2019 Chevrolet Malibu Reliability Score & Common Problems

Owners report that the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu frequently experiences a "Shift to Park" error, where the vehicle does not recognize it is in park, preventing the car from turning off and leading to drained batteries. This issue often arises around 38,000 to 55,000 miles and can require multiple attempts to resolve temporarily. Additionally, some owners experience malfunctions with the auto start/stop feature, where the vehicle fails to restart at intersections, posing a potential safety risk in traffic. Complaints also mention sporadic issues with engine power loss and steering assist warnings, although these are less frequent. Buyers should be aware of these recurring issues as they consider this model, especially given the potential safety implications when the vehicle unexpectedly powers down.

Owners of the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu frequently report issues related to the brake vacuum pump, with many describing sudden loss of braking power and hard brake pedals. Complaints often mention that the brake failure occurs without warning, sometimes accompanied by engine power reduction messages and check engine lights. Several reports indicate that the failures occur around 60,000 to 90,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, with at least two incidents involving crashes where vehicles failed to stop, resulting in collisions with ditches. Buyers should be aware of potential brake vacuum pump malfunctions that may lead to loss of control and require costly repairs, including engine damage.

Owners of the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu report issues related to vehicle speed control, primarily involving unexpected power loss and difficulty with acceleration. Some complaints describe the vehicle stalling without warning or being slow to respond when the accelerator pedal is pressed, with occurrences noted around 53,713 miles. Additionally, a common issue reported involves a "shift to park" alert that prevents the vehicle from being turned off, requiring manual intervention to resolve. These symptoms may present safety concerns, particularly in situations requiring immediate acceleration or deceleration. Buyers should be aware that some owners have encountered these problems, which may incur repair costs not covered by warranty or recall.

Owners of the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu report issues with the airbag system, often accompanied by other warning lights such as the check engine and ABS lights. Common symptoms include warning messages about the airbag system and audible alerts for the service safety restraint system. Some owners mention incidents where the airbag warning light activates following a loud popping sound and a reduction in engine power, attributed to a dislodged air intake hose. In one case, a service technician identified the need to replace the airbag clock spring, which affects airbag deployment, horn functionality, and steering wheel controls. No specific mileage patterns are evident from the complaints, but the safety implications include potential airbag malfunctions and impaired horn operation.

Owners of the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu report issues related to steering, with symptoms often including the vehicle pulling to one side and the steering wheel shaking, particularly when braking or driving on the freeway. These issues typically arise around 71,000 miles, as noted in one complaint. Additionally, warning lights for power steering and electronic stability control (ESC) may illuminate during these events. Some owners also mention a need to tighten lug nuts on the front tires, but this does not consistently resolve the shaking issue. Safety implications include potential loss of control due to unexpected vehicle movements and steering difficulties.