AI Damage2013 Chevrolet Malibu ECO: common problems
Owners of the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu ECO filed 87 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and engine. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 87
- involving a crash
- 5
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 56% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 25% of all complaints
- 3 Steering 18% of all complaints
- 4 Electronic stability control 14% of all complaints
- 5 Air bags 11% of all complaints
- 6 Service brakes 10% of all complaints
- 7 Powertrain 9% of all complaints
- 8 Fuel/propulsion system 7% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 49 complaints (56% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine: 22 complaints (25% of all).
- Steering: 16 complaints (18% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electronic stability control: 12 complaints (14% of all).
- Air bags: 10 complaints (11% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 87 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 49 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine | 22 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 16 | 2 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 10 | 3 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 9 | 1 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
After the accident report was filed, I tried to start the car to leave, but the car wouldn't start. Additionally, a ton of error messages were flashing, as well as all indoor and outdoor lights flashing, even the decorative panel blue strip lights. I was terrified. I had to have it towed from the scene.
I hit a deer going 55 mph and the air bag did not deploy. I got a statement on the screen right when it happened saying airbag service. I would think hitting something going that first would deploy an airbag.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 chevrolet malibu eco. The contact stated that the vehicle suddenly accelerated forward and crashed into another vehicle. No one was injured during the crash. The contact also stated the lights on the instrument panel flashed before accelerating.
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 residence. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer.
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.
Excessive oil consumption regarding the ecotec 2.4l engine (luk). I had purchased my vehicle in september of 2018 with 87,932 miles. The vehicle was inspected and serviced. Prior to reaching the recommended 7500 mile oil change interval and before the 'change oil soon' notification, my check engine light illuminated.
I was driving and started hearing a loud alter he and then the car seemed to have shut off and started back up the engine light came on I pulled over turned the car off to see if the engine light would go back off it didn't now it keeps making the skreeching sound and still shuts off while driving and on a stop
While driving 70 mph, the check engine warning indicator illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the failure was more evident in cooler temperatures.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 3,884 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 11% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Malibu ECO has 50 complaints (2 years in the data). This year has 87, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Electronic stability control. ABS/ESC sensors, steering angle, codes after suspension repair.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu ECO?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, engine, steering. Total complaints: 87. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: stalls while driving (23%), steering or power steering problems (20%), warning lights, check engine (16%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu ECO?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu ECO from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2013 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.