2013 Chevrolet Malibu Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 204about this part
- Share
- 24%of 837 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 78,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 204 complaints about the engine of the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, 24% of the 837 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 78,000 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved and 4 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My car continues to lose power and with it comes so many electrical issues. Brake assist wont disengage, no power beyond engine idling, and the service battery charging system continues to pop up even though it and the battery in the trunk were replaced by the dealer. I've had this car for a month and it's given me nothing but problems.”
NHTSA complaint #11338252, filed 2020-07, 110,027 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“Around the end of oct, had lunch at a restaurant and as I was leaving the engine light came on and my car stalled and jerked a little. I managed to get it going but since then it's been doing it while driving ~ we ran it through a diagnostic and was given a code intake (a) camshaft position actuator circuit/open over-advanced.....”
NHTSA complaint #11152882, filed 2018-11, 45,070 miles“While pulling into a parking space in our 2013 chevy Malibu with my foot on the brake, when about 1/2 way into the space I experienced an unintended acceleration by the vehicle. This caused me to crash into a bollard in front of the convenience store causing severe damage to the front end of the car. The air bags did not deploy, causing me to hit my head on the steering wheel. Add cpsc”
NHTSA complaint #11197250, filed 2019-04, 78,000 miles“Since we bought this car the check engine light has come on every few months. The engine has been rebuilt to fix a stuck cylinder and the water pump had to be replaced. The check engine light is on again and it seems that the car has no pick up when the gas pedal is pushed. It seems to hesitate. This is the worst care I have ever owned.”
NHTSA complaint #10994457, filed 2017-06, 55,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11026017Jun 5, 2025This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced after severe internal engine damage.
- 11024485May 15, 2025The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the…
- 11017263Mar 25, 2025This bulletin advises the technician to flush the cooling system multiple times if oil has been found in the cooling system and replace the parts that may be contaminated due to…
- 11016942Mar 4, 2025This bulletin advises the technician to flush the cooling system multiple times if oil has been found in the cooling system and replace the parts that may be contaminated due to…
- 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.
- 11014233Jan 30, 2025This service bulletin provides service information to technicians on guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large…
- 11013069Jan 9, 2025This bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
- 11011709Nov 5, 2024This 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.
- 11011205Oct 28, 2024This informational bulletin explains Unscheduled Supplemental Services and the importance of GM Simplified Maintenance Schedules.
- 11010490Oct 5, 2024This service bulletin provides guidelines and diagnostic/repair information to technicians regarding vehicle engine oil consumption.
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 3 | 7% |
| 2023 | 13 | 18% |
| 2022 | 29 | 29% |
| 2021 | 15 | 17% |
| 2020 | 59 | 30% |
| 2019 | 65 | 34% |
| 2018 | 281 | 40% |
| 2017 | 253 | 36% |
| 2016 | 304 | 36% |
| 2015 | 70 | 26% |
| 2014 | 125 | 36% |
| 2013 | 204 | 24% |
| 2012 | 99 | 11% |
| 2011 | 160 | 16% |
| 2010 | 115 | 8% |
| 2009 | 61 | 4% |
| 2008 | 62 | 6% |
| 2007 | 28 | 3% |
| 2006 | 33 | 3% |
| 2005 | 49 | 5% |
| 2004 | 17 | 1% |
| 2003 | 47 | 8% |
| 2002 | 22 | 4% |
| 2001 | 26 | 4% |
| 2000 | 19 | 2% |
| 1999 | 5 | 1% |
| 1998 | 2 | 0% |
| 1997 | 4 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu
376 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 28, 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