2019 Chevrolet Malibu: start-stop system problems

Filed Jun 26, 2025 · Engine · MD

This model of 2019 Malibu, does not have the function to shut off the auto start/stop feature. I have had the car for a few years and in the past year this feature has begun to malfunction multiple times at random. When in drive and approaching a stop sign or red light the Malibu will engage in the auto stop feature. There have been occurrences when after this is engaged and I lift my foot to continue to drive that the vehicle will not restart and be completely shut off. The dash will tell me to “shift to park” as if believing that I am in drive but that I shut off the vehicle. I will have to shift the vehicle to park and then push the on/off button to restart the vehicle several times. It has taken upwards of a whole light change cycle for it to be restarted. It is exceptionally dangerous as I am often in a busy intersection light with my vehicle unable to go. There is no obvious trigger and it occurs at random intervals. There is no option to turn off the auto start/stop feature and it is the only thing that causes it to occur. No warning lights or indicator has occurred. I have taken the vehicle twice to the dealership as well as another mechanic and they were unable to diagnose any problem or replicate the issue. Since it occurs at such unpredictable times they were not able to identify anything, however I do have a video taken of it occurring to me. The dealership said that GM has not seen anything like this, yet I have read about other similar issues online with this model. Safety is extremely at risk for myself and others as the car is essentially turning itself off while I’m in the middle of a drive and takes several moments to be able to drive again. This has occurred about 10 times since it begun and seems to be more frequent. I’ve replaced the battery and reset the BCM as two cautionary measures and neither has resolved the issue. I have a video of it as well but I can not attach to this form.

Filed Oct 30, 2023 · Engine · 55,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the engine failed to shut off after depressing the Auto START/STOP button. The vehicle shut off after running out of fuel. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed Oct 4, 2023 · Electrical · FL

The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, and releasing the accelerator pedal the auto Start/Stop system engaged with delay, and the vehicle shuddered while resuming normal driving. The instrument cluster and the infotainment system were inoperable and turned off temporarily while driving. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times while attempting to drive from a complete stop. Messages indicating low fuel and key fob malfunction were displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the battery was replaced. The contact stated that the Start/Stop system operated as needed after the battery replacement. Additionally, the contact stated while driving an undisclosed speed in a parking lot, the auto Start/Stop system engaged inadvertently, and the vehicle shut off. The message "Shift to Neutral. Restart Vehicle" was displayed. The contact followed the instruction and restarted the vehicle. The contact stated that while driving 5-8 MPH, and making a turn from a middle lane, the failure recurred while there was oncoming traffic. The contact shifted into neutral (N) and restarted the vehicle. The contact stated that the message "Power Steering Reduced. Drive Carefully" was displayed when the failure occurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the battery was replaced 4-5 times; however, the cause of the failure could not be determined. The contact stated that each battery had lasted 9-10 months. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The manufacturer advised the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer to be diagnosed and informed the contact that they would consider buying back the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Apr 5, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · CT

GM 2019 Chevrolet Malibu - Report Shift to Park Issue - Mileage 13,784. I would like to report a Shift-to-Park problem I had with my 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. Approximately two weeks prior to this service call I started experiencing a problem with Engine Start/Stop button and “shift to park” message on instrument panel. Pressing Start/Stop button would not turn off engine. It took several attempts to completely turn off engine. Two weeks and issue was getting progressively worse. Finally on Wednesday, March 29th and having started driving errands, I could not turn off engine at all. I could not get out of the car without warning beeps going off. I immediately drove to Dealer Service as I felt unsafe to drive. Dealer Service performed and I picked up car on Thursday, March 30, 2023. They replaced shifter switch and installed jumper harness. Again, I do want to report issue as this car has only 13,784 miles. Thank you,

Filed Dec 2, 2022 · Electrical · 15,000 miles · AL

The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while using the Auto START/STOP feature, the vehicle would sputter before accelerating as needed. The contact stated that the failure only occurred during hot weather conditions with the vehicle on an incline. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer who stated that the battery and the battery terminal had failed. The contact stated that the battery was replaced; however, the contact was unaware if the battery terminal had been replaced. The failure had increased in frequency despite road or weather conditions. The contact stated that occasionally while driving, the vehicle shuddered and lost motive power and stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and continue driving. The vehicle also displayed a driving assist reduced power message. The contact had returned the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle had not been repaired a second time. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 1,500.

Filed May 22, 2022 · Acceleration, Electrical · PA

Numerous accumulated problems, all have complaints already on the federal safety agency site here. First, Start/Stop malfunction, when it is active when stopped vehicle will stall when it tries to restart when you take your foot off brake and it’s troublesome to restart at times, when that happens lights on dash all come on (warning lights) and radio/entertainment resets as well. Second, the traction control light on dash is on. The warning displays to have traction control system serviced, cruise control is disabled as a result, it’s been to the dealer for both above problems the start/stop problem they say they can’t get car to duplicate although it happens to us almost daily if not numerous times per day. This morning driving home from work the intake charge tube that attaches to intake keeps popping off and engine goes to reduced power mode on highway or wherever driving not safe at all. Saw a voluntary recall from GM going to contact dealer about tomorrow when open. Stereo resets often, completely shuts off and resets while driving at random. I also get the rushing/sloshing water noise other people have reported as complaints when coming to a stop, I read in forums that it’s something to do with low coolant but not low enough to turn on low coolant warning light. GM really needs to address this stop/start and traction control needing service light problems as I read all over the internet of owner’s complaints of same problems I have. Dealerships don’t want to do anything with the cars unles the issue a recall because it comes out of their pockets. So many complaints I read owners keep reporting that dealer “cannot reproduce identical problems” because they don’t want repairs coming out of their pockets only out of GM. I’m going to start filing formal complaints with GM until they get tired of hearing from me and fix some of this stuff or deem it a lemon and get rid of it finally.

Filed Sep 20, 2021 · Transmission · 39,737 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact states that the Auto STOP/START feature that caused the vehicle to turn off while idling however, the vehicle would fail to immediately start-up. The contact stated that the instrument panel would independently reset, and the vehicle would jolt forward before restarting. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer however, the vehicle was not yet repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 39,737.