2013 Chevrolet Malibu Suspension Problems
Owners have filed 65 complaints with NHTSA about suspension problems on the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, 8% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 97,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “suspension contacted” (14% of reports).
- 65suspension complaints
- 97,000median miles at failure
- 7mention a crash
- 5mention an injury
- 4related recalls
- 21%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Suspension contacted: mentioned in 9 of 65 complaints (14%)
- Toe link: mentioned in 8 of 65 complaints (12%)
At what mileage do suspension problems happen?
Based on 26 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 65 complaints, 7 mention a crash, 5 an injury.
Chevrolet Malibu suspension complaints by model year
| Model year | Suspension complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Malibu | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2021 Malibu | 3 | 3% | 126,000 |
| 2020 Malibu | 2 | 1% | — |
| 2018 Malibu | 13 | 2% | 71,317 |
| 2017 Malibu | 10 | 1% | 47,140 |
| 2016 Malibu | 19 | 2% | 63,382 |
| 2015 Malibu | 3 | 1% | 33,300 |
| 2014 Malibu | 9 | 3% | 50,509 |
| 2013 Malibu | 65 | 8% | 97,000 |
| 2012 Malibu | 10 | 1% | 93,875 |
| 2011 Malibu | 11 | 1% | 59,000 |
| 2010 Malibu | 13 | 1% | 25,395 |
| 2009 Malibu | 11 | 1% | 35,870 |
| 2008 Malibu | 15 | 2% | 69,000 |
| 2007 Malibu | 22 | 2% | 77,800 |
| 2006 Malibu | 15 | 1% | 68,000 |
| 2005 Malibu | 21 | 2% | 50,000 |
| 2004 Malibu | 31 | 3% | 36,300 |
| 2003 Malibu | 23 | 4% | 44,635 |
| 2002 Malibu | 14 | 2% | 46,353 |
| 2001 Malibu | 20 | 3% | 52,500 |
| 2000 Malibu | 33 | 4% | 89,200 |
| 1999 Malibu | 82 | 10% | 70,000 |
| 1998 Malibu | 108 | 11% | 83,900 |
| 1997 Malibu | 55 | 12% | 50,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (4)
Suspension:rear
Problem: 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.
Risk: A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Suspension:rear
Problem: 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.
Risk: A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Suspension:rear
Problem: 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.
Risk: A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Suspension:rear
Problem: 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.
Risk: Sudden changes in vehicle handling may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH on the highway, there was a high-pitched sound coming from the vehicle, and the contact temporarily lost control of the vehicle. The driver was able to regain control of the vehicle. The vehicle was restarted…
THIS IS MY 3RD COMPLAINT (Ref: Previous Reports). THE VEHICLE IS NOW A TOTAL LOSS. 1. UNRESOLVED ENGINE/STEERING (Prior Complaints): This 2013 Malibu has a documented history of sudden engine stalling and total loss of power steering at highway speeds. Despite reporting this twice to the NHTSA and…
After being repaired for recall - 99recall N212330130 rear suspension safety recall. There is a noise coming from the rear of vehicle when driving
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2013 Chevrolet Malibus have suspension problems?
No. NHTSA has 65 owner complaints about suspension for the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu (8% of the 836 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu suspension?
Yes: 4 safety recalls list suspension. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do suspension problems start?
The median reported mileage is 97,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about suspension problems on the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu?
The most frequent phrase is “suspension contacted”, in 9 of 65 complaints, followed by “toe link” (8).
Other 2013 Chevrolet Malibu problems
See all 2013 Chevrolet Malibu problems or suspension problems across all Malibu years.