VehicleVerdict

2019 Chevrolet Malibu problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2019 Chevrolet Malibu sits mid-pack among Malibu years: 306 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 478, with a single recall and no defect investigations. Complainants reported 11 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across transmission (66), electrical system (63), and engine (62), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

306

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

15

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

11

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2019 compare to other Malibu years?

Malibu NHTSA complaints by model year, 2019 highlighted2,356 complaints1964: 1 complaints1973: 0 complaints1974: 1 complaints1975: 2 complaints1977: 0 complaints1978: 2 complaints1979: 4 complaints1980: 6 complaints1981: 3 complaints1982: 3 complaints1983: 1 complaints1986: 1 complaints1989: 3 complaints1997: 693 complaints1998: 1,480 complaints1999: 1,227 complaints2000: 1,379 complaints2001: 1,005 complaints2002: 754 complaints2003: 773 complaints2004: 1,639 complaints2005: 1,386 complaints2006: 1,475 complaints2007: 1,253 complaints2008: 1,489 complaints2009: 2,356 complaints2010: 2,200 complaints2011: 1,526 complaints2012: 1,471 complaints2013: 1,382 complaints2014: 561 complaints2015: 395 complaints2016: 1,439 complaints2017: 1,165 complaints2018: 1,199 complaints2019: 306 complaints2020: 320 complaints2021: 114 complaints2022: 138 complaints2023: 80 complaints2024: 37 complaints2025: 7 complaints
Malibu NHTSA complaints by model year, 2019 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Malibu years to avoid →

What are the most common 2019 Chevrolet Malibu problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission6622%
Electrical System6321%
Engine6220%
Other3612%
Brakes258%
Fuel System186%
Speed Control124%
Airbags62%
Driver Assistance52%
Lighting41%
Body & Structure21%
Visibility & Wipers21%
Steering21%
Tires & Wheels10%
Latches & Locks10%
Seat Belts10%

Does the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

21V649000Seat BeltsAugust 20, 2021 · 402 units

Defect

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“The vehicle has failed to shift to park. I have pulled the vehicle into a parking spot on multiple occasions and placed the shift knob into park. A message on the screen pops up after I turn the car off, that says "Shift Vehicle to Park." I then have to start the car again and backup and pull…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 31, 2023

“Door electrical caught fire and the inside of the vehicle was destroyed. Fire started from the electrical in the driver door. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 6, 2025 · fire

“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 / WORKS BY ITSELF. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. DELAY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 7, 2019 · crash

“My car decelerates and has a problem accelerating and I received a Shift to Park error on my instrument panel which would not allow my car to cut off leading to a drained battery and rolling. When I looked up Shift to Park I found that there has been a recall on Chevy Malibus 2016-2019, but the…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · June 26, 2023

“On September 28th I was driving along the highway, went to take an exit, and the brake pedal was locked. I experienced a loss of braking, hard brake pedal and increased stopping distance. In order to get the car to stop, i had to put the car in neutral and coast into a ditch/grass. Before the brake…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · September 28, 2022 · crash

2019 Chevrolet Malibu — common questions

Is the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 306 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Malibu year, with 1 recall and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2019 Malibu problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (66 complaints), electrical system (63 complaints), engine (62 complaints).

Does the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Chevrolet Malibu years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Malibu years to avoid are 2009, 2010, 2004, 2011, 2008, 1998, 2006, 2012, 2016, 2005, 2013, 2000, 2007, 1999, 2018, 2017, 2001, 2003, 2002, 2020. The cleanest record among Malibu years belongs to 1977.

How safe is the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.