Diagsheet

2019 Chevrolet Malibu · symptom sheet

Check engine light or misfire

  • 25owner reports
  • 51,448median miles
  • 0involved a crash

Newest report Jun 4, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026

113 of the 191 complaints on this car are about the engine. 25 of those describe misfire.

No recall on this systemas of Oct 2, 2026
No crash reportedin 25 reports

Tick what matches of 25 reports

1
1
2
8

Misfire on other Malibu years

Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2015.

What this problem usually is

These reports start with the check engine light. Many describe the engine running rough or shaking at idle, a P0300-series code, or a catalytic converter code. A worrying number say the light was flashing. Owners often list ignition coils or spark plugs already replaced, and the light coming back afterward.

Read the full explainer · Which cars report it most

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the sensor (3 reports).

Recalls and investigations

No recall on the engine covers the 2019 model year as of Oct 2, 2026.

NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Malibu

EA02-028opened Sep 30, 2002
Fuel system · model years 2000 to 2001

Erratic fuel gauge. Closed dec 30, 2003.

PE02-066opened Sep 6, 2002
Fuel system · model years 2000

Engine stall due to fuel starvation. Closed nov 3, 2003.

DP02-008opened Sep 3, 2002
Engine · model years 1999

Engine coolant boils over. Closed sep 24, 2002.

None of these investigations covers the 2019 model year.

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 41,750 and 54,054 miles, from the 10 reports that gave a mileage.

Complaints by the year NHTSA received them: 2019: 1, 2020: 3, 2021: 3, 2022: 6, 2023: 6, 2025: 4, 2026: 21'193'203'216'226'234'252'26

Is this a known problem?

The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 23 service bulletins or notices for the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu that deal with this problem. Newest first.

Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.

19 more on the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu page.

What owners wrote

“My vehicle has been having issues for the past 2-3 years with its engine acceleration, the bcm and ecm are faulty and or my fuses continue to fail, my check engine comes on with a service esc, power steering depleted, shift to park, and a service security system warning.”

Filed Apr 5, 2025

“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.”

Filed Jun 30, 2023 · 50,000 miles

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 0 of 25 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. How reports land on this sheet.

Guide Which lights mean pull over now? Warning lights by color and urgency

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