Is the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu a bad year?
270 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Malibu years.
Keep it. You picked a good year.
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu are in line with other Malibu years.
2th quietest of 20 Malibu years by owner complaints (years with 7+ years on the road).
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2015 Malibu owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 70,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 70 (26%) | 41k–86k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical system | 68 (25%) | 28k–82k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 31 (11%) | 22k–70k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Speed control | 28 (10%) | 41k–77k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 19 (7%) | 44k–82k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Brakes | 16 (6%) | 27k–88k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Stability control | 16 (6%) | 39k–80k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 14 (5%) | 22k–78k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Steering | 9 (3%) | 29k–75k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Air bagsSTANDS OUT | 49 (18%) | 31k–66k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Body structure | 13 (5%) | 27k–55k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Seats | 10 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 8 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 70,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 270 complaints: 18 mention a crash · 9 mention a fire · 10 report an injury · 10 say the car was towed.
9 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Aug 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
GM part number 12633613 VVT rear oil control solenoid is faulty causing engine jerking. GM does not have this part available or any aftermarket part, and appears to have stopped producing it.
No problems prior to a simple spark plug change(Ac delco iridium/oem). Few days later, car started hesitating, and losing acceleration, check engine light & service stability display on screen.
I own a 2015 Chevrolet Malibu ltz and I can be driving down the highway and the 'service stabilitrack' light will come on, then it will say 'reduced engine power'.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 70,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu: 3
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. If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
The affected vehicles have front seat-mounted side impact air bags whose inflator may rupture upon its deployment. 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.
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. 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.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Chevrolet: 469
Repair instructions Chevrolet sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
If the vehicle stalls and set diagnostic trouble code P0191 and may also set P0172
Normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal…
Guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system
Internal Engine Noise or Damage After Oil Filter Replacement
Neighbouring years
2014 Malibu: 351 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine · 2016 Malibu: 840 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine.
Every Chevrolet Malibu year
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Questions
Is the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu a bad year?
270 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Malibu years. At 70,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (70), electrical system (68), transmission and drivetrain (31), speed control (28), fuel system (19).
How many recalls does the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu have?
3 recall campaigns list this model year: Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 16V-502), Air bags (NHTSA 15V-666), Visibility and wipers (NHTSA 15V-164). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.