2019 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid · symptom sheet
Transmission fails or needs replacement
- 35owner reports
- 65,000median miles
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Aug 23, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026
308 of the 1,029 complaints on this car are about the transmission and drivetrain. 35 of those describe transmission failure.
Tick what matches of 35 reports
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the transmission (35 reports) and the valve body (4 reports).
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the transmission and drivetrain covers the 2019 model year as of Sep 9, 2026.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 43,000 and 90,000 miles, from the 23 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“The transmission failed at 100,000 miles and the engine failed at 130,000 miles. Available for inspection. Yes the dealer confirmed both failures. No warnings. Immediate failure with engine light. Barely made it home with the transmission and the engine just stopped out of nowhere due to the dynamic fuel management system and oil consumption starvation.”
Filed Oct 17, 2025 · 100,000 miles
“Transmission, chunks, shutters, took in to gm dealership and they could not find issue 30,000 miles, continued same problem 71,000 miles now needs Transmission replaced.”
Filed Feb 6, 2025 · 30,000 miles
“8L90 Transmission failed. The transmission was inspected by a chevrolet Technician at a Chevrolet dealership and found to be defective, thus rendering the vehicle not drivable. There was an engine light that indicated a TCM problem. The vehicle is currently in the mechanic shop at the Chevrolet Dealership awaiting a new transmission.”
Filed Dec 4, 2024
“vehicle experiences a vibration or 'shudder' when accelerating and when maintaining a constant speed. The shudder is coming from the transmission. There could be a safety concern should the transmission fail during operation. The dealer has confirmed the problem and performed a fluid flush. However, the problem remains. No warning lights.”
Filed Aug 26, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 35 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.
Other problems on this car
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 178 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 152 reports
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 144 reports
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 130 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 117 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 101 reports
- Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 46 reports
- Burns oil or oil level rises 30 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 26 reports