2015 Chevrolet Malibu electrical system problems

Related recalls

• 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.

What owners say

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 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
4. Filed Nov 13, 2025AZElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   The transmission and engine fails repeatedly. The vehicle repeatedly stalls while accelerating at all speeds, simultaneously, the gear shift lights,dash lights, radio, etc restarts. Issue also happens when shifting gears. Issue happens at every stop light and stop sign, when the vehicle is engaged in ‘auto stop’. The vehicle has been in and out of the repair shop since 2022 for TCM/ECM failure. The vehicle has been inspected by Chevrolet twice and other repair shops. Problem…

   NHTSA complaint #11699309 · source
5. Filed Aug 26, 2025IAElectrical System

   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 God we didn't get rear ended. I turned off the car and waited. I turned it back on and went home a half a mile away thankfully. I looked up…

   NHTSA complaint #11683262 · source
6. Filed Jun 17, 2025KYElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

   My car has the auto shut off and when im driving it sometimes just dies while im driving with no warning and no power steering to pull over. Also when im at a red light and the auto shut off comes on when it starts back up all my head lights turning signals radio everything goes off and comes back on when the car restarts then when u go to take off it will die and everytime I push on the gas it hesitates to go if it dont die. I took my car to an independent car repair shop…

   NHTSA complaint #11667586 · source
7. Filed May 30, 2024150,000 miARElectrical System

   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. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

   NHTSA complaint #11591587 · source
8. Filed May 24, 2024SCBrakesElectrical SystemAcceleration & Cruise Control

   Wheel hubs causes car to think that it’s going faster(200mph) causing car to drop speed, locks steering wheel making it impossible to turn away from traffic and drive it’s an accident waiting to happen not sure why there isn’t a recall. Also batteries causes the battery system warning to be a major problem even if alternator is good. I’m not sure if the two batteries is a good idea. The stop/start feature can cause radio issues it’s like cutting the car off and turn it back…

   NHTSA complaint #11590513 · source
9. Filed Mar 27, 2024MSElectrical SystemEngineOther / Unknown

   have a 2015 Chevy Malibu that is randomly trying to start itself. The key fob is the original when I bought it. It has the auto start on the fob but is the kind that requires the key in the ignition to drive.car completely off (not in aux) but the key is in ignition, could be for 2 minutes or hours, and randomly it will try and start, but not fully turn the engine and actually start, just that little half second of a start and then go right back off. Today it did it 3 times…

   NHTSA complaint #11579640 · source
10. Filed Nov 27, 2023VAElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain

    When turning off engine, multiple times had "Shift to Park" warnings and car does not shut down. Sometimes goes away after 10 - 20 seconds. Other times must restart car, place transmission back into park, open drivers' door and then turn off. Told by dealer that it is a known problem for multiple model years and vehicle models with multiple technical bulletins issued but no recall. Please review and require a recall if appropriate.

    NHTSA complaint #11557135 · source
11. Filed May 11, 202398,000 miAZElectrical System

    The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled without warning. The contact veered to the side of the road. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the front and rear batteries, and the alternator were replaced; however, the failure reoccurred within a month. The dealer was notified of the failure and an appointment was scheduled for a diagnostic test. The vehicle…

    NHTSA complaint #11521553 · source
12. Filed Apr 4, 2023TXElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

    There is an electrical issue with the vehicle, causing bad computer readings related to the O2 sensor, VVT valve/rocker arm solenoid. It causes shaking and bad acceleration. These parts were already replaced and within days of the “repair”, I am still having issues. If driving and I start to accelerate, it gets shaky and almost stalls the vehicle completely. If that were to happen while driving in the middle of the road then that could easily cause a wreck.

    NHTSA complaint #11515402 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. 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