One of the better Malibu years
Owners filed about 49% fewer complaints than a typical Malibu year. The area owners reported most is the engine and cooling, which half of owners reported by about 70,000 miles.
Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Malibu years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
Owners have filed 270 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu. The most reported problem area is the engine and cooling (71, 26% of complaints), followed by the electrical system and the air bags. That ranks 7th of 13 Malibu years from 2012 to 2024 for complaints. It has 3 recalls.
1 of these complaints came from Utah owners.
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Start my car searchMost reported problems
Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2015 Chevrolet Malibu before you buy.
Engine and cooling
71 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 70,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
- Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
- Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
- Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.
Tools that help
What owners said
As your driving the REDUCED ENGINE POWER pops up and dropped your speed down to 25-20 mph no matter how fast you're going no way to reset it unless you have a scan tool but then it comes back on scan tool says PEDAL ACCELERATOR POSITION SENSOR IS THE ISSUE put new one on and a day later same thing same answer now im putting second PEDAL…Owner complaint, filed 2024
When driving at highway speeds the car will show “Engine reduced power” and will either drop to 20-40 mph or shut off completely. Engine codes show as cam shaft sensor, crankshaft sensor and fuel pressure regulator. I had the cam shag and crank shaft sensors replaced and it stopped for a few months. It started doing it again this week…Owner complaint, filed 2023
Electrical system
68 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 54,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
- Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
- Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.
Tools that help
What owners said
I was coming home from school pickup, and the light said the engine power was reducing. Then the screen said that I couldn't go past 25 miles per hour. The skid sign came on also. The car started slowing down on its own. The car then stopped. I had to put on emergency lights quickly. I had my daughter and grandaughter in the car. Thank…Owner complaint, filed 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while the key was in the ignition switch in the off position, the vehicle attempted to start independently. There was no warning light illuminated. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure.…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 150,000 miles
Air bags
49 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 48,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
- Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.
Tools that help
What owners said
I was t-boned on the front side panel near the door at a high rate of speed. I would estimate well above the posted limit of 35 mph and my front and side airbags failed to deploy. I have video from the intersection and dash cam demonstrating the impact. My head hit off the steering wheel causing a concussion, neck and spine dislocations…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Took my 2015 Chevy Malibu LS to a Hendrick dealership to be checked. It came back body elect concern and that the module needed to be replaced. I sent a email some months back and never got a response. I have two boys that ride in this car with me and since this air bag light has come on I don’t drive my car as much. Attached is the…Owner complaint, filed 2023
Transmission and drivetrain
31 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 83,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
- Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
- Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
- If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact attempted to stop to make a turn, and there was a popping sound coming from the vehicle before the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle was restarted, but failed to move or respond as needed. The vehicle was…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 179,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, the vehicle came to a complete stop independently. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse, the vehicle failed to respond. An independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic, and was diagnosed with…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 151,884 miles
Brakes and stability control
28 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 42,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
- The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
- Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.
Tools that help
What owners said
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…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 80,000 miles
Car was initially brought to independent service center in savannah, ga. They were able to replicate the problem with the braking system, but could not determine the root cause. Specifically, the brakes fail when the car is placed in reverse. It may be [VIN] sensitive as it is experienced when the car is starting up - typically in the…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 111,950 miles
Cruise control and acceleration
28 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 85,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
- Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.
Tools that help
What owners said
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…Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 71,000 miles
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.…Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 85,000 miles
Fuel system
19 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 48,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
- On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
- Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
My 2015 Malibu continues to have problems. I have a constant P Code (P2635) that refers to the fuel pump (Low Performance). The Malibu has the auto stop but at times the vehicle wants to lunge forward. It also at a stop not only goes to the auto stop (engine ) but cut off all the way . Which this result in having to place the car back in…Owner complaint, filed 2021
The check engine light came and we took the car to the dealership, where purchased new, and they ran a diagnostic test on it. The test showed that the rocker arm oil control valve solenoid was bad, and gm does not make a [VIN] nor is a [VIN] available. We have been in contact with gm concerning this, but was referred back to the…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 120,000 miles
Seats and seat belts
18 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 50,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
- Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.
Tools that help
What owners said
The slot in the B-Pillar where the seatbelt enters and exits the trim when it's extended or retracted has an unrounded and sharp edge. Under normal use, this plastic edge cuts nylon fibers on the sides of the belt, leading to a overall loss in integrity of the safety restraint. Vehicles should have rounded plastic edges or metal oblong…Owner complaint, filed 2025
I went to leave my office yesterday afternoon 4/29/10 and my seat belt wouldn't release. I tried several different things to get it to release, no luck. I have had no previous issue with the drivers side seat belt, nor has my car ever been involved in any type of accident. My mechanic was unable to get the seat belt to unlock. A new seat…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 108,000 miles
Lights, wipers and visibility
18 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 41,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
- Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.
Tools that help
What owners said
Headlight lowbeams going bad every 4 or so months. Always divers side first. My electrical auto guy said he couldn't locate a problem with the bulb being burnt out.Owner complaint, filed 2024
No airflow or heat from the windshield defroster. Happened on a cold morning and the windshield fogged up and blocked vision of the road.Owner complaint, filed 2024
Body, doors and structure
13 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 43,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (12).
What to check before you buy
- Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
- Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.
Tools that help
What owners said
My 2015 Chevrolet Malibu doesn’t have a key hole to lock it manually so I can’t close my trunk of my car. The latch assembly isn’t working properly so when I push the button it doesn’t lock. So I’m complaining about not having a key to lock the trunk of my vehicle.Owner complaint, filed 2024
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.Owner complaint, filed 2020
Steering
9 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
- On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
- A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
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.Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 78,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the vehicle inadvertently shifted between park(P), drive(D), and neutral(N), and the selected gear was not visible or illuminated on the instrument cluster or the gear shifter panel. The doors locked and unlocked, and…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Wheels and tires
5 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
- Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
- The tire pressure light should go out after startup.
Tools that help
What owners said
Qdeana auto sales in Winchester ky took out my fog lights , 6by 9 speakers and replaced my wheels and tires with 3 18 inch tires that were all different brands and heights and widths and added my 4th tire that was completely a different sized. A size 17. Gave me a key fob that was broken and only that one. Made me have to buy a new one…Owner complaint, filed 2026
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…Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 5,000 miles
Suspension
3 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
- Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
- Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.
Tools that help
What owners said
Bolts securing rear suspension may be loose one or more bolts securing the rear suspension components may not have been tightened properly during vehicle assembly. Loose suspension bolts can result in sudden changes in the vehicle handling characteristics.Owner complaint, filed 2017, at 66,500 miles
The contact owns a 2015 chevrolet malibu. While attempting to accelerate from a stop sign, the vehicle shook violently without warning. The contact mentioned that the failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician was unable to duplicate or diagnose the failure. The [VIN] was made aware of the…Owner complaint, filed 2015, at 100 miles
Driver assist systems
1 complaintPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
- Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
- Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.
Tools that help
What owners said
Drive in rain, went to follow a curve, lost steering and brakes. Ran right off the road. Was going 50 in a 55. Did not hyrdoplane just no response from the carOwner complaint, filed 2022
Chevrolet Malibu complaints by year
Compare the 2015 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2015 midsize cars
Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.
| Car | Vs. its other years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 Chevrolet Malibu | One of the better years | 3 |
| 2015 Toyota Camry | About average | 1 |
| 2015 Honda Accord | About average | 5 |
| 2015 Hyundai Sonata | Worse than most years | 9 |
2015 Chevrolet Malibu recalls
Electrical system Ignition
- Risk
- If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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."
Air bags
- Risk
- 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.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side impact air bag modules, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Windows, mirrors and wipers Sun / moon roof assembly
- Risk
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall summary
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."
2015 Chevrolet Malibu questions
What are the most common problems with the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu?
The most reported problem areas on the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu are the engine and cooling (71 complaints), the electrical system (68 complaints) and the air bags (49 complaints).
Is the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu a good year to buy?
One of the better Malibu years. Owners filed about 49% fewer complaints than a typical Malibu year. The area owners reported most is the engine and cooling, which half of owners reported by about 70,000 miles. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Malibu years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
How many recalls does the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu have?
NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu. The most recent, from Jul 2016, covers the ignition. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.
At what mileage do 2015 Chevrolet Malibu problems start?
Half of the owners who reported a problem with the engine and cooling gave a mileage of about 70,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the electrical system gave a mileage of about 54,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.
Which Chevrolet Malibu years should I avoid?
The Malibu years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2012. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2019, 2020 and 2021. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.
Check the exact car
These problems are for the model year as a whole. Here is how to find out about the one you are looking at.
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