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2015 Chevrolet Malibu

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2015 Malibu.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2015 Chevrolet Malibu is a passenger car with a 5.0-quart engine oil capacity requiring 5W-30 viscosity, and it recorded 267 owner complaints—most frequently related to air bags—along with three recalls. Within the model's complaint history spanning 1997 to 2025, the 2015 model year falls far below the peak of 1,697 complaints seen in 2004, yet above the 7 complaints reported for 2025, placing it in a moderate reliability position that researchers should note when evaluating long-term trends.

Model year2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2015

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.0 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30OEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 47 · 525 CCA battery, OE oil filter 25206377. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 47 · 525 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP215/60R16OEM · verified

Wheel / rim7.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	25206377
Engine air filter	20972655 alt 20972654
Spark plug	12681659 alt 12680074
Battery	88866291 alt 88864539
Front wiper blades	84589113 alt 84589112
Serpentine belt	12627134
Thermostat	12630780 alt 25201447
Cabin air filter	13503675 alt 13356914

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	191.7 in
Overall width	72.8 in
Overall height	57.5 in
Wheelbase	107.9 in
Curb weight	3583 lb
Track (front / rear)	62.2 / 61.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	60/40

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Malibu of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.30 sec — 2015 2LTZ 2.0 Turbo

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2015	2LTZ 2.0 Turbo 2.0L Turbo I-4	6.30 sec	14.90 sec	259 hp	FWD
2014	2LTZ 2.0 Turbo 2.0L Turbo I-4	6.20 sec	14.80 sec	259 hp	FWD
2014	2LT 2.5L I-4	7.90 sec	16.20 sec	196 hp	FWD
2014	1LT 2.5L I-4	8.40 sec	16.40 sec	196 hp	FWD
2013	2LTZ 2.0 Turbo 2.0L Turbo I-4	6.30 sec	15.00 sec	259 hp	FWD
2013	2LTZ 2.0 Turbo 2.0L Turbo I-4	6.80 sec	15.40 sec	259 hp	FWD
2013	1LTZ 2.5L I-4	7.70 sec	16.10 sec	197 hp	FWD
2013	Hybrid Eco Premium 2.4L I-4 + Elec 15-kW	8.10 sec	16.30 sec	182 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.0 qt of 5W-30 engine oil, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	DEXRON(R)-VI Automatic Transmission Fluid
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	4.2-6.3
Brake Fluid	DOT 4
Engine Coolant	50
Engine Coolant Capacity	7.8
Engine Oil	SAE 5W · Synthetic
Engine Oil Capacity	5.0 qt
Engine Oil	SAE 5W

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs	89 inch lbs. ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs	89 inch lbs. ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	8.8 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	15 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts	7.4 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts

74.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Spark Plug Manufacturer	AC Delco
Spark Plug Gap	.037 - .043 in
Spark Plug Torque	15 ft-lbs
Spark Plug Manufacturer	AC Delco
Spark Plug Gap	.037 - .043 in
Spark Plug Torque	15 ft-lbs
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Ac Delco

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	24.0 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Capacity	5.1 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	47
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	525 cca
Standard BCI Group Number	47
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	525 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test	20 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	20 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	188-206 °F
Pressure Test	20 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	20 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	188-206 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	50-60
Residual Pressure	43-58 in idle psi

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque	Front: 20; Rear: 20 /
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque	Front: 111; Rear: 74 /; Front: 111 Tighten; Rear: 74 Tighten
ABS Sensor Torque	6.6 / NS
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.030; Rear: 0.030 specification
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for Replacement	Front: 1.070; Rear: J60: .395; J61: .827
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation	.0002
Maximum Rotor Runout	.002

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

18.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 110

18 ft. lbs

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

18.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 110

18 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts.

1	22.0 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
2	190 degrees	190 degrees

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts.

1	22.0 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
2	190 degrees	190 degrees
3	Front bolts 26.0 ft. lbs.	26 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi.

Every 7,500 mi	Accelerator Pedal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (inspect fluid level)
Every 22,500 mi	Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 45,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	Spark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Within the provided federal record, the 2015 model year stands out as a local minimum for reported issues, logging only 267 complaints and 3 recalls compared to 921 complaints and 11 recalls in 2013. This downward trend continues from 2014's 361 complaints before rising sharply again in 2016, which recorded 858 complaints and 10 recalls. Although Technical Service Bulletins remain high at 1481, the 2015 model avoids the investigation counts seen in 2013 and 2016, recording zero open investigations. Specific feedback highlights 38 Air Bag complaints and 23 Electrical System complaints, alongside 17 crash-related and 9 fire-related reports, though the data does not specify root causes. Given the significantly lower volume of federal complaints and recalls relative to the preceding and succeeding years, the data suggests this is a favorable model year to purchase.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

1481

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

267

Owner complaints

17 involved a crash · 9 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Overall★★★★★

Frontal★★★★★

Side★★★★★

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’03 ’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14’15’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 267 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags38

Electrical System23

Engine20

Unknown Or Other18

Power Train17

Vehicle Speed Control,Engine15

Structure8

Electrical System,Engine7

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

16V502000Electrical System:IgnitionReported 05/07/2016

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… Remedy: 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…

15V666000Air Bags:Side/WindowReported 16/10/2015

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… Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 1481 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
PIP6113	2026-05-18	Unknown Or Other	This document provides the technician with a diagnostic tip if the vehicle stalls and set…
PIT3271Q	2026-04-01	Unknown Or Other	This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel…
PIP6104	2026-03-09	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and…
PIP4902V	2026-03-09	Unknown Or Other	This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…
PIP4902U	2026-01-08	Unknown Or Other	This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Malibu. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 47 battery Vehicles taking 5.0 qt Engine oil filter 25206377 Engine air filter 20972655 Spark plug 12681659 Battery 88866291

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2015 Malibu take?

5.0 qt of SAE 5W-30 engine oil approved to the dexos specification. Synthetic Blend is recommended., per the factory manual.

Does the 2015 Malibu have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.