IllustrationMy 2015 Chevrolet Malibu doesn’t have a key hole to lock it manually so I can’t close my trunk of my car. The latch assembly isn’t working properly so when I push the button it doesn’t lock. So I’m complaining about not having a key to lock the trunk of my vehicle.
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Malibu years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
410–25K
3825–50K
2450–75K
2575–100K
23100–150K
9150K+
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
Structure complaints
13 reportsEVERY TIME IT RAINS OR I WASH THE CAR, WATER LEAKS INTO MY TRUNK. I'VE BEEN TOLD IT WAS DUE TO THE ANTENNA SEAL AND I HAVE HEARD THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS, BUT I HAVENT SEEN ANYWHERE THAT THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL.
MY REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT STAY CLOSED AND OPENED WHILE DRIVING. I FINALLY GOT IT TO STAY SHUT BUT NOW IT WILL NOT OPEN. OUTSIDE HANDLE PULLS EASILY BUT THE INSIDE HANDLE DOES NOT
UNKNOWN - EVERY TIME IT RAINS OR SNOWS, SOMEHOW WATER GETS IN MY CAR. THE WINDOWS ARE COMPLETELY SHUT, DOORS ARE CLOSED, AND TRUNK IS TOO. HOWEVER, THE AREA FOR MY SPARE TIRE FILLS UP WITH WATER. IT IS NOW CAUSING MY BACK SEAT AND SEAT BELTS TO GET SOAKED. THE TOP THAT COVERS MY SPARE TIRE HAS FALLEN THROUGH. MOLD AND MILDEW ARE…
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UNKNOWN - EVERY TIME IT RAINS OR SNOWS, SOMEHOW WATER GETS IN MY CAR. THE WINDOWS ARE COMPLETELY SHUT, DOORS ARE CLOSED, AND TRUNK IS TOO. HOWEVER, THE AREA FOR MY SPARE TIRE FILLS UP WITH WATER. IT IS NOW CAUSING MY BACK SEAT AND SEAT BELTS TO GET SOAKED. THE TOP THAT COVERS MY SPARE TIRE HAS FALLEN THROUGH. MOLD AND MILDEW ARE DEVELOPING AND THE SMELL TAKES OVER MY CAR.
THE PLASTIC TRIM ON DRIVERS SEAT WHICH HAS THE CONTROLS ON IT TO OPERATE AND HOLD THE SEAT UP ON THE SIDE CRACKED AND CONTROLS WERE NOT ACCESSIBLE AND PART WAS NO LONGER HOLDING UP THE SEAT. PURCHASED CAR MARCH 28,2015. ON OCTOBER 26,2017 I PAID FOR THE PART AND LABOR SINCE I WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. IT'S NOW APRIL…
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THE PLASTIC TRIM ON DRIVERS SEAT WHICH HAS THE CONTROLS ON IT TO OPERATE AND HOLD THE SEAT UP ON THE SIDE CRACKED AND CONTROLS WERE NOT ACCESSIBLE AND PART WAS NO LONGER HOLDING UP THE SEAT. PURCHASED CAR MARCH 28,2015. ON OCTOBER 26,2017 I PAID FOR THE PART AND LABOR SINCE I WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. IT'S NOW APRIL 9TH, 2019 AND THE PART IS PULLING AWAY FROM THE SEAT AGAIN. I WAS TOLD THE WARRANTY FOR THE LAST REPAIR EXPIRED ON OCTOBER 26, 2018. MY OPTION WAS TO PAY FOR THE PART AND REPAIR AGAIN. THE PLASTIC TRIM SHOULD BE CONSIDERED DEFECTIVE SINCE IT HOLDS THE SEAT UP AND THE BUTTONS THAT ACCESS THE SEAT CONTROLS ARE ON IT. THE PART AND LABOR CHARGES SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER FOR THIS DEFECTIVE PART.
CAR WAS PARKED IN A RESIDENTIAL PARKING LOT. A WATER LEAK BEGAN. WATER WAS ON THE FLOOR OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND ON THE FLOOR ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE BEHIND THE DRIVER. I TOOK THE CAR TO AN AUTO MECHANIC AND I WERE TOLD THE LEAK WAS CAUSED BY A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT AND THE WATER HAD BEEN SLOWLY LEAKING INTO THE CAR SINCE I FIRS…
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CAR WAS PARKED IN A RESIDENTIAL PARKING LOT. A WATER LEAK BEGAN. WATER WAS ON THE FLOOR OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND ON THE FLOOR ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE BEHIND THE DRIVER. I TOOK THE CAR TO AN AUTO MECHANIC AND I WERE TOLD THE LEAK WAS CAUSED BY A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT AND THE WATER HAD BEEN SLOWLY LEAKING INTO THE CAR SINCE I FIRST HAD IT. THE WATER LEAKS IN BEHIND THE DASHBOARD AND THEN ACCUMULATES BETWEEN THE BODY FRAME AND THE CARPETING. HE SAID THE DEFECT WAS A MISSING SEAL IN THE CAR BODY FRAME. I WAS TOLD THE DEFECT CAN'T BE REPAIRED BECAUSE THE FRAME IS WELDED TOGETHER AND THE AREA TO PUT THE SEAL IN IS IMPOSSIBLE TO ACCESS. HE PUT ANOTHER TOP COAT SEAM IN THE COWL AREA, BUT STATED DUE TO THE FAULTY BODY SEAM THEY CANNOT GUARANTEE PERMANENT WATER TIGHT REPAIR. THE CAR WAS DRIED OUT FOR A WEEK IN THE AUTO SHOP. THEN THE CAR WAS RETURNED AND THE NEXT MORNING THE FLOOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE HAD A WATER LEAK AGAIN. THE AUTO MECHANIC SAID THAT I SHOULD NOT KEEP THIS CAR.
ERROR MESSAGE CAME ON ABOUT POWER STEERING, AT THAT POINT STEERING MALFUNCTIONED. THE RESULT MY DAUGHTERS CAR STRUCK GUARD RAIL ON BRIDGE CAUSING EXCESSIVE DAMAGE TO FRONT END. THIS OCCURRED AS VEHICLE WAS GOING THROUGH CURVE ONTO BRIDGE AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH. LOCATION WAS ON LA HWY 163 SOUTH OF DOYLINE, LA AT LAKE BISTINEAU
I WAS BACKING UP AND CHANGED MY GEARS INTO DRIVE, TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND FOOT STILL ON THE BRAKE, CAR JUST JERKED AND TOOK OFF AND I ENDED UP HITTING SOMEBODY'S VAN. WHEN I TRIED TO HIT THE BRAKE ALL THE CAR DID WAS SPED UP SO RIGHT BEFORE I WENT OUT IN THE DRIVEWAY UNCONTROLLABLY, I HAD TO PULL UP THE PARK BRAKE JUST TO ST…
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I WAS BACKING UP AND CHANGED MY GEARS INTO DRIVE, TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND FOOT STILL ON THE BRAKE, CAR JUST JERKED AND TOOK OFF AND I ENDED UP HITTING SOMEBODY'S VAN. WHEN I TRIED TO HIT THE BRAKE ALL THE CAR DID WAS SPED UP SO RIGHT BEFORE I WENT OUT IN THE DRIVEWAY UNCONTROLLABLY, I HAD TO PULL UP THE PARK BRAKE JUST TO STOP
BLIND SIDE..NOT EASY TO LOCATE VEHICLES ON EITHER SIDE.AND IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE CHILD IN REAR WITH REAR VIEW CAMERA.
THE CAR TRUNK POPS OPEN UNEXPECTEDLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. IT POPPED OPEN OVERNIGHT IN THE GARAGE. IT POPPED OPEN WHEN I WAS INSIDE A RESTAURANT.
Official recalls
316V502000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.