2013 Chevrolet Malibu problems
Owners have filed 1,383 complaints about the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu with NHTSA. Electrical system accounts for 27.2% of them — the clear leader, ahead of engine at 14.8%.
Complaints1,383
Crashes50
Fires14
Injuries46
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Electrical system 27.2% · 376
Engine 14.8% · 204
Steering 13.1% · 181
Unknown or other 6.4% · 88
Electronic stability control (ESC) 5.2% · 72
Suspension 4.8% · 66
Air bags 4.3% · 59
Power train 3.8% · 53
Severity
Of those complaints, 50 describe a crash, 14 describe a fire and 46 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 27 model years of the Chevrolet Malibu in this data, 2013 sits 11th by complaint volume. 2009 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 115 in the last three years against 222 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 70,000 miles.
In owners' own words
This is my second complaint considering this issue. Loss of power steering, radio goes black, gauge cluster goes black. Since my last complaint this has occurred no less than 15 times with two very close accidents. This is becoming a very dangerous vehicle. And I plead with you to open a recall thank you. It has now occurred on both city roads and highway speeds. It seems to get worse when the turn signal is used. Electrical system
My electrical system will shut down at any time. I have seen that this has happened to many others. After many trips to the dealer they cannot fix problem. I was on highway at 70 mph when power steering went out. This has happened to many others also. Gm will not admit this is a very dangerous problem. I hope it don't take someone to die before they do something if that hasn't happened already .. Please help.... Electrical system · reported at 70,000 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. Electrical system · reported at 160,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…