Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2019 Chevrolet Malibu owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while at a light, the engine lost motive power and shut off. The vehicle began to roll backward. The emergency brake was inoperable. The vehicle shifted from park. The contact continued to pull the emergency brake, but it failed to respond. The contact attempted to turn the vehicle off, but it failed to turn off. The vehicle crashed into a ditch. The passenger sustained injuries to her head. The driver sustained injuries to his shoulder. The occupants did not receive any medical attention. There was no fire or air bag deployment. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,800.
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the "Engine Power Reduced" message was displayed. The contact attempted to depress the brake pedal, but the brake pedal was firm and hard to depress, causing the vehicle not to stop as needed. The vehicle eventually came to a stop and lost motive power and stalled. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle but the vehicle would not restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the mechanic stated that the brake vacuum pump and the engine needed to be replaced. The brake vacuum pump was replaced but the engine was not repaired or replaced. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed by a dealer. The failure mileage was 87,370.
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving approximately 45-50 MPH, the brake pedal was firm when depressed and the vehicle failed to stop immediately. No warning light was illuminated. The contact diagnosed the vehicle and retrieved DTC Codes for the camshaft sensor and crankcase sensor. The camshaft sensor was replaced by the contact. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the ABS vacuum pump was faulty and needed to be replaced. The mechanic replaced the ABS vacuum pump. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH on the freeway, the braking system suddenly malfunctioned and the vehicle failed to stop while depressing the brake pedal. The contact had to drive to the side road in order to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the brake booster pump had failed and caused damage to the timing chain and crankshaft. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 60,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH and accelerating, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled in the middle of the roadway. The ESC, traction control, check engine, and powertrain malfunction control warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The engine was replaced; however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 52,000
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that on two occasions while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. There were no warning lights illuminated; however, the contact determined that the failure was due to the throttle body. The vehicle was repaired. The local dealer was not contacted but had not diagnosed or repaired the vehicle. The manufacturer was contacted, and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the engine failed to shut off after depressing the Auto START/STOP button. The vehicle shut off after running out of fuel. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000. The VIN was unavailable.
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 10 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The accelerator pedal was depressed however, the vehicle was slow to respond. The local dealer was contacted however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 53,713.
Numerous times while driving my car both my son and I have experienced the same issues. Trying to get on the highway and pressing the gas pedal the car isn't responding appropriately to the level of which the gas is being pressed. It isn't accelerating appropriately. Than at stoplights or just trying to make a left hand turn from a stop position. You take your foot off brake and press the gas to go and it rolls a bit and you're pressing the gas to go and the car isn't responding. It's just sitting there. Like paused. Then all of a sudden the car engages and takes off. It is very dangerous to not have the car respond to pressing the gas. And I don't want to get into an accident because I'm trying to make a turn and get hit cause I'm just sitting there. Rather than it going when I'm pressing the gas. I am not getting any codes popping up on the dash. …
The first problem with my car was the tire pressure monitor. The location of each tire was wrong on the informant section. Soon after purchasing the car when ever I would park the car would not shut off and the DIC would display Shift to park message. Around 6 months after the purchase the brake pedal was getting harder the press down on and within a week from that while driving home from work the car completely shut off in the middle of traffic. It wouldn't start leaving me stuck on a busy street with heavy traffic blocking use of the lane. After 10 minutes it started back up and I barely made it into a parking lot of a shopping center with it shutting off again before I can park. I had to get a tow. I didnt go to an authorized dealer. I took it to a certified mechanic and had to replace the brake vacuum booster. The motor had to be cleaned out due to broken metal that got inside. …
Engine complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 66 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu, 34% of the model year's 193 complaints. The component named most often is engine › crank/camshaft position sensor (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2019 Chevrolet Malibu engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2019 Chevrolet Malibu engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 52,000 miles, and 33% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.