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
270 reports, newest first.
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.
Electrical system, Air bags, Engine, Oct 3, 2022
Air bag sensor has been malfunctioning, misreading that there is a passenger in my car when there is not anybody present and the seat is clear. Check airbag light on dash is lit. The the screen display shows a blank green screen when put in reverse and has to be put in park to correct green screen. The auto shut off for the engine when the brake pedal is engaged turns the car completely off; including head lights, interior lights, and all capacities of the vehicle.
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.
Air bags, Aug 29, 2022
I own a 2015 Chevrolet Malibu LS. August 19, 2022 when I cranked the car a message popped up on the screen saying service airbag. Looked up recalls but my specific car doesn’t have any thus far. Called the dealership for them to look at it and they said the same thing. The recall for the airbag was October 2015. This is the first time I’m dealing with an airbag issue and I’m not fully secure or feel safe knowing it could possibly pop out or not work at all and I have two sons that ride in the back seat. If you need pictures I can send at request. Thank you and have a good day.
Engine, Aug 22, 2022, fire
Vehicle caught fire in the engine compartment while parked and unoccupied.
Air bags, Aug 3, 2022
Air bag warning service notification appeared. Contacted dealership and they stated no recall on my vehicle only trucks and SUV's.
Electrical system, Engine, Jul 28, 2022
I have a 2015 Chevrolet Malibu. I was driving in traffic and stopped. The auto stop engaged. When I put my foot on the gas peddle to continue on in traffic, the engine would not start. I had to set there for 5 minutes before the car would restart.
Engine, Jul 18, 2022
The car is stalling upon acceleration, which causes a jerking sensation. It has been diagnosed as an Intake Rocker Arm Solenoid Valve (oil). I have researched and notice that this has been a recall on previous models such as the 2014 Chevy Malibu. I don't understand why the 2015 Malibu would not be included in this recall. I am preparing to have this item fixed at the dealership, fearing that if I don't I could have an accident. The dealership is not inexpensive and times are hard. This is a hardship for me trying to pay for these repairs. I feel that Chevrolet/GMC needs to do something about this situation. Obviously, the problem is still not fixed.
Steering, Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Apr 24, 2022
Drive in rain, went to follow a curve, lost steering and brakes. Ran right off the road. Was going 50 in a 55. Did not hyrdoplane just no response from the car
Electrical system, Engine, Apr 21, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the check engine warning light and the message "dual battery" were displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the fuel saving battery was faulty and needed to be replaced. The battery was replaced however, the failure persisted. The mechanic then diagnosed that the fuse block was faulty. The fuse block was replaced and the failure was remedied. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 127,000.
Air bags, Apr 16, 2022
Service airbag light on
Engine, Feb 28, 2022
Several times my vehicle has said Engine Power is Reduced (I have a photograph) then it says reducing speed to 35 etc. It reduces speed very quickly and continues to do so. It's a safety hazard and I've had to pull off the side of the road so that I don't cause an accident.
Electrical system, Feb 2, 2022
The trunk will not open and if you force it open it will not close back. This has happened several times now and I’m not able to get into my trunk.
Electrical system, Engine, Jan 31, 2022
During the automatic start/stop function, the car stalls out after it stops itself. For example, I exited an interstate and came to a red stoplight. The car engaged the fuel saving system and shut down the engine. However, after I tried to press the gas to get the car to reengage, the car completely shut down requiring me to put the car in park on an exit ramp and re crank the car to get it to start again. Batteries were tested and no one can figure out what the problem is.
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
Engine, Nov 10, 2021
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated the vehicle failed to start without warning. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 82,496.
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.
Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 28, 2021
My 2015 Malibu continues to have problems. I have a constant P Code (P2635) that refers to the fuel pump (Low Performance). The Malibu has the auto stop but at times the vehicle wants to lunge forward. It also at a stop not only goes to the auto stop (engine ) but cut off all the way . Which this result in having to place the car back in park to re-start. I have seen a youtube video of a hotspot (wear) on the wiring harness that is located in the right rear fender well that this blue and white wire was worn and broken possible causing this problem. Other that this issue the vehicle is good and still gets around 35mpg.
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 20, 2021
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving at 60 MPH, the vehicle started jerking with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle failed to accelerate properly while driving to the residence. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the rocker arm oil flow control valve was inoperable and needed to be replaced. The local dealer replaced the part and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 91,500.