Home · 2015 Chevrolet Malibu Hev · Complaints

What 267 owners told NHTSA about the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu Hev

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (267)Crash / fire / injury (27)Engine (69)Electrical system (66)Airbags (48)Transmission & drivetrain (31)Speed control (28)Fuel system (18)Electronic Stability Control (esc) (16)Brakes (15)Visibility & wipers (14)Body & structure (13)

Newest first · 267 complaints · page 9 of 11

May 26, 2018Steering

THE KEY IS STUCK IN THE IGNITION.

NHTSA ODI 11098100

May 17, 2018Transmission & drivetrain

STARTED CAR AND REDUCED POWER ENGINE WARNING CAME ON FOR THE SECOND TIME. I HAD IT FIXED ONCE ALREADY AND IT JUST CAME ON. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH CHEVY. I WAS DRIVING IT THE FIRST TIME MY LIGHT CAME ON. THE SECOND TIME I JUST STARTED MY CAR. I WAS ON A CITY STREET FIRST TIME AND CITY STREET SECOND TIME. BOTH TIMES MY CAR WOULDN'T ACCELERATE PASSED 12 MILES PER HOUR SO I WAS A ROLL HAZARD.

NHTSA ODI 11096492

May 17, 2018AirbagsCrash2 injuries

ON SEPTEMBER 21, 2015 I WAS DRIVING WAS DRIVING NORTH (23 MPH) AND WAS T-BONED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE WHO TOOK A 2 WAY STOP SIGN. I DID NOT HAVE A STOP SIGN. I WAS PUSHED ACROSS TWO LANES AND INTO A GRASSY FIELD. I WAS SLAMMED INTO IN BETWEEN THE PASSENGER DRIVERS SEAT AND THE BACK PASSENGER SEAT. I WAS WEARING MY SEAT BELT AS WAS MY DAUGHTER WHOM WAS SITTING MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CAR THAT THAT HIT ME ALL THEIR AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I WAS THE DRIVER AND MY DAUGHTER WAS A PASSENGER IN THE BACK . I BROKE MY NECK AND HAD DISPLACED FLUID IN MY KNEE. SHE HAD MINOR BRUISING IN HER CAR SEAT. I TRIED FILING AGAINST GM AND NOTHING WAS DONE. THEY CAME BACK CLAIMING THAT THE SYSTEM HAD NOT FAILED. I HAD NO FURTHER WAY OF PROVING OTHER WISE. I FEEL THAT MY CAR FALLS INTO A RECALL BUT THAT IT HAS NOT YET BEEN DISCOVERED OR ESTABLISHED. HOW IS IT POSSIBLE THAT NOT ONE AIRBAG DEPLOYED? NOT THE FRONT DRIVERS OR THE CURTAINS?

NHTSA ODI 11096504

May 12, 2018

FIRST COMPLAINT WOULD BE THE BUTTON ON THE FACE OF THE RADIO SCREEN IS MELTING AND WHEN TRYING TO OPEN THE BLACK COLOR COMES OF INTO YOUR HAND. SECOND COMPLAINT IS THE SIDE OF THE DRIVERS SIDE WHOLE SEAT SWITCH COMPARTMENT CAME OFF OF THE SEAT HINGES.

NHTSA ODI 11093497

May 11, 2018Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE BRAKES MADE A RUBBING NOISE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REFERRED THE CONTACT TO SHOTTENKIRK CHEVROLET (5031 AVENUE O, FORT MADISON, IA 52627, 319-248-8866). THE DEALER DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED THE VEHICLE BY REPLACING ALL THE BRAKE CALIPERS, PADS, AND ROTORS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000.

NHTSA ODI 11093343

May 11, 2018Electronic Stability Control (esc)Brakes

SENSOR FOR ANTI STABILITY AND ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM FAILING MULTIPLE TIMES , THIS HAS BEEN RECALLED ON THE 2014 BUT NOT 2015. HAD PART REPLACED WHICH WAS REPLACED WITH SAME ISSUE. WHEN THIS HAPPENS ABS DISENGAGES AND THE ANTI STABILITY ALSO DISENGAGES.

NHTSA ODI 11093377

May 10, 2018Airbags

I BOUGHT MY CAR USED, IT HASN'T EVEN BEEN A YEAR YET THAT I HAVE HAD IT. MY AIR BAG SENSOR WENT OFF SO I HAD IT CHECKED. THEY THEN GAVE ME A QUOTE OF HOW MUCH IT IS TO FIX THEY INFORMED ME THAT IT IS THE MAIN BRAIN OF THE AIRBAGS AND TECHNICALLY IT CONTROLS BOTH DRIVERS & PASSENGER AIRBAGS. SO RIGHT NOW BECAUSE THE BRAIN FAILED I DO NOT HAVE AIR BAGS AT ALL. IF I WERE TO GET IN AN ACCIDENT I WOULD NOT BE PROTECTED. I HAVE TALKED TO A FRIEND AT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE AND THEY THINK THAT THE AIR BAG MIGHT HAVE BEEN DEFECTED AND TO CHECK INTO IT. I HAVE A CHEVEROLET CASE NUMBER AND HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS NOW. PLEASE CHECK INTO THIS FURTHER ON THIS END. THANK YOU

NHTSA ODI 11092838

May 8, 2018Airbags

TAKATA AIR BAGS STOPPED WORKING, BOTH DRIVERS AND PASSENGER AIRBAGS. THE CAR DEALER SAID THE MAIN BRAIN FAILED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI 11092485

Apr 20, 2018Speed controlCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE UNINTENDEDLY ACCELERATED SEVERAL TIMES WITHOUT WARNING. EACH TIME, THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, PLACE THE VEHICLE IN PARK, AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. WHILE APPROACHING A LIGHT TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE SURGED FROM A LOW TO A HIGH RATE OF SPEED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE DEALER (MALOUF CHEVROLET, 1975 US-1, NORTH BRUNSWICK TOWNSHIP, NJ 08902, (732) 821-1100) AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11089041

Apr 6, 2018AirbagsCrash1 injury

2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG. DURING AN AUTO ACCIDENT THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *LD *TR THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THE AIRBAGS OPERATED AS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT SHARE THE AIRBAGS REPORT WITH THE CONSUMER. *JS

NHTSA ODI 11078168

Mar 17, 2018Electrical systemEngine

THIS WAS 3RD TIME I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT APPEARS RANDOMLY AND THE IGNITION FAILS TO TURN ON. I HAVE TO TURN THE KEY A FEW TIMES TO GET IT STARTED. MY CAR WAS SEEN THURS, WAS TOLD NO ISSUE WAS FOUND AND MANAGER WOULD DRIVE CAR HOME IN EVENING TO TEST. CALLED TODAY, FRIDAY IN AFTERNOON SINCE I DIDNT GET A CALL, WAS TOLD IT WAS THE BATTERY. HAD TO PAY $260 FOR BATTERY. THE PAST TWO OTHER VISITS, I WAS TOLD BATTERY WAS GOOD AND NOW ITS BAD...WAS JUST LEAVING THE DEALER, I STOPPED AT FIRST LIGHT AND NOTICE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON! RETURNED BACK TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS SOMETHING ELSE. NOTHING TO DO WITH BATTERY YET ACCORDING TO THEM, THEY SAID IT WAS BECAUSE OF THE BATTERY. MY CAR WAS LEFT FOR THE 4TH TIME IN DEALERSHIP SO THEY CAN LOOK AT IT. A CODE APPEARED AND TECH TOLD ME IT HAD TO DO WITH THE AUTO STOP! THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE END OF JAN!! PLEASE INVESTIGATE. I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE.. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. I BOUGHT CAR OCT 2015. I DONT UNDERSTAND HOW THE BATTERY HAD BAD CELLS ALL OF A SUDDEN.

NHTSA ODI 11079889

Mar 13, 2018

WHILE DRIVING, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON RANDOMLY. WHEN STOPPING, THE CAR TURNS OFF. I TRY TO RESTART IT AND THE IGNITION FAILS. I NEED TURN THE KEY A FEW TIMES UNTIL THE CAR CAN FINALLY START. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 11078827

Mar 8, 2018Speed controlCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A HANDICAP SIGN AND ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED, BUT WAS NOT TOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RICHARDSON CHEVROLET BUICK (PO BOX 190, 501 N MAIN ST, STANDISH, MI 48658) WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH A CASE NUMBER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 44,000. *TT

NHTSA ODI 11076854

Mar 8, 2018Speed control

PURCHASED USED IN 2016- CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT ENGAGE.

NHTSA ODI 11076871

Feb 23, 2018Electrical systemFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OUTSIDE, THE CONTACT OPENED THE DOOR AND SMOKE BILLOWED OUT. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS PARTIALLY MELTED AND THE CARPET WAS BURNT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS WERE NOT PRESENT AND NO REPORTS WERE FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO STEVE RAYMAN CHEVROLET IN MARIETTA, GEORGIA WHERE THE HEAD MECHANIC FROM HEADQUARTERS DETERMINED THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS NEVER PROVIDED WITH THE DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER OFFERED TO PURCHASE THE VEHICLE BACK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.

NHTSA ODI 11074446

Feb 23, 2018Electrical systemFire

ON DECEMBER 10, 2017 AROUND 11AM I CAME OUT OF CHURCH, I OPENED MY CAR DOOR AND SMOKE CAME FLOWING OUT. THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT AND FLOOR MATS WERE COVERED IN BLACK ASH AND MELTED AS WELL AS THE CONSOLE. THE INTERIOR WAS COVERED IN BLACK SOOT. I HAD TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME, THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS FUNCTIONED PROPERLY AND THE CAR CRANKED FINE. I CALLED GM, THEY ARE CLOSED ON SUNDAY, SO I FILED A REPORT WITH THE GM REPRESENTATIVE ON MONDAY, SHE WAS TOTALLY COMBATIVE. I HEARD NOTHING FOR 4 TO 5 WEEKS SO I CALLED THE ASME NUMBER AND COMPLAINED VEHEMENTLY. FINALLY I RECEIVED AN EMAIL TO CONTACT THE DEALRSHIP AND TAKE THE CAR THERE. THE DEALER, STEVE RAYMAN, WAS EXTREMELY HELPFUL, THEY ADVISED ME HOW TO PROCEED AND IN 2 DAYS I WAS ABLE TO RECEIVE A RENTAL FROM ENTERPRISE CAR RENTAL. FOUR WEEKS LATER I RECEIVED AN OFFER OF $13,000.00 AND A STATE THAT WOULD ABSOLVE GM OF ANY LIABILITY. ICALLED TO SEE IF I COULD SIMPLY SUBSITUTE A CAR I FOUND FOR $11,000. 00 , SAME MAKE MODEL AND YEAR, THIS WOULD HAVE REDUCED GM'S LOSS; I WAS TOLD "NO WAY." I ASKED WHY?, THEY RESPONDED "I DON'T KNOW." THE VECHILE WAS PARKED IN THE CHURCH PARKING LOT, IT WAS SNOWING, AROUND 32 DEGREES. *JS

NHTSA ODI 11074449

Feb 22, 2018Body & structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE DOOR JAM WAS STICKING AS WELL AS THE DOORS FAILED TO OPEN WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (BOBBY LAYMAN CHEVROLET, 3900 W BROAD ST, COLUMBUS, OH 43228) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STRIPS IN THE DOORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: SR8-3884990056. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 53,000.

NHTSA ODI 11074265

Feb 2, 2018Electrical system

MY VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. I WENT TO DEFROST MY WINDSHIELD AND THE ELECTRICAL SWITCH TO TURN ON THE HEAT WOULD NOT TURN ON. THIS HAS ALSO OCCURRED WHEN IT IS REALLY HOT OUTSIDE AND THE A/C WILL NOT TURN ON. I HAVE HAD THESE ISSUES OCCUR MULTIPLE OF TIMES IN HOT AND NOW COLD WEATHER.

NHTSA ODI 11066616

Jan 6, 2018Airbags

WHILE DRIVING MY CAR ON CITY STREET MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND A TOOL PART WAS ON DISPLAY

NHTSA ODI 11060862

Dec 27, 2017

I WAS DRIVING ON MY WAS TO SAN JOSE ON ISABEL AVE ON HIGHWAY 84 AND MY CAR JUST SHOUT DOWN WIITHOUT ANY WARNING SIGN IT WAS THE SCARIEST TIME GOOD THING I DIDNT HAVE MY KIDS WITH ME. I WAS NOT ABLE TO TURN ON MY CAR AGAIN AND THE OFFICER HAD TO PUSH ME TO A CLOSE BY SHOULDER BECUASE WHERE THE CAR STOP THERE WAS NO SHOULDER AND IT WAS A ONE WAY TRAFFIC SO I WAS BLOCKING TRAFFIC AND IT WAS IN A CURVE SO I COULD OF GET HIT ON THE BACK I HAD TO CALL AAA TO HELP ME TOW MY CAR NOW I CANT EVEN TURN IT ON

NHTSA ODI 11056783

Nov 3, 2017Electrical systemFire

VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH ON A CITY STREET WHEN SMOKE STARTED AND FIRE BROKE OUT BURNING VEHICLE TO GROUND.

NHTSA ODI 11042956

Oct 24, 2017Seats

TAKATA RECALL PASSENGER SEAT WILL NOT GO FORWARD OR BACKWARD AND WHEN I GOT THE CAR I WAS SMELLING CO2 CARBON DIOXIDE WITH THE CAR MOVING.

NHTSA ODI 11036076

Oct 13, 2017Airbags

SERVICE AIR BAG AND LIGHT CAME ON TOOK IT TO A GM DEALER THEY TOLD ME THAT WITH THE MILES IT HAD 44,000 IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARANITY AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE IT CHECKED AND REPAIRED AND I TOLD THEM THIS IS NOT RITE AND I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS I DID FIND OUT THAT THEY HAVE BEEN A LOT OF THE SENSORS UNDER THE HOOD BEING REPLACED BECAUSE WATER WAS GETTING IN THEM IF SO I BELIVE THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL FROM GM AND IT SHOULD BE TAKEING CARE OF THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO THEY WANT TO CHARGE FOR SOMETHING THEY KNOW THAT IS DEFECTIVE IS SO WRONG

NHTSA ODI 11033182

Oct 9, 2017Brakes

STABILIZER TRACKING AND ABS LIGHT JUST CAME ON MY CAR YESTERDAY FOR NO REASON, I DON'T SENT ANY DIFFERENT IN HOW ITS BREAKING. I HAVE ABOUT 58000 MILES ON IT, THIS ALL SHOW UP COMING HOME AFTER DRIVING 20 MILES.

NHTSA ODI 11032339

Oct 5, 2017Airbags

EVERY TIME I TURN ON MY CAR, IT STATES SERVICE AIRBAG WITH AN EXCLAMATION POINT, CODES C0196, C0186, C0287, B101D, B0081

NHTSA ODI 11031889

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Working with the data? Download all 267 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 22, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2015 Chevrolet Malibu Hev verdict →