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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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82,000 miles · Jun 27, 2019
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or OtherFire

CAR WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT FOR OVER AN HOUR WHEN AN ELECTRICAL FIRE STARTED BY THE BATTERY AND FUSE PANEL. THERE HAVE BEEN NO MODIFICATIONS MADE TO THE CAR AT ALL. STANDARD MAINTENANCE ONLY HAS BEEN DONE INCLUDING NEW TIRES ABOUT A YEAR AGO. THERE IS NO REASON A PARKED COOL CAR SHOULD CATCH ON FIRE. THERE WERE NO OIL LEAK…

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CAR WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT FOR OVER AN HOUR WHEN AN ELECTRICAL FIRE STARTED BY THE BATTERY AND FUSE PANEL. THERE HAVE BEEN NO MODIFICATIONS MADE TO THE CAR AT ALL. STANDARD MAINTENANCE ONLY HAS BEEN DONE INCLUDING NEW TIRES ABOUT A YEAR AGO. THERE IS NO REASON A PARKED COOL CAR SHOULD CATCH ON FIRE. THERE WERE NO OIL LEAKS AT ALL ON THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI #11222866

54,670 miles · Jun 13, 2019
Electrical SystemSeat BeltsSteering

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT RANDOMLY COMES ON AND OFF. UNABLE TO GET A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK THOROUGHLY BECAUSE THE ENGINE LIGHT DOESN'T STAY ON. WAS AT AN AUTO ZONE ONE DAY WHEN IT CAME ON AGAIN AND WAS GIVEN TWO OF THE SAME CODES STATING THERE MAY BE AN O2 SENSOR ISSUE. A COUPLE WEEKS LATER WHILE DRIVING I GET A MESSAGE ON THE CAR STATING '…

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CHECK ENGINE LIGHT RANDOMLY COMES ON AND OFF. UNABLE TO GET A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK THOROUGHLY BECAUSE THE ENGINE LIGHT DOESN'T STAY ON. WAS AT AN AUTO ZONE ONE DAY WHEN IT CAME ON AGAIN AND WAS GIVEN TWO OF THE SAME CODES STATING THERE MAY BE AN O2 SENSOR ISSUE. A COUPLE WEEKS LATER WHILE DRIVING I GET A MESSAGE ON THE CAR STATING 'SERVICE POWER STEERING' THEN IT GOES OFF AGAIN. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF. RIGHT DRIVER BACK SEAT BELT DOESN'T CLICK IN ALL THE WAY BUT SOMETIMES IT DOES.

NHTSA ODI #11219716

82,000 miles · Feb 5, 2019
Electrical SystemEngine

TAMARA RECALL THIS VEHICLE HAS THE AUTO STOP START SYSTEM WHERE THE ENGINE IS SUPPOSED TO ENGAGE AT A LIGHT, AND IT DOES NOT WORK. NO ONE CAN UNDERSTAND WHY IT WON'T ENGAGE AND THE DEALER WILL NOT HELP ME. THE VEHICLE WORKS AND DRIVES FINE BUT THIS SYSTEM IS FLAWED AND ALL OVER THE CHEVY FORUMS PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING THIS SAME…

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TAMARA RECALL THIS VEHICLE HAS THE AUTO STOP START SYSTEM WHERE THE ENGINE IS SUPPOSED TO ENGAGE AT A LIGHT, AND IT DOES NOT WORK. NO ONE CAN UNDERSTAND WHY IT WON'T ENGAGE AND THE DEALER WILL NOT HELP ME. THE VEHICLE WORKS AND DRIVES FINE BUT THIS SYSTEM IS FLAWED AND ALL OVER THE CHEVY FORUMS PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING THIS SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #11174507

12,000 miles · Jan 16, 2019
Electrical SystemVisibility/wiper

WITH 2015 MALIBU STATIONARY, OVERNIGHT EXPERIENCED LOSS OF BATTERY CHARGE AND WOLD NOT START. UPON RECHARGE, IT WILL NOW START. HOWEVER, THE HVAC CONTROL IS NOW INOPERATIVE. THE HVAC SYSTEM STILL RUNS WITH THE LAST SETTINGS IT HAD. THIS IS VERY SIMILAR TO RECALL 13V567000 (CHEVROLET 13380) THAT APPLIED TO 2014 MODEL CHEVROLET…

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WITH 2015 MALIBU STATIONARY, OVERNIGHT EXPERIENCED LOSS OF BATTERY CHARGE AND WOLD NOT START. UPON RECHARGE, IT WILL NOW START. HOWEVER, THE HVAC CONTROL IS NOW INOPERATIVE. THE HVAC SYSTEM STILL RUNS WITH THE LAST SETTINGS IT HAD. THIS IS VERY SIMILAR TO RECALL 13V567000 (CHEVROLET 13380) THAT APPLIED TO 2014 MODEL CHEVROLETS. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE ONE CAN NO LONGER SET THE WINDSHIELD TO DEFROST FOR WINTER DRIVING. FURTHERMORE, THIS BELONGS TO A CHAIN OF ELECTRICAL ISSUES THE CAR HAS HAD - LOSS OF BATTERY CHARGE ON 4 OCCASIONS, ENGINE STOPPAGE AFTER HARD BRAKING ON TWO OCCASIONS WITH WARNING MESSAGE TO CHECK ABS SYSTEM, INTERMITTENT LOSS OF CENTER CONSOLE DISPLAY PANEL. OBVIOUSLY, IF THE ENGINE STOPS IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AFTER HARD BRAKING, THIS IS ALSO A SAFETY ISSUE. DEALER HAS REPLACED BOTH REAR BATTERY AND FORWARD BATTERY, HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM DIAGNOSIS HAS CLEARLY NOT BEEN DONE.

NHTSA ODI #11170393

Mileage unknown · Nov 20, 2018
Electrical SystemSeats

THE BACK OF THE DRIVER SEAT MOVES ON IT'S OWN. I DIDN'T TOUCH THE BUTTON AND IT JUST STARTED MOVING FORWARD. FAULTY WIRING OVER MY SEAT.THE CAR WASN'T STARTED AND DIDN'T HAVE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION.

NHTSA ODI #11152954

64,000 miles · Oct 24, 2018
Electrical System

A/C CONTROL DOES NOT TURN ON. IT HAPPENS RANDOMLY AND HAS OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. IN THE PAST I HAD TWO INCIDENTS WHERE I WAS NOT ABLE TO DEFROST MY WINDSHIELD.

NHTSA ODI #11142482

17,125 miles · Oct 19, 2018
Electrical SystemFire

VEHICLE FIRE NEAR THE BATTERY/BOX. NO BODY DAMAGE, DAMAGE LIMITED TO THE FUSEBOX AND HARNESS NEAR THE BATTERY. WIRES AND PART OF THE BATTERY/BOX BURNED.

NHTSA ODI #11141416

Mileage unknown · Aug 28, 2018
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

TAKATA RECALL- WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED THE CAR I NOTIED THE VEHICLE WAS HAVING ALOT OF TROUBLE GETTING SPEED, AND IT WAS TAKE A LOT OF TIME TO SHIFT. I IMMEDIETLY RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE INFORMATION, THE DEALERSHIP CHECK THE PROBLEMS AND SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WILL THROUGH THE YEARS I HAVE GONE BACK TO THEM MILLIONS …

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TAKATA RECALL- WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED THE CAR I NOTIED THE VEHICLE WAS HAVING ALOT OF TROUBLE GETTING SPEED, AND IT WAS TAKE A LOT OF TIME TO SHIFT. I IMMEDIETLY RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE INFORMATION, THE DEALERSHIP CHECK THE PROBLEMS AND SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WILL THROUGH THE YEARS I HAVE GONE BACK TO THEM MILLIONS OF TIMES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND NOT ONCE HAS IT BEEN PROPERLY ADDRESSED, THE PREVIOUS SERVICE ADVISOR I WENT TO FOR THE DEALERSHIP STATED I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSON/ENGINE BECAUSE THE ONE THE CAR HAS NOW WAS NOT GOOD. THE DEALERSHIP CONTINUTED TO HOLD OFF ON PUTTING A NEW ONE IN UNTIL MY WARRANTY WENT OUT BUT THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. THE CAR CURRENTLY GOES UP TO 7-8 RMP AND STAYS THERE FOR A GOOD 3 MINS BEFORE SHIFTING AND AT TIMES DOES NOT WHAT TO ACCELERATE WHICH HAS PUT ME IN SOME DANGEROUS SITUATIONS.

NHTSA ODI #11122885

36,000 miles · Aug 2, 2018
Electrical SystemPower TrainCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU. AFTER ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. HOWEVER, THE ENGINE REMAINED ON AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS AND CRASHED INTO A UTILITY POLE. DURING THE INCIDENT, THE CONTACT WAS DRAGGED BY THE VEHICLE AND SUSTAINED FACIAL INJURIES ALONG WITH …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU. AFTER ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. HOWEVER, THE ENGINE REMAINED ON AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS AND CRASHED INTO A UTILITY POLE. DURING THE INCIDENT, THE CONTACT WAS DRAGGED BY THE VEHICLE AND SUSTAINED FACIAL INJURIES ALONG WITH ABRASIONS TO THE LEFT ARM. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE LATER EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY ACCELERATING AND WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (BILL ESTES CHEVROLET, 4105 W. 96TH ST., INDIANAPOLIS, IN) AND REPAIRED, BUT THE DIAGNOSIS WAS UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.

NHTSA ODI #11115386

Mileage unknown · Jul 31, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

SUNROOF AND GAS FUEL SENSOR AFFECTED

NHTSA ODI #11114702

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.