This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced after severe internal engine damage.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2019 Chevrolet Malibu engine problems
severe Owners of the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu have filed 20 NHTSA complaints about the engine, typically surfacing around 46,100 miles at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
20
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2015 Malibu | 24 |
| 2016 Malibu | 94 |
| 2017 Malibu | 81 |
| 2018 Malibu | 92 |
| 2019 Malibu (this page) | 20 |
| 2020 Malibu | 17 |
| 2022 Malibu | 16 |
| 2023 Malibu | 7 |
1crash
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 20 engine complaints filed for the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal for the delay.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information to dealership personnel for new vehicles with less than 1,000 miles that may not pass California smog inspection or smog inspection in other states.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information on vehicles outside of a California Emissions State who move to and register their vehicle in a California Emission State may be entitled to the 7 year, 70,000-mile Emission Select State Component Limited Warranty.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides a service procedure to correct conditions of Poor Engine Performance in Extremely cold weather conditions, CAC Icing, MIL Illuminated with DTCs set.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2019 Chevrolet Malibu engines report a cluster of power-loss and misfire issues, some presenting early in the vehicle's life. Low-speed power loss (30–35 mph) is common, with several owners experiencing complete stalling on highways—one reported it more than ten times in a week. Check engine and reduced engine power lights are frequent, though a few owners report hesitation with no warning display.
Diagnostic codes point to camshaft timing problems (P0014, P0017, P0013) and variable valve timing faults. A TSB exists requiring exhaust cam phaser and camshaft replacement using special-order parts. Throttle body failure also appears regularly, with one owner detailing a loose hose popping off due to missing gasket and retention clips.
Start/Stop malfunctions are reported: one engine wouldn't shut off; another surged unintentionally, hitting a post. Battery-draining "Shift to Park" errors occur sporadically. Notably, dealerships struggle—one chief mechanic admitted not knowing the problem, and another couldn't duplicate a stall after towing the car 50 miles. At least one engine replacement didn't stop the failure. Manufacturers have denied coverage or listed no applicable recalls.
Same Chevrolet Malibu engine reports on nearby years: 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2020 · 2022
Failure modes owners describe
Cylinder misfires with power loss
Engine misfires across multiple cylinders causing sudden power loss, jerking, and check engine light. Occurs at low speeds (30–35 mph) and during acceleration uphill. Some owners report the vehicle can be restarted and operates normally until the condition recurs.
When: 51,448 miles; 17,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illumination; Power loss and jerking; Vehicle hesitation during acceleration; Engine shaking as if about to stall; Traction control and transmission warning lights
Codes mentioned: Multiple misfire codes (not specified in narratives)
Repairs/costs cited: Hall Chevrolet diagnosed need for engine replacement but vehicle not repaired; second dealer unable to duplicate issue. Dealership replaced spark plugs and relubricated ignition coils.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer deemed owner ineligible for repairs. No recalls listed per dealership.
Camshaft timing and VCT issues
Engine running rough with camshaft-related diagnostic codes. Requires exhaust cam phaser and variable camshaft timing (VCT) component replacement. TSB exists for this condition requiring new camshaft and special-order dealer parts.
When: Under 8,000 miles; 7,473 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light or reduced engine power light; Engine running rough; Engine misses and cuts out; Hesitation and power loss
Codes mentioned: P0014, P0017, P1101, P257F, P0013
Repairs/costs cited: Exhaust camshaft position actuator replaced at dealer. In one case, failure reoccurred within 4 drives after repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB available requiring new camshaft and special-order parts from dealer.
Throttle body malfunction
Loss of engine power attributed to throttle body failure. Owners report reduced engine power warning light and inability to accelerate normally. One owner reports throttle body hose popping off due to missing gasket and retention clip, preventing acceleration beyond 3.5 RPM due to turbocharger pressure.
When: Under 10,000 miles; under 17,000 miles; 96,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Reduced engine power warning light; Loss of motive power at 35 mph; Reduced power mode activation; Inability to accelerate past 3.5 RPM; Throttle body hose detachment
Repairs/costs cited: Throttle body replaced in two cases. One owner reports throttle body hose pops off due to missing gasket ring and spring clip retention.
Reduced engine power limp mode
Vehicle enters reduced power or limp mode with or without check engine light, limiting acceleration and creating highway hazards. Owners report slow acceleration (18 seconds 0–60 mph) and power restrictions that make normal driving unsafe.
When: 42,000 miles; 63 mph highway driving; 75 mph highway driving
Symptoms owners cite: Engine power restricted warning message; Reduced engine power light; Severely limited acceleration; Check engine light; Vehicle difficult to drive at normal speeds
Codes mentioned: P2097
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented in narratives.
Engine stalling and shutdown
Engine dies or shuts down unexpectedly while driving at highway speeds or during low-speed maneuvering. Multiple occurrences reported in same vehicle (more than ten times in one week). Vehicle may be unable to restart immediately, requiring 30-minute wait.
When: 35 mph; 52,000 miles; highway speeds; under 3 blocks of driving
Symptoms owners cite: Complete engine shutdown while driving; Check engine light; ESC, traction control, and powertrain malfunction lights; Unable to restart immediately; Recurring failure even after engine replacement
Repairs/costs cited: One owner had engine replaced but failure reoccurred immediately. Another owner towed 50 miles to dealer with no repair documented in narrative.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified in one case; no specific response documented.
Start/Stop system malfunction
Auto Start/Stop function fails to shut engine off, or causes unintended acceleration and surging when brake pedal is applied. One vehicle surged into a post. Problem appears intermittent and possibly software-related.
When: 55,000 miles; intermittent occurrence
Symptoms owners cite: Engine fails to shut off after pressing START/STOP button; Unintended RPM acceleration with brake pedal applied; Vehicle surging into obstacles; Engine running by itself
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented.
Turbocharger pipe detachment
Turbocharger intake or outlet pipe pops off repeatedly during driving, causing loss of power. Missing gasket and retention clips are noted as contributing factors.
When: Not specified in narratives
Symptoms owners cite: Turbo pipe pops off while driving; Loss of engine power; Power loss intermittently
Repairs/costs cited: One narrative mentions missing gasket ring and spring clip on throttle body hose; plastic pieces on spring clip have popped off.
Shift to Park error and battery drain
Vehicle displays 'Shift to Park' error message and check engine light when parked, preventing vehicle from locking or moving. Results in battery drain. Issue has reoccurred on same vehicle multiple times.
When: Intermittent; second occurrence reported
Symptoms owners cite: 'Shift to Park' message when car is in Park; Check engine light on sporadically; Battery draining; Vehicle unable to lock or move
Codes mentioned: Engine and Transmission - Air Induction System (via mobile app)
Repairs/costs cited: Owner notes repair is expensive; no specific repair documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner notes this is known issue with GMC and should be recall.
Idle shimmy and poor cold start
Engine produces slight shimmy or vibration at idle. New vehicle exhibited this at 500 miles with check engine light and decreased power on acceleration.
When: 500 miles on motor
Symptoms owners cite: Slight shimmy from motor at idle; Check engine light; Decreased engine power when pressing accelerator; Engine stalling on start
Codes mentioned: P2097
Repairs/costs cited: No repair documented.
Slow acceleration and hesitation without warning lights
Vehicle hesitates or accelerates slowly when driver presses accelerator from stopped position (e.g., at traffic light), with no warning lights displayed. Condition is intermittent and becoming more frequent.
When: Intermittent; increasing frequency
Symptoms owners cite: Slow acceleration when pressing gas pedal from stop; No dashboard warning lights; Hesitation at traffic lights; Intermittent and sporadic occurrence
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented. Dealership unable to diagnose issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership staff unfamiliar with complaint; no diagnosis provided.
Synthesized from 20 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
The contact's daughter owns a 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted after 30 minutes. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure, and no cause for the failure was…
Driving the car, on a highway at approx. 75 MPH, check engine light comes on and dashboard states "engine power restricted". Now the car has little power and takes 18 seconds to get from 0-60 making it a road hazard. The vehicle only has 42,000 miles on it.
Shift to Park engine light triggers when car is in Park. will not go away therefore causing it to drain the battery and being unable to lock or move the vehicle. This is the 2nd time this has occurred and is expensive to repair. this needs to be a recall and not limited to specific states. this is a known issue with GMC
CAR IS RUNNING ROUGH, CEL IS ON THROWING CAMSHAFT CODES. Code - P0014 Description - No information returned for Trouble Code - P0014 Code - P0017 Description - No information returned for Trouble Code - P0017 Code - P1101 Description - No information returned for Trouble Code - P1101 Code - P257F Description - No information returned for Trouble Code - P257F EXHAUST CAM PHASER REQUIRED TO…
Had engine trouble with your 2019 Chevrolet Malibu?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu?
It's a meaningful issue. 20 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 12 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 17,000 and 55,000 miles, with the median around 46,100. A quarter of owners report trouble before 17,000; a quarter make it past 55,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2019/Chevrolet/Malibu.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.