2015 Chevrolet Malibu problems, complaints & recalls

2015 Chevrolet Malibu recalls (3)

• Recall 16V502000Jul 5, 20168,367 vehicles
  ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION · 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."

  Risk: 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.

• Recall 15V666000Oct 16, 2015395 vehicles
  AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

  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.

  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. 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.

• Recall 15V164000Mar 23, 201587,063 vehicles
  VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

  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."

  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.

  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.

NHTSA 5-Star safety ratings

Recent 2015 Chevrolet Malibu complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

1. Filed Aug 24, 2026CAElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionOther / Unknown

   Fuel sensors failing, codes obd are not fixing issue, auto stop, shuts radio off when brake is applied, resets all electric components in car. Every time braking at a stop or signal.

   NHTSA complaint #11759241 · source
2. Filed Aug 16, 2026KYBrakesElectrical SystemEngine

   While driving my 2015 Chevrolet Malibu on a four-lane highway with a posted speed limit of 70 mph, the vehicle displayed an “Engine Power Is Reduced” message and limited the vehicle to less than approximately 25 mph. This created a serious safety concern because the vehicle could no longer maintain highway traffic speed, resulting in a significant speed differential of nearly 45 mph below the posted limit and surrounding traffic flow, creating a high risk of being struck by…

   NHTSA complaint #11757229 · source
3. Filed Jul 22, 2026NVCrash1 injuredTowedAirbags

   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, bruising, and cracked xiphoid, dislocation on the left side of my chest, and cut on my ear. I went to the hospital, have the police report,…

   NHTSA complaint #11752215 · source
4. Filed Jun 15, 2026ILSteeringTransmission & Drivetrain

   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 the engine started shaking abnormally. The contact stated that the message "Service Power Steering - Drive with Care" was displayed during…

   NHTSA complaint #11744242 · source
5. Filed May 4, 2026KYWheels & Tires

   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, also stole my 6 by 9s right out my car. Paid for a car straight out to them and they scammed me. They should be shut down ! And pay me my…

   NHTSA complaint #11735428 · source
6. Filed Apr 18, 2026KYFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionSuspensionWheels & Tires

   Purchased this car straight out for 4000 from deans car lot in Winchester ky over a week ago. They didn't tell me I had missing fog lights. Keyfob to far was so beat up and bent I could barely get in my car or lock my car not to mention they sent me home in that car with all 4 different brand tires and 4 different sizes. A couple tires are even plugged !! And no wouldn't help me fix any of them. They ignore me. Wasn't no crash. The car lot has been devious and I'm not happy…

   NHTSA complaint #11732005 · source
7. Filed Mar 19, 2026179,000 miGATowedTransmission & Drivetrain

   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 towed to a dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was…

   NHTSA complaint #11725686 · source
8. Filed Jan 21, 2026MOElectrical SystemEngine

   The car continues to die when I come to a stop. The error code for the engine light is P305F. I have changed both batteries along with several different sensors and spent thousands of dollars in repairs at a couple different shops and still can’t find the problem with this error code. I have fixed everything that this error code points to. The car will not pass inspection with the check engine code on. This should have been recalled as this is a very common problem.

   NHTSA complaint #11712569 · source

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology