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Model year record

2015 Chevrolet Malibu recalls & problems

The 2015 Chevrolet Malibu has 3 safety recalls and 270 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine (70 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls
Complaints270filed by owners
Crashes · fires18 · 9reported in complaints
NHTSA overall5 ★crash-test stars
2015 Chevrolet Malibu in an NHTSA crash test
NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Electrical systemJul 5, 2016

Ignition

Recall 16V5020008,367 vehicles

Problem
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.
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.

Components: Electrical system › Ignition; Power train › Automatic transmission › Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

Air bagsOct 16, 2015

Side/window

Recall 15V666000395 vehicles

Problem
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.
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.
VisibilityMar 23, 2015

Sun/moon roof assembly

Recall 15V16400087,063 vehicles

Problem
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.
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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2015 Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk11.1%

Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional

2015 Chevrolet Malibu NHTSA side crash test
NHTSA side barrier crash test
2015 Chevrolet Malibu NHTSA side pole crash test
NHTSA side pole crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Malibu

29mpg combined
City / highway25 / 36 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,300/year to fuel

Malibu

24mpg combined
City / highway21 / 29 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem areaComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesTypical mileage*
Engine7003066,000 mi
Electrical systemIgnition › Anti-theft › Control module; Ignition › Anti-theft › Immobilizer/proximity › Key/sender6827254,000 mi
Air bagsAir bag/restraint control module; Srs malfunction warning lamp/light4981748,000 mi
Unknown or other3523147,500 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission › Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm); Automatic transmission3131483,000 mi
Vehicle speed control2840285,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system1900048,300 mi
Electronic stability control (esc)1610259,000 mi
Service brakes1630040,000 mi
StructureBody; Body › Door1330043,283 mi
Seats1010035,000 mi
Visibility/wiper911042,125 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.