NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
375 reportsClear category filter136,000 miles · Jun 18, 2020
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED SHE WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF OR REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE BATTERY WAS FULLY DRAINED AND THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER A BATTERY BOOST…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED SHE WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF OR REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE BATTERY WAS FULLY DRAINED AND THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER A BATTERY BOOSTER WAS CONNECTED TO THE BATTERY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COURTESY CHEVROLET BUICK GMC CADILLAC LOCATED AT 1500 S SERVICE RD E, RUSTON, LA 71270, (318) 255-4162, WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND THE CONTACT INFORMED THAT GEAR SHIFTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.
NHTSA ODI #11329654
95,000 miles · Jun 10, 2020
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other
AC CONTROL NOT SEND SIGNAL TO AC COMPRESSOR. STUCK IN HEAT ON LAST SETTING I HAD THE CONTROL ON. I BOUGHT NEW AC COMPRESSOR BECAUSE WAS TOLD THE AC COMPRESS HAS POWER BUT NOT WORKING. AFTER REPLACING THE COMPRESSOR PROBLEM STILL WAS ON GOING NOW TOLD AC IS NOT SENDING MESSAGE TO COMPRESS TO TURN ON. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11328124
115,000 miles · May 25, 2020
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other
WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE AND I COME TO A STOP THE ENGINE DIES OUT. THERE IS NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR WARNING BEFORE THIS HAPPENS AND IT HAS ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT 3 TIMES NOW. EVEN IN STOP AND GO RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC, AS SOON AS I NEED TO SLOW DOWN THE CAR STUTTERS AND THEN STALLS. ALL THE LIGHTS AND RADIO STAY ON BUT THE ENGIN…
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WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE AND I COME TO A STOP THE ENGINE DIES OUT. THERE IS NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR WARNING BEFORE THIS HAPPENS AND IT HAS ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT 3 TIMES NOW. EVEN IN STOP AND GO RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC, AS SOON AS I NEED TO SLOW DOWN THE CAR STUTTERS AND THEN STALLS. ALL THE LIGHTS AND RADIO STAY ON BUT THE ENGINE JUST SHUTS OFF. I HAVE TO QUICKLY THROW IT INTO, PARK TURN THE KEY TO OFF AND RESTART THE CAR EVERYTIME. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS AND I JUST DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO ANYMORE. I AM NOT ABLE TO TRADE IT IN YET AND I AM AFRAID TO SELL IT AND THIS HAPPEN TO SOMEONE ELSE.
NHTSA ODI #11325897
118,000 miles · May 24, 2020
Electrical SystemSeatsVisibility/wiper
CHAFED WIRING UNDER PASSENGER SEAT TO SHORT OUT AND GROUND..CAUSING HEADLIGHTS TO GO OUT AND ALL ELECTRICAL PARTS TO SHORT OUT...NO HEADLIGHTS OR TAIL LIGHTS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11325717
132,000 miles · May 21, 2020
Electrical SystemSteeringUnknown Or Other
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.…
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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. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11325417
1 miles · May 18, 2020
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Steering
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. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11324995
108,100 miles · Apr 20, 2020
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
OFTEN TIMES AS I'M DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD MY WHOLE DASHBOARD WILL TURN OFF AND TURN BACK ON. MORE RECENTLY WHEN I STARTED MY CAR IN THE MORNING THE DASH LIGHTS WOULDN'T TURN ON AND ALL THE GAUGES WERE STUCK DOWN AS IF THE DASH NEVER TURNED ON.
NHTSA ODI #11321691
109,000 miles · Apr 12, 2020
Electrical SystemSteeringUnknown Or Other
WHEN I WAS PARKED I WAS ROLLING THE WINDOWS WITH THE CAR RUNNING AND ALL THE LIGHTS AND CAR WAS CUTTING OFF. WHILE I'M DRIVING I LOSE POWER ALL MY DASH LIGHTS GO OUT AND WHILE MAKING A TURN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP TO WHERE I CAN NOT CORRECT MYSELF FROM TURNING SO I HAVE TO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET UNTIL THE POWER COM…
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WHEN I WAS PARKED I WAS ROLLING THE WINDOWS WITH THE CAR RUNNING AND ALL THE LIGHTS AND CAR WAS CUTTING OFF. WHILE I'M DRIVING I LOSE POWER ALL MY DASH LIGHTS GO OUT AND WHILE MAKING A TURN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP TO WHERE I CAN NOT CORRECT MYSELF FROM TURNING SO I HAVE TO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET UNTIL THE POWER COMES BACK ON.
NHTSA ODI #11320887
5 miles · Mar 23, 2020
Electrical SystemEngine
MIENTRAS EL VEHICULO ESTA EN MOVIMIENTO EL MOTOR SE APAGA. ESTO COMENZO A OCURRIR HACE UN MES .. ES UNA SITUACION MUY PELIGROSA
NHTSA ODI #11319056
80,000 miles · Mar 2, 2020
Electrical SystemSteeringVehicle Speed Control
WHILE ON THE ROAD OR HIGHWAY THE CAR POWER OFF AND ON WHILE DRIVING .IT HAS HAPPENED ON MANY OCCASIONS. IT IS DANGEROUS
NHTSA ODI #11315597
Official recalls
10Dec 22, 2021
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, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. These vehicles may have rear toe links that received an improper amount of electrocoating (e-coat) corrosion protection, which could cause the e-coat to become brittle and break away when contacted by road debris. Over time, the e-coat may chip away, exposing the metal toe link and making it more susceptible to corrosion. Corrosion may eventually cause the toe link to thin and ultimately fracture.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212346640. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recalls 20V-764 and 21V-633.
Aug 12, 2021
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, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. These vehicles may have rear toe links that received excessive electrocoating (e-coat) corrosion protection, which could cause the e-coat to become brittle and break away when contacted by road debris. Over time, the e-coat may chip away, exposing the metal toe link and making it more susceptible to corrosion. Corrosion may eventually cause the toe link to thin and ultimately fracture.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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 on January 3, 2022. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212330130.
Dec 21, 2020
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, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. These vehicles may have rear toe links that received excessive electrocoating (e-coat) corrosion protection, which could cause the e-coat to become brittle and break away when contacted by road debris. Over time, the e-coat may chip away, exposing the metal toe link and making it more susceptible to corrosion. Corrosion may eventually cause the toe link to thin and ultimately to fracture.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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 January 27, 2021, and April 15, 2021. A third notification was mailed on August 19, 201. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202308930.
Jul 5, 2016
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."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Electrical System:ignition
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."
Consequence: 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.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
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."
Consequence: 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.
Apr 24, 2015
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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 102, "Transmission Shift Position Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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 risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 12162.
Mar 23, 2015
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 inadvertently being pressed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 118, "Power-Operated Window, Partition, and Roof Panel Systems."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15176.
Nov 13, 2013
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 seat frame which may chafe the harness.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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 lights, smoke, or possibly a fire.
Remedy: 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. GM's recall campaign number is 13342.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Seats:front Assembly:power Adjust
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 seat frame which may chafe the harness.
Consequence: 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 lights, smoke, or possibly a fire.
Remedy: 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. GM's recall campaign number is 13342.
Electrical System:wiring
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 seat frame which may chafe the harness.
Consequence: 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 lights, smoke, or possibly a fire.
Remedy: 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. GM's recall campaign number is 13342.
Jan 23, 2013
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 vehicle handling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Sudden changes in vehicle handling may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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 contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.
Oct 4, 2012
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 in either front turn signal lamp, there is no indication to the driver. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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 aware that the affected vehicle is turning, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 12212.
May 18, 2012
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
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