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2015 Chevrolet Malibu Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 270 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu, most often about the engine (26% of complaints, typically around 70,000 miles). It is 19th of 26 Malibu model years by number of complaints and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2015 Chevrolet Malibu problems
Engine
71 complaints · 26%Half of these problems showed up before 70,000 miles. Parts named most often: cooling system.
Gm part number 12633613 vvt rear oil control solenoid is faulty causing engine jerking. Gm does not have this part available or any aftermarket part, and appears to have stopped producing it.
Auto stop which comes standard in 2015 Malibu's with 2.5l engines will not engage. It used to work flawlessly, but it will not engage. Multiple forms that I have read have people stating they have the same issue.
Electrical
68 complaints · 25%Half of these problems showed up before 54,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition.
My vehicle was stationary. I went to defrost my windshield and the electrical switch to turn on the heat would not turn on. This has also occurred when it is really hot outside and the A/C will not turn on. I have had these issues occur multiple of times in hot and now cold weather.
Check engine light randomly comes on and off. Unable to get a diagnostic check thoroughly because the engine light doesn't stay on. Was at an auto zone one day when it came on again and was given two of the same codes stating there may be an o2 sensor issue. A couple weeks later while driving I get a message on the…
Air bags
49 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 48,000 miles. Parts named most often: air bag/restraint control module, srs malfunction warning lamp/light.
Drove my Malibu to see a show and parked in the garage. After the show, when turned on the ignition had a service airbag light. Took it to the gm dealer who diagnosed the problem and said had to replace the air bag sdm electrical module with a total price estimate of almost $1,000 cad !!! I have had this vehicle since…
I went to work friday september 27, 2019. Where my car sat for two hours. When I came back out I had a service air bag light on. My car is a 2105, I'm the second owner. It's never been in an accident. I took it to the dealer I had bought it from a year ago. They told me it was a faulty air bag module that needed to be…
Other or unspecified
35 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 47,500 miles.
I was driving on a main street, coming up to a full stop with cars in front & behind me. I proceeded to slowly acelerate when the light changed to green. At that point, the car began to move backwards while in drive. I quickly pressed on my brakes, car stopped. I sttempted this 2 more times, same outcome. At that…
Car was parked in a residential parking lot. A water leak began. Water was on the floor of the driver's side and on the floor on the passenger's side behind the driver. I took the car to an auto mechanic and I were told the leak was caused by a manufacturer's defect and the water had been slowly leaking into the car…
Transmission
31 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 83,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
In august 2019, my 2015 chevy Malibu started having with the variable valve timing (vvt) solenoid -part # 12633613 (abt. 80k miles). When accelerating into passing gear, the engine would step out of gear and the RPM's would rev very high while the car slowed. I would have to let off pedal until RPM's lowered, then…
On january 15th. At 08:26am while driving to work my check engine light came on. On january 19th. The car was dropped for service at westgate Chevrolet in edmonton, ab. After two weeks of testing and multiple part changes the dealer established that my car has a faulty "intake oil control valve". This is a well known…
Speed control
28 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 85,000 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…
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…
Fuel system
19 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 48,500 miles.
Check engine light, turned out it was solenoid vent valve, a $36 part that cost me a total of $600 usd to replace after diagnostic fees and shop fees. They had to drop the gas tank to access it. This is a premature failure for a four year old vehicle with only 48,000 km. If this is a regular maintenance item that…
In august 2019, my 2015 chevy Malibu started having with the variable valve timing (vvt) solenoid -part # 12633613 (abt. 80k miles). When accelerating into passing gear, the engine would step out of gear and the RPM's would rev very high while the car slowed. I would have to let off pedal until RPM's lowered, then…
Stability control
16 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 59,000 miles.
My car was driving fine then all of a sudden the service stabili track light flashed on my screen and my check engine light started flashing but went off after about 1 minute . The next day while accelerating the car stuttered and felt almost like I was driving down a road with little rivets . Its stopped and again…
I own a 2015 Chevrolet Malibu ltz and I can be driving down the highway and the 'service stabilitrack' light will come on, then it will say 'reduced engine power'. I will have to pull over, turn car off, and let it sit for a minute or two, then crank back up and those lights will go off, but the service engine light…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2015 Chevrolet Malibu recalls
Electrical: 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. 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.
Full defect 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: side/window
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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect 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.
Visibility 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. 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.
Full defect 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."
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu
- What are the most common problems with the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (71 complaints, typically around 70,000 miles); electrical (68 complaints, typically around 54,000 miles); air bags (49 complaints, typically around 48,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from July 5, 2016 (electrical). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2015 a bad year for the Chevrolet Malibu?
- It is 19th of 26 Malibu model years by number of complaints, with 270 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.