2019 Chevrolet Malibu: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 190 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (27% of complaints); the 2021 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · 1 new complaint in the last 90 days · latest recall Aug 2021
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 190 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Acceleration issues. Started once put in drive didnt want to accelerate, acceleration issues now at higher speeds while driving”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jun 2026
“The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that upon shifting to park(P) and attempting to turn off the vehicle, the message "Shift to Park" was displayed. While investigating the failure online, the contact became aware that it was a common failure, and there was an ongoing Class Action Lawsuit related to the failure. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a related recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 91,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2026
“The brake booster vacuum pump went out in my car it broke which caused hard breaking while driving vehicle. When the brake booster vacuum pump broke a piece of it damage my camshaft as well as my timing chain in my motor.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Mar 2026
Show 7 more owner reports
“- started shutting shutting off at while in drive. - started having reduced power - started idiling high while driving - initially there was no codes - last night I drove, I put in drive gear but it was delayed so I had to keep moving from park to drive for it to full go into drive - the codes came P0325 P0505 P0507 P0700 P1101 P2714 After I was driving up an incline the car stopped moving forward and started reversing backwards. One other independent shop advised they were able to produce but couldn't figure out the problem because no code were shown at the time. There has been many people having the same issues I started off with and I found the forum to file a report .”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Nov 2025
“Was driving on the freeway maneuvered over to exit vehicle lost power and engine completely shut off while in motion. Same incident occurred while on surface street as I was approaching a red light vehicle completely shut off while in drive and in motion.”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2025
“Was on my way to work at stoplight and my 2019 Chevrolet Malibu lost all power and started back up and the next day I was about to leave for work and it wouldn't start low battery came across screen then the check engine light came on and a few hrs later it started up but all interior lights would not go off and I went to auto zone to check codes and its one of the codes for RECALL I will be taking it to the Chevy dealership”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Oct 2025
“After shifting the vehicle into park and then attempting to turn the vehicle off a message displays to shift into park, even though the vehicle is already in park.”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2025
“Throttlebody hose pops off of the throttlebody due to a missing gasket ring as well as the retention clip/spring clip. The plastic pieces on the spring clip have popped off since the issue has been presented. Cannot accelerate past 3 1/2 RPMs without throttlebody hose popping off from the pressure produced by the turbo charger.”Owner report · Engine · Aug 2025
“Door electrical caught fire and the inside of the vehicle was destroyed. Fire started from the electrical in the driver door.”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2025
“Vehicle stalls at lights and in traffic because of the START / STOP system GM has put in this 2019 Malibu. This is dangerous as the vehicle moves if on incline (sometimes backwards). There is no control. The vehicle then has to be shifted into PARK and then restarted. THIS HAPPENED July of 2024 and August 2025”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2025
When filing, owners marked a crash in 8 of these complaints and injuries in 7 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
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.
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.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
How other years compare
Check your exact Malibu by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?
NHTSA has 190 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. The most complained-about area is power train (27% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2019 Chevrolet Malibu problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 40,744 miles or less.
Does the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning seat belts:critical fasteners. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.