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Research · Midsize Cars

2015 Chevrolet MalibuRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 270 owner complaints for the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu. Most complaints involve engine (70) and electrical system (68). The EPA rates it 24–29 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

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Combined MPG
24–29mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Jul 2016
Owner complaints
270
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$2,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Electrical system: ignition

Free remedy

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."

Electrical systemReported Jul 5, 2016NHTSA 16V502000

Air bags: side

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Oct 16, 2015NHTSA 15V666000

Visibility: sun

Free remedy

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."

VisibilityReported Mar 23, 2015NHTSA 15V164000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

270 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2014 – Aug 2026
  1. Engine70
  2. Electrical system68
  3. Air bags49
  4. Power train31
  5. Vehicle speed control28
  6. Fuel/propulsion system19
  7. Service brakes16
  8. Electronic stability control (esc)16
  9. Structure13

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Malibu model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1997452
1998999
1999800
2000944
2001739
2002596
2003611
20041,698
20051,393
20061,387
2007992
20081,017
20091,511
20101,365
2011978
2012907
2013924
2014363
2015270
2016865
2017727
2018700
2019193
2020200
202190
202299
202373
202444
202512
Crashes reported
18
Fires reported
9
Injuries reported
13
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

70 reports3 fires
“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 highway traffic speed, resulting in a significant speed differential of nearly 45 mph below the posted limit and surrounding traffic flow, creating a high risk of being struck by other vehicles. The vehicle also experienced an alternator problem while being driven on the highway. It repeatedly acted like it was not getting enough power to maintain the speed of surrounding traffic, and we had to pull over on the side of the road. The vehicle has also had an engine-related issue discovered during repairs. When the valve cover gaskets were replaced, the vacuum pump was found to be severely damaged, and metal shavings were found in the engine oil. The reduced-engine-power problem has occurred in connection with the vehicle's electrical and engine problems. The vehicle and affected components may be available for inspection upon request. The vehicle has been inspected…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 16, 2026Electrical system, Service brakes, EngineODI 11757229

Electrical system

68 reports2 crashes7 fires
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 24, 2026Electrical system, Unknown or other, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11759241

Air bags

49 reports8 crashes1 fire
“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 concussion, neck and spine dislocations, bruising, and cracked xiphoid, dislocation on the left side of my chest, and cut on my ear. I went to the hospital, have the police report, and the two videos are also available. My car was totaled and towed to the lot off of Lamb, north of Craig Road.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 22, 2026Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11752215
All 2015 Malibu problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl · 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (S6)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Malibu
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
253629$2,200308
Malibu
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
212924$2,700373
  • Malibu
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    25 city · 36 hwy · $2,200/yr
    29
    mpg comb.
  • Malibu
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    21 city · 29 hwy · $2,700/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
11.1%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 3, 2026Vehicle 9047
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2015 Malibu questions

How many recalls does the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu have?

3 safety recalls as of Nov 3, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2015 Chevrolet Malibu problems?

Owners filed 270 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (70), electrical system (68), air bags (49). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu get?

The EPA rates the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu at 24–29 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026