1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU
1480 complaints filed with NHTSA.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR | 133 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 132 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC | 81 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 46 |
| TIRES | 41 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 38 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS | 37 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 33 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT | 29 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 29 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS | 29 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 27 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE | 26 |
| EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER | 25 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 24 |
Recent Complaints
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 inv
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS STRUCK ON THE DRIVER SIDE BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. MOST OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED; HOWEVER, ONE AIR BAG DID NOT, WHICH CAUSED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER: N140350. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS STRUCK ON THE DRIVER SIDE BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. MOST OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED; HOWEVER, ONE AIR BAG DID NOT, WHICH CAUSED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER: N140350. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
MY GRANDDAUGHTER WAS 18 YEARS OLD AND HAD RECENTLY GRADUATED HIGH SCHOOL. SHE WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON A TUESDAY MORNING, THE WEATHER WAS CLEAR AND THE ROAD WAS DRY. AS SHE ROUNDED A SMALL CURVE, HER STEERING WENT OUT. THE CAR'S RIGHT FRONT WHEEL WENT OFF THE ROAD, SENDING THE CAR OUT OF CONTROL. WHEN MY GRANDDAUGHTER TRIED TO STEER BACK ONTO THE ROAD, THE CAR SLID ON THE PAVEMENT, SPUN AROUND, WAS THROWN OVER A DITCH, HIT A TREE AND LANDED BACK ON THE ROAD. THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY, AND MY
Mileage: 100,000
MY GRANDDAUGHTER WAS 18 YEARS OLD AND HAD RECENTLY GRADUATED HIGH SCHOOL. SHE WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON A TUESDAY MORNING, THE WEATHER WAS CLEAR AND THE ROAD WAS DRY. AS SHE ROUNDED A SMALL CURVE, HER STEERING WENT OUT. THE CAR'S RIGHT FRONT WHEEL WENT OFF THE ROAD, SENDING THE CAR OUT OF CONTROL. WHEN MY GRANDDAUGHTER TRIED TO STEER BACK ONTO THE ROAD, THE CAR SLID ON THE PAVEMENT, SPUN AROUND, WAS THROWN OVER A DITCH, HIT A TREE AND LANDED BACK ON THE ROAD. THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY, AND MY
Mileage: 100,000
MY GRANDDAUGHTER WAS 18 YEARS OLD AND HAD RECENTLY GRADUATED HIGH SCHOOL. SHE WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON A TUESDAY MORNING, THE WEATHER WAS CLEAR AND THE ROAD WAS DRY. AS SHE ROUNDED A SMALL CURVE, HER STEERING WENT OUT. THE CAR'S RIGHT FRONT WHEEL WENT OFF THE ROAD, SENDING THE CAR OUT OF CONTROL. WHEN MY GRANDDAUGHTER TRIED TO STEER BACK ONTO THE ROAD, THE CAR SLID ON THE PAVEMENT, SPUN AROUND, WAS THROWN OVER A DITCH, HIT A TREE AND LANDED BACK ON THE ROAD. THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY, AND MY
Mileage: 100,000
THIS VEHICLE HAD A CRASH WITH FATALITIES IN 2006. GENERAL MOTORS NEVER ISSUED A UNINTENDED IGNITION TURNOFF ON THIS VEHICLE UNTIL AUG2014. THE CRASH BEGAN WITH AN UNCONTROLLABLE AND UNEXPECTED SPINOUT, THERE WAS NO ABILITY TO STEER, BRAKE AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THESE ARE THE EXACT CONDITIONS LISTED IN THE GM RECALL. GM WILL NOT ACCEPT A FILING FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE AND SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE GM IGNITION FAILURE CLAIM PROGRAM. NHTSA DIDN'T ALL THE GM RECALL TO MALIBU'S BUT I HAVE
Mileage: 80,000
THIS VEHICLE HAD A CRASH WITH FATALITIES IN 2006. GENERAL MOTORS NEVER ISSUED A UNINTENDED IGNITION TURNOFF ON THIS VEHICLE UNTIL AUG2014. THE CRASH BEGAN WITH AN UNCONTROLLABLE AND UNEXPECTED SPINOUT, THERE WAS NO ABILITY TO STEER, BRAKE AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THESE ARE THE EXACT CONDITIONS LISTED IN THE GM RECALL. GM WILL NOT ACCEPT A FILING FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE AND SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE GM IGNITION FAILURE CLAIM PROGRAM. NHTSA DIDN'T ALL THE GM RECALL TO MALIBU'S BUT I HAVE
Mileage: 80,000
THIS VEHICLE HAD A CRASH WITH FATALITIES IN 2006. GENERAL MOTORS NEVER ISSUED A UNINTENDED IGNITION TURNOFF ON THIS VEHICLE UNTIL AUG2014. THE CRASH BEGAN WITH AN UNCONTROLLABLE AND UNEXPECTED SPINOUT, THERE WAS NO ABILITY TO STEER, BRAKE AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THESE ARE THE EXACT CONDITIONS LISTED IN THE GM RECALL. GM WILL NOT ACCEPT A FILING FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE AND SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE GM IGNITION FAILURE CLAIM PROGRAM. NHTSA DIDN'T ALL THE GM RECALL TO MALIBU'S BUT I HAVE
Mileage: 80,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN APPROACHING A RED LIGHT, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A KNEE, A HIP BRUISING AND A MUSCLE BEHIND SHOULDER WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UN
I HAVE A 1998 CHEVY MALIBU THAT DOES NOT START DUE TO A FAULTY RESET PASSLOCK SYSTEM. CHEVROLET DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX IT. IT IS CLEARLY DANGEROUS SINCE I AM GOING TO GET MUGGED OR WORSE WAITING THE 10 MINUTES IT TAKES TO "FOOL" THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM AND GET THE CAR TO START. THERE ARE OVER 1000 COMPLAINTS ALL OVER THE INTERNET, IN VARIOUS YEARS OF MANUFACTURE OF THIS DEFECTIVE CHEVROLET PRODUCT. THERE MUST BE SOME SOLUTION TO THIS. THE OTHER NIGHT I WAS IN A DARK PARKING LOT FOR 20 MINUT
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT IMPACT CRASH, AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT, AND THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY FRACTURED UPON INITIAL IMPACT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MODERATE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END. THE POLICE WERE ON THE SCENE, AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.
Mileage: 11,900
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT IMPACT CRASH, AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT, AND THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY FRACTURED UPON INITIAL IMPACT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MODERATE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END. THE POLICE WERE ON THE SCENE, AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.
Mileage: 11,900
THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON ONE MINUTE THE NEXT MINUTE THE CAR CUT OFF. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO CURTIS CHEVROLET IN WASHINGTON, DC AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED DUE TO THE OIL REGULATOR AND FILTER EXPLODED. THE CAR HAS ONLY 57500 ORIGINAL MILES, SERVICED MAINLY BY CURTIS CHEVROLET...OIL RECENTLY CHANGED BY CURTIS YET I WAS TOLD THAT TO REPLACE THE ENGINE WOULD BE $6,000. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY CONSIDERED TOTALED. *JB
Mileage: 57,500
ON AUG. 10,2005 MY 1998 CHEVY MALIBU, WHILE PARKED WITH IGNITION OFF CAUGHT FIRE. WHILE EXITING CAR BEFORE THE FIRE, I SMELLED NO SMOKE OR "HOT" SMELLS, I STOOD THERE APPROX. 3 MIN. WHILE TALKING TO MY DAUGHTER. 10 MIN. LATER THE LEBANON, TENNESSEE FIRE DEPT. WAS THERE EXTINGUISHING A FIRE THAT WAS MOSTLY CONTAINED TO THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT HEADLIGHT AREA, THEY DEEMED THE CAR "TOTALED" . I CONTACTED GM THE SAME DAY, AND AFTER SEVERAL PHONE CONVERSATIONS , ON SEPT.13, 2005, I RECEIVED A LETTER
Mileage: 119,000
ON AUG. 10,2005 MY 1998 CHEVY MALIBU, WHILE PARKED WITH IGNITION OFF CAUGHT FIRE. WHILE EXITING CAR BEFORE THE FIRE, I SMELLED NO SMOKE OR "HOT" SMELLS, I STOOD THERE APPROX. 3 MIN. WHILE TALKING TO MY DAUGHTER. 10 MIN. LATER THE LEBANON, TENNESSEE FIRE DEPT. WAS THERE EXTINGUISHING A FIRE THAT WAS MOSTLY CONTAINED TO THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT HEADLIGHT AREA, THEY DEEMED THE CAR "TOTALED" . I CONTACTED GM THE SAME DAY, AND AFTER SEVERAL PHONE CONVERSATIONS , ON SEPT.13, 2005, I RECEIVED A LETTER
Mileage: 119,000
WHEN PULLING OUT OF A FRIENDS HOME ON A DRY 60 DEGREE NIGHT, MY SON PROCEEDED LESS THAN A BLOCK TO A FLASHING RED LIGHT. BEFORE GETTING TO THE LIGHT, HE APPLIED THE BRAKE (THE CAR BEHIND HIM SAW THE BRAKE LIGHTS) AND THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP. HE HAD A TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE. WHEN HE REALIZED THAT HE WOULD SOON BE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION WITH AN ONCOMING VEHICLE, HE ACCELERATED TO TRY TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF THE ONCOMING VEHICLE. HOWEVER, HE STILL WAS HIT NEAR THE REAR OF THE BACK DOOR
Mileage: 90,000
WHILE PULLING INTO A GAS STATION VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONSUMER'S IN-LAW HOUSE. THE INSURANCE INVESTIGATOR DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSE BY AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED.*AK
Mileage: 65,000
THIS CAR HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT A NIGHTMARE FOR ME. AND TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY, THE LOCAL CHEVY DEALER SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. (THOUGH IT DOESN'T STOP THEM FROM CHARGING ME FOR ALL THE EXPENSIVE REPAIRS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE) THIS CAR HAS MANY, MANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. I PURCHASED THIS CAR AS A "CERTIFIED GM" BACK IN JULY 2001. THERE ARE JUST TOO MANY ISSUES TO LIST ON THIS FORUM. MOST RECENT, WAS COMING HOME LAST NIGHT WITH MY SON IN THE CAR. FOR NO REASON AT ALL THE HEAD
Mileage: 137,000
VEHICLE WAS IN A LOW SPEED, LOW IMPACT COLLISION. HOWEVER, THE FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. VEHICLE WAS MOVING ABOUT 10 MPH. *AK
Mileage: 29,000