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2015 Chevrolet Malibu Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2015 Chevrolet Malibu carries 3 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering ignition and side/window. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Reduced engine power limiting speed while driving.” Chevrolet vehicles use the GM Oil Life System (OLS) — a percentage-based monitor that calculates oil life from driving conditions, not fixed mileage. When the OLS drops to 0%, oil and filter are due. The schedule below reflects GM's Normal Use intervals for everything else.

3 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

Campaign #16V502000 · May 7, 2016

Issue: 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."

Risk: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

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. 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.

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

Campaign #15V666000 · Oct 16, 2015

Issue: 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.

Risk: 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.

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. 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.

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

Campaign #15V164000 · Mar 23, 2015

Issue: 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."

Risk: 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.

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. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15176.

Recall data refreshed Sep 6, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu.

Reported to NHTSA

Reduced engine power limiting speed while driving

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ENGINE

25 NHTSA complaints · 2020-02 → 2026-08

“I was coming home from school pickup, and the light said the engine power was reducing. Then the screen said that I couldn't go past 25 miles per hour. The skid sign came on also. The car started slowing down on its own. The car then stopped”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11683262
“I was almost to work on the highway and my car dashboard said Engine Power is Reduced. It quickly started powering down from 74 directly to 50 then 40, then 35 and finally to 26 before I could safely pull off to the side of the road”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11492235
“The engine power reduced light came on twice. I have been feeling a slight hesitation when driving for a couple of months but this is the first time that light came on. It happened on i65n about 140 miles from Montgomery”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11669427

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Water intrusion into cabin and trunk

STRUCTURE

4 NHTSA complaints · 2019-03 → 2023-03

“EVERY TIME IT RAINS OR I WASH THE CAR, WATER LEAKS INTO MY TRUNK. I'VE BEEN TOLD IT WAS DUE TO THE ANTENNA SEAL AND I HAVE HEARD THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS, BUT I HAVENT SEEN ANYWHERE THAT THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11377024
“EVERY TIME IT RAINS OR SNOWS, SOMEHOW WATER GETS IN MY CAR. THE WINDOWS ARE COMPLETELY SHUT, DOORS ARE CLOSED, AND TRUNK IS TOO. HOWEVER, THE AREA FOR MY SPARE TIRE FILLS UP WITH WATER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11307467
“CAR WAS PARKED IN A RESIDENTIAL PARKING LOT. A WATER LEAK BEGAN. WATER WAS ON THE FLOOR OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND ON THE FLOOR ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE BEHIND THE DRIVER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11191080

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Auto Stop/Start system stall and failure to restart

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE

16 NHTSA complaints · 2018-06 → 2025-11

“When I come to a stop my auto stop engages and when i accelerate to continue driving my car won’t turn back on and stays dead for up to 20 minutes. I have almost been rear ended numerous times”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11511656
“2015 malibu which is equipped with auto stop will shudder and die anytime you stop. Car has been taken to multiple shops to try and get it fixed but nothing done has fixed the problem. Car has become a danger to drive”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11493309
“I have a 2015 Chevrolet Malibu. I was driving in traffic and stopped. The auto stop engaged. When I put my foot on the gas peddle to continue on in traffic, the engine would not start. I had to set there for 5 minutes before the car would restart”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11476369

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Rocker arm oil control valve failure

ENGINE

22 NHTSA complaints · 2019-12 → 2025-09

“The car is stalling upon acceleration, which causes a jerking sensation. It has been diagnosed as an Intake Rocker Arm Solenoid Valve (oil). I have researched and notice that this has been a recall on previous models such as the 2014 Chevy Malibu”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11474618
“The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving at 60 MPH, the vehicle started jerking with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle failed to accelerate properly while driving to the residence”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11433613
“SEPT 2019 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IN MY 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU. DEALER DETERMINED PART# 12633613, ROCKER ARM CONTROL VALVE, IS THE SOURCE OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I CAN NOT GET THE PART THRU DEALER OR AFTERMARKET”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11309203

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airbag warning light and control module failure

AIR BAGS

30 NHTSA complaints · 2018-10 → 2025-08

“Service airbag light goes on and off. Also passenger air bag keeps turning on and off”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11682022
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LIBERTYVILLE CHEVROLET SERVICE LOCATED AT (1001 S MILWAUKEE AVE, LIBERTYVILLE, IL 60048), TO BE DIAGNOSED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11319116
“MY AIRBAG SERVICE LIGHT WAS ON- I HAD A DIAGNOSTIC RAN ON MY VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD BY THE GLENDORA CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP THAT MY VEHICLE WAS TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND I NEEDED TO HAVE MY AIRBAG REPLACED FOR $1,000”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11175067

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Transmission failure and sudden loss of motive power

POWER TRAIN

8 NHTSA complaints · 2020-07 → 2026-03

“The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact attempted to stop to make a turn, and there was a popping sound coming from the vehicle before the vehicle lost motive power and stalled”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11725686
“The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, the vehicle came to a complete stop independently. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse, the vehicle failed to respond”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11691602
“The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving approximately 75 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted into first gear causing the vehicle to abruptly decelerate”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11600955

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 11, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 11, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (per Oil Life System)

Every 7,500 mi

Change oil when the Oil Life System reaches 0% or every 12 months — whichever comes first. dexos1-approved synthetic oil required on all gas engines since 2011.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires every 7,500 miles. Silverado 4x4 and Tahoe owners benefit from earlier rotations to even out drivetrain wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake at each tire rotation. Equinox and Malibu front pads typically last 40,000-50,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

GM specifies brake fluid replacement based on contamination testing. Test every 30,000 miles; replace if moisture content exceeds 3% or fluid appears dark.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 45,000 mi

GM long-life cellulose air filters are rated 45,000 miles. Direct-injection engines are sensitive to airflow restriction; inspect at every oil change.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

Severe service (heavy towing, frequent stop-and-go, dusty conditions): replace every 45,000 miles. Normal service: 97,500 miles. Use Dexron-VI on 6L80/8L90 transmissions.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Transfer Case Fluid (4WD)

Every 45,000 mi

Silverado 4WD and Tahoe 4WD: replace transfer case fluid every 45,000 miles, sooner if towing or off-roading. Use GM Auto-Trak II fluid.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

GM iridium spark plugs are rated 100,000 miles on most LS and LT engines. The 5.3L V8 in Silverado 1500 commonly fouls plugs early under heavy idling.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Dex-Cool Engine Coolant

Every 50,000 mi

GM Dex-Cool (orange): first change at 150,000 miles or 5 years, then every 50,000 miles. Mixing with green coolant creates a sludge that destroys the cooling system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 50,000 mi

Silverado and Tahoe: replace rear axle fluid every 50,000 miles, or 25,000 miles if towing. Limited-slip differentials require GM friction-modifier additive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 22,500 mi

Replace the cabin air filter every 22,500 miles. Silverado and Tahoe owners in dusty climates should replace earlier.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

157 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

18

complaints mentioning a crash

9

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu reflects Chevrolet's published service intervals and the Oil Life System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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