2015 Chevrolet Malibu: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu: 3 recalls, 270 owner complaints and up to 29 mpg combined.
Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Visibility (wipers, glass) Vehicle recall #15V164000 · 2015 · 87,063 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Airbags Vehicle recall #15V666000 · 2015 · 395 vehicles
What's wrong: The affected vehicles have front seat-mounted side impact air bags whose inflator May rupture upon its deployment.
Why it matters: 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.…
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side impact air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began on October 19, 2015.
Electrical, Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #16V502000 · 2016 · 8,367 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: If the key is removed without the transmission in park, the vehicle May rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 9 mention a fire, 13 injuries and 1 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine (70): the most common themes are warning light on (19), stalls / loses power (12), electrical failure (7).
- Electrical (68): the most common themes are electrical failure (23), stalls / loses power (19), warning light on (15).
- Airbags (49): the most common themes are warning light on (11), fails to deploy (5).
- Other / unknown (35): the most common themes are warning light on (7), electrical failure (4), leaks (3).
The 2015 Chevrolet Malibu has 270 owner complaints, ranking #22 of 29 Malibu model years for complaints (well below the 667 average). Complaints peaked in 2020 (52 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 50,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2014 (351 complaints, 6 recalls), 2016 (837 complaints, 9 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 | 36 | 29 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 29 | 24 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2015 Chevrolet Malibu problems?
Owners have filed 270 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine (70), electrical (68), airbags (49).
What gas mileage does the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu get?
EPA ratings run up to 29 mpg combined (2.5 L, Automatic (S6)), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2015 Chevrolet Malibu repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.