2019 Chevrolet Malibu Safety Report
2019 CHEVROLET MALIBU Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Moderate (1) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | High (182) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 7 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Power Train | Compare power train issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2021 | Compare against the 2021 Chevrolet Malibu with 62 complaints and 2 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2016 | Check the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu before buying across this generation. |
Chevrolet Malibu Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Chevrolet Malibu years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Chevrolet Malibu | 180 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2018 Chevrolet Malibu | 669 | 6 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2021 Chevrolet Malibu | 62 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2017 Chevrolet Malibu | 711 | 4 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2022 Chevrolet Malibu | 70 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2016 Chevrolet Malibu | 848 | 9 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2019 Chevrolet Malibu Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Power Train
37 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Chevrolet onlyElectrical System
23 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Chevrolet onlyUnknown Or Other
17 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Chevrolet onlyEngine
14 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Chevrolet onlyService Brakes,Engine
8 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Service Brakes,Engine issues Chevrolet onlyElectrical System,Engine
6 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System,Engine issues Chevrolet onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu
Reliability Score
The 2019 Chevrolet Malibu receives a reliability score of 45 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brake Booster Vacuum Pump Failure The brake booster vacuum pump failure can cause hard braking and engine stalling, affecting vehicle safety. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Internal Microswitch/Sensor Failure The failure of the internal microswitch/sensor within the gear shifter assembly can lead to unexpected engine acceleration and shift to park issues. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Engine And Speed Control Defects Vehicles have experienced unexpected acceleration and power loss, posing safety risks. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Throttlebody Hose Issues The throttlebody hose can pop off due to a missing gasket ring and retention clip, leading to engine failure. |
Low | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu:
Issues with the brake booster vacuum pump are common, leading to hard braking and engine stalling.
The internal microswitch/sensor within the gear shifter assembly has failed in several cases.
Engine and speed control defects have been reported, causing unexpected acceleration and power loss.
Throttlebody hose issues have led to engine failure due to missing gasket rings and retention clips.
Recall Details for the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu
The following 1 recall has been issued for the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu by NHTSA:
Summary: 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 Complaint Summaries for the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 3 complaints involved crashes. 1 involved fires. 2 reported injuries or fatalities.
The brake booster vacuum pump went out in my car it broke which caused hard breaking while driving vehicle. When the brake booster vacuum pump broke a piece of it damage my camshaft as well as my timing chain in my motor.
Year 2019, code P1101- vehicle hesitates while drive, will reduce power while driving, while sitting idle at a stop the car will die and I will have to restart the vehicle. Multiple times while driving on the highway at 70mph my car has all of a sudden either reduced power causing the car to jerk and shudder very hard or has lost all power completely and forced me to pull over while avoiding other...
- started shutting shutting off at while in drive. - started having reduced power - started idiling high while driving - initially there was no codes - last night I drove, I put in drive gear but it was delayed so I had to keep moving from park to drive for it to full go into drive - the codes came P0325 P0505 P0507 P0700 P1101 P2714 After I was driving up an incline the car stopped moving forwar...
The component that failed is the internal microswitch/sensor within the gear shifter assembly. The specific part that requires replacement is often documented in General Motors Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 19-NA-206 or 23-NA-119. The faulty component is available for inspection if the dealership removes the old part and retains it. My safety and the safety of others are put at risk because th...
My 2019 Chevrolet Malibu has severe safety defects involving the engine, powertrain, and speed control. The vehicle will sometimes accelerate on its own with my foot off the gas, and other times it loses all power while pulling into traffic. This creates an immediate risk of a crash. Multiple diagnostic codes appear repeatedly, including P0299 (turbo underboost), P0101 (mass air flow performance)...
I was traveling down i-25 at 75 mph because that is what the speed limit here in Colorado. I was traveling south heading to Colorado Springs to visit family and i was entering near Castle Rock and my vechile would not go at all forward and it seemed as if I lost power to acceleration and I believe it was 2 or 3 lanes to exit off an off ramp as cars pasted me by honking their horns it was very scar...
Shift to Park engine light triggers when car is in Park. will not go away therefore causing it to drain the battery and being unable to lock or move the vehicle. This is the 2nd time this has occurred and is expensive to repair. this needs to be a recall and not limited to specific states. this is a known issue with GMC
Shift to park issue. After putting the car into Park and attempting to shut off the vehicle, an alter to SHIFT TO PARK came up and the car could not be shut off. Vehicle stalls at lights and in traffic because of the START / STOP system GM has put in this 2019 Malibu. This is dangerous as the vehicle moves if on incline (sometimes backwards). There is no control. The vehicle then has to be shifte...
Was driving on the freeway maneuvered over to exit vehicle lost power and engine completely shut off while in motion. Same incident occurred while on surface street as I was approaching a red light vehicle completely shut off while in drive and in motion.
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 started up but all interior lights would not go off and I went to auto zone to check codes and its one of the codes for RECALL I will be takin...
Sunday, September 21, 2025, while on my way to church around 8:40am, while driving in traffic, car began to slow and then stopped (CAR WAS IN DRIVE, NOT IN PARK). The "Shift to Park" and ABS light appeared on dashboard. After the car completely stopped, and with other motorists blowing their horns behind me, I put the vehicle in park and was able to restart it. I immediately returned home and ca...
IN DECEMBER 2024, DRIVING TO WORK WHEN CAR ABRUPTLY STOPPED (NO POWER). WAITED FOR A WHILE FOR MY HUSBAND TO ARRIVE. VEHICLE STARTED AGAIN, DROVE TO TROPICAL CHEVY AT 8880BISCAYNE BLVD, MIAMI SHORES, FL FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING (PAID $160. RESULT - TRANSMISSION PROBLEM ESTIMATED AT $1,800). DID NOT HAVE VEHICLE FIXED. DECIDED TO HAVE VEHICLE EXAMINED AGAIN IN SEPTEMBER 2025; PAID $160 DIAGNOSTIC FE...
Shift to park issue. After putting the car into Park and attempting to shut off the vehicle, an alter to SHIFT TO PARK came up and the car could not be shut off. This happened several times. Car was taken to the dealer where it was originally purchased. The issue was known to the service department as having been seen many times on same type of vehicle. The repair was to replace the shifter ...
Throttlebody hose pops off of the throttlebody due to a missing gasket ring as well as the retention clip/spring clip. The plastic pieces on the spring clip have popped off since the issue has been presented. Cannot accelerate past 3 1/2 RPMs without throttlebody hose popping off from the pressure produced by the turbo charger.
Car was running fine then next day wont turn over. Code reader said fuel injectors weren’t injecting fuel. And ECM failed
After shifting the vehicle into park and then attempting to turn the vehicle off a message displays to shift into park, even though the vehicle is already in park.
When I put my car in park and turn it off, I get the message to "Shift to Park" My engine light is on and sporadically goes off. It is difficult to bring my car in as there is a fee to evaluate my car and the sporadic engine light. When it is on my Chevy App tells me it is Engine and Transmission - Air Induction System.
My vehicle fails to shut off when placed in Park. •It fails to start properly when the ignition is engaged. •It experiences shifting malfunctions that directly prevent safe operation. These issues are ongoing and remain unresolved despite being well-documented in GM Technical Service Bulletin 19-NA-206 and related bulletins, which identify the root cause as a defective shifter park switch and wiri...
Door electrical caught fire and the inside of the vehicle was destroyed. Fire started from the electrical in the driver door.
Vehicle stalls at lights and in traffic because of the START / STOP system GM has put in this 2019 Malibu. This is dangerous as the vehicle moves if on incline (sometimes backwards). There is no control. The vehicle then has to be shifted into PARK and then restarted. THIS HAPPENED July of 2024 and August 2025
Showing 20 of 182 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu
Has the 2019 CHEVROLET MALIBU been recalled?
Yes, the 2019 CHEVROLET MALIBU has 1 recall on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2019 CHEVROLET MALIBU have?
The 2019 CHEVROLET MALIBU has 182 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 6 involved crashes. 6 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2019 CHEVROLET MALIBU?
The 2019 CHEVROLET MALIBU received an overall NHTSA safety rating of good (4/5). Frontal crash: 5/5. Side crash: 4/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2019 CHEVROLET MALIBU?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2019 CHEVROLET MALIBU involve power train (37 complaints), electrical system (23 complaints), unknown or other (17 complaints). Other affected components include engine, service brakes,engine, electrical system,engine.
How many crash reports does the 2019 CHEVROLET MALIBU have?
There are 6 crash reports associated with the 2019 CHEVROLET MALIBU out of 182 total complaints (3.3% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2019 CHEVROLET MALIBU have?
There are 1 fire reports for the 2019 CHEVROLET MALIBU out of 182 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2019 CHEVROLET MALIBU?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2019 CHEVROLET MALIBU.
How many injuries are reported for the 2019 CHEVROLET MALIBU?
6 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2019 CHEVROLET MALIBU. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2019 CHEVROLET MALIBU?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2019 CHEVROLET MALIBU is acceptable with caveats. It has 182 complaints, 1 recalls, and a good (4/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2019 CHEVROLET MALIBU?
The components with the most failures on the 2019 CHEVROLET MALIBU are: 1. POWER TRAIN (37 complaints), 2. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (23 complaints), 3. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (17 complaints), 4. ENGINE (14 complaints), 5. SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE (8 complaints). POWER TRAIN is the single most-reported problem area with 37 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2019 CHEVROLET MALIBU?
Be cautious of brake booster vacuum pump and internal microswitch/sensor failures, as they can lead to hard braking and unexpected engine acceleration. Regular maintenance is crucial. The 2019 CHEVROLET MALIBU has 182 NHTSA complaints and 1 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it good (4/5).
How reliable is the 2019 CHEVROLET MALIBU?
The 2019 CHEVROLET MALIBU receives a reliability score of 45/100, indicating average reliability. This is based on 182 owner complaints, 1 recalls, and 7 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Brake Booster Vacuum Pump Failure and Internal Microswitch/Sensor Failure.
What are the known issues with the 2019 CHEVROLET MALIBU?
Known issues with the 2019 CHEVROLET MALIBU include: Brake Booster Vacuum Pump Failure, Internal Microswitch/Sensor Failure, Engine and Speed Control Defects, Throttlebody Hose Issues. These are based on patterns found across 182 NHTSA complaints. 1 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the most common safety issues with the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu?
Common issues include brake booster vacuum pump failure, internal microswitch/sensor failure, and engine and speed control defects.
Can the throttlebody hose issues cause engine failure?
Yes, the throttlebody hose can pop off due to missing gasket rings and retention clips, leading to engine failure.
What should I do if I experience unexpected engine acceleration?
Pull over safely and check for any warning lights or issues, then seek professional diagnosis and repair.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of brake booster vacuum pump and internal microswitch/sensor failures, as they can lead to hard braking and unexpected engine acceleration. Regular maintenance is crucial.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2019 Chevrolet Malibu
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. The data includes 182 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 1 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 6 reported crashes, 1 fire incidents, 6 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 5 stars, a side crash rating of 4 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-14