Is the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu a bad year?
193 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 68, 2.7× a quiet Malibu year.
Keep it, but watch the transmission
Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 24k–77k miles, where you are now.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2019 Malibu owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 48,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 68 (35%) | 24k–77k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Engine | 66 (34%) | 17k–65k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical system | 62 (32%) | 29k–59k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Brakes | 26 (13%) | 33k–92k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Fuel system | 18 (9%) | 14k–64k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Speed control | 12 (6%) | 41k–65k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Air bags | 6 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 48,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 193 complaints: 8 mention a crash · 1 mentions a fire · 4 report an injury · 10 say the car was towed.
17 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
When I stop at a stop sign or red light, it seems like my car cuts off and then back on when I hit the gas. I can hear it.
At 10,000 miles my 2019 Chevrolet Malibu started to sputter and lose power.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 48,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu: 1
The rear seat belt retractors may be improperly secured with loose or missing fasteners. An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Chevrolet: 329
Repair instructions Chevrolet sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
PIP6032B provides diagnostic direction for dealers when encountering transmission leaks
Intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming…
Normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal…
Recording transmission noises using the PicoScope For review
Neighbouring years
2018 Malibu: 700 complaints, consider selling · 2020 Malibu: 202 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission.
Every Chevrolet Malibu year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · All Malibu years side by side
Other Chevrolet models: Chevrolet Astro · Chevrolet Avalanche · Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 · Chevrolet Aveo · Chevrolet Blazer · Chevrolet Bolt EV · Chevrolet Camaro · Chevrolet Captiva · Chevrolet Cavalier · Chevrolet Cobalt · Chevrolet Cobalt SS · Chevrolet Colorado · Chevrolet Corvette · Chevrolet Cruze · Chevrolet Equinox · Chevrolet Equinox EV · Chevrolet Express · Chevrolet HHR · Chevrolet Impala · Chevrolet Malibu Classic · Chevrolet Malibu Maxx · Chevrolet Monte Carlo · Chevrolet S10 · Chevrolet Silverado · Chevrolet Silverado 1500 · Chevrolet Silverado 1500 HD · Chevrolet Silverado 2500 · Chevrolet Silverado 3500 · Chevrolet Sonic · Chevrolet Spark · Chevrolet Suburban · Chevrolet Suburban 1500 · Chevrolet Tahoe · Chevrolet Tracker · Chevrolet Trailblazer · Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT · Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT 370 · Chevrolet Traverse · Chevrolet Trax · Chevrolet Uplander · Chevrolet Venture · Chevrolet Volt. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu a bad year?
193 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 68, 2.7× a quiet Malibu year. At 48,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the transmission. Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 24k–77k miles, where you are now.
What are the most common problems with the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (68), engine (66), electrical system (62), brakes (26), fuel system (18). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 24k–77k miles.
How many recalls does the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu have?
1 recall campaign list this model year: Seat belts (NHTSA 21V-649). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.