Problems · NHTSA complaints

2015 Chevrolet Malibu problems

Owners filed 270 complaints about the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu with NHTSA between Nov 2014 and Aug 2026. The most-cited component is engine (70).

Complaints
270
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
18
Reported by owners
Fires
9
Reported by owners
Injuries
13
People reported injured
Deaths
1
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  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
  10. Seats10
  11. Steering9
  12. Visibility/wiper9
  13. Seat belts8
  14. Visibility5

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

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20143
201512
201615
201718
201840
201941
202052
202119
202228
202313
20248
202513
20268

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

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 fires1 related recall
“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 fire1 related recall
“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

Power train

31 reports3 crashes1 fire
“The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the vehicle inadvertently shifted between park(P), drive(D), and neutral(N), and the selected gear was not visible or illuminated on the instrument cluster or the gear shifter panel. The doors locked and unlocked, and the engine started shaking abnormally. The contact stated that the message "Service Power Steering - Drive with Care" was displayed during the failure. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road after each failure and the gear shifter was slowly shifted between gears until the desired gear was selected. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 15, 2026Steering, Power trainODI 11744242

Vehicle speed control

28 reports4 crashes
“Wheel hubs causes car to think that it’s going faster(200mph) causing car to drop speed, locks steering wheel making it impossible to turn away from traffic and drive it’s an accident waiting to happen not sure why there isn’t a recall. Also batteries causes the battery system warning to be a major problem even if alternator is good. I’m not sure if the two batteries is a good idea. The stop/start feature can cause radio issues it’s like cutting the car off and turn it back on when brake is released radio comes back on.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 24, 2024Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Service brakesODI 11590513

Fuel/propulsion system

19 reports
“Purchased this car straight out for 4000 from deans car lot in Winchester ky over a week ago. They didn't tell me I had missing fog lights. Keyfob to far was so beat up and bent I could barely get in my car or lock my car not to mention they sent me home in that car with all 4 different brand tires and 4 different sizes. A couple tires are even plugged !! And no wouldn't help me fix any of them. They ignore me. Wasn't no crash. The car lot has been devious and I'm not happy bc that has to do with MY SAFETY. MY LIFE. MY VEHICLE. IM ROYALLY PISSED”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 18, 2026Suspension, Wheels, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11732005
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026

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