2019 Chevrolet Malibu: Shift to park issue
Common wear/failure (not a recall)
Symptoms
Owners of the 2019 Malibu report: shift to park issue. CarComplaints.com lists 2 owner complaints, average mileage 83,050 miles.
NHTSA has 68 owner complaints for the 2019 Malibu in this area. Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11772301 (filed 10/20/2026): “The vehicle experiences sudden transmission slipping, severe shuddering, and an unexpected loss of forward drive power while in motion. specifically, while attempting to accelerate from a complete stop / merge onto the highway, the engine revs but the vehicle …”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11769573 (filed 10/07/2026): “The contact owns a 2019 chevrolet malibu. the contact stated that after parking and attempting to turn off the vehicle, the gear shifter was shifted to park(p) however, the vehicle failed to recognize that the vehicle was in park(p), and the vehicle failed to …”
Likely causes
Sources do not establish a single root cause; diagnosis is needed. Owner-reported fixes are listed below.
Fix, in plain English
Most common owner-reported solutions on CarComplaints.com: none clearly reported. Check for open recalls and extended warranty coverage with a dealer before paying out of pocket.
DIY difficulty: Pro
Diagnosis needs a scan tool; repair or replacement needs a lift, transmission jack and the manufacturer's fluid fill/relearn procedure. (Our assessment.)
Cost
CarComplaints.com owners report a typical repair cost of about $1,800 (owner-reported average, not a quote).
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
AutoZone · O'Reilly · Advance · RockAuto
Sources
Page last updated .