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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 2013–2014

Chevrolet Malibu Eco recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 99 owner complaints for the Chevrolet Malibu Eco, covering model years 2013 to 2014. The 2013 model year drew the most complaints (87), and Electrical System is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Chevrolet Malibu Eco VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 1 recall campaign on file
  • 99 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 2 model years with data (2013–2014)
  • most complaints: 2013 (87 for that model year)
  • top component: Electrical System (51 complaints)
  • latest recall 13V173000 (reported May 6, 2013)
  • 5 complaints reporting a crash (5.1%)
  • 1 complaint reporting a fire (1.0%)
  • 2 complaints reporting an injury (2.0%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

Chevrolet Malibu Eco complaints by model year

2 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2013 model year has the most complaints: 87 of 99, or 87.9%. Next come 2014 (12).

Chevrolet Malibu Eco complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Chevrolet Malibu Eco complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
2013875120
2014120000
All model years995120

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Chevrolet Malibu Eco components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Electrical System is the component named most often, in 51 complaints (51.5% of all 99), followed by Engine (24) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) (17).

Components named most often in Chevrolet Malibu Eco complaints (top 15)
Components named most often in Chevrolet Malibu Eco complaints (top 15)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Electrical System5151.5%
Engine2424.2%
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)1717.2%
Steering1616.2%
Service Brakes1313.1%
Unknown or Other1111.1%
Air Bags1010.1%
Power Train99.1%
Fuel/Propulsion System66.1%
Vehicle Speed Control44.0%
Visibility33.0%
Exterior Lighting22.0%
Visibility/Wiper22.0%
Wheels22.0%
Engine and Engine Cooling11.0%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Chevrolet Malibu Eco recalls

1 campaign · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name Malibu Eco, newest first. The only campaign, 13V173000, covers model year 2013.

  • 1 recall campaign
Chevrolet Malibu Eco recall campaigns covering each model year
2013: 1 campaign

  1. NHTSA campaign 13V173000

    Reported

    Electrical System

    Model year 2013

    General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012 and 2013 Buick LaCrosse and Regal, and model year 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco vehicles equipped with eAssist. These vehicles may have a condition in which the Generator Control Module (GCM) may not function properly. This could cause a gradual loss of battery charge and the illumination of the malfunction indicator light.

    Consequence:
    If the vehicle is continued to be driven, the engine may stall and/or the vehicle may not start. In addition, there may be a burning or melting odor, smoke, and possibly a fire in the trunk.
    Remedy:
    GM will notify owners and dealers will test the GCM and replace it, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on June 11, 2013. Owners may contact GM at 1-800-521-7300. GM's recall campaign number is 13136.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Chevrolet Malibu Eco questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Chevrolet Malibu Eco have?

NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall campaign for the Chevrolet Malibu Eco, covering model years 2013 to 2014. The campaign, 13V173000, was reported on May 6, 2013 and is filed under “Electrical system”.

Which Chevrolet Malibu Eco model year has the most complaints?

The 2013 model year, with 87 of the 99 complaints in NHTSA’s file (87.9%). The next is 2014 (12). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Chevrolet Malibu Eco complaint?

Electrical System is the component named most often: 51 complaints, or 51.5% of all 99. Engine (24) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) (17) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Chevrolet Malibu Eco?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Chevrolet dealer.

How many Chevrolet Malibu Eco complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 99 complaints, 5 report a crash, 1 a fire, 2 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other Chevrolet models

8 models · most complaints first

The Chevrolet models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Chevrolet VIN decoder with every Chevrolet model page, WMI code and VIN note.

All Chevrolet models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.