2019 Chevrolet Malibu: problems, recalls and what it’s worth
1 recall campaign to confirm with a dealer. A lot of owner complaints, 35% about transmission & drivetrain.
Ask for the VIN and check it, then get a pre-purchase inspection.
Known problems on the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu
No generation-wide weak spot is flagged in GarageIntel’s research for this year and model. A specific car can still have its own problems, so get it inspected.
2019 Chevrolet Malibu recalls
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. Repairs are free at a dealer for the brand, and a dealer can confirm by VIN which were already done.
- Seat belts
An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Details 21V649000
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.
Fix: 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.
2019 Chevrolet Malibu safety investigations and free repairs
No open safety investigations.
Free repairs to ask about (warranty extensions):
- Wheels: The owner?s manual for certain 2019 and 2020 model year Cadillac XT4 vehicles includes incorrect instructions for towing the vehicle behind another vehicle with two wheels on the ground and two wheels on a device known as a dolly.
- Warranty extension: Certain vehicles may have a condition in which the drive motor power inverter module is susceptible to a thermal over-stress failure.
- Engine: The charge air cooler outlet may become disconnected from the throttle body.
A dealer for the brand can check these by VIN.
Source: NHTSA, Sep 24, 2026.
2019 Chevrolet Malibu safety and fuel
From NHTSA’s crash tests and the EPA’s fueleconomy.gov.
What owners complain about
190 complaints filed with NHTSA for this year and model, which is a lot.
Share of complaints that mention each area. One complaint can mention several.
What a 2019 Chevrolet Malibu is worth
Rough trade-in values — roughly what a dealer would pay — by mileage, from published trade-in guides. Private sales and dealer prices run higher. For the exact car, add its VIN.
| Mileage | Trade-in (rough) |
|---|---|
| 40,000 mi | $9,775 |
| 80,000 mi | $7,175 |
Other Chevrolet Malibu years
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Printable inspection checklist · Out-the-door price calculator