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.
Tires, Jun 29, 2021
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Malibu equipped with Continental Tire, Tire Line: Contipro Contact, Tire Size: 215/60R/16. The contact stated that while driving at a slow speed, the passenger’s side front tire experienced a blowout. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 5,000. The Vin was not available.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Jun 28, 2021
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while his wife was approaching an intersection and depressed the brake pedal, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The driver shifted the vehicle to park, restarted the vehicle, and drove to her destination. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 42,700.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 15, 2021
This 2015 Chevy Malibu has been serviced over 10 ten times for a stalling/check engine issue(s). Sometimes the check engine light will activate after stalling and other times it will not. This vehicle has only had 1 owner since the initial purchase with on-star showing all the times/dates that a problem was detected and reported via email (on star). The dealership has had ample attempts to fix the issues with the vehicle, as well as private ASE certified mechanic/shop after the issues continued with this problem vehicle. This vehicle is a lemon, it is not dependable, and the stalling issues seem to be an on-going issue with GM Chevy Malibu. On 05/15/2021 while in Natick Massachusetts, I was almost rear-ended after my vehicle stalled in traffic and I could not get to the BDL. As quickly as the vehicle stopped working, I was able to restart the vehicle and move it out of the road. This problem can not be ignored or downplayed, someone will eventual get hurt or killed because their vehicle stalls without reason or warning. I need a dependable vehicle and do not have the luxury to run to the dealership multiple times for an on-going problem.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, May 11, 2021
2015 CHEVY MALIBU WITH 2.5L ENGINE WITH ROCKER ARM OIL CONTROL VALVE MALFUNCTIONING. CHECK ENGINE CAME ON THURSDAY MAY 6, 2021 AND HAD IT DIAGNOSED MONDAY MAY 10, 2021. 2014'S HAVE A RECALL, BUT 2015S DO NOT AND MY MECHANIC CAN'T EVEN FIND A GM PART TO FIX THIS.
Power train, Electrical system, Apr 16, 2021
I WAS PULLING OUT OF PARKING LOT WHEN MY CAR GEARS STARTED TO JERK THEN A "SERVICE POWER STEERING" ICON FLASHED ON THE DASHBOARD. MY ENGINE LIGHT READ A P305F CODE WHICH ONLY TOLD ME IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE DUAL BATTERY CONTROL MODULE (DBCM) I THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THERE DIAGNOSTICS JUST SAID TO REPLACE THE MAIN BATTERY. HOWEVER I REPLACED BOTH BATTERIES AND CAR STILL HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I DID MY PERSONAL RESEARCH AND I ENDED UP REPLACING THE BATTERY MODULE YET CAR STILL HAD SAME ISSUE. I'VE ALREADY BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE AND CAN'T AFFORD TO KEEP SPENDING MONEY ON DIAGNOSTIC TEST. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON ISSUE FOR THIS VEHICLE AND THAT MULTIPLE PEOPLE HAD FILED COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS TO ME AT RANDOM TIMES WHILE DRIVING OR WHILE PULLING OUT OF PARKING LOT AND IS A MAJOR HAZARD IF DRIVING ON BUSY STREET OR HIGHWAY. WHEN IT DOES THE AUTO STOP AT A RED LIGHT THE CAR JERKS AND SOMETIMES GEARS WILL LOCK UP AND TRANSMISSION WILL EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS AS WELL. OTHER TIMES THE CAR JUST JERKS AND A SERVICE POWER STEERING ICON WILL DISPLAY ON THE DASHBOARD
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.
Air bags, Feb 4, 2021
CAR HAD AIRBAG LIGHT COME ON. THE VEH WAS DIAGNOSED WITH AIR BAG - CONTROL MODULE: C0196 C0186 C0287 B101D.. NEED TO START WITH REPLACING AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE .. CODES ARE ALL HISTORY CODES.. INTERMITTENT ISSUE.. COULD HAVE OTHER ISSUES AS WELL.
Electrical system, Jan 30, 2021
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CODE IS P305F WHICH MEANS THE BATTERY CONTROL MODULE IS AFFECTED. THIS POWERS THE ACCESSORIES. WHEN THE AUTO STOP FEATURE TRIGGERS, THE VEHICLE'S ACCESSORIES WILL TURN OFF AND HEADLIGHTS WILL TURN OFF. DANGEROUS AT NIGHT. THERE ARE NO CURRENT SOLUTIONS FOR THIS CODE AND MAKES THE CAR A FAILURE FOR EMISSIONS.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 26, 2021
THE BACK DEFROSTER QUIT WORKING OVER A YEAR AGO. FRONT DEFROSTER IS BLOWING OUT THE FRONT VENTS WHEN SET ON FULL DEFROST OR FEET AND DEFROST. NOTICED IT WHEN I STARTED MY CAR AND IT WASN'T WORKING ON THE WINDOWS AND IT WOULDN'T CHANGE.
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.
Electrical system, Jan 6, 2021
THE RADIO AUDIO SYSTEM GIVES A RANDOM STATIC INTERFERENCE, NOT EVERY DRIVE BUT 1/10 TIMES. NO MUSIC OR AUDIO CAN BE HEARD UNTIL THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SHUT OFF FOR COUPLE OF MINUTES THEN THE SYSTEM WORKS FINE.
Other or unspecified, Jan 4, 2021
CAR DIES WHILE IN AUTO STOP. ONLY HAPPENS IN AUTO STOP, AT STOP LIGHTS, IN DRIVE THUR.
Air bags, Jan 4, 2021
2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO AIR BAG SAFETY ISSUES. *AS THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON AND WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER RECALL. *JS
Electrical system, Dec 4, 2020
THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET AND THE WHOLE RADIO CONSOLE CUT OFF FOR ABOUT 5 SECONDS AND CAME BACK ON. THE ENGINE LIGHT THEN POPPED ON.IT DID THIS TWICE IN A MATTER OF 10 MINS. THIS ISSUED HAS HAPPENED TWICE SPORADICALLY 3 TIMES BUT NEVER CONSECUTIVE ON THE SAME DAY. BOTH BATTERIES WERE TESTED AND THEY ARE GOOD. GOT THE CODE P305F. PERFORMED A CHECK ON ALL WIRES AND HARNESSES AND THEY WERE SECURE. THE MAIN BATTERY WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW AC DELCO ON FEBRUARY 22, 2020. MY CAR ALSO CUT OFF ON SEPTEMBER 30 WHILE IT WAS IN MOTION AND I WAS SWITICHING GEARS TO REVERSE.
Structure, Nov 30, 2020
EVERY TIME IT RAINS OR I WASH THE CAR, WATER LEAKS INTO MY TRUNK. I'VE BEEN TOLD IT WAS DUE TO THE ANTENNA SEAL AND I HAVE HEARD THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS, BUT I HAVENT SEEN ANYWHERE THAT THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL.
Air bags, Nov 24, 2020
AIR BAG CAME ON ALL AT ONCE ABOUT A MOUNTH AGO I PUT IN SHOP TO FIX . SHOP SAID IT WAS FIX THEY REPROGRAMED THE AIR BAG THEY SAY. ONE WEEK LATER WAS BACK ON . TOOK BACK TO SHOP SHOP SAY NEED A NEW COMPUTER. WAS" 700.00 TO FIX IT.
Electrical system, Nov 10, 2020
I WAS AT A RED LIGHT ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY NO WARNING WHAT SO EVER. LIGHT TURNED GREEN TOOK FOOT OFF BRAKE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THEN CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. HAD POWER BUT I GUESS NOT ENOUGH TO TURN ON THE HAZARD LIGHTS. ALMOST GOT HIT IN THE REAR BECAUSE THEY THOUGHT I WAS GETTING READY TO MOVE BECAUSE THERE WHERE NO LIGHTS ON IN THE REAR. HAD TO PUSH IT OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THAT WAS HARD DUE TO THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING AT ALL. GOT MY SON TO COME GET ME BUT FIRST WE WANTED TO SEE IF THE CAR WOULD START WITH A JUMP START AND IT DID BUT CALLED FOR A TOW TRUCK BECAUSE I WAS SCARED IT WAS GOING TO SHUT OFF AGAIN. THERE WAS NO WARNING OR EVEN WARNING SIGNS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. BESIDE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON RIGHT BEFORE THE CAR SHUT OFF THAT WAS NOT A VERY GOOD WARNING. SO I BOUGHT A BATTERY FOR THE CAR AND EVERYTHING HAS BEEN FINE. I REALLY THINK THAT PUT ME IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION NOT BEING ABLE TO PUT MY HAZARD LIGHTS ON BEING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY AND TRYING TO PUSH IT TO THE SIDE WITH NO POWER STEERING.
Structure, Nov 6, 2020
MY REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT STAY CLOSED AND OPENED WHILE DRIVING. I FINALLY GOT IT TO STAY SHUT BUT NOW IT WILL NOT OPEN. OUTSIDE HANDLE PULLS EASILY BUT THE INSIDE HANDLE DOES NOT
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.
Power train, Oct 23, 2020
I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO 2 DIFFERENT MECHANIC SHOPS TO TRY AND FIND THE ISSUE THAT I AM HAVING WITH ACCELERATION. THE CAR IS NOT ACCELERATING AND NO ONE KNOWS WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. IT IS CURRENTLY WITH BECK CHEVY AND I AM NOW AT THE $700 MARK AND MY CAR HAS YET TO BE FIXED. WHEN DRIVING THE CAR WILL JUST STOP ACCELERATING AND I HAVE BEEN STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY HIGHWAY TWICE.
Steering, Oct 19, 2020
STEERING OPERATION AT LOW SPEEDS MAKES CLICKING NOISE, BOTH IN FORWARD AND REVERSE, SOUNDS LIKE IT IS COMING FROM UNDER THE DASH. STEERING STILL OPERATES NORMALLY.
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.
Engine, Sep 21, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT. THE CONTACT RAISED THE HOOD AND JIGGLED SOME UNKNOWN WIRES AND THE VEHICLE RESTARTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED THE FIRST TIME, IT WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE AN UNKNOWN SENSOR, ALTERNATOR, THE BATTERY, AND THE BATTERY CABLES WERE REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000.
Air bags, Aug 30, 2020
CAR HAS 23,800 MILES ON IT AND THE SERVICE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT HAS COME UP ON THE DASHBOARD AND DOESN'T GO OFF. DIAGNOSTIC IS NOT PULLING ANY CODE. MONTHLY DIAGNOSTIC REPORT FROM GM SAYS THERE IS NO PROBLEM. HAVE SEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE.