Print this page

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
6 / 5
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
67,093 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2013 Chevrolet Malibu electrical problems

electrical problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2013 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Comments (Page 7 of 18)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #223

Sep 232019

Malibu

  • 84,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving, the battery in the engine compartment drained all of the power and shut off the engine. As a result, the power steering and brakes also shut off. The contact had to place two feet on the brake pedal to stop the vehicle and maneuver the steering wheel without power steering ability. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer, independent mechanic, or manufacturer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The failure mileage was 84,000.

- New Albany, IN, USA

problem #222

Sep 072019

Malibu

  • 82,452 miles
While driving 385 miles from home the dashboard battery light comes on. We had just replaced the battery 1 month prior to this event. Turned the center screen to the volt meter to watch the car slowly drain the new battery. The voltage would go down, then go up, but never as far as it was before the decline. Pulled the car into a supercenter parking lot and lost all power steering, all power brakes, there was absolutely no warning this was going to happen, thank goodness I got off the freeway. At 80 mph there would have been no control. We had just enough engine to limp the car into a parking space and avoid getting hit by other cars in this busy parking lot. Bought new battery tester, new battery, and tools to the sum of $250 make necessary repairs in parking lot. I had no choice, we were stranded far from home in 97 deg. Heat. Turned North to head home, while watching the car devour a brand new battery. Once again the volt meter from 14.4 volts to 13.5, then back to 14.3 to 13.4 the new battery was going to have a short life. We made it 50 miles on the freeway and the volt meter was down to 11.8 from a new 14.4 when purchased. Turned to the nearest town 35 miles East. Worried the car was going to shut down on a two lane highway traveling at 80 mph. Hoping the steering would not go out with out warning again. The scariest situation I have ever been in, there was no where for us to go if it did. Made it to a local auto parts store, just to find out that in 85 miles the car had drained the new battery we got a jump start and limped to a local hotel. Once again having to pullout onto a busy highway with no steering, no brakes, and no way home. We called a family member and they set off on the 5 hr drive to come tow us home. We rented a car dolly and pulled our broken car the entire way home. It sits in the drive way as I type this giving no codes for me to follow.

- New Albany, IN, USA

problem #221

Sep 012019

Malibu

  • 90,000 miles
Generator control module- engine is stalling and completely shutting off when stopped or slowing down at intersection or stopped at lights or stop signs. Switching from hybrid to gas

- Checotah, OK, USA

problem #220

Sep 162019

Malibu

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My car keeps losing power. It starts with the radio flashing on and off. Then the steering locks up. The car sometimes shuts all the way off. It starts back up but it will shut off while driving. I purchased the car May 2019. It has happened several times. Most recently 9/16/2019. Driving the radio flashed the steering wheel tightened. It didnt shut down. But it when through that process like 5-6 times back to back. When researching the issue I see my car is not the only car having this problem. It appears to be a wide spread issue with the 2013 Chevy Malibu. It should be addressed.

- Flint, MI, USA

problem #219

Aug 252019

Malibu

  • miles
2013 Malibu eco eassist there is a recall for this type of car, the car is in the shop and need a generator control module..according to her VIN # they are saying that it doesn't apply to this vehicle.. but it's the same type of car that the recall is on. The car while running on highway for 50 miles or more will start the loss of battery charging. If you continue to drive the car will cutoff and have to be towed. This has happened on two or three occasions.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #218

Sep 062019

Malibu

  • 91,345 miles
The electrical system will randomly shuts down. Usually starts with the entertainment console, and progresses to the power steering, and eventually a full power shut down. Stationary or while driving, doesn't matter, complete shut down. Vehicle does restart as if nothing happened. Dealership and GM no help. This problem has been ongoing since 2018 with multiple dealership services, and 2 seperate complaints to GM. 2 near miss collisions due to power steering loss.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #217

Feb 062019

Malibu

  • 100,009 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. While attempting to drive the vehicle, it failed to start and all the warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was jumpstarted by the contact's spouse and driven to the contact's residence. The contact took the vehicle to an auto retail store and an unknown Chevrolet dealer and was informed that a new battery was needed. The contact purchased a new battery; however, a week later, while driving approximately 30 mph, the vehicle lost power, all the warning indicators illuminated again, the steering wheel became difficult to turn, and the vehicle did not stop when the brake pedal was depressed. As a result, the contact rear ended a bus. The contact sustained bruising and soreness to the arms, neck, wrist, shoulder, and back that required medical attention. A police report was filed. Afterwards, a message displayed indicating that the vehicle was losing power and it would not hold a charge when it was jumpstarted. As soon as the jumper cables were removed, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and was later taken to Chevrolet of homewood (18033 halsted St, homewood, il 60430, (708) 251-4692). The dealer stated that they would not diagnose the vehicle until the body damage was repaired. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,009.

- Country Club Hills, IL, USA

problem #216

Jul 302019

Malibu

  • 86,000 miles
Instrument panel powers off while driving, says service air bag, service tire monitor system, service theft deterrent system. Radio powers off also with message that says lost communication with telematics module. Air conditioner powers off also. Last from anywhere from 1 min to 20 mins. Not showing speed odometer, gas, or rpms on dash board. Happened to me about 20 times in the last month while driving, feel the need to have something to be done after researching they have alot of complaints about this same problem

- Jennings, LA, USA

problem #215

Aug 192019

Malibu

  • 136,000 miles
19 August 2019 on this day twice I experience loss of power on the vehicle and power steering. Luckily I did not hit any cars. Was driving below 35 mph the first incident is when I came to a red light the radio turn off first then the car felt sluggish and the engine shut down lost control of everything and was coasting. Vehicle gain power by it self and resume operations. During every light I stop it felt like it wanted to lose power. Came to a parking lot driving around 5 mph completely the car shut off first radio and then whole vehicle this time it did not gain power by it self. Had to place the vehicle in park turn the key off and restart it was able to park it. After reading here seems a lot of people are having this issue an immediate investigation should be open because this can possibly happen in the highway if I lose control power in the power steering I could potentially crash of get hit by a car. Call GM and they said they do not have a bulletin ask them for an address to submit a formal complaint and was given one. I don't think GM cares hopefully you guys can look into the issue and get and answer as to why is happening consumers should not have to pay a diagnostic fee and not get answers

- Fort Stewart, GA, USA

problem #214

Aug 192019

Malibu

  • 55,284 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.

- Grain Valley, MO, USA

problem #213

Aug 172019

Malibu

  • 192,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Using turn signal or power windows the vehicle dies and quickly restarts. All power is lost momentarily. Happens when battery voltage is below 13.5 volts. Loss of power steering almost caused an accident twice. It was not wet out or raining, had been dry for several days so weather does not seem to be triggering the issue. Service stabil trak warning also flashed in and cleared upon power disruption.

- Davison, MI, USA

problem #212

Aug 062019

Malibu

  • miles
Coming home from work on 8/6/2019 traveling down md-210 highway, with car motion, the radio cut off and then entire car shut off. We stopped at a red light, so my husband took the key out of the ignition restarted the car and we traveled home. This is not the first time, we had our car checked at our mechanic's shop but at the time he could not determine what the issue could be and could not duplicate the issue. This is not the first time, the radio cuts off, instrument dash lights, cuts off and the the power steering shuts down just for a couple of seconds, it happened when we traveled to work, my husband turned the steering wheel right to get on the highway, the radio went off for a few seconds then it came back home. This is very dangerous and god forbid if this happens while car in motion on a green light it could kill someone. Please recall this vehicle asap.

- Waldorf, MD, USA

problem #211

Jun 012019

Malibu

  • 100,000 miles
Since I got the vehicle used from a dealership about 4 months ago it has an intermittent stalling problem where during city driving the car will randomly stall without warning while in drive or reverse at a slow and normal idle meaning the cars not moving example would be sitting at a traffic light, stopping at a mailbox or going through a drive thru or even coasting in reverse out of a driveway, I have had the car into 3 different dealerships and they have done multiple things and cannon seem to fix this problem.

- Shelby Township, MI, USA

problem #210

Aug 022013

Malibu

  • 103,000 miles
While driving my car shot off temporaily causing my steering to lock nearly causing an accident. It has happened a few times in the last week. The only warning is the radio shuts off. Very dangerous and reported in many forums.

- El Dorado Springs, MO, USA

problem #209

Jul 292019

Malibu

  • miles
While driving, the dashboard instrument cluster will intermittently turn off and then back on.this happens irregardless of speed, temperature, passengers, turning, accelerating, etc. This issue has been brought to the attention of ase certified mechanic in my neighborhood who instructed that it was a faulty wire that there was no replacement for yet. After searching the internet forums, and other mediums, this seems to be a pretty common occurrence. Plan to take it to the dealership within the next couple months as long as the problem does not worsen. I fear that driving with my infant one day that the car will completely lose power or shut down or worse, causing an accident and injury to myself, my child or other drivers. Current milage is 76,500.

- Fort Drum, NY, USA

problem #208

Jul 072019

Malibu

  • 120,000 miles
A few times that I have been driving my car, I have experienced issues with the car turning off and losing power steering and control while in motion. The whole car turn off and wheel locks up, preventing me from being able to control the car. Countless searching through forums led me to find many people who have experienced the same issue. And from the forums, many claim the reason for these problems happening is faulty battery cables that GM that doesn't want to admit. This is a safety issue because I have had my car turn off while driving on the highway and in the city. And I'm not the only experiencing this issue. It's widespread among 2013 Chevrolet Malibu's. here is a link to one of many forums taking about this issue: Https://www.cargurus.com/cars/discussion-T33502_ds916791

- Las Cruces, NM, USA

problem #207

May 072018

Malibu

  • 62,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the previous vehicle owner had the vehicle repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 13V173000 (electrical system). The contact stated that the electrical warning indicator illuminated and the previous owner had the vehicle serviced at an unknown dealer. After purchasing the vehicle, the contact stated that the electrical system warning indicator illuminated again. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. The dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 62,000.

- Long Beach, CA, USA

problem #206

Jul 102019

Malibu

  • 118,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving various speeds, all of the warning indicators begin to flash sporadically on the instrument panel. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the wiring harness under the driver's seat caused the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 118,000.

- Chattanoonga, TN, USA

problem #205

Feb 012018

Malibu

  • 75,000 miles
Car keeps powering off while driving inside panel lights turn off then car powers do and goes back

- Auburn, CA, USA

problem #204

Jul 102019

Malibu

  • 68,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving at an unknown speed, the instrument panel blacked out without warning. The panel illuminated again after 40 miles of driving, but the failure recurred three times. The contact called weber Chevrolet at 314-485-9902 (located at 12015 olive boulevard, creve coeur, mo 63141) and was informed that there was no recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.

- Cedar Hill, MO, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?