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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
Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 2017
Seats

THE SEAT IS STUCK IN PLACE. I CANNOT MOVE IT FORWARD OR BACK

NHTSA ODI #11012981

68,000 miles · Jul 29, 2017
Seats

I HAVE ENJOYED MY MALIBU BUT I HAVE A ISSUE FROM THE DAY I PURCHASED IT. THE PLASTIC COVER OVER THE SEAT CONTROLS WAS TORN WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR THE COVER HAS GOTTEN WORSE AS TIME HAS GONE BY AND TO BE HONEST HAS BECOME A HAZARD I TORN A PAIR OF SLACKS ON THE EXTREMELY SHARP PLASTIC PIECE AND I AM VERY CAREFUL GETTING IN …

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I HAVE ENJOYED MY MALIBU BUT I HAVE A ISSUE FROM THE DAY I PURCHASED IT. THE PLASTIC COVER OVER THE SEAT CONTROLS WAS TORN WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR THE COVER HAS GOTTEN WORSE AS TIME HAS GONE BY AND TO BE HONEST HAS BECOME A HAZARD I TORN A PAIR OF SLACKS ON THE EXTREMELY SHARP PLASTIC PIECE AND I AM VERY CAREFUL GETTING IN AND OUT OF THE CAR BECAUSE OF THE PIECE. DRIVERS SIDE SEAT CONTROL COVER PIECE. THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE SEAT DESIGN THERE IS A METAL TUBE RUNNING FRONT TO BACK YOU CAN SEE IT IN THE PICTURES IT CRACKED THIS COVER AND WILL CRACK ANY NEW COVER THAT REPLACE THIS COVER. THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT PLEASE FIND OUT IF IT IS COVERED FROM CHEVY. THERE ARE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS LISTED ON THE INTERNET FOR THIS EXACT PIECE CRACKING

NHTSA ODI #11011454

35,000 miles · Jul 27, 2017
Seats

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SEAT BASE BOARD SEPARATED CAUSING WIRES TO BE EXPOSED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE DRIVERS SEAT SETTING SYSTEM WAS NOT AFFECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. HOWEVER THE CONTACT SPOKE TO TERRY CULLEN …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SEAT BASE BOARD SEPARATED CAUSING WIRES TO BE EXPOSED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE DRIVERS SEAT SETTING SYSTEM WAS NOT AFFECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. HOWEVER THE CONTACT SPOKE TO TERRY CULLEN CHEVROLET DEALER IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA AT PHONE NUMBER: (770-986-4444) AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.

NHTSA ODI #11010902

24,000 miles · Jun 19, 2017
Visibility/wiper

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE, THE REAR WINDOW SHATTERED SPONTANEOUSLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE TOP QUALITY BODY SHOP WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WERE NOT THE ONLY VEHICLE OWNER WHO EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE, THE REAR WINDOW SHATTERED SPONTANEOUSLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE TOP QUALITY BODY SHOP WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WERE NOT THE ONLY VEHICLE OWNER WHO EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 24,000.

NHTSA ODI #11000046

15,000 miles · Jun 2, 2017
Air BagsElectrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SERVICE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LUMBERTON CHEVROLET BUICK GMC CADILLAC (LOCATED AT 500 LINKHAW RD., LUMBERTON, NC) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COMPUTER NEEDED UPDATING. THE COMPUTER WAS UPDATED; HOWEVER, AS SOON …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SERVICE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LUMBERTON CHEVROLET BUICK GMC CADILLAC (LOCATED AT 500 LINKHAW RD., LUMBERTON, NC) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COMPUTER NEEDED UPDATING. THE COMPUTER WAS UPDATED; HOWEVER, AS SOON AS THE CONTACT LEFT THE DEALER, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE DIAGNOSTIC RESULTS WERE UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE PREVIOUS REPAIRS WERE COVERED UNDER A WARRANTY, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 15,000.

NHTSA ODI #10992943

Mileage unknown · Apr 8, 2017
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

A CAR CAN NOT HAVE TWO BATTERIES CONNECTED TO THE ENGINE AT THE SAME TIME AND BE STREET LEGAL. THAIS CAR HAS THAT AND THEY ARE MISMATCHED BATTERIES AS WELL. MY CAR WAS STOLEN BY TOM LEHOUSKY. HE SOLD IT AT TROPICAL CHEVROLET FOR $15,000 AND KEPT THE MONEY.

NHTSA ODI #10971432

6,000 miles · Mar 22, 2017
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE PARKED AND EXITING THE VEHICLE WITH THE KEY DISENGAGED, THE INTERIOR LIGHTING AND RADIO REMAINED ON. ALSO, WHEN THE KEY WAS ENGAGED IN THE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD FAIL TO START. THE CONTACT WOULD SOMETIMES HAVE TO MAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURES OC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE PARKED AND EXITING THE VEHICLE WITH THE KEY DISENGAGED, THE INTERIOR LIGHTING AND RADIO REMAINED ON. ALSO, WHEN THE KEY WAS ENGAGED IN THE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD FAIL TO START. THE CONTACT WOULD SOMETIMES HAVE TO MAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURES OCCURRED ON SEVERAL DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT THE FAILURES COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 6,000. ..UPDATED 06/08/17 *BF

NHTSA ODI #10967761

66,500 miles · Feb 13, 2017
Suspension

BOLTS SECURING REAR SUSPENSION MAY BE LOOSE ONE OR MORE BOLTS SECURING THE REAR SUSPENSION COMPONENTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED PROPERLY DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY. LOOSE SUSPENSION BOLTS CAN RESULT IN SUDDEN CHANGES IN THE VEHICLE HANDLING CHARACTERISTICS.

NHTSA ODI #10954299

20,534 miles · Jan 12, 2017
EngineVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, THE RPMS INCREASED WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OR IN DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,534.

NHTSA ODI #10944578

Mileage unknown · Jan 9, 2017
Fuel/propulsion System

THE CAR WAS STATIONARIED, IT WAS ABOUT 28 DEGREES OUTSIDE. MY CAR WAS ON AND OFF IN BETWEEN AN 8 HOUR PERIOD. AS I AM A LOCAL DRIVER FOR A COMPANY OUT OF AUSTIN, TX. JANUARY 7TH AT ABOUT 12 MIDNIGHT I STARTED FEELING NAUSEOUS, THEN IT QUICKLY WENT TO CRAMPS THINKING I WAS HUNGRY I TRIED TO EAT. MEANWHILE I VAGUELY SMELLED SOMETH…

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THE CAR WAS STATIONARIED, IT WAS ABOUT 28 DEGREES OUTSIDE. MY CAR WAS ON AND OFF IN BETWEEN AN 8 HOUR PERIOD. AS I AM A LOCAL DRIVER FOR A COMPANY OUT OF AUSTIN, TX. JANUARY 7TH AT ABOUT 12 MIDNIGHT I STARTED FEELING NAUSEOUS, THEN IT QUICKLY WENT TO CRAMPS THINKING I WAS HUNGRY I TRIED TO EAT. MEANWHILE I VAGUELY SMELLED SOMETHING BUT COULDN'T MAKE OUT THE SMELL INSIDE THE VEHICLE. AT ABOUT 2AM I WAS REALLY BAD OFF WITH NOW A TERRIBLE HEADACHE THAT WAS BEYOND A NORMAL HEADACHE. I KEPT WORKING TILL 3 AM JAN 8TH. AS I CLOCKED OUT I WAS FEELING DISTANT AND DIZZY. I RETURNED TO THE CAR AND DROVE HOME WITH A FOGGY FEELING. I BARELY MADE IT UP OUR 3 FLIGHTS OF STAIRS AND STOPPED HALFWAY. AS I FELT I WASN'T GETTING ENOUGH OXYGEN. I CAME INSIDE OUR HOME AT 3:15. AND AT THAT TIME EXPLAINED TO MY HUSBAND MY SYMPTOMS I STARTED BREATHING IN AND OUT AS MUCH POSSIBLE ENOUGH AIR COULDN'T COME QUICK ENOUGH. MY BODY WAS TIRED I TOOK MEDS FOR MY HEAD AND DIZZUDLY FELL ASLEEP. MY HUSBAND INFORMED ME THAT HE CHECKED THE CAR AND UNDER THE HOOD HE COULD SMELL AN ODOR AND UPON CHECKING HE COULD HEAR A WHIZZING FROM THE BATTERY." THE BATTERY HAD BEEN RELEASING FUMES BACK INTO THE CAR HE SAID". WHICH WAS CAUSING ME TO INHALE CARBON MONOXIDE POISON. ALL THE SYMPTOMS I WAS FEELING CHECKED OUT AS I RESTED SUNDAY JANUARY 8TH. HE CHECKED MY OXYGEN LEVELS AS I WAS OK NOW! STATING THE OBVIOUS IT COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY I WAS VERY SHAKEN AND BARELY MENTALLY THERE BUT DIDN'T REALIZE IT. AS THIS WAS MORE THAN TRAUMATIZING FOR ME AND OUR FAMILY WE ARE NOW REACHING OUT TO INFORM AND WAIT TO SEE WHAT ARE NEXT STEPS ARE!

NHTSA ODI #10943835

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.