Chevrolet Malibu 2013–2015
8th generation · GM Epsilon II SWB (GMX351)
NHTSA data through 12 August 20262,340 complaints, 1,574 with mileageMethod
On this generation, failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 36,000 and 95,723 miles.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 11 complaints (0.7%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 8,100
- 25%
- 36,000
- Median
- 66,350
- 75%
- 95,723
- 90%
- 123,656
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 121 | 7.7% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 49 | 3.1% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 52 | 3.3% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 45 | 2.9% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 35 | 2.2% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 27 | 1.7% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 39 | 2.5% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 63 | 4.0% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 55 | 3.5% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 64 | 4.1% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 76 | 4.8% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 54 | 3.4% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 72 | 4.6% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 66 | 4.2% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 78 | 5.0% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 62 | 3.9% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 78 | 5.0% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 78 | 5.0% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 48 | 3.0% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 44 | 2.8% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 55 | 3.5% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 37 | 2.4% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 42 | 2.7% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 38 | 2.4% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 42 | 2.7% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 19 | 1.2% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 23 | 1.5% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 20 | 1.3% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 29 | 1.8% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 7 | 0.4% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 12 | 0.8% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 2 | 0.1% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 9 | 0.6% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 1 | 0.1% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 7 | 0.4% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 1 | 0.1% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 3 | 0.2% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 3 | 0.2% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 7 | 0.4% |
| 200,000+ | 11 | 0.7% |
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 2,340 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013–2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 1,574 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 36,000 and 95,723 miles. The median is 66,350 miles.
The most-reported areas are the electrical system (22.6% of complaints, typically around 72,000 miles), the engine (17.0% of complaints, typically around 77,000 miles), the steering (9.2% of complaints, typically around 60,000 miles).
15 recall campaigns cover this generation.
What fails, and when
- Electrical system72,000median 72,000 miles, middle half 48,000 to 102,000
- Engine77,000median 77,000 miles, middle half 46,000 to 103,000
- Steering60,000median 59,588 miles, middle half 18,000 to 85,000
- Problems owners could not categorise63,000median 63,000 miles, middle half 38,000 to 95,000
- Transmission and driveline65,000median 65,000 miles, middle half 17,000 to 100,000
- Airbag system55,000median 55,461 miles, middle half 40,000 to 89,000
- Electronic stability control (esc)73,000median 73,000 miles, middle half 48,000 to 95,000
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 528 | 22.6% | 72,000 | 48,000–102,000 |
| Engine | 398 | 17.0% | 77,000 | 46,000–103,000 |
| Steering | 215 | 9.2% | 60,000 | 18,000–85,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 176 | 7.5% | 63,000 | 38,000–95,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 136 | 5.8% | 65,000 | 17,000–100,000 |
| Airbag system | 124 | 5.3% | 55,000 | 40,000–89,000 |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 119 | 5.1% | 73,000 | 48,000–95,000 |
| Brakes | 101 | 4.3% | 51,000 | 22,000–85,000 |
| Suspension | 77 | 3.3% | 92,000 | 51,000–120,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 74 | 3.2% | 80,000 | 45,000–100,000 |
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 66,350 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The electrical system accounts for 22.6% of complaints (528 reports, 363 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 72,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 48,000 and 102,000 miles.
The engine accounts for 17.0% of complaints (398 reports, 253 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 77,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 46,500 and 103,000 miles.
The steering accounts for 9.2% of complaints (215 reports, 175 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 59,588 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 18,000 and 85,200 miles.
Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 7.5% of complaints (176 reports, 98 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 63,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 38,000 and 95,400 miles.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 5.8% of complaints (136 reports, 94 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 65,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 17,000 and 100,000 miles.
The airbag system accounts for 5.3% of complaints (124 reports, 73 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 55,461 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 40,500 and 89,000 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2013 model year drew the most — 1,383 complaints — while 2015 drew the fewest at 396. The median year sits at 561.
That makes 2013 an outlier: roughly 2.5 times the median year of this generation. A single year standing that far apart usually reflects either a first-year issue that was later corrected, or a component change introduced for that year. Anyone shopping this generation has a straightforward reason to prefer a different year, all else being equal.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 15 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around the suspension (4), the electrical system (2), visibility equipment (2). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
Of the 2,340 complaints filed against this generation, 113 reported a crash; 43 reported a fire; 98 reported an injury; 3 reported a fatality. Crash-involved reports represent 4.8% of the total.
These are owner-reported outcomes, not verified investigations, and they are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. They are included because the distinction between a fault that strands a car and a fault that causes a collision is the one that matters most, and it is not visible in a complaint count alone.
What this means if you are buying one
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 36,000 and 95,723 miles, with a median of 66,350. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, the electrical system and the engine are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The electrical system in particular shows a median failure mileage of 72,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
Documented problems
Engine 2013–2014
2.4L eAssist mild-hybrid system battery pack and 12V/battery-cable faults; the eAssist variant was dropped after 2014.
Body/Electrical 2013
Frequent complaints of hard starting and electrical faults on the 2013 launch year, largely resolved by the heavy 2014 front-structure and interior revision (a facelift, not a new platform).
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 1,383 | 995 |
| 2014 | 561 | 352 |
| 2015 | 396 | 227 |
Recalls (15)
| Campaign | Date | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 21V00F000 | 2022-01-27 | Suspension:rear |
| 21V633000 | 2022-01-03 | Suspension:rear |
| 20V764000 | 2021-08-19 | Suspension:rear |
| 16V502000 | 2016-10-14 | Electrical System:ignition |
| 15V666000 | 2015-10-19 | Air Bags:side/Window |
| 15V164000 | 2015-04-21 | Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly |
| 15V245000 | 2015-04-20 | Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl) |
| 12V484000 | 2014-09-08 | Exterior Lighting:turn Signal |
| 14V247000 | 2014-07-03 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum |
| 14V240000 | 2014-06-23 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc |
| 14V092000 | 2014-04-10 | Power Train:automatic Transmission |
| 13V567000 | 2013-12-06 | Visibility:defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:windshield:electrical Heating Element |
| 13V566000 | 2013-12-04 | Seats:front Assembly:power Adjust |
| 13V024000 | 2013-01-21 | Suspension:rear |
| 12V224000 | 2012-06-13 | Electrical System:software |
What owners reported
We pd 3000 down on a chevy Malibu from nimnicht Chevrolet 1550 cassatt ave jacksonville fla 32210 on july 5 it was parked for three days when we bought i because i became very sick. July 8 my husband went to go to the store he got to the store the engine light came on he took it right back to the dealership. They kept…
2013 · 5 miles · Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that when driving at various speeds and downshifting, the vehicle rode very rough. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. After inspection, they advised him that he would have to put 500 miles on the vehicle for it to learn his way of driving. After driving…
2013 · 7 miles · Engine
Went to test drive 2013 chevy Malibu. As always, i adjust mirrors before driving. I immediately noticed that because the roofline is so low-slung for aerodynamic reasons, that the rear view mirror is also very low. As a result, the mirror was blocking almost 25% of my view! I've heard of blindspots on vehicles but…
2013 · 20 miles · Visibility/wiper
Cars brakes are basically stuck. Brake assist coming on and causing brake lights on exterior of car to stay on while driving and parked, also while car is off with key out of vehicle. When letting off the brake the car comes to a stop very quickly as if you were applying the brakes. It is hard to accelerate going…
2013 · 20 miles · Brakes
Built from 1,574 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-12 · open data · reproduce this page