The Chevrolet Malibu isn’t the first car that pops up on someone’s buying list when they think of an affordable midsize sedan. The Malibu gets all the boxes checked and also costs just $23,000 for its Base trim, for which the rivalry goes against the Ford Fusion, the Hyundai Sonata, the Kia Optima, and the Nissan Altima. The sedan boasts of a huge executive-sized cabin that accommodates huge leg space and a comfortable interior. The sales have been super successful as well with over 200,000 units sold in the previous year. The sales do not, necessarily, dictate a happy story since there are nearly 206 complaints registered on the NHTSA’s website along with three recalls. A small read of these complaints brings out a fair idea of what issues the owners have to go through, especially with the troublesome electricals. Adding to the woes are mechanical issues with the engine and powertrain that have been an expensive repair as well. We aren’t saying the rivalry is any short of complaints but will the Malibu be a more reliable offering than the others? Let’s find out.
2015 Chevrolet Malibu Problems
Electrical issues:
- Radio issues: The most recurring issue is the Malibu radio malfunctioning and shorting out. The radio stops working while driving and causes a lot of distraction. The speakers also gove a lot of issues and, sometimes return static noise even if the radio unit is working properly. The issue has been reported to the manufacturer and is one of the most common issues on the NHTSA’s website as well. People also say that the connecting ports stop working and are super problematic on normal days as well.
- AC issues: The Malibu AC issues are pretty rampant as well and cause a lot of problems during extreme weather. The AC stops blowing cold air and leads to a suffocating feeling, especially with the tight insulation of the Malibu’s cabin. Some people report that their AC systems filled the cabin with smoke and soot in colder temperatures, with the dashboard partially burnt. The dealerships reckon the issue is with the AC wiring that melted behind the dashboard and caused a short circuit.
- Headlight issues: The headlights in the Chevy Malibu are known to blow a fuse when used for an extended duration. The fuses blow and cause the lights to flicker and shut down. This also reduces the visibility and makes it dangerous for driving in low-lit scenarios. Some people report the headlight flickering to cause issues with the interior dashboard lights as well.
- ABS sensor malfunction: The Malibu ABS sensor malfunctions and causes the instrument cluster to light up, the sensor is also responsible for the efficient braking performance of the car, which malfunctions and locks up the wheels under hard braking.
Mechanical issues:
- Engine knocking issues: The 2015 Malibu’s mechanical issues mostly consist of its balancer shaft assembly malfunctioning. This issue causes a lot of knocking sounds while driving and is known to throw error codes. The car enters limp mode and limits the speed, making it dangerous to drive on the highway. In a handful of cases, the Malibu shut down instead of entering limp mode and had to be towed to the nearest dealership for repairs.
- Fuel pump issues: The 2015 Malibu fuel pump throws an error code P2635 and cuts off the fuel supply to the engine. This disrupted fuel supply shudders the engine and stalls it. Some people report their cars failed to start after this and had to be towed to the dealership to get the issue resolved. The others say that the car started back up fine but had to be driven in Limp Mode to avoid any issues.
2015 Chevrolet Malibu Recalls
|
S. No |
Date |
NHTSA ID |
Issues Noticed |
Additional Remarks |
Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. |
March 23, 2015 |
15V164000 |
Visibility |
An inadvertently pressed Slide or Tilt switch for the roof panel may close unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a pinch injury. The affected vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of FMVSS Number 118, "Power-Operated Window, Partition, and Roof Panel Systems”. |
General Motors LLC (GM) will notify the owners and initiate a recall on April 21, 2015. The dealerships will update the Body Control Module (BCM) software without any charge. GM’s internal number to refer this recall is 15176. |
|
2. |
October 16, 2015 |
15V666000 |
Airbags |
Rupture of seat-mounted side-impact airbags inflators may hinder proper deployment of the airbag and cause metal fragments to enter the cabin. This increases the risk of an injury in a crash. |
General Motors LLC (GM) will notify the owners and initiate a recall on October 19, 2015. The dealerships will replace the side impact airbag modules without any charge. GM’s internal number to refer this recall is 01320. |
|
3. |
July 5, 2016 |
16V502000 |
Electrical System, Powertrain |
The replacement electronic park lock levers may malfunction, causing unintended movement of the vehicle. This can injure any exiting occupant and increase the risk of a crash. The affected vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of FMVSS Number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention”. |
General Motors LLC (GM) will notify the owners and initiate a recall on October 14, 2016. The dealerships will replace the key cylinder lock housing without any charge. GM’s internal numbers to refer this recall are 50490 and 50491. |
Should you buy the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu?
The 2015 Chevrolet Malibu is a good executive midsize sedan that tocks all the right boxes for its target segment. It has seen its share of complaints over the years but the American manufacturer has taken notes and improved its offerings. The AC issues are a mess and might turn ugly but keeping a check is always a plus point. Apart from this, some mechanical issues need some TLC and can be easily avoided. The Chevrolet Malibu makes a compelling case for a new midsize sedan as well as for the people looking for pre-owned bets. Just make sure the maintenance is done timely and you’re good to go.
