2019 Chevrolet Malibu problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 185 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu, most often about transmission & drivetrain. There is 1 recall for this model year.

Complaints
185
Recalls
1
Crashes
7
Fires
1
Injuries
6
Median mileage
46,100 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Transmission & Drivetrain is the most-reported problem area, named in 65 of 185 complaints (35%).
  • Engine (63) and electrical system (61) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 46,100 mi.
  • Owners reported 7 crashes, 1 fire and 6 injuries.
  • The 2019 Chevrolet Malibu has 1 recall on file.
  • It ranks 9th of 21 Chevrolet Malibu model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
  • That is 69% fewer complaints than the 2018 model year (602).

2019 Chevrolet Malibu problems by category

  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    65 complaints
  • Engine · 1 crash
    63 complaints
  • Electrical System · 3 crashes
    61 complaints
  • Other / Unknown
    36 complaints
  • Brakes · 3 crashes
    27 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    16 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control
    12 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech · 1 crash
    6 complaints
  • Airbags · 3 crashes
    6 complaints
  • Lighting · 2 crashes
    4 complaints
  • Body & Structure
    3 complaints
  • Steering
    2 complaints
  • Seats & Seat Belts · 1 crash
    1 complaints
  • Visibility & Wipers
    1 complaints
  • Wheels & Tires
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Engine62
Electrical system61
Power train61
Unknown or other36
Service brakes22
Fuel/propulsion system15
Vehicle speed control12
Air bags6

When problems happen (mileage)

2Under 10k1610k–30k1630k–60k1460k–100k4100k–150k1150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2019 Chevrolet Malibu complaints that list mileage.

2019 Chevrolet Malibu recalls (1)

  • Recall 21V649000Aug 20, 2021402 vehicles
    SEAT BELTS:CRITICAL FASTENERS · SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:RETRACTOR

    General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2021 Chevrolet Malibu and 2019-2021 Cadillac XT4 vehicles. The rear seat belt retractors may be improperly secured with loose or missing fasteners.

    Risk: An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten the rear seat belt retractors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 17, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212333380.

NHTSA 5-Star safety ratings

VersionOverallFrontalSideRollover
2019 Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★☆

Recent 2019 Chevrolet Malibu complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Oct 7, 202665,000 miMITransmission & Drivetrain
    The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that after parking and attempting to turn off the vehicle, the gear shifter was shifted to park(P) however, the vehicle failed to recognize that the vehicle was in park(P), and the vehicle failed to turn off. During the failure, the message "Shift to Park" was displayed and the vehicle idled for approximately 15 minutes before independently turning off. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The…
    NHTSA complaint #11769573 · source
  2. Filed Sep 24, 2026105,100 miTXTowedBrakesElectrical SystemEngine
    The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that after purchasing the vehicle, the following morning while waiting at the school drop-off line with her foot on the brake pedal, there was an abnormal boom, and several warning lights illuminated and flashed on the instrument panel. The occupants inside the vehicle assumed that the vehicle was struck from behind. The vehicle attempted to surge and revved and started to choke and shut off. The vehicle was…
    NHTSA complaint #11766611 · source
  3. Filed Sep 16, 2026MIBrakesEngine
    Due to the vacuum pump failing during driving, metal shards broke inside of the car and went into the engine destroying it completely. Now i need a whole new engine
    NHTSA complaint #11764778 · source
  4. Filed Sep 1, 2026MIEngineTransmission & Drivetrain
    I understand that the vehicle is outside of its original warranty period. However, I do not believe that the expiration of the warranty should automatically make me responsible for a component failure that occurred at only approximately 39,000 miles. The PCV valve and orifice are not routine maintenance items that I would reasonably expect to require replacement at such low mileage. Unlike tires, brake pads, batteries, or other components that are expected to wear out and…
    NHTSA complaint #11761246 · source
  5. Filed Jul 6, 2026OHOther / Unknown
    Acceleration issues. Started once put in drive didnt want to accelerate, acceleration issues now at higher speeds while driving
    NHTSA complaint #11748564 · source
  6. Filed Jun 4, 2026WIBrakesElectrical SystemEngine
    Since 2024/2025 car has been malfunctioning, I’ve had it checked out but it just got worse and nothing was fixed l, it is I driveable and very unsafe. When driving it abruptly stops like it’s crashing Messages that pop up (Multiple ones at one time flashing as well) - service “ESC” -“service power steering drive with care” -“shift to park” -“low fuel” (but car has gas in it) - check engine light on -all lights flashing at once while jerking -car stops abruptly when you’re…
    NHTSA complaint #11742162 · source
  7. Filed May 16, 2026CAEngineAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain
    The first problem with my car was the tire pressure monitor. The location of each tire was wrong on the informant section. Soon after purchasing the car when ever I would park the car would not shut off and the DIC would display Shift to park message. Around 6 months after the purchase the brake pedal was getting harder the press down on and within a week from that while driving home from work the car completely shut off in the middle of traffic. It wouldn't start leaving me…
    NHTSA complaint #11738236 · source
  8. Filed Apr 3, 2026FLCrash1 injuredTowedAirbagsDriver Assistance & Safety TechLighting
    The vehicle experienced a serious and ongoing electrical and system malfunction shortly after being returned from repairs related to a prior accident. Within a short period of driving, multiple warning messages and system errors began appearing simultaneously, indicating failures across several vehicle systems. The issues included repeated computer system faults affecting critical functions. The malfunction made the vehicle unreliable and unsafe to operate, as the errors…
    NHTSA complaint #11729126 · source

Compare the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu with another vehicle →

Other 2019 Chevrolet models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology