Electrical System. Review the 375 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. Review the 204 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Steering. Review the 181 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

33 crash reports10 fire reports22 injury reports

Steering complaints

181 reports

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Mileage unknown · Feb 23, 2015

Steering

LETTER FROM CONGRESSMAN JOLLY ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE AN ISSUE WITH 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU THAT GENERAL MOTORS WILL NOT RECALL (ATTN: BRENDA FRANTZ) *SMD THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A LETTER FROM GM REGARDING POTENTIAL PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, IT WAS NOT RECALL, RATHER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS…

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NHTSA ODI #10690371

Mileage unknown · Feb 23, 2015

Steering

2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE STEERING SYSTEM ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY THREE DIFFERENT DEALERS, THE STEERING MUST FAIL, BEFORE IT CAN BE FIXED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10667991

17,000 miles · Feb 12, 2015

Service BrakesSteeringStructure

CLEANING OUT THE TRUNK DISCOVERED NO SPARE TIRE. ONLY SEALANT AIR COMPRESSOR. HOW STUPID. WAS NOT INFORMED BY THE DEALER, WHO OBVIOUSLY KNEW THEY WOULD LOSE A DEAL IF CUSTOMER INFORMED. THIS IS A BIG TIME SCAM AND COVER UP. I CAN SEE REAL TROUBLE IF I HAVE A BLOW OUT! STUPID!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10683000

25,000 miles · Dec 16, 2014

Steering

HARD STEERING AT 55-65 MPH SPEED WHEN GOING AROUND CURVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10664501

15,000 miles · Sep 8, 2014

Electrical SystemEngineSteering

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THE CAR ENGINE STALLS, LOCKS GO UP AND DOWN, PANEL LIGHTS GO OUT, POWER STEERING IS DISABLED, RPM GAUGE REVS UP TO 7000+, THEN ENGINE COMES BACK ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES NEARLY CAUSING CRASHES AND CAUSING EXTREME ANXIETY. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAYS NO ERROR IS STORED ON THE CAR COMPUTER AND THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE INCIDENT. AFTER 2 DAYS IN THE SHOP, I GOT MY CAR BACK, DROVE 378 MILES AND THE INCIDENT HAPPENED AGAIN. IT HAS OCCURRED WITH EVERY MEMBER OF MY FAMILY. I WANT TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY OR I WILL CONTACT AN ATTORNY BEFORE SOMEONE GETS INJURED NOT AFTERWARDS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10631687

13,000 miles · Aug 2, 2014

Steering

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STEERING BECAME STIFF WITH SLIPPAGE WHEN BEARING LEFT OR RIGHT. TOOK IT TO DEALER IN SAVANNAH WHERE PURCHASED. WAS TOLD THIS WAS AN ISSUE FOR QUITE A FEW PEOPLE. POWER STEERING MOTOR WAS REPLACED. ALSO HAD AN ISSUE WITH HEATER VENTS BLOWING HOT AIR EVEN WHEN TURNED OFF. HAPPENED ON START UP SEVERAL TIMES. DEALER SAID COMPUTER HAD TO BE REPROGRAMMED. HAD A FLAT AND SIDE OF TIRE HAD A HOLE. THE KIT IN THE TRUNK (INSTEAD OF AN ACTUAL TIRE) WAS NO HELP AT ALL. HAD TO CALL AAA FOR A TOW. HAD TO BUY AN AFTER MARKET RIM AND TIRE SO I WOULD HAVE A SPARE. THE DEALERS SELL THEM AT AROUND $500.00. I AM SO DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS CAR.....CHEVY HAS LOST A LOYAL CUSTOMER DUE TO THEIR GREED AND THE DEALER IN SAVANNAH WILL NEVER GET ANY BUSINESS FROM US FOR SELLING US A CAR THAT THEY KNEW HAD ISSUES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10618338

4,692 miles · May 16, 2014

Steering

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED AS THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. ON ANOTHER OCASSION, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE OUT PARK AND THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR ON NUMEROUS OCASSIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCASSIONS FOR THE FAILURE WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING GEAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED TWICE BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,692 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 11,246. DR..UPDATED 08/11/14 *BF UPDATED 08/19/2014 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10588960

9,000 miles · May 16, 2014

EngineService BrakesSteering

I WAS DRIVING MY SON TO WORK AND I LOST ALL POWER TO MY VEHICLE. I HAD NO BRAKES, POWER STEERING AND MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON AS WELL. I MANAGED NOT GET IN A ACCIDENT AND GET INTO A PARKING LOT. THANK GOD. MY BACKLIGHTS HAVE HAD ISSUES AS WELL THEY HAVE STAYED ON AND HAVE CUASED ME TO GET PULLED OVER…

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NHTSA ODI #10588872

Mileage unknown · Apr 22, 2014

Steering

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ON THE FIRST INCIDENT I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK. IT HAD BEEN RAINING EARLIER SO I WAS GOING SLOWER THAN USUAL. WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING WOULD VEER TO L OR R AND ACT AS IF IT WERE STIFFENING. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER WHO SAID THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG THAT IT WAS PROBABLY "JUST THE RAIN". THE FOLLOWING WEEK IT DID THE SAME THING, NO RAIN! THIS HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE AND I HAVE TAKEN IN FOR A REPEAT TRIP TO BE TOLD THE SAME THING, TIRES ARE FINE, ETC.......YET WHILE TRAVELING DOWN HIGHWAY/INTERSTATE THE STEERING TENDS TO LOCK/STICK AND REQUIRE FORCE WHICH IS DANGEROUS! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10584268

9,950 miles · Apr 7, 2014

Steering

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I RECENTLY JUST BOUGHT A 2013 CHEVY MALIBU AND I WAS EXCITED, NOW I AM JUST HAVING REGRETS. I HAVE NOTICED THAT MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP AT OR AROUND 45 MPH AND OVER. MY CAR STARTS TO DRIFT TOWARDS THE YELLOW OR WHITE LINE, AND I WILL TRY TO MAKE THE MINOR ADJUSTMENTS (JUST LIKE I WOULD IN ANY OTHER VEHICLE) AND I FIND MYSELF TUGGING PRETTY FORCEFULLY TO BREAK IT FREE, WHICH THEN RESULTS IN MY CAR JERKING OVER QUICKLY IN THE OTHER DIRECTION AND THEN I HAVE TO TRY TO CORRECT MY DIRECTION AGAIN. IT ALSO HAPPENS WHILE I'M ON THE HIGHWAY GOING AROUND A CORNER AT 55 MPH. I CAN'T TAKE IT ON THE FREEWAYS EITHER KNOWING THAT I CAN BARELY HANDLE MY CAR AT 55 MPH, LET ALONE HOW I WOULD MANAGE AT 65-70 MPH WITH A LOT MORE TRAFFIC AND BARRIERS WITHOUT POSSIBLY HITTING SOMETHING. I EVEN HAD PASSENGERS MAKE COMMENTS ABOUT MY DRIVING, SAYING THEY FEEL LIKE THEY ARE A PING PONG BALL AND THAT I NEED TO LEARN HOW TO DRIVE. I ASSURE YOU I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR A LONG TIME AND HAVE DROVE MANY OTHER VEHICLES, INCLUDING MY MOTHER'S CHEVY AVALANCHE, AND I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM. I CAN'T ENJOY DRIVING THE ONLY NEWEST VEHICLE I HAVE EVER HAD AND I CERTAINLY CAN'T HAVE ANYONE IN THE VEHICLE WITH ME ANYMORE, ESPECIALLY MY 1 YEAR OLD NIECE, BECAUSE IT IS NOT SAFE AND NOW I'M TAKING IT TO MY DEALER LATER THIS WEEK. WHILE ON THE PHONE WITH MY DEALER, THEY WERE TRYING TO SAY THAT THERE PROBABLY ISN'T A PROBLEM BECAUSE I NEVER OWNED A CHEVY PREVIOUSLY AND THAT I WAS JUST NOT USE TO THE WAY THE NEWER VEHICLES HANDLE. I EVEN MENTIONED THAT MY BROTHER HAS A 2013 CHEVY MALIBU AND IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS SO IT'S NOT JUST A RANDOM OCCURRENCE. I AM NOT A VEHICLE EXPERT, BUT I KNOW THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND NOW I DREAD DRIVING MY VEHICLE FOR FEAR OF CAUSING AN ACCIDENT AND/OR INJURING OTHERS. GENERAL MOTORS DEFINITELY NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE BEFORE SERIOUS INJURIES OR FATALITIES OCCUR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10577873

Official recalls

21V00F000 · Suspension:rear

Dec 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.

21V633000 · Suspension:rear

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.

20V764000 · Suspension:rear

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.

16V502000 · Electrical System:ignition; Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

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

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)

Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

15V245000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)

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.

15V164000 · Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly

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.

13V566000 · Electrical System:wiring; Seats:front Assembly:power Adjust

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

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

13V024000 · Suspension:rear

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.

12V484000 · Exterior Lighting:turn Signal

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.

12V224000 · Electrical System:software

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 ↗

NHTSA investigations

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.