The Lemon Index2015 Chevrolet Malibu.
The 2015 Chevrolet Malibu is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 88 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 46, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about electrical, it has 3 recalls, and it gets 24 to 29 mpg combined. The best Chevrolet Malibu year is 2022.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 270 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Chevrolet Malibu year. 2015 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 23K to 86K miles on the car (160 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 38K–90K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 25K–83K miles
- airbags complaints mostly came at 26K–67K miles
Recalls 3
- electrical 2016
As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Sta.
- airbags 2015
The affected vehicles have front seat-mounted side impact air bags whose inflator may rupture upon its deployment.
- visibility 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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 1483 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- OnStar Module Battery Drain
- Buick/cadillac/ gmc/ chevrolet: see document search button for owner letter
- General motors 2014-2015 chevrolet malibu, 2015 chevrolet impala: intermittent service…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2200–2700 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
A/c control does not turn on. It happens randomly and has occurred multiple times. In the past I had two incidents where I was not able to defrost my windshield.
2015 Chevrolet Malibu owner · NHTSA complaint 11142482
More owner reports
Vehicle was in motion approximately 25 mph on a city street when smoke started and fire broke out burning vehicle to ground.
NHTSA complaint 11042956
Vehicle fire near the battery/box. No body damage, damage limited to the fusebox and harness near the battery. Wires and part of the battery/box burned.
NHTSA complaint 11141416
Quick answers
Is the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 2.2× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 46; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Chevrolet Malibu year by this measure is 2022.
What are the most common 2015 Chevrolet Malibu problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (27%), engine (15%) and airbags (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu have?
3 safety recalls (latest: electrical). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu get?
24 to 29 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2015 Chevrolet Malibu problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 23,200 and 86,000 miles. The middle report was at 50,000 miles, from 160 complaints.
Does the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 9% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu cost in fuel a year?
About $2200 to $2700 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl.
What Chevrolet Malibu year is better than the 2015?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2022, 2014 and 2015.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works