Car is losing power while driving, cutting off while idle, good battery/starter/alternator

Asked by GuruTF955 Jul 19, 2018 at 12:04 PM about the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu 2LT FWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

2013 Chevy Malibu; loses power while driving, no power steering, radio
turns off then when idle car cuts off starts back up. Sometimes car is
completely dead, key is stuck in ignition and then it comes back to life after
a few minutes. It is very dangerous and scary. I have had
battery/starter/alternator tested. It seems to be electrical. I really don't want
to waste money at the dealership who can't diagnose the issue. Anyone
else experience this?

14 Answers

200

This has been recently happening to me as well. My car has been shutting itself off while driving. The radio turns off first than the rest of the power to my car. Not allowing me to steer. If you find a resolution to this issue please let me know.

20 people found this helpful.
160

I have had this same issue. 2013 Chevy Malibu eco, battery died one day, bought a new one, acted fine for a day, next day would shut off while driving and sometimes even start itself up after shutting off. Starts up everytime though, I’m at a loss with this car y’all! Contact me please if anyone has had anything similar, alyssa.ledbetter@yahoo.com It’s beinf diagnosed at Chevy currently

16 people found this helpful.
2,030

It's a problem with the battery cables. Is a widespread problem in GM is ignoring it and it's going to get someone killed. I had both my battery cables replaced and have not had continuing issues.

21 people found this helpful.
70

Yes, the exact same thing has been happening to my 2013 Malibu on and off since April of this year. I didn't have any issues all of July and August 2018 then suddenly about a week ago the problem started again. I would loose power while slowing to make turns or at times while sitting in parking lots in idle. It would shut off altogether and the key would get locked in the ignition switch for up to fifteen minutes until it regained power. Usually it would start back up but two days ago, I had to get it towed 25 miles to my home and it has not started back yet. It is sitting in my driveway with the key stuck in the ignition switch with no power.The battery has been checked and it is good. The instrument panel and no lights will come on at all. Please update if you find any info about this problem.

7 people found this helpful.
10

Wow. My 2018 rogue shuts off while driving. I've never been so scared. Not even a month before it started shutting off. Dangerous. I don't want it. Nissan needs to do something.

1 people found this helpful.
30

I'm having the same issues!! This car is a death trap!!!

3 people found this helpful.
20

I have 2013 Malibu and only during the first drive of the day within the first few miles it would cut out of drive and coast to stop abd engine would die. Cranks right back up and when it's warm it seems to never do it. Any information someone can give would be appreciated

2 people found this helpful.
620

Porkchopmalibu - change your battery cables. I did it adjust a year ago and it hasn't died since!

3 people found this helpful.
90

I tried your advice Terri and changed both battery cables. It worked for about 2 weeks and then all of the same problems came back.

4 people found this helpful.

Hi everyone! I also have a 2013 Chevy Malibu Eco and my car recently had this issue also. Have anyone gotten any updates on the issue? I am currently in the process of bringing it to the dealership to get it diagnosis.

620

I have not had the problem with my 2013 Malibu Eco since changing both battery cables. They changed the entire cable and the connections.

2 people found this helpful.

I e had this issue the changed the main module and I’m still having same problems as before

30

Malibu's are simply JUNK.....mine was only 2 years old when bought it ....ITS A MONEY PIT!!!! It's in the dealer EVERY 3 or 4 months.....NEVER AGAIN!!! It's a beautiful car as long as it sits in the driveway

3 people found this helpful.

my car while in stop it wants to turn on then wile runing it started to lose power then the codes p0016bcodes and p0017 came up bu i am confused it it time chain or the cam sensors ? i had the time change new ? any help

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