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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

Engine complaints

70 reports
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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

Mileage unknown · May 11, 2021
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

2015 CHEVY MALIBU WITH 2.5L ENGINE WITH ROCKER ARM OIL CONTROL VALVE MALFUNCTIONING. CHECK ENGINE CAME ON THURSDAY MAY 6, 2021 AND HAD IT DIAGNOSED MONDAY MAY 10, 2021. 2014'S HAVE A RECALL, BUT 2015S DO NOT AND MY MECHANIC CAN'T EVEN FIND A GM PART TO FIX THIS.

NHTSA ODI #11416066

142,770 miles · Mar 2, 2021
Air BagsEngineVehicle Speed Control

WHEN TURNING LEFT FROM A STOP MY CAR ALL AT ONCE SAID ENGINE POWER REDUCED TO 25MPH, SERVICE AIRBAG, SERVICE STABILITRAC, AND SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST.

NHTSA ODI #11398628

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

55,000 miles · Sep 21, 2020
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT. THE CONTACT RAISED THE HOOD AND JIGGLED SOME UNKNOWN WIRES AND THE VEHICLE RESTARTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED THE FIRST TIME, IT WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE AN …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT. THE CONTACT RAISED THE HOOD AND JIGGLED SOME UNKNOWN WIRES AND THE VEHICLE RESTARTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED THE FIRST TIME, IT WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE AN UNKNOWN SENSOR, ALTERNATOR, THE BATTERY, AND THE BATTERY CABLES WERE REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000.

NHTSA ODI #11360296

70,000 miles · Jul 29, 2020
Engine

GM PART NUMBER 12633613 VVT REAR OIL CONTROL SOLENOID IS FAULTY CAUSING ENGINE JERKING. GM DOES NOT HAVE THIS PART AVAILABLE OR ANY AFTERMARKET PART, AND APPEARS TO HAVE STOPPED PRODUCING IT.

NHTSA ODI #11342065

80,000 miles · May 20, 2020
EnginePower Train

ON JANUARY 15TH. AT 08:26AM WHILE DRIVING TO WORK MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. ON JANUARY 19TH. THE CAR WAS DROPPED FOR SERVICE AT WESTGATE CHEVROLET IN EDMONTON, AB. AFTER TWO WEEKS OF TESTING AND MULTIPLE PART CHANGES THE DEALER ESTABLISHED THAT MY CAR HAS A FAULTY "INTAKE OIL CONTROL VALVE". THIS IS A WELL KNOWN FAILURE OF…

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ON JANUARY 15TH. AT 08:26AM WHILE DRIVING TO WORK MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. ON JANUARY 19TH. THE CAR WAS DROPPED FOR SERVICE AT WESTGATE CHEVROLET IN EDMONTON, AB. AFTER TWO WEEKS OF TESTING AND MULTIPLE PART CHANGES THE DEALER ESTABLISHED THAT MY CAR HAS A FAULTY "INTAKE OIL CONTROL VALVE". THIS IS A WELL KNOWN FAILURE OF THE GM ECOTEC 2.5 LKW ENGINE. GM HAS BEEN TRYING TO REDESIGN THE PART SINCE SEPTEMBER OF 2019. AS OF TODAY MAY 20TH, 2020 THE REPLACEMENT PART HAS STILL NOT BEEN MADE AVAILABLE AND MY CAR HAS BEEN SITTING AT THE DEALER FOR 4 MONTHS NOW. MULTIPLE OWNERS OF 2014 AND 15 MALIBU'S AND IMPALA'S ARE SUFFERING THE SAME FAITH. LATELY GM CORPORATE HAS NOT EVEN RETURNED E-MAILS FROM MY DEALER AS TO WHEN THE NEW PART WILL ME MADE AVAILABLE. THIS IS AN ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR ON PART OF GM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11325347

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

Mileage unknown · May 1, 2020
Engine

MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON TOWARDS THE BEGINNING OF DEC 2019. I TOOK IT TO A CHEVY DEALERSHIP WHO STATED IT WAS DUE TO THE ROCKER ARM OIL CONTROL VALVE AND THAT THEY NEEDED TO ORDER THE PART. I WAITED UNTIL FEB 2020 WITH NO UPDATE ON WHEN THE PART WOULD ARRIVE SO I TOOK MY MALIBU TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP WHO STATED IT NEED THE S…

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MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON TOWARDS THE BEGINNING OF DEC 2019. I TOOK IT TO A CHEVY DEALERSHIP WHO STATED IT WAS DUE TO THE ROCKER ARM OIL CONTROL VALVE AND THAT THEY NEEDED TO ORDER THE PART. I WAITED UNTIL FEB 2020 WITH NO UPDATE ON WHEN THE PART WOULD ARRIVE SO I TOOK MY MALIBU TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP WHO STATED IT NEED THE SAME PART AND THAT IT SHOULD BE THERE WITHIN A WEEK. AS OF MAY 2020 MY CAR IS STILL AT THAT DEALERSHIP WITHOUT AN ESTIMATED DATE IN WHEN THE PART WILL BE AVAILABLE. I CALLED GM AND THE ONLY THING THEY CAN DO IS OFFER $2500 TOWARDS A NEW CAR.

NHTSA ODI #11322922

122,000 miles · Apr 27, 2020
EngineUnknown Or Other

I OWN A 2015 MALIBU LT 2.5L, I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO PASS THE STATE REQUIRED INSPECTION DUE TO A FAULTY OIL CONTROL SOLENOID. (GM PART #12633613 OR GM PART # 19419980) I HAVE INCURRED OVER $1000 IN DIAGNOSTIC FEES AND TAKEN THE CAR TO THREE (3) DIFFERENT INDEPENDENT MECHANICS AND TWO (2) GM CERTIFIED PARTS DEALERS TRYING TO GET …

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I OWN A 2015 MALIBU LT 2.5L, I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO PASS THE STATE REQUIRED INSPECTION DUE TO A FAULTY OIL CONTROL SOLENOID. (GM PART #12633613 OR GM PART # 19419980) I HAVE INCURRED OVER $1000 IN DIAGNOSTIC FEES AND TAKEN THE CAR TO THREE (3) DIFFERENT INDEPENDENT MECHANICS AND TWO (2) GM CERTIFIED PARTS DEALERS TRYING TO GET THIS PART REPLACED. GM IS NO LONGER MANUFACTURING AND REFERRING CUSTOMERS TO AFTERMARKET PARTS.(AFTERMARKET PART RECOMMENDED IS THE DORMAN 916-806) IN DOING RESEARCH TRYING TO FIND THIS PART IT SEEMS THIS SAME PART HAS MALFUNCTIONED ON EVERY 2014-2015 YEAR MODEL MALIBU AND IMPALA AND GM IS STILL NOT ISSUING A RECALL. I HAVE FILED CUSTOMER SERVICE INQUIRIES/COMPLAINTS WITH MULTIPLE DEALERSHIPS AND GM DIRECTLY. THIS IS AN EGREGIOUS EXAMPLE OF A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND THEY ARE OFFERING NO ALTERNATIVE OTHER THAN BUYING A NEW CAR. THE CAR IS SHOWING A CODE ERROR P2646 (ROCKER ARM MALFUNCTION IN BANK 1 STUCK IN OFF POSITION). I HAVE BEEN ATTEMPTING TO RECTIFY THIS PROBLEM SINCE OCTOBER 2019, AND FILED THE OFFICIAL COMPLAINT WITH GM APRIL,2020. CASE # WITH GM 9-592-2813084

NHTSA ODI #11322424

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.