2013 Chevrolet Malibu Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 54about this part
- Share
- 6%of 837 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 66,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 54 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, 6% of the 837 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 66,500 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
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“The charging system went completely dead while driving. I had no power steering everything went black no speed, no lights, I couldn't even turn on my hazards while I was sitting in the middle lane of the interstate hoping I wouldn't get killed because of this. Why is there no warning to let you know your battery and charging system is dead. Why is this not a recall from chevy? Please advise.”
NHTSA complaint #11245037, filed 2019-08, 55,284 miles“Each time I stop at a light or stop sign my vehicle statr vibrating , my RPM starts moving and my car dies. I restart it, but my service engine light never comes on. The dealership can't find the problem without a code.”
NHTSA complaint #11383203, filed 2020-12, 93,000 miles“Car randomly losses power at any speed. During this time, I am unable to control the car. The power steering is off. This happened to my wife as she made a left turn on a green light on bell road, az (a busy road). There is no way that this should be taken lightly.”
NHTSA complaint #10934844, filed 2016-12, 65,000 miles“While driving on the highway my car will just shut down completely then turn back on. Sometime the radio will go out with power steering, etc. It just shuts down for no reason. We've replacement the battery cable several months ago as we had the exact same problem and it worked for about 6 months. If I use my turn signal sometimes it will shut down and turn back on. Did it about 20 times today on the way to work. With my two small children in the car with me. I am usually driving around 65 to 75 MPH when this happens.”
NHTSA complaint #11288658, filed 2019-12, 125,000 milesRelated recalls
- 15V245000Apr 24, 2015General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured April 10, 2012, to August 2, 2012. In the affected…Covers: Chevrolet Malibu 2013
Related service bulletins
- 11019516Apr 17, 2025This preliminary informational (PI) bulletin provides information to dealership personnel that may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers.
- 11013069Jan 9, 2025This bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
- 11011989Nov 27, 2024This service bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
- 11011205Oct 28, 2024This informational bulletin explains Unscheduled Supplemental Services and the importance of GM Simplified Maintenance Schedules.
- 11010651Oct 10, 2024This service bulletin informs the technician of an alternate lift procedure that has been developed when the lift plate does not fit the top of the transmission case for 6T30…
- 11009756Sep 17, 2024This bulletin provides information on Policies Applicable to All U.S. Dealers for Engine and Transmission Assembly Replacement Under Warranty, Policy or Customer Enthusiasm and…
- 11009088Sep 16, 2024This service bulletin provides information on some vehicles that may rock or move slightly forward or rearward while in Park at start up after cold soak. This condition may be…
- 11006421Jul 24, 2024GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or…
- 11005311Jul 9, 2024This service bulletin provides information on Driveline Clunk Noise and what is acceptable and what is considered normal operation.
- 11001321May 16, 2024This bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of water or ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 8% |
| 2024 | 6 | 14% |
| 2023 | 8 | 11% |
| 2022 | 24 | 24% |
| 2021 | 28 | 31% |
| 2020 | 59 | 30% |
| 2019 | 68 | 35% |
| 2018 | 171 | 24% |
| 2017 | 139 | 20% |
| 2016 | 166 | 20% |
| 2015 | 31 | 11% |
| 2014 | 52 | 15% |
| 2013 | 54 | 6% |
| 2012 | 49 | 5% |
| 2011 | 112 | 11% |
| 2010 | 133 | 10% |
| 2009 | 121 | 8% |
| 2008 | 86 | 9% |
| 2007 | 47 | 5% |
| 2006 | 43 | 4% |
| 2005 | 65 | 7% |
| 2004 | 64 | 6% |
| 2003 | 13 | 2% |
| 2002 | 5 | 1% |
| 2001 | 18 | 3% |
| 2000 | 26 | 3% |
| 1999 | 21 | 3% |
| 1998 | 50 | 5% |
| 1997 | 9 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu
376 complaintsEngine
204 complaintsSteering
181 complaintsOther or unknown
89 complaintsElectronic stability control
72 complaintsSuspension
65 complaintsAir bags
59 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 31, 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