Should I buy a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu with documented electrical problems?

Depends on the price and the specific vehicle. Documented electrical issues should be priced into the purchase — if the seller is asking full retail, negotiate down by the expected repair cost. A pre-purchase inspection from an independent shop tells you whether THIS specific vehicle has already shown the symptoms or not.

2013 chevrolet Malibu electrical problems

severe 282 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850

Complaints

282

Recalls

Crashes

Avg fix

$850

Related recalls

severe NHTSA 13V566000 13/11/2013

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

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.

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. GM's recall campaign number is 13342.

severe NHTSA 12V224000 18/05/2012

GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 24, 2011, THROUGH MARCH 31, 2012

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.

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.

What owners are reporting 7 most recent

electrical · filed 12/31/2018

MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE SINCE I'VE HAD IT IT HAS REDUCED ENGINE POWER ( STABILTRAK) ON ME WHILE DRIVING. JUST RECENTLY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WITH CODES READING FOR CAMSHAFT ACTUATORS FAILING AND PCM FAILING. THE CAR CHUGS WILL DRIVING AND HAS EVEN DIED WHILE OPERATING.

electrical · filed 12/30/2022

The gauge cluster in my car has intermittently lost power for about two years. It is now almost always off. I have been unable to have this repaired as the parts have been unavailable nationwide since I initially started having problems. I can't see any of my gauges. I have no idea how much gas I have, if my car is overheating, or if my car is having any other sort of problem.

electrical · filed 12/30/2016

USED SWITCH TO ROLL DOWN PASSENGER WINDOW, TOUCH SCREEN WENT BLACK, CAME BACK ON MAYBE AFTER 30 SEC OR SO. WHILE DRIVING TOUCH SCREEN OCC BLACK OUT, ALL ELECTRONIC GO OUT , NO TURN SIGNAL, NO DIGITAL SPEED, POWER STEERING. AFTER FUELING WENT TO START CAR, IT WOULDN'T START, NO LIGHTS NO POWER AT ALL, DID THIS THREE TIMES IN ONE DAY. I HADN'T HAD CAR THIRTY DAYS. *TR

electrical · filed 12/28/2020

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

electrical · filed 12/28/2020

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 THE…

electrical · filed 12/23/2018

I HAVE A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU ECO AND WHEN I STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT THE CAR JUST SHUT DOWN. THOUGHT IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN BAD GAS AT FIRST BECAUSE THE CAR STARTED RIGHT UP. WELL NOT EVEN 15 MINUTES LATER IT DID IT AGAIN. THE CAR STARTED RIGHT BACK UP LIKE IT DID BEFORE AND DIDNT HAVE NO MORE ISSUES OUT OF IT. THE NEXT DAY HAD TO DO SOME RUNNING AROUND THE CAR DID FINE UNTIL THE WAY HOME. THE CAR CUT…

electrical · filed 12/23/2014

2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU. LAWYER ON BEHLAF OF CONSUMER. THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED FOUR SEPARATE INCIDENTS WHICH PUT THE VEHICLE OUT OF SERIVCE FOR REPAIR FOR OVER 30 DAYS. WOULD LIKE CAR REPLACED OR BOUGHT BACK. *TA SIX MONTHS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE CONSUMER STARTED EXPERIENCING SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH ITS FUNCTIONALITY. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START OR WOULD SHUT OFF WHIEL BEING DRIVEN AND…

Common questions

How serious is the electrical problem on the 2013 chevrolet Malibu?

It's a meaningful issue. 282 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.

At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?

Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.

What does it cost to fix?

Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.

Are there any recalls related to electrical?

Yes — 2 active recall(s) cover electrical issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.