2019 CHEVROLET MALIBU

What owners reported to NHTSA, ranked by how often and how seriously.

This is complaint data, not a random sample.

It only includes owners who chose to file a federal complaint, so it over-represents dramatic and safety-related problems and under-represents minor issues an owner just had fixed without reporting. Read this as what NHTSA complainants report most, not as this vehicle's true failure rate. Full methodology.

Component ranking

  1. #1

    engine stall or no start

    4 stranded, 34 unsafe

    38
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=21, median 52,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "THE ENGINE "AUTO STOP" FEATURE CAN HAVE ENOUGH OF A DELAY TO ALLOW THE ACCELERATOR TO BE PRESSED AS THE ENGINE STARTS CAUSING IT TO LURCH FORWARD RATHER THAN ACCELERATE SMOOTHLY. IT ALSO CAN CAUSE A DELAY WHEN PULLING OUT INTO HEAVY TRAFFIC. THERE IS CURRENTLY…"~1,000 mi, complaint #1541552
    • "BOUGHT "CERTIFIED" WITH WARRANTY FROM DEALER, HAS 13,000 MILES ON IT. SECOND TIME WE EVER DROVE (3 BLOCKS FROM HOUSE) ENGINE DIED WHILE TURNING INTO PARKING LOT AT WORK. TOOK TO EAGLESON'S DEALERSHIP THEY PUT ON DIAGNOSTIC, CHIEF MECHANIC TOLD US "I DON'T KN…"~13,000 mi, complaint #1660746
    • "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 independe…"~39,737 mi, complaint #1769244
    • "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…"~55,000 mi, complaint #1939457
    • "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…"~105,800 mi, complaint #2019677
  2. #2

    control module

    1 stranded, 25 unsafe, 9 annoyance

    35
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that after the vehicle was shifted into park(P) and turned off, a message displayed across the screen that stated “Shift to Park” indicating that the vehicle was not parked. The contact stated that s…"~15,000 mi, complaint #1897720
    • "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…"~42,000 mi, complaint #1695495
    • "The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that after shifting to the park position the massage "shift to park" had displayed and the vehicle could not be turn completely off. Also and the doors could not be locked and the vehicle would roll.…"~187,000 mi, complaint #1880263
  3. #3

    transmission automatic

    16 unsafe, 3 annoyance

    19
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=13, median 53,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "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, LEAV…"~10,000 mi, complaint #1684330
    • "The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while the gear shifter was placed in Park, the "Shift to Park" warning message was displayed while turning off the vehicle with the push to start/stop button. The vehicle was taken to the dealer…"~48,000 mi, complaint #1793154
    • "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…"~91,000 mi, complaint #2191738
  4. #4

    acceleration loss or hesitation

    9 unsafe

    9
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "WITH UNDER 10K MILES ON THIS CAR, WE DROVE AN HOUR TO A BASEBALL GAME, THEN FOUND WHEN WE STARTED IT BACK UP, IT WAS ON REDUCED POWER. TURNED OUT TO BE THE THROTTLE BODY THAT HAD TO BE REPLACED. TODAY, WITH UNDER 17K MILES, MY WIFE WAS PICKING THE CHILDREN U…"~17,000 mi, complaint #1644578
    • "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 FRUSTRATI…"~46,100 mi, complaint #1733741
  5. #5

    engine internal

    1 stranded, 8 unsafe

    9
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "AT 7473 MILES, REDUCED ENGINE POWER LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. DIAGNOSTIC CODE: P0013. CAR WAS TOWED 50 MILES TO A DEALER FOR REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT OF EXHAUST CAMSHAFT POSITION ACTUATOR. CAR WAS DRIVEN 4 TIMES BEFORE THE REDUCED ENGINE POWER LIGHT…"~7,473 mi, complaint #1658920
    • "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 LI…"~17,472 mi, complaint #1720160
    • "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…"~51,448 mi, complaint #1723212
  6. #6

    brake booster

    5 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=10, median 64,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "I WAS STATIONARY AT A RED LIGHT ON HIGHWAY 49 WITH MY FOOT ON THE BREAKS, AND WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I LET MY FOOT UP OFF THE BREAKS AND THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF. I TRIED TO TURN THE CAR BACK ON, BUT STILL NOTHING. I WAITED A FEW SECONDS AND THE CAR STARTED…"~65,000 mi, complaint #1666648
    • "The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH and slowing for a traffic signal, the brake pedal was stiff and could not be depressed. The contact stated he heard a grinding noise coming from the front tires. Th…"~84,697 mi, complaint #1857988
  7. #7

    engine turbo supercharger

    5 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "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…"~22,000 mi, complaint #1704487
  8. #8

    transmission cvt

    1 stranded, 4 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "THE SPRING STEEL C-CLIP HOLDING THE CVT FLUID COOLING LINE IN PLACE AT THE RADIATOR FELL OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON INTERSTATE 5. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID DRAINED OUT ONTO THE ROADWAY RESULTING IN COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER TO THE WHEELS. THE ENGINE LI…"~3,201 mi, complaint #1575818
  9. #9

    wiring harness

    5 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "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…"~45,000 mi, complaint #1782175
  10. #10

    battery and charging

    1 stranded, 3 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "THE 2019 MALIBU OWN WHICH IS AN LT WITH A SUNROOF AND HEATED FRONT SEATS, HAS HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE BATTERY CONNECTION WHERE AS THE CAR WAS BRAND NEW OUT FROM THE SHOP. AND THEN A WEEK OR TWO LATER I GOT INTO MY CAR TO LOOK FOR MY HEADPHONES, THEN I JUST WANTE…"complaint #1655418
    • "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 c…"complaint #1822495
    • "I was informed by Chevrolet dealership on Tennessee St. in Tallahassee, Florida, that the issue was with the battery monitor sensor. The car will, however, suddenly cut off at a stoplight when you release the brake to apply the gas, with no error lights to pop…"complaint #2002856
    • "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 st…"complaint #2138864
  11. #11

    other

    3 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED OR MAIMED BY A DEFECTIVE TIRE JACK THAT WAS INCLUDED IN THE TIRE CHANGING EQUIPMENT THAT CAME WITH A NEW IMPALA I RENTED FROM ENTERPRISE CAR RENTAL. THE JACK BENT IN TWO WHEN I TRIED TO CRANK THE JACK HIGH ENOUGH TO CHANGE A FLAT TIRE…"~1,374 mi, complaint #1510032
    • "The contact's daughter owns a 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in park(P), the shift to park warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer wa…"~71,000 mi, complaint #1869334
  12. #12

    airbag system

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "THE SERVICE SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEM KEEPS GOING OFF FOR WARNING"~21,898 mi, complaint #1696285
  13. #13

    fuel injector

    1 stranded, 1 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "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 ALL…"~18,000 mi, complaint #1736327
  14. #14

    infotainment head unit

    1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "When car is shifted into park the info system reads “Shift to Park” and the car continues to ding."complaint #2107540
    • "The Apple CarPlay system, specifically the GPS/navigation function, froze and malfunctioned. This occurred in two separate vehicles I’ve owned: a 2019 Chevy Malibu and now a 2019 Chevy Equinox (the vehicle involved in the accident). Both cars frequently experi…"complaint #2112020
  15. #15

    parking sensors

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "2nd time putting car in shop to fix the parking sensor. When you place the vehicle in park get a alert to place vehicle in park. Had it repaired once and problem is back. Have to shift to park several times before it will work properly. Already paid once t…"complaint #1881096
    • "Shift to park sensor does not recognize the vehicle is in park. I am unable to shut off or lock my vehicle. Ongoing prior to ownership."complaint #2072532
  16. #16

    stability and traction control

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "I have no Brake Lights when applying the Brakes and cruise control no longer works due to Service ESC message on display. I was advised by replacing the battery this would clear the ESC but it did not. I believe the service ESC message is tied into the brake l…"complaint #1853142
    • "SERVICE ESC flashed on my dashboard along with the car jerking when braking. Car has not been abused as this a new development. Check engine light stays on. Service ESC and LOW FUEL appear at the same time the brake jerk happens. Car has less than 50k miles de…"complaint #1906271
  17. #17

    throttle and pedal

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "SOME DAYS WHEN I AM DRIVING MY CAR IT SEEMS AS IF I'M PUSHING MY FOOT DOWN ALL THE WAY ONTO THE PEDAL AND THAT'S NOT NORMAL IT DID IT TODAY 6/4/2020I JUST GOT THAT CAR OCTOBER 2019, IT DID IT 3 TIMES SO FAR LIKE I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT AND IT SEEM AS IF THE CAR…"~26,115 mi, complaint #1667027
  18. #18

    transmission manual clutch

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "1. Couldnt turn off engine due to shift to park issues 2 If I can't turn the engine off there is a risk that the vehicle could suddenly move and I cannot leave the vehicle with the engine running. 3. Yes it has been confirmed and inspected. 4 See #1."complaint #1989655
    • "The clutch solenoid started failing without warning or notice. This was finally confirmed by a transmission shop after a warning lamp related to the issue finally popped up after months of issues. My safety was put at risk due to the sudden and intermittent fa…"complaint #2088287
  19. #19

    adas lane keeping

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "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 displ…"~30,500 mi, complaint #1935124
  20. #20

    brake hydraulics

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "tapped the my other car on the bumper . Brake Pump is out."complaint #2026013
  21. #21

    brake pads and rotors

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "The rear calipers on my car are again hanging up it happened a few months ago and just recently twice within a week it is going for an oil change on the 25th but gm corporation is giving me the run around I feel the calipers are not a wearable part as they cl…"complaint #1887221
  22. #22

    fluid leak unspecified

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "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 th…"~21,000 mi, complaint #1784921
  23. #23

    fuel pump

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Check engine light lit up on the dashboard. Did not go away, took car to dealership next day. Turns out that the fuel pump system (P & A Fuel Pump & Sending System) was faulty and also needed an ECM update to the programming system. The fuel pump breaking down…"complaint #1888142
  24. #24

    glass and windshield

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "TAKATA RECALL. AFTER DRIVING MY MALIBU FOR MORE THAN A QUICK DRIVE AROUND THE BLOCK I NOTICED THAT MY LEFT EYE WAS GETTING BLURRY AND I SEEMED A LITTLE NAUSEOUS. THE SYMPTOMS STARTED EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE VEHICLE. I NOTICED A DISTORTION OF THE LEFT SIDE OF TH…"complaint #1578319
  25. #25

    hv system fault reduced power

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "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-[REDACTED ADDRESS] HAZARD. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 42,000 MILES ON IT."~41,750 mi, complaint #1707962
  26. #26

    key fob and immobilizer

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "My wife drove the car into the church parking lot and placed the shifter in park. Turned off the engine and the Display stated "place the car in Park." She restarted the car backed up and pulled back into the space, shut off the engine and it did the same thin…"complaint #2032339
  27. #27

    lighting exterior

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "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. "complaint #1786321
  28. #28

    power windows and locks

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE IGNITION IN THE OFF POSITION, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AND THE IGNITION WA…"~14,359 mi, complaint #1644089
  29. #29

    software or update

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "START/STOP ON POWERTRAIN / MOTOR CONTROL. MOTOR STOPS ON BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE AND STARTS UPON ? ? DECREASE IN PEDAL PRSSURE ? MOTOR STARTED AND RPM ACCELERATED BU ITSELF WHILE BRAKE PEDAL APPLIED, VEHICLE "SURGED" AND HIT POST. MOTOR ACCELERATES RPM / WOR…"~2,500 mi, complaint #1557929
  30. #30

    steering electric assist

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "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."~36,800 mi, complaint #1693813
  31. #31

    steering rack mechanical

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "The electrical system was refusing to acknowledge that my car was in Park & kept giving me a “Shift to Park” message on my dashboard. Took 3 or 4 tries of starting & shutting off the car for it to go away. Took the car to the Dealer & turns out that a faulty s…"complaint #1855544
  32. #32

    trunk or liftgate

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that water was leaking inside the trunk of the vehicle. The contact stated that he noticed water leaking on both sides of the trunk. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred whenever it rained.…"~29,000 mi, complaint #1843671
  33. #33

    unknown

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "The part in the linked article which was recalled, was never replaced. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)"complaint #2107046
  34. #34

    wheel bearing

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "WHEN DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY THE WHEELS FEEL LIKE THERE ARE PUSHING ONE WAY. WHEN SLOWING DOWN THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES. PRESSING THE ON BRAKES THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO SHAKES. COUPLE DAYS AGO WE HAD TO TIGHTEN THE LUG NUTS ON THE CAR FRONT TIRES. ITS WAS GOOD…"~25,000 mi, complaint #1663032

Search NHTSA's own recall and complaint database for CHEVROLET MALIBU directly.