2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco problems & reliability
87 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco, alongside 1 safety recall campaign. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
2 complaints report injuries (2 injured).
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System → | 49 | 56% |
| Engine → | 22 | 25% |
| Steering → | 16 | 18% |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) → | 12 | 14% |
| Air Bags → | 10 | 11% |
| Service Brakes | 9 | 10% |
| Power Train | 8 | 9% |
| Unknown OR Other | 8 | 9% |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 6 | 7% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 | 5% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Mileage when problems occurred
Half of the failures with a reported odometer reading occurred by 57,000 miles (middle 50% between 20,000 and 90,000 miles), based on 77 complaints that included mileage.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu ECO. 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…”
Electrical System · filed Feb 14, 2024
“2013 chevrolet malibu eco. Consumer writes in regard to electrical issues with vehicle. The consumer stated that while driving the vehicle would shut off, losing all power. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The consumer stated the battery light illuminated, displays battery saver activated, and then…”
Electrical System · filed May 24, 2022
“Takata recall . My car just died out off nowhere while I was just parked and when it finally got jumped the 'service airbag' light came. I've done some research and this has been happening to everybody and the repairs is up to $1000”
Electrical System · filed Jul 25, 2019
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- Sands Chevrolet/Hybrid System Fire/Stall
Audit Query AQ14001 · opened May 2, 2014 · closed May 22, 2016
- Generator Control Module Fires
Recall Query RQ13003 · opened Jul 5, 2013 · closed Jul 22, 2014
Technical service bulletins
399 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco. The 10 most recent:
This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
PIT3271Q · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 1, 2026
This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.
PIP6104 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 9, 2026
This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
PIP4902V · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 9, 2026
This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
PIP4902U · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 8, 2026
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit vibration conditions…
PIT5214G · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2025
New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
13598 · Other · issued Sep 9, 2025
This Warranty Administration service bulletin provides Lithium-Ion battery Exchange Process and Transaction Submission information.
18-NA-180 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 4, 2025
This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
PIP4902T · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 14, 2025
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may…
PIC5650M · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 7, 2025
This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
PIP4902S · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 9, 2025
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco has 1 NHTSA recall campaign — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Owners most often reported problems around 57,000 miles — budget accordingly if the car is approaching that mileage.