This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced after severe internal engine damage.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2015 Chevrolet Malibu engine problems
severe Owners of the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu have filed 24 NHTSA complaints about the engine, typically surfacing around 55,000 miles at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
24
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2011 Malibu | 62 |
| 2012 Malibu | 30 |
| 2013 Malibu | 78 |
| 2014 Malibu | 66 |
| 2015 Malibu (this page) | 24 |
| 2016 Malibu | 94 |
| 2017 Malibu | 81 |
| 2018 Malibu | 92 |
| 2019 Malibu | 20 |
2fires
When does it fail?
Of the 24 engine complaints filed for the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal for the delay.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information to dealership personnel for new vehicles with less than 1,000 miles that may not pass California smog inspection or smog inspection in other states.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin advises the technician to flush the cooling system multiple times if oil has been found in the cooling system and replace the parts that may be contaminated due to oil in system.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin advises the technician to flush the cooling system multiple times if oil has been found in the cooling system and replace the parts that may be contaminated due to oil in system.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2015 Malibu engine issues cluster around a handful of recurring problems. Most prominent is the rocker arm oil flow control valve (part 12633613) that fails and triggers a check engine light. Owners report stalling, jerking during acceleration, and a "reduced engine power" warning that forces the vehicle to 20–25 mph or shuts it down entirely. The critical problem: GM stopped making this part, and it's been on back order since June 2019. Owners waited from December 2019 into May 2020 and beyond with no ETA, unable to get license plates because their cars won't pass emissions. GM escalated complaints but offered only $2,500 credit toward a new car, no recall.
A second pattern involves VVT (variable valve timing) and vent solenoids failing early, one owner's vent solenoid needing replacement at 33,000 and 45,000 miles. Other owners report stalling without cause, sensor failures (camshaft, crankshaft, accelerator pedal position) that recur after replacement, and strange electrical issues that stop when wires get jiggled. Two narratives mention engine fires in parked vehicles. A brand-new vehicle failed its first emissions test at 44 miles, and one owner dealt with persistent engine knocking from a timing chain issue the dealer wouldn't finish diagnosing.
Same Chevrolet Malibu engine reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Vent solenoid sticking
Gas cap warning indicator illuminates intermittently or continuously, often accompanied by check engine light. Vent solenoid gets stuck and requires replacement; same failure recurred multiple times on the same vehicle.
When: 3,000–45,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Tighten gas cap warning light comes on and off during operation; Check engine light illuminates; Gas cap warning persists
Codes mentioned: P0455
Repairs/costs cited: Vent solenoid replaced; same part failed again at 40,000 and 45,000 miles
Engine variable timing control valve failure
Variable timing control valve fails, causing warning lights and engine vibration. Part becomes unavailable from manufacturer and goes on back order; some owners offered $2,500 credit toward new vehicle purchase.
When: 50,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Multiple unknown warning lights illuminate; Engine vibrates abnormally; Oil leaks onto engine; Smoke from engine bay; Dashboard alert to decrease speed and add oil
Repairs/costs cited: Part ordered but remained on back order; vehicle not repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: $2,500 credit toward new vehicle offered by manufacturer
Rocker arm oil flow control valve failure
Intake rocker arm solenoid valve (oil) fails, causing engine stalling, jerking, and acceleration problems. Part number 12633613 becomes unavailable; GM stops production and part goes on indefinite back order since at least June 2019. Multiple owners wait months without repair; same issue recalled on 2014 models but not addressed for 2015.
When: Around 40,000–91,500 miles; diagnostics began December 2019–early 2020
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls without warning; Jerking sensation during acceleration; Vehicle fails to accelerate properly; Check engine light illuminates; Engine power reduced warning displayed
Repairs/costs cited: Part 12633613 ordered but unavailable; one owner waited from December 2019 to May 2020 with no ETA; aftermarket versions also pulled from market; repairs delayed indefinitely or incomplete
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM escalated cases with no resolution; offered $2,500 credit toward new vehicle; acknowledged lack of part availability but no recall issued
VVT solenoid malfunction with oil loss
Variable valve timing solenoid malfunctions and fails completely, causing all engine oil to drain from the vehicle and rendering it inoperable. Part number 12633613 unavailable; on back order since June 2019.
When: Timing not specified; back order began June 2019
Symptoms owners cite: VVT solenoid malfunctions; Complete oil loss from engine; Vehicle becomes non-operational
Repairs/costs cited: Part cannot be found anywhere; on indefinite back order
Engine stall—undiagnosed
Vehicle stalls without warning; jiggling wires temporarily restarts it. Mechanic replaced sensor, alternator, battery, and cables but failure recurred. Dealer not contacted; cause remains unknown.
When: 55,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stalls without warning at stop light; Responds temporarily to jiggling wires
Repairs/costs cited: Unknown sensor, alternator, battery, and battery cables replaced; failure recurred; vehicle not taken to dealer
Auto stop function failure in Eco mode with stall
When in Eco-Boost mode, the auto stop function fails and vehicle stalls. Check engine light illuminates. Dealer unable to identify root cause and could not repair.
When: 44,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Auto stop function fails in Eco-Boost mode; Vehicle stalls; Check engine light illuminates
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer could not repair due to unknown failure origin
Engine reduced power warning with speed loss and stall
Engine reduced power warning displays during highway driving; vehicle drops to 20–40 mph or shuts off completely. Multiple sensor failures indicated: camshaft sensor, crankshaft sensor, fuel pressure regulator. Repairs temporary; failures recur.
When: Highway speeds; mileage not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Engine reduced power warning display; Speed drops to 20–40 mph uncontrollably; Engine shuts off completely; Failure to restart
Codes mentioned: Camshaft sensor code, Crankshaft sensor code, Fuel pressure regulator code
Repairs/costs cited: Camshaft and crankshaft sensors replaced; temporary fix, failures resumed
Accelerator pedal position sensor failure
Engine reduced power warning displays during driving and forces vehicle to 20–25 mph. Accelerator pedal position sensor identified as cause; replaced but fails again within days. Same failure repeats on second replacement.
When: Timing not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Engine reduced power warning on dashboard; Speed forced down to 20–25 mph; Cannot reset without scan tool; Warning recurs shortly after sensor replacement
Codes mentioned: Accelerator pedal position sensor fault
Repairs/costs cited: Accelerator pedal position sensor replaced twice; failure recurred both times
Balancer shaft assembly noise with timing chain issue
Engine develops loud knocking noise after four months of ownership. Diagnosed as balancer shaft assembly with timing chain and sprocket issue. Noise persists after dealership claims work is complete; dealership refuses further diagnosis or repair, citing warranty concerns.
When: After four months of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Engine knocking noise; Noise extremely annoying; No effect on engine operation initially
Repairs/costs cited: Balancer shaft assembly and timing chain work performed but noise remains; dealership refuses to address further
Early emissions test failure
Brand new vehicle (8 miles) fails Massachusetts state emissions inspection test at 44 miles. Service department unable to identify cause; customer directed to drive 100 miles and retry. Vehicle passes on second test.
When: 44 miles on new vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: Emissions portion of state inspection test failed
Repairs/costs cited: No repair documented; vehicle passed after 100 miles of driving
Engine fire—parked
Engine caught fire while vehicle sat parked and unoccupied in driveway. Fire burned engine compartment and front left tire.
When: Timing not specified (2:30 AM, parked)
Symptoms owners cite: Engine fire in parked vehicle; Fire spread to front left tire
Repairs/costs cited: Not documented
Engine fire—parked unoccupied
Vehicle caught fire in engine compartment while parked and unoccupied.
When: Parked, unoccupied
Symptoms owners cite: Engine compartment fire
Repairs/costs cited: Not documented
Engine stall failure to start
Vehicle failed to start without warning. Dealer not contacted; no diagnosis or repair attempted.
When: 82,496 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle fails to start without warning
Repairs/costs cited: No diagnosis or repair attempted
Engine cutting out—lean air intake condition
Vehicle cuts out while driving. Dealership diagnostic indicates air intake system running too lean.
When: Timing not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Engine cutting out during driving
Codes mentioned: Air intake system running too lean
Repairs/costs cited: Diagnostic performed; repair status not documented
Synthesized from 24 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
While driving the vvt solenoid malfunctioned and all the oil spilled out of the car rendering the non operable. This part can not be found anywhere. I was told be the several dealships that this part has been so back order since june 2019 leaving me without a car and with a car note. Gm should offer a credit back to their customers!!
At 2:30AM car was sitting in driveway and the engine caught on fire burning the engine, front left tire etc.
Driving down I-65 south in nashville tn middle lane with no compromising road conditions of any kind, I got a warning about the stabilitrac system and then within 25-30 seconds the engine shut down completely. I was nearly rearended by numerous vehicles as this is a very busy interstate. I was finally able to restart the car -it would not go over 25 MPH and get to the shoulder. The check engine…
Had engine trouble with your 2015 Chevrolet Malibu?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2015 Chevrolet Malibu?
It's a meaningful issue. 24 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 13 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 47,000 and 91,500 miles, with the median around 55,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 47,000; a quarter make it past 91,500. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2015/Chevrolet/Malibu.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.