SEAT BELTS:CRITICAL FASTENERS; SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:RETRACTOR
2019 Chevrolet Malibu
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 190 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu, most frequently naming the engine, powertrain (other) and electrical categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 883 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 2020 | 1 | 22 |
| Nov 2020 | 2 | 24 |
| Jan 2021 | 2 | 26 |
| Mar 2021 | 2 | 28 |
| Apr 2021 | 2 | 30 |
| Jul 2021 | 2 | 32 |
| Aug 2021 | 2 | 34 |
| Sep 2021 | 2 | 36 |
| Oct 2021 | 2 | 38 |
| Dec 2021 | 2 | 40 |
| Jan 2022 | 1 | 41 |
| Feb 2022 | 1 | 42 |
| Mar 2022 | 4 | 46 |
| Apr 2022 | 3 | 49 |
| May 2022 | 2 | 51 |
| Jun 2022 | 2 | 53 |
| Jul 2022 | 5 | 58 |
| Aug 2022 | 3 | 61 |
| Sep 2022 | 8 | 69 |
| Oct 2022 | 2 | 71 |
| Nov 2022 | 4 | 75 |
| Dec 2022 | 3 | 78 |
| Jan 2023 | 3 | 81 |
| Feb 2023 | 5 | 86 |
| Mar 2023 | 4 | 90 |
| Apr 2023 | 6 | 96 |
| May 2023 | 4 | 100 |
| Jun 2023 | 3 | 103 |
| Jul 2023 | 4 | 107 |
| Aug 2023 | 2 | 109 |
| Sep 2023 | 3 | 112 |
| Oct 2023 | 3 | 115 |
| Nov 2023 | 4 | 119 |
| Dec 2023 | 1 | 120 |
| Jan 2024 | 1 | 121 |
| Feb 2024 | 1 | 122 |
| Apr 2024 | 3 | 125 |
| May 2024 | 3 | 128 |
| Jun 2024 | 1 | 129 |
| Jul 2024 | 3 | 132 |
| Aug 2024 | 3 | 135 |
| Sep 2024 | 1 | 136 |
| Oct 2024 | 3 | 139 |
| Feb 2025 | 2 | 141 |
| Mar 2025 | 3 | 144 |
| Apr 2025 | 2 | 146 |
| May 2025 | 3 | 149 |
| Jun 2025 | 7 | 156 |
| Jul 2025 | 6 | 162 |
| Aug 2025 | 4 | 166 |
| Sep 2025 | 5 | 171 |
| Oct 2025 | 4 | 175 |
| Nov 2025 | 3 | 178 |
| Dec 2025 | 1 | 179 |
| Mar 2026 | 5 | 184 |
| Apr 2026 | 1 | 185 |
| May 2026 | 1 | 186 |
| Jun 2026 | 1 | 187 |
| Jul 2026 | 1 | 188 |
| Sep 2026 | 2 | 190 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Engine6423.3%
- Powertrain (other)6222.5%
- Electrical6122.2%
- Brakes269.5%
- Fuel system186.5%
- Driver assistance186.5%
- Airbags62.2%
- Transmission51.8%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
1 campaign cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govRecent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
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 ID
- 11764778
- Incident
- Sep 11, 2026
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 require periodic replacement, the PCV system is an integral part of the engine's emissions and crankcase ventilation system. A failure at only 39,000 miles seems premature and should not reasonably be characterized as ordinary wear and tear. More importantly, GM itself has acknowledged problems involving the PCV system in Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. GM Technical Service Bulletin and TSB 18NA246 and TSB 20-NA-047 specifically addresses plugged PCV orifices on 2016–2022 Chevrolet Malibu models and provides a diagnostic and repair procedure for this condition. The bulletin identifies the PCV orifice as the causal part associated with the condition being addressed. I recognize that a Technical Service Bulletin is not the same as a recall or an extension of the vehicle's warranty. I am not claiming that GM is necessarily obligated to repair the vehicle under the expired warranty. Rather, I believe GM's own technical documentation demonstrates that this is a recognized issue involving a specific component and is not simply an ordinary maintenance item that a customer should reasonably expect to replace at 39,000 miles. The approximate cost of this repair is $1300 for a failed $40 part!! Even GM changed the design of this component because in years past and newer years this part replacement was a 20 minute job, not a 5 hour complete replacement of the valve cover! Failure to repair this faulty design could lead to excessive oil loss and immediate loss of power due to the engine ceasing.
- NHTSA ID
- 11761246
- Incident
- Jul 6, 2026
Acceleration issues. Started once put in drive didnt want to accelerate, acceleration issues now at higher speeds while driving
- NHTSA ID
- 11748564
- Incident
- Jun 27, 2026
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 driving it -radio blacks out while driving -dashboard blacks out as vehicle is running -jerking while trying to stop -sensor malfunctions -transmission slippage -engine still on and running sounds like it’s cooling down and smells of it as well
- NHTSA ID
- 11742162
- Incident
- Mar 1, 2025
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 stuck on a busy street with heavy traffic blocking use of the lane. After 10 minutes it started back up and I barely made it into a parking lot of a shopping center with it shutting off again before I can park. I had to get a tow. I didnt go to an authorized dealer. I took it to a certified mechanic and had to replace the brake vacuum booster. The motor had to be cleaned out due to broken metal that got inside. After that repair car seemed okay until March 2026. The car now is in high idle and struggles to pick up speed. The message on DIC says engine power reduced. On the freeway the car can be going with the flow of traffic then suddenly engine power is reduce rpms go up high and it drops speed struggling to pick up. I paid the loan $16,000 off using what I had saved. I cant go out and purchase a new or used car.
- NHTSA ID
- 11738236
- Incident
- Mar 1, 2022
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 appeared suddenly and without warning while driving. This created a significant safety risk due to the potential loss of vehicle control and unpredictable system behavior. The problem has been persistent and has not been properly resolved. The vehicle has remained at a repair facility for an extended period, where it has not been successfully diagnosed or repaired due to lack of proper equipment or manufacturer-certified technicians capable of addressing the issue. The defect has been observed but not corrected, and the vehicle has not been restored to safe operating condition. The condition has prevented normal use of the vehicle and has caused ongoing safety concerns. Warning indicators and system messages appeared prior to full failure and continued throughout attempts to operate the vehicle. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Car remain in shop over 6 months not full repair from electrical problem, head light issues and air bag defectiveness.
- NHTSA ID
- 11729126
- Incident
- Mar 14, 2023
I am reporting a safety concern involving a 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. The vehicle was previously involved in accidents prior to my purchase and had known mechanical issues, including a gear shifting problem that was not properly repaired. In February 2024, while the vehicle was insured under Ocean Harbor Casualty Insurance Company, it sustained a significant front-end collision impacting the driver side. The impact was severe enough to cause structural damage, including a dent to the vehicle frame. Despite the severity of the collision, the airbags did not deploy at all. Based on the extent of the damage, airbag deployment would reasonably be expected. Prior to this incident, the vehicle had ongoing issues following repairs, including system errors and concerns that repairs may not have been properly completed by a certified facility. This raises concern that the airbag system may have been defective, improperly repaired, or compromised prior to the accident. I was not informed of any airbag or safety-related defects at the time of purchase from HGreg. I am submitting this complaint due to concerns of a potential safety defect involving failure of the airbag system during a serious collision.
- NHTSA ID
- 11727960
- Incident
- Feb 13, 2023
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11727912
- Incident
- Mar 27, 2026
- Mileage
- 91,000 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
PI to help diagnose A/C concern
PIP6032B provides diagnostic direction for dealers when encountering transmission leaks
This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 50.2 |
| 2024 | 39 | 2 | 0 | 59.3 |
| 2023 | 69 | 2 | 0 | 61.8 |
| 2022 | 97 | 1 | 0 | 51.2 |
| 2021 | 89 | 2 | 0 | 54.9 |
| 2020 | 198 | 1 | 1 | 52.3 |
| 2019Viewing | 190 | 1 | 0 | 44.1 |
| 2018 | 697 | 6 | 0 | 54.3 |
| 2017 | 702 | 4 | 0 | 49.5 |
| 2016 | 837 | 9 | 0 | 51.3 |
| 2015 | 270 | 3 | 0 | 54.1 |
| 2014 | 351 | 6 | 0 | 52.4 |
| 2013 | 835 | 10 | 0 | 52.6 |
| 2012 | 906 | 3 | 0 | 49.7 |
| 2011 | 978 | 4 | 0 | 50.5 |
| 2010 | 1,361 | 4 | 0 | 49.2 |
| 2009 | 1,509 | 6 | 1 | 54.5 |
| 2008 | 987 | 5 | 0 | 48.7 |
| 2007 | 977 | 6 | 0 | 51.0 |
| 2006 | 1,115 | 9 | 0 | 51.9 |
| 2005 | 975 | 6 | 1 | 57.7 |
| 2004 | 1,147 | 9 | 4 | 60.1 |
| 2003 | 569 | 3 | 0 | 49.5 |
| 2002 | 567 | 4 | 1 | 52.9 |
| 2001 | 721 | 4 | 4 | 57.9 |
| 2000 | 922 | 5 | 7 | 60.0 |
| 1999 | 789 | 3 | 5 | 58.2 |
| 1998 | 976 | 5 | 6 | 58.5 |
| 1997 | 443 | 6 | 7 | 59.6 |
| 1989 | 3 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1986 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1983 | 1 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 1982 | 2 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 1981 | 3 | 3 | 1 | — |
| 1980 | 5 | 6 | 1 | — |
| 1979 | 4 | 6 | 1 | — |
| 1978 | 2 | 8 | 1 | — |
| 1977 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1975 | 2 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1974 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1973 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1964 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.