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2013 Chevrolet Malibu

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2013 Malibu.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2013 Chevrolet Malibu is a passenger car that takes 5.0 quarts of 5W‑20 engine oil, and it accumulated 921 owner complaints with the electrical system ranking as the top concern and 11 recalls issued. Across the model’s 1997‑2025 history, the 2013 year falls well below the peak of 1,697 complaints recorded in 2004 but above the recent low of 7 complaints in 2025, placing it in a moderate complaint range. This positioning indicates the 2013 Malibu sits in the middle of the nameplate’s reliability spectrum — more issues than the newest models yet far fewer than the worst‑performing year.

Model year2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2013

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.0 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-20OEM · verified

Lug nut torque110 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 47 · 525 CCA battery, OE oil filter 25206377. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 47 · 525 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeLS P215/60R16OEM · verified

Wheel / rim7 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	25206377 alt 12580255
Engine air filter	55560894 alt 20972655
Spark plug	12681659 alt 12681658
Front wiper blades	84589113 alt 84589112
Serpentine belt	12627134 alt 12660099
Thermostat	12622410 alt 03522676
Cabin air filter	13503675 alt 13356914

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	191.7 in
Overall width	72.8 in
Overall height	57.5 in
Wheelbase	107.9 in
Curb weight	3393 lb
Track (front / rear)	62.2 / 61.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	60/40

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Malibu of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.3–8.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.30 sec — 2013 2LTZ 2.0 Turbo

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2013	2LTZ 2.0 Turbo 2.0L Turbo I-4	6.30 sec	15.00 sec	259 hp	FWD
2013	2LTZ 2.0 Turbo 2.0L Turbo I-4	6.80 sec	15.40 sec	259 hp	FWD
2013	1LTZ 2.5L I-4	7.70 sec	16.10 sec	197 hp	FWD
2013	Hybrid Eco Premium 2.4L I-4 + Elec 15-kW	8.10 sec	16.30 sec	182 hp	FWD
2013	1LTZ 2.5L I-4	8.40 sec	16.50 sec	197 hp	FWD
2013	Hybrid Eco Premium 2.4L I-4 + Elec 15-kW	8.40 sec	16.60 sec	182 hp	FWD
2013	Hybrid Eco Premium 2.4L I-4 + Elec 15-kW	8.50 sec	16.60 sec	182 hp	FWD
2014	2LTZ 2.0 Turbo 2.0L Turbo I-4	6.20 sec	14.80 sec	259 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.0 qt of 5W-20 engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 110 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	ATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	4.2-6.3
Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Engine Oil	5W-20
Engine Oil Capacity	5.0 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity	5.0 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	8.8 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	15 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	7.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	10 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	8.8 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	15 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	18.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts

110 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Spark Plug Manufacturer	AC Delco
Spark Plug Gap	0.035-0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque	15.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug Manufacturer	AC Delco
Spark Plug Gap	0.039-0.0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque	15.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug Manufacturer	AC Delco

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.10-1.40 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	5.10 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	47
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	525 cca
Standard BCI Group Number	47

Service checks

Pressure Test	20 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	20 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	188-206 °F
Pressure Test	20 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	20 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	188-206 °F
Pressure Test	20 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	20 psi

Brakes

Brake Application	WITH RPO J60 / WITH RPO J61 / WITH FN3
Torque Caliper to Bracket	20 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.030; Rear: 0.030 specification
Brake Application	WITH RPO J60 / WITH RPO J61 / WITH FN3
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0002 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	0.472 in / 0.905 in / 1.18 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	0.472 in / 0.905 in / 1.18 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Torque to Knuckle — tightening sequence 1 stages

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

111 ft. lbs., step 2: 180

111 ft. lbs

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

74 ft. lbs., step 2: 125

74 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts.

1	22.0 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
2	190 degrees	190 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 97,500 mi.

Every 7,500 mi	Accelerator Pedal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Assembly (leak inspection) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 22,500 mi	Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 45,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect)
Every 97,500 mi	Spark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 150,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2013 Chevrolet Malibu shows a slight increase in complaints (921) compared to the 2012 model (904), but it remains significantly higher than the 361 complaints reported for 2014. This target year represents a peak in the provided federal record for recalls with 11 and includes 2 investigations, whereas the 2012 model had only 3 recalls and 0 investigations. Most notably, 2013 marks the absolute peak of Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) for the entire record with 2,001, a sharp increase from 1,339 in 2012. Primary complaint areas for this year include the electrical system (132), engine (64), and steering (60), with additional reports of 38 crash and 11 fire complaints. Given the record-high volume of TSBs and the peak in recalls, this is not a recommended year to buy.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

2001

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

921

Owner complaints

38 involved a crash · 11 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Overall★★★★★

Frontal★★★★★

Side★★★★★

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’03 ’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12’13’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 921 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System132

Engine64

Steering60

Suspension48

Air Bags42

Steering,Electrical System41

Electrical System,Engine37

Unknown Or Other35

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 10 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

16V502000Electrical System:IgnitionReported 05/07/2016

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK… Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact…

15V164000Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof AssemblyReported 23/03/2015

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles October 24, 2011, to March 5, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the Slide or Tilt switch for the roof panel may not be adequately… Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the Body Control Module (BCM) software to remove auto-close feature for certain switch positions, free of charge. The recall began…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 2001 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
PIP6113	2026-05-18	Unknown Or Other	This document provides the technician with a diagnostic tip if the vehicle stalls and set…
PIT3271Q	2026-04-01	Unknown Or Other	This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel…
PIP6104	2026-03-09	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and…
PIP4902V	2026-03-09	Unknown Or Other	This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…
PIP4902U	2026-01-08	Unknown Or Other	This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Malibu. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 47 battery Vehicles taking 5.0 qt Engine oil filter 25206377 Engine air filter 55560894 Spark plug 12681659 Front wiper blades 84589113

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2013 Malibu take?

5.0 qt of 5W-20 ONLY USE ENGINE OIL MEETING GM DEXOS 1 SPECIFICATION., per the factory manual.

Does the 2013 Malibu have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 11 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.