YearToAvoid

2019 Chevrolet Malibu Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Good The 2019 Chevrolet Malibu ranks 16th worst out of 21 model years, with a complaint index of 25 and a Good verdict. It has 190 complaints, 1 recall, and 8 crashes reported to NHTSA, making it one of the better Malibu years.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
25/100
#16 of 21 Malibu years
Verdict
Good
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
190
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
8
reported in complaints
Fires
1
Injuries
7
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2021
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
29
25.5 city / 34 hwy
Injuries / deaths
7 / 0

Top 2019 Chevy Malibu problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine70 (37%)
  2. Transmission & Powertrain66 (35%)
  3. Electrical System63 (33%)
  4. Other37 (19%)
  5. Brakes28 (15%)
  6. Fuel System18 (9%)
  7. Airbags6 (3%)
  8. Collision Avoidance & Cameras4 (2%)
  9. Structure & Body3 (2%)
  10. Steering2 (1%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Some owners report the engine auto stop/start feature causing a delayed restart, leading to a sudden lurch or surge forward when the brake pedal is released.
  • Brake pedals reportedly went to the floor or locked up with increased stopping distance, in one case forcing the driver to shift into neutral and coast to a stop.
  • Owners describe the engine losing power and shutting off unexpectedly at a stop, with the emergency brake failing to hold the vehicle.
  • Electrical system complaints include a door electrical fire that destroyed the vehicle interior and Apple CarPlay/GPS freezing during use.
  • Airbag and restraint system warning lights reportedly came on after collision repairs, with owners citing wiring harness problems.
2019 Chevrolet Malibu complaints: complaints filed per quarter162018 Q42020 Q12021 Q12022 Q12023 Q12024 Q12025 Q12026 Q1
190 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2018 Q4 to 2026 Q3; peak 2022 Q3 (16).

2019 Chevrolet Malibu recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 21V649000Aug 20, 2021Seat Belts402 vehicles

    Seat belts:rear/other:retractor

    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.

    Risk: 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.

2019 Chevrolet Malibu fuel economy and fuel cost

City
25.5 MPG
Highway
34 MPG
Combined
29 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,550
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2019 compared with other Malibu years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2017Good45702428
2018Caution50697628
2019Good25190129
2020Good35198129
2021Best1089229

All Chevrolet Malibu years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2019 Malibu earns a Good verdict with a complaint index of 25, ranking 16th worst out of 21 model years. It has fewer reported problems than most other Malibu years.
What are the most common problems with the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu?
Engine complaints make up 37% of reports (70 complaints), followed by transmission and powertrain issues at 35% (66 complaints) and electrical system issues at 33% (63 complaints).
Does the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu have any recalls?
NHTSA lists one recall for the 2019 Malibu, covering rear seat belt retractors that may be improperly secured with loose or missing fasteners. It is not a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2019 Malibu compare to other Malibu years?
The 2019 model year has a lower complaint index (25) than most other years; only 2020 through 2025 model years score lower, with 2021-2025 rated Best.
What is the fuel economy of the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu?
The EPA rates the 2019 Malibu at 29 mpg combined (25.5 city / 34 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,550.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.