2013 Chevrolet Malibu suspension problems

Related recalls

• Recall 21V00F000Dec 22, 20214,271 vehicles
  SUSPENSION:REAR

  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.

  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.

• Recall 21V633000Aug 12, 202132,894 vehicles
  SUSPENSION:REAR

  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.

  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.

• Recall 20V764000Dec 21, 2020220,006 vehicles
  SUSPENSION:REAR

  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.

  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.

• Recall 13V024000Jan 23, 20138,519 vehicles
  SUSPENSION:REAR

  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.

  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.

What owners say

1. Filed Mar 25, 2026143,000 miILSuspension

   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 afterwards, but became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with a rusted toe link and a fractured trailing arm. The vehicle was not repaired.…

   NHTSA complaint #11727095 · source
2. Filed Mar 25, 2026MDElectrical SystemEngineSuspension

   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 to GM, the manufacturer failed to provide a remedy. 2. RECENT SYSTEMIC COLLAPSE: Prior to the car becoming completely undrivable in my driveway, the instrument cluster suffered a…

   NHTSA complaint #11726999 · source
3. Filed Aug 19, 2024DESuspension

   After being repaired for recall - 99recall N212330130 rear suspension safety recall. There is a noise coming from the rear of vehicle when driving

   NHTSA complaint #11609532 · source
4. Filed Apr 4, 202462,000 miFLSuspension

   The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the stabili-trak warning light illuminated. While attempting to move the vehicle to the shoulder of the roadway, the vehicle began to shake with smoke coming from the passenger’s side rear suspension. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed and it was determined that the shock, an alignment, brake pads and rotors needed to be replaced and a new…

   NHTSA complaint #11581141 · source
5. Filed Jan 4, 2024OHCrashSuspensionWheels & Tires

   While driving my vehicle the rear toe link broke leaving me stranded on the side of the road. With no dealers close I replaced the passenger rear toe link to get the car mobile again. Once that was done I called the dealer to setup an appointment to do the recall repair. After dropping the car off at the dealer I received a call back stating that I would need to replace my OEM lug nuts at an inflated dealer price in order for them to do the repair. My issue is that these OEM…

   NHTSA complaint #11563518 · source
6. Filed Jan 4, 2024250,000 miOHSuspensionWheels & Tires

   The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the rear tow link fractured. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V633000 (Suspension) and the contact was informed that the lug nuts were swollen. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 250,000.

   NHTSA complaint #11563486 · source
7. Filed Jun 3, 2023ALElectrical SystemEngineSuspension

   5/31/23, while driving uphill, car shuttered as I was slowing down at stop sign and displayed "Service Stabilitrak" & "Engine power reduced" which caused the car engine power to drop drastically. I was barely able to make it home safely with my children. On 6/1/23 tried to crank it, first time it wouldn't turn over, second time it started up. Check engine lights and messages still on, radio screen completely black (has gone out multiple times at random over past two years).…

   NHTSA complaint #11525180 · source
8. Filed Apr 4, 2023FLEngineSuspensionTransmission & Drivetrain

   I was trying to see if I could get a recall for a new motor because my motor makes weird popping noises when driving and reversing also a recall for suspension front and back shocks and springs because those are also making bad horrible noises

   NHTSA complaint #11515365 · source
9. Filed Mar 10, 2023120,000 miTXBody & StructureSuspension

   The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that he had taken his vehicle to the dealer for a repair on the failure he was experiencing that was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V764000 (Suspension) however, the dealer informed him that the repair could not be performed due to the extensive corrosion underneath the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage 120,000.…

   NHTSA complaint #11511241 · source
10. Filed Feb 26, 2023OKElectrical SystemLightingSuspension

    Dashboard light don't work majority of the time is started like month ago and before that started there was something on the dash I believe is said brake/stability trak And now the battery keeps dying

    NHTSA complaint #11509150 · source
11. Filed Dec 19, 202250,000 miMOSuspension

    The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated the while driving at various speeds an intermittent popping, clicking, and humming noise was present coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was examined by the local dealer, but no failure was found. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was not yet contacted regarding the failure. The failure mileage was 50,000.

    NHTSA complaint #11498092 · source
12. Filed Aug 3, 2022VACrashTowedSuspension

    2013 chevrolet malibu. Consumer writes in regard to toe link suspension rod failure. The consumer was not made aware of the recall until after the failure occurred. The driver of the vehicle crashed due to the failure.

    NHTSA complaint #11477334 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology