2013 Chevrolet Malibu: recalls and complaints

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All updates to the register

• 21V63300012 Aug 2021Suspension / Rear
• 20V76400021 Dec 2020Suspension / Rear
• 16V5020005 Jul 2016Electrical System / Ignition
• 15V24500024 Apr 2015Power Train / Automatic Transmission / Gear Position Indication (Prndl)
• 15V16400023 Mar 2015Visibility / Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
• 13V56600013 Nov 2013Seats / Front Assembly / Power Adjust
• 13V02400023 Jan 2013Suspension / Rear
• 12V4840004 Oct 2012Exterior Lighting / Turn Signal
• 12V22400018 May 2012Electrical System / Software

1. 21V633000Received 12 Aug 2021. 32,894 units.

   Suspension / Rear

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Buick Regal, Chevrolet Malibu, and Buick Lacrosse vehicles sold or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. These vehicles may have rear toe links that received excessive electrocoating (e-coat) corrosion protection, which could cause the e-coat to become brittle and break away when contacted by road debris. Over time, the e-coat may chip away, exposing the metal toe link and making it more susceptible to corrosion. Corrosion may eventually cause the toe link to thin and ultimately fracture.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   Dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on September 30, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 3, 2022. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212330130.

   Report filed by General Motors, LLC. Manufacturer campaign number N212330130. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 3 Jan 2022.

2. 20V764000Received 21 Dec 2020. 220,006 units.

   Suspension / Rear

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Buick Regal, 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2010-2013 Buick Lacrosse vehicles sold or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. These vehicles may have rear toe links that received excessive electrocoating (e-coat) corrosion protection, which could cause the e-coat to become brittle and break away when contacted by road debris. Over time, the e-coat may chip away, exposing the metal toe link and making it more susceptible to corrosion. Corrosion may eventually cause the toe link to thin and ultimately to fracture.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners free of charge. Parts are not currently available. Owners were mailed an interim notification on January 27, 2021, and April 15, 2021. A third notification was mailed on August 19, 201. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202308930.

   Report filed by General Motors, LLC. Manufacturer campaign number N202308930. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 19 Aug 2021.

3. 16V502000Received 5 Jul 2016. 8,367 units.

   Electrical System / Ignition

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.

   Report filed by General Motors LLC. Manufacturer campaign number 50490, 50491. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 14 Oct 2016.

4. 15V245000Received 24 Apr 2015. 3,690 units.

   Power Train / Automatic Transmission / Gear Position Indication (Prndl)

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured April 10, 2012, to August 2, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the console transmission gear selection indicator may not illuminate the shift position selected. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 102, "Transmission Shift Position Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect."

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   If the console shift indicator does not illuminate the transmission gear selection, a driver could inadvertently select a transmission position other than the position the driver intended, increasing the risk of a crash.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   GM has notified owners, and dealers will replace the transmission gear selection control module, free of charge. The recall began on April 20, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 12162.

   Report filed by General Motors LLC. Manufacturer campaign number 12162.

5. 15V164000Received 23 Mar 2015. 87,063 units.

   Visibility / Sun/Moon Roof Assembly

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles October 24, 2011, to March 5, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the Slide or Tilt switch for the roof panel may not be adequately recessed to prevent the switch from inadvertently being pressed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 118, "Power-Operated Window, Partition, and Roof Panel Systems."

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   The Slide or Tilt roof panel switch may inadvertently be pressed and the roof panel may auto-close unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a pinch injury.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the Body Control Module (BCM) software to remove auto-close feature for certain switch positions, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15176.

   Report filed by General Motors LLC. Manufacturer campaign number 15176. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 21 Apr 2015.

6. 13V566000Received 13 Nov 2013. 14,909 units.

   Seats / Front Assembly / Power Adjust

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured October 25, 2011, through June 29, 2012 and equipped with the 8-way power adjustable front seat feature. The wiring harness for the power seat may contact the seat frame which may chafe the harness.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   If the harness is chaffed enough to expose the wires, a short circuit could occur, resulting unintended movement of the seat, the seat to become inoperative, sparking under the seat, flickering lights, smoke, or possibly a fire.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the wire harness and repair and secure it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began during December 2013. Owners may contact GM at 1-800-521-7300. GM's recall campaign number is 13342.

   Report filed by General Motors LLC. Manufacturer campaign number 13342. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 4 Dec 2013.

7. 13V024000Received 23 Jan 2013. 8,519 units.

   Suspension / Rear

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   General Motors is recalling certain model year 2013 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles, manufactured December 6, 2011, through January 15, 2013. One or more rear suspension bolts may not have been tightened to the specified torque. This may lead to sudden changes in vehicle handling.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   Sudden changes in vehicle handling may increase the risk of a crash.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and retighten the bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notifications have already begun and will be completed shortly. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.

   Report filed by General Motors LLC. Manufacturer campaign number 13008.

8. 12V484000Received 4 Oct 2012. 120,426 units.

   Exterior Lighting / Turn Signal

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Buick Regal and model year 2013 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with two turn signal bulbs in each front turn signal. If one of the two front turn signal bulbs burn out in either front turn signal lamp, there is no indication to the driver. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   If the driver is not aware that a turn signal is not functioning properly, the driver may continue to drive the vehicle. If half of a front turn signal is not illuminating, other driver's may not be aware that the affected vehicle is turning, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   GM will notify owners, dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Buick at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 12212.

   Report filed by General Motors LLC. Manufacturer campaign number 12212. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 8 Sep 2014.

9. 12V224000Received 18 May 2012. 4,304 units.

   Electrical System / Software

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   General motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 chevrolet malibu vehicles manufactured from october 24, 2011, through march 31, 2012. After an event of hard braking, the sensing and diagnostic module (sdm) may reset itself.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   If this occurs during an aggressive turning maneuver, and then afterwards a potential vehicle rollover event is sensed, the roof rail airbag may unintentionally deploy. Additionally, the air bags and/or seatbelt pretensioners may not deploy during a severe crash, increasing the risk of personal injury.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   Gm will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the sdm. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on june 13, 2012.

   Report filed by GENERAL MOTORS LLC. Manufacturer campaign number 12102. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 13 Jun 2012.

The campaign number opens the NHTSA record. Each quotation is the text of the NHTSA recall file.

Recall campaign: One recall in the NHTSA recall file, with one campaign number. A campaign can name many makes, models and model years.

Units: The number of vehicles or products that a recall can include. The manufacturer or the firm reports the number to the agency.

A complaint can name more than one component. Each component that a complaint names is one component mention. The figure per 1,000 component mentions shows how many of each 1,000 mentions name the component.

• 2013 Chevrolet Malibu
• All 2013 vehicles

The table shows the 10 components with the most mentions, of 26.

Complaints that report a crash

33

Complaints that report a fire

10

Injuries in the complaints

32

Deaths in the complaints

0

Date of the newest complaint

24 Jul 2026

These figures are the entries of the persons who sent the complaints.

Complaint: A report about a possible safety problem that a person sends to NHTSA. This site shows the number of complaints and not their text.

The NHTSA investigation file has no investigation that names this model year.

Investigation: A study of a possible safety defect by the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. An investigation with no closing date in the NHTSA file is open.

1. 19640
2. 19731
3. 19740
4. 19750
5. 19771
6. 19787
7. 19795
8. 19805
9. 19812
10. 19822
11. 19832
12. 19860
13. 19890
14. 19974
15. 19983
16. 19991
17. 20003
18. 20012
19. 20022
20. 20032
21. 20046
22. 20053
23. 20066
24. 20073
25. 20084
26. 20095
27. 20103
28. 20113
29. 20122
30. 20139
31. 20146
32. 20153
33. 20169
34. 20174
35. 20186
36. 20191
37. 20201
38. 20212
39. 20221
40. 20232
41. 20242
42. 20251

A year without a link has fewer than 2 campaigns and fewer than 25 complaints. It has no page.

• Chevrolet Malibu: all model years
• Chevrolet: 178 model lines

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• NHTSA page of the 2013 Chevrolet MalibuThe recalls, the complaints and the investigations that NHTSA shows for this model year.

How many units are in the recall campaigns for the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu?

500,178 units in 9 campaigns. A campaign can name other models and model years, and its units include them.

How many recall campaigns does the Chevrolet Malibu have for all model years?

NHTSA lists 66 recall campaigns for the Chevrolet Malibu, model years 1964 to 2025. 9 of them name the 2013 model year.

Which component do the complaints about the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu name most often?

Electrical System: 376 of 1,383 component mentions, or 271.9 per 1,000. For all 2013 vehicles the figure is 124.7 per 1,000.

Is an NHTSA investigation of the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu open?

The NHTSA investigation file has no investigation that names this model year.