2013 Chevrolet Malibu: engine failure

Filed Feb 24, 2026 · Engine · 125,000 miles · IA

The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while idling at a stoplight, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The failure occurred on several occasions. The contact stated that after restarting the vehicle, the vehicle operated normally, but failed to immediately restart on several occasions. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who replaced the engine oil pump, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 125,000.

Filed Apr 5, 2024 · Engine, Transmission · CA

78153 miles 2013 Malibu econotec never 1 problem until out of the blue timing chain eats thru plastic and metal tensioners with metal and plastic shavings going into engine delillo Chevy Huntington Beach ca along with my mechanic confirmed engine replacement here lies my hazard and or product defect timing chain causes stalling idling compete shutdown rpms up and down no engine light comes I was on the freeway and on streets car completely stalls I have to shift in nuetral and pray it’s starts almost getting rear ended 3 times if this is not a safety issues wow you got to kick me I’ve read numerous reports of same issues and still no recalls plus 78,153 miles and I’m to replace the engine I’ve never heard a mechanic say old is that engine it’s how many miles this is my safety complaint

Filed Feb 9, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · 100,000 miles · TX

Engine power reduced continues to show up after several fixes including an engine replacement many times I will be driving and the vehicle will turn off or slow down to dangerously slow speeds as low as 10 miles and hour. This is a constant issue and other malibu drivers are experiencing.

Filed Dec 28, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · 103,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns 2013 chevrolet malibu. While parked, the contact attempted to start vehicle but the vehicle would not start. The contact attempted to charge the battery however, the vehicle would not fully charge. The contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the failure. The contact was informed that the battery charging system needed to be replaced. The contact then drove the vehicle to tropical chevrolet (8880 biscayne blvd, miami shores, fl 33138) who stated the failure was an engine failure and not a failure to the battery charging system. The battery was replaced however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of failure. The failure mileage was 103,000.

Filed Nov 22, 2020 · Acceleration, Electrical · 109,500 miles · IL

I was traveling on 294 south using cruise control at 70 MPH when the car started losing power but all internal app lights like the radio remained on and the steering wheel was still functional. Once the vehicle was put in parked it shut off. Only issue lights that appeared 1 week prior was the ABS sensor had malfunctioned on the front left tire. I attempted to jump the battery but it did not respond. Car had been parked and a friend who works on cars believes the engine is dead even though there shows 23% of oil left and no other symptoms of a blown engine. I have been goodland 2013 chevy malibu eco issues and other than potentially the starter it could be the computer that has died. I changed out the battery and it turns everything on, but struggles to crank and remain on. I came across several links regarding a recall due to computer, but honestly don't know if its even that. Mechanic friend believes it could also be the ECM.

Filed Oct 28, 2020 · Electrical, Steering · 95,000 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 chevrolet malibu. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the steering wheel seized with the battery not charging message displayed on the instrument panel. The contact stated she was unable to remove the key from ignition. Additionally, the windows failed to operate as designed. The vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the gear-box was repaired and an unknown fuse was replaced. Three days later, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic and was repaired for the same electrical failure. Despite the second repair, the failure recurred with the battery warning light illuminated on the instrument panel while her husband was driving at 30 MPH. The contact's husband had the vehicle towed back to the same independent mechanic and was informed that there was another electrical short in the fuse box. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.

Filed Sep 29, 2020 · Engine · OH

For the past two years my car has been consistently burning oil between oil changes to the point where there is less than a quart in the engine. As of april 2020 I have had to add approximately two quarts of oil each week in between the oil changes in order to maintain a proper level of oil in the engine. My mechanic replaced a solenoid because there was a code saying it needed replaced in april. The engine light does not come one, however the engine will click or knock loudly after driving it approximately 60 miles after adding oil to it. My mechanic stated this is an ongoing issue with the 2013 chevy malibu eco. I am aware of several people who had this same issue and eventually had to replace their engine at their cost. All owners of 2012-2014 chevy eco malibu.I have been told by the chevy dealer in my town that this is a known issue to gm and yet they will not issue a recall nor cover the cost of engine replacement. (this issue also happened with hyandui sonata's and hyundai did replace the engines for those with this issue of burning oil at an accelerated rate.

Filed Feb 11, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · 108,000 miles · IN

I bought this 2013 malibu in february 2014. In 2016 it started with the many issues. The hybrid system when stopped at stop sign or light would die. The car would completely die while driving down the road. That lead to the power steering going out. Every code on the dash board would come on. Then the battery would just completely die and need to be jumped. It would run ok for a few days then be dead the next. More and more the battery would completely be dead every few days. Had two new batteries installed and it would test fine usually. Seemed that something was draining it somehow. Took it to the dealer many time and could never get a definitive answer. Finally in november 2019 I was driving down the highway and it completely died and would not take a charge (jump). Stranded on the high I had to have it towed to coyle chevrolet only to be told they didn't have a hybrid mechanic to look at it. Then had it towed to bachman chevrolet only for them to tell me after having it for two weeks that there was something wrong with the engine. Either they needed to disassemble it to find the problem or I would need to get a new engine for $7,000. I had a claim with gm but they also just gave me the run around. The car itself is only worth $3,500-$4,500. I still was paying on the loan for it also. Not only have I not had a car since november I have a car that won't start and can not trade in on another car. Although there was many complaints about the same issues no recalls are on the car for them. Very frustrating situation I dealt with for a few years with the car and no solution for a fix. I loved that car and chevy but very disappointed in them. Need to invest in another model I guess.

Filed Oct 15, 2019 · Electrical, Steering · 66,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 chevrolet malibu. While driving 40 MPH on the freeway, the steering seized and the vehicle lost power without warning. The contact managed to veer the vehicle to the shoulder of the road. The vehicle failed to restart and the key would not release from the ignition. Approximately two hours later, the vehicle did not resume normal operation. The failure recurred multiple times. The manufacturer and dealer were made aware of the failure. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign number: 13v173000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was approximately 66,000.*pm the vehicle was towed to do the dealer and consumer was told it was not electrical problem but block cable was replaced.

Filed Sep 9, 2019 · Steering · 147,000 miles · IA

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 chevrolet malibu. While driving 60 MPH, the steering wheel seized and the entire instrument panel warning indicator illuminated. The contact mentioned that the vehicle jerked while the failure occurred. An independent mechanic was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle would not be able to be diagnosed unless the failure occurred in their presence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 147,000.

Filed Mar 3, 2019 · Electrical, Steering · 30 miles · TX

Less than 99,000 miles... Radio light flickers off and on. Vehicle goes dead at red light, stop sign or whenever vehicle is not in motion. Took vehicle to dealership and replaced the engine computer module as requested. However, problem still exist but more worse. 'service power steering' light came on while driving on a city street but before I could make a safe turn, it became too tough to steer almost causing an accident. Battery good, alternator good..no one really knows what's wrong with the vehicle.

Filed Aug 15, 2018 · Electrical, Engine · 80,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 chevrolet malibu. While attempting to drive the vehicle, it failed to start. On another occasion, while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled, all the warning indicators illuminated, and the steering wheel seized. The contact was able to coast the vehicle to a parking lot. The vehicle was able to restart an hour later and was driven to the contact's residence. The contact called wallace chevrolet at (888) 350-8421 (located at 3575 se federal hwy, stuart, fl 34994) and was informed to schedule an appointment for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.