2015 Chevrolet Malibu
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 270 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 19th highest complaint count among 26 Malibu model years with reports.
Of the 2015 reports, 18 involved a crash and 9 involved a fire. 13 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Electrical system, ignitionJul 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."
If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 16V502000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, side/windowOct 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 15V666000 on NHTSA.gov
Visibility, sun/moon roof assemblyMar 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."
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.
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.
Campaign 15V164000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electronic stability control (esc)
16 reports, newest first. Show all
Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 25, 2020
MODEL: 2015 CHEVY MALIBU/ 80000 MILES WHILE DRIVING THE CAR (IN HIGHWAY) IT STOPPED ALL OF A SUDDEN. IF I STOP AT A RED LIGHT THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN AND THEN I HAVE TO PUT IT ON PARKING/NEUTRAL AND RESTART THE CAR AGAIN. MY CONCERN IS IF IT SUDDENLY STOPS WHILE I AM DRIVING IT, I MAY GET HIT FROM BEHIND AND GET SERIOUSLY INJURED (ALMOST GOT HIT THE OTHER DAY). WHILE I WAS HAVING THE ISSUES, "SERVICE STABILITRAK" SIGN APPEARS ON THE DASH.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Sep 24, 2020
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.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, May 18, 2020
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
Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), May 7, 2020
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
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 28, 2020
THIS HAS OCCURRED ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION BUT MOST RECENTLY IT SCARED ME MOST BECAUSE I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY HIGHWAY ! AS THE CAR CAME TO A STOP IT WHEN INTO POWER SAVE MODE (AUTOMATIC SHUTOFF) HOWEVER ONCE TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKES IT DIDN'T NOT START THE CAR WENT COMPLETELY DEAD AT THE MIDDLE OFF A BUSY HIGHWAY . I TRIED REPEATEDLY TO CRANK BUT IT WOULD NOT START AFTER 3-5 MINS IT'S FINALLY CRANKED UP . NOW I'VE NOTICED THAT IF IN COMING TO A STOP I HAVE TO KEEP THE CAR FROM GOING INTO AUTO SHUTOFF MODE BY LETTING OFF THE BRAKE A LITTLE BEFORE IT ACTUALLY COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP .ALSO I WAS AT THE DRIVE THRU WINDOW OF A RESTAURANT WHEN IT SHUT OFF ON ME THE LAST TIME IT FINALLY GAVE A "SERVICE STABILIZER" MESSAGE LUCKILY I HAD A PORTABLE BOOSTER IN THE TRUNK AND JUST CONNECTED IT TO THE BATTERY AND THE CAR CRANKED RIGHT UP . SO FOR MY SAFETY AND MY CHILDREN'S SAFETY I KEEP THE PORTABLE BOOSTER IN THE TRUNK BECAUSE IDK WHEN IT'LL JUST CUT OFF . ALSO I HAVE USE MY WARRANTY TO HAVE THE CAR SERVICED HOWEVER AFTER GETTING BEATEN OUT OF SO MUCH MONEY FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND BEING TOLD THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE IDK WHAT ELSE TO DO .IT DOES NOT HAPPEN EVERYDAY BUT IT'S BEGINNING TO HAPPEN MORE FREQUENTLY NOW. ALSO WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE IT TAKES A FEW SECONDS FOR THE BACKUP CAMERA TO COME ON .I NOTICED BEFORE I HAD THE MAJOR PROBLEM WITH IT SHUTTING DOWN COMPLETELY A COUPLES TIMES WHEN I WOULD PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE THE RADIO /SCREEN WOULD GO COMPLETELY BLACK AND ONCE I PUT IT BACK INTO DIVE THEN IT WOULD COME BACK ON
Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Feb 22, 2020
MY CAR WAS DRIVING FINE THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE SERVICE STABILI TRACK LIGHT FLASHED ON MY SCREEN AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING BUT WENT OFF AFTER ABOUT 1 MINUTE . THE NEXT DAY WHILE ACCELERATING THE CAR STUTTERED AND FELT ALMOST LIKE I WAS DRIVING DOWN A ROAD WITH LITTLE RIVETS . ITS STOPPED AND AGAIN ALL THE LIGHTS DISSAPEARED. THIS MORNING AS SOON AS I STARTED MY CAR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND EVERY TIME I ACCELERATE IT STUTTERS AND FEELS AS IF I'M DRIVING DOWN A RIVETED ROAD .
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Oct 21, 2019
I WAS STOPPED AT A LIGHT AT A VERY BUSY INTERSECTION (AUTO OFF ENGAGED). WHEN I STARTED TO MOVE, THE CAR WOULD BARELY GO (AUTO OFF WAS DISENGAGED). IT WAS JERKING AS I WAS GIVING IT GAS. THE SERVICE STABILITRAK MESSAGE CAME ON AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I MANAGED TO PULL INTO A PARKING LOT , PUT IT IN PARK AND THEN I TRIED TO REV THE ENGINE AND IT JUST DIDN'T WANT TO. I SHUT IT OFF AND THEN TURNED IT BACK ON AND THE MESSAGE DISAPPEARED. I DROVE BACK TO WORK AND IT SEEMED FINE, BUT FOR MONTHS NOW, IT SEEMS WHEN I GO TO TAKE OFF, IT HESITATES A BIT BEFORE GOING.
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Jun 28, 2019
TAKATA RECALL THE TRANSMISSION IN THE 2015 CHEVY MALIBU JERKS AT LOW SPEEDS AND AT HIGH SPEEDS IT HOLDS THE GEAR WHEN SLOWING DOWN
Seat belts, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 3, 2019
PASSENGER SEAT BELT WON'T UNBUCKLE, DASH SAYS SERVICE STABILITRAK, ENGINE POWER REDUCED, AND SPEED LIMITED TO 25 MPH
Seats, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Jan 3, 2019
NO PROBLEMS PRIOR TO A SIMPLE SPARK PLUG CHANGE(AC DELCO IRIDIUM/OEM). FEW DAYS LATER, CAR STARTED HESITATING, AND LOSING ACCELERATION, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT & SERVICE STABILITY DISPLAY ON SCREEN. CHECKED WITH OBDII. GAVE CODE OF MISSING SPARK IN #3. SO I CHANGED SPARK PLUG, THINKING FAULTY PLUG. AFTER DRIVING A BIT, CODE AND SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. TOOK TO DEALER $170 LATER, BAD COIL...! 86K MILES AND BAD COIL, AFTER CHANGING PLUGS...HUM! OK SO IF BAD COIL WHY IS IT GIVING ME A SERVICE STABILITRACK DISPLAY? AND NOT COMING UP ON OBDII DIAGNOSIS? I'M A CERTIFIED TRANSIT DESIEL MECHANIC OF 15YRS, AND THIS PUZZLES ME. I'VE ORDERED COIL, CHANGING TMRW. LETS SEE WHAT OUTCOME WILL BE AFTER CHANING COIL!
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Nov 22, 2018
THE ABS SENSOR IS MALFUNCTIONING. THIS CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO STALL OUT AND NOT GO OVER 11 MILES PER HOUR. THE DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR UNDER $1000 AND SIMILAR ISSUE WAS RECALLED ON THE 2014 MODEL.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Sep 6, 2018
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.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, May 11, 2018
SENSOR FOR ANTI STABILITY AND ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM FAILING MULTIPLE TIMES , THIS HAS BEEN RECALLED ON THE 2014 BUT NOT 2015. HAD PART REPLACED WHICH WAS REPLACED WITH SAME ISSUE. WHEN THIS HAPPENS ABS DISENGAGES AND THE ANTI STABILITY ALSO DISENGAGES.
Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 21, 2016, crash
"TAKATA RECALL" DURING A SIDE IMPACT COLLISON AT 45MPH , THE SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY (NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED) AND THE STABILITRAK WAS DISABLED . AN ERROR MESSAGE OF SERVICE STABILITRAK APPEARED DURING THE ACCIDENT
Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 19, 2016
BOUGHT 2013 MALIBU MARCH 2013 NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH IT UNTIL AT ABOUT 34,000 MILES. ON MY WAY TO WORK STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM LIGHT AND (ABS) BREAK LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER MY SHIFT AT WORK, I STARTED THE LIGHT WAS NOT ON. I THOUGHT JUST AN ERROR, MAY HAVE RESET IT'S SELF. AT ABOUT 46,000 MILES STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM, (ABS) BREAK LIGHTS ARE BACK ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF. I AM CURRENTLY MAKING AN APPOINTMENT WITH DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Nov 13, 2014
I HAVE BEEN HAVING NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH A PAUSE IN THE ENGINE WHEN I'M SPEEDING UP ONTO A HIGHWAY OR TO PASS ON THE HIGHWAY . IT'S MOST DANGEROUS WHEN I ENTER THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR INSTEAD OF JUST SPEEDING UP HAS BEEN KNOWN TO PAUSE.. AND THEN SPEED UP. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT'S HARD TO DETERMINE WHEN THE CAR IS GOING TO "PAUSE" . I WAS ALMOST IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE I HAD ENOUGH TIME TO ENTER THE HIGHWAY AND THE CAR DECIDED TO "PAUSE " AND THEN GO BUT THAT SLIGHT PAUSE EFFECTS THE TIMING OF ENTERING TRAFFIC . ALSO, I AM NEAR A HIGHWAY WITH A LOT OF CONSTRUCTION. THE ROADS BECOME UNEVEN IN PARTS WITHOUT WARNING. I HAVE TO KEEP BOTH MY HANDS TIGHTLY SECURED TO THE WHEEL OR THE CAR TRIES PULLING YOU. FOR INSTANCE : I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT AND THERE WAS A SLIGHT CHANGE IN UNEVEN PAVEMENT AND MY CAR SEEMED LIKE IT WAS TRYING TO EVEN OUT THE WEIGHT OF THE CAR AND IT TRIED PULLING ME LEFT AND WHEN I WENT TO STRAIGHTEN OUT MY CAR BECOME UNCONTROLLABLE AND THANK GOD THERE WASN'T SOMEBODY IN THE RIGHT LANE BECAUSE IT PULLED ME ALL OVER THE HIGHWAY AND I COULDN'T CONTROL IT . TO BE HONEST I HAVE HAD ABOUT 6 CARS AND NEVER HAVE I FELT SO UNSAFE. ALSO MY CAR IS AN ECO CAR- IT TURNS OFF AT LIGHTS.. SOMETIMES IT SHAKES WHEN IT TURNS BCK ON AND ALSO IT LAGS TO MOVE ONCE IT DOES COME BACK ON. MY DEALERSHIP SAID THEY FOUND A DEFECT IN IT AND GM WILL "FIND A SOLUTION IN 45 DAYS" .. I HAVEN'T SEEN ANY OTHER REVIEWS ABOUT THIS? *TR