2019 Chevrolet Malibu: battery drain or dead battery

5 of the 193 complaints about the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu describe battery drain or dead battery.

owner complaints: 5
of this car's complaints: 3%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 130 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Battery drain or dead battery by model year

2022
2
2021
8
2020
5
2019
5
2018
5
2017
6
2016
18
2015
1
2013
8
2012
2
2011
3
2010
1
2009
3
2008
2
2005
5
2003
2
2002
2
2000
1

What owners say

Filed Dec 10, 2025 · Electrical, Transmission · MA

The component that failed is the internal microswitch/sensor within the gear shifter assembly. The specific part that requires replacement is often documented in General Motors Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 19-NA-206 or 23-NA-119. The faulty component is available for inspection if the dealership removes the old part and retains it. My safety and the safety of others are put at risk because the vehicle often fails to register that it is fully in "Park," which prevents the vehicle from shutting off properly, potentially leaving it in accessory mode. This could lead to a dead battery, leaving me stranded. More importantly, the failure to confirm the 'Park' state introduces a risk of the vehicle not being securely immobilized, creating a roll-away hazard if parked on an incline. The problem has been confirmed by local Chevrolet dealership service centers (receipts available). The issue is identical to the defect that prompted official safety recalls for numerous other GM models, including the 2017-2018 GMC Acadia. Furthermore, the symptoms described match those outlined in the active class-action settlement for 2016-2019 Malibu owners (STPLawsuit.com).

Filed Nov 4, 2025 · Engine · AZ

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

Filed Feb 26, 2023 · Transmission · MN

Gear shift does not register the vehicle is in park. Intermittent “Shift to Park” warning displays - the car will not shut off. It drains the battery. Jiggling the shift knob and button can help to get the car to register it is in park, but this is unreliable.

Filed Sep 28, 2022 · Brakes, Electrical · LA

This car is displaying a shift to park on the dashboard. I have read several complaints and even lawsuits filed about this matter on the internet. Why hasn't this been recalled to fix on these vehicles it drains the battery and you aren't able to put the vehicle in park or lock the doors or anything

Filed Mar 20, 2022 · MD

Vehicle has 38,000 miles and I keep getting the “Shift to Park” error message. The dealer said it is an “ongoing problem” with these vehicles as the “electronic sensor” is not registering that the car is in “park”. Problem is all features (parking lights, dash message, alarm “Bong-bong sound” and radio stay on and drain the battery. I am getting it replaced but if this is a “known problem” why don’t they do a recall and fix it?