The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the stabili-trak warning light illuminated. While attempting to move the vehicle to the shoulder of the roadway, the vehicle began to shake with smoke coming from the passenger’s side rear suspension. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed and it was determined that the shock, an alignment, brake pads and rotors needed to be replaced and a new tire needed to be installed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000.
2013 Chevrolet Malibu: fire, smoke or burning smell
16 of the 837 complaints about the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu describe fire, smoke or burning smell.
- owner complaints
- 16
- of this car's complaints
- 2%
- typical mileage
- 87,000
- recalls
- 2
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls and 331 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Fire, smoke or burning smell by model year
What owners say
The contact owned a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 65 MPH and his son another vehicle behind made him aware of sparks seen coming from underneath the front of the vehicle. The contact stated that smoke was seen coming from underneath the hood and exit the highway. The contact stated that soon after exiting the vehicle, it caught fire. The check engine and loss of power steering warning lights were illuminated. The fire department extinguished the flames and informed the contact that the origin of the fire came from the engine compartment. Both a fire department and police report were filed. The vehicle remained at an out-of-state junkyard. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 119,000.
Under a slow acceleration doing highway speed say going up a incline the car will get a burning smell in the cabin its smell like burning electrical wireing so far now visible smoke.
I been had this vehicle since 2018 nothing but issues few months having this vehicle I start experiencing issues with radio coming on and going off for no reason so took it to get looked at the said it was from wiring in the passenger side seat that was causing it so I paid $400 to get that fixed. But still was and is having same issues with electrical and now my heat comes on by itself even when the knob is in the off position. My passenger side seat belt warning goes off even when no ones in the seat. And to top it off my car been running bad engine overheating but nothing on my dashboard is telling me that but I can smell burning from my engine coming through my vents and it's exhausting. I have been to many shops to get it looked at but they keep saying nothing wrong no codes where coming up nor was my engine light on. But as of 3/29/2021 I had multiple icons pop up on my dashboard and now my engine light on. So I finally got a code p228d come up and I been explaining to auto shops that's something wrong because it's not wanting to pick up speed. So what can I do I'm tired spending money to get it looked at and all I'm getting from people nothing is wrong with your vehicle. But there is truly something wrong with this vehicle and it does this no matter where I'm at on highway, street, when I'm idle it's a loud noise and I can feel the heat from the engine coming through the floor of my vehicle
The vehicle was purchased from a dealership in june of 2020. Since owning the vehicle, the vehicle has had nothing but issues. Major issues including a stalling/puttering vibration when stopped at a light as well as just starting the car, it has an extremely loud start and rough. Have had this vehicle in and out of the dealership multiple times including one visit taking 3 weeks with a rental I was given. The issues are still all here, including an overheating with my warning systems not giving any sort of signs or lights, onstar thankfully told me to get the vehicle in immediately as I was in the red for overheating and the fan still continues to work after the car has been off for a few minutes. A smell of burning comes from the car everyday and overall doesn't feel safe. The other issue I believe is starting to occur is with the recall of the corroded rear toe links causing major clunking noises when hitting bumps and turning.
My chevy malibu stalled out on 3 occasions now. This occurs after being at a stop and applying pressure on the gas to place the car back in motion. I was nearly struck by an oncoming vehicle on 2 occasions when the car stalled out. Would have had ample time at a green light had the vehicle not stalled. Power steering is lost when this occurs. I have to power off and repower the vehicle to get started again, resulting in smoke coming out from under the hood and a smell of burnt rubber.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated that while her son was driving at 65 MPH on the highway and the gcm module failed causing the vehicle to shut off. In addition, there was smoke coming from the trunk. The contact mentioned that the failure occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was towed to an unknown dealer and remained in the dealer since june of 2020. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed that there were no open recalls. The failure mileage was 118,000.
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
Car seat caught on fire under me right after I turned on the ignition
Loss of power a lot. Auto stop feature makes a strong fuel smell. Burning and smoke coming from front right side under hood. Bought this car a month ago.
My daughters malibu literally ignited and caught fire while she was in it over the weekend. She was parked in a parking lot, noticed a funny smell, turned the ignition off and smoke was billowing out of the engine. She got out of the vehicle and realized the engine was on fire. It went from a small fire to everything but the trunk engulfed in less than 3 minutes. These things don't just happen randomly. I feel there was a mechanical issue or something not built correctly.
As I am driving down the road, the entire dashboard goes black, then it just lights back up as if I were just starting the car...all other functions regularly while the dashboard blacks out...the radio still works. This happens sporaducally meaning there is no rhyme or reason to it..I am scared it will catch on fire.
Service bulletins that may apply
- This service bulletin provides information on the proper Reflective High Temperature Heat and/or...
- The intent of this service bulletin is to identify aftermarket ALDL or DLC interface devices as potential...
- This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.
- This service bulletin provides information to diagnose batteries that have set for a long period of time...
- This bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using...
- Electrical system
- Electrical system
- Electrical system
Related recalls
Electrical system: ignition
- What is wrong
- 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."
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 16V502000 · Recall details
Electrical system: software
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 12V224000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu fire or smoke
Is fire, smoke or burning smell a common problem on the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu?
16 of 837 owner complaints about the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu (2%) mention fire, smoke or burning smell. The model year with the most reports is 2013.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu?
There are 2 recalls and 331 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu
Stalling 105Check engine light 101Loss of power 82Power steering loss 43Steering lock-up 41Jerking 37Airbag light 28Engine failure 23Screen failure 23Won't start 23Overheating 21Warning lights 20Headlights 16ABS 13No deployment 11Hesitation 9Adaptive cruise 8Battery drain 8Brake failure 8Fuel gauge 8Key fob 6Wipers 6Backup camera 5Door locks 5Fuel pump 5Pulling 5Won't shift 5
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