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.
Electrical system, Engine, Feb 5, 2019
TAMARA RECALL THIS VEHICLE HAS THE AUTO STOP START SYSTEM WHERE THE ENGINE IS SUPPOSED TO ENGAGE AT A LIGHT, AND IT DOES NOT WORK. NO ONE CAN UNDERSTAND WHY IT WON'T ENGAGE AND THE DEALER WILL NOT HELP ME. THE VEHICLE WORKS AND DRIVES FINE BUT THIS SYSTEM IS FLAWED AND ALL OVER THE CHEVY FORUMS PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING THIS SAME PROBLEM.
Visibility, Feb 4, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUN ROOF WOULD NOT PROPERLY CLOSE AND REMAINED OPENED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER (HOWARD GMC CHEVROLET, 364 W. GRAND AVENUE, ELMHURST, IL) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 30, 2019
NHTSA ID NUMBER 10113609 MANUFACTURER COMMUNICATION NUMBER - P114464 MOISTUIRE / ICE FORMS ON INSIDE WINDSHIELD AND WINDOWS WATER PUDDLES DRIVERSIDE FRONT & REAR FLOORBOARDS
Other or unspecified, Jan 24, 2019
SEVERAL ISSUES, THE HEAT CONTROL KNOB HAD A SHORT SEVERAL MONTHS AFTER BUYING NEW IN 2018. RECENTLY 2018, THE STEERING COLUMN HAS BEEN MAKING A POPPING SOUND EVERYTIME I TURN. TAKEN TO DEALER 3 TIMES AND STILL MAKES NOISE. AFTER TAKING IT ON A VACATION, THE AUTO STOP BATTERY DID NOT WORK WHEN I CAME OFF THE EXPRESS WAY. NOW, THE CAR IS FILLING WITH WATER EVERYTIME IT RAINS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. ONLY 4 YEARS OLD WITH 36000 MILES AND HAD MANY ISSUES WITH THIS CAR. NOT HAPPY
Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, Jan 16, 2019
WITH 2015 MALIBU STATIONARY, OVERNIGHT EXPERIENCED LOSS OF BATTERY CHARGE AND WOLD NOT START. UPON RECHARGE, IT WILL NOW START. HOWEVER, THE HVAC CONTROL IS NOW INOPERATIVE. THE HVAC SYSTEM STILL RUNS WITH THE LAST SETTINGS IT HAD. THIS IS VERY SIMILAR TO RECALL 13V567000 (CHEVROLET 13380) THAT APPLIED TO 2014 MODEL CHEVROLETS. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE ONE CAN NO LONGER SET THE WINDSHIELD TO DEFROST FOR WINTER DRIVING. FURTHERMORE, THIS BELONGS TO A CHAIN OF ELECTRICAL ISSUES THE CAR HAS HAD - LOSS OF BATTERY CHARGE ON 4 OCCASIONS, ENGINE STOPPAGE AFTER HARD BRAKING ON TWO OCCASIONS WITH WARNING MESSAGE TO CHECK ABS SYSTEM, INTERMITTENT LOSS OF CENTER CONSOLE DISPLAY PANEL. OBVIOUSLY, IF THE ENGINE STOPS IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AFTER HARD BRAKING, THIS IS ALSO A SAFETY ISSUE. DEALER HAS REPLACED BOTH REAR BATTERY AND FORWARD BATTERY, HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM DIAGNOSIS HAS CLEARLY NOT BEEN DONE.
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!
Steering, Structure, Dec 17, 2018, crash
ERROR MESSAGE CAME ON ABOUT POWER STEERING, AT THAT POINT STEERING MALFUNCTIONED. THE RESULT MY DAUGHTERS CAR STRUCK GUARD RAIL ON BRIDGE CAUSING EXCESSIVE DAMAGE TO FRONT END. THIS OCCURRED AS VEHICLE WAS GOING THROUGH CURVE ONTO BRIDGE AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH. LOCATION WAS ON LA HWY 163 SOUTH OF DOYLINE, LA AT LAKE BISTINEAU
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.
Electrical system, Seats, Nov 20, 2018
THE BACK OF THE DRIVER SEAT MOVES ON IT'S OWN. I DIDN'T TOUCH THE BUTTON AND IT JUST STARTED MOVING FORWARD. FAULTY WIRING OVER MY SEAT.THE CAR WASN'T STARTED AND DIDN'T HAVE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION.
Other or unspecified, Oct 31, 2018
THE TRUNK RELEASE STOPPED WORKING ON FOB AND THE TRUNK RELEASE BUTTON ON THE BACK OF THE CAR ON TRUNK.
Service brakes, Oct 31, 2018, crash
CAR WOULD NOT BRAKE CAUSING A COLLISION BEFORE THAT AUTO STOP AND PROBLEMS WITH BOTH BATTERIES
Electrical system, Oct 24, 2018
A/C CONTROL DOES NOT TURN ON. IT HAPPENS RANDOMLY AND HAS OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. IN THE PAST I HAD TWO INCIDENTS WHERE I WAS NOT ABLE TO DEFROST MY WINDSHIELD.
Electrical system, Oct 19, 2018, fire
VEHICLE FIRE NEAR THE BATTERY/BOX. NO BODY DAMAGE, DAMAGE LIMITED TO THE FUSEBOX AND HARNESS NEAR THE BATTERY. WIRES AND PART OF THE BATTERY/BOX BURNED.
Other or unspecified, Oct 18, 2018
I WAS DRIVING ON A MAIN STREET, COMING UP TO A FULL STOP WITH CARS IN FRONT & BEHIND ME. I PROCEEDED TO SLOWLY ACELERATE WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGED TO GREEN. AT THAT POINT, THE CAR BEGAN TO MOVE BACKWARDS WHILE IN DRIVE. I QUICKLY PRESSED ON MY BRAKES, CAR STOPPED. I STTEMPTED THIS 2 MORE TIMES, SAME OUTCOME. AT THAT POINT, I PLACED THE CARR IN PARK, TURNED CAR OFF & BACKON AGAIN, CAR BEGAN TO MOVE FORWARD.
Air bags, Oct 12, 2018
DEFECTIVE AIRBAG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED
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.
Structure, Service brakes, Sep 4, 2018, crash
I WAS BACKING UP AND CHANGED MY GEARS INTO DRIVE, TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND FOOT STILL ON THE BRAKE, CAR JUST JERKED AND TOOK OFF AND I ENDED UP HITTING SOMEBODY'S VAN. WHEN I TRIED TO HIT THE BRAKE ALL THE CAR DID WAS SPED UP SO RIGHT BEFORE I WENT OUT IN THE DRIVEWAY UNCONTROLLABLY, I HAD TO PULL UP THE PARK BRAKE JUST TO STOP
Structure, Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Sep 4, 2018, crash
BLIND SIDE..NOT EASY TO LOCATE VEHICLES ON EITHER SIDE.AND IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE CHILD IN REAR WITH REAR VIEW CAMERA.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Aug 28, 2018
TAKATA RECALL- WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED THE CAR I NOTIED THE VEHICLE WAS HAVING ALOT OF TROUBLE GETTING SPEED, AND IT WAS TAKE A LOT OF TIME TO SHIFT. I IMMEDIETLY RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE INFORMATION, THE DEALERSHIP CHECK THE PROBLEMS AND SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WILL THROUGH THE YEARS I HAVE GONE BACK TO THEM MILLIONS OF TIMES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND NOT ONCE HAS IT BEEN PROPERLY ADDRESSED, THE PREVIOUS SERVICE ADVISOR I WENT TO FOR THE DEALERSHIP STATED I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSON/ENGINE BECAUSE THE ONE THE CAR HAS NOW WAS NOT GOOD. THE DEALERSHIP CONTINUTED TO HOLD OFF ON PUTTING A NEW ONE IN UNTIL MY WARRANTY WENT OUT BUT THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. THE CAR CURRENTLY GOES UP TO 7-8 RMP AND STAYS THERE FOR A GOOD 3 MINS BEFORE SHIFTING AND AT TIMES DOES NOT WHAT TO ACCELERATE WHICH HAS PUT ME IN SOME DANGEROUS SITUATIONS.
Power train, Electrical system, Aug 2, 2018, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU. AFTER ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. HOWEVER, THE ENGINE REMAINED ON AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS AND CRASHED INTO A UTILITY POLE. DURING THE INCIDENT, THE CONTACT WAS DRAGGED BY THE VEHICLE AND SUSTAINED FACIAL INJURIES ALONG WITH ABRASIONS TO THE LEFT ARM. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE LATER EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY ACCELERATING AND WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (BILL ESTES CHEVROLET, 4105 W. 96TH ST., INDIANAPOLIS, IN) AND REPAIRED, BUT THE DIAGNOSIS WAS UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 31, 2018
SUNROOF AND GAS FUEL SENSOR AFFECTED
Power train, Electrical system, Jul 25, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND TURNED OFF WITH THE KEY STILL IN THE IGNITION, THE ENGINE INADVERTENTLY STARTED. ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND THE RADIO ACTIVATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN A POWER TRAIN FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO CALL THE DEALER. THE CONTACT CALLED HERRIN-GEAR CHEVROLET (1685 HIGH ST, JACKSON, MS 39202, 601-376-9944) AND WAS INFORMED TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR A CHECK UP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 61,000.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 24, 2018
PURCHASED A NEW 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU 1LT WITH 8 MILES FROM IMPERIAL CHEVROLET IN MENDON MA. AT 44 MILES THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO IMPERIAL CHEVY. SERVICE FOR A MASSACHUSETTS STATE INSPECTION STICKER. THE BRAND NEW 2015 CHEVY. MALIBU FAILED THE EMISSIONS PORTION OF THE STATE INSPECTION TEST AND I WAS INFORMED BY THE IMPERIAL SERVICE DEPT. THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED THE STATE INSPECTION AND HE (SERVICE DEPT.) DID NOT KNOW WHY THE VEHICLE FAILED BUT I WAS INSTRUCTED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AROUND FOR APPROX. 100 MILES AND AFTER THE 100 MILES TO BRING THE VEHICLE BACK AND IMPERIAL WOULD RE-TEST THE VEHICLE. AFTER DRIVING AROUND FOR APPROXIMATELY 100 MILES I RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE VEHICLE PASSED THE STATE INSPECTION AFTER THE SECOND TEST. AT APPROX. 3,000- 30000 MILES (AT TIMES) THE VEHICLE WOULD INDICATE (VIA INDICATION PANEL) THAT THE GAS CAP OF THE VEHICLE WAS LOOSE. THE 'TIGHTEN GAS CAP' INDICATOR LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND GO OFF DURING OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. DURING SEVERAL OIL CHANGES TO THE VEHICLE, I INFORMED THE SERVICE DEPT. OF THE 'TIGHTEN GAS CAP' INDICATION BUT DUE TO THE LIGHT NOT BEING ON DURING THE OIL CHARGES THE SERVICE DEPT. COULD NOT FIND ANY ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE. AT APPROX. 33,000 MILES THE "TIGHTEN GAS CAP" INDICATOR STAYED ON AND AFTER A WHILE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALSO CAME ON. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO IMPERIAL CHEVY. SERVICE AND THEY FOUND THE "VENT SOLENOID STICKING" "CODE 0455" AND REPLACED THE VENT SOLENOID. AT APPROX. 40,000 MILES THE SAME ISSUE STARTED AGAIN, THE VEHICLE WOULD INDICATE THAT THE GAS CAP WAS LOOSE, THE MESSAGE WOULD COME ON AND THEN GO OFF. AT 45,000 MILES ONCE AGAIN, THE LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. ONCE AGAIN, THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO CHEVY FOR SERVICE AND ONCE AGAIN THE VENT SOLENOID WAS FOUND TO BE STICKING AND THE SAME PART (VENT SOLENOID) WAS REPLACED. SAME ISSUE 3 TIMES.
Structure, Jun 28, 2018
THE CAR TRUNK POPS OPEN UNEXPECTEDLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. IT POPPED OPEN OVERNIGHT IN THE GARAGE. IT POPPED OPEN WHEN I WAS INSIDE A RESTAURANT.