RoadVitals

1999 Chevrolet Malibu Brakes Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Brakes reportsComplaints 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.
320
Latest May 13, 2019
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
41%
of 789 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
17
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
15

What this page shows

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1999 Chevrolet Malibu submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 320 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming brake

The 25 most recent of 320, in the owner's own words

Brakes
Filed May 13, 2019

STARTED MY DRIVE TO WORK IN THE TOOK A LEFT TURN, THEN APPLIED BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THANKFULLY I WAS STILL GOING SLOW AND DIDN'T PANIC, PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND SLOWLY APPLIED THE PARKING BRAKE. PARKED THE CAR AND OPENED DOOR AND LOOKED UNDER CAR. COULD SEE BRAKE FLUID NEAR REAR LEFT TIRE. APPLIED BRAKE AGAIN AND COULD SEE BRAKE FLUID STREAMING FROM THE METAL BRAKE LINE. CLEARLY A FAILURE OF THE BRAKE LINE. CORROSION CAUSED THE UNSAFE CONDITION. DO NOT HAVE PICTURES BUT I WILL BE TAKING SOME AS SOON AS I CAN GET THE CAR ON A LIFT.

NHTSA ID
11207158
Incident
Apr 8, 2019
Mileage
150,000 mi
BrakesEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 21, 2016
Crash reported

TAKATA RECALL: MY SONS ANTITHEFT CONSTANTLY TURNS ON CAUSING THE CAR NOT TO START OR SHUT OFF AND DISABLES HIS KEYLESS REMOTES WHICH THAN NEED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. AFTER SEARCHING ONLINE I WAS ABLE TO FIND A WAY TO GET IT STARTED DUE TO MANY PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE HAD SOME TRICKS. MY SON IS IN COLLEGE AND HAS BEEN STRANDED MANY TIMES DUE TO THIS MALFUNCTION. HE'S HAD 2 ACCIDENTS WHERE THE CAR WON'T FULLY STOP CAUSING HIM TO HIT A CAR. HIS AC LIGHT CONSTANTLY SHUTS OFF MAKING THE AC NOT WORK PROPER. THIS IS THE WORSE CAR!

NHTSA ID
10897411
Incident
Aug 1, 2016
BrakesElectricalEngine
Filed Apr 29, 2015

IGNITION SWITCH HAS BEEN GETTING LOOSE AND DIFFICULT TO TURN ON FOR A LONG TIME. RECEIVED NTSB RECALL LETTER ABOUT UNINTENTIONAL KEY ROTATION FOR THE 1999 CHEVY MALIBU. I FOLLOWED THE NTSB INSTRUCTIONS AND REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE KEY RING. ON APRIL 21, 2015 THE CHEVY DEALER GLUED A PLASTIC HOUSING TO MY KEYS. AFTER RECEIVING MY KEYS BACK I COULD HARDLY GET THE KEY TO ROTATE THE IGNITION LOCK, I HAD TO JIGGLE THE KEY QUITE VIGOROUSLY TO GET THE IGNITION TO OPERATE. FOUR DAYS LATER THE KEY FELL OUT OF THE IGNITION AND THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN WHILE I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH. ALTHOUGH DIFFICULT TO STEER AND BRAKE I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY BRING THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, LOCATE THE KEY ON THE FLOOR AND AFTER REINSERTING THE KEY RESTARTED HE CAR. I HAD A ROLL OF TAPE IN THE GLOVE BOX AND I USED IT TO TAPE THE KEY IN POSITION. NO FURTHER DIFFICULTIES. ON APRIL 27, 2015 I REPLACED THE LOCK CORE SUCCESSFULLY. THE RECALL FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM IS NOT ACCEPTABLE OR SAFE. I KNEW THE IGNITION LOCK WAS GETTING BAD BUT WAS NOT AWARE THAT THE ENGINE WOULD SHUT DOWN IF THE KEY FELL OUT. THIS FIX GAVE ME A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY THAT A PROBLEM WAS TAKEN CARE OF. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER I THOUGHT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE LOCK CORE AND KEYS AND NOT JUST GLUE A HOUSING ONTO MY WORN-OUT KEYS. MY REPLACEMENT OF THE LOCK CORE SOLVED THE PROBLEM THE WAY THE DEALER SHOULD HAVE. A LETTER NEEDS TO GO OUT TO ALL THAT RECEIVED THE RECALL LETTER THAT THIS IS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE FIX IF THE LOCK CORE IS NOT REPLACED. WHEN THE DEALER SHOWED ME THE FIX I LAUGHED AT THE TIME AND SAID YOU HAVE TO BE KIDDING ME THAT I'VE WASTED 1:45 OF MY TIME WAITING FOR THE GLUE TO DRY. I DO NOT KNOW WHO THOUGHT THIS WOULD SOLVE ANYTHING OR APPROVED IT BUT I THINK THEY ARE AN IDIOT AND SHOULD BE FIRED FROM ANY POSITION OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE SAFETY THAT THESE RECALLS ARE SUPPOSE TO ADDRESS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10713496
Incident
Apr 25, 2015
Mileage
160,000 mi
BrakesFuel system
Filed Sep 18, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT HAD TO SHIFT INTO PARK IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL CAP WAS NOT APPLIED TIGHT ENOUGH AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO USE A BETTER GRADE OF FUEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10637246
Incident
Sep 2, 2013
Brakes
Filed Mar 7, 2012

WHEN PARKING BRAKE WAS APPLIED, A LOAD POPPING NOISE WAS HEARD. THE LEFT REAR CABLE POPPED OUT OF THE PARKING BRAKE EQUALIZER SINCE THE PART WAS RUSTED OUT. I AM VERY CONCERNED AS I AM WELL AWARE OF THE HIGH MILEAGE OF THIS VEHICLE. IT IS STILL A POPULAR CAR ON THE ROAD TODAY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10450656
Incident
Mar 6, 2012
Mileage
191,400 mi
Body & structureBrakesElectrical+2 more
Filed Dec 5, 2011

I BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM A PRIVATE OWNER NOT A DEALERSHIP. THE ONLY PROBLEM IT HAD WHEN WE BOUGHT IT WAS THE FUEL GAUGE DID NOT WORK. NOW ALMOST A YEAR LATER I HAVE MULTIPLE PROBLEMS. THE WORST IS WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 65 MPH MY CAR JUST SHUTS OFF, NO WARNING, THE STEERING LOCKS UP AND THIS HAPPENED WITH MY 2 CHILDREN IN THE CAR IT WAS VERY SCARY. THEN WHILE SITTING AT A RED LIGHT WHEN I GOT READY TO DRIVE IT DIED ON ME AGAIN. EACH TIME I HAVE HAD TO PULL OVER, SIT FOR A FEW MINUTES, THEN TRY TO RESTART AND IT USUAL DOES UNTIL DEC. 2. IT DIED AND NOW IT WILL NOT START. IT WILL CRANK, THE FUEL PUMP IS WORKING AND I HAVE SPARK. OTHER PROBLEMS: WHILE CHECKING OIL ONE DAY I LEANED AGAINST CAR AND IT SHOCKED ME; BRAKE LIGHTS WORK WHEN THEY WANT TO; CANNOT LOCK DOORS FROM DRIVERS SIDE; COOLANT HAS TO BE REFILLED EVERY WEEK (NO LEAKS HAVE BEEN FOUND); TRUNK IS NOT WANTING TO OPEN WITH BUTTON OR KEY; RADIO/ANTENNA GETS 1 STATION; A/C WORKED WHEN WE GOT IT AND APPARENTLY THE DIODE OR SOMETHING WENT BAD BUT YOU CANNOT BUY JUST THE DIODE. I AM TIRED OF ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS AND HAVE READ MANY OTHERS LIKE THESE. MY MAIN CONCERN IS THE CAR DIEING WHILE DRIVING DOWN ROAD AND LOCKING EVERYTHING UP. *TR

NHTSA ID
10438536
Incident
Jun 25, 2011
Brakes
Filed Sep 24, 2011

WHILE DRIVING MY 1999 CHEVROLET MALIBU MY BRAKE PEDAL FELL TO THE FLOOR NO BRAKES FORTUNATELY I WAS CLOSE TO MY REPAIR SHOP MY MECHANIC FOUND A RUSTED THRU BRAKE FLUID LINE CAUSED BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK OUT LOOSING BRAKING ACTION A PARTIAL LINE WAS INSTALLED THE REMAINING BRAKE & GASOLINE LINES ARE BADLY RUSTED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10427054
Incident
Sep 16, 2011
Mileage
82,000 mi
AirbagsBrakes
Filed Nov 5, 2010
Crash reported1 injury reported

WAS DRIVING ABOUT 30 MPH AND TRAFFIC STOPPED. I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE CAR FAILED TO SLOW RESULTING IN A THREE CAR ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10364205
Incident
Nov 5, 2010
Mileage
154,753 mi
Brakes
Filed May 28, 2010

ABS LIGHT RANDOMLY COMING ON, AND BRAKES COMPLETELY FAILING AT UNSPECIFIC INTERVALS. TODAY AS I WAS DRIVING I CAME UPON A STOP SIGN, WHILE DECELERATING ON AN DOWNHILL INCLINE MY BRAKES DECIDE THAT THE WOULD COMPLETELY LET OFF, AND ABOUT 500 FEET LATER DOWN THE ROAD THEY CATCH AND LOCK. LUCKILY I HAD AMPLE SPACE AHEAD OF ME AND WASN'T INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, BUT THOSE INTERMITTENT FAILURE CAN DEFIANTLY BE A PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10332683
Incident
May 28, 2010
Brakes
Filed Feb 11, 2008

NO PRIOR CRASHES OR PROBLEMS BRAKE LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING UNABLE TO FIND SHORT IN SYSTEM TO THE POINT THAT THE HOSING ON THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS ARE MELTING AROUND BULBS RUNNING LIGHTS WORK STILL YET NO REAR BRAKE LIGHTS ON DRIVERS SIDE OUTER AND PASSENGER SIDE INNER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10217726
Incident
Feb 11, 2008
Mileage
148,000 mi
AirbagsBrakesHeating & air conditioning+7 more
Filed Mar 22, 2007

MY 1999 CHEVY MAILBU HAS HAD MANY PROBLEMS. I WILL START WITH THE 2 FUEL INJECTERS REPLACED 2 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING. THE CAR BEGIN TO RUN ROUGH THEN WOULD HAVE PROBLEMS STARTING. THEN THERE WAS THE ALTANATOR, THE THERMOSTAT, THE HEAD AND INTAKE GASKETS AND THE NUMUROUS ELECTICAL PROBLEMS. THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS STILL CANNOT BE SOLVED AFTER NUMROUS TRIPSTO THE REPAIR SHOP. MOST OF THE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN CORRECTED ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. AS A CONSUMER I HOPE YOU WILL HELP US MALIBU OWNERS WHO ARE IN DESTRESS. I KNOW THE AUTO COMPANIES ARE IN FINANCIAL TROUBLE BUT THAT STILL DOES NOT EXCUSE MAKING AN UNSAFE AUTO. I AM AFRAID ENOUGH NOT TO DRIVE MY CAR. I FEEL I PUT MY FAMILY AND MYSELF IN DANGER TAKING THSI CAR ON THE ROAD. I HOPE YOU WILL HELP CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. I FEEL MY ONLY NEXT OPTION IS TO CONTACT A LAWYER OVER MY LEGAL RIGHTS.

NHTSA ID
10185956
Incident
Feb 7, 2002
BrakesEngineVisibility
Filed Dec 29, 2006

AFTER REPLACING MY INTAKE GASKET 8 MONTHS AGO, MY CAR STILL OVERHEATS. ONE OF MY COOLING FANS IS NOT WORKING. MY AC LEVEL CONTROLS 1 & 2 DOESN'T WORK, ONLY 3,4, AND 5. AC SHUTS OFF ON ITS OWN. MY ENGINE BELT WENT FROM SQEAKING TO MAKING A NOISE I NEVER HEARD BEFORE. NOW MY CAR IS NON OPERATIONAL DUE TO A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. SO FAR IN THE PAST 8 MONTHS, I REPLACED MY INTAKE GASKET $600, REPLACED MY ENGINE BELT COST $120, REPLACED MY BRAKE PADS AND CALIPER TWICE IN THE PAST 2 YEARS $250 EACH TIME. NOW I'M LOOKING AT ANOTHER MAJOR REPAIR JOB. HELP ME PLEASE

NHTSA ID
10177289
Incident
Dec 15, 2006
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical+1 more
Filed Dec 22, 2006

I PURCHASED A 1999 CHEVY MALIBU IN NOVEMBER 2003. I HAVE REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS AT LEAST 10 TIMES ($20 EACH TIME), THE ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES ($70 EACH TIME). THE BRAKES GIVE YOU NO WARNING THEY JUST QUIT SUDDENLY WHICH HAS ALMOST CAUSED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS. THE ABS LIGHT ALWAYS COMES ON AND WHEN THIS HAPPENS YOU CAN GUARANTEE THE IGNITION SWITCH IS ABOUT TO LOCK UP ON YOU. THE REAR WINDOWS QUIT WORKING, I HEAR A WEIRD POPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM HAS CAME ON 6 OR 7 TIMES AND WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO CRANK THE CAR(ONCE IT HAPPENED WHILE MY CHILD WAS HAVING AN ASTHMA ATTACK AND I WAS ATTEMPTING TO TAKE HIM TO THE ER). IF YOU HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD SOMETIMES IT SOUNDS LIKE A SMALL EXPLOSION IN THE FRONT END AND CAUSES THE STEERING WHEEL TO JERK UNCONTROLLABLY FOR SEVERAL MILES. I HAVE TAKEN THIS VEHICLE TO SEVERAL MECHANICS WHO ABSOLUTELY REFUSE TO WORK ON IT BECAUSE OF THE GENERAL FACT THAT IT IS A 1999 MALIBU, NOW MY IGNITION HAS COMPLETELY QUIT, ACTUALLY IT HUNG IN THE START POSITION AND WAS MAKING MY STARTER GRIND AND ALMOST CATCH FIRE, THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL ABOUT 15 TIMES, BUT USUALLY AFTER JIGGLING THE KEY A FEW TIMES IT COMES UNDONE, BUT NOT THIS TIME. MY DAD HAD TO TAKE MY BATTERY OFF IN ORDER TO MAKE THE ENGINE DIE. SO NOW MY EMPLOYER GOT SO FED UP WITH ME BEING LATE OR CALLING IN BECAUSE OF MY CAR PROBLEMS THAT I WAS TERMINATED. I AM A SINGLE MOM WITH 2 CHILDREN, BOTH HAVE CHRONIC ASTHMA AND HAVE TO BE RUSHED TO THE ER WITH SEVERE ASTHMA ATTACKS ALL THE TIME, AND NOW I HAVE NO WAY TO TAKE THEM SHOULD THE NEED ARISE. THE PARTS ARE GOING TO COST ME $200 AND THE COST OF LABOR AND NOW I HAVE NO JOB. IF YOU CALL CHEVROLET ALL THEY TELL YOU IS TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER AND LET THE MECHANIC LOOK AT IT FOR A FEE, AND THEN THEY WANT TO CHARGE YOU MORE THAN I MAKE IN 2 MONTHS, AND THEY NEVER EVEN ASK YOU ANY PERSONAL INFO SO THERE ARE NO DOCUMENTED CLAIMS ON YOUR CALLS. *NM

NHTSA ID
10176850
Incident
Dec 22, 2006
Mileage
119,676 mi
BrakesHeating & air conditioningElectrical+5 more
Filed Aug 20, 2006

ROTOR REPLACEMENT X 3. SUSPENSION - FRONT REPLACED. CALIPERS X3. TIRE WEAR AND LEAKS - REPLACED ANNUALLY. RADIO - BAD WIRING. A/C IN DASH WIRING REPLACED TWICE. REAR LIGHT ASSEMBLY REPLACED TWICE. LEAKING IN REAR LIGHT ASSEMBLY AND TRUNK. COOLANT LEAK - 8/06 AT 74000 MILES. MECHANIC BELIEVES IT IS THE WATER PUMP. A/C SENSOR REPLACED. *NM

NHTSA ID
10166043
Incident
Aug 18, 2006
Mileage
5,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 2, 2006
Crash reported3 injuries reported

IN JULY OF 2005 I WAS INVOLVED IN A ACCIDENT DUE TO THE FACT I WAS UNABLE TO STOP THIS VEHICLE. I DID NOT REALIZE AT THE TIME THAT I HAD THE ABILITY TO FILE A COMPLAINT TO A FEDERAL SAFETY ORGANIZATION. THIS VEHICLE HAS NOW HAD 5 BRAKE JOBS, THE LAST BEING TODAY. THE FRONT ROTORS HAD TO BE REPAIRED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO STOP AND HAD SEVERE VIBRATION DURING BRAKING. THE MILEAGE ON THIS VEHICLE IS 101000 MILES. AT THE LAST BRAKE OVERHAUL IT WAS NOTED THAT THE REAR BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING, ( THE VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED TO ME THIS WAY NEW) THIS PROBLEM WAS REPORTED AS REPAIRED. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW FROM GAMBLIN MOTORS IN APR 1999 AND AS I HAVE STATED 5 BRAKE REPAIRS IN 101000 MILES. IN JULY 2005 THE REASON I REAR ENDED A VEHICLE WAS I WAS UNABLE TO STOP DUE TO POOR BRAKING ACTION. THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD 3 SETS OF FRONT ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS AND THE ROTORS HAVE BEEN TURNED (TRUED ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS). I HAVE FILED COMPLAINTS WITH GM ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND IT HAS BEEN DISREGARDED. THIS MAY BE BECAUSE THE ORIGINAL COMPLAINT WAS BECAUSE OF COOLANT SYSTEM LEAKS THAT CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. *NM

NHTSA ID
10164261
Incident
Jul 15, 2005
Mileage
98,000 mi
BrakesEngineExterior lighting
Filed Mar 23, 2006

CHEVROLET MALIBU 1999. 84000 MILES. IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS I HAD TO REPLACE THE TAIL LIGHTS TWICE THIS IS THE ENTIRE UNIT WHICH COST OVER $250 EACH I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE STOP/BRAKE LIGHT BULBS AT LEAST SIX TIMES ON EACH SIDE. THE SOCKET THAT HOLDS THE BULBS KEEP MELTING AND LAST DECEMBER IT MELTED TO THE POINT THAT I SAW SMOKE COMING OUT AND WHEN I OPENED THE PLASTIC SOCKET WAS COMPLETELY MELTED. AS OF NOW NEITHER LIGHT IS WORKING. I CHECKED IN THIS SITE AND NHTSA ACTION NUMBER RQ04005 INDICATES THE FOLLOWING: GM IN DECEMBER 2004, GM WILL ISSUE A SPECIAL POLICY FOR MY 1999-2000 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 03V327. THE POLICY COVERS TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER FAILURE FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES (WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST) TO PROVIDE A NO COST REPLACEMENT OF THE HAZARD SWITCH. GM WILL SEND LETTERS TO OWNERS STARTING DECEMBER 30, 2004. THE ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION. THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS. THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FUTURE ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. I CALLED GM AS WELL AS THE LOCAL CHEVY DEALER AND THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE LIGHT THEY CLAIM THE AGREEMENT WAS ONLY FOR SOME OF THE 1999 CHEVY MALIBU AND MY VEHICLE [XXX] IS OUTSIDE THE RANGE THEY ARE COVERING. I WAS TOLD BY A GM CUSTOMER SERVICE TO WAIT AND SEE IF THEY RECALL OTHER CARS. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED OF THE ADVICE AS THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. ALSO, THE INFORMATION AND AGREEMENT POSTED ON NHTSA (SEE ABOVE) DOES NOT INDICATE ANY EXCEPTIONS. CAN SOMEONE INVESTIGATE THIS PLEASE? IN ADDITION TO THIS PROBLEM, THE COOLANT WAS LEAKING AND I HAD TO HAVE THE MANIFOLD REMOVED AND A NEW GASKET PUT IN TWICE. REPLACED BRAKE PADS 5/6 TIMES AND ROTORS ONCE. *NM UPDATED 07/16/2012*JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
10153529
Incident
Mar 18, 2006
Mileage
40,000 mi
BrakesElectricalEngine
Filed Feb 5, 2006

VEHICLE HAS JUST REACHED 62000 MILES. MOST RECENT INCIDENT - ALL DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON-CAR DIED AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER. REPLACED ALTERNATOR - SUPPOSEDLY "COMMON" AT THIS MILEAGE. SIX WEEKS PRIOR - COOLANT INDICATOR KEEPS COMING ON. DEALER REPLACED LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET AND WATER PUMP. ALSO TOLD COMMON IN THIS CAR AT THIS MILEAGE. BRAKES DONE ALSO - ROTORS NEEDED REPLACEMENT - AGAIN SUPPOSEDLY COMMON IN THE MALIBU. *JB

NHTSA ID
10149489
Incident
Feb 2, 2006
Mileage
62,300 mi
Brakes
Filed Nov 9, 2005

DT: THE CONSUMER STATED FOUR MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE WITH 7,000 MILES ON IT THE BRAKES FAILED. WHEN STOPPING THE VEHICLE FELT AS THOUGH THE BRAKES WERE HITTING ON ONE SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED THE ROTORS. APPROXIMATELY NINE MONTHS LATER THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED A SECOND TIME. *AK (12/08/05) THE BRAKES WOULD PULSATE WHEN APPLIED. *SC UPDATED 12/07/05. *JB UPDATED 11/20/2005. *NM

NHTSA ID
10142265
Incident
Sep 20, 2004
Brakes
Filed Sep 1, 2005

ABS PUMP LEAKING. NOTICED A LEAK ABOUT 1 YEAR AGO, BUT IT STOPPED. STARTED UP AGAIN WHEN I NOTICED BREAK LIGHT COME ON. WHEN BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALER THEY TOLD ME THAT THE ABS PUMP WAS FAILING. *NM

NHTSA ID
10135071
Incident
Aug 19, 2005
Brakes
Filed Aug 31, 2005
Crash reported

SEARCHING YOUR DATABASE MODEL "MALIBU" WAS NOT ON THE LIST. I FIND THAT HARD TO BELIEVE WITH SO MANY COMPLAINTS. AFTER SEVERAL NO STOPS AND FINALLY AN ABS THAT WOULD STAY ON THE CAUSE TURNED OUT TO BE THE PASSENGER HUB. YOU PROBABLY DON'T WANT TO HEAR ALL THE OTHER STUFF. *NM

NHTSA ID
10134987
Incident
Jun 10, 2005
BrakesElectricalEngine+1 more
Filed Aug 12, 2005

BRAKES AND ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES SINCE 2002- A/C GOES OFF AND ON- IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED DUE TO ELECTRICAL FAILURE- DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW DON'T ROLL DOWN- ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY REPLACED- INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET AND RADIATOR REPLACED. *NM

NHTSA ID
10132611
Incident
May 4, 2005
Mileage
60,000 mi
BrakesOther / unspecified
Filed Jul 12, 2005

I JUST GOT MY CAR IN DECEMBER OF 2004.I WENT TO GET MY STATE INSPECTION AND THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE MY BRAKE LIGHTS BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY BECAUSE WATER HAD GOTTEN INTO THE LIGHT.I GO BACK A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER AFTER DUMPING THE WATER OUT OF MY LIGHTS AND MY CAR PASSES THE STATE INSPECTION BUT MY RIGHT BRAKE LIGHT DOES NOT WORK BECAUSE OF A WIRE SHORTAGE.

NHTSA ID
10128517
Incident
May 1, 2005
Mileage
93,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 20, 2005

THE CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE THE ABS BEARING 3 TIMES. THE LIGHT HAD COME ON TWICE, ONE REPLACED THEN THE NEXT ONE. THE THIRD TIME THE VEHICLE MADE A FUNNY NOISE. *AK *SC

NHTSA ID
10121705
Incident
Apr 15, 2003
Mileage
67,826 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 8, 2005

DT: CHEVROLET, MALIBU 1999, VEHICLE HAD BRAKE PROBLEM. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES OVER THE LIFE OF THE CAR. DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE HAD WARPED ROTORS. DEALER FIXED THE BRAKES FOUR TIMES AT THE CONSUMER'S EXPENSE, GM DENIED THE PROBLEM. THE FIRST TIME THE BRAKES ONLY LASTED UNTIL 43, 000 MILES. THE SECOND UNTIL 71000 MILES, THE THIRD TIME UNTIL 79000 MILES, AND THE FORTH TIME UNTIL 91500 MILES. *AK THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THIS SAME DEFECT. *SC *JB

NHTSA ID
10125665
Incident
Feb 27, 2002
Mileage
43,000 mi
BrakesEngineExterior lighting
Filed May 21, 2005

. I BOUGHT CAR NEW. THE ROTORS, CALIPERS AND BRAKE PADS ON THIS CAR HAVE BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES. THE PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LIGHTS HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED EVERY YEAR DUE TO WATER GETTING INTO THE ASSEMBLY. THE AC SWITCH - BLOWER RESISTOR HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE FIRST TIME I REPLACED THE ROTORS - IT ONLY HAD 5000 MILES ON IT. IT HAS 61000 TODAY.

NHTSA ID
10121776
Incident
May 18, 2005
Mileage
5,000 mi

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.

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Data on this page last refreshed .