Verdict
2019 Chevrolet Malibu: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues
What the public record actually says about the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.
The read
More reported complaints than most sedan.
Owners filed 190 NHTSA complaints — more complaints than 86% of 2019 sedans. Power Train leads the reports (33%). 1 safety recall campaign on record — check the VIN and remedy terms with a dealer.
Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2019 sedans, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.
Complaints filed
190
Reports to NHTSA, 2019
Safety recalls
1
NHTSA campaigns on record
NHTSA crash test
Overall NCAP rating
Combined MPG
29
EPA estimate
Complaint volume vs. segment peers
More complaints than 86% of 2019 sedans
The bar is this car's percentile among 2019 sedans by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.
Known issues
Power Train issues lead owner complaints (33% of 190 reports), followed by electrical system (27%).
+ 7 more component categories with fewer reports.
Share of all 190 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11738236, ODI 11727912, ODI 11725206, ODI 11721239, ODI 11704338.
Recalls(1)
Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.
Seat Belts · 21V649000Details +Close −
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.
A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.
Investigations
0 NHTSA investigations on record
No investigations are on record as of Jul 2026. An empty record is not a clean bill of health.
Crash-test ratings
2019 Chevrolet Malibu 4 DR FWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Frontal
- Side
- Rollover
Fuel economy by trim
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Hwy | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malibu | 1.5L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 29 | 36 | 32 |
| Malibu | 2.0L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 22 | 32 | 26 |
EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.
Before you buy
Useful next checks
Federal records tell you about patterns. These checks can tell you more about the specific car in front of you.
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Compare model years
"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.
2019 Chevrolet Malibu: frequently asked
What does the complaint record show for the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu?
Owners filed 190 NHTSA complaints about the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu — more complaints than 86% of comparable 2019 sedans, so it sits toward the weaker end of its class. That's a signal, not a guarantee about any single car.
What are the most common problems on the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu?
The most-reported problem areas are Power Train (33% of complaints) and electrical system (27%).
How many recalls does the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu have?
1 recall has been issued that affect the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu, covering components such as seat belts. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.
What gas mileage does the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu get?
The EPA rates the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu between 26 and 32 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.