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9th generation (E2XX) · 2016–2025 · Mid-size sedan (production ended November 2024; 2025 is the final model year)

2019 Chevrolet Malibu parts and specs

Everything you need to own and maintain this exact model year. Verified specifications, part numbers, and the problems that recur, in one place.

Last verified

Photo: SsmIntrigue / CC BY-SA 4.0. Illustrative, not necessarily your model year or trim.

Quick facts

Engine oil
0W-20, 4.2 qt (base engine)
Battery
Group 48 (H6)
Tire size
205/65R16 (base trim)
Wiper blades
26" / 18"
Cabin filter
ACDelco CF185
Key fob battery
CR2032 (smart key fob)

Specifications for the 2016–2025 Malibu

Oil & filter

Viscosity, capacity, filter part numbers, change interval

Battery

BCI group size, cold cranking amps, AGM or flooded

Tires & wheels

Factory sizes by trim, pressures, bolt pattern, lug torque

Wiper blades

Driver, passenger and rear blade lengths

Air & cabin filters

Cabin and engine air filter part numbers, locations, intervals

Bulbs

Headlight, fog and marker bulb types

Brakes

Rotor diameters, pad references, service notes

Fluids

Transmission fluid, coolant, brake fluid and capacities

Service schedule

What's actually due at every mileage interval

Problems & reliability

Documented failures, recalls, and which years to avoid

Oil light reset

Step-by-step maintenance light reset, no tools

Key fob battery

Which coin cell the remote takes

Specs

Towing, weight, fuel tank, fuel economy

These specifications are shared across every Malibu of the 9th generation (E2XX) generation. See the 2016–2025 Chevrolet Malibu overview for the full picture, or the Chevrolet Malibu guide to compare every generation.

What changed for the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu

  • 2019Facelift: new fascias, RS trim added, 1.5T switched from 6-speed to CVT, 2.0T to 9-speed, fuel tank grew to 15.8 gal, low-beam bulb changed to H11. Final year of the Hybrid.

Known problems with the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu

3 of the 6 issues we track for the 2016–2025 generation are documented against the 2019 model year, and 1 carries a recall or service bulletin.

  • 1.5T turbocharger failure and wastegate faults

    major

    The LFV's turbo is this generation's signature complaint: failed turbos (often oil-starvation related) show up from ~60k miles with whining/rattling, smoke, low boost, and check-engine lights, while the electronic wastegate regulator solenoid causes P0234 overboost or P0299 underboost codes without a dead turbo. A solenoid is a cheap fix; a turbo assembly is not. Religious oil changes with dexos1 full synthetic are the best prevention.

    Typical cost: $80–$250 (wastegate solenoid) / $1,200–$2,500 (turbo replacement)

  • 1.5T cracked pistons / misfire under load

    major

    A well-documented pattern on 2016–2019 1.5T engines: a cracked piston ringland causes a persistent misfire (usually one cylinder), rough running, and oil consumption; compression testing confirms it. GM repaired many under powertrain warranty with updated pistons, but out-of-warranty cars face a partial engine rebuild or replacement.

    Typical cost: $2,500–$4,500 out of warranty

  • CVT shudder, whine, and failure (2019+)

    majorMultiple GM TSBs; no recall

    The VT40 CVT that replaced the 6-speed in 2019 draws complaints for shudder on light acceleration, whining, and outright failure (loss of drive). GM issued technical service bulletins covering fluid and valve-body/belt repairs but never recalled it; several lemon-law firms track it as a known defect. A fluid service with the exact DEXRON CVT spec sometimes cures early shudder.

    Typical cost: $400 (fluid/TSB service) to $3,500–$5,000 (replacement unit)

3 more issues reported in other 2016–2025 years
  • Stop-start transmission accumulator failure (6-speed cars) — 2016–2018 (1.5T with 6-speed automatic)
  • High-pressure fuel pump detachment (recall) — 2016–2018
  • Rearview camera image distorted or blank (recall) — 2023–2025

Full detail, costs and sources on the Chevrolet Malibu problems and years to avoid guide.

Which engines were offered in the 2019 Malibu?

EngineTrimsOilOil capacity
1.5L Turbo (LFV Ecotec)L, LS, LT, RS (2019+), 2LT (2024–25), 160 hp (rated 163 hp in later years); 6-speed auto 2016–18, CVT 2019+0W-204.2 qt
2.0L Turbo (LTG Ecotec)Premier (2016–2022), Aisin AF50-8 8-speed 2016–18, 9T50 9-speed 2019–225W-305 qt
1.8L Hybrid (LKN + two-motor drive unit)Hybrid (2016–2019), 182 hp combined, Volt-derived drive unit, 1.5 kWh lithium-ion pack5W-205.3 qt

About the Chevrolet Malibu

The Chevrolet Malibu was GM's mainstream midsize sedan until production ended at Fairfax Assembly in November 2024, making 2025 the final model year. The 2012–2025 span covers three distinct cars. 6L V6 with cheap parts but two well-documented weak spots, the 6-speed's 3-5-Reverse wave plate and electric power steering column failures.

5L, which introduced its own quirks (auxiliary trunk battery failures, code P305F). 5T's 6-speed for a CVT. 5T, and the turbo cars have well-known turbocharger, piston, and stop-start accumulator issues. Every generation specs GM dexos1 synthetic oil, Dex-Cool coolant, and a CR2032 key-fob battery.

For how the specifications changed across every generation, see the full Chevrolet Malibu guide.

Other Chevrolet Malibu years

2025202420232022202120202018201720162015201420132012
Data confidence for this generationHigh confidence

Sources