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2019 Chevrolet Malibu

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 310.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

56 reports with mileage · 134 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 66 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 63 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 61 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

8 crash reports1 fire reports4 injury reports

What owners actually said

190 reports
Mileage unknown · Dec 29, 2023
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

Camshaft issues/brake to park sensor issue/brake booster to engine vacuum

NHTSA ODI #11562619

Mileage unknown · Nov 30, 2023
Engine

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 un…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11557652

Mileage unknown · Nov 28, 2023
Electrical SystemEngine

Check engine light came on and the car shut down while stopping.

NHTSA ODI #11557331

Mileage unknown · Nov 20, 2023
Unknown Or Other

I am having the well known "shift to park" issue. When I put the vehicle in park, I get the error message to "shift to park" even though the vehicle is in park. At this time, I am not able to lock my doors or turn my car off. This happens 3-5 times a week for me. This is a safety issue. I had the entire shifter replaced under wa…

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I am having the well known "shift to park" issue. When I put the vehicle in park, I get the error message to "shift to park" even though the vehicle is in park. At this time, I am not able to lock my doors or turn my car off. This happens 3-5 times a week for me. This is a safety issue. I had the entire shifter replaced under warranty in 2021 and now it is happening again and I am going to have to pay for this now since out of warranty. This is not something I have caused and is an error with the vehicle and I consumers should not have to pay for this.

NHTSA ODI #11556099

Mileage unknown · Nov 14, 2023
Power Train

IN THE PAST WEEK, I TRIED TURNING OFF MY VEHICLE, BUT RECEIVED THE MESSAGE "SHIFT TO PARK". THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES, THUS FAR (11/6, 11/8, 11/13). THE CAR IS ALREADY IN PARK, BUT WON'T TURN OFF, UNLESS I CONTINUALLY SHIFT, OR RESTART THE CAR SEVERAL TIMES, OTHERWISE, IT CONTINUES TO RUN WITH THE MESSAGE DISPLAYED. AFTER…

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IN THE PAST WEEK, I TRIED TURNING OFF MY VEHICLE, BUT RECEIVED THE MESSAGE "SHIFT TO PARK". THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES, THUS FAR (11/6, 11/8, 11/13). THE CAR IS ALREADY IN PARK, BUT WON'T TURN OFF, UNLESS I CONTINUALLY SHIFT, OR RESTART THE CAR SEVERAL TIMES, OTHERWISE, IT CONTINUES TO RUN WITH THE MESSAGE DISPLAYED. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, IT FINALLY TURNS OFF. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY HORRIFYING! IS THIS A SAFETY ISSUE, AND IF, SO, IS GM ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE AND NOTIFYING OWNERS OF THIS PROBLEM AND WHAT PROCEDURES TO TAKE? I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. IS MY CAR SAFE TO DRIVE? IS THIS SOMETHING THE DEALERSHIP CAN ADDRESS? I DO NOT WANT TO BE SOMEWHERE AND NOT BE ABLE TO START MY CAR. I START IT WAS THE BATTERY BECAUSED I RECEIVED AN EMAIL FROM ONSTAR STATING THE BATTERY WAS CRITICALLY LOW ON THE 6 OF NOVEMBER. I PURCHASED A NEW BATTERY ON NOVEMBER 9, 2023, THINKING THIS WOULD RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. IT DID NOT!

NHTSA ODI #11555070

55,000 miles · Oct 30, 2023
Engine

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 failu…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11552607

30,500 miles · Oct 12, 2023
Lane DeparturePower TrainTraction Control System

The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed during a heavy rain storm, the vehicle lost significant motive power and was unable to accelerate above 40 MPH. The contact also stated that a message displayed, "Side detection system disabled," and the lane departure assist …

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The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed during a heavy rain storm, the vehicle lost significant motive power and was unable to accelerate above 40 MPH. The contact also stated that a message displayed, "Side detection system disabled," and the lane departure assist system activated, briefly steering the vehicle into oncoming traffic before he was able to regain control. The traction control warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 30,500.

NHTSA ODI #11549602

Mileage unknown · Oct 4, 2023
Electrical System

The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, and releasing the accelerator pedal the auto Start/Stop system engaged with delay, and the vehicle shuddered while resuming normal driving. The instrument cluster and the infotainment system were inoperable and turned off temporarily whil…

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The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, and releasing the accelerator pedal the auto Start/Stop system engaged with delay, and the vehicle shuddered while resuming normal driving. The instrument cluster and the infotainment system were inoperable and turned off temporarily while driving. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times while attempting to drive from a complete stop. Messages indicating low fuel and key fob malfunction were displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the battery was replaced. The contact stated that the Start/Stop system operated as needed after the battery replacement. Additionally, the contact stated while driving an undisclosed speed in a parking lot, the auto Start/Stop system engaged inadvertently, and the vehicle shut off. The message "Shift to Neutral. Restart Vehicle" was displayed. The contact followed the instruction and restarted the vehicle. The contact stated that while driving 5-8 MPH, and making a turn from a middle lane, the failure recurred while there was oncoming traffic. The contact shifted into neutral (N) and restarted the vehicle. The contact stated that the message "Power Steering Reduced. Drive Carefully" was displayed when the failure occurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the battery was replaced 4-5 times; however, the cause of the failure could not be determined. The contact stated that each battery had lasted 9-10 months. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The manufacturer advised the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer to be diagnosed and informed the contact that they would consider buying back the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI #11548291

32,800 miles · Sep 21, 2023
Power Train

The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that on several occasions when the vehicle was shifted to park, the gear shifter failed to remain in the intended gear. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the jump harness and shift part switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired.…

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The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that on several occasions when the vehicle was shifted to park, the gear shifter failed to remain in the intended gear. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the jump harness and shift part switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 32,800.

NHTSA ODI #11545886

62,000 miles · Sep 18, 2023
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

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 cams…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11545116

Official recalls

1

21V649000 · Seat Belts:critical Fasteners; Seat Belts:rear/other:retractor

Aug 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Seat Belts:critical Fasteners

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.

Consequence: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.