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2015 Chevrolet Malibu

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 310.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

160 reports with mileage · 110 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 70 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 68 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 49 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

18 crash reports9 fire reports10 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

68 reports
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42,700 miles · Jun 28, 2021
Electrical SystemService Brakes

The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while his wife was approaching an intersection and depressed the brake pedal, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The driver shifted the vehicle to park, restarted the vehicle, and drove to her destination. The contact called the local dealer a…

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The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while his wife was approaching an intersection and depressed the brake pedal, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The driver shifted the vehicle to park, restarted the vehicle, and drove to her destination. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 42,700.

NHTSA ODI #11422640

Mileage unknown · Jun 15, 2021
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

This 2015 Chevy Malibu has been serviced over 10 ten times for a stalling/check engine issue(s). Sometimes the check engine light will activate after stalling and other times it will not. This vehicle has only had 1 owner since the initial purchase with on-star showing all the times/dates that a problem was detected and reported…

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This 2015 Chevy Malibu has been serviced over 10 ten times for a stalling/check engine issue(s). Sometimes the check engine light will activate after stalling and other times it will not. This vehicle has only had 1 owner since the initial purchase with on-star showing all the times/dates that a problem was detected and reported via email (on star). The dealership has had ample attempts to fix the issues with the vehicle, as well as private ASE certified mechanic/shop after the issues continued with this problem vehicle. This vehicle is a lemon, it is not dependable, and the stalling issues seem to be an on-going issue with GM Chevy Malibu. On 05/15/2021 while in Natick Massachusetts, I was almost rear-ended after my vehicle stalled in traffic and I could not get to the BDL. As quickly as the vehicle stopped working, I was able to restart the vehicle and move it out of the road. This problem can not be ignored or downplayed, someone will eventual get hurt or killed because their vehicle stalls without reason or warning. I need a dependable vehicle and do not have the luxury to run to the dealership multiple times for an on-going problem.

NHTSA ODI #11421085

123,000 miles · Apr 16, 2021
Electrical SystemPower Train

I WAS PULLING OUT OF PARKING LOT WHEN MY CAR GEARS STARTED TO JERK THEN A "SERVICE POWER STEERING" ICON FLASHED ON THE DASHBOARD. MY ENGINE LIGHT READ A P305F CODE WHICH ONLY TOLD ME IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE DUAL BATTERY CONTROL MODULE (DBCM) I THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THERE DIAGNOSTICS JUST SAID TO…

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I WAS PULLING OUT OF PARKING LOT WHEN MY CAR GEARS STARTED TO JERK THEN A "SERVICE POWER STEERING" ICON FLASHED ON THE DASHBOARD. MY ENGINE LIGHT READ A P305F CODE WHICH ONLY TOLD ME IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE DUAL BATTERY CONTROL MODULE (DBCM) I THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THERE DIAGNOSTICS JUST SAID TO REPLACE THE MAIN BATTERY. HOWEVER I REPLACED BOTH BATTERIES AND CAR STILL HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I DID MY PERSONAL RESEARCH AND I ENDED UP REPLACING THE BATTERY MODULE YET CAR STILL HAD SAME ISSUE. I'VE ALREADY BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE AND CAN'T AFFORD TO KEEP SPENDING MONEY ON DIAGNOSTIC TEST. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON ISSUE FOR THIS VEHICLE AND THAT MULTIPLE PEOPLE HAD FILED COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS TO ME AT RANDOM TIMES WHILE DRIVING OR WHILE PULLING OUT OF PARKING LOT AND IS A MAJOR HAZARD IF DRIVING ON BUSY STREET OR HIGHWAY. WHEN IT DOES THE AUTO STOP AT A RED LIGHT THE CAR JERKS AND SOMETIMES GEARS WILL LOCK UP AND TRANSMISSION WILL EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS AS WELL. OTHER TIMES THE CAR JUST JERKS AND A SERVICE POWER STEERING ICON WILL DISPLAY ON THE DASHBOARD

NHTSA ODI #11408334

155,000 miles · Jan 30, 2021
Electrical System

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CODE IS P305F WHICH MEANS THE BATTERY CONTROL MODULE IS AFFECTED. THIS POWERS THE ACCESSORIES. WHEN THE AUTO STOP FEATURE TRIGGERS, THE VEHICLE'S ACCESSORIES WILL TURN OFF AND HEADLIGHTS WILL TURN OFF. DANGEROUS AT NIGHT. THERE ARE NO CURRENT SOLUTIONS FOR THIS CODE AND MAKES THE CAR A FAILURE…

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THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CODE IS P305F WHICH MEANS THE BATTERY CONTROL MODULE IS AFFECTED. THIS POWERS THE ACCESSORIES. WHEN THE AUTO STOP FEATURE TRIGGERS, THE VEHICLE'S ACCESSORIES WILL TURN OFF AND HEADLIGHTS WILL TURN OFF. DANGEROUS AT NIGHT. THERE ARE NO CURRENT SOLUTIONS FOR THIS CODE AND MAKES THE CAR A FAILURE FOR EMISSIONS.

NHTSA ODI #11390741

28,759 miles · Jan 6, 2021
Electrical System

THE RADIO AUDIO SYSTEM GIVES A RANDOM STATIC INTERFERENCE, NOT EVERY DRIVE BUT 1/10 TIMES. NO MUSIC OR AUDIO CAN BE HEARD UNTIL THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SHUT OFF FOR COUPLE OF MINUTES THEN THE SYSTEM WORKS FINE.

NHTSA ODI #11386792

Mileage unknown · Dec 4, 2020
Electrical System

THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET AND THE WHOLE RADIO CONSOLE CUT OFF FOR ABOUT 5 SECONDS AND CAME BACK ON. THE ENGINE LIGHT THEN POPPED ON.IT DID THIS TWICE IN A MATTER OF 10 MINS. THIS ISSUED HAS HAPPENED TWICE SPORADICALLY 3 TIMES BUT NEVER CONSECUTIVE ON THE SAME DAY. BOTH BATTERIES WERE TESTED AND THEY ARE GOOD. GO…

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THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET AND THE WHOLE RADIO CONSOLE CUT OFF FOR ABOUT 5 SECONDS AND CAME BACK ON. THE ENGINE LIGHT THEN POPPED ON.IT DID THIS TWICE IN A MATTER OF 10 MINS. THIS ISSUED HAS HAPPENED TWICE SPORADICALLY 3 TIMES BUT NEVER CONSECUTIVE ON THE SAME DAY. BOTH BATTERIES WERE TESTED AND THEY ARE GOOD. GOT THE CODE P305F. PERFORMED A CHECK ON ALL WIRES AND HARNESSES AND THEY WERE SECURE. THE MAIN BATTERY WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW AC DELCO ON FEBRUARY 22, 2020. MY CAR ALSO CUT OFF ON SEPTEMBER 30 WHILE IT WAS IN MOTION AND I WAS SWITICHING GEARS TO REVERSE.

NHTSA ODI #11377912

101,700 miles · Nov 10, 2020
Electrical System

I WAS AT A RED LIGHT ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY NO WARNING WHAT SO EVER. LIGHT TURNED GREEN TOOK FOOT OFF BRAKE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THEN CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. HAD POWER BUT I GUESS NOT ENOUGH TO TURN ON THE HAZARD LIGHTS. ALMOST GOT HIT IN THE REAR BECAUSE THEY THOUGHT I WAS GETTING READY TO MOVE BECAUSE THERE WHERE NO LIGHTS …

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I WAS AT A RED LIGHT ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY NO WARNING WHAT SO EVER. LIGHT TURNED GREEN TOOK FOOT OFF BRAKE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THEN CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. HAD POWER BUT I GUESS NOT ENOUGH TO TURN ON THE HAZARD LIGHTS. ALMOST GOT HIT IN THE REAR BECAUSE THEY THOUGHT I WAS GETTING READY TO MOVE BECAUSE THERE WHERE NO LIGHTS ON IN THE REAR. HAD TO PUSH IT OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THAT WAS HARD DUE TO THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING AT ALL. GOT MY SON TO COME GET ME BUT FIRST WE WANTED TO SEE IF THE CAR WOULD START WITH A JUMP START AND IT DID BUT CALLED FOR A TOW TRUCK BECAUSE I WAS SCARED IT WAS GOING TO SHUT OFF AGAIN. THERE WAS NO WARNING OR EVEN WARNING SIGNS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. BESIDE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON RIGHT BEFORE THE CAR SHUT OFF THAT WAS NOT A VERY GOOD WARNING. SO I BOUGHT A BATTERY FOR THE CAR AND EVERYTHING HAS BEEN FINE. I REALLY THINK THAT PUT ME IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION NOT BEING ABLE TO PUT MY HAZARD LIGHTS ON BEING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY AND TRYING TO PUSH IT TO THE SIDE WITH NO POWER STEERING.

NHTSA ODI #11373938

85,000 miles · Sep 24, 2020
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

THE CAR STALLS OUT WHILE IN TRAFFIC AND/OR IMMEDIATELY REDUCE SPEED FLASHING-ENGINE REDUCE CODE ON THE DASH, MINES IN PARTICULAR HAS FLASHED SERVICE TRACTION AND REDUCE ENGINE POWER ON THE DASH, DIAGNOSTIC TESTING IS NOT GIVING ANY CODES FOR A SPECIFIC REASON FOR THIS ISSUE, SEEM TO BE SOMETHING UP WITH THE SENSORS AND ELECTRICA…

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THE CAR STALLS OUT WHILE IN TRAFFIC AND/OR IMMEDIATELY REDUCE SPEED FLASHING-ENGINE REDUCE CODE ON THE DASH, MINES IN PARTICULAR HAS FLASHED SERVICE TRACTION AND REDUCE ENGINE POWER ON THE DASH, DIAGNOSTIC TESTING IS NOT GIVING ANY CODES FOR A SPECIFIC REASON FOR THIS ISSUE, SEEM TO BE SOMETHING UP WITH THE SENSORS AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ON THIS CAR- CAUSING MULTIPLE ISSUES TO HAPPEN ALL AT ONE TIME. CHEVY DEALER NOT VERY HELP- SUGGESTING TO FIX RANDOM PARTS AND THE ISSUE CONTINUES. DECIDED NOT TO DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY, BUT DID DRIVE ON A BUSY STREET IN BALTIMORE COUNTY.

NHTSA ODI #11361017

65,000 miles · May 26, 2020
Air BagsElectrical SystemPower TrainCrashFireInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE VEHICLE STARTED TO DRIVE TO THE RIGHT AND THE WHEELS BEGAN TO LOSE TRACTION BEFORE THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE THEN SPUN OUT AND CRASHED INTO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE VEHICLE STARTED TO DRIVE TO THE RIGHT AND THE WHEELS BEGAN TO LOSE TRACTION BEFORE THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE THEN SPUN OUT AND CRASHED INTO A DITCH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED EXCEPT FOR THE DRIVER'S FRONTAL AIR BAG. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED LOWER BACK AND LEFT SHOULDER INJURIES HOWEVER HAD NOT SOUGHT MEDICAL ATTENTION DUE TO COVID-19. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A POLICE OFFICER WAS DRIVING BEHIND HER AND STOPPED TO ASSIST. POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. ALSO, THE VEHICLE HAD PREVIOUSLY EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WHICH CAUSED THE DOORS, LOCKING THE DRIVER INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED AT THE TIME OF THE ELECTRICAL FAILURE THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE VENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LYNCH CHEVROLET OF MUKWONAGO (280 EAST WOLF RUN MUKWONAGO, WI 53149) WHO REPLACED AN ELECTRICAL HARNESS AND MODULE. NO FURTHER INFO WAS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE HAD EXPERIENCED A SHIFT TO PARK FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER AND THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CONTROL ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE WOULD STILL OCCUR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. *DT*JB

NHTSA ODI #11325954

41,000 miles · May 18, 2020
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

I OWN A 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU LTZ AND I CAN BE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND THE 'SERVICE STABILITRACK' LIGHT WILL COME ON, THEN IT WILL SAY 'REDUCED ENGINE POWER'. I WILL HAVE TO PULL OVER, TURN CAR OFF, AND LET IT SIT FOR A MINUTE OR TWO, THEN CRANK BACK UP AND THOSE LIGHTS WILL GO OFF, BUT THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME O…

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I OWN A 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU LTZ AND I CAN BE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND THE 'SERVICE STABILITRACK' LIGHT WILL COME ON, THEN IT WILL SAY 'REDUCED ENGINE POWER'. I WILL HAVE TO PULL OVER, TURN CAR OFF, AND LET IT SIT FOR A MINUTE OR TWO, THEN CRANK BACK UP AND THOSE LIGHTS WILL GO OFF, BUT THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON. SOMETIMES I HAVE TO DO THIS EVERY 5-10 MILES, DEPENDING ON THE DISTANCE OF MY DESTINATION, WHICH POSES A SAFETY ISSUE FOR ME, ESPECIALLY IF I'M TRAVELING AT NIGHT. THIS MOSTLY HAPPENS WHEN I'M DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11325072

Official recalls

3

16V502000 · Electrical System:ignition; Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

Jul 5, 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. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

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 Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System:ignition

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. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

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 Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.

Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

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. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

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 Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.

15V666000 · Air Bags:side/window

Oct 16, 2015

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac XTS, Chevrolet Camaro, Equinox, Malibu, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The affected vehicles have front seat-mounted side impact air bags whose inflator may rupture upon its deployment.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of one or both of the side impact air bags, the air bag's inflator may rupture and the air bag may not properly inflate. The rupture could cause metal fragments to strike the vehicle occupants, potentially resulting in serious injury or death. Additionally, if the air bag does not properly inflate, the driver or passenger is at an increased risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side impact air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began on October 19, 2015. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 01320.

15V164000 · Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly

Mar 23, 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 recessed to prevent the switch from inadvertently being pressed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 118, "Power-Operated Window, Partition, and Roof Panel Systems."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The Slide or Tilt roof panel switch may inadvertently be pressed and the roof panel may auto-close unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a pinch injury.

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 April 21, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15176.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.