RoadVitals

1998 Chevrolet Malibu Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
976
Latest Jun 4, 2023
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
18
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
39

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

406
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAG, ABS, AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.

NHTSA ID 10701336 · filed Mar 24, 2015

1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES TO EXPRESS DISCONTENT WITH LOCAL DEALERSHIP. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE WAS SPONGY, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE AC WORKED ERRATICALLY, DEPENDING ON THE BLOWER SPEED AND WOULD SOMETIMES QUIT BLOWING COLD AIR AND WOULD START TO BLOW WARM AIR. THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE FLUID WAS VERY LOW. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANY BRAKE FLUID LEAKS. HOWEVER, TWO MONTHS LATER WHILE DRIVING, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, BECAUSE THE FLUID HAD LEAKED OUT AGAIN. THE BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, TO THE BRAKE LINE ISSUE, THE SWAY BAR WAS BROKEN, A FUEL LINE WAS LEAKING AND THE LEFT REAR STRUT HAD FAILED. *JB

NHTSA ID 10639977 · filed Oct 1, 2014
All 406 reports naming brakes

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

146
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM ENGAGED AND THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS HOME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT WAS UNABLE TO ASSIST. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID 11171731 · filed Jan 23, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WOULD COME OUT OF THE IGNITION INDEPENDENTLY WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY FLASHED AND THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 226,000.

NHTSA ID 10659711 · filed Nov 20, 2014
All 146 reports naming engine

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

133
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM ENGAGED AND THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS HOME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT WAS UNABLE TO ASSIST. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID 11171731 · filed Jan 23, 2019

IGNITION SWITCH NOT SHUTTING OFF AND AT TIMES NOT TURNING TO START CAR. SHIFT LEVER HAS TO BE WIGGLED TO ALLOW KEY TO TURN TO OFF POSITION. KEY CYLINDER SHUTTING OFF IN START POSITION.

NHTSA ID 10945175 · filed Jan 13, 2017
All 133 reports naming electrical

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

108
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES TO EXPRESS DISCONTENT WITH LOCAL DEALERSHIP. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE WAS SPONGY, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE AC WORKED ERRATICALLY, DEPENDING ON THE BLOWER SPEED AND WOULD SOMETIMES QUIT BLOWING COLD AIR AND WOULD START TO BLOW WARM AIR. THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE FLUID WAS VERY LOW. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANY BRAKE FLUID LEAKS. HOWEVER, TWO MONTHS LATER WHILE DRIVING, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, BECAUSE THE FLUID HAD LEAKED OUT AGAIN. THE BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, TO THE BRAKE LINE ISSUE, THE SWAY BAR WAS BROKEN, A FUEL LINE WAS LEAKING AND THE LEFT REAR STRUT HAD FAILED. *JB

NHTSA ID 10639977 · filed Oct 1, 2014

I WAS PARKING THE CAR IN MY DRIVE WAY AND ALL OF SUDDEN A LOUD NOISE COMES FROM UNDERNEATH AND THE CAR STEERS BY ITSELF IN THE WRONG DIRECTION WHERE THE OTHER CAR WAS ALREADY PARKED. I MANAGED TO STEER DUE TO THE SLOW SPEED THE CAR WAS MOVING BUT I REALIZED HOW BAD THIS COULD HAVE BEEN WHILE DRIVING THE CAR IN TRAFFIC AND AT HIGH SPEED RATES. WHEN I CHECKED WHAT HAPPENED, I NOTICED THAT THE FRONT END CRADLE THAT THE STEERING RACK MOUNTS TO, HAS RUSTED OUT AND THE WHOLE RACK AND PINION BECAME LOSE IN ONE OF THE MOUNTING POINTS. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE QUALITY AND WORKMANSHIP THEY PUT IN ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PARTS OF THE CAR, WHERE STEERING, SUSPENSION, IN FACT THE WHOLE POWER TRAIN SEATS ON AND IT FAILED SO EASY. THE MANUFACTURE WAS TRYING TO SAVE SOME DOLLARS AT THE COST OF PEOPLES LIVES. *TR

NHTSA ID 10490238 · filed Dec 27, 2012
All 108 reports naming suspension

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

74
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVE WAY TO THE RIGHT I HEARD LOUD CLUNKING AND THEN FINALLY A POP AS I TURNED THE STEERING TO THE LEFT. IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING, WHILE DRIVING IN RESIDENTIAL AREA LEFT TURNS BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MAKE, AND I NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL SEEMED TO BE OFF CENTER. I DECIDED TO MAKE A 3-POINT TURN TO RETURN HOME, AND WHILE BACKING TO THE LEFT THERE SEEMED TO BE LITTLE ACTUAL MOVEMENT BEFORE I FELT AS IF THE FRONT END OF THE CAR RAISED A BIT FOLLOWED BY ANOTHER LOUT POP. RETURNING THE WHEELS RIGHT SAW LITTLE MOVEMENT AT FIRST BEFORE TURNING AS NORMAL. LEFT TURNS THE REST OF THE WAY HOME DIFFICULT, WHILE RIGHT TURNS ARE MADE WITH EASE. UPON INSPECTION WHEN GETTING TO MY GARAGE RACK AND PINION MOUNT ON PASSENGER SIDE THAT APPEARS TO BE WELDED HAD BROKEN. PERHAPS RUSTED? I LIVE IN CA, SO I DIDN'T EXPECT RUSTED PARTS TO BE AN ISSUE.I HAVE RESEARCHED OTHER MALIBUS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED INCREDIBLY SIMILAR BEHAVIOR, AND THERE IS EVEN A RECALL REGARDING THE RACK AND PINION IN MY MY MALIBU, HOWEVER MINE IS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. I FIND THIS TO BE ABSOLUTELY APPALLING THAT GM CAN RECEIVE SO MANY COMPLAINTS FOR THIS ISSUE, AND REQUEST FOR A FIX, AND SO BOLDLY TELL THESE CUSTOMERS THAT THEY WILL NOT SERVICE THEIR VEHICLES WHEN THIS IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT.

NHTSA ID 10818472 · filed Jan 6, 2016

I PURCHASED NEW TIRES TODAY AND THE TECHNICIANS NOTICED THERE WAS EXCESSIVE PLAY IN THE STEERING LINK VIA THE RACK AND PINION. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE WELDS (WHICH ARE BOTH FACTORY AND MOST LIKELY ROBOTIC) HOLDING THE NUT THROUGH THE RACK AND PINION HAVE FAILED. THESE WELDS ARE NOT A CONSUMABLE OR AN OTHERWISE REPLACEABLE PART OF THE CAR AND UNACCEPTABLE FOR THEM TO FAIL. CURRENTLY IF THE NUT THAT WAS ORIGINALLY WELDED IN PLACE COMES OFF I WILL COMPLETELY LOSE STEERING ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. AT EVEN SLOW SPEEDS THIS COULD BE FATAL TO THE DRIVER AND OCCUPANTS. THE CAR HAS BEEN OWNED BY ONE FAMILY FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE AND IMMACULATELY MAINTAINED. FOR CHEVROLET TO DESIGN AND MANUFACTURE SUCH A CRITICAL PIECE IN THIS FASHION IS APPALLING. I AM TRYING TO GET IN TOUCH WITH CHEVROLET RECALLS DEPARTMENT AND SAFETY BUT NO ONE WILL RETURN MY CALLS. THE ONE PERSON THAT ANSWERED AT A DEALERSHIP SAID THEY WOULD ABSOLUTELY FIX IT IF AS A FAILED WELD SIGNALS A FABRICATION DEFECT. I GAVE THEM MY NUMBER SO THEY COULD CALL TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT BUT NO ONE HAS CALLED!

NHTSA ID 10780255 · filed Oct 6, 2015
All 74 reports naming steering

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

63
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE CAR IN A DOWNPOUR AND THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE BROKE CAUSING THE WIPERS TO FLY ACROSS THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE CAR. THEY STOPPED WORKING CAUSING HER TO HAVE TO GET OFF THE ROAD BECAUSE SHE COULD NOT SEE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10396722 · filed Apr 18, 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON THE VEHICLE STOPPED WORKING DURING A RAIN STORM. THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE LINKAGE ON THE MOTOR FOR BOTH WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE BROKEN. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO PURCHASE THE PART FROM THE DEALER AND IS CONCERNED THAT IT WILL ONLY BE AVAILABLE AT A SALVAGE FACILITY. NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 01V068000, VISIBILITY, WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER, LINKAGES WAS DIRECTLY RELATED TO IN THE "SALT BELT" STATES DUE TO A BUILDUP OF SNOW, ICE, AND CORROSION. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 160,000.

NHTSA ID 10340910 · filed Jul 1, 2010
All 63 reports naming visibility

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

60
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPARE WHEEL THAT CAME WITH THE VEHICLE DOES NOT FIT ONTO THE FRONT AXLE. HE NOTIFIED THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND NO ASSISTANCE COULD BE PROVIDED. THE EXACT PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN; HOWEVER, THE YEAR WAS 1999. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,900. UPDATATTED 11/05/07. *JB

NHTSA ID 10206239 · filed Oct 18, 2007

PASSENGER SIDE FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE, FOLLOWED BY DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT COIL SPRING. PASSENGER SIDE SPRING BEGAN RUBBING INTO TIRE, MELTED SIDE WALL OF TIRE. TIRE DESTROYED. REPLACED SPRINGS AND TIRE. *AK

NHTSA ID 10187645 · filed Apr 12, 2007
All 60 reports naming tires & wheels

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

52
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE COMPLAINT IS FOR THE ELECTRONIC IGNITION AND THE TAILLIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS. THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS HAVE ALREADY BEEN FIXED TWICE, I AM TOLD IT IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, THEY WORK WHEN THEY WANT TO. THIS IS A PROBLEM AT NIGHT WHEN I HAVE NO TAIL LIGHTS OR WHEN THE BRAKE LIGHTS DON'T WORK. THE OTHER PROBLEM IS THE IGNITIONS SWITCH, THE KEY WON'T MOVE IN THE IGNITION, WHICH MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO START. AFTER READING ON LINE, THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MALIBU'S AND OTHER CHEVY VEHICLES, BUT NOTHING IS BEING DONE ABOUT THIS. I AM UNSURE OF THE INCIDENT DATE BECAUSE IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. *TR

NHTSA ID 10223542 · filed Apr 7, 2008

TAIL LIGHTS ON ALMOST ALL CHEV. MALIBU'S ARE BAD MOSTLY ON THE RIGHT SIDES IF YOU GOING DOWN THE ROAD LOOK FOR YOURSELF ALMOST ALWAYS THEY HAVE AT LEAST ONE BURNED OUT LIGHT. I OWN TWO MY KIDS DRIVE AND ALMOST EVERY TIME THEY WASH THEM OR IT STORMS I HAVE TOO REPLACE BULBS THE TAIL LIGHT FILLS WITH WATER. *TR

NHTSA ID 10192120 · filed May 31, 2007
All 52 reports naming exterior lighting

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

40
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TAKATA RECALL - WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AT NIGHT MY DAUGHTER (SOLE OCCUPANT) HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION AND WINDSHIELD SHATTERED. SHE LOOKED TO RIGHT AND SAW THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG HAD DEPLOYED. SHE HAD NOT HIT ANYTHING INCLUDING BUMPS OR POT-HOLE. NOT SURE IF IT'S A TAKATA BUT DEPLOYMENT COULD OF COST HER LIFE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10944959 · filed Jan 12, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING AND SHATTERED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,751.

NHTSA ID 10735113 · filed Jul 20, 2015
All 40 reports naming airbags

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

34
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES TO EXPRESS DISCONTENT WITH LOCAL DEALERSHIP. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE WAS SPONGY, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE AC WORKED ERRATICALLY, DEPENDING ON THE BLOWER SPEED AND WOULD SOMETIMES QUIT BLOWING COLD AIR AND WOULD START TO BLOW WARM AIR. THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE FLUID WAS VERY LOW. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANY BRAKE FLUID LEAKS. HOWEVER, TWO MONTHS LATER WHILE DRIVING, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, BECAUSE THE FLUID HAD LEAKED OUT AGAIN. THE BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, TO THE BRAKE LINE ISSUE, THE SWAY BAR WAS BROKEN, A FUEL LINE WAS LEAKING AND THE LEFT REAR STRUT HAD FAILED. *JB

NHTSA ID 10639977 · filed Oct 1, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A STRONG GASOLINE FUEL ODOR BEING EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK COMING FROM THE SEAL ON TOP OF THE HIGH PRESSURE LINE. THE MECHANIC STATED THE FUEL PUMP WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000.

NHTSA ID 10483166 · filed Nov 2, 2012
All 34 reports naming fuel system

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

32
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

CAR WOULD BE RUNNING STEPPED ON GAS AND WOULDN'T MOVE, HAD IT BACK WHEN IT WAS NEW, BUT WOULDN'T HAPPEN WHEN BONNER CHEVROLET IN KINGSTON, PA MECHANICS WOULD TEST DRIVE IT. VEHICLE CONTINUED UNTIL I COULDN'T GET IT OUT OF PARK, THEN I HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED 2003. ITWAS A 1998 LS CHEVY MALIBU FULLY LOADED, BOUGHT NEW. MY SON HAD THE SAME CAR AND IT HAD DONE THE SAME.*AK

NHTSA ID 10195000 · filed Jun 29, 2007

MY CAR IS A 1998 MALIBU LS. IT HAS 49,500 ORIGINAL MILES ON IT. IN 2006 I HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION, IT DIDN'T WANT TO SWITCH GEARS RIGHT AWAY. I TOOK IT TO OUR GM DEALER AS I HAD A WARRANTY. THEY PUT IT ON A COMPUTER, COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING, THEY STATED IT WAS DOING THE THINGS I SAID, BUT THOUGHT IT WAS JUST A GLICH AND WOULD GO AWAY. 5-17-07, SOMETHING FINALLY HAPPENED TO THE TRANSMISSION,THE CAR DIDN'T WANT TO GO ANYWHERE. I COASTED MY CAR TO THE GM DEALER AND TOLD THEM WHAT HAPPENED. THEY CALLED AND STATED THEY OPENED THE TRANSMISSION AND FOUND IT WAS A STUCK BODY VALVE. I TOLD THEM TO FIX IT AS IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THEY ALREADY HAD THE TRANSMISSION OPENED UP, THEY CALLED ME BACK AND SAID THE WARRANTY COMPANY SAID MY WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED 1-14-07. CAN'T BE, I HAD TILL AUGUST. I CALLED THE WARRANTY COMPANY. I BOUGHT MY CAR 8-8-98, I PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY (5 YEARS) I HAD TILL 8-8-93. IN JANUARY OF 93, I GOT CALLS FROM MVP (MOTOR VEHICLE PROTECTION CORP) TELLING ME THAT I SHOULD START THINKING ABOUT A NEW WARRANTY AS MINE WAS TO EXPIRE THAT YEAR. I TOLD THEM I WAS OKAY TILL AUGUST. A GAL NAMED ABBEY TOLD ME THAT I COULD SIGN UP FOR THE WARRANTY AND THEY WOULD NOTE MY ACCOUNT, PUT ON HOLD TILL AUGUST WHEN MY WARRANTY WITH GMAC RAN OUT. I NOW COULD MAKE PAYMENTS ON THE NEW WARRANTY, IT WOULD BE PAID FOR BY AUGUST. I AGREED. NOW THIS COMPANY IS DENYING ME COVERAGE FOR THE REPAIRS TO MY CAR. THEY STATE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED 4 YEARS FROM THE DAY I MADE MY FIRST PAYMENT TO THE WARRANTY COMPANY. THAT WAS NOT WHAT ABBEY TOLD ME. SHE SAID THAT IT WOULD NOT GO INTO EFFECT UNTIL MY GMAC WARRANTY WAS DONE. NOW I HAVE TO PAY $1,300 FOR AN REM VALVE THAT WENT BAD IN MY TRANSMISSION PLUS LABOR. I FEEL I HAVE BEEN TAKEN BY THE DEALERSHIP AND WARRANTY COMPANY AND NO ONE WILL HELP ME. I'VE TRIED TALKING TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAY THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO, I HAVE TO PAY IT. THE WARRANTY COMPANY IS RUDE TO ME & I FEEL THIS IS FRAUD.

NHTSA ID 10191694 · filed May 24, 2007
All 32 reports naming transmission

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

26
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Front seat belts come unbuckled while driving. My wife commuted to work in this car for about 12 months (37 miles one way) and mentioned that sometimes the seatbelt would come unbuckled. I suspected that she was not getting it latched in properly and did not think much of it as when I looked at the seatbelt it functioned properly. However our daughter started driving this car to and from school and also mentioned issues with the seatbelt occasionally coming unbuckled, unfortunately she was involved in a collision. When we learned that she did not have her seatbelt on it surprised us. When my aunt and uncle who owned the car visited in the hospital, my aunt mentioned that she also has had the seatbelt randomly come unbuckled multiple times in that car. I purchased seatbelts from cars of the same age and platform (1997-2004 GM N body) and have inspected them. I believe there is a design flaw that allows the seatbelt to latch in and feel secure when it is actually not locked in. In my pictures note the scratches on the release button. It is my feeling that normal debris (hair, lint, ect) may be causing the release button to partially stick down (1/8" or so). When the release button is stuck partially down the belt side can be inserted into the buckle and it will latch with a click sound, however the white plastic lock tab will not drop under the lock rod. In this latched but not locked situation the belt can be pulled on with a fair amount of force and still stay latched. When compared to other seat belt styles from other models of cars, I notice that the release button or cover have a smaller "slide surface area". Also on the other seat belt styles if the release button is stuck partially down the belt will not latch into the buckle.

NHTSA ID 11525299 · filed Jun 4, 2023

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT ALSO OWNS A 2007 GRACO COMFORT SPORT CHILD RESTRAINT SEAT, MODEL NUMBER 80C02MG12 (NA). THE SEAT WAS MANUFACTURED ON AUGUST 24, 2007. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CHILD WAS PROPERLY SECURED IN A FORWARD FACING RESTRAINT SEAT. UNEXPECTEDLY, THE CHILD RELEASED THE PLASTIC HARNESS CLASP WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. THE HARNESS STRAPS WERE TIGHTENED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CHILD RESTRAINT SEAT WAS INSTALLED USING THE VEHICLE SAFETY BELT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE MALFUNCTION, BUT THERE WERE NO RESOLUTIONS. THE VIN, PURCHASE DATE, AND MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID 10279213 · filed Aug 3, 2009
All 26 reports naming seat belts

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

24
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TAKATA RECALL HAVE A CHEVROLET MALIBU 1998 THAT I JUST BOUGHT AND FOUND OUT IT HAD A RECALL THAT WAS NOT TAKEN CARE OF AND HOW WOULD I GO TO GET IT DONE

NHTSA ID 10950178 · filed Feb 7, 2017

I RECEIVED MY CHEV RECALL LETTER REF RECALL 14350 TODAY. THIS IS NOT A COMPLAINT, JUST INFO THAT MAY BE IMPORTANT IN REFERENCE TO THIS SAFETY RECALL. PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD WITH MY 1998 CHEV MALIBU IS : ENGINE SHUTS OFF WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS-SOMETIMES ENGINE WON'T START ( IGNITION KEY WILL NOT GO ALL WAY TO START POSITION)-SOMETIMES ENGINE WANT SHUTOFF (IGNITION KEY WANT TURN BACK TO OFF POSITION). AS A RETIRED TRUCK MECHANIC I KNOW THAT THE PROBLEM IS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH LOCK CYLINDER (TUMBLERS ARE WORN EXCESSIVELY CAUSING THE LOCK CYLINDER TO JAM AND/OR BE COME LOOSE ALLOWING IGNITION KEY TO ROTATE OFF) . I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO MAKE REPAIR MYSELF BUT ALL PARTS OUTLETS TELL ME THAT THE LOCK CYLINDER IS NOT AVAILABLE (MUST PURCHASE $350.00 IGNITION SWITCH ASSEMBLY) IF THIS RECALL DOES NOT INCLUDE REPLACING THE LOCK CYLINDER,THE PROBLEM WILL NOT BE CORRECTED. EXPERIENCED MECH/TECH CAN REPLACE THE LOCK CYLINDER IN ABOUT 10 MINUTES. *TR

NHTSA ID 10637564 · filed Sep 19, 2014
All 24 reports naming driver assistance

Heating & air conditioning

Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.

21
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER WRITES TO EXPRESS DISCONTENT WITH LOCAL DEALERSHIP. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE WAS SPONGY, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE AC WORKED ERRATICALLY, DEPENDING ON THE BLOWER SPEED AND WOULD SOMETIMES QUIT BLOWING COLD AIR AND WOULD START TO BLOW WARM AIR. THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE FLUID WAS VERY LOW. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANY BRAKE FLUID LEAKS. HOWEVER, TWO MONTHS LATER WHILE DRIVING, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, BECAUSE THE FLUID HAD LEAKED OUT AGAIN. THE BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, TO THE BRAKE LINE ISSUE, THE SWAY BAR WAS BROKEN, A FUEL LINE WAS LEAKING AND THE LEFT REAR STRUT HAD FAILED. *JB

NHTSA ID 10639977 · filed Oct 1, 2014

ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD TO BE PRESSED DOWN TO THE FLOOR FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP. ALSO, AIR CONDITIONER TURNED ON/OFF ON ITS OWN. *AK

NHTSA ID 10065255 · filed Mar 30, 2004
All 21 reports naming heating & air conditioning

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

20
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

ONLY WHEN ITS COLD OUTSIDE THE SHIFTER DOESN'T SHIFT OUT OF PARK TILL THE CAR WARMS UP FOR 15 TO 20 MINUTES. *JS

NHTSA ID 10464188 · filed Jul 4, 2012

I WAS ON INTERSTATE 95 GOING HOME WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY LOCKED UP ON ME AND I STARTED LOSING HORSEPOWER UNTIL I COMPLETELY STOPPED!. SO THERE I WAS IN THE MIDDLE LANE STOPPED!, WITH CARS SWERVING AROUND ME AT HIGH SPEEDS!... NOT TO MENTION THE CARS STOPPED BEHIND ME TRYING TO GET AROUND!. I THOUGHT I WOULD BE BADLY REAR ENDED FOR SURE!!. LUCKILY, A TOW TRUCK HAPPENED TO BE PASSING...AND STOPPED TO HELP. SOMEONE COULD OF BEEN KILLED!!!!!. AND FROM ALL THE TESTIMONIALS I'VE HEARD...I THINK GENERAL MOTORS SHOULD MAIL EVERYONE WHO OWNS A CHEVY MALIBU A BIG FAT CHECK!.

NHTSA ID 10371648 · filed Dec 18, 2010
All 20 reports naming powertrain (other)

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

19
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I OWN A 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU AND MY COMPLAINT IS THAT THE TRUNK DOES NOT STAY UP IN THE AIR ON WINDY DAYS OR SOMETIMES BY JUST PUTTING GROCERIES INTO THE TRUNK. I CAN NOT RECALL THE AMOUNT OF TIMES MYSELF OR ANOTHER PERSON HAS BEEN HIT ON THE HEAD WITH THE TRUNK LID. I FIND THIS TO BE VERY DANGEROUS AND THINK THE SOME SORT OF HYDRAULICS (LIKE IN MOST HATCHBACKS) SHOULD BE INSTALLED. *JB

NHTSA ID 10060644 · filed Mar 7, 2004

TRUNK STRUTS WORE OUT, AND CAUSED THE TRUNK LID TO FALL ON THE CONSUMER. CONSUMERS SUSTAINED NECK/BACK OF THE HEAD INJURIES. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED , BUT WAS UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK *MR

NHTSA ID 10053438 · filed Jan 6, 2004
All 19 reports naming body & structure

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

16
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE FRONT TWO (2) METAL LATCHES THAT SECURE THE DRIVER'S SEAT TO THE SLIDING RAIL FAILED RESULTING IN THE SEAT ROTATING ON THE REAR LATCHES WITH THE DRIVER LAYING ON THEIR BACK PARTIALLY IN THE BACK SEAT. BOTH FRONT LATCHES FAILED WITH THE METAL CRACKED AND SHEARED. THE ENTIRE FRONT SEAT WILL HAVE TO BE REMOVED. *AKFORTUNATELY, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INOPERATION AT THE TIME.

NHTSA ID 10186186 · filed Mar 26, 2007

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING TRUNK LATCH PROBLEMS. EVERY TIME THE CONSUMER OPENED THE TRUNK AND WAS UNDER IT, THE TRUNK CLOSED, HITTING THE CONSUMER ON THE HEAD. MANUFACTURER OR DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED AT THE TIME OF THIS CALL.*AK *PH *JB

NHTSA ID 10037688 · filed Sep 15, 2003
All 16 reports naming interior & seats

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

15
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE ANTI-THEFT LIGHT COMES ON AT SPORADIC TIMES AND DOES NOT ALLOW CAR TO START. YOU THEN HAVE TO WAIT AT LEAST 10 MINUTES TO RESTART CAR. THIS COULD BE A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION DEPENDING WHERE YOU ARE WHEN CAR WILL NOT START. I HAD A SMALL CHILD WITH ME ON THE WAY TO THE DOCTOR AND MADE A STOP AT THE DRUG STORE, THEN TRIED TO RESTART CAR TO PROCEED TO DOCTOR AND CAR WOULD NOT START. SINCE I ONLY RECENTLY ACQUIRED THIS CAR, I HAVE DONE RESEARCH ON THIS PROBLEM AND SEE THAT IT IS A BIG PROBLEM WITH CHEVY MALIBUS. WHY ISN'T THERE A RECALL FOR THIS--OR, IF THERE IS ONE, PLEASE ADVISE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10449914 · filed Mar 1, 2012

THE AC CONTROL KEEPS ON JUMPING FRONT INSIDE AIR TO OUTSIDE AIR, AND THESE CAUSED THE COMPRESSOR TO CYCLE ON AND OFF, BOUGHT A NEW ONE FROM THE DEALER COST 150.00 NO WARRANTY STILL KEEPS ON DOING THE SAME THING, GOT ANOTHER ONE FROM THE JUNK YARD STILL DOES THE SAME THING, SPENT 200.00 DOLLARS ON AC COMPRESSOR BUT AC DOES NOT WORK BECAUSE OF THESE PROBLEM , DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO, I NEED HELP! *TR

NHTSA ID 10280582 · filed Aug 16, 2009
All 15 reports naming other / unspecified

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

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