1998 Chevrolet Malibu

Defect. This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

Risk. If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy. GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014. GM's number for this recall is 14350.

Defect. SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Defect. CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.

Risk. FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

Remedy. DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.

Defect. CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE RETAINERS COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARINGS TO ESCAPE.

Risk. IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL NEED TO EXERT MORE EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, SIMILAR TO A VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER ASSISTED STEERING. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES EVEN FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL REQUIRE MUCH HIGHER EFFORT TO TURN LEFT AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AS MUCH AS INTENDED. WITH THE MAXIMUM PINION SHAFT MOVEMENT, WHICH REQUIRES INTERNAL GEAR COMPONENT DAMAGE, THE DRIVER CAN ENCOUNTER HIGH RESISTANCE TO TURNING LEFT, FOLLOWED BY UNINTENDED POWER ASSIST TO THE RIGHT. IN ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOWER PINION BEARING UNLESS INSPECT OF THE EXISTING BEARING INDICATES THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GEAR ASSEMBLY IS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537; OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.

Defect. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE "SALT BELT" STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, UTAH, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. IF A BUILDUP OF SNOW OR ICE RESTRICTS THE MOVEMENT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM, THE PIVOT HOUSING CAN CRACK AND THE WIPERS WILL NOT OPERATE.

Risk. REDUCED VISIBILITY IN INCLEMENT WEATHER COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER PIVOT HOUSING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 14, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.

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 c

I WAS A AUTOMOTIVE MANUFACTURERS REP AND UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF GETTING THESE RECALLS COMPLETED. I HAVE HAD MY 2 KEYS RETROFITTED WITH THE INSERTS BY MY LOCAL CHEV DEALER YEARS AGO AND TRIED 6 TIMES UNSUCCESSFULLY TO HAVE THIS RECALL SHOWN AS COMPLETED. I WAS ASSURED THAT THEY MADE A MISTAKE AND USED A VIN WITH 1 # WRONG AND THAT IT HAD BEEN CORRECTED. THIS IS MY LAST REQUEST. I GIVE UP. I AM NOT WILLING TO RETURN TO THE DEALER AGAIN. PLEASE SEE THAT THIS IS RESOLVED.

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.

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

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.

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE IGNITION KEY WAS INSERTED INTO THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AS THE ANTI THEFT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO START AFTER TEN MINUTES. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

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.

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!

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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO FAIL INTERMITTENTLY AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 285,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM ACTIVATED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE REPAIR COULD NOT BE PERFORMED DUE TO THE CONTACT NOT HAVING THE ORIGINAL KEY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. 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.

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.

1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU. CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT. *TGW THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS LOSE AND COULD BE WIGGLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS NOT PART OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE RECALL ONLY COVERS THE MODIFICATION OF THE KEYS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

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 GRANDDAUGHTER'S SMALL BODY (98 POUNDS) WAS THROWN ACROSS THE SEAT AND INTO THE FLOORBOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. WHEN POLICE AND AMBULANCES ARRIVED, THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. MY GRANDDAUGHTER DIED AT THE SCENE FROM HEAD TRAUMA AND INTERNAL INJURIES. HER IDENTICAL TWIN SISTER LOST HALF OF HER IDENTITY THAT DAY; THE TWO OF THEM WERE AS ONE. EMERGENCY TEAMS HAD TO USE THE JAWS OF LIFE TO RETRIEVE HER BODY FROM THE CAR. THIS ACCIDENT HAPPENED WITHIN ONE MILE FROM MY HOME. I COULD HEAR THE SIRENS IN THE DISTANCE BUT HAD NO IDEA THAT THEY WERE SOUNDING FOR MY GRANDDAUGHTER. THE MEMORY OF THOSE SIRENS STILL HAUNTS ME. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SUDDENLY MALFUNCTION AND BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE RACK AND PINION WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.