IllustrationRADIO SCREEN BLACKS OUT
2013 Chevrolet Malibu
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Malibu years
Owner complaints for the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu are substantially higher than the model-year median of 310.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Malibu years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1100–25K
8625–50K
13950–75K
11875–100K
122100–150K
26150K+
601 reports with mileage · 234 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- 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 reportsWHEN SWITCHING ON WINDOW DEFROST I NOTICED THE HEAT WAS NOT BEING DIVERTED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. I THEN PRESSED THE CONTROL SWITCH TO FEET/WINDOW TO SEE IF THIS FUNCTION WORKED. IT DID NOT.
WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION THE RADIO SCREEN WOULD FLASH OFF AND ON FOLLOWED BY LOSE OF POWER STEERING THE CAR WAS PARKED AND TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO BE INSPECTED
MY MALIBU'S DASHBOARD WILL GO OUT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. NO SPEED, ODOMETER READINGS, FUEL, TEMPERATURE OR DIGITAL SPEED DISPLAY WORKS. IT WILL COME ON AND WORK FINE BUT WILL RANDOMLY GO OUT WHILE DRIVING. SOMETIMES DURING START UP THE DASH WILL NOT EVEN START UP WITH THE CAR. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT CUSTOMERS SHOULD NOT BE L…
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MY MALIBU'S DASHBOARD WILL GO OUT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. NO SPEED, ODOMETER READINGS, FUEL, TEMPERATURE OR DIGITAL SPEED DISPLAY WORKS. IT WILL COME ON AND WORK FINE BUT WILL RANDOMLY GO OUT WHILE DRIVING. SOMETIMES DURING START UP THE DASH WILL NOT EVEN START UP WITH THE CAR. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT CUSTOMERS SHOULD NOT BE LIABLE TO FIX. I HAVE NO AFTERMARKET PARTS ON THIS CAR AND IT HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN A CRASH.
CAR SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. TOUCH SCREEN GOES BLACK AND POWER STEERING GOES OUT. IT HAPPENS MORE FREQUENT WHEN TURNING. IT IS UNSAFE BECAUSE IF YOU ARE DRIVING ON A CURVE IT COULD CAUSE A CRASH BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT TURN. YOU LOOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR.
VEHILE IS AT 61K NO ACCIDENTS, WHILE INCREASING SPEED AS COMING ON TO THE INTERSTATE (HAD NOT EVEN REACHED 70 MPH) THE ENGINE OVERHEATING WARNING CAME ON, I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE AND BEFORE I HAD A CHANCE TO TURN OFF THE CAR, IT ALL THE SUDDEN COOLED DOWN AND NO WARNING WAS GIVEN. CALLED THE HUSBAND HE SAID IT HAD HAPPEN ONE…
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VEHILE IS AT 61K NO ACCIDENTS, WHILE INCREASING SPEED AS COMING ON TO THE INTERSTATE (HAD NOT EVEN REACHED 70 MPH) THE ENGINE OVERHEATING WARNING CAME ON, I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE AND BEFORE I HAD A CHANCE TO TURN OFF THE CAR, IT ALL THE SUDDEN COOLED DOWN AND NO WARNING WAS GIVEN. CALLED THE HUSBAND HE SAID IT HAD HAPPEN ONE OTHER TIME 2 DAYS AGO. HE SAID THAT IT INSTANTLY COOLS ITSELF DOWN.
"CHARGING SYSTEM" ENGINE LIGHT KEEP COMING ON. ALL LIGHTS COME ON DASH BOARD COME ON THEN GO DIM. CAR SHUTS DOWN ON YOU WHILE DRIVING AND STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP. I ALMOST CRASH INTO A LIGHT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SON WAS DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING FAILED TO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING AUTOMATICALLY TURNED OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT'S SON PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAITED 8-10 SECONDS. AFTERWARDS, THE VEHICLE RETUR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SON WAS DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING FAILED TO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING AUTOMATICALLY TURNED OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT'S SON PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAITED 8-10 SECONDS. AFTERWARDS, THE VEHICLE RETURNED TO NORMAL. THE CONTACT'S SON WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO WORK AND BACK HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (SERPENTINI CHEVROLET OF STRONGSVILLE, 15303 ROYALTON RD, STRONGSVILLE, OH 44136), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL OTHER TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER (PAT O'BRIEN CHEVROLET SOUTH, 3880 PEARL RD, MEDINA, OH 44256) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN AFTER THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 866-790-3600 AND STATED THAT THEY WERE UNAWARE OF THE ISSUE AND THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. CASE NUMBER: 8-314031920 WAS PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
THIS 2013 CHEVY MALIBU IS LIKE A METAL DEATH TRAP, IN MY OPINION. I'M NOTICING A LOT MORE ISSUES WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE CAR (AS I'M DRIVING) WILL COMPLETELY SHUT OFF; THE RADIO WILL FIRST SHUT OFF, MY DASHBOARD WILL GO BLACK, AND MY STEERING WHEEL WILL LOCK UP. USUALLY I CAN TELL WHEN IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN, BECAUSE WHEN …
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THIS 2013 CHEVY MALIBU IS LIKE A METAL DEATH TRAP, IN MY OPINION. I'M NOTICING A LOT MORE ISSUES WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE CAR (AS I'M DRIVING) WILL COMPLETELY SHUT OFF; THE RADIO WILL FIRST SHUT OFF, MY DASHBOARD WILL GO BLACK, AND MY STEERING WHEEL WILL LOCK UP. USUALLY I CAN TELL WHEN IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN, BECAUSE WHEN I'M AT A LIGHT, I CAN JUST SEE THE LIGHTS ON MY DASHBOARD FLICKERING, SO IF I HAVE TIME, I WILL TURN IT ON AND OFF REAL QUICK. SOMETIMES WHEN I DO THAT THOUGH, MY CAR WON'T TURN BACK ON. BUT, WHEN IT DOES WORK, IT'S JUST A TEMPORARY FIX AND WILL START AGAIN ONCE I START TO DRIVE. THIS WILL HAPPEN MULTIPLE TIMES A DAY. I WILL TRY TO TURN, AND MY STEERING WHEEL WILL JUST LOCK WHERE I CANNOT CONTROL MY CAR AS I'M DRIVING. SEVERAL TIMES THIS HAS ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. WHEN I'M ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 65-70 MPH, I CAN'T CONTROL MY CAR FOR 5-10 SECONDS, LET'S JUST SAY IT'S ONE OF THE SCARIEST MOMENTS THAT YOU CAN HAVE WHILE OPERATING A VEHICLE. ONE TIME IT HAPPENED, I ALMOST HIT A MAN ON HIS BICYCLE. I'VE CALLED CHEVY, THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT'S WRONG. APPARENTLY THERE'S NO OPEN RECALLS OR BULLETINS FOR THIS ISSUE. WHEN I TAKE IT TO GET IT CHECKED, THEY CAN NEVER FIND AN ISSUE. DOES SOMEONE NEED TO GET SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED FOR CHEVY TO ADDRESS THIS?
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAT WORKED IN THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE DEFROST DID NOT WORK WITHOUT WARNING. AN UNKNOWN LOCAL DEALER WAS CONTACTED; HOWEVER, DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST, THE APPOINTMENT WAS NOT SCHEDULED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAT WORKED IN THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE DEFROST DID NOT WORK WITHOUT WARNING. AN UNKNOWN LOCAL DEALER WAS CONTACTED; HOWEVER, DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST, THE APPOINTMENT WAS NOT SCHEDULED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THEY WERE UNAVAILABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE AND THERE WERE NO RELAY CODES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 8-3447350312. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY OPEN RECALLS AND RECOMMENDED TAKING THE VEHICLE TO BE DIAGNOSED FOR THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 95,000.
Official recalls
1021V00F000 · 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
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.
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
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.
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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.