MYRModel Year Report

2015 Chevrolet Malibu

▲ Better than typical
2015 Chevrolet Malibu
BUILT 2026-09-02

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Chevrolet Malibu Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2015 highlighted. 1980: 5 complaints 1980 1981: 3 complaints 1982: 2 complaints 1983: 1 complaints 1986: 1 complaints 1989: 3 complaints 1989 1997: 443 complaints 1998: 976 complaints 1999: 789 complaints 2000: 922 complaints 2001: 721 complaints 2001 2002: 567 complaints 2003: 569 complaints 2004: 1147 complaints 2005: 975 complaints 2006: 1115 complaints 2006 2007: 977 complaints 2008: 987 complaints 2009: 1509 complaints 2010: 1359 complaints 2011: 977 complaints 2011 2012: 905 complaints 2013: 835 complaints 2014: 350 complaints 2015: 270 complaints 2015 2016: 835 complaints 2016 2017: 701 complaints 2018: 694 complaints 2019: 188 complaints 2020: 195 complaints 2021: 86 complaints 2021 2022: 92 complaints 2023: 64 complaints 2024: 39 complaints 2025: 10 complaints 2025
2015: 270 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19805
19813
19822
19831
19861
19893
1997443
1998976
1999789
2000922
2001721
2002567
2003569
20041147
2005975
20061115
2007977
2008987
20091509
20101359
2011977
2012905
2013835
2014350
2015270
2016835
2017701
2018694
2019188
2020195
202186
202292
202364
202439
202510

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

ENGINE 26%

26% of complaints: engine — 70 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20260816

Also filed under SERVICE BRAKES

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 25%

25% of complaints: electrical system — 68 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing key/sender and control module.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OUTSIDE, THE CONTACT OPENED THE DOOR AND SMOKE BILLOWED OUT. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS PARTIALLY MELTED AND THE CARPET WAS BURNT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180223

VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH ON A CITY STREET WHEN SMOKE STARTED AND FIRE BROKE OUT BURNING VEHICLE TO GROUND.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171103

Also filed under UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE ON MARCH 2015 OFF THE SHOWROOM FLOOR OF A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP. ON JUNE 18, 2016 MY CAR CAUGHT A FIRE WHILE IT WAS PARKED AND I WAS NOT IN THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20160817

AIR BAGS 18%

18% of complaints: air bags — 49 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing srs malfunction warning lamp/light and air bag/restraint control module.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

I was t-boned on the front side panel near the door at a high rate of speed. I would estimate well above the posted limit of 35 mph and my front and side airbags failed to deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 20260722

Unknown

NHTSA ODI report, 20250424

Also filed under SEAT BELTS and UNKNOWN OR OTHER

POWER TRAIN 11%

11% of complaints: power train — 31 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) and automatic transmission.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS INJURING OPERATOR AFTER IT WAS PLACED IN PARK. OPERATOR MOVED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION LEVER FROM DRIVE INTO PARK. THE DOORS UNLOCKED AUTOMATICALLY. KEYS WERE IN THE IGNITION. VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF.

NHTSA ODI report, 20160602

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 10%

10% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 28 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20150421 — visibility

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles October 24, 2011, to March 5, 2015.

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.

Campaign 15V164000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20151019 — air bags

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac XTS, Chevrolet Camaro, Equinox, Malibu, and GMC Terrain vehicles.

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.

Campaign 15V666000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20161014 — electrical system, power train

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.

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.

Campaign 16V502000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2015 Chevrolet Malibu — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine issues (70 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (68 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (49 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 15V164000 (visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V666000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V502000 (electrical system, power train) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2024 ▲ 2023 ▲ 2021

WORST YEARS

■ 2009 ◆ 2010 ◆ 2004

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu?

The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 26% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu have?

3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.