Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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 after the vehicle was shifted into park(P) and turned off, a message displayed across the screen that stated "Shift to Park" indicating that the vehicle was not parked. The contact stated that she was informed by a mechanic that the message indicated that the vehicle was not completely in park. The contact stated that an undisclosed dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not covered under warranty. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer for diagnostic test. The contact stated that no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would intermittently fail to accelerate above 55 MPH as the "Engine Power Reduced" message would appear on the instrument panel. The contact also stated that an abnormal grinding noise would emit from the vehicle upon depression of the brake pedal. The contact called the dealer and was informed that she could not be given an appointment for another month. She then contacted an independent mechanic and was informed that unless the failure was persistent, they would not be able to diagnose the failure. The contact attempted to reach the manufacturer but was unable to reach a representative. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving or while the vehicle was parked, the gear shifter failed to shift into drive. The contact had to shift into neutral, depress the accelerator pedal, and the vehicle responded as intended. The check engine warning light illuminated for 45 minutes and then stopped being illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified on the failure but offered no assistance. The contact was referred by the manufacturer to report the failure to the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that on several occasions while shifting into park(P), the message "Shift to Park" displayed on the instrument panel. The driver was forced to shift the gear shifter several times before the vehicle recognized that park(P) had been selected. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided an estimate for a diagnostic test. The contact stated that the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there were no recalls associated with the VIN. The manufacturer then referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that after parking and attempting to turn off the vehicle, the gear shifter was shifted to park(P) however, the vehicle failed to recognize that the vehicle was in park(P), and the vehicle failed to turn off. During the failure, the message "Shift to Park" was displayed and the vehicle idled for approximately 15 minutes before independently turning off. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The contact was notified of TSB: PIT5616A; and associated the failure with the TSB. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed during a heavy rain storm, the vehicle lost significant motive power and was unable to accelerate above 40 MPH. The contact also stated that a message displayed, "Side detection system disabled," and the lane departure assist system activated, briefly steering the vehicle into oncoming traffic before he was able to regain control. The traction control warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 30,500.
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while parking the vehicle and shifting into park(P), the shift into park warning light illuminated. The contact stated she exited the vehicle but was unable to lock the doors. The contact stated she restarted the vehicle and continued to shift the gear shifter to park until the transmission and gear shift indicator properly recognized that the vehicle was in park. The contact stated she had experienced the failure several times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 6,012.
The contact owns 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the driveway, after removing the foot from the pedal brake and turning off the vehicle, the message "Shift to Park" was displayed. The contact was unable to exit the vehicle while the message was displayed. Additionally, the doors were unable to be locked during the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The dealer was contacted, and the contact was provided the cost for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 83,555.
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that upon shifting to park(P) and attempting to turn off the vehicle, the message "Shift to Park" was displayed. While investigating the failure online, the contact became aware that it was a common failure, and there was an ongoing Class Action Lawsuit related to the failure. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a related recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 91,000.
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
Transmission complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 68 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu, 35% of the model year's 193 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission › lever and linkage › floor shift (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2019 Chevrolet Malibu transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 48,000 miles, and 26% before 25,000 miles.
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.