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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

270 reports
Mileage unknown · May 8, 2018
Air Bags

TAKATA AIR BAGS STOPPED WORKING, BOTH DRIVERS AND PASSENGER AIRBAGS. THE CAR DEALER SAID THE MAIN BRAIN FAILED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI #11092485

Mileage unknown · Apr 20, 2018
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

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 …

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11089041

Mileage unknown · Apr 6, 2018
Air BagsCrashInjury

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

NHTSA ODI #11078168

38,700 miles · Mar 17, 2018
Electrical SystemEngine

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 AFTER…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11079889

Mileage unknown · Mar 13, 2018
Unknown Or Other

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.

NHTSA ODI #11078827

Mileage unknown · Mar 8, 2018
Vehicle Speed Control

PURCHASED USED IN 2016- CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT ENGAGE.

NHTSA ODI #11076871

44,000 miles · Mar 8, 2018
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

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 W…

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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

NHTSA ODI #11076854

42,115 miles · Feb 23, 2018
Electrical SystemFire

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 CRA…

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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

NHTSA ODI #11074449

42,000 miles · Feb 23, 2018
Electrical SystemFire

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…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11074446

53,000 miles · Feb 22, 2018
Structure

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 DO…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11074265

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.