YearToAvoid

2015 Chevrolet Malibu Transmission & Powertrain Problems

NHTSA lists 31 transmission & powertrain complaints for the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu, 11% of its 270 total complaints, with a median failure mileage of 83,000. No related recall is listed for this component on this model year.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints
31
11% of 270
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
4
Median mileage
83,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical transmission symptoms owners report

  • Vehicles have rolled backward after being shifted into park or after the driver removed the key, in some cases while the engine stayed running, leading to crashes and injuries.
  • Some owners report the transmission briefly moved in reverse while the gear shifter was in drive.
  • Owners describe stop/start (auto stop) system engaging at a stop and then the vehicle failing to restart quickly, causing rollback or hesitation before takeoff.
  • Some report a reduced power or reduced engine power warning that limited acceleration to very low speeds.
  • A rocker arm control valve part tied to a check engine light and powertrain code was reported as on extended backorder, leaving the issue unresolved for months.
  • Owners describe the engine inadvertently starting on its own while parked and turned off, with warning lights and radio activating.

When 2015 Chevrolet Malibu transmission complaints were filed

First complaint Nov 18, 2014, latest Jun 15, 2026.

2015 Chevrolet Malibu transmission & powertrain complaints: complaints filed per month2Nov 2014May 2018Jul 2019Jul 2020Aug 2023May 2025Nov 2025
31 complaints filed with NHTSA from Nov 2014 to Jun 2026; peak Aug 2018 (2).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Malibu model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 2010132 (10%)
  2. 2011112 (11%)
  3. 201249 (5%)
  4. 201353 (6%)
  5. 201452 (15%)
  6. 201531 (11%)
  7. 2016166 (20%)
  8. 2017139 (20%)
  9. 2018170 (24%)
  10. 201966 (35%)
  11. 202058 (29%)
  12. 202128 (31%)
  13. 202223 (24%)
  14. 20238 (12%)
  15. 20245 (13%)
  16. 20251 (9%)

Frequently asked questions

How many transmission and powertrain complaints does the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu have?
NHTSA lists 31 transmission & powertrain complaints for the 2015 Malibu, which is 11% of the 270 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu transmission?
No related recall is listed in the data for the transmission & powertrain area on the 2015 Malibu.
At what mileage do transmission problems typically show up on the 2015 Malibu?
The median mileage at failure for transmission & powertrain complaints on the 2015 Malibu is 83,000 miles.
Are the transmission issues on the 2015 Malibu serious?
NHTSA data shows 3 crashes, 1 fire, and 4 injuries linked to transmission & powertrain complaints for the 2015 Malibu.
How does 2015 compare to other Malibu years for this problem?
The 2015 Malibu's transmission & powertrain complaints made up 11% of its total complaints, lower than the 20-35% share seen in 2016 through 2021 model years.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.