What 268 owners told NHTSA about the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu Eco

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.

NHTSA ODI 11744242

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. The vehicle was restarted, but failed to move or respond as needed. The vehicle was towed to a dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 179,000.

NHTSA ODI 11725686

The transmission and engine fails repeatedly. The vehicle repeatedly stalls while accelerating at all speeds, simultaneously, the gear shift lights,dash lights, radio, etc restarts. Issue also happens when shifting gears. Issue happens at every stop light and stop sign, when the vehicle is engaged in ‘auto stop’. The vehicle has been in and out of the repair shop since 2022 for TCM/ECM failure. The vehicle has been inspected by Chevrolet twice and other repair shops. Problem persists and the vehicle is not safe to drive. The vehicle has to be jumped daily in order for it to work even after purchasing several batteries and alternators. Warranty company, SilverRock, denied claim. When shifting gears, the warning message states ‘power steering’ and all of the car lights disappear and the vehicle stalls. These issues appeared 31 days after purchase in May of 2022.

NHTSA ODI 11699309

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. An independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic, and was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 151,884.

NHTSA ODI 11691602

The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle abruptly stopped in the middle of the road. The contact was able to continue driving. The vehicle was later taken to the local mechanic, who diagnosed that the torque converter was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. During the incident, the front passenger made contact with the dashboard and sustained bruises to the left knee and finger. No medical treatment was needed. The failure mileage was 151,000.

NHTSA ODI 11691613

Rocker arm malfunction. This car has repeatedly shut off while driving without warning and the rocker arm has been the only code. I saw this has been a problem for the 2014-2015 Malibu and Impala models and this should be recalled due to faulty equipment and not to be repaired at the cost of the owners.

NHTSA ODI 11686445

My car has the auto shut off and when im driving it sometimes just dies while im driving with no warning and no power steering to pull over. Also when im at a red light and the auto shut off comes on when it starts back up all my head lights turning signals radio everything goes off and comes back on when the car restarts then when u go to take off it will die and everytime I push on the gas it hesitates to go if it dont die. I took my car to an independent car repair shop and they said they have tested everything and I have also replaced the front and back batteries and I was told it is the computer and he has had several of the same car come in with the exact problem.

NHTSA ODI 11667586

Transmission failed while driving in traffic.

NHTSA ODI 11660455

The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH and approaching a stop, the vehicle stalled. The power steering warning light illuminated. The contact then veered to the left as the vehicle lost power. The vehicle was driven back to the residence where an independent mechanic diagnosed that the transmission control module had failed. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 151,000.

NHTSA ODI 11633636

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. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 141,000.

NHTSA ODI 11600955

When turning off engine, multiple times had "Shift to Park" warnings and car does not shut down. Sometimes goes away after 10 - 20 seconds. Other times must restart car, place transmission back into park, open drivers' door and then turn off. Told by dealer that it is a known problem for multiple model years and vehicle models with multiple technical bulletins issued but no recall. Please review and require a recall if appropriate.

NHTSA ODI 11557135

Code P2646 (among others) came up. This impacts driveability, safety and mileage performance. Problem was diagnosed by 2 separate mechanics, including Chevrolet dealer. First mechanic replaced recommended part twice but issue persists. No warning prior to the issue appearing. GM issued a Special Coverage Adjustment for the Chevrolet Malibu 2014 model (N192289160), but not the 2015 even though original bulletin (PIP5527K) says the issue applies to both 2014 and 2015 models.

NHTSA ODI 11537538

2015 CHEVY MALIBU WITH 2.5L ENGINE WITH ROCKER ARM OIL CONTROL VALVE MALFUNCTIONING. CHECK ENGINE CAME ON THURSDAY MAY 6, 2021 AND HAD IT DIAGNOSED MONDAY MAY 10, 2021. 2014'S HAVE A RECALL, BUT 2015S DO NOT AND MY MECHANIC CAN'T EVEN FIND A GM PART TO FIX THIS.

NHTSA ODI 11416066

I WAS PULLING OUT OF PARKING LOT WHEN MY CAR GEARS STARTED TO JERK THEN A "SERVICE POWER STEERING" ICON FLASHED ON THE DASHBOARD. MY ENGINE LIGHT READ A P305F CODE WHICH ONLY TOLD ME IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE DUAL BATTERY CONTROL MODULE (DBCM) I THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THERE DIAGNOSTICS JUST SAID TO REPLACE THE MAIN BATTERY. HOWEVER I REPLACED BOTH BATTERIES AND CAR STILL HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I DID MY PERSONAL RESEARCH AND I ENDED UP REPLACING THE BATTERY MODULE YET CAR STILL HAD SAME ISSUE. I'VE ALREADY BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE AND CAN'T AFFORD TO KEEP SPENDING MONEY ON DIAGNOSTIC TEST. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON ISSUE FOR THIS VEHICLE AND THAT MULTIPLE PEOPLE HAD FILED COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS TO ME AT RANDOM TIMES WHILE DRIVING OR WHILE PULLING OUT OF PARKING LOT AND IS A MAJOR HAZARD IF DRIVING ON BUSY STREET OR HIGHWAY. WHEN IT DOES THE AUTO STOP AT A RED LIGHT THE CAR JERKS AND SOMETIMES GEARS WILL LOCK UP AND TRANSMISSION WILL EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS AS WELL. OTHER TIMES THE CAR JUST JERKS AND A SERVICE POWER STEERING ICON WILL DISPLAY ON THE DASHBOARD

NHTSA ODI 11408334

I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO 2 DIFFERENT MECHANIC SHOPS TO TRY AND FIND THE ISSUE THAT I AM HAVING WITH ACCELERATION. THE CAR IS NOT ACCELERATING AND NO ONE KNOWS WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. IT IS CURRENTLY WITH BECK CHEVY AND I AM NOW AT THE $700 MARK AND MY CAR HAS YET TO BE FIXED. WHEN DRIVING THE CAR WILL JUST STOP ACCELERATING AND I HAVE BEEN STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY HIGHWAY TWICE.

NHTSA ODI 11365910

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING OUT OF THE PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKING TO MALCOLM CUNNINGHAM CHEVROLET LOCATED AT 2031 GORDON HWY, AUGUSTA, GA 30909, WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPAIRED, NOT REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE SAME DEALER AGAIN REPAIRED THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT BACK TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 86,000.

NHTSA ODI 11341820

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE VEHICLE STARTED TO DRIVE TO THE RIGHT AND THE WHEELS BEGAN TO LOSE TRACTION BEFORE THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE THEN SPUN OUT AND CRASHED INTO A DITCH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED EXCEPT FOR THE DRIVER'S FRONTAL AIR BAG. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED LOWER BACK AND LEFT SHOULDER INJURIES HOWEVER HAD NOT SOUGHT MEDICAL ATTENTION DUE TO COVID-19. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A POLICE OFFICER WAS DRIVING BEHIND HER AND STOPPED TO ASSIST. POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. ALSO, THE VEHICLE HAD PREVIOUSLY EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WHICH CAUSED THE DOORS, LOCKING THE DRIVER INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED AT THE TIME OF THE ELECTRICAL FAILURE THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE VENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LYNCH CHEVROLET OF MUKWONAGO (280 EAST WOLF RUN MUKWONAGO, WI 53149) WHO REPLACED AN ELECTRICAL HARNESS AND MODULE. NO FURTHER INFO WAS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE HAD EXPERIENCED A SHIFT TO PARK FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER AND THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CONTROL ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE WOULD STILL OCCUR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. *DT*JB

NHTSA ODI 11325954

ON JANUARY 15TH. AT 08:26AM WHILE DRIVING TO WORK MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. ON JANUARY 19TH. THE CAR WAS DROPPED FOR SERVICE AT WESTGATE CHEVROLET IN EDMONTON, AB. AFTER TWO WEEKS OF TESTING AND MULTIPLE PART CHANGES THE DEALER ESTABLISHED THAT MY CAR HAS A FAULTY "INTAKE OIL CONTROL VALVE". THIS IS A WELL KNOWN FAILURE OF THE GM ECOTEC 2.5 LKW ENGINE. GM HAS BEEN TRYING TO REDESIGN THE PART SINCE SEPTEMBER OF 2019. AS OF TODAY MAY 20TH, 2020 THE REPLACEMENT PART HAS STILL NOT BEEN MADE AVAILABLE AND MY CAR HAS BEEN SITTING AT THE DEALER FOR 4 MONTHS NOW. MULTIPLE OWNERS OF 2014 AND 15 MALIBU'S AND IMPALA'S ARE SUFFERING THE SAME FAITH. LATELY GM CORPORATE HAS NOT EVEN RETURNED E-MAILS FROM MY DEALER AS TO WHEN THE NEW PART WILL ME MADE AVAILABLE. THIS IS AN ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR ON PART OF GM. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11325347

IN AUGUST 2019, MY 2015 CHEVY MALIBU STARTED HAVING WITH THE VARIABLE VALVE TIMING (VVT) SOLENOID -PART # 12633613 (ABT. 80K MILES). WHEN ACCELERATING INTO PASSING GEAR, THE ENGINE WOULD STEP OUT OF GEAR AND THE RPM'S WOULD REV VERY HIGH WHILE THE CAR SLOWED. I WOULD HAVE TO LET OFF PEDAL UNTIL RPM'S LOWERED, THEN ACCELERATE SLOWLY. MY LOCAL GARAGE DIAGNOSED THE BAD PART AND BEGAN SEARCHING FOR A REPLACEMENT. THEY DISCOVERED THAT (1)-GM IS THE ONLY COMPANY THAT MAKES THE PART, (2)-THAT GM DOESN'T HAVE ANY MORE REPLACEMENT PARTS AND (3)-GM IS NOT GOING TO MAKE ANY MORE. THEY DISCOVERED THAT MANY GM DEALERSHIPS HAVE HUNDREDS ON BACK ORDER ALSO. IN DECEMBER I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH CHEVY CUSTOMER SERVICE; CASE # 9-5698216592 AND CONVERSED WITH VAHMARTA PH.#(866)-790-5600 AND FIELD REP; LOGAN EXT:5916533. THEIR FINAL ANSWER: (1) GM IS THE ONLY COMPANY THAT MAKES THE PART, (2) GM DOESN'T HAVE ANY MORE PARTS AND (3) GM ISN'T GOING TO MAKE ANY MORE PARTS. THEIR FINAL SOLUTIN: THEY OFFERED ME A $2,500 VOUCHER TOWARDS A NEW VEHICLE. GM IS QUITE AWARE THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM BUT IS NOT OFFERING A PART TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT MY SAFETY AND THOSE AROUND ME ON THE ROAD. THE CAR DOESN'T ACCELERATE OR DECELERATE PROPERLY. WHAT IS A PROPER SOLUTION? THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP.

NHTSA ODI 11320935

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. I AM IN CONTACT WITH THE DEALER ON A WEEKLY BASIS AND THERE IS NO ETA ON OBTAINING THE PART. I FILED A CASE WITH CHEVROLET ALSO AND THEY ALSO HAVE NO ETA. EVERY TWO DAYS A CHEVY REP CALLS ME TO TELL ME THERE IS NO UPDATED INFORMATION. THIS PART AFFECTS MALIBU'S & IMPALA'S AND IF YOU LOOK ONLINE THERE ARE HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS, OF PEOPLE THAT NEED THE SAME PART. THERE ARE EVEN ONLINE FORUMS DEDICATED TO THIS PARTICULAR PART PROBLEM. OBVIOUSLY THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE DESIGN OF THE PART FOR THIS MANY PEOPLE LOOKING FOR REPLACEMENTS. THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART AND CHEVROLET APPARENTLY IS NOT DOING ANYTHING TO FIX IT.

NHTSA ODI 11309203

IN SEPT OF 2019, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON FOR MY 2015 CHEVY MALIBU. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND IT RAN THE CODE P2646, AND THE THEY TOLD ME THAT I NEEDED THE GM PART 12633613. THEY ATTEMPTED TO ORDER IT, BUT SAID IT WAS ON BACKORDER AND HAD BEEN FOR A WHILE AND THEY WOULD LOOK INTO IT FOR ME. HERE IT IS, FEB OF 2020 AND STILL NO PART. GM THAT THE PART HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED AND THERE IS NO ETA FOR A NEW PART. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS OKAY TO DRIVE, BUT IT HAS A ROUGH IDLE, POWER SURGES, IT CAN BARELY ACCELERATE AND IT HAS STALLED ON ME SEVERAL TIMES. THEY KEEP TELLING ME OH IT'S A "PART DELAY". NO, IT'S NOT ! YOU DON'T MAKE THE PART ANYMORE. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE 2014-2015 MALIBU'S & IMPALA'S WITH THE SAME ISSUE. THEY NEED TO ISSUE A RECALL AND FIX THESE CARS. MY CAR IS LESS THAN 5 YEARS OLD & THERE IS NO REASON THAT THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE A VERY SIMPLE, $60 PART FOR IT.

NHTSA ODI 11306732

MY 2015 CHEVY MALIBU LTZ ECO, JUST SUDDENLY LOSS POWER WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT. THE AUTO STOP HAD ENGAGED ONCE I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. UPON GIVING THE CAR GAS TO TAKE OFF, THE AUTO STOP HAD BEEN DISENGAGE. FOOT ON THE GAS TO GO AND THE VEHICLE JUST SAT THERE FOR A FEW SECONDS THEN IT JUST CAME ALIVE AND TOOK OFF. AT FIRST I WAS THINKING IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION ACTING UP. THEN THE COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER HAPPENED.

NHTSA ODI 11232604

TAKATA RECALL THE TRANSMISSION IN THE 2015 CHEVY MALIBU JERKS AT LOW SPEEDS AND AT HIGH SPEEDS IT HOLDS THE GEAR WHEN SLOWING DOWN

NHTSA ODI 11223127

TAKATA RECALL- WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED THE CAR I NOTIED THE VEHICLE WAS HAVING ALOT OF TROUBLE GETTING SPEED, AND IT WAS TAKE A LOT OF TIME TO SHIFT. I IMMEDIETLY RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE INFORMATION, THE DEALERSHIP CHECK THE PROBLEMS AND SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WILL THROUGH THE YEARS I HAVE GONE BACK TO THEM MILLIONS OF TIMES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND NOT ONCE HAS IT BEEN PROPERLY ADDRESSED, THE PREVIOUS SERVICE ADVISOR I WENT TO FOR THE DEALERSHIP STATED I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSON/ENGINE BECAUSE THE ONE THE CAR HAS NOW WAS NOT GOOD. THE DEALERSHIP CONTINUTED TO HOLD OFF ON PUTTING A NEW ONE IN UNTIL MY WARRANTY WENT OUT BUT THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. THE CAR CURRENTLY GOES UP TO 7-8 RMP AND STAYS THERE FOR A GOOD 3 MINS BEFORE SHIFTING AND AT TIMES DOES NOT WHAT TO ACCELERATE WHICH HAS PUT ME IN SOME DANGEROUS SITUATIONS.

NHTSA ODI 11122885

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU. AFTER ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. HOWEVER, THE ENGINE REMAINED ON AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS AND CRASHED INTO A UTILITY POLE. DURING THE INCIDENT, THE CONTACT WAS DRAGGED BY THE VEHICLE AND SUSTAINED FACIAL INJURIES ALONG WITH ABRASIONS TO THE LEFT ARM. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE LATER EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY ACCELERATING AND WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (BILL ESTES CHEVROLET, 4105 W. 96TH ST., INDIANAPOLIS, IN) AND REPAIRED, BUT THE DIAGNOSIS WAS UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.

NHTSA ODI 11115386