Home · 2019 Chevrolet Malibu Eco · Complaints

What 188 owners told NHTSA about the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu Eco

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (188)Crash / fire / injury (9)Transmission & drivetrain (65)Electrical system (61)Engine (61)Brakes (24)Fuel system (18)Speed control (12)Airbags (6)Lights (4)Driver assistance (3)Body & structure (2)

Newest first · 188 complaints · page 4 of 8

Oct 4, 2023Electrical system

The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, and releasing the accelerator pedal the auto Start/Stop system engaged with delay, and the vehicle shuddered while resuming normal driving. The instrument cluster and the infotainment system were inoperable and turned off temporarily while driving. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times while attempting to drive from a complete stop. Messages indicating low fuel and key fob malfunction were displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the battery was replaced. The contact stated that the Start/Stop system operated as needed after the battery replacement. Additionally, the contact stated while driving an undisclosed speed in a parking lot, the auto Start/Stop system engaged inadvertently, and the vehicle shut off. The message "Shift to Neutral. Restart Vehicle" was displayed. The contact followed the instruction and restarted the vehicle. The contact stated that while driving 5-8 MPH, and making a turn from a middle lane, the failure recurred while there was oncoming traffic. The contact shifted into neutral (N) and restarted the vehicle. The contact stated that the message "Power Steering Reduced. Drive Carefully" was displayed when the failure occurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the battery was replaced 4-5 times; however, the cause of the failure could not be determined. The contact stated that each battery had lasted 9-10 months. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The manufacturer advised the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer to be diagnosed and informed the contact that they would consider buying back the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11548291

Sep 21, 2023Transmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that on several occasions when the vehicle was shifted to park, the gear shifter failed to remain in the intended gear. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the jump harness and shift part switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 32,800.

NHTSA ODI 11545886

Sep 18, 2023BrakesEngine & cooling

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.

NHTSA ODI 11545116

Sep 6, 2023Transmission & drivetrain

CVT transmission is already bad on this vehicle with only 114,000 miles on it and it’s a safety hazard. And the expense to replace it costs $3500 and up for rebuilt and $7500 for brand new!!!! This is unacceptable and outrageous. I was told by several mechanics that this car and these transmissions are junk and have a bad reputation. There needs to be a recall. I still owe on this car and shouldn’t have to stick that kind of money into repairs. Shame on GM!!! Next car I buy is going to be Toyota! Or non American junk.

NHTSA ODI 11543019

Aug 23, 2023Transmission & drivetrain

When vehicle was put in park. I was unable to turn off vehicle "shift to park" error kept coming on. Had to finally unplug battery. Calling dealer today. Unable to drive.

NHTSA ODI 11540261

Aug 21, 2023Speed control

Car looses power out of no where. No lights are on or anything

NHTSA ODI 11539851

Jul 31, 2023Transmission & drivetrainElectrical system

The vehicle has failed to shift to park. I have pulled the vehicle into a parking spot on multiple occasions and placed the shift knob into park. A message on the screen pops up after I turn the car off, that says "Shift Vehicle to Park." I then have to start the car again and backup and pull forward attempting to get the car to engage into park.

NHTSA ODI 11535428

Jul 18, 2023Electrical system

Unknown cause of issue. Vehicle states a notice to “Shift to Park” after it has already been shifted in to park and prompted to turned off. The electricity in the vehicle will not shut off until the notice disappears which doesn’t happen unless the button on the shifter is pressed multiple times. This issue will cause the battery to die in the vehicle if not treated, which in turn, will leave myself and any passengers stranded where the vehicle is.

NHTSA ODI 11533138

Jul 5, 2023Transmission & drivetrain

Shift to park when car is in park and also while vehicles in park I can still move the gears to reverse neutral and drive without having foot on break

NHTSA ODI 11530542

Jul 3, 2023Transmission & drivetrainSpeed control

My car decelerates and has a problem accelerating and I received a Shift to Park error on my instrument panel which would not allow my car to cut off leading to a drained battery and rolling. When I looked up Shift to Park I found that there has been a recall on Chevy Malibus 2016-2019, but the dealership says there’s no recall on my car.

NHTSA ODI 11530175

Jun 30, 2023Electrical system

SERVICE ESC flashed on my dashboard along with the car jerking when braking. Car has not been abused as this a new development. Check engine light stays on. Service ESC and LOW FUEL appear at the same time the brake jerk happens. Car has less than 50k miles despite being used everyday. Car does not perform accurately with the ESC not working.

NHTSA ODI 11529837

Jun 28, 2023Electrical system

Shift to park switch malfunction. Switch is bad

NHTSA ODI 11529269

Jun 9, 2023

SHIFT TO PARK NOTICE COMES ON AND CANNOT TURN VEHICLE OFF EVEN THOUGH IT IS IN PARK POSITION.

NHTSA ODI 11526263

May 30, 2023Transmission & drivetrain

I have a 2019 chevrolet malibu. When I stop the car and shift into park the "Shift to park " lite comes on. This is very annoying because you have re-shift into "park" several times before the lite goes off. This is very dangerous because you don't know if the vehicle is really in "park".

NHTSA ODI 11524547

May 26, 2023Transmission & drivetrain

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.

NHTSA ODI 11524030

May 22, 2023

SHIFT TO PARK NOTICE COMES ON AND CANNOT TURN VEHICLE OFF EVEN THOUGH IT IS IN PARK POSITION. THIS PREVENTS ME FROM TURNING OFF CAR AND OR LOCKING UP VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 11523145

May 3, 2023BrakesEngine

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.

NHTSA ODI 11520194

Apr 16, 2023Electrical systemFuel system

Check engine light lit up on the dashboard. Did not go away, took car to dealership next day. Turns out that the fuel pump system (P & A Fuel Pump & Sending System) was faulty and also needed an ECM update to the programming system. The fuel pump breaking down confuses me because the car will only be 4 yrs old at the end of May, with only a little bit over 31,000 miles on it. This system should not have needed replacing this soon in the cars usage.

NHTSA ODI 11517343

Apr 14, 2023

When I put the car in Park, and shut the engine off, the car won't shut off because I get a error message on my dash saying I must engage Park. It takes several tries to get the car to recognize it is in Park and shut off.

NHTSA ODI 11517013

Apr 13, 2023Engine

This is ongoing. Originally got trouble code p0239 after check engine light, cleaned throttle body. It went away. Then i got the same symptoms as a result of the throttle position sensor. I replaced that as well. Then i got a code for the turbo boost sensor. So i replaced that. Now I'm getting similar symptoms and the check engine light isn't turning on at all. I suspect maybe a catalytic converter, ecm issue, or transmission issue. I've repaired all problems that have given me a code. The car accelerates very slowly, while the rpms go up normally, then the car bolts off almost normally for a while. And becomes jerky. So I'm unable to safely pass others if needed or accelerate normally both from a stop and while moving. While driving at low speeds with the window down I can hear a sound that could be the turbo spooling up or maybe a fan. Also, the cooling fan will stay on for a while after turning off the engine. I contacted the dealer and they said the only recall is a CAC retainer and told me there were no other TSBs open for my VIN but i believe by car is eligible for multiple including but not limited to 19-NA-058.

NHTSA ODI 11516951

Apr 13, 2023Speed control

I went to put car in park and when it was in park I was still getting shift to park alert on dashboard. With this alert I was unable to turn off the vehicle. After about 30 minutes the first time it happened I was able to get it to acknowledge the car was in park by moving my car around parking lot and shifting from drive to park. The next day it happened again but this time I had to jiggle the shifter to get it to go into park after trying for about 30 minutes. The alert basically trapped me in a car that would not turn off. I took it to the dealer service center the next day and was told it is a common problem with my car. Repair bill was $400 and told it was not a recall or something gm would warranty.

NHTSA ODI 11516963

Apr 12, 2023Brakes

The rear calipers on my car are again hanging up it happened a few months ago and just recently twice within a week it is going for an oil change on the 25th but gm corporation is giving me the run around I feel the calipers are not a wearable part as they claim and I do have a bumper to bumper warranty on the car still I kept on asking them if that part was covered under my warranty’s but they wouldn’t tell me that

NHTSA ODI 11516716

Apr 5, 2023Electrical systemEngine

GM 2019 Chevrolet Malibu - Report Shift to Park Issue - Mileage 13,784. I would like to report a Shift-to-Park problem I had with my 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. Approximately two weeks prior to this service call I started experiencing a problem with Engine Start/Stop button and “shift to park” message on instrument panel. Pressing Start/Stop button would not turn off engine. It took several attempts to completely turn off engine. Two weeks and issue was getting progressively worse. Finally on Wednesday, March 29th and having started driving errands, I could not turn off engine at all. I could not get out of the car without warning beeps going off. I immediately drove to Dealer Service as I felt unsafe to drive. Dealer Service performed and I picked up car on Thursday, March 30, 2023. They replaced shifter switch and installed jumper harness. Again, I do want to report issue as this car has only 13,784 miles. Thank you,

NHTSA ODI 11515520

Mar 30, 2023SteeringBrakes

The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the "stability track" symbol illuminated. The contact depressed the brake pedal, and the brakes started to grab, causing the vehicle to shudder. The contact stated that the vehicle jerked to the left which she corrected by turning to the right. The contact stated that additional warning lights for the power steering and ESC illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to her residence, placed the vehicle in park (P) and turned off the vehicle. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 71,000.

NHTSA ODI 11514645

Mar 24, 2023Electrical systemBrakes

Vehicle cuts off daily. This has been going on for months. A message shows up saying put the car in neutral to restart. Battery and alternator have been tested more than once and they are not the issue. The car cut off while I was in traffic driving across a bridge! I had to get help pushing the car to the side of the road. This particular time the car would not start back up without a jump. Majority of the time while at a red light, it cuts off. After replacing rotors, brake pads, and brake pump, braking is still rough with screeching and grinding leaving lots of brake dust on the wheels. At times the brakes go all the way down.

NHTSA ODI 11513686

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Working with the data? Download all 188 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 24, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2019 Chevrolet Malibu Eco verdict →