2015 Chevrolet Malibu transmission & drivetrain 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 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
2. 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
3. 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
4. Filed Oct 6, 2025151,000 miWV1 injuredTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle abruptly stopped in the middle of the road. The contact was able to continue driving. The vehicle was later taken to the local mechanic, who diagnosed that the torque converter was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. During the incident,…

   NHTSA complaint #11691613 · source
5. Filed Oct 6, 2025151,884 miWVTransmission & Drivetrain

   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 transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer…

   NHTSA complaint #11691602 · source
6. Filed Sep 10, 2025AZTransmission & Drivetrain

   Rocker arm malfunction. This car has repeatedly shut off while driving without warning and the rocker arm has been the only code. I saw this has been a problem for the 2014-2015 Malibu and Impala models and this should be recalled due to faulty equipment and not to be repaired at the cost of the owners.

   NHTSA complaint #11686445 · source
7. 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
8. Filed Jan 2, 2025151,000 miPATransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH and approaching a stop, the vehicle stalled. The power steering warning light illuminated. The contact then veered to the left as the vehicle lost power. The vehicle was driven back to the residence where an independent mechanic diagnosed that the transmission control module had failed. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the…

   NHTSA complaint #11633636 · source
9. Filed Jul 10, 2024141,000 miSCTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving approximately 75 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted into first gear causing the vehicle to abruptly decelerate. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 141,000.

   NHTSA complaint #11600955 · 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 Aug 9, 2023TXTransmission & Drivetrain

    Code P2646 (among others) came up. This impacts driveability, safety and mileage performance. Problem was diagnosed by 2 separate mechanics, including Chevrolet dealer. First mechanic replaced recommended part twice but issue persists. No warning prior to the issue appearing. GM issued a Special Coverage Adjustment for the Chevrolet Malibu 2014 model (N192289160), but not the 2015 even though original bulletin (PIP5527K) says the issue applies to both 2014 and 2015 models.

    NHTSA complaint #11537538 · source
12. Filed May 11, 2021IAEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

    2015 chevy malibu with 2.5l engine with rocker arm oil control valve malfunctioning. Check engine came on thursday may 6, 2021 and had it diagnosed monday may 10, 2021. 2014's have a recall, but 2015s do not and my mechanic can't even find a gm part to fix this.

    NHTSA complaint #11416066 · 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