2015 Chevrolet Malibu

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2015 models.

Chevrolet Malibu
Pictured: Chevrolet Malibu LT (IX, Facelift) – f 02112024. Photo: © M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Midsize Cars
Body styles
4dr Sedan Ls/Lt/Ltz, 4dr Sedan Turbo Lt/Ltz
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
29 combined · 25 city / 36 hwy
Length
191.7 in
Curb weight
3,583–3,653 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
3 campaigns

Overview

The 2015 Chevrolet Malibu is a midsize car offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl and 2.0L 4-cyl turbo) and front-wheel drive.

It measures about 192 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 108-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,583 lb (4dr Sedan Ls/Lt/Ltz).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 29 MPG combined (25 city / 36 highway), 13% better than the 2015 midsize car average of 25.7 MPG, for an estimated $2,300 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 267 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.

What changed for 2015

  • No hybrid version any more
  • Engine dropped: 2.4L 4-cyl

Compared with 2014; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2014 Malibu →

Trims, performance & features

Engine–2.5L 4-cyl

Trims

LT (1LT)LS (1LS)LT (2LT)LTZ (1LZ)LS (1FL)

Built in: Kansas City, Kansas

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2015 Malibu configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr Sedan Ls/Lt/Ltz191.7 in72.8 in57.5 in107.9 in62.2 / 61.8 in3,583 lb60/40
4dr Sedan Turbo Lt/Ltz191.7 in72.8 in57.5 in107.9 in62.2 / 61.8 in3,653 lb60/40

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Malibu2.5L 4-cylAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive25 / 36 / 29+13%$2,300308
Malibu2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive21 / 29 / 24-7%$2,800373
7/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
7/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Save $500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
25.7 MPG2015 Midsize Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2015 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu.

Similar 2015 midsize cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2015 Chevrolet Malibu (this car)29 MPGNot rated3
2015 Toyota Corolla34 MPGNot rated1
2015 Honda Accord47 MPGNot rated6
2015 Chevrolet Impala25 MPGNot rated3
2015 Toyota Camry40 MPGNot rated1
2015 Nissan GT-R19 MPGNot rated1
2015 Volkswagen Passat34 MPGNot rated7

Recalls (3)

Electrical System › Ignition · Jul 5, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V502000 · 8,367 vehicles

Problem
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 have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Risk
If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
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 is 50490 and 50491.
Air Bags › Side/Window · Oct 16, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V666000 · 395 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
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. The rupture could cause metal fragments to strike the vehicle occupants, potentially resulting in serious injury or death. Additionally, if the air bag does not properly inflate, the driver or passenger is at an increased risk of injury.
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 customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 01320.
Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly · Mar 23, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V164000 · 87,063 vehicles

Problem
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-Operated Window, Partition, and Roof Panel Systems."
Risk
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.
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.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2015 Chevrolet Malibu is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

267Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
18Involved a crash
9Involved a fire
13Injuries reported
53,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Engine68
Electrical System66
Air Bags47
Unknown Or Other35
Power Train28
Vehicle Speed Control28
Fuel/Propulsion System19
Service Brakes16
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
23/10: 223/11: 124/01: 124/03: 224/04: 124/05: 224/07: 124/08: 125/01: 125/04: 125/05: 125/06: 225/07: 125/08: 225/09: 225/10: 225/11: 126/01: 126/03: 126/04: 126/05: 126/06: 126/07: 126/08: 223/1024/0324/0725/0425/0725/1026/0326/06max 2

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2015 Chevrolet Malibu buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Engine — 68 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  3. Electrical System — 66 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  4. Air Bags — 47 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 53,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Malibu years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2025 Malibu31193.7 in★★★★★112
2024 Malibu31193.7 in★★★★★244
2023 Malibu30193.7 in★★★★★272
2022 Malibu32193.7 in★★★★★199
2021 Malibu32193.7 in★★★★★290
2020 Malibu32193.7 in★★★★★1199
2019 Malibu46193.7 in★★★★★1195
2018 Malibu46193.7 in★★★★★6711
2017 Malibu46193.7 in★★★★★4726
2016 Malibu46193.7 inNot rated10865
2014 Malibu29191.7 inNot rated6330
2013 Malibu29191.7 inNot rated11811

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Chevrolet. How we calculate this →