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2015 Chevrolet Malibu

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 310.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

160 reports with mileage · 110 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 70 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 68 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 49 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

18 crash reports9 fire reports10 injury reports

Engine complaints

70 reports
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125,000 miles · Apr 22, 2020
EngineVehicle Speed Control

THE CAR REDUCED SPEED WHILE MY WIFE AND GRANDS WHERE IN TRAFFIC ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT REDUCED TO 25 MPH ON HIGHWAY

NHTSA ODI #11321965

Mileage unknown · Mar 28, 2020
Engine

RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION ON THE DASH, ENGINE LIGHT. TOOK IT TO GET CHECKED & IT'S THE ROCKER ARM CONTROL VALVE. I'VE BEEN WAITING ON THIS PART SINCE LAST YEAR. I'M NOT ABLE TO USE MY REMOTE STARTER AS A RESULT, & I'M NOT ABLE TO GET A PLATE STICKER BCZ THE CAR WON'T PASS EMISSIONS. I FEEL THIS WILL START TO MESS UP THE ENGINE, & …

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RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION ON THE DASH, ENGINE LIGHT. TOOK IT TO GET CHECKED & IT'S THE ROCKER ARM CONTROL VALVE. I'VE BEEN WAITING ON THIS PART SINCE LAST YEAR. I'M NOT ABLE TO USE MY REMOTE STARTER AS A RESULT, & I'M NOT ABLE TO GET A PLATE STICKER BCZ THE CAR WON'T PASS EMISSIONS. I FEEL THIS WILL START TO MESS UP THE ENGINE, & GM IS SAYING THEY DON'T KNOW WHEN THE PART WILL BE AVAILABLE. I'M READING A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE, & FEEL THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL!

NHTSA ODI #11319575

50,000 miles · Mar 10, 2020
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, SEVERAL UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATE ABNORMALLY. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS CONTACTED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE VARIABLE TIMING CONTROL VALVE NEEDED TO BE REPLA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, SEVERAL UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATE ABNORMALLY. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS CONTACTED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE VARIABLE TIMING CONTROL VALVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN UNTIL REPAIRED. THE PART WAS ORDERED BUT WAS STILL ON BACK ORDER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED $2,500 TOWARDS THE PURCHASE OF A NEW VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DECLINED THE OFFER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA ODI #11317198

27,789 miles · Feb 29, 2020
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

MY AUTO STOP CAME ON WHILE AT A STOP SIGN AND WHEN I RELEASED THE BRAKE MY CAR SHUT OFF AND WON'T START I TRIED JUMPING CAR IT STILL WON'T WORK. THE TOW COMPANY THAT TOWED MY CAR HAS TOLD ME ABOUT A RECALL ON AUTO STOP

NHTSA ODI #11312286

151,000 miles · Feb 23, 2020
Engine

MY CAR WAS DRIVING PERFECTLY FINE. IT HAD JUST PASSED THE ADMISSIONS TEST, AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE. I STARTED DRIVING MY CAR IN THE CITY LIMITS, AND WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT I SMELLED SMOKE. I THOUGHT IT WAS THE CAR BEHIND ME. AS I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT I REALIZED THAT IT WAS MY CAR THAT WAS SMOKING. UPON LIFTING MY HOOD I …

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MY CAR WAS DRIVING PERFECTLY FINE. IT HAD JUST PASSED THE ADMISSIONS TEST, AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE. I STARTED DRIVING MY CAR IN THE CITY LIMITS, AND WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT I SMELLED SMOKE. I THOUGHT IT WAS THE CAR BEHIND ME. AS I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT I REALIZED THAT IT WAS MY CAR THAT WAS SMOKING. UPON LIFTING MY HOOD I SEEN OIL EVERYWHERE AND MY ENGINE WAS SMOKING. AN ALERT CAME ACROSS MY SCREEN URGING ME TO DECREASE SPEED AND ADD OIL. AFTER INVESTIGATING IT WAS TOLD TO ME THAT IT IS MY ENGINE VARIABLE TIMING OIL CONTROL VALVE, AND GM IS CURRENTLY NOT MAKING ANYMORE AND THIS PART IS SOLD OUT EVERYWHERE. I NEED THIS PART IN ORDER FOR MY CAR TO RUN!!!!!

NHTSA ODI #11310913

77,000 miles · Feb 22, 2020
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

MY CAR WAS DRIVING FINE THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE SERVICE STABILI TRACK LIGHT FLASHED ON MY SCREEN AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING BUT WENT OFF AFTER ABOUT 1 MINUTE . THE NEXT DAY WHILE ACCELERATING THE CAR STUTTERED AND FELT ALMOST LIKE I WAS DRIVING DOWN A ROAD WITH LITTLE RIVETS . ITS STOPPED AND AGAIN ALL THE LIGHT…

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MY CAR WAS DRIVING FINE THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE SERVICE STABILI TRACK LIGHT FLASHED ON MY SCREEN AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING BUT WENT OFF AFTER ABOUT 1 MINUTE . THE NEXT DAY WHILE ACCELERATING THE CAR STUTTERED AND FELT ALMOST LIKE I WAS DRIVING DOWN A ROAD WITH LITTLE RIVETS . ITS STOPPED AND AGAIN ALL THE LIGHTS DISSAPEARED. THIS MORNING AS SOON AS I STARTED MY CAR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND EVERY TIME I ACCELERATE IT STUTTERS AND FEELS AS IF I'M DRIVING DOWN A RIVETED ROAD .

NHTSA ODI #11310683

49,000 miles · Feb 21, 2020
Engine

MY VARIABLE VALVE TIMING SOLENOID WENT OUT ON MY CAR. THE PART NUMBER IS 12633613. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR 10 DAYS AND CHEVY HAS FAILED TO EVEN GIVE THE SHOP AN ETA ON THIS PART. NOT ONE CHEVY DEALER IN THE COUNTRY HAS THE PART. ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE BUSINESS PRACTICE.

NHTSA ODI #11310558

130,000 miles · Feb 8, 2020
Engine

THE ROCKER ARM CONTROL VALVE HAS TO BE CHANGED ON MY CAR. GENERAL MOTORS AND CHEVEROLET CONTINUES TO SAY THEY DON'T KNOW WHEN THEY ARE GOING TO GET THE PART. MY CHECK LIGHT HAS BEEN ON AND I NEED THIS MATTER CORRECTED. I JUST WANT TO BE ABLE TO BUY THE PART AND GET IT FIXED. I HAVE BEEN WAITING SINCE NOVEMBER OF 2019. THE PART N…

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THE ROCKER ARM CONTROL VALVE HAS TO BE CHANGED ON MY CAR. GENERAL MOTORS AND CHEVEROLET CONTINUES TO SAY THEY DON'T KNOW WHEN THEY ARE GOING TO GET THE PART. MY CHECK LIGHT HAS BEEN ON AND I NEED THIS MATTER CORRECTED. I JUST WANT TO BE ABLE TO BUY THE PART AND GET IT FIXED. I HAVE BEEN WAITING SINCE NOVEMBER OF 2019. THE PART NUMBER IS 12633613.

NHTSA ODI #11307958

105,000 miles · Jan 28, 2020
Engine

I OWN A 2015 MALIBU THAT HAS A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THAT IS ON. IT NEEDS A PART (#12633613) THAT HAS NOT BEEN PRODUCED BY GM SINCE AT LEAST LAST AUGUST WHEN MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FIRST CAME ON. CONSEQUENTLY MY CAR WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION SO I CANNOT GET LEGAL LICENSE PLATES. GM IS AWARE OF MY SITUATION. I HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED A C…

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I OWN A 2015 MALIBU THAT HAS A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THAT IS ON. IT NEEDS A PART (#12633613) THAT HAS NOT BEEN PRODUCED BY GM SINCE AT LEAST LAST AUGUST WHEN MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FIRST CAME ON. CONSEQUENTLY MY CAR WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION SO I CANNOT GET LEGAL LICENSE PLATES. GM IS AWARE OF MY SITUATION. I HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED A CASE NUMBER [XXX]. MY CASE HAS BEEN 'ESCALATED'. I HAVE SPOKEN TO MY CASE MANAGER, [XXX], FOR A MONTH NOW AND THIS WEEK WAS TOLD I HAVE NEW CASE MANAGER, [XXX], WHO IS HIGHER UP THAN [XXX]. WELL TODAY [XXX] FROM GM CALLED. SHE HAD NO ANSWERS FOR ME ON THE CAR. THE ONLY POSITIVE POINT IS THAT SHE CALLED ME FROM DETROIT. SO IT LOOKS LIKE I FINALLY GOT TO SOMEONE AT HEADQUARTERS. 'SHE UNDERSTANDS WHY I AM UPSET', AND WISHES THERE WAS SOMETHING MORE SHE COULD DO FOR ME BUT UNFORTUNATELY ALL SHE COULD TELL ME WAS 'THAT MY CASE HAS BEEN ESCALATED.' ADDITIONALLY, SHE COULD NOT TELL ME MY PART WAS BEING PRODUCED. SHE COULD NOT GIVE ME ANY SIGN THAT GM PLANNED TO DO ANYTHING TO HELP RESOLVE MY PROBLEM. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #11302523

47,000 miles · Jan 28, 2020
Engine

MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON 9/4/19 AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT I NEED THE ROCKER ARM SELANOID VALVE REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME IT'S BEEN ON BACK ORDER SOME JUNE 2019. IT IS NOW 1/28/2020 AND CHEVY HAS YET TO PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION ON WHEN PART WILL BE MANUFACTURED AND AVAILABLE. NO DEALERSHIP IN THE COUNTRY HAS THIS PART. …

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MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON 9/4/19 AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT I NEED THE ROCKER ARM SELANOID VALVE REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME IT'S BEEN ON BACK ORDER SOME JUNE 2019. IT IS NOW 1/28/2020 AND CHEVY HAS YET TO PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION ON WHEN PART WILL BE MANUFACTURED AND AVAILABLE. NO DEALERSHIP IN THE COUNTRY HAS THIS PART. VEHICLES MOSTLY AFFECT ARE 2014-2015 BUT MY DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN RECEIVING CALLS UP TO YEAR 2017. THE DEALERSHIP HAS ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE AFTER MARKET VERSION OF THE PART IS BEING PULLED FROM THE MARKET. CHEVY HAD YET TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND ISSUE A RECALL OR EVEN MANUFACTURER A NECESSARY PART FOR THE ENGINE!

NHTSA ODI #11302465

Official recalls

3

16V502000 · Electrical System:ignition; Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

Jul 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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: 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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System:ignition

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."

Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: 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.

Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

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."

Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: 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.

15V666000 · Air Bags:side/window

Oct 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

15V164000 · Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly

Mar 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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.