2013 Chevrolet Malibu: loss of power steering

Filed Mar 25, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · MD

THIS IS MY 3RD COMPLAINT (Ref: Previous Reports). THE VEHICLE IS NOW A TOTAL LOSS. 1. UNRESOLVED ENGINE/STEERING (Prior Complaints): This 2013 Malibu has a documented history of sudden engine stalling and total loss of power steering at highway speeds. Despite reporting this twice to the federal safety agency and to GM, the manufacturer failed to provide a remedy. 2. RECENT SYSTEMIC COLLAPSE: Prior to the car becoming completely undrivable in my driveway, the instrument cluster suffered a total blackout (no speedometer/indicators). This matches GM TSB MC-10181662-9999, proving a known design defect in the electrical system/BCM. 3. RECALL DISCREPANCY: In addition to these engine/steering failures, a mandatory federal recall for the Rear Suspension Toe Link (20V764), which I was notified of in 2020, has 'vanished' from the system without being performed. 4. DENIAL OF SERVICE: The dealer is demanding a $1,900 diagnostic fee to even look at these documented, life-threatening safety defects, including the free federal recall. This is a violation of the Maryland Implied Warranty of Merchantability. On January 6, 2026, the check engine light illuminated, followed by a total instrument cluster blackout and electrical failure. The vehicle has been undrivable in my driveway since this total system collapse. This follows years of stalling and steering issues that the manufacturer failed to remedy."

Filed Oct 23, 2025 · Brakes, Electrical · 60,000 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced several electrical failures, causing a loss of power and the vehicle to stall. The vehicle also lost power steering and braking functionality. While inspecting under the hood, the contact discovered that the battery terminals were extremely hot to the touch. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 60,000.

Filed Aug 27, 2025 · Electrical · 260,000 miles · ND

The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving at 55 MPH, the "Service Battery Charging System" message was displayed, followed by the battery warning being illuminated. Simultaneously, the Service Stabili-trak, power steering, and ABS messages were displayed. The vehicle immediately lost steering assist, and the steering wheel became firm, and while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to slow down as intended. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road. Subsequently, the headlights turned off, the interface shut off, and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the alternator was running at 11 volts instead of 13 volts. The mechanic determined that both the alternator and the GCM (Generator Control Module) needed to be replaced; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 260,000.

Filed Sep 18, 2023 · Electrical · 190,000 miles · IN

The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the instrument panel lights started flickering, and the vehicle lost power steering functionality. Additionally, when the brake was depressed, the brake pedal was abnormally firm. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and inspected. The vehicle was then towed to the residence where the battery was charged. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the generator control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 190,000.

Filed Apr 29, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · CO

My 2013 Chevy Malibu Eco 2LT has 120,000 miles on it. I purchased the vehicle at 68,000 miles from the only owner of the car. I have had the car 6 years and kept up on all maintenance. While I was driving in a 45mph zone my vehicle’ s interior lighting started flashing. My dash flashed then said service stability track, car went blank then back on said service power steering flashed again and said service battery charging system and then went completely dead. When I got to the bottom of the hill to turn off main road my brakes had locked up in the rear and I had no power steering and wheel locked could not turn wheel. Vehicle would not allow me to shift into neutral so I could be pushed out of traffic and I had no flashers or any power. Battery was 1year old. My biggest concern is that the vehicle never alerted me with a service engine light. There was no indication that my alternator was not responding. And mechanics and dealership service shop are wanting thousands of dollars for possible parts and labor without a clear idea of what the exact issue is. I believe that this issue was recalled but since my vehicle was not manufactured in a specific state was never repaired. I believe that my GCM has a malfunction that was to be replaced and reprogrammed with the appropriate software!!

Filed Dec 13, 2022 · Engine · 119,000 miles · TX · fire

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.

Filed Apr 13, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · 93,000 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 15-20 MPH, the battery warning light illuminated and the steering wheel suddenly lost power steering functionality. The vehicle then lost electrical power. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle after several attempts. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that oil was leaking and that the passenger's side axle needed to be replaced. Additionally, the drive belt had detached. The contact was informed that the alternator and battery needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred while driving. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.

Filed May 21, 2020 · Electrical, Steering · 132,000 miles · NC

The car shuts completely off when driving. The steering wheel starts to lock in different places as you turn. All electronics shut off and sometimes cannot be restarted for days. You can be sitting in park and turn the steering wheel and it will still lock up. Not at the stopping point of the steering. Even if you try. A little. I also have a video of it happening it will not let you turn it at all. Unlock losing power steering makes it harder to turn but still possible. With this it stops completely like the car is shut off. When you switch your turn signal on and then turn all electronics and car shuts off until you turn the signal off or let go out the steering wheel. I have almost wrecked 4 times with kids in the car. I have personally read other people. Not just a few but at least 200 other people with this same problem. Currently looking into legal action against this before someone dies in a wreck because nobody wants to issue a recall.

Filed May 18, 2020 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 1 miles · TX

Vehicle occasionally loses power when in traffic or reduced speed, stabilitrak malfunctions consistently, initiating "limp mode", power steering went out this morning as my speed reduced.

Filed Dec 9, 2019 · Electrical · 70,000 miles · MO

My electrical system will shut down at any time. I have seen that this has happened to many others. After many trips to the dealer they cannot fix problem. I was on highway at 70 MPH when power steering went out. This has happened to many others also. Gm will not admit this is a very dangerous problem. I hope it don't take someone to die before they do something if that hasn't happened already .. Please help....

Filed Nov 6, 2019 · Brakes, Electrical · 46,000 miles · MI

The entire electrical system will randomly shut down causing loss of power steering, power brakes, entire dashboard, all lights, hazard lights etc. This can happen at any time, on the freeway, stopped at a light, parked etc. Sometimes it goes dark and restarts itself while driving....sometimes it goes dark and won't restart for minutes or longer while in traffic without working hazard lights. If parked, it can't be taken out of 'park" to push it out of traffic or try to start it in "neutral" and the key can't be removed from the ignition.there are no error codes to diagnose the issue and it won't ever happen while it is in the shop (of course) this is the ultimate safety hazard to me and my family.

Filed Oct 1, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 85,000 miles · WV

As I am driving either on the highway at over 70 MPH or in the city I have lost all power to the vehicle. Loss of power steering, power breaks everything. The car shuts completely down and just before all the check engine and service lights flash through. This has happened 4 times and the last time I was pulling into apple valley motors in martinsburg wv parking lot, lost power and hit the curb and blew out a tire because I lost power steering. The dealer will do nothing about it there are many of the same complaints for the same problem on chevy malibu forum. Com finally someone suggested that we should report the problem here. I have had to put 3 batteries in the year that I owned it. Not only this but the transmission and engine both went bad at the same time. I only have 86k on it. I contacted both gm and chevy and explained the situation and neither one will assist me. They gave me a case number but in the end they said there is nothing they can do because all warranties have expired. ( they expired because of the date, I am still under the mileage portion of the warranty) as of right now my car is at the dealership because I can't afford to have it fixed and the dealership, gm/chevy or the third party warranty that expired 8 days after they replaced the transmission will not help either. Luckily I only hit a curb at a very slow speed. I could have killed someone. This has happened both on the highway and in the city while I am in motion. The dealership that I purchased it at had to change the battery in the trunk during the first 30 days that I owned it. That fixed the problem for a while. But I don't know if that is the cause of this problem or not. The first time this happened was app 4 months ago and has happened a total of 4 times since then. And still the no one will help or look into the issue. The most recent was last week.