Model year guide

2015 Chevrolet Malibu

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2015 Chevrolet Malibu is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 204 on record.

2015 Chevrolet Malibu — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2015 Chevrolet Malibu at a glance

Safety recalls3
Owner complaints270
Overall safety5 / 5 ★
Combined27 mpg
Typical price$14,852

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2015 Chevrolet Malibu recalls 3

Electrical System:ignition NHTSA Campaign #16V502000 · 05/07/2016

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…

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall…

Air Bags:side/window NHTSA Campaign #15V666000 · 16/10/2015

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.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side impact air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began on October 19, 2015. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or GMC cust…

Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly NHTSA Campaign #15V164000 · 23/03/2015

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-Operat…

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the Body Control Module (BCM) software to remove auto-close feature for certain switch positions, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15176.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2015 Chevrolet Malibu common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 270 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Wheels
Inspect wheels for bends, cracks and curb rash, and feel for vibration at highway speed.

2015 Chevrolet Malibu safety ratings

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2015 Chevrolet Malibu MPG & running costs

Combined27 mpg
City23 mpg
Highway33 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,325

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2015 Chevrolet Malibu worth?

Low
$9,688
Typical price
$14,852
High
$18,800

From 194 comparable 2015 Chevrolet Malibu listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2015 Chevrolet Malibu costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$11,625
Depreciation (5 yrs)$7,750
Total$19,375
Per mile$0.26

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($14,852) with the same model 5 model-years older ($7,091), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2015 Chevrolet Malibu trims & engines on record

Trims
LT · LTZ · LT (1LT) · LS (1LS) · LT (2LT) · LS · LS (1FL) · LTZ (1LZ) · LTZ (2LZ)
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl · 2.0L 4-cyl

2015 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles on record

Other Chevrolet Malibu model years

2015 Chevrolet Malibu — frequently asked questions

Does the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu?

Based on 270 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are power train, electrical system, engine.

What is the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu an overall crash-test rating of 5 out of 5 stars (frontal 5★, side 5★, rollover 4★).

What gas mileage does the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu at about 27 mpg combined (23 city / 33 highway).

How much is a 2015 Chevrolet Malibu worth?

Comparable 2015 Chevrolet Malibu listings run roughly $9,688–$18,800, typically around $14,852 (from 194 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.