2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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5/5

★★★★★

Safety Rating

388

Owner Complaints

30 Crashes 17 Fires 2 Deaths

3

Recalls

ACTIVE RECALL

49

Service Bulletins

0

Investigations

Overview of the 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU

The 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU has received a total of 388 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It earned an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program crash tests. There have been 4 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM), AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW. 49 technical service bulletins have been issued by General Motors, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Engine (69 complaints), Electrical System (64 complaints), and Air Bags (46 complaints).

Recalls for the 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU

NHTSA has recorded 4 recalls for the 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU, potentially affecting up to 104,192 vehicles.

Recall 16V502000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

| 8,367 vehicles affected

Defect: 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...

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....

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Recall 16V502000 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

| 8,367 vehicles affected

Defect: 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...

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....

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Recall 15V666000 — AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

| 395 vehicles affected

Defect: 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 injury.

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...

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Recall 15V164000 — VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

| 87,063 vehicles affected

Defect: 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...

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...

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Owner Complaints for the 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU

388 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Engine
Complaints: 69 3 Fires
Electrical System
Complaints: 64 2 Crashes 7 Fires 2 Injuries
Air Bags
Complaints: 46 7 Crashes 1 Fire 6 Injuries 1 Death
Unknown Or Other
Complaints: 34 2 Crashes 3 Fires 1 Injury
Vehicle Speed Control
Complaints: 28 4 Crashes 2 Injuries
Power Train
Complaints: 27 3 Crashes 1 Fire 3 Injuries
Fuelpropulsion System
Complaints: 17
Electronic Stability Control Esc
Complaints: 16 1 Crash 2 Injuries
Service Brakes
Complaints: 15 3 Crashes
Structurebody
Complaints: 12 3 Crashes
Seats
Complaints: 10 1 Crash 1 Death
Visibilitywiper
Complaints: 9 1 Crash 1 Fire
Seat Belts
Complaints: 8 1 Crash
Steering
Complaints: 8 2 Crashes 1 Fire 1 Injury
Exterior Lighting
Complaints: 4
Visibilitysunmoon Roof Assembly
Complaints: 3
Suspension
Complaints: 2
Tires
Complaints: 2
Air Bags Air Bagrestraint Control Module
Complaints: 1
Air Bagssrs Malfunction Warning Lamplight
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemignitionanti Theftcontrol Module
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemignitionanti Theftimmobilizerproximitykeysender
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling Systempump
Complaints: 1
Equipmentapplianceair Conditioner
Complaints: 1
Equipmentelectricalradiotape Deckcd Etc
Complaints: 1
Forward Collision Avoidance Automatic Emergency Braking
Complaints: 1
Power Trainautomatic Transmission
Complaints: 1 1 Injury
Power Trainautomatic Transmissioncontrol Module Tcmpcmtecm
Complaints: 1
Structurebodydoor
Complaints: 1
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac System
Complaints: 1
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac Systemheater Core
Complaints: 1
Wheels
Complaints: 1

Most Recent Complaints

#11712569 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | | N/A miles
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 code on. This should have been recalled as this is a very common problem.
#11712569 | ENGINE | | N/A miles
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 code on. This should have been recalled as this is a very common problem.
#11699309 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | | N/A miles
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 vehicle has been inspected by Chevrolet twice and other repair shops. Problem persists and the vehicle is not safe to drive. The vehicle has to be jumped daily in order for it to work even after purchasing several batteries and alternators. Warranty company, SilverRock, denied claim. When shifting gears, the warning message states ‘power steering’ and all of the car lights disappear and the vehicle stalls. These issues appeared 31 days after purchase in May of 2022.
#11699309 | ENGINE | | N/A miles
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 vehicle has been inspected by Chevrolet twice and other repair shops. Problem persists and the vehicle is not safe to drive. The vehicle has to be jumped daily in order for it to work even after purchasing several batteries and alternators. Warranty company, SilverRock, denied claim. When shifting gears, the warning message states ‘power steering’ and all of the car lights disappear and the vehicle stalls. These issues appeared 31 days after purchase in May of 2022.
#11699309 | POWER TRAIN | | N/A miles
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 vehicle has been inspected by Chevrolet twice and other repair shops. Problem persists and the vehicle is not safe to drive. The vehicle has to be jumped daily in order for it to work even after purchasing several batteries and alternators. Warranty company, SilverRock, denied claim. When shifting gears, the warning message states ‘power steering’ and all of the car lights disappear and the vehicle stalls. These issues appeared 31 days after purchase in May of 2022.

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Safety Rating for the 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU

The 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).

Test Category Rating
Overall Rating ★★★★★ (5/5)
Frontal Crash ★★★★★ (5/5)
Side Crash ★★★★★ (5/5)
Rollover ★★★★ (4/5)

Safety ratings are based on controlled crash tests conducted by NHTSA. A 5-star rating indicates the highest level of occupant protection.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU

General Motors, LLC has issued 49 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

21NA274 — ENGINE

This service bulletin provides a repair procedure to replace the oil control valve (OCV) to correct customers driveability concerns of Chuggle, Surge, Misfire and a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illuminated.

PIP5527L — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

This Preliminary information communicates diagnostic assistance and repairs for specific driveability concerns that can be caused by the intake rocker arm oil control solenoid.

060089031F — ENGINE

This service bulletin provides information on OEM and Remanufactured Engine and Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Identification.

PIP5527K — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

This Preliminary information communicates diagnostic assistance and repairs for specific driveability concerns that can be caused by the intake rocker arm oil control solenoid.

PIC5852B — EQUIPMENT

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that when attempting to start vehicle "No Fob Detected" message is displayed. Technician will find the Key FOB works and the vehicle will start with the key FOB is placed in the pocket. Technician will need to replace the...

PIP5676A — EQUIPMENT

This Preliminary information communicates to the technician information on what may be setting DTC P06DE. This is in addition to what is already in the service manual.

PIP5527B — ENGINE

This Preliminary information communicates diagnostic assistance and repairs for specific driveability concerns that can be caused by the intake rocker arm oil control solenoid.

18NA367 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This technical bulletin provides a procedure on how to diagnosis a possible resistance concern in the battery system.

PIP5527 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

This Preliminary information communicates diagnostic assistance and repairs for specific driveability concerns that can be caused by the intake rocker arm oil control solenoid.

17-NA-167 — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

This informational bulletin provides information on Radio Display Blank, Freezes and/or Locks Up.

Showing 10 of 49 technical service bulletins.

NHTSA Investigations for the 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU

There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.

Other Model Years of the CHEVROLET MALIBU

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