Chevrolet Malibu 2013–2015

8th generation · GM Epsilon II SWB (GMX351) · 2,340 complaints, 1,574 with mileage

When failures happen

What fails, and when

By model year

Which systems, and when

Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 66,350 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.

The electrical system accounts for 22.6% of complaints (528 reports, 363 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 72,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 48,000 and 102,000 miles.

The engine accounts for 17.0% of complaints (398 reports, 253 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 77,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 46,500 and 103,000 miles.

The steering accounts for 9.2% of complaints (215 reports, 175 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 59,588 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 18,000 and 85,200 miles.

Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 7.5% of complaints (176 reports, 98 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 63,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 38,000 and 95,400 miles.

The transmission and driveline accounts for 5.8% of complaints (136 reports, 94 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 65,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 17,000 and 100,000 miles.

The airbag system accounts for 5.3% of complaints (124 reports, 73 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 55,461 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 40,500 and 89,000 miles.

Differences between model years

Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2013 model year drew the most — 1,383 complaints — while 2015 drew the fewest at 396. The median year sits at 561.

That makes 2013 an outlier: roughly 2.5 times the median year of this generation. A single year standing that far apart usually reflects either a first-year issue that was later corrected, or a component change introduced for that year. Anyone shopping this generation has a straightforward reason to prefer a different year, all else being equal.

Recalls and what they cover

NHTSA records 15 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.

The campaigns cluster around the suspension (4), the electrical system (2), visibility equipment (2). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.

Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.

Reported severity

Of the 2,340 complaints filed against this generation, 113 reported a crash; 43 reported a fire; 98 reported an injury; 3 reported a fatality. Crash-involved reports represent 4.8% of the total.

These are owner-reported outcomes, not verified investigations, and they are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. They are included because the distinction between a fault that strands a car and a fault that causes a collision is the one that matters most, and it is not visible in a complaint count alone.

What this means if you are buying one

For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 36,000 and 95,723 miles, with a median of 66,350. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.

On inspection, the electrical system and the engine are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The electrical system in particular shows a median failure mileage of 72,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.

None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.

Documented problems

Recalls (15)

What owners reported

Other generations

• Chevrolet Malibu 1997–2003
• Chevrolet Malibu 2004–2007
• Chevrolet Malibu 2008–2012
• Chevrolet Malibu 2016–2025