When driving the power steering quits working and you can't steer the car. You never know when it will happen, does it without warning. Almost impossible to turn the vehicle. Electric power steering and I have found hundreds of complaints online from other owners but this VIN doesn't have the recall
2013 Chevrolet Malibu steering problems
severe 197 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
197
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
8crashes
2injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 197 steering complaints filed for the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 197 steering complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Steering accounts for 21% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 12 categories tracked.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: A substantial cluster of 2013 Malibu owners report serious electrical faults causing sudden power loss, steering lockup, and engine stalling while driving—often unpredictably and despite multiple dealer repair attempts. Owners describe a vehicle that can lose steering control on the highway or in city traffic, making it unsafe; dealers frequently cannot reproduce the issues or provide lasting fixes, and GM has not issued a recall despite the high complaint volume.
The most pressing complaint pattern involves loss of electrical power while the car is moving. Owners describe the dashboard going black, radio cutting out, and the steering wheel either locking solid or becoming extremely stiff—sometimes for just a few seconds, sometimes longer. This happens at highway speed, stop-and-go traffic, or even while parked with the engine running. When power returns, warning lights flash: check engine, service power steering, stabiltrack. Many owners report the engine shuts down completely without warning; a few report it stalling 14 times in a 25-minute drive.
Secondary but equally dangerous: steering wheel lockup while turning. Owners say the wheel suddenly freezes mid-corner, requiring forceful pulling to break free, which causes violent over-correction. This happens at speeds from 20 to 70 mph and can occur multiple times per week or days apart, making it unpredictable.
Battery issues run through many narratives—premature discharge, repeated replacements (two to three in one to two years), and one independent mechanic flagging burnt electrical cable housing at the battery. Engine stalling follows a similar pattern: it stops without warning in intersections, on highways, parking lots, at any speed.
Dealers tell owners "could not duplicate" the problem despite recorded video evidence in some cases. Repairs attempted include ECM replacement, battery cable replacement ($750), fuse box replacement ($108), alternator replacement, sensor reprogramming, and full battery replacement—none resolve the underlying issue. GM provided case numbers but denied warranty coverage in most instances, citing out-of-warranty status or mileage limits. One technical service bulletin checked negative battery cable grounds without fixing the problem. No recall has been issued.
Same Chevrolet Malibu steering reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2014 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Electrical power loss with steering lockup
Vehicle loses all or partial electrical power while driving, causing the steering wheel to lock or become extremely stiff and impossible to turn. The instrument cluster, radio, and dashboard lights go dark or flicker. Power typically returns within seconds to minutes, but the sudden loss of control during operation creates immediate safety hazard.
When: While driving at any speed (highway, city, parking), often triggered by turning, using turn signal, using air conditioning, or engaging other electrical systems; can also occur while parked with car on
Symptoms owners cite: Dashboard and instrument cluster go dark or flicker; Radio/entertainment system cuts off; Steering wheel locks up or becomes extremely stiff and hard to turn; Loss of power steering assistance; Engine may shut off completely or stall; All lights flicker or go out; Brake lights may flicker; brakes may lock up; Check engine light and service power steering light illuminate; Stabiltrack warning lights come on; Keys stick in ignition or cannot be removed
Codes mentioned: P155A (Engine Control Module Cruise Control System not performing as expected), C0800 (Powertrain system malfunction related to cruise control), P0826 (Powertrain system malfunction related to transmission)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers have replaced battery cables ($750), fuse boxes ($108), batteries, alternators, speed sensors, wheel hub assemblies, parking brake control modules, and performed ECM recalibration and reprogramming. Many repairs do not resolve the issue. One independent mechanic identified defective fuse box near battery as manufacturer defect. Owners report multiple dealership visits with 'could not duplicate' responses.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM provided case numbers but denied warranty coverage in most instances citing out-of-warranty status or mileage. GM offered coupon credit toward next purchase. Some owners report GM stated they were unaware of the issue. November 2014 letter sent to some owners regarding steering safety issue but no formal recall issued. Technical Service Bulletin released to check ground points on negative battery cable without resolving issue.
Steering wheel lockup or stiffness during turns
Steering wheel locks up, freezes, or becomes extremely stiff and difficult to turn while vehicle is in motion, especially when turning. Resistance requires forceful pulling to break free, causing sudden over-correction and jerky steering responses. Episodes occur intermittently and unpredictably, sometimes weekly, sometimes days apart.
When: While driving at speeds from 20 MPH to 70+ MPH, most common during turns or lane changes; can occur while parked without motion
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel locks or becomes extremely stiff; Sudden resistance in steering input; Jerking steering wheel responses after forced correction; Vehicle drifts toward lane markings with straight wheel; Dead spot or delay in steering response at highway speeds followed by over-correction; Abnormal noise when steering wheel is turned; Difficulty turning left or right; Steering becomes stuck in a particular direction
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers have reprogrammed steering angle and position sensor calibration, replaced power steering motor, and tightened battery cables. Multiple visits to dealership often result in 'could not duplicate' responses. Dealers have charged diagnostic fees ($100+) with no resolution. Some owners continue driving despite issue due to lack of alternatives.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM offered coupon credit toward next vehicle purchase for some owners. Steering issue was noted in November 2014 letter to some owners but no recall was issued. Dealers unable or unwilling to diagnose intermittent failures.
Engine stalling or shutdown while driving
Vehicle engine shuts off completely without warning while car is in motion or at idle. Stalling occurs at any speed and in any driving condition. Car may restart immediately, after several seconds, or may require key cycling and restart procedure. Events can happen multiple times in short time periods (reported 14 times in 25-minute drive, restarting every 3 seconds in traffic).
When: While driving forward at any speed; at stop signs, red lights, intersections, parking lots, highways; at idle in park; while reversing; sometimes triggered by acceleration
Symptoms owners cite: Engine cuts off completely without warning; Car loses all power momentarily; Power steering goes out during stall event; Entire electrical system may flicker or reset; Check engine light and service power steering lights flash on; Car may not restart immediately; Radio and dashboard lights flicker or go out; Engine hesitates before stalling
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers have replaced ECM (Engine Control Module), performed ECM recalibration, replaced oil pump solenoid valve, replaced camshaft position sensor. Multiple repairs and dealer visits do not resolve recurring issue. Owners report spending hundreds on diagnostic fees and repairs without success. One owner cited $7,000 engine replacement recommendation.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM provided case numbers. Some owners reported GM stated warranty had expired so no repair support would be provided. Dealers unable to duplicate issue or identify root cause.
Battery drain and charging system failure
Battery discharges rapidly or fails prematurely, often requiring replacement multiple times within short intervals (owner reported 3 batteries in one year, another 2 in two years). Charging system fails to maintain charge. Battery warning light illuminates repeatedly. Something is draining power from the battery even when car is off.
When: Battery drains while vehicle is parked; battery goes dead within days or weeks of replacement; charging system light comes on while driving
Symptoms owners cite: Battery warning light on dashboard illuminates; Charging system warning light illuminates; Battery becomes completely dead; Car will not start or requires jump start; Battery shows good charge when tested at dealership but drains anyway; Repeated battery failure despite replacement; Electrical system flickers due to low voltage
Repairs/costs cited: Battery replacements (two or more per owner); generator control module performance test performed per recall; alternator replacement; battery cable replacement ($750). Dealers performed diagnostics but found battery and alternator to test fine. One owner's independent mechanic noted burning of electrical cable housing coming from battery area.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: For some owners, generator control module inspection was performed under recall. Warranty denied for out-of-warranty vehicles. One owner's GM case number 8-3240086194 resulted in statement that VIN was not part of recall.
Steering wander and dead spots at highway speeds
At sustained highway speeds (60-70 MPH), steering becomes vague and unresponsive. Vehicle wanders left or right from centerline even with straight wheel. Steering has pronounced dead spots where wheel input has no effect, followed by sudden over-response. Correcting one direction causes over-correction to the other direction, creating zig-zag driving pattern. Road feel through steering is abnormally light or non-existent.
When: At highway speeds (65-70 MPH) after 30+ minutes of continuous driving; appears to worsen with mileage accumulation
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle wanders left or right with straight steering wheel; Steering wheel does not respond to input (dead spot); Sudden over-correction after applying pressure; Zig-zag steering pattern; Very light steering feel (little road feedback); Multiple near-accidents reported from overcorrection
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers rotated tires, checked alignment, and found no issues. Dealers reprogrammed steering angle and position sensor calibration without resolution. Dealers noted steering is electric power steering and blamed owner unfamiliarity with newer vehicle handling (dismissed as driver error).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Steering angle and position sensor recalibration performed but issue persisted. No recall issued despite forums showing multiple owners with same issue.
Synthesized from 197 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
Several times now the car radio and electrical has just shut off . Shortly there after --- the steering locked up while driving. Such that there was an inability to maintain control, and the steering wheel was unable to be moved at all. This happened multiple times. This vehicle was purchased for my daughter and my grandchildren. Thus safety is a major concern. If indeed my daughter were…
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
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.
In about september my steering started sticking at freeway speeds since then it is getting worse have not taken it to the dealer yet, I plan to do so a little worried with reading what issues other owners have had with the dealership. I feel this is a huge safety hazard and Chevrolet needs to look into what is causing this problem before there are several fatalities! *tr
Had steering trouble with your 2013 Chevrolet Malibu?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu?
It's a meaningful issue. 197 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 166 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 19,000 and 85,200 miles, with the median around 60,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 19,000; a quarter make it past 85,200. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering 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 steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Chevrolet/Malibu.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.