2019 Chevrolet Malibu
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 191 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 21st highest complaint count among 26 Malibu model years with reports.
Of the 2019 reports, 8 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 7 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Seat belts, critical fastenersAug 20, 2021
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.
An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 21V649000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine
65 reports, newest first. Show all
Parking brake, Engine, Aug 26, 2024, crash
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while at a light, the engine lost motive power and shut off. The vehicle began to roll backward. The emergency brake was inoperable. The vehicle shifted from park. The contact continued to pull the emergency brake, but it failed to respond. The contact attempted to turn the vehicle off, but it failed to turn off. The vehicle crashed into a ditch. The passenger sustained injuries to her head. The driver sustained injuries to his shoulder. The occupants did not receive any medical attention. There was no fire or air bag deployment. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,800.
Power train, Service brakes, Engine, Jul 17, 2024
I have been driving this car for three years, and it performed exceptionally well until Friday, July 12, 2024. While driving on the highway, the "Engine Power Reduced" warning light activated. I pulled over, placed the car in park, waited a few seconds, and restarted the engine, but the issue persisted. Consequently, I took the car to the nearest auto shop, where they identified and repaired a throttle issue. On July 16, 2024, the car's brake system failed, preventing the vehicle from stopping properly. I utilized the emergency brake and once again brought the car to the nearest auto shop. The diagnosis revealed a broken vacuum, which was identified as a manufacturer's defect. My car is currently in the shop for the second repair due to these manufacturing defects, which have incurred significant costs. It raises concerns about the safety and quality of the parts used in the manufacturing process. Why are low-quality components being installed in these vehicles? This poses a serious safety risk.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, May 15, 2024
Vehicle occasionally hesitates to accelerate past 1st or 2nd gear & produces no power until the turbo & gears finally kick in. Has put myself & my passengers (my children) in danger of traffic’s way while trying to merge into traffic from a stop. Have had to pull to the side until the car is able to go past 5-15 miles per hr. Have taken the vehicle for inspection to Chevrolet of Watsonville & the tech there was unable to replicate the issue & was told to take it back when present. The issue recently happened again late evening but then resolved on its own when I planned to take the following morning. The vehicle has horrible MPG ranging from 18-24MPG when the rated MPG is 27-36MPG. I don’t understand how I am supposed to resolve this issue if the problem doesn’t persist when I am able to finally get an appointment for the vehicle to get seen. This issue is very concerning & would like help as I am nearing the manufacturer 100k warranty expiration mileage. Also There are no service lights present on the vehicle.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 29, 2023
Camshaft issues/brake to park sensor issue/brake booster to engine vacuum
Engine, Nov 30, 2023
The contact's daughter owns a 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted after 30 minutes. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure, and no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was unavailable.
Electrical system, Engine, Nov 28, 2023
Check engine light came on and the car shut down while stopping.
Engine, Oct 30, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the engine failed to shut off after depressing the Auto START/STOP button. The vehicle shut off after running out of fuel. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Sep 18, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving approximately 45-50 MPH, the brake pedal was firm when depressed and the vehicle failed to stop immediately. No warning light was illuminated. The contact diagnosed the vehicle and retrieved DTC Codes for the camshaft sensor and crankcase sensor. The camshaft sensor was replaced by the contact. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the ABS vacuum pump was faulty and needed to be replaced. The mechanic replaced the ABS vacuum pump. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000.
Service brakes, Engine, May 3, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH on the freeway, the braking system suddenly malfunctioned and the vehicle failed to stop while depressing the brake pedal. The contact had to drive to the side road in order to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the brake booster pump had failed and caused damage to the timing chain and crankshaft. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 60,000.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Apr 13, 2023
This is ongoing. Originally got trouble code p0239 after check engine light, cleaned throttle body. It went away. Then i got the same symptoms as a result of the throttle position sensor. I replaced that as well. Then i got a code for the turbo boost sensor. So i replaced that. Now I'm getting similar symptoms and the check engine light isn't turning on at all. I suspect maybe a catalytic converter, ecm issue, or transmission issue. I've repaired all problems that have given me a code. The car accelerates very slowly, while the rpms go up normally, then the car bolts off almost normally for a while. And becomes jerky. So I'm unable to safely pass others if needed or accelerate normally both from a stop and while moving. While driving at low speeds with the window down I can hear a sound that could be the turbo spooling up or maybe a fan. Also, the cooling fan will stay on for a while after turning off the engine. I contacted the dealer and they said the only recall is a CAC retainer and told me there were no other TSBs open for my VIN but i believe by car is eligible for multiple including but not limited to 19-NA-058.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Apr 5, 2023
GM 2019 Chevrolet Malibu - Report Shift to Park Issue - Mileage 13,784. I would like to report a Shift-to-Park problem I had with my 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. Approximately two weeks prior to this service call I started experiencing a problem with Engine Start/Stop button and “shift to park” message on instrument panel. Pressing Start/Stop button would not turn off engine. It took several attempts to completely turn off engine. Two weeks and issue was getting progressively worse. Finally on Wednesday, March 29th and having started driving errands, I could not turn off engine at all. I could not get out of the car without warning beeps going off. I immediately drove to Dealer Service as I felt unsafe to drive. Dealer Service performed and I picked up car on Thursday, March 30, 2023. They replaced shifter switch and installed jumper harness. Again, I do want to report issue as this car has only 13,784 miles. Thank you,
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 20, 2023
Vehicle lost power while driving without warning which could have caused an accident. Dealer says the ECM failed.
Air bags, Engine, Feb 8, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was stalling. The contact stated that she needed to restart the vehicle after taking off from a stop light. The air bag, check engine, and ABS warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic however, the failure could not be duplicated. The contact stated that she received messages from the mobile App informing her to check the air bags. The vehicle was then taken to a local dealer however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Service brakes, Engine, Jan 10, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the “Engine Power Reduced” message was displayed. The contact attempted to depress the brake pedal, but the brake pedal was firm and hard to depress, causing the vehicle not to stop as needed. The vehicle eventually came to a stop and lost motive power and stalled. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle but the vehicle would not restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the mechanic stated that the brake vacuum pump and the engine needed to be replaced. The brake vacuum pump was replaced but the engine was not repaired or replaced. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed by a dealer. The failure mileage was 87,370.
Engine, Nov 2, 2022
CAR IS RUNNING ROUGH, CEL IS ON THROWING CAMSHAFT CODES. Code - P0014 Description - No information returned for Trouble Code - P0014 Code - P0017 Description - No information returned for Trouble Code - P0017 Code - P1101 Description - No information returned for Trouble Code - P1101 Code - P257F Description - No information returned for Trouble Code - P257F EXHAUST CAM PHASER REQUIRED TO CONTINUE DIAG. THERE IS A TSB FOR THE ISSUE AT HAND, REQUIRES A NEW CAMSHAFT AND A LOT OF SPECIAL ORDER PARTS FROM DEALER, TSB WILL NEED TO BE PERFORMED TO CONTINUE DIAG. WILL NEED TO GO TO DEALER TECH FOUND A TSB THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE WE CAN REPLACE VCT.
Service brakes, Engine, Oct 24, 2022
Before my car gave out I was having braking issues and my car wouldn’t accelerate when I pressed the gas. Then later that night I was driving home with my mother and fiancée when my car illuminated “engine power reduced” and my check engine light came on. When I tried pulling over I noticed that my brakes were very hard. So I had to roll from the speed of 45 mph until my car eventually stopped. I was not able to stop at the stop sign so I just had to blow my horn to alert other drivers. Whenever I took it to the dealership they told me my brake vacuum pump exploded and blew shards into my camshaft. The repair was 1700 for the replacement of the brake vacuum pump and the camshaft. I talked to the mechanic afterwards and he said that this problem has a good chance of happening again because the part itself is defective and there are no other aftermarket parts to replace it. Then I go to pick up my car three weeks later, and was told that my engine should be replaced because a cylinder had no compression. The price of that was around 5000.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 15, 2022
Numerous times while driving my car both my son and I have experienced the same issues. Trying to get on the highway and pressing the gas pedal the car isn’t responding appropriately to the level of which the gas is being pressed. It isn’t accelerating appropriately. Than at stoplights or just trying to make a left hand turn from a stop position. You take your foot off brake and press the gas to go and it rolls a bit and you’re pressing the gas to go and the car isn’t responding. It’s just sitting there. Like paused. Then all of a sudden the car engages and takes off. It is very dangerous to not have the car respond to pressing the gas. And I don’t want to get into an accident because I’m trying to make a turn and get hit cause I’m just sitting there. Rather than it going when I’m pressing the gas. I am not getting any codes popping up on the dash. So the dealership has nothing to look at other than me saying this is happening to me and my son. I’m finding issues similar to this on previous models. But nothing on the 2019 that I can find. And with no error codes registering. But the issues occurring is highly concerning to me. There isn’t just one date this has occurred. This has happened now many times over the last 6mos.
Power train, Engine, Sep 15, 2022
I purchased a 2019 chevy malibu on April 9th 2022. Car seemed to be fine at first drove car for two month experienced frequent shift to park issues as car would not recognize itself in park Until multiple attempts at parking. I was arrested on June 4th 2022 and came home on September 5th and attempted to start my car. Car cranked multiple times before starting stalling and cutting itself off while display engine power reduced and check engine light. I used Obd computer and car codes p0014 p0017 p0556. Vehicle was taken to Hertrich Chevy of Salisbury Maryland. The technician informed me that I needed a engine replaced due to nature of damage upon diagnostic chevy discovered vehicle had little to no oil (Which is still puzzling oil life sensor in car is still reading at 22% and check oil light never came on not once for it to be a cause of no oil in vehicle. Was asked to present receipts for service and oil change of a vehicle I drove for maybe 2 months max prior to my incarceration and no one had driven my car during this time as the key was in my possession during incarceration. Problem occurred at 59,898. I purchased the vehicle at 54054 miles on the vehicle starts and has and extended crank and codes p0014 p0017 p0556. Most vehicles require an oil change at 7000 miles and still had a good amout of time before reaching that mark.Vehicle states that it is still under powertrain warranty until 60000 miles. However it's states that it is not covered if improper fuel or lubricant levels (oil) are the cause which is puzzling also because this is apparently a known problem with chevy vehicles as they have provided a bulletin on nhtsa website as to how to diagnose and fix the issue. Service Bulletin #PIP5598C or Google the pdf bulletin. Chevy is sticking me with a known problem their engine does with the cost and replacement of a new engine. As well as losing the 7000 dollars I put down on my newer used vehicle. As well as it being a safety hazard and stalling randomly.
Electrical system, Engine, Jul 17, 2022
Throttle body hose comes lose causing car to stall or shut off while driving, engine light come on saying engine power reduction issues
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 13, 2022
https://autoforums.carjunky.com/Automotive_Repair_C1/General_Discussions_F5/2019_Chevy_mailbu_LS_constantly_changing_spark_plugs_P209221/ That’s the mechanic forum I posted with my issues. It’s gotten so bad the vehicle is stalling out while driving and in busy roads and the highway. Here is the service bulletin: https://www.tsbsearch.com/Chevrolet/PIP5598#:~:text=Summary%3A,Cranks%20But%20Does%20Not%20Run%22
Electrical system, Service brakes, Engine, Jun 29, 2022
Driving along the interstate the car suddenly lost power. I was able to pull over and restart car and drive like nothing ever happened. Then once I parked the car at my destination the car would not start 10 minutes later leaving me stranded in an unfamiliar city. When trying to start the car it would click and the DIC would display Batter Saver Active following EMS following Power Steering. No check engine light was on in the vehicle before this incident. I was stranded in an unfamiliar city with no one around to help. After asking a random stranger for a jump the car started and allowed me to get home. No dealership can convey the problem with the car, everyone says there's nothing wrong with it. I have had the vehicle for about one year now with no problem up to now. The car often backfires and even completely cuts off at red lights (not from the auto stop feature). This is dangerous.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Engine, May 22, 2022
Numerous accumulated problems, all have complaints already on NHTSA site here. First, Start/Stop malfunction, when it is active when stopped vehicle will stall when it tries to restart when you take your foot off brake and it’s troublesome to restart at times, when that happens lights on dash all come on (warning lights) and radio/entertainment resets as well. Second, the traction control light on dash is on. The warning displays to have traction control system serviced, cruise control is disabled as a result, it’s been to the dealer for both above problems the start/stop problem they say they can’t get car to duplicate although it happens to us almost daily if not numerous times per day. This morning driving home from work the intake charge tube that attaches to intake keeps popping off and engine goes to reduced power mode on highway or wherever driving not safe at all. Saw a voluntary recall from GM going to contact dealer about tomorrow when open. Stereo resets often, completely shuts off and resets while driving at random. I also get the rushing/sloshing water noise other people have reported as complaints when coming to a stop, I read in forums that it’s something to do with low coolant but not low enough to turn on low coolant warning light. GM really needs to address this stop/start and traction control needing service light problems as I read all over the internet of owner’s complaints of same problems I have. Dealerships don’t want to do anything with the cars unles the issue a recall because it comes out of their pockets. So many complaints I read owners keep reporting that dealer “cannot reproduce identical problems” because they don’t want repairs coming out of their pockets only out of GM. I’m going to start filing formal complaints with GM until they get tired of hearing from me and fix some of this stuff or deem it a lemon and get rid of it finally.
Engine, Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 5, 2022
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH and accelerating, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled in the middle of the roadway. The ESC, traction control, check engine, and powertrain malfunction control warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The engine was replaced; however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 52,000
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 7, 2022
The turbo charge pipe keeps popping off while driving and the car loses power.
Electrical system, Engine, Oct 17, 2021
While sitting at stop lights the car has shut itself completely off and restarted itself. This has happened atleast 6 times in the past 24 hours. The first time it happened, a message was on the dash screen that said "corrupt ......" with an explanation mark. I was unable to catch the full message. No message has displayed since that I believe. The vehicle shows no history/issue in the mychevy app.