NHTSA vehicle safety data
2015 Chevrolet Malibu Recalls, Ratings & Complaints
The 2015 Chevrolet Malibu has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 270 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Chevrolet dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2015 Chevrolet Malibu owner complaints
Owners have filed 270 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu, describing incidents dated April 10, 2014 to April 8, 2026.
Most-cited components
- Engine 71 complaints
- Electrical System 68 complaints
- Air Bags 49 complaints
- Unknown or Other 35 complaints
- Power Train 31 complaints
- Vehicle Speed Control 28 complaints
Of the 270 complaints on file, 18 report a crash and 9 a fire; across all 270 complaints, owners report 13 injuries and 1 death (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Newest complaints
ODI #11759241 · Filed
Fuel sensors failing, codes obd are not fixing issue, auto stop, shuts radio off when brake is applied, resets all electric components in car. Every time braking at a stop or signal.
ODI #11757229 · Filed
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. This created a serious safety concern because the vehicle could no longer maintain…
ODI #11752215 · Filed
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. I have video from the intersection and dash cam demonstrating the impact. My head hit off the steering wheel causing a…
Key May Be Removed When Not In Park/FMVSS 114
NHTSA #16V502000 · Electrical System — Ignition · NHTSA notice
Reported July 5, 2016 · General Motors LLC
Potentially affected: 8,367 vehicles
Repair completion: 97.87% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign 50490, 50491 · Owners notified October 14, 2016 · Vehicles built September 14, 2012 – October 14, 2015 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
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."
Safety consequence
If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
Manufacturer 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. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Side Impact Air Bag Modules may Rupture
NHTSA #15V666000 · Air Bags — Side/Window · NHTSA notice
Reported October 16, 2015 · General Motors LLC
Potentially affected: 395 vehicles
Repair completion: 86.58% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign 01320 · Owners notified October 19, 2015 · Vehicles built March 11, 2015 – March 11, 2015 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
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.
Safety 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.
Manufacturer 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 at 1-800-458-8006, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 01320.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Roof Panel May Inadvertently Auto Close/FMVSS 118
NHTSA #15V164000 · Visibility — Sun/Moon Roof Assembly · NHTSA notice
Reported March 23, 2015 · General Motors LLC
Potentially affected: 87,063 vehicles
Repair completion: 88.55% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign 15176 · Owners notified April 21, 2015 · Vehicles built March 12, 2014 – March 5, 2015 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
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."
Safety 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.
Manufacturer 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 number for this recall is 15176.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Other Chevrolet Malibu model years
Check your 2015 Chevrolet Malibu VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Chevrolet Malibu at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
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