CAR DIES WHILE IN AUTO STOP. ONLY HAPPENS IN AUTO STOP, AT STOP LIGHTS, IN DRIVE THUR.
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
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.
Unknown Or Other complaints
35 reportsMY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO. I TOOK IT TODAY MAY 7, 2020 TO THE PINE BELT CHEVROLET IN LAKEWOOD, NJ. I EXPLAIN TO THEM THAT MY CAR WOULD SHAKE AND STALL WHILE DRIVING. I EXPLAIN TO THEM THAT I DID NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING ESPECIALLY WITH MY FOUR-YEAR-OLD SON IN THE BACKSEAT. I WANTED TO GET IT CHECKED OUT AND THAT W…
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MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO. I TOOK IT TODAY MAY 7, 2020 TO THE PINE BELT CHEVROLET IN LAKEWOOD, NJ. I EXPLAIN TO THEM THAT MY CAR WOULD SHAKE AND STALL WHILE DRIVING. I EXPLAIN TO THEM THAT I DID NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING ESPECIALLY WITH MY FOUR-YEAR-OLD SON IN THE BACKSEAT. I WANTED TO GET IT CHECKED OUT AND THAT WAS THE REASON WHY I BROUGHT IT THERE. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THIS WAS CAUSED DUE TO A ROCKER CONTROL ARM VALVE.THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO ORDER THE PART, WHICH THEY DID, BUT THAT IT WOULD TAKE A VERY LONG TIME TO GET IT IN. THEY DID NOT OFFER ME A LOANER CAR AS THEY DID NOT KEEP MY CAR TO WORK ON. THEY SENT ME BACK ON THE ROAD WITH A SHAKING CAR THAT STALLS WHILE DRIVING. I DID MY RESEARCH AND HAVE SEEN THAT THERE WAS A PETITION OF OVER 1500 SIGNATURES WITH OWNERS OF 2014 CHEVY IMPALA'S AND 2015 CHEVY MALIBU'S WHO ALL COMPLAINS OF THE SAME THING AND INCLUDED THAT THEY HAVE BEEN WAITING 4 OR MORE MONTHS FOR THIS PART. I AM COMPLAINING FOR THE FACT THAT THIS IS UNSAFE, THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL FOR THIS THOUGH THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AND WE ARE ALL PAYING FOR VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. I HAVE ATTACHED THE LINK TO THE PETITION THAT SHOWS THAT NUMEROUS PEOPLE HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS FAULTY PART. ALSO, I AM ATTACHING MY INVOICE. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. *TR
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
MY AUTO STOP CAME ON WHILE AT A STOP SIGN AND WHEN I RELEASED THE BRAKE MY CAR SHUT OFF AND WON'T START I TRIED JUMPING CAR IT STILL WON'T WORK. THE TOW COMPANY THAT TOWED MY CAR HAS TOLD ME ABOUT A RECALL ON AUTO STOP
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. THE PART I NEED FOR MY CAR NO LONGER AVAILABLE 'OIL CONTROL VALVE' SO THEREFORE I CAN'T EVEN GET A STICKER FOR MY TAG. MY CAR KEEP FAILING EMISSION DUE TO THIS AND THIS IS RIDICULOUS I HAVE TO STILL PAY A CAR NOTE FOR A CAR I CAN'T DRIVE.
TRUNK RELEASE STOPPED WORKING ON FOB AS WELL AS THE RELEASE BUTTON ON BACK OF CAR ON THE TRUNK. I WAS TOLD AT THE DEALERSHIP THERE WAS AN INTERNAL SHORTENING ON THE DECK LID LATCH.
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.
TAMARA RECALL THE TRUNK RELEASE STOP WORKING AND WAS BLOWING FUSES.
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.
SEVERAL ISSUES, THE HEAT CONTROL KNOB HAD A SHORT SEVERAL MONTHS AFTER BUYING NEW IN 2018. RECENTLY 2018, THE STEERING COLUMN HAS BEEN MAKING A POPPING SOUND EVERYTIME I TURN. TAKEN TO DEALER 3 TIMES AND STILL MAKES NOISE. AFTER TAKING IT ON A VACATION, THE AUTO STOP BATTERY DID NOT WORK WHEN I CAME OFF THE EXPRESS WAY. NOW, THE…
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SEVERAL ISSUES, THE HEAT CONTROL KNOB HAD A SHORT SEVERAL MONTHS AFTER BUYING NEW IN 2018. RECENTLY 2018, THE STEERING COLUMN HAS BEEN MAKING A POPPING SOUND EVERYTIME I TURN. TAKEN TO DEALER 3 TIMES AND STILL MAKES NOISE. AFTER TAKING IT ON A VACATION, THE AUTO STOP BATTERY DID NOT WORK WHEN I CAME OFF THE EXPRESS WAY. NOW, THE CAR IS FILLING WITH WATER EVERYTIME IT RAINS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. ONLY 4 YEARS OLD WITH 36000 MILES AND HAD MANY ISSUES WITH THIS CAR. NOT HAPPY
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.
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