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)

2 of 188 complaints match · Lights · crash/fire/injury only · clear filters

Apr 3, 2026LightsAirbagsDriver assistanceCrash1 injury

The vehicle experienced a serious and ongoing electrical and system malfunction shortly after being returned from repairs related to a prior accident. Within a short period of driving, multiple warning messages and system errors began appearing simultaneously, indicating failures across several vehicle systems. The issues included repeated computer system faults affecting critical functions. The malfunction made the vehicle unreliable and unsafe to operate, as the errors appeared suddenly and without warning while driving. This created a significant safety risk due to the potential loss of vehicle control and unpredictable system behavior. The problem has been persistent and has not been properly resolved. The vehicle has remained at a repair facility for an extended period, where it has not been successfully diagnosed or repaired due to lack of proper equipment or manufacturer-certified technicians capable of addressing the issue. The defect has been observed but not corrected, and the vehicle has not been restored to safe operating condition. The condition has prevented normal use of the vehicle and has caused ongoing safety concerns. Warning indicators and system messages appeared prior to full failure and continued throughout attempts to operate the vehicle. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Car remain in shop over 6 months not full repair from electrical problem, head light issues and air bag defectiveness.

NHTSA ODI 11729126

Mar 30, 2026Electrical systemLightsAirbagsCrash

I am reporting a safety concern involving a 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. The vehicle was previously involved in accidents prior to my purchase and had known mechanical issues, including a gear shifting problem that was not properly repaired. In February 2024, while the vehicle was insured under Ocean Harbor Casualty Insurance Company, it sustained a significant front-end collision impacting the driver side. The impact was severe enough to cause structural damage, including a dent to the vehicle frame. Despite the severity of the collision, the airbags did not deploy at all. Based on the extent of the damage, airbag deployment would reasonably be expected. Prior to this incident, the vehicle had ongoing issues following repairs, including system errors and concerns that repairs may not have been properly completed by a certified facility. This raises concern that the airbag system may have been defective, improperly repaired, or compromised prior to the accident. I was not informed of any airbag or safety-related defects at the time of purchase from HGreg. I am submitting this complaint due to concerns of a potential safety defect involving failure of the airbag system during a serious collision.

NHTSA ODI 11727960

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 →