VehicleVerdict

2013 Chevrolet Malibu electrical system problems

The 2013 Chevrolet Malibu has 447 electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA — 32% of the year's total, and roughly flat versus the prior model year.

447

Electrical System complaints

32%

Share of year

8

Crash-involved

2

Related recalls

Electrical System complaints by year

Related recalls

16V502000Electrical SystemJuly 5, 2016 · 8,367 units

Defect

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

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

Remedy

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.

12V224000Electrical SystemMay 18, 2012 · 4,304 units

Defect

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

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

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.

What owners report

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN THE CAR STALLED WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE. SMOKE THEN STARTED RISING FROM THE HOOD. ABOUT 5 MINUTES LATER FLAMES STARTING SHOOTING OUT AND THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE CAR WAS ENGULFED

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 13, 2019 · fire

Common questions

How many electrical system complaints does the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu have?

NHTSA has 447 complaints about the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu electrical system — 32% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu electrical system?

Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the electrical system: 12V224000, 16V502000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.