2013 Chevrolet Malibu Key Replacement

The 2013–2015 Malibu uses the same key setup, so everything on this page applies to those years too. The full picture is on the Chevrolet Malibu key guide.

2013 Chevrolet Malibu: key facts

Key type: Flip key
Push-to-start: No
Transponder chip: 46E (Hitag2 Extended)
Programming: OBD
All keys lost: We can originate new keys on site

Keyed flip key standard; push-button start with a proximity fob was optional on upper trims — pushToStart reflects the standard setup.

What kind of key does a 2013 Malibu use?

The standard 2013 Malibu setup is a flip key: a metal blade that folds into a remote head, with the lock and unlock buttons built into that head. It is a keyed ignition car, not push-button start. Inside the plastic head sits a transponder chip from the 46E (Hitag2 Extended) family. We have this chip family verified for this model year, so we are not guessing about it.

What that means for you: a key blank cut to the right shape will turn the ignition lock but will not start the engine until the car recognizes the chip. A proper replacement needs two things, a correctly cut blade and a chip that is programmed to the car. The key also carries a mechanical blade, so the physical cut matters on its own, separate from the electronics.

The problems we see on this setup follow its design. The same few things tend to go wrong:

Cracked remote-head or flip-key shells, broken flip hinges and worn-through buttons, which come from years of folding and pocketing the key
Remote battery failure, which kills the lock and unlock buttons but usually does not stop the car from starting
Low-quality cloned or aftermarket chips that fail intermittently, so the car starts one day and refuses the next

Duplicate or all keys lost: how does it work on this Malibu?

If you still have a working key, duplication is the simpler job. For this setup an original key is needed to copy from. We cut the new blade, program the chip to the car, and check that the remote functions and the ignition both work before you leave.

If every key is gone, we can still make you a key. All keys lost is possible on the 2013 Malibu. It takes more work, because the key has to be cut without an original to copy and the car has to be taught a new key from scratch. Programming on this model is done through the OBD port, and the data for this year does not call for NASTF SDRM registration, so it is work we can do in the field.

Here is how an all-keys-lost job usually goes:

You call (213) 577-1366 and tell us the year, model and where the car is parked.
We confirm the vehicle, including the VIN, and your proof of ownership.
We cut a new blade for the ignition and doors.
We program a new transponder key to the car through the OBD port.
We test the ignition, the door locks and the remote buttons before we finish.

Locked out or need a locksmith now?

We answer around the clock, every day of the year.

Call (213) 577-1366

What affects the cost of a 2013 Malibu key?

We do not quote numbers on a web page, because the real price depends on your situation. For this car, the main factors are these:

Whether you have a working key. Duplicating from an existing key is usually the more economical route compared with an all-keys-lost job.
Whether you need only a new shell or battery. If the chip and electronics in your key are healthy, moving them into a fresh shell can be the lighter-cost fix.
The quality of the chip and key. A well-made key costs more up front than a cheap clone, but the cheap ones are the ones that fail intermittently.
Where the car is. A mobile visit and a trip to our storefront are different jobs, and we will tell you which makes sense.
How many keys you want made. A spare is far easier to make now than after the last one is lost.

What we confirm by VIN before we start

The data for this model year says a keyed flip key is the standard setup. Push-button start with a proximity fob was an option on upper trims. If your Malibu has a push-button start, it does not match the standard key described here, and we will check by VIN and in person before we cut or program anything.

A quick look at the car, or a VIN over the phone, settles it. We would rather confirm than order the wrong key blank and waste your time. If anything about your Malibu does not match what is described on this page, we will say so plainly.

For other years of this model, see the Chevrolet Malibu key page, or browse all Chevrolet key services.

Why call Wilshire Lock & Key for a Malibu key?

We have been in business since 1987, with a storefront at 10740 Wilshire Blvd in Westwood and mobile service vans that serve 140 cities across Los Angeles and Ventura counties. You get one company, not a dispatch service passing your call to whoever is available. David, the owner and lead technician, oversees the work.

California requires locksmith companies to hold a BSIS LCO license, and you should ask any locksmith for it before they work on your car. Our phone is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year-round at (213) 577-1366. You can also use the contact page, or see our full range of car key services.

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu have a push-button start?

The standard setup is a keyed ignition with a flip key. Push-button start with a proximity fob was optional on upper trims. We confirm by VIN or in person before we begin work.

What transponder chip does a 2013 Malibu key use?

The chip family is 46E (Hitag2 Extended), which is verified for this model year. The chip has to be programmed to your car, not just cut to fit.

Can you make a 2013 Malibu key if I lost all my keys?

Yes. All keys lost is possible on this setup. We cut a new blade and program a new key through the OBD port. We will confirm the vehicle and your ownership first.

Do I need my original key to get a copy?

For duplication, yes, an original key is needed to copy from. If you have lost every key, ask us about the all-keys-lost process instead.

Does this key need dealer programming?

Not according to the data for this year. Programming is done through the OBD port, and NASTF SDRM registration is not required, so we can usually handle it ourselves.

My Malibu remote stopped working but the car still starts. What is wrong?

Most often it is a dead remote battery. The car can still start because the transponder chip does not depend on the remote battery. If a new battery does not help, the buttons or the circuit inside the key may be worn.

Is a cheap aftermarket key a problem?

It can be. Low-quality cloned or aftermarket chips are a known cause of intermittent starting trouble on this setup. A key that works one day and fails the next is often the chip.

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Reviewed by David, Owner & Lead Technician, Wilshire Lock & Key — in the locksmith trade since 1987.

Last updated 2026-10-11.