2019 Chevrolet MALIBU: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
189 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
40,744 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2019 model year. Data snapshot: . 56 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 62 of 189 complaints (32.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 37 | 19.6% |
| Braking behavior | 36 | 19.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 31 | 16.4% |
| Engine operation | 23 | 12.2% |
| Steering behavior | 10 | 5.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 1.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 62 |
| Power Train | 62 |
| Electrical System | 61 |
| Unknown Or Other | 36 |
| Service Brakes | 20 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 17 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 12 |
| Air Bags | 6 |
Engine: 62; Power Train: 62; Electrical System: 61; Unknown Or Other: 36; Service Brakes: 20; Fuel/Propulsion System: 17; Vehicle Speed Control: 12; Air Bags: 6
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 19 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 14 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 13 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 6 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 19; 25,000 to 49,999: 14; 50,000 to 74,999: 13; 75,000 to 99,999: 6; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (19). 133 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 6 |
| 2020 | 17 |
| 2021 | 16 |
| 2022 | 38 |
| 2023 | 42 |
| 2024 | 19 |
| 2025 | 40 |
| 2026 | 10 |
2018: 1; 2019: 6; 2020: 17; 2021: 16; 2022: 38; 2023: 42; 2024: 19; 2025: 40; 2026: 10
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 37 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 36 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 31 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11142975 · 2018-10-26 (October 26, 2018)
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. I HAVE A PHOTO OF THE CHINESE-MADE PART #13592351/2017. I HAVE NOTIFIED BOTH ENTERPRISE AND GENERAL MOTORS. IN DISCUSSING THE ISSUE, IT SEEMS THAT NEITHER COMPANY INCLUDES A SAFETY CHECK OF THE TIRE JACK. MY CONCERN IS THAT 40-50 THOUSAND IMPALAS WERE SOLD IN 2018. CAR RENTAL COMPAN…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,374 miles reported. Look up ODI 11142975 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11181344 · 2019-02-20 (February 20, 2019)
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 NO WAY TO TEMPORARILY OR PERMANENTLY DEFEAT THE SYSTEM ON THIS GM MODEL ACCORDING TO GM SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THOUGH I AM SURE IT IS OPERATING AS DESIGNED FOR CERTAIN OWNER DRIVING STYLES AND TRAFFIC CONDITIONS THIS CAN BE A SERIOUS HAZARD. CAR MAKERS SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO EITHER DISABLE TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11181344 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11196208 · 2019-04-15 (April 15, 2019)
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 IN "START / STOP" CAUSING SURGE. SOFTWARE PROGRAMMING PROBLEM ?
Owner-reported narrative. 2,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11196208 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11220720 · 2019-06-17 (June 17, 2019)
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 LIGHT CAME ON BUT THE ENGINE RAN FINE.
Owner-reported narrative. 3,201 miles reported. Look up ODI 11220720 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11222568 · 2019-06-25 (June 25, 2019)
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 THE WINDSHIELD THAT IS CAUSING THE NAUSEA. WHEN LOOKING THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD AT ONCOMING TRAFFIC MY VIEW IS DISTORTED. THE SAME AS WHEN I LOOK THE VERY RIGHT OF THE WINDSHIELD. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND DROVE ANOTHER BRAND NEW MALIBU FOR A DAY AND HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. AT T…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11222568 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11230268 · 2019-07-08 (July 8, 2019)
FAULTY FUEL PUMP COMMUNICATION SYSTEM AND KEY KOB READER
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11230268 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11255637 · 2019-09-16 (September 16, 2019)
NEW CAR. 500 MILES ON MOTOR. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. P2097. NOTICED DECREASED ENGINE POWER WHEN PRESSING GAS PEDDLE. CAR STALLED ON START. FELT SLIGHT SHIMMY FROM MOTOR WHILE SITTING IDLE.
Owner-reported narrative. 493 miles reported. Look up ODI 11255637 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11307421 · 2020-02-06 (February 6, 2020)
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 WAS TURNED TO THE OFF POSITION, THE RADIO WAS STILL OPERATIONAL. THE PUSH TO START BUTTON WAS DEPRESSED AND THE RADIO TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT INFORMED AN UNNAMED DEALER OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MIL…
Owner-reported narrative. 14,359 miles reported. Look up ODI 11307421 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
21V649000 · Seat Belts:Rear/Other:Retractor | Seat Belts:Critical Fasteners
Reported: 2021-08-20 (August 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗