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2019 Chevrolet Malibu

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2019 Malibu.

The 2019 Chevrolet Malibu is specified for 4.2 quarts of 0W-20 engine oil, a tidy maintenance baseline for a model year that drew 188 owner complaints and one recall, with power-train issues ranking as the most frequently reported concern. Set against the Malibu’s 1997–2025 complaint history, the 2019’s 188 reports sit well below the 2004 peak of 1,697 complaints and above the 2025 low of 7, placing it toward the lower end of reported trouble for the model line. For researchers, that makes the 2019 Malibu a useful reference case: not the line’s worst performer, but one where the power-train complaint concentration and single recall deserve the closest look.

Model year2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.2 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type0W-20OEM · verified

Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 47 · 525 CCA battery, OE oil filter 25206377. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 47 · 525 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP225/55R17 95HOEM · verified

Wheel / rim8 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	25206377 alt 55593191
Engine air filter	23430312 alt 23430313
Spark plug	12681659 alt 55486272
Battery	88866291 alt 88864541
Front wiper blades	84574892 alt 84589418
Serpentine belt	55583054 alt 12658091
Thermostat	12649163 alt 12630780
Cabin air filter	13508023

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	193.7 in
Overall width	72.8 in
Overall height	57.5 in
Wheelbase	111.4 in
Curb weight	3086 lb
Track (front / rear)	62.6 / 62.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	59/41

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Malibu of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.8 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.80 sec — 2019 RS

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2019	RS 1.5L Turbo I-4	7.80 sec	16.10 sec	160 hp	FWD
2018	LT Redline Edition 1.5L Turbo I-4	8.20 sec	16.40 sec	160 hp	FWD
2017	2.0T Premier 2.0L Turbo I-4	5.70 sec	14.30 sec	250 hp	FWD
2016	2.0T Premier 2.0L Turbo I-4	6.10 sec	14.70 sec	250 hp	FWD
2016	2.0T Premier 2.0L Turbo I-4	6.20 sec	14.70 sec	250 hp	FWD
2016	Hybrid 1.8L I-4 + Elec 1.5-kWh	7.40 sec	15.70 sec	182 hp	FWD
2016	Hybrid 1.8L I-4 + Elec 1.5-kWh	7.40 sec	15.80 sec	182 hp	FWD
2016	1LT 15L Turbo I-4	8.00 sec	16.40 sec	160 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.2 qt of 0W-20 engine oil, Dot 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	DEXRON®-VI GM P/N 89020661
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	5.3-6.3
Automatic Transmission Fluid	ATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	8.8
Brake Fluid	Dot 3
Engine Coolant	Ethylene Glycol DEX-COOL
Engine Coolant Capacity	6.6 qt
Engine Coolant	DEX-COOL 50/50 Premix

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)	7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)	7.4 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)	7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)	7.4 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)	7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)	7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs	106 inch lbs. ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs	89 inch lbs. ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	100 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug	8.8 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug	7.7 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Spark Plug Manufacturer	AC Delco
Spark Plug Gap	.037-.043 in
Spark Plug Torque	15 ft-lbs
Spark Plug Manufacturer	AC Delco
Spark Plug Gap	.024-.028 in
Spark Plug Torque	13 ft-lbs
Spark Plug Manufacturer	AC Delco

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity	1.32 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Capacity	2.70 oz
Refrigerant	R1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity	1.32 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Capacity	4.7 oz

Service checks

Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	50.0-94.0
RPM	43.0-58.0 @ Idle rpm
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	50.0-94.0
RPM	43.0-58.0 @ Idle rpm
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	50.0-94.0
RPM	43.0-58.0 @ Idle rpm
Engine Compression	Cranking Speed
Engine Compression	Cranking Speed

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque	Front: 30; Rear: 30
ABS Sensor Torque	Front: 6.6; Rear: 6.6
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.078; Rear: 0.078 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for Replacement	Front: .905; Rear: .393
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after Refinish	Front: .913; Rear: .402
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation	.001
Maximum Rotor Runout	.002

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

30°-45°

Front Wheel Hub — tightening sequence 1 stages

111.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Back off 45.0°, Step 3: 199.0

111 ft. lbs

Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s) — tightening sequence 1 stages

15.0 ft. lbs. Step 2: 90°

15 ft. lbs

Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s) — tightening sequence 1 stages

48.0 ft. lbs. Step 2: 120-135°

48 ft. lbs

Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s) — tightening sequence 1 stages

22.0 ft. lbs. Step 2: 100°

22 ft. lbs

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

18 ft. lbs., Step 2: 75°.

18 ft. lbs

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

33 ft. lbs., Step 2: 60°.

33 ft. lbs

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

18 ft. lbs., Step 2: 110°.

18 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Do not re-use old bolts

1	22.0 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
2	240 degrees	240 degrees

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep Do not re-use old bolts

1	18.0 ft. lbs.	18 ft. lbs
2	90 degrees	90 degrees
3	90 degrees	90 degrees
4	90 degrees	90 degrees
5	90

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Do not re-use old bolts

1	22.0 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
2	190 degrees	190 degrees

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages

22 ft. lbs., Step 2: Turn 240°.

22 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages

18 ft. lbs., Step 2: Turn 90°, Step 3: Turn 90°, Step 4: Turn 90°, Step 5: Turn 90°.

18 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages

22 ft. lbs., Step 2: Turn 190°.

22 ft. lbs

Flex or Driveplate Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

15.0 ft. lbs. Step 2: 22.0 ft. lbs. Step 3: 70°

15 ft. lbs

Flex or Driveplate Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

22.0 ft. lbs. Step 2: 70°

22 ft. lbs

Flex or Driveplate Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

15 ft. lbs. Step 2: 22.0 ft. lbs. Step 3: 40°

15 ft. lbs

Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

15 ft. lbs., Step 2: 22 ft. lbs., Step 3: 70°.

15 ft. lbs

Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

22 ft. lbs., Step 2: 70°.

22 ft. lbs

Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

15 ft. lbs., Step 2: 22 ft. lbs., Step 3: 40°.

15 ft. lbs

Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

22 ft. lbs., Step 2: 80°.

22 ft. lbs

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages

1	8.8 ft. lbs.	8.8 ft. lbs
2	8.8

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

37 ft. lbs., Step 2: 120°.

37 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 60,000 mi.

Every 7,500 mi	Accelerator Pedal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 15,000 mi	Windshield Wiper Blade (replace)
Every 22,500 mi	Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 45,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	Spark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
Every 75,000 mi	Hood Hinge (inspect)
At 150,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

In the federal record, the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu logged 188 complaints, 1 recall, 0 investigations and 881 TSBs. This represents a sharp decline from the 2018 model year, which had 687 complaints, 6 recalls and 1,063 TSBs, and is comparable to the 2020 figure of 191 complaints and 1 recall. Looking at the broader trend, complaints peaked in the mid‑2000s (e.g., 1,697 in 2004), fell to low levels by 2015 (267 complaints), rose again in 2016 (858 complaints) and then decreased through 2017‑2019. Thus, 2019 sits on the downward leg of that post‑2016 decline, indicating relatively fewer reported issues than the surrounding years. Based solely on the complaint and recall counts, the 2019 Malibu appears to be a favorable choice among used models.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

881

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

188

Owner complaints

8 involved a crash · 1 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Overall★★★★★

Frontal★★★★★

Side★★★★★

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’03 ’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18’19’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 188 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train38

Electrical System23

Unknown Or Other18

Engine14

Service Brakes,Engine8

Electrical System,Engine6

Power Train,Electrical System5

Electrical System,Unknown Or Other5

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V649000Seat Belts:Critical FastenersReported 20/08/2021

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2021 Chevrolet Malibu and 2019-2021 Cadillac XT4 vehicles. The rear seat belt retractors may be improperly secured with loose or missing fasteners. Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten the rear seat belt retractors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 17, 2021. Owners may contact…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 881 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
PIP6032C	2026-06-03	Unknown Or Other	PIP6032B provides diagnostic direction for dealers when encountering transmission leaks
PIT3271Q	2026-04-01	Unknown Or Other	This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel…
PIP6104	2026-03-09	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and…
PIP4902V	2026-03-09	Unknown Or Other	This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…
PIT6425D	2026-03-02	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary information communicates to the field on how to diagnosis a GPS issue…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Malibu. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 47 battery Vehicles taking 4.2 qt Engine oil filter 25206377 Engine air filter 23430312 Spark plug 12681659 Battery 88866291

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2019 Malibu take?

4.2 qt of 0W-20, per the factory manual.

Does the 2019 Malibu have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

2019 Chevrolet Malibu

Quick specs

Fitment & sizes

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Full specifications

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Performance & power Independent road tests

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Lubricants & capacities

Engine torques

Chassis torques

Ignition

Battery & A/C

Service checks

Brakes

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Common OBD-II trouble codes

VIN tools

Vehicles with shared specs

Reference guides

Related vehicles

Other years

Frequently asked