2013 Chevrolet Malibu: Loss of power while driving
Common wear/failure (not a recall)
Symptoms
Owners of the 2013 Malibu report: loss of power while driving. CarComplaints.com lists 31 owner complaints, average mileage 61,700 miles.
NHTSA has 425 owner complaints for the 2013 Malibu in this area. Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11768573 (filed 10/02/2026): “My high voltage cable has melted into the generator of my 2013 chevy malibu eco hybrid. this causes my front battery to drain really fast. i seen online that there was a recall on the generator control module my battery control module was changed but i keep li…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11752683 (filed 07/24/2026): “The contact owns a 2013 chevrolet malibu. the contact stated that while driving 55 mph, the electrical system failed inside the vehicle, causing the air conditioning system to fail to operate, and the window control buttons failed to roll the window down. the …”
Likely causes
Sources do not establish a single root cause; diagnosis is needed. Owner-reported fixes are listed below.
Fix, in plain English
Most common owner-reported solutions on CarComplaints.com: replace cable and (3 reports) ubec cable replaced (2 reports) replaced battery cables (1 reports) trying a new battery (1 reports). Check for open recalls and extended warranty coverage with a dealer before paying out of pocket.
DIY difficulty: Moderate
Finding and splicing chewed wiring is doable with a multimeter and patience but can be time-consuming; harness replacement is pro work. (Our assessment.)
Cost
CarComplaints.com owners report a typical repair cost of about $390 (owner-reported average, not a quote).
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
AutoZone · O'Reilly · Advance · RockAuto
Sources
Page last updated .