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, 45% of the 837 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 76,356 miles. 6 of these say a crash was involved and 5 a fire, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“When I was parked I was rolling the windows with the car running and all the lights and car was cutting off. While I'm driving I lose power all my dash lights go out and while making a turn the steering wheel locks up to where I can not correct myself from turning so I have to stop in the middle of the street until the power comes back on.”
NHTSA complaint #11320887, filed 2020-04, 109,000 miles“When driving, the car will suddenly stop and lose power. It will restart again but will not have power steering. This happens on city streets, because of the problem we have kept it off highways. Unknown the cause, there was a recall about this happening but per the VIN it was completed. We have owned the car 7 months.”
NHTSA complaint #11397861, filed 2021-02, 103,000 miles“I was driving the vehicle when I heard strange noises. I then heard a loud noise and the car barely would move. When I got out of the vehicle, I saw the wheel was slanted. It was towed to a aaa repair facility where they discovered it was a broken toe link that had rotted. When it broke, it also bent a bar in the rear. The inspector said the same was happening on the opposite side and needed to be repaired.”
NHTSA complaint #11388643, filed 2021-01, 160,000 miles“As I am driving down the road, the entire dashboard goes black, then it just lights back up as if I were just starting the car...all other functions regularly while the dashboard blacks out...the radio still works. This happens sporaducally meaning there is no rhyme or reason to it..I am scared it will catch on fire.”
NHTSA complaint #11192760, filed 2019-03, 72,000 miles“Ac control not send signal to AC compressor. Stuck in heat on last setting I had the control on. I bought new AC compressor because was told the AC compress has power but not working. After replacing the compressor problem still was on going now told AC is not sending message to compress to turn on.”
NHTSA complaint #11328124, filed 2020-06, 95,000 milesRelated recalls
- 16V502000Jul 5, 2016General 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…Covers: Chevrolet Malibu 2013–2016, Cruze 2011–2016, Equinox 2010–2013 +4 more
- 12V224000May 18, 2012General motors (gm) is recalling certain model year 2013 chevrolet malibu vehicles manufactured from october 24, 2011, through march 31, 2012. After an event…Covers: Chevrolet Malibu 2013
Related service bulletins
- 11017595Apr 3, 2025This service bulletin provides information on the proper Reflective High Temperature Heat and/or Insulating Tape to use for certain repairs, such as Wiring Harness Repairs.
- 11017244Mar 31, 2025The intent of this service bulletin is to identify aftermarket ALDL or DLC interface devices as potential sources for causing multiple customer concerns that do not have other…
- 11017252Mar 28, 2025This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.
- 11017031Mar 12, 2025This service bulletin provides information to diagnose batteries that have set for a long period of time and/or cold weather climates and testing those batteries.
- 11014230Jan 31, 2025This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
- 11013069Jan 9, 2025This bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
- 11011805Dec 6, 2024This Preliminary information communicates a GM part number for reflective high temperature heat or insulating tape when repairing wiring harnesses.
- 11009170Oct 25, 2024This Preliminary information communicates additional information on how a LIN bus operates and diagnostic tips when working on a LIN bus.
- 11009156Oct 25, 2024This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
- 11008986Oct 18, 2024This Preliminary information communicates direction and examples when diagnosing multiple DTCs, one of which includes U**** Byte 71 DTC.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 | 33% |
| 2024 | 18 | 41% |
| 2023 | 12 | 17% |
| 2022 | 33 | 33% |
| 2021 | 30 | 33% |
| 2020 | 57 | 29% |
| 2019 | 62 | 32% |
| 2018 | 192 | 27% |
| 2017 | 161 | 23% |
| 2016 | 222 | 26% |
| 2015 | 68 | 25% |
| 2014 | 86 | 25% |
| 2013 | 376 | 45% |
| 2012 | 291 | 32% |
| 2011 | 235 | 24% |
| 2010 | 295 | 22% |
| 2009 | 368 | 24% |
| 2008 | 233 | 24% |
| 2007 | 113 | 12% |
| 2006 | 142 | 13% |
| 2005 | 180 | 18% |
| 2004 | 151 | 13% |
| 2003 | 289 | 51% |
| 2002 | 259 | 46% |
| 2001 | 285 | 40% |
| 2000 | 199 | 22% |
| 1999 | 144 | 18% |
| 1998 | 130 | 13% |
| 1997 | 87 | 20% |
| 1980 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu
204 complaintsSteering
181 complaintsOther or unknown
89 complaintsElectronic stability control
72 complaintsSuspension
65 complaintsAir bags
59 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
54 complaintsBrakes
46 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
40 complaintsFuel system
34 complaintsExterior lighting
28 complaintsVehicle speed control
28 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology