Chevrolet Malibu 2013–2015 problems by year and mileage
8th generation · GM Epsilon II SWB (GMX351)
NHTSA data through 18 October 20261,556 complaints, 1,080 with mileageMethod
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
The 2013 Chevrolet Malibu
Close- Median failure report
- 67,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 923
- Recalls naming this year
- 11
Most reported on the 2013
- Electrical system425 reports · median 76,000 mi
- Engine226 reports · median 77,000 mi
- Steering197 reports · median 59,000 mi
Recall areas Suspension — rear · Electrical system — ignition · Power train — automatic transmission
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2014 Chevrolet Malibu
Close- Median failure report
- 60,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 363
- Recalls naming this year
- 6
Most reported on the 2014
- Engine127 reports · median 75,000 mi
- Electrical system88 reports · median 65,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise57 reports
Recall areas Electrical system — ignition · Visibility — sun/moon roof assembly · Service brakes, hydraulic — power assist
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2015 Chevrolet Malibu
Close- Median failure report
- 50,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 270
- Recalls naming this year
- 3
Most reported on the 2015
- Engine70 reports · median 66,000 mi
- Electrical system68 reports · median 54,000 mi
- Airbag system49 reports
Recall areas Electrical system — ignition · Air bags — side/window · Visibility — sun/moon roof assembly
Check the VIN at NHTSA
Tiles: each year’s median failure mileage. Latest: the 2013; earliest: the 2015, and the 2013 is 2 years older (part of the gap is age).
The short answer
“Is the 2013–2015 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 64,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 122,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 1,080
- Recalls
- 16
Most reported
- Electrical system37.3% of complaints · median 72,000 mi
- Engine27.2% of complaints · median 75,000 mi
- Steering14.9% of complaints · median 57,000 mi
Owners filed 1,556 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013–2015 Chevrolet Malibu; the electrical system leads with 37.3% of them, and half of the 1,080 that record an odometer reading came by 64,000 miles — complaints, not a failure rate.
No single peak: the middle half runs 32,000 to 94,000 miles.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2013–2015 Chevrolet Malibu last?
On the 2013–2015 Chevrolet Malibu, half of the 1,080 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 64,000 miles and 90% by 122,000 miles (why that is not a lifespan).
42 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 8 past 200,000 — each one proof that a Malibu reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Chevrolet Malibu 2013–2015 · 1,080 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
10,000-mile bins, 0 to 200,000 miles, linear scale; tallest bar 136 complaints
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 8 complaints (0.7%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 6,500
- 25%
- 32,000
- Median
- 64,000
- 75%
- 94,000
- 90%
- 122,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–10,000 | 136 | 12.6% |
| 10,000–20,000 | 72 | 6.7% |
| 20,000–30,000 | 50 | 4.6% |
| 30,000–40,000 | 73 | 6.8% |
| 40,000–50,000 | 84 | 7.8% |
| 50,000–60,000 | 85 | 7.9% |
| 60,000–70,000 | 88 | 8.1% |
| 70,000–80,000 | 89 | 8.2% |
| 80,000–90,000 | 105 | 9.7% |
| 90,000–100,000 | 62 | 5.7% |
| 100,000–110,000 | 59 | 5.5% |
| 110,000–120,000 | 46 | 4.3% |
| 120,000–130,000 | 41 | 3.8% |
| 130,000–140,000 | 26 | 2.4% |
| 140,000–150,000 | 22 | 2.0% |
| 150,000–160,000 | 11 | 1.0% |
| 160,000–170,000 | 8 | 0.7% |
| 170,000–180,000 | 7 | 0.6% |
| 180,000–190,000 | 5 | 0.5% |
| 190,000–200,000 | 3 | 0.3% |
| 200,000+ | 8 | 0.7% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
Common Malibu problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Chevrolet Malibu 2013–2015
When each system fails
Bar: middle half of reports · notch: median · proportional (log) scale (how to read it)
- Airbag system134 reportsmedian 54,000middle half 37,000–89,000
- Steering232 reportsmedian 57,000middle half 18,000–85,000
- Transmission and driveline146 reportsmedian 61,000middle half 17,000–100,000
- Problems owners could not categorise189 reportsmedian 65,000middle half 40,000–98,000
- Electrical system581 reportsmedian 72,000middle half 46,000–100,000
- Electronic stability control (esc)136 reportsmedian 73,000middle half 50,000–95,000
- Engine423 reportsmedian 75,000middle half 46,000–103,000
- Your odometer, once entered below
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 581 | 37.3% | 72,000 | 46,000–100,000 |
| Engine | 423 | 27.2% | 75,000 | 46,000–103,000 |
| Steering | 232 | 14.9% | 57,000 | 18,000–85,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 189 | 12.1% | 65,000 | 40,000–98,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 146 | 9.4% | 61,000 | 17,000–100,000 |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 136 | 8.7% | 73,000 | 50,000–95,000 |
| Airbag system | 134 | 8.6% | 54,000 | 37,000–89,000 |
| Brakes | 115 | 7.4% | 48,000 | 17,000–83,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 81 | 5.2% | 80,000 | 45,000–102,000 |
| Suspension | 77 | 4.9% | 90,000 | 51,000–120,000 |
Known problems with the 2013–2015 Malibu
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).
Before you buy a 2013–2015 Malibu: the 3-minute check
Generated from 1,080 mileage-tagged complaints, 16 recall campaigns, 2 documented problem areas.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 16 campaigns cover this generation.
- Check engine on 2013–2014 cars. What each looks like: Known problems.
- Check Body/Electrical on 2013 cars.
- Years differ here: from 270 to 923 complaints a year — compare them by model year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car.
Malibu problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer, or read the table.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi46% below | At 90k mi72% below | At 120k mi88% below | At 150k mi96% below | At 200k mi99% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 46,000–100,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Engine | 46,000–103,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Steering | 18,000–85,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 40,000–98,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Transmission and driveline | 17,000–100,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 50,000–95,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Airbag system | 37,000–89,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · Chevrolet Malibu 2013–2015 · 1,080 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Steps at bin edges (how to read it)
- 60,000 mi — 46% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 72% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 88% of reports below
- 150,000 mi — 96% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 99% of reports below
- Median (the 50% line)
- Your odometer, once entered
Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
2013–2015 Chevrolet Malibu recalls (16)
NHTSA records 16 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation (what a recall is).
The campaigns cluster around the suspension (4), the electrical system (3), the transmission and driveline (2) (why one area can repeat).
Dec 2021 · 2013 · SuspensionA rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a…
The defect. General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Buick Lacrosse, 2012-2013 Buick Regal, and 2013 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles sold or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland…
What can happen. A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 27, 2022. Owners may contact Buick customer service at…
Aug 2021 · 2013 · SuspensionA rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a…
The defect. General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Buick Regal, Chevrolet Malibu, and Buick Lacrosse vehicles sold or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts…
What can happen. A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on September 30, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed…
Dec 2020 · 2013 · SuspensionA rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a…
The defect. General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Buick Regal, 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2010-2013 Buick Lacrosse vehicles sold or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland…
What can happen. A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners free of charge. Parts are not currently available. Owners were mailed an interim notification on…
Jul 2016 · 2013–2015 · Electrical SystemIf the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting…
The 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…
What can happen. If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
The free fix. 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…
Oct 2015 · 2015 · Air BagsIn the event of a crash necessitating deployment of one or both of the side impact air bags, the air bag's…
The defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac XTS, Chevrolet Camaro, Equinox, Malibu, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The affected vehicles have front seat-mounted side impact air bags whose inflator may rupture upon its…
What can happen. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of one or both of the side impact air bags, the air bag's inflator may rupture and the air bag may not properly inflate. The rupture could cause metal…
The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side impact air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began on October 19, 2015. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300…
Apr 2015 · 2013 · Power TrainIf the console shift indicator does not illuminate the transmission gear selection, a driver could…
The defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured April 10, 2012, to August 2, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the console transmission gear selection indicator may not illuminate the shift position selected.…
What can happen. If the console shift indicator does not illuminate the transmission gear selection, a driver could inadvertently select a transmission position other than the position the driver intended, increasing…
The free fix. GM has notified owners, and dealers will replace the transmission gear selection control module, free of charge. The recall began on April 20, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at…
Mar 2015 · 2013–2015 · VisibilityThe Slide or Tilt roof panel switch may inadvertently be pressed and the roof panel may auto-close…
The defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles October 24, 2011, to March 5, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the Slide or Tilt switch for the roof panel may not be adequately recessed to prevent the switch from…
What can happen. The Slide or Tilt roof panel switch may inadvertently be pressed and the roof panel may auto-close unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a pinch injury.
The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the Body Control Module (BCM) software to remove auto-close feature for certain switch positions, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2015.…
May 2014 · 2014 · Service Brakes, HydraulicIf the hydraulic boost assist is disabled, slowing or stopping the vehicle will require additional brake…
The defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured June 12, 2013, through May 2, 2014, and equipped with a 2.5L engine with the auto stop/start option. The affected vehicles may experience a complete loss of…
What can happen. If the hydraulic boost assist is disabled, slowing or stopping the vehicle will require additional brake pedal effort and a lengthened stopping distance. Both of these effects increase the risk of a…
The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the electronic brake control module software, free of charge. The recall began on July 3, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at…
May 2014 · 2014 · Service Brakes, HydraulicIf a brake pad detaches from caliper, there may be a sudden reduction in braking, lengthening the distance…
The defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Buick Lacrosse vehicles manufactured January 29, 2014, through March 31, 2014 and 2014 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured February 7, 2014, through March 31, 2014, and equipped with 17 inch…
What can happen. If a brake pad detaches from caliper, there may be a sudden reduction in braking, lengthening the distance required to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front brake rotors, and install the correct rotors with new brake pads, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on June 20, 2014. Owners may…
Feb 2014 · 2014 · Power TrainIf a vehicle's shift cable disengages from the transmission shift lever, a driver may be unable to shift gear…
The defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Buick Regal, LaCrosse, Verano, and Enclave, and Chevrolet Impala, Malibu, Cruze, and Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. In the affected vehicles, the…
What can happen. If a vehicle's shift cable disengages from the transmission shift lever, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the…
The free fix. General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace any affected transmission shift cable adjusters, free of charge. The recall began on April 10, 2014. Chevrolet owners may…
Nov 2013 · 2014 · VisibilityThe inability to turn on the windshield defroster may decrease the driver's visibility thereby increasing the…
The defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured June 12, 2013, through November 5, 2013. The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) control in these vehicles may intermittently become inoperable…
What can happen. The inability to turn on the windshield defroster may decrease the driver's visibility thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the electronic climate control module software, free of charge. The recall began during December 2013. Owners may contact GM at 1-800-521-7300. GM's…
Nov 2013 · 2013 · SeatsIf the harness is chaffed enough to expose the wires, a short circuit could occur, resulting unintended…
The defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured October 25, 2011, through June 29, 2012 and equipped with the 8-way power adjustable front seat feature. The wiring harness for the power seat may contact the…
What can happen. If the harness is chaffed enough to expose the wires, a short circuit could occur, resulting unintended movement of the seat, the seat to become inoperative, sparking under the seat, flickering…
The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the wire harness and repair and secure it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began during December 2013. Owners may contact GM at 1-800-521-7300.…
May 2013 · 2013 · Electrical SystemIf the vehicle is continued to be driven, the engine may stall and/or the vehicle may not start.
The defect. General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012 and 2013 Buick LaCrosse and Regal, and model year 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco vehicles equipped with eAssist. These vehicles may have a condition in which the Generator Control Module (GCM) may not…
What can happen. If the vehicle is continued to be driven, the engine may stall and/or the vehicle may not start. In addition, there may be a burning or melting odor, smoke, and possibly a fire in the trunk.
The free fix. GM will notify owners and dealers will test the GCM and replace it, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on June 11, 2013. Owners may contact GM at 1-800-521-7300. GM's recall campaign…
Jan 2013 · 2013 · SuspensionSudden changes in vehicle handling may increase the risk of a crash.
The defect. General Motors is recalling certain model year 2013 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles, manufactured December 6, 2011, through January 15, 2013. One or more rear suspension bolts may not have been tightened to the specified torque. This may lead to sudden changes in…
What can happen. Sudden changes in vehicle handling may increase the risk of a crash.
The free fix. General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and retighten the bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notifications have already begun and will be completed shortly. Owners may…
Oct 2012 · 2013 · Exterior LightingIf the driver is not aware that a turn signal is not functioning properly, the driver may continue to drive…
The defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Buick Regal and model year 2013 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with two turn signal bulbs in each front turn signal. If one of the two front turn signal bulbs burn out…
What can happen. If the driver is not aware that a turn signal is not functioning properly, the driver may continue to drive the vehicle. If half of a front turn signal is not illuminating, other driver's may not be…
The free fix. GM will notify owners, dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Buick at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet at…
May 2012 · 2013 · Electrical SystemIf this occurs during an aggressive turning maneuver, and then afterwards a potential vehicle rollover event…
The 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.
What can happen. 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…
The free fix. 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.
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
Out of 1,556 complaints against this generation, owners also reported:
- Crashes
- 75 (4.8%)
- Fires
- 28
- Injury reports
- 45
- Fatality reports
- 2
Malibu problems by model year
The 2013 drew the most complaints of this generation, 923, most of them about the electrical system, and the 2015 the fewest, 270. A typical year drew about 363.
That makes the 2013 stand out at roughly 2.5 times a typical year (what a yearly count can and cannot say).
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 923 | 678 | 67,000 | Electrical system (425) | 11 |
| 2014 | 363 | 242 | 60,000 | Engine (127) | 6 |
| 2015 | 270 | 160 | 50,000 | Engine (70) | 3 |
What Malibu owners reported
The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40-50 MPH, the vehicle became difficult to maneuver. The contact pulled over to the side of the road. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and…
2014 · 74,000 miles · Steering
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the electrical system failed inside the vehicle, causing the air conditioning system to fail to operate, and the window control buttons failed to roll the window down. The battery saver active warning light was illuminated. The…
2013 · 114,000 miles · Electrical system
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact attempted to stop to make a turn, and there was a popping sound coming from the vehicle before the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle was restarted, but failed to move or respond as…
2015 · 179,000 miles · Transmission and driveline
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…
2013 · 125,000 miles · Engine
Built from 1,080 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-10-20 · open data · how it is built
Other Malibu generations
- Malibu 1997–2003 2,351 reports with mileage, most about the electrical system
- Malibu 2004–2007 4,348 reports with mileage, most about the steering
- Malibu 2008–2012 4,467 reports with mileage, most about the steering
- Malibu 2016–2025 1,430 reports with mileage, most about the engine