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
191 reports, newest first.
Electrical system, Jan 3, 2022
Front driver low beam Front passenger side marker Back passenger break light All won’t turn back on. Dealership cannot find a reason why lights won’t turn on.
Visibility, Structure, Dec 27, 2021
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that there was an unknown substance that leaked through the windshield and the trunk of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 21,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Electrical system, Dec 8, 2021
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the check engine warning light was illuminated, and the fuel gauge reflected EMPTY even though the tank was FULL. Additionally, the speed gauge was not operating correctly, and the temperature gauge was not functioning. The contact also stated she depressed the brake pedal to the floor but failed to stop. The contact stated she used the parking brake to stop the vehicle before it seized. The contact stated when shifting gears to park, she heard an abnormal noise and the vehicle began to hesitate. The contact stated it took 2 hours to properly turn off the vehicle. The contact left the vehicle overnight at that location and stated the following morning she was able to restart the vehicle and drove to her work. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact stated an independent mechanic came to the work parking lot and was informed it was an electrical system failure and was referred to the local dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated she continued to experience the failure. The contact called the local dealers AutoNation Chevrolet Laurel (500 Washington Blvd, Laurel, MD 20707: (240) 339-3932) & Sport Chevrolet (3101 Automobile Blvd, Silver Spring, MD 20904: (240) 293-0442) and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 31, 2021
Unknown car shutdown without warning an will haste when given it fuel.
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.
Power train, Sep 27, 2021
I bought this 2019 Chevy Malibu with 40,000 miles on it the second day I had it the transmission completely lost power and would not accelerate it barley moves ford it takes about 5 whole seconds for it to get power and move this has happend pretty much every day when I drive this vehicle it has put me and my family’s life in danger so many times it’s ridicules I have took it to the dealership and they said that they can not find a problem on the tcm/ transmission control module so I told them to take it for a test drive and right when they pulled out of the dealership they almost got hit because the car would not accelerate they said there is defiantly a problem with the cvt transmission in the car but sadly there is nothing they can do until Chevrolet puts out a recall they said I am not the first one to bring back a 2019 chevy Malibu with this issue this needs to be fixed immediately it’s putting peoples life’s in danger
Power train, Sep 20, 2021
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact states that the Auto STOP/START feature that caused the vehicle to turn off while idling however, the vehicle would fail to immediately start-up. The contact stated that the instrument panel would independently reset, and the vehicle would jolt forward before restarting. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer however, the vehicle was not yet repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 39,737.
Air bags, Engine, Forward collision avoidance, Aug 19, 2021
While I was getting on the highway during acceleration there was a loud popping sound which was immediately followed by the check engine light turning on the airbag system warning light turning on and a reduction in engine power. I had to pull off to the side of the highway and pop my hood in which at that point I observed the air intake hose had popped off of the throttle body. I put it back on and attempted to continue to drive but it popped off again which caused me to take it very slow ride to the closest dealership. Once I arrived I had it checked out by a service technician and was advised that my throttle body needed to be replaced and so does my airbag clock spring which controls the airbag system, it's deployment, the horn and all of the steering wheel controls. Without this being operational I cannot blow my horn and the airbags may not deploy or malfunction in the event of a crash. I looked online and found out that this was an existing problem with previous models of the Chevy Malibu specifically 2016 to 2018 models.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Aug 16, 2021
While driving on the highway my car started loosing power. A warning light came on stating Engine Power is reduced. I could not excelerate had to pull over on side of road. This is the first time this has happened to me but I just purchased this vehicle on 7/15/21 with 51,000 miles.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jul 21, 2021
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 10 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The accelerator pedal was depressed however, the vehicle was slow to respond. The local dealer was contacted however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 53,713.
Electrical system, Jul 15, 2021
Get “Shift to Park” message when car is placed in park and turn off ignition. This seems to be a common error reported widely on 2016 through 2020 Chevrolet vehicles. I have even seen service bulletins mentioned. Why has Chevrolet not recalled this since it seems to be a weak switch used? This is not covered under the bumper to bumper warranty since I have 54,000 miles on a two year old car. This shouldn’t be failing after two years. Maybe after 10 years but not two!
Electrical system, Apr 30, 2021
CAR HAS ENGINE LIGHT ON. IT SHOWS ENGINE POWER REDUCED. ITS NOT GOING OVER THAN 30MILES AN HOUR. CAR HAS ONLY 41K MILES.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Apr 3, 2021
I'M NOT SURE WHAT'S WRONG, BUT WHEN I STOP AND START MY VEHICLE BACK UP WITH THE AUTO START I CAN HEAR SOMETHING LIKE WATER FLUSHING OR RUNNING THROUGH MY DASHBOARD. MOST OF THE TIME MY VEHICLE WILL STALL OUT WHEN I PRESS THE GAS, IS DRIVING OR TURNING MOST OF THE TIME IT DON'T WON'T TO GO. I ALMOST GOT HIT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS BECAUSE I WOULD TRY TO TURN AND THE CAR WILL STALL BARLEY GOING. THIS HAS CAUSE A LOT OF FRUSTRATIONS. I HAVE HAD MY CAR SINCE AUGUST OF 2020 AND IT HAS BEEN DOING THIS SINCE 2-3 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING IT. I HAVE NOT HAD TIME TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION BECAUSE I HAVE LUPUS AND I'M TRIED AND HAVE RANDOM FLARES.
Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 25, 2021
WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE ON THE HIGHWAY AND MERGING IF I GET CLOSE TO 3 RPM TO GET UP TO 60-65 MPH M ENGINE LIGHT APPEARS ON THE DASH AS WELL AS MY TRACTION SENSOR LIGHT AND MY CAR WILL NO LONGER ALLOW ME TO ACCELERATE. ALSO AFTER THIS HAPPENS IT WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO USE MY CRUISE CONTROL. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS. I TOOK IT TO MY DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT FIXED TWICE THE FIRST TIME THEY COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG THE SECOND TIME THEY DISCOVERED 3 OF MY FUEL INJECTORS WERE BROKEN. I STILL EXPERIENCE THIS ISSUE AND IT IS VERY SCARY NOT BEING ABLE TO ACCELERATE ON THE HIGHWAY WITH BIG SEMIS AND OTHER VEHICLES COMING BEHIND ME.
Engine, Mar 15, 2021
WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED AT A LIGHT, THEN YOU BEGIN TO OUCH ON THE GAS AS THE LIGHT TURNS GREEN, THE CAR WILL SLOW ACCELERATE WHEN PUSHING ON THE GAS. THE CRAZY PART IS WHEN I TELL CHEVROLET ABOUT THIS NO ONE KNOWS WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT, WHICH IS FRUSTRATING BECAUSE IT'S HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY AND IT'S FREAKING ME OUT! ALSO NO INDICATIONS ON THE DASHBOARD COME ON EITHER
Engine, Jan 28, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 TO 35 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AND JERKED. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD, TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON WHICH RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION HOWEVER, WHILE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED GOING UPHILL, THE VEHICLE HESITATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HALL CHEVROLET CHESAPEAKE (3412 WESTERN BRANCH BLVD, CHESAPEAKE, VA 23321, (877)475-0719) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT ALL 4 CYLINDERS HAD MISFIRED AND THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED THREE ADDITIONAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER AND TEST DRIVEN HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DEEMED THE CONTACT INELIGIBLE FOR ANY REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 51,448.
Engine, Jan 16, 2021
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 63 MPH. I STARTED TO FEEL MY CAR SHAKING AS THOUGH IT WAS GOING TO STALL OUT. MY CAR HAS A LITTLE OVER 17K MILES ON IT. ON MY DISPLAY SAYING SERVICE ESC WITH A CRESENT WRENCH ON THE SIDE, MY TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WAS ON (CAR WITH THE SWERVY ROAD) AND MY TRANSMISSION LIGHT FLASHING. I STARTED TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THE THE LIGHTS AND DISPLAY WENT BACK TO NORMAL. I CALLED MY DEALERSHIP AND SPOKE TO SERVICE MANAGER. MY DEALERSHIP HAD ME BRING IN MY CAR WHERE THEY CHANGED THE SPARK PLUGS AND RELUBRICATED THE IGNITION COILS DUE TO MISFIRING. I QUESTIONED IS THAT NORMAL? HE SAID NO, THEN STATED THERE IS NO RECALLS LISTED.
Engine, Nov 21, 2020
DRIVING THE CAR, ON A HIGHWAY AT APPROX. 75 MPH, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND DASHBOARD STATES "ENGINE POWER RESTRICTED". NOW THE CAR HAS LITTLE POWER AND TAKES 18 SECONDS TO GET FROM 0-60 MAKING IT A ROAD HAZARD. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 42,000 MILES ON IT.
Power train, Engine, Nov 5, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED TO 15 MPH WITH THE POWER REDUCED MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CHAPMEN CHEVROLET LOCATED AT 1717 E BASELINE RD, TEMPE, AZ 85283 TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TURBO INTAKE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.
Engine, Oct 20, 2020
AS WITH OTHER YEARS OF THIS VEHICLE , I ALSO HAVE HAS MY ENGINE SHUT OFF WHILE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. MORE THAN TEN TIMES IN THE LAST WEEK.
Air bags, Sep 29, 2020
THE SERVICE SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEM KEEPS GOING OFF FOR WARNING
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Sep 26, 2020
AFTER CAR IS TURNED OFF AND IN PARK, THE DASH LIGHT STATES TO "PUT IN PARK" EVEN THOUGH THE CAR IS IN PARK, THE LIGHT WON'T GO AWAY UNTIL THE SHIFTER IS WIGGLED BACK AND FORTH, AND SIDEWAYS WAY TOO MANY TIMES, I AM AFRAID THE BATTERY WILL RUN DOWN IF LEFT LIKE THAT, WITH THE LIGHT STILL BEING ON.
Other or unspecified, Sep 20, 2020
WHEN VEHICLE IS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT VEHICLE DISPLAYED MESSAGE 'STEERING ASSIST REDUCED DRIVE WITH CARE' THIS HAS DONE THIS MULTIPLE TIMES. VEHICLE IS A 2019 BROUGHT IT BRAND NEW THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING.
Other or unspecified, Aug 26, 2020
WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT THE AUTO START WILL ENGAGE. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNS GREEN AND YOU RELEASE THE BREAK THE CAR WON'T MOVE. THE CAR NEEDS TO BE PLACED IN PARK TURNED COMPLETELY OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. NO WARNING LIGHTS ARE ON, DEARLER SHIP CANT FIND WHATS WRONG.
Power train, Aug 13, 2020
AT 10,000 MILES MY 2019 CHEVROLET MALIBU STARTED TO SPUTTER AND LOSE POWER. TAKING OFF AT A GREEN LIGHT, DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS, TURNING AT INTERSECTIONS, OR TURNING AGAINST TRAFFIC HAS ALL BECOME DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE CAR WILL NOT GATHER ENOUGH POWER TO GO, LEAVING MY CAR STUCK ON ROADS AND IN THE MIDDLE OF INTERSECTIONS. WE WERE PLACED IN A RENTAL 2019 CHEVROLET MALIBU WITH 11,000 MILES THAT ALSO HAD POWER PROBLEMS AND LEFT US STUCK IN A RUNNING CAR BEING APPROACHED BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC.. THE DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSTIC CAME UP AS TRANSMISSION FAILURE, IN MULTIPLE BRAND NEW 2019 CHEVROLET MALIBU'S. ME, MY FAMILY, AND HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF MOTORISTS ARE IN DANGER BY DRIVING THIS CAR, OR EVEN BEING ON THE ROAD WITH THESE CARS.