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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

What owners actually said

270 reports
55,461 miles · Oct 12, 2018
Air Bags

DEFECTIVE AIRBAG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED

NHTSA ODI #11140058

Mileage unknown · Sep 6, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesSteering

I HAVE A 2015 CHEVY MALIBU WHILE DRIVING ON THE TURNPIKE AC CAME ON WITHOUT BEING TURNED ON LIGHTS DIMMED WHEN CAR STARTED FLASHING ME I HIT MY BRIGHT LIGHTS AND MY ABS SLAMMED MY CAR TO AN IMMEDIATE STOP ALSO CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO COME ON AND THE POWER STEERING TO GO OUT CAR SHUT OFF TOOK A WHILE TO COME BACK ON CAR …

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I HAVE A 2015 CHEVY MALIBU WHILE DRIVING ON THE TURNPIKE AC CAME ON WITHOUT BEING TURNED ON LIGHTS DIMMED WHEN CAR STARTED FLASHING ME I HIT MY BRIGHT LIGHTS AND MY ABS SLAMMED MY CAR TO AN IMMEDIATE STOP ALSO CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO COME ON AND THE POWER STEERING TO GO OUT CAR SHUT OFF TOOK A WHILE TO COME BACK ON CAR WAS NOT DEAD BUT ONLY THINGS THAT WERE OFF WERE WORKING THINGS THAT WERE ON OR NOT CAR KEEPS DYING WHEN YOU CRANK IT UP AND THINGS THAT ARE TURNED OFF COME ON ONCE THE CAR CRANKS UP DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND CAR TURNED OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING AND DID THE SAME THING ON THE TURNPIKE IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI #11124678

Mileage unknown · Sep 4, 2018
Service BrakesStructureCrash

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

NHTSA ODI #11124425

47,000 miles · Sep 4, 2018
StructureUnknown Or OtherVisibility/wiperCrash

BLIND SIDE..NOT EASY TO LOCATE VEHICLES ON EITHER SIDE.AND IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE CHILD IN REAR WITH REAR VIEW CAMERA.

NHTSA ODI #11124199

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

61,000 miles · Jul 25, 2018
Electrical SystemPower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND TURNED OFF WITH THE KEY STILL IN THE IGNITION, THE ENGINE INADVERTENTLY STARTED. ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND THE RADIO ACTIVATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT IT MIGH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND TURNED OFF WITH THE KEY STILL IN THE IGNITION, THE ENGINE INADVERTENTLY STARTED. ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND THE RADIO ACTIVATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN A POWER TRAIN FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO CALL THE DEALER. THE CONTACT CALLED HERRIN-GEAR CHEVROLET (1685 HIGH ST, JACKSON, MS 39202, 601-376-9944) AND WAS INFORMED TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR A CHECK UP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 61,000.

NHTSA ODI #11113564

Mileage unknown · Jul 24, 2018
EngineFuel/propulsion System

PURCHASED A NEW 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU 1LT WITH 8 MILES FROM IMPERIAL CHEVROLET IN MENDON MA. AT 44 MILES THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO IMPERIAL CHEVY. SERVICE FOR A MASSACHUSETTS STATE INSPECTION STICKER. THE BRAND NEW 2015 CHEVY. MALIBU FAILED THE EMISSIONS PORTION OF THE STATE INSPECTION TEST AND I WAS INFORMED BY THE IMPERIAL SERV…

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PURCHASED A NEW 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU 1LT WITH 8 MILES FROM IMPERIAL CHEVROLET IN MENDON MA. AT 44 MILES THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO IMPERIAL CHEVY. SERVICE FOR A MASSACHUSETTS STATE INSPECTION STICKER. THE BRAND NEW 2015 CHEVY. MALIBU FAILED THE EMISSIONS PORTION OF THE STATE INSPECTION TEST AND I WAS INFORMED BY THE IMPERIAL SERVICE DEPT. THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED THE STATE INSPECTION AND HE (SERVICE DEPT.) DID NOT KNOW WHY THE VEHICLE FAILED BUT I WAS INSTRUCTED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AROUND FOR APPROX. 100 MILES AND AFTER THE 100 MILES TO BRING THE VEHICLE BACK AND IMPERIAL WOULD RE-TEST THE VEHICLE. AFTER DRIVING AROUND FOR APPROXIMATELY 100 MILES I RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE VEHICLE PASSED THE STATE INSPECTION AFTER THE SECOND TEST. AT APPROX. 3,000- 30000 MILES (AT TIMES) THE VEHICLE WOULD INDICATE (VIA INDICATION PANEL) THAT THE GAS CAP OF THE VEHICLE WAS LOOSE. THE 'TIGHTEN GAS CAP' INDICATOR LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND GO OFF DURING OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. DURING SEVERAL OIL CHANGES TO THE VEHICLE, I INFORMED THE SERVICE DEPT. OF THE 'TIGHTEN GAS CAP' INDICATION BUT DUE TO THE LIGHT NOT BEING ON DURING THE OIL CHARGES THE SERVICE DEPT. COULD NOT FIND ANY ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE. AT APPROX. 33,000 MILES THE "TIGHTEN GAS CAP" INDICATOR STAYED ON AND AFTER A WHILE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALSO CAME ON. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO IMPERIAL CHEVY. SERVICE AND THEY FOUND THE "VENT SOLENOID STICKING" "CODE 0455" AND REPLACED THE VENT SOLENOID. AT APPROX. 40,000 MILES THE SAME ISSUE STARTED AGAIN, THE VEHICLE WOULD INDICATE THAT THE GAS CAP WAS LOOSE, THE MESSAGE WOULD COME ON AND THEN GO OFF. AT 45,000 MILES ONCE AGAIN, THE LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. ONCE AGAIN, THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO CHEVY FOR SERVICE AND ONCE AGAIN THE VENT SOLENOID WAS FOUND TO BE STICKING AND THE SAME PART (VENT SOLENOID) WAS REPLACED. SAME ISSUE 3 TIMES.

NHTSA ODI #11113453

37,000 miles · Jun 28, 2018
Structure

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.

NHTSA ODI #11104477

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.