2015 Chevrolet Malibu Safety Report
2015 Chevrolet Malibu Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (3) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | High (264) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 26 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Air Bags | Compare air bags issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2021 | Compare against the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu with 62 complaints and 2 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2016 | Check the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu before buying across this generation. |
Chevrolet Malibu Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Chevrolet Malibu years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Chevrolet Malibu | 848 | 9 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2017 Chevrolet Malibu | 711 | 4 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2018 Chevrolet Malibu | 669 | 6 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2019 Chevrolet Malibu | 182 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2020 Chevrolet Malibu | 180 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2021 Chevrolet Malibu | 62 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2015 Chevrolet Malibu Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Air Bags
38 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags issues Chevrolet onlyElectrical System
23 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Chevrolet onlyEngine
20 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Chevrolet onlyUnknown Or Other
18 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Chevrolet onlyPower Train
17 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Chevrolet onlyVehicle Speed Control,Engine
15 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Vehicle Speed Control,Engine issues Chevrolet onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu
Reliability Score
The 2015 Chevrolet Malibu receives a reliability score of 55 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags Recalled for side and window deployment issues, affecting multiple models including the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Electrical System Recalled for ignition issues, affecting multiple models including the 2016 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Engine Recalled for rocker arm malfunctions, causing the engine to shut off without warning. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Transmission Recalled for transmission failures, leading to repeated stalls and gear shift light issues. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu:
Issues with the electrical system, particularly the ignition, are common.
Air bag deployment issues are a frequent problem.
Engine malfunctions, including rocker arm issues, are a common concern.
Transmission failures and repeated stalls are a recurring issue.
Recall Details for the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu
The following 3 recalls have been issued for the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu by NHTSA:
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 lever...
Consequence: 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.
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.
Consequence: 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...
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.
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."
Consequence: 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 Complaint Summaries for the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 1 complaint involved crashes. 1 involved fires. 1 reported injuries or fatalities.
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 ...
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 cod...
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 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 wer...
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 trans...
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 loops to eliminate the belt rubbing against sharp surfaces....
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.
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 waite...
Service airbag light goes on and off. Also passenger air bag keeps turning on and off.
I was driving on the interstate and the engine power reduced light came on twice. It was driveable but I got off the interstate to state roads so I could drive slower. It acts like it wants to stop. I have been afraid to drive it again.
The engine power reduced light came on twice. I have been feeling a slight hesitation when driving for a couple of months but this is the first time that light came on. It happened on i65n about 140 miles from Montgomery. I got off the interstate at Montgomery so I could drive slower and made it home to Centre, AL. But now I'm afraid to drive it far.
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 he...
Transmission failed while driving in traffic.
Unknown
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 conta...
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 ACCELERATOR POSITION SENSOR on
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.
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.
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...
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.
Showing 20 of 264 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu
Has the 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU been recalled?
Yes, the 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU has 3 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU have?
The 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU has 264 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 17 involved crashes. 12 injuries and 1 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU?
The 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 5/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU involve air bags (38 complaints), electrical system (23 complaints), engine (20 complaints). Other affected components include unknown or other, power train, vehicle speed control,engine.
How many crash reports does the 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU have?
There are 17 crash reports associated with the 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU out of 264 total complaints (6.4% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU have?
There are 9 fire reports for the 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU out of 264 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU?
Yes, 1 death has been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU. These are self-reported by complainants and do not imply the vehicle caused the death.
How many injuries are reported for the 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU?
12 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU is research thoroughly before purchasing. It has 264 complaints, 3 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Note: 1 death(s) have been reported. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU?
The components with the most failures on the 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU are: 1. AIR BAGS (38 complaints), 2. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (23 complaints), 3. ENGINE (20 complaints), 4. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (18 complaints), 5. POWER TRAIN (17 complaints). AIR BAGS is the single most-reported problem area with 38 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU?
Be aware of potential air bag and electrical system issues, and check for recalls. Regular maintenance is crucial to avoid engine and transmission problems. The 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU has 264 NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU?
The 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU receives a reliability score of 55/100, indicating average reliability. This is based on 264 owner complaints, 3 recalls, and 26 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Air bags and Electrical system.
What are the known issues with the 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU?
Known issues with the 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU include: Air bags, Electrical system, Engine, Transmission. These are based on patterns found across 264 NHTSA complaints. 3 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the most common safety issues with the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu?
The most common issues are air bag and electrical system problems, followed by engine and transmission failures.
Can you explain the electrical system recall?
General Motors recalled models for ignition issues, which can cause the engine to shut off unexpectedly.
What should I do if I experience sudden stops or engine power reduction?
Check for recalls and have the vehicle inspected by a professional to address potential issues.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be aware of potential air bag and electrical system issues, and check for recalls. Regular maintenance is crucial to avoid engine and transmission problems.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2015 Chevrolet Malibu
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu. The data includes 264 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 3 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 17 reported crashes, 9 fire incidents, 12 reported injuries, and 1 fatalities associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 5 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-14