MYRModel Year Report

2015 Chevrolet Malibu

▲ Better than typical
2015 Chevrolet Malibu
BUILT 2026-10-10

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
270
Recalls
3

Campaigns on file for 2015

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Engine

26% of complaints

Complaints per year

1980: 5 complaints 1980 1981: 3 complaints 1982: 2 complaints 1983: 1 complaint 1986: 1 complaint 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: 1,147 complaints 2005: 975 complaints 2006: 1,116 complaints 2006 2007: 977 complaints 2008: 987 complaints 2009: 1,509 complaints 2010: 1,360 complaints 2011: 978 complaints 2011 2012: 907 complaints 2013: 836 complaints 2014: 351 complaints 2015: 270 complaints 2015 270 2016: 836 complaints 2017: 703 complaints 2018: 697 complaints 2019: 190 complaints 2020: 196 complaints 2021: 88 complaints 2021 2022: 97 complaints 2023: 66 complaints 2024: 41 complaints 2025: 10 complaints
1980: 5 complaints 1980 1981: 3 complaints 1982: 2 complaints 1983: 1 complaint 1983 1986: 1 complaint 1989: 3 complaints 1997: 443 complaints 1997 1998: 976 complaints 1999: 789 complaints 2000: 922 complaints 2000 2001: 721 complaints 2002: 567 complaints 2003: 569 complaints 2003 2004: 1,147 complaints 2005: 975 complaints 2006: 1,116 complaints 2006 2007: 977 complaints 2008: 987 complaints 2009: 1,509 complaints 2009 2010: 1,360 complaints 2011: 978 complaints 2012: 907 complaints 2012 2013: 836 complaints 2014: 351 complaints 2015: 270 complaints 2015 270 2016: 836 complaints 2017: 703 complaints 2018: 697 complaints 2018 2019: 190 complaints 2020: 196 complaints 2021: 88 complaints 2021 2022: 97 complaints 2023: 66 complaints 2024: 41 complaints 2024 2025: 10 complaints
1980: 5 complaints 1980 1981: 3 complaints 1982: 2 complaints 1982 1983: 1 complaint 1986: 1 complaint 1986 1989: 3 complaints 1997: 443 complaints 1997 1998: 976 complaints 1999: 789 complaints 1999 2000: 922 complaints 2001: 721 complaints 2001 2002: 567 complaints 2003: 569 complaints 2003 2004: 1,147 complaints 2005: 975 complaints 2005 2006: 1,116 complaints 2007: 977 complaints 2007 2008: 987 complaints 2009: 1,509 complaints 2009 2010: 1,360 complaints 2011: 978 complaints 2011 2012: 907 complaints 2013: 836 complaints 2013 2014: 351 complaints 2015: 270 complaints 2015 270 2016: 836 complaints 2017: 703 complaints 2017 2018: 697 complaints 2019: 190 complaints 2019 2020: 196 complaints 2021: 88 complaints 2021 2022: 97 complaints 2023: 66 complaints 2023 2024: 41 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
20041,147
2005975
20061,116
2007977
2008987
20091,509
20101,360
2011978
2012907
2013836
2014351
2015270
2016836
2017703
2018697
2019190
2020196
202188
202297
202366
202441
202510

Known problem areas

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

Engine

26% · 70 reports
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, 2026-08-16

Also filed under Service brakes

Electrical system

25% · 68 reports

Most commonly citing key/sender and control module.

CRASHFIREINJURY
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, 2018-02-23

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, 2017-11-03

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, 2016-08-17

Air bags

18% · 49 reports

Most commonly citing srs malfunction warning lamp/light and air bag/restraint control module.

CRASHFIREINJURYDEATH
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, 2026-07-22

Unknown

NHTSA ODI report, 2025-04-24

Also filed under Seat belts

Power train

11% · 31 reports

Most commonly citing control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) and automatic transmission.

CRASHFIREINJURY
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, 2016-06-02

Vehicle speed control

10% · 28 reports
CRASHINJURY

Safety timeline

3 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2015-04-21Visibility15V164000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2015-10-19Air bags15V666000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2016-10-14Electrical system, power train16V502000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2015 Chevrolet Malibu — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine: 70 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 68 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 49 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 15V164000 · Visibility
  • Recall 15V666000 · Air bags
  • Recall 16V502000 · Electrical system, power train
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

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 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.