2015 Chevrolet Malibu problems and recalls

Owner complaints on the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu include 1 fatality report, 18 crashes and 9 fires across 270 filings.

270
Complaints
3
Recalls
18
Crash reports
9
Fire reports
13
Injuries
89.4
Severity index

Severity index 89.4 High. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 89.4p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 35 of 143 by severity index among 2015 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 76% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2015 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

EngineEngine: 70 complaints (25.9%)70 26%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 68 complaints (25.2%)68 25%Air BagsAir Bags: 49 complaints (18.1%)49 18%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 35 complaints (13.0%)35 13%Power TrainPower Train: 31 complaints (11.5%)31 11%Vehicle Speed ControlVehicle Speed Control: 28 complaints (10.4%)28 10%Fuel/Propulsion SystemFuel/Propulsion System: 19 complaints (7.0%)19 7%Service BrakesService Brakes: 16 complaints (5.9%)16 6%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
ENGINE7025.9%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM6825.2%
AIR BAGS4918.1%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER3513.0%
POWER TRAIN3111.5%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL2810.4%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM197.0%
SERVICE BRAKES165.9%

Complaints filed per year

026522014: 32015: 122016: 152017: 182018: 402019: 412020: 522021: 192022: 282023: 132024: 82025: 132026: 8 (partial year)1415161718192052212223242526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20143
201512
201615
201718
201840
201941
202052
202119
202228
202313
20248
202513
2026 (year to date)8
Filings in 2023 to 2025 ran 0.3x those in 2020 to 2022 (34 against 99).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
16V50200005/07/2016ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITIONGeneral 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, 2013-20
15V66600016/10/2015AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOWGeneral 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.
15V16400023/03/2015VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLYGeneral 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 pre

Other Chevrolet Malibu model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 13 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-08-29. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.