Research · Midsize Cars

2019 Chevrolet MalibuRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 193 owner complaints for the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. Most complaints involve power train (68) and engine (65). The EPA rates it 26–32 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Combined MPG
26–32mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Aug 2021
Owner complaints
193
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$2,000est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Seat belts: critical fasteners

Free remedy

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.

Seat beltsReported Aug 20, 2021NHTSA 21V649000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 4, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

193 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2018 – Oct 2026
  1. Power train68
  2. Engine65
  3. Electrical system62
  4. Service brakes22
  5. Fuel/propulsion system17
  6. Vehicle speed control12
  7. Air bags6
  8. Exterior lighting4
  9. Service brakes, hydraulic4

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Malibu model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1997452
1998999
1999800
2000944
2001739
2002596
2003611
20041,698
20051,393
20061,389
2007992
20081,017
20091,511
20101,365
2011978
2012907
2013924
2014363
2015270
2016865
2017727
2018700
2019193
2020200
202190
202299
202373
202444
202512
Crashes reported
8
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
7
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 4, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

68 reports
“The vehicle experiences sudden transmission slipping, severe shuddering, and an unexpected loss of forward drive power while in motion. Specifically, while attempting to accelerate from a complete stop / merge onto the highway, the engine revs but the vehicle fails to accelerate properly or suddenly loses acceleration entirely. This creates a severe and immediate safety hazard as it leaves the vehicle moving incredibly slowly or stranded in active traffic, creating an imminent risk of a rear-end collision. The dealership has been unable to provide a permanent remedy.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 20, 2026Power train, EngineODI 11772301

Engine

65 reports2 crashes
“The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that after purchasing the vehicle, the following morning while waiting at the school drop-off line with her foot on the brake pedal, there was an abnormal boom, and several warning lights illuminated and flashed on the instrument panel. The occupants inside the vehicle assumed that the vehicle was struck from behind. The vehicle attempted to surge and revved and started to choke and shut off. The vehicle was shifted into park and the ignition key turned to the off position. The vehicle was restarted but failed to move. The engine, traction control, and the radio were blinking. The vehicle was shifted to first gear but was moving slowly. The vehicle stalled and was restarted, but the failure recurred. The engine light remained illuminated, but the screen was dimmed. The vehicle was turned off. The contact associated the failure with TSB: 21-NA-045. The dealer was called and a voicemail was left. The vehicle was driven to the service center and the contact waited for 20 minutes to allow the vehicle to cool down and then restarted the vehicle. The gear shift indicator was not lit. The contact was able to…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 24, 2026Electrical system, Service brakes, EngineODI 11766611

Electrical system

62 reports3 crashes1 fire
“Since 2024/2025 car has been malfunctioning, I’ve had it checked out but it just got worse and nothing was fixed l, it is I driveable and very unsafe. When driving it abruptly stops like it’s crashing Messages that pop up (Multiple ones at one time flashing as well) - service “ESC” -“service power steering drive with care” -“shift to park” -“low fuel” (but car has gas in it) - check engine light on -all lights flashing at once while jerking -car stops abruptly when you’re driving it -radio blacks out while driving -dashboard blacks out as vehicle is running -jerking while trying to stop -sensor malfunctions -transmission slippage -engine still on and running sounds like it’s cooling down and smells of it as well”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 4, 2026Electrical system, Service brakes, EngineODI 11742162
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 4, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
1.5L 4-cyl turbo · 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Automatic 9-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline · Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 4, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Malibu
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
293632$2,000281
Malibu
Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
223226$3,050344
  • Malibu
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo
    29 city · 36 hwy · $2,000/yr
    32
    mpg comb.
  • Malibu
    Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    22 city · 32 hwy · $3,050/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 4, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
4 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
10.3%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 4, 2026Vehicle 14012
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2019 Malibu questions

How many recalls does the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu have?

1 safety recall as of Nov 4, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2019 Chevrolet Malibu problems?

Owners filed 193 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (68), engine (65), electrical system (62). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu get?

The EPA rates the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu at 26–32 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 4, 2026