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

What owners actually said

835 reports

190,102 miles · Jan 12, 2021

EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

SERVICE STABILITRAK AND ENGINE POWER REDUCED DISPLAY AT HIGH SPEEDS CAUSING CAR TO DRASTICALLY DECREASE SPEED. CANNOT BE FIXED. HAVE TRIED TO REPAIR FOR YEARS

NHTSA ODI #11387717

38,000 miles · Dec 28, 2020

Unknown Or Other

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WHEN I FIRST GOT THE CAR IT WAS LESS THAN 4 MONTHS OF OWING IT 38,000 MILE, AND I HAD ISSUES. WHEN I WOULD COME TO A STOP AND THE AUTO STOP/START WOULD KICK IN MY CAR WOULD DIE. AND AT ONE TIME IT SMELT LIKE A BURNING RUBBER. THE INITIAL TIME THE CAR DIED AND WOULD NOT START. CALLED DEALERSHIP MATHEWS BUICK IN MARION INDIANA, HAD IT TOWED BUT THEY COULD FIND WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT. WELL IT HAPPENED AGAIN NOT A FEW MONTHS LATER THIS TIME BY THE TIME I GOT TO MY HOME THE SERPENTINE BELT BUSTED FROM WHERE THE "AUTO STOP/START FEATURE" LOCKED UP AND BROKE IT IN HALF. SO FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS LATER "THEY SAID THEY FIXED IT" BUT I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH IT SINCE THEN. NOW MY ENGINE LEAKS DONT KNOW WHY, AND MY CAR WONT EVEN START. I COULD NOT EVEN TELL YOU WHAT THEY FIXED, BUT IT COST ME. I TRIED THE LEMON LAW BUT EVERYTHING HAS TO BE IN A CERTAIN TIME, AND IT HAS TO BE FIXED SO MANY TIMES. I FEEL THE DEALERSHIP SOLD ME A BAD VEHICLE AND KNEW IT!! THIS CAR HAD NOTHING BUT CAUSED ME HEADACHES ALL BECAUSE OF THE AUTO STOP/START FEATURE. I HOPE YOU CAN HELP ME BECAUSE NOW MY CAR DOES NOT RUN NO POWER AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD IT COULD BE THE ALTENATOR BUT APPARENTLY YOU CAN ONLY BUY PARTS FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND JUST FOR THAT IT IS $900!! THIS COVID-19 HAS CAUSED ME A HARDSHIP AND NOW THAT I HAVE A GOOD JOB I HAVE TO RENT A CAR FOR $800/MONTH TO GET TO WORK. I STILL OWE ON THIS CAR SO I AM MAKING CAR PAYMENTS ON TOP OF THE RENTAL. PLEASE HELP THESE ISSUES HAPPEN WHEN I WAS DRIVING. I AM CURRENTLY AT SONS HOUSE AND ALL MY PAPERWORK IS IN STORRAGE. I AM UNCLEAR OF THE DATE IT HAPPENED

NHTSA ODI #11385329

103,000 miles · Dec 28, 2020

Electrical SystemEngine

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START VEHICLE BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CHARGE THE BATTERY HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT FULLY CHARGE. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT THEN DROVE THE VEHICLE TO TROPICAL CHEVROLET (8880 BISCAYNE BLVD, MIAMI SHORES, FL 33138) WHO STATED THE FAILURE WAS AN ENGINE FAILURE AND NOT A FAILURE TO THE BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.

NHTSA ODI #11385231

83,559 miles · Dec 28, 2020

Electrical System

THE DASH KEEPS GOING OUT. NOT LETTING YOU SEE YOUR SPEED NOR GAS AVAILABLE IN TANK, ETC.

NHTSA ODI #11385214

126,000 miles · Dec 23, 2020

SteeringVehicle Speed Control

DRIVING SLOW AND WHEN MAKING TURNS THE CAR STARTS TO SHUT OFF IF NOT GIVEN GAS. THE CAR HAS NO SHUTOFF MULTIPLE TIMES WHEN TRYING TO MAKE A SLOW TURN. THIS LAST TIME I HAD TO RESTART THE CAR THEN THE POWER STERRING WAS OUT COMPLETLY MAKING IT NEAR IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN.

NHTSA ODI #11384644

120,000 miles · Dec 22, 2020

Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

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STATES AC AUTO OFF DUE TO HIGH ENGINE TEMP WHEN STARTING CAR FIRST THING IN THE MORNING DURING WINTER TIMES, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON TEMPERATURE GUAGE BROKE, CAR SHOWS FLUID IN OVERFLOW FOR RADIATOR, OIL LEVELS FINE, POWER CAR OFF AND FAN KEEPS RUNNING WITH KEY REMOVED FROM CAR, CAN'T TELL IF ENGINE IS VET HEATING BLOWS LUKE WARM AIR BUT ALL FLUIDS REMAIN NORMAL, THEFT MONITOR LIGHT COMES ON OCCASIONALLY IS THIS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE? NO RECALL OPEN RELATED ON GOING ISSUE, WON'T DRIVE TO AVOID BLOWING A HEAD GASKET, WATER PUMP IS IN TACT NO ISSUES NOR NO OIL OR FLUID LEAKS- HELP!!!!

NHTSA ODI #11384587

93,000 miles · Dec 13, 2020

Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

EACH TIME I STOP AT A LIGHT OR STOP SIGN MY VEHICLE STATR VIBRATING , MY RPM STARTS MOVING AND MY CAR DIES. I RESTART IT, BUT MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT NEVER COMES ON. THE DEALERSHIP CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM WITHOUT A CODE.

NHTSA ODI #11383203

117,000 miles · Dec 11, 2020

Electrical SystemSteeringUnknown Or Other

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THE DASH SCREEN GOES BLACK AND CUTS POWER, DISCONNECTING CALLS AND BLUE TOOTH CONNECTION, AND POWER STEERING. WHEN THIS HAPPENS I AM UNABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL. THE WHEEL JERKS BACK IN PLACE. THIS HAPPENS WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME WHILE ON THE FREEWAY. IT ONLY CUTS POWER FOR A FEW SECONDS AND IT COMES BACK ON BUT I AM UNABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR WHEN THIS HAPPENS. I AM ALSO UNABLE TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL AT ALL WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THIS HAPPENED A FEW MONTHS BACK A FEW TIMES AND I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY DIDNT KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH IT BECAUSE IT WASNT HAPPENING AT THE TIME. IT MOST RECENTLY HAPPENED YESTERDAY ON 12/10/2020.

NHTSA ODI #11383006

Mileage unknown · Dec 10, 2020

Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AT A STOP SIGN AND MY CAR SHUT OFF. I TURNED IT BACK ON AND IT DROVE. I WAS AT A RED LIGHT AND MY CAR STARTED TO STALL AND SHUT OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES. I WAS ON A LOCAL STREET. I SEARCHED THIS UP ON GM WEBSITE AND QUITE A FEW PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH NO RESOLUTION

NHTSA ODI #11382818

96,000 miles · Dec 8, 2020

Steering

I MADE A LEFT HAND TURN AND STEERING WENT OUT OF THE CAR AND HAD TO MANUEVER CAR TO KEEP FROM WRECKING VEHICLE. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY STATED IT WOULD BE 2200 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. MODULE AND MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI #11378561

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.