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: vehicle speed control
28 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, May 24, 2024
Wheel hubs causes car to think that it’s going faster(200mph) causing car to drop speed, locks steering wheel making it impossible to turn away from traffic and drive it’s an accident waiting to happen not sure why there isn’t a recall. Also batteries causes the battery system warning to be a major problem even if alternator is good. I’m not sure if the two batteries is a good idea. The stop/start feature can cause radio issues it’s like cutting the car off and turn it back on when brake is released radio comes back on.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Nov 12, 2022
I bought my 2015 Chevy Malibu in 2016 at 36k miles. No wrecks, 1 owner before myself. No warning lights on when driving from the lot and the car was just what I wanted… tho always a little doubtful because it was pre owned 1) there was always this random, unusual, indescribable smell from the vents where I couldn’t breathe but no one else could smell or experience it. I just kept getting sick. 2) I thought “MY” first 30k miles or so was rolling too fast and 3-5 months in, the ENGINE light popped on. Immediately took it to Chevy who said my engine light was on due to an “airbag” but wouldn’t tell me which unless I paid 70$. 3) Still, driving was not affected so I kept taking it to the Chevy dealer every 3-6 months for the proper maintenance. About 2 years in I go for an oil change at CHEVY: one guy pours RADIATOR fluid in my OIL compartment during the oil change. Just before he realizes it’s the wrong thing and looks to see if I saw, I alert the manager who immediately drains the oil and says it won’t be affected.. and assures me everything is fine. ??? 4) 4 years ownership, the service stability track message started appearing and the ENGINE POWER REDUCED SPEED LIMITED TO 25 MPH starts popping up on the screen and simultaneously the car DANGEROUSLY goes from highway speed to 25mph. ONLY Jesus mercy! That’s a death trap in itself. Still no recalls and no help. Temp fix (get to safety, turn off vehicle, wait 30 sec-1 min and restart) 5) At 150k miles, I returned to get transmission flush.change.check whatever the best procedure was. Chevy says, I wouldn’t because it doesn’t have to be serviced on these vehicle. yet they send me coupons for trans services. 6)JUST put on new tires, oil, oil cabin, and engine filters changed. Car riding smoothly then 4 days later I start it and up pops a message about SERVICE POWER STEERING: drive with care! No Gearshift lights. And it’s an EPS system! Something is WRONG with these cars. 7) Paint defects along pass. side
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Nov 4, 2022
I was almost to work on the highway and my car dashboard said Engine Power is Reduced. It quickly started powering down from 74 directly to 50 then 40, then 35 and finally to 26 before I could safely pull off to the side of the road. This issue is getting worse it takes at least 10 minutes of waiting and turning my car off and on before it is back to normal. Others have said that they have gone to the garage and had it replaced and it just continues to happen. This needs to be a recall and not just a change of parts every few months.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Oct 31, 2022
I was on the highway traveling at around 68 mph and my car dashboard said Engine Power is Reduced speed Reduced to 45 mph and it instantly slowed to that speed. Fortunately I was able to pull of to the side of the road quickly and I turned off my car, waited for a bit and then turned it back on, it still said Engine Power is Reduced, so I turned it back off and waited again. This was at night, in the dark and it was not a pleasant experience to be pulled to the side of the road with your hazard lights on while traffic just buzzes by and your vehicle is disabled. This happened three times in one day during one trip. It's absolutely ridiculous and numerous other people have the same issue.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Oct 31, 2022
I was driving back home from Harrisburg, PA on the highway traveling at around 72 mph and my car dashboard said Engine Power is Reduced speed Reduced to 45 mph and it instantly slowed to that speed. It took quite a while to find a place to pull of to the side of the road because of the area I was in. It was quite frightening because everyone else is going the actual speed limit of 70 mph or over. By the time I found a place to pull over my car was reduced to less than 25 mph. As usual, I turned off my car, waited for a bit and then turned it back on, it still said Engine Power is Reduced, so I turned it back off and waited again. I turned it back on and it still said Engine Power is Reduced so I had to turn it back off again and wait. I turned it back on and it was fine again.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Oct 31, 2022
I was driving to Harrisburg, PA on the highway traveling at around 68 mph and my car dashboard said Engine Power is Reduced speed Reduced to 45 mph and it instantly slowed to that speed. Then it counted down very quickly to 35 and then 25 before I could find a safe place to pull off to the side of the road. I turned off my car, waited for a bit and then turned it back on, it still said Engine Power is Reduced, so I turned it back off and waited again. I turned it back on and it still said Engine Power is Reduced so I had to turn it back off again and wait. Sitting along side the road on the highway is not pleasant. I turned it back on and it was fine again.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Oct 28, 2022
I was on my way to work and my car dashboard said Engine Power is Reduced. I was in road construction and only going about 5 mph. I turned off my car and waited for about a minute as I just happened to be stopped waiting for the sign to turn for me to go and turned it back on, but it still said Engine Power is Reduced. I turned it back off and waited for another few seconds and turned it back on and it was ok again. This happens so frequently it's appalling.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Oct 28, 2022
My dad was driving my car when the car dashboard said Engine Power is Reduced Speed reduced to 25 mph. He pulled off to the side of the road and turned off my car. He waited for about 2 minutes and turned it back on, but it still said Engine Power is Reduced. He turned it back off and waited for 5 minutes and turned it back on and it was ok again.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Oct 17, 2022
I had almost gotten to the exit from the highway to get to my job, I was driving at approximately 56 mph. And my car dashboard started saying Engine Power is Reduced and then it started to flash slowing to 52 mph, slowing to 48 mph, etc. Fortunately I was able to safely make my exit and pull into a parking lot where I turned my car off and waited for 5 minutes and turned it back on it still said Engine Power is Reduced, so I repeated that procedure of turning off and turning on and was finally able to go to work. This is insane and needs to be recalled.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Oct 17, 2022
My vehicle dashboard says Engine Power is reduced. This has happened to me before and I know that it starts slowing down quickly and then just stops. I turned off my car and waited for three minutes, and turned my car back on - it still showed Engine Power is Reduced, so I turned it back off for about 5 minutes and turned it back on and then it was back to normal. I've reported this before. This is extremely dangerous on a regular road and it could be catastrophic if it would happen on the highway.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Oct 13, 2022
I was going out for breakfast and my car dashboard said Engine Power is Reduced. I pulled off to the side of the road and turned off my car. I waited for about 5 minutes and turned it back on, but it still said Engine Power is Reduced. I turned it back off and waited for another 5 minutes and turned it back on and it was ok again.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Oct 13, 2022
My vehicle dashboard says Engine Power Reduced then proceeds to slowing to 35 then counts down quickly. This morning I was in an area that I couldn't pull off to the side for about 1/2 mile. It slows down to the point that it's frightening then it goes to zero and will not move! Fortunately I was in an area where I could finally pull off to the side of the road when it got to that point. This has happened numerous times in this vehicle. A quick search on Google shows that this is a HUGE problem with this make, model and year. This is extremely dangerous. I have to turn my car off for about 5 minutes before my car is back to working condition.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Sep 15, 2022
My vehicle dashboard says Engine Power reduced - slowing to 35. This has happened to me before and I know that it starts slowing down quickly and then just stops, so I pulled of to the side of the road and put on my flashers, turned off my car and waited for several minutes and then it was back to normal. I've reported this before. This is extremely dangerous on a regular road and it could be catastrophic if it would happen on the highway.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Nov 30, 2021
On 11-11-21 my check engine light came on and message came up reducing engine power and also my speed was reduced. Stability track light came on. Took to shop they repaired but a week later same exact problems occurred. Took back to shop. So far hasn’t happened again. My husband Chevy equinox all of a sudden car does the same exact thing. The check engine light went off so he’s watching it
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Oct 31, 2021
P16cf dtc and check engine light after some engine noise and an incident where I was trying to accelerate around an obstacle but was unable to. The car bottomed out and would not accelerate until I took my foot off the gas and tried again more slowly. It's an issue with the intake solenoid rocker arm (oil control valve). The issue with this particular part was noted on earlier Malibu models but not mine. I have not taken it to the dealer yet as I am out of the power train warranty.
Vehicle speed control, Mar 24, 2021
I CAN BE DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEED AND I RECEIVE AN ERROR THAT THE ENGINE POWER IS REDUCING AND THE SPEED SHIFTS DOWN & I AM UNABLE TO EXCEED 25 MPH. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT POPS ON & ALSO AN ERROR REGARDING STABIL LOC NEEDS TO BE SERVICED. MY CAR HAS AUTOMATICALLY SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. I'VE HAD TO PULL OVER TO A SAFE MEDIUM ON THE HIGHWAY AND MOSTLY WHEN THE ERROR OCCURS, I'M NOT ABLE TO TURN A CORNER AT A SAFE SPEED. ALTHOUGH I AM ABLE TO START IT RIGHT BACK OFF THE ERROR STILL PERSISTS. I HAVE HAD WHAT "THEY SAY" IS THE ISSUE REPAIRED TWICE BUT AS SOON AS I GET THE CAR BACK, I HAVE THE SAME ISSUE 1-3 DAYS LATER.
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Mar 2, 2021
WHEN TURNING LEFT FROM A STOP MY CAR ALL AT ONCE SAID ENGINE POWER REDUCED TO 25MPH, SERVICE AIRBAG, SERVICE STABILITRAC, AND SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST.
Vehicle speed control, Jan 25, 2021
ON 1-24-2021, WHILE DRIVING THE CAR INITIALLY HAD ISSUES GAINING ACCELERATION DESPITE PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL. ONCE I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO REACH A SPEED OF 40MPH I RECEIVED A WARNING ON THE DASH STATING THE CAR'S SPEED IS BEING REDUCED TO 25MPH, FOLLOWED BY A MESSAGE THAT SAID REDUCED ENGINE POWER AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THIS LED TO THE CAR STALLING AND EVENTUALLY SHUTTING DOWN ABOUT 2-3 MINUTES LATER. I WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BEFORE THE CAR SHUT DOWN AND TURNED THE HAZARD LIGHTS ON. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES I WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR. THE REDUCED ENGINE POWER MESSAGE REMAINED ALONG WITH A NEW MESSAGE OF SERVICE STABILITRAK. I WAS STILL UNABLE TO ACCELERATE BEYOND 25MPH WHICH WAS BELOW THE MINIMUM SPEED FOR THE ROAD I WAS DRIVING ON.
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Jun 19, 2020, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP; THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY ONCE HIS FOOT SLIPPED OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF HIM WITHOUT WARNING. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE AWAY FROM THE SCENE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT HAD BROKE AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT. THE CONTACT LINKED THE FAILURE TO THE AUTO ENGINE IDLE STOP FEATURE ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO KEYES CHEVROLET (5949 VAN NUYS BLVD, SHERMAN OAKS, CA 91401) ABOUT DISABLING THE AUTO ENGINE IDLE STOP FEATURE ON THE VEHICLE AND HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FEATURE COULD NOT BE DISABLED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD YET TO BE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. *DT*JB
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Apr 22, 2020
THE CAR REDUCED SPEED WHILE MY WIFE AND GRANDS WHERE IN TRAFFIC ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT REDUCED TO 25 MPH ON HIGHWAY
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.
Vehicle speed control, Aug 5, 2019, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE CONTACT REAR-ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT HAD MADE AN UNEXPECTED STOP. THE VEHICLE'S AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT; AFTER THE IMPACT, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO USE THE BRAKE PEDAL DUE TO THE VEHICLE'S AIR BAGS DEPLOYING. THE CONTACT THEN FORCED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK AND APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY COASTED TO A STOP AFTER THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE INTO A GRASS FILLED AREA. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BRAIN BLEED AS A RESULT OF THE COLLISION. THE OTHER DRIVER SUSTAINED BACK INJURIES; HOWEVER, NO MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS GIVEN TO EITHER PARTIES INVOLVED IN THE COLLISION. AFTER THE COLLISION, THE CONTACT WENT TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM WHERE THEY DISCOVERED SHE HAD BLEEDING ON HER BRAIN AND WAS TREATED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP (POP'S CHEVROLET BUICK600 US-23, PRESTONSBURG, KY 41653(606) 263-1507). THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jul 16, 2019
MY 2015 CHEVY MALIBU LTZ ECO, JUST SUDDENLY LOSS POWER WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT. THE AUTO STOP HAD ENGAGED ONCE I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. UPON GIVING THE CAR GAS TO TAKE OFF, THE AUTO STOP HAD BEEN DISENGAGE. FOOT ON THE GAS TO GO AND THE VEHICLE JUST SAT THERE FOR A FEW SECONDS THEN IT JUST CAME ALIVE AND TOOK OFF. AT FIRST I WAS THINKING IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION ACTING UP. THEN THE COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER HAPPENED.
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
Vehicle speed control, Apr 20, 2018, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE UNINTENDEDLY ACCELERATED SEVERAL TIMES WITHOUT WARNING. EACH TIME, THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, PLACE THE VEHICLE IN PARK, AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. WHILE APPROACHING A LIGHT TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE SURGED FROM A LOW TO A HIGH RATE OF SPEED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE DEALER (MALOUF CHEVROLET, 1975 US-1, NORTH BRUNSWICK TOWNSHIP, NJ 08902, (732) 821-1100) AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.