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, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jun 21, 2018
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE I STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT AND THE CAR TURNED OFF DUE TO THE AUTO START/STOP WHEN IDLING. WHEN I LET OFF THE BRAKE, THE CAR DID NOT TURN BACK ON. AFTER ATTEMPTING TO START THE CAR AGAIN NUMEROUS TIMES IT WOULD NOT. ALL ELECTRICAL STAYED ON AT THIS POINT. CAR WAS TOWED TO A CHEVY DEALER IN FENTON, MI AND THEY REPLACED BATTERY AND BATTERY CURRENT SENSOR. LATER I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THE RADIO AND SCREEN STAYED ON EVEN AFTER CLOSING AND OPENING THE DOOR. THEN MY CAR WAS IDLING AT A STOP LIGHT TODAY AND IT AUTO TURNED OFF AS WHEN I LET OFF BRAKE IT DID NOT TURN BACK ON. ALL ELECTRICAL STAYED ON. THIS TIME I WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR BACK UP BUT THERE'S NO TELLING WHEN THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. VERY DISSATISFIED WITH THIS VEHICLE.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jun 14, 2018
MY CAR HAS BEGUN DYING IN MOTION ON CITY STREETS FOR NO PARTICULAR REASON ON TOP OF THE FUEL ECONOMY NOT WORKING CORRECTLY AND CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO RUN OUT OF GAS WITHIN A FEW DAYS OF FILLING IT UP. IT WILL SAY 195 MILES THEN JUMP TO 207 ON THE FUEL RANGE.
Engine, Jun 6, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN ECO-BOOST MODE, THE AUTO STOP FUNCTION FAILED. ALSO, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CLASSIC CHEVY SUGAR LAND (13115 SOUTHWEST FWY, SUGAR LAND, TX 77478, (281) 969-4132) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNSURE OF THE ORIGIN OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Steering, May 26, 2018
THE KEY IS STUCK IN THE IGNITION.
Air bags, May 17, 2018, crash
ON SEPTEMBER 21, 2015 I WAS DRIVING WAS DRIVING NORTH (23 MPH) AND WAS T-BONED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE WHO TOOK A 2 WAY STOP SIGN. I DID NOT HAVE A STOP SIGN. I WAS PUSHED ACROSS TWO LANES AND INTO A GRASSY FIELD. I WAS SLAMMED INTO IN BETWEEN THE PASSENGER DRIVERS SEAT AND THE BACK PASSENGER SEAT. I WAS WEARING MY SEAT BELT AS WAS MY DAUGHTER WHOM WAS SITTING MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CAR THAT THAT HIT ME ALL THEIR AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I WAS THE DRIVER AND MY DAUGHTER WAS A PASSENGER IN THE BACK . I BROKE MY NECK AND HAD DISPLACED FLUID IN MY KNEE. SHE HAD MINOR BRUISING IN HER CAR SEAT. I TRIED FILING AGAINST GM AND NOTHING WAS DONE. THEY CAME BACK CLAIMING THAT THE SYSTEM HAD NOT FAILED. I HAD NO FURTHER WAY OF PROVING OTHER WISE. I FEEL THAT MY CAR FALLS INTO A RECALL BUT THAT IT HAS NOT YET BEEN DISCOVERED OR ESTABLISHED. HOW IS IT POSSIBLE THAT NOT ONE AIRBAG DEPLOYED? NOT THE FRONT DRIVERS OR THE CURTAINS?
Power train, May 17, 2018
STARTED CAR AND REDUCED POWER ENGINE WARNING CAME ON FOR THE SECOND TIME. I HAD IT FIXED ONCE ALREADY AND IT JUST CAME ON. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH CHEVY. I WAS DRIVING IT THE FIRST TIME MY LIGHT CAME ON. THE SECOND TIME I JUST STARTED MY CAR. I WAS ON A CITY STREET FIRST TIME AND CITY STREET SECOND TIME. BOTH TIMES MY CAR WOULDN'T ACCELERATE PASSED 12 MILES PER HOUR SO I WAS A ROLL HAZARD.
Other or unspecified, May 12, 2018
FIRST COMPLAINT WOULD BE THE BUTTON ON THE FACE OF THE RADIO SCREEN IS MELTING AND WHEN TRYING TO OPEN THE BLACK COLOR COMES OF INTO YOUR HAND. SECOND COMPLAINT IS THE SIDE OF THE DRIVERS SIDE WHOLE SEAT SWITCH COMPARTMENT CAME OFF OF THE SEAT HINGES.
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.
Service brakes, May 11, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE BRAKES MADE A RUBBING NOISE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REFERRED THE CONTACT TO SHOTTENKIRK CHEVROLET (5031 AVENUE O, FORT MADISON, IA 52627, 319-248-8866). THE DEALER DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED THE VEHICLE BY REPLACING ALL THE BRAKE CALIPERS, PADS, AND ROTORS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000.
Air bags, May 10, 2018
I BOUGHT MY CAR USED, IT HASN'T EVEN BEEN A YEAR YET THAT I HAVE HAD IT. MY AIR BAG SENSOR WENT OFF SO I HAD IT CHECKED. THEY THEN GAVE ME A QUOTE OF HOW MUCH IT IS TO FIX THEY INFORMED ME THAT IT IS THE MAIN BRAIN OF THE AIRBAGS AND TECHNICALLY IT CONTROLS BOTH DRIVERS & PASSENGER AIRBAGS. SO RIGHT NOW BECAUSE THE BRAIN FAILED I DO NOT HAVE AIR BAGS AT ALL. IF I WERE TO GET IN AN ACCIDENT I WOULD NOT BE PROTECTED. I HAVE TALKED TO A FRIEND AT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE AND THEY THINK THAT THE AIR BAG MIGHT HAVE BEEN DEFECTED AND TO CHECK INTO IT. I HAVE A CHEVEROLET CASE NUMBER AND HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS NOW. PLEASE CHECK INTO THIS FURTHER ON THIS END. THANK YOU
Air bags, May 8, 2018
TAKATA AIR BAGS STOPPED WORKING, BOTH DRIVERS AND PASSENGER AIRBAGS. THE CAR DEALER SAID THE MAIN BRAIN FAILED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.
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.
Air bags, Apr 6, 2018, crash
2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG. DURING AN AUTO ACCIDENT THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *LD *TR THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THE AIRBAGS OPERATED AS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT SHARE THE AIRBAGS REPORT WITH THE CONSUMER. *JS
Electrical system, Engine, Mar 17, 2018
THIS WAS 3RD TIME I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT APPEARS RANDOMLY AND THE IGNITION FAILS TO TURN ON. I HAVE TO TURN THE KEY A FEW TIMES TO GET IT STARTED. MY CAR WAS SEEN THURS, WAS TOLD NO ISSUE WAS FOUND AND MANAGER WOULD DRIVE CAR HOME IN EVENING TO TEST. CALLED TODAY, FRIDAY IN AFTERNOON SINCE I DIDNT GET A CALL, WAS TOLD IT WAS THE BATTERY. HAD TO PAY $260 FOR BATTERY. THE PAST TWO OTHER VISITS, I WAS TOLD BATTERY WAS GOOD AND NOW ITS BAD...WAS JUST LEAVING THE DEALER, I STOPPED AT FIRST LIGHT AND NOTICE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON! RETURNED BACK TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS SOMETHING ELSE. NOTHING TO DO WITH BATTERY YET ACCORDING TO THEM, THEY SAID IT WAS BECAUSE OF THE BATTERY. MY CAR WAS LEFT FOR THE 4TH TIME IN DEALERSHIP SO THEY CAN LOOK AT IT. A CODE APPEARED AND TECH TOLD ME IT HAD TO DO WITH THE AUTO STOP! THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE END OF JAN!! PLEASE INVESTIGATE. I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE.. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. I BOUGHT CAR OCT 2015. I DONT UNDERSTAND HOW THE BATTERY HAD BAD CELLS ALL OF A SUDDEN.
Other or unspecified, Mar 13, 2018
WHILE DRIVING, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON RANDOMLY. WHEN STOPPING, THE CAR TURNS OFF. I TRY TO RESTART IT AND THE IGNITION FAILS. I NEED TURN THE KEY A FEW TIMES UNTIL THE CAR CAN FINALLY START. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM.
Vehicle speed control, Mar 8, 2018
PURCHASED USED IN 2016- CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT ENGAGE.
Vehicle speed control, Mar 8, 2018, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A HANDICAP SIGN AND ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED, BUT WAS NOT TOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RICHARDSON CHEVROLET BUICK (PO BOX 190, 501 N MAIN ST, STANDISH, MI 48658) WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH A CASE NUMBER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 44,000. *TT
Electrical system, Feb 23, 2018, fire
ON DECEMBER 10, 2017 AROUND 11AM I CAME OUT OF CHURCH, I OPENED MY CAR DOOR AND SMOKE CAME FLOWING OUT. THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT AND FLOOR MATS WERE COVERED IN BLACK ASH AND MELTED AS WELL AS THE CONSOLE. THE INTERIOR WAS COVERED IN BLACK SOOT. I HAD TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME, THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS FUNCTIONED PROPERLY AND THE CAR CRANKED FINE. I CALLED GM, THEY ARE CLOSED ON SUNDAY, SO I FILED A REPORT WITH THE GM REPRESENTATIVE ON MONDAY, SHE WAS TOTALLY COMBATIVE. I HEARD NOTHING FOR 4 TO 5 WEEKS SO I CALLED THE ASME NUMBER AND COMPLAINED VEHEMENTLY. FINALLY I RECEIVED AN EMAIL TO CONTACT THE DEALRSHIP AND TAKE THE CAR THERE. THE DEALER, STEVE RAYMAN, WAS EXTREMELY HELPFUL, THEY ADVISED ME HOW TO PROCEED AND IN 2 DAYS I WAS ABLE TO RECEIVE A RENTAL FROM ENTERPRISE CAR RENTAL. FOUR WEEKS LATER I RECEIVED AN OFFER OF $13,000.00 AND A STATE THAT WOULD ABSOLVE GM OF ANY LIABILITY. ICALLED TO SEE IF I COULD SIMPLY SUBSITUTE A CAR I FOUND FOR $11,000. 00 , SAME MAKE MODEL AND YEAR, THIS WOULD HAVE REDUCED GM'S LOSS; I WAS TOLD "NO WAY." I ASKED WHY?, THEY RESPONDED "I DON'T KNOW." THE VECHILE WAS PARKED IN THE CHURCH PARKING LOT, IT WAS SNOWING, AROUND 32 DEGREES. *JS
Electrical system, Feb 23, 2018, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OUTSIDE, THE CONTACT OPENED THE DOOR AND SMOKE BILLOWED OUT. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS PARTIALLY MELTED AND THE CARPET WAS BURNT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS WERE NOT PRESENT AND NO REPORTS WERE FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO STEVE RAYMAN CHEVROLET IN MARIETTA, GEORGIA WHERE THE HEAD MECHANIC FROM HEADQUARTERS DETERMINED THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS NEVER PROVIDED WITH THE DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER OFFERED TO PURCHASE THE VEHICLE BACK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.
Structure, Feb 22, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE DOOR JAM WAS STICKING AS WELL AS THE DOORS FAILED TO OPEN WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (BOBBY LAYMAN CHEVROLET, 3900 W BROAD ST, COLUMBUS, OH 43228) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STRIPS IN THE DOORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: SR8-3884990056. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 53,000.
Electrical system, Feb 2, 2018
MY VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. I WENT TO DEFROST MY WINDSHIELD AND THE ELECTRICAL SWITCH TO TURN ON THE HEAT WOULD NOT TURN ON. THIS HAS ALSO OCCURRED WHEN IT IS REALLY HOT OUTSIDE AND THE A/C WILL NOT TURN ON. I HAVE HAD THESE ISSUES OCCUR MULTIPLE OF TIMES IN HOT AND NOW COLD WEATHER.
Air bags, Jan 6, 2018
WHILE DRIVING MY CAR ON CITY STREET MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND A TOOL PART WAS ON DISPLAY
Other or unspecified, Dec 27, 2017
I WAS DRIVING ON MY WAS TO SAN JOSE ON ISABEL AVE ON HIGHWAY 84 AND MY CAR JUST SHOUT DOWN WIITHOUT ANY WARNING SIGN IT WAS THE SCARIEST TIME GOOD THING I DIDNT HAVE MY KIDS WITH ME. I WAS NOT ABLE TO TURN ON MY CAR AGAIN AND THE OFFICER HAD TO PUSH ME TO A CLOSE BY SHOULDER BECUASE WHERE THE CAR STOP THERE WAS NO SHOULDER AND IT WAS A ONE WAY TRAFFIC SO I WAS BLOCKING TRAFFIC AND IT WAS IN A CURVE SO I COULD OF GET HIT ON THE BACK I HAD TO CALL AAA TO HELP ME TOW MY CAR NOW I CANT EVEN TURN IT ON
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Nov 3, 2017, fire
VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH ON A CITY STREET WHEN SMOKE STARTED AND FIRE BROKE OUT BURNING VEHICLE TO GROUND.
Seats, Other or unspecified, Oct 24, 2017
TAKATA RECALL PASSENGER SEAT WILL NOT GO FORWARD OR BACKWARD AND WHEN I GOT THE CAR I WAS SMELLING CO2 CARBON DIOXIDE WITH THE CAR MOVING.