WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY COIL SPRING BROKE AND WENT INSIDE OF THE FRONT LEFT TIRE OF CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. ALSO, REAR COIL SPRING BROKE, BUT DID NO DAMAGE TO TIRE. CALLED DEALER TO INQUIRY ABOUT THE TIRE AND DID NOT GET AN ANSWER.*AK
1998 Chevrolet Malibu complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 1998 record →
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A HORN PROBLEM. CONTACTED THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER, AND NEITHER WAS WILLING TO ASSIST. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE HORN WAS DEFECTIVE BECAUSE OF THE AIR BAG COMPONENTS BEING PRESSED AGAINST THE WIRING OF THE HORN. VEHICLE WAS NEVER IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK
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 (ON THE DRIVERS SIDE) AND THE CAR WAS SPUN INTO A POLE ON THE OTHER SIDE CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE - THE CAR HAS BEEN DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS. FORTUNATELY, THE OCCUPANTS WERE BOTH UNINJURED, BUT HAD HE NOT ACCELERATED IT COULD HAVE BEEN QUITE A DIFFERENT STORY. RIGHT NOW, THE INSURANCE COMPANY IS PUSHING FOR US TO HAVE IT MOVED TO A JUNK YARD TO AVOID THE STORAGE FEES. *AK *BF *NM
1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR BLEW UP.*MR THE CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE MOTOR. *NM
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
FUEL PUMP, DISCONTINUED, BUT NOT RECALLED. *AK
THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SPRING BROKE ON THE CONSUMER'S 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU. ***NAR** *NM THE CONSUMER TURNED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION WHEN SHE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN NOISE AND FEELING THAT THE VEHICLE HAD GONE DOWN ON THE LEFT FRONT SIDE. THE CONSUMER FOUND THAT THE LEFT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT. IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE SPRING HAD SNAPPED AND TORE UP THE TIRE. THEY COULD SEE NO REASON WHY THE SPRING HAD SNAPPED WITH NO WEAR OR RUST. *SC *JB
AFTER A FEW MINUTES (MAYBE 10 TO 15 MINUTES) OF STARTING/DRIVING, GAS PEDAL "STICKS" IN THE CLOSED POSITION REQUIRING ADDITIONAL FOOT PRESSURE TO MAKE IT ADVANCE TO A REASONABLE RPM TO EITHER BREAKE INERTIA OR CONTINUING DRIVING. THIS PROCESS BECOMES DANGEROUS TO THE EXTEND THAT A HIGHER/UNWANTED ACCELARATION RESULTS DUE TO THE PEDAL NOT TRAVELING SMOOTHLY. *AK
IN LESS THAN THAN 8 MONTHS TWO SPRINGS HAS BROKEN. DEALER CLAIMS RUSTED COATING, THAT THEY HAVE NOT SEEN THIS ON ANY OTHER CAR. IS THERE ANYONE ELSE WITH THIS PROBLEM? THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 35,000 MILES ON IT..*AK
NUMBER OF PROBLEMS SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW IN 1998. THE FRONT BRAKES HAVE BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM, THE COOLING SYSTEM HAS A LEAK AT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND NUMEROUS OTHER MAJOR PROBLEMS THAT EVERYONE I TALK TO OR READ ABOUT IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR. CHEVY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *JB
1. VEHICLE LOSING COOLANT. 2. PROBLEM IS DUE TO FAILURE OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. 3. INTAKE GASKET NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *JB
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 HEADLIGHTS FAILED, LEAVING ME W/ 1 FOG LAMP AS THE OTHER WENT W/ THE HEADLIGHTS. ON A GRAVEL ROAD, W/ NO LIGHTS. FOUND OURSELVES IN THE DITCH. STILL WAITING FOR THE TOW TRUCK TO PULL THE PIECE OF CRAP OUT. SON GOT A NICE GOOSE EGG OUT OF THE ORDEAL FROM HITTING HIS HEAD ON THE DOOR ON THE BUMPY RIDE DOWN THE DITCH. I AM SO FED UP WITH THIS CAR. *NM
VEHICLE WAS IN A LOW SPEED, LOW IMPACT COLLISION. HOWEVER, THE FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. VEHICLE WAS MOVING ABOUT 10 MPH. *AK
A LOUD POPPING NOISE CAME FROM THE FRONT AND REAR. CONSUMER DROVE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE LEFT AND RIGHT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO WARPING. *AK
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS SUDDENLY FAILED WHILE DRIVING IN THE STORM. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON A 1998 CHEVY MALIBU. *BF RESPONDED TO PREVIOUSLY VIA E-MAIL REFER TO ODI#10093392. *SC
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, STEERING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT, MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS THE SECOND INCIDENT. I HAVE HAD IT REPLACED ONCE BEFORE. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. D.F.*AK
WHILE DRIVING, THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD. *JB
CONSUMER COMPLAINT CONCERNING UNSATISFACTORY TRANSACTION WITH GMC, CRUISE CONTROL FAILED THEN AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THAT SHE SHOULD BE FULLY COMPENSATED FOR HER REPAIRS AND A RECALL SHOULD BE SENT OUT. *TC
ENGINE LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED(70MPH) DUE TO FAILED INTAKE GASKET ON 1998 MALIBU 3.1 . ONE FLICKER OF OIL LIGHT (OIL HAD JUST BEEN CHANGED THAT MORNING BY MYSELF (EXPERIENCED AUTO TECHNICIAN) .ENGINE HAD 52,000 MILES, WAS 600 MILES FROM HOME(APPR), COST $750 TO TOW HOME, UPON DISASEMBLY FOUND FAILED INTAKE GASKET, PURCHASED USED ENGINE,$600, $800 TO HAVE INSTALLED. GM CONTACTED IN EVERY FORUM AVAIL. REFUSED TO HELP IN ANY WAY. INSTALLED NEW GASKET ON USED ENGINE BEFORE INSTALLING, GM PARTS, NOW 37,000 MILES LATER HAVE INTAKE GASKET LEAK AGAIN.*AK
COOLANT LEAK .. AGAIN IN MY 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU! I HAD MY INTAKE GASKET REPLACED APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS AGO DUE TO CAR OVER HEATING AND A COOLANT LEAK. MY EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERED IT AT THAT TIME BUT NOT WITHOUT A STRUGGLE. I HAVE SINCE BEEN TOLD IN THE PAST MONTH THAT THIS SAME REPAIR NEEDS TO BE DONE AGAIN AND THAT I'M LOOKING AT ANYWHERE FROM $600.00 - $1000.00 FOR THE REPAIR AND THIS WILL COME OUT OF MY POCKET. FROM THE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS THAT I'VE READ ON THE INTERNET AND THE SERVICE BULLETIN OUT ON THE SPECIFIC PROBLEM, GM OBVIOUSLY KNOWS THAT THIS IS IN ISSUE. WHY AREN'T THEY FORCED TO PUT OUT A RECALL? THIS COULD BE A DANGEROUS PROBLEM.*AK
CLOGGED FUIL INJECTORS P0300 CODE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH GM CARS GM CAME OUT WITH A BULLETIN TO CLEAN THE INJECTORS SHORT TERM FIX I HAVE SEEN MANY VEHICLES DAILY WITH THIS PROBLEM MANY INJECTORS REPLACED.SOME GM CARS DONT HAVE THIS PROBLEM CORVETTE PRIZM BOTH CARS USE A DIFFERENT STYLE INJECTOR THEY DONT CLOGGE GM SAYS GAS IS THE PROBLEM WELL CORVETTE AND PRIZM USES THE SAME GAS.THIS IS SUCH A COMMON PROBLEM GM NEEDS TO STEP UP AND COME OUT WITH A BETTER INJECTOR AND RECALL THE CARS.I HAD MY INJECTORS CLEAND MANY TIMES AND ALL THE INJECTORS REPLACED.*AK
UPON SETTING UP CRUISE CONTROL IT FAILED TO SET, AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THIS WAS DUE TO A FAILURE IN THE AIR BAG WARNING HARNESS CONNECTION. THESE PARTS WERE CURRENTLY ON BACK ORDER.*AK WRONG PART SENT. *TC
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, IN INCLEMENT WEATHER THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILED. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER PIVOT HOUSING WAS BROKEN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
WHILE MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING MY 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU WHICH HAS APPROXIMATELY 87,000 MILES ON IT, HE HEARD AN UNUSUAL NOISE THAT INDICATED SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE ENGINE. THE CAR IMMEDIATELY LOST POWER WHILE MOVING AT A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH. THERE WAS A LOT OF RATTLING AND VIBRATIONS. UPON HAVING THE CAR TOWED TO A GARAGE FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE CAR HAD TO HAVE A NEW ENGINE. THE ENGINE REPAIR COMPANY STATES THAT THE HARMONIC BALANCER FAILED WHICH IN TURNED MESSED UP THE INTERNAL WORKINGS OF THE ENGINE. THIS WILL COST US APPROXIMATELY $3600 DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. *NM
CONSUMER STATED THAT THIS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS MENTIONED IN RECALL 03V527000. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK UPDATED 12/12/2006 - *NM
(1) I WAS DRIVING HOME ON I-75 AN HOUR NORTH OF ATLANTA AFTER LABOR DAY WEEKEND. WHILE DOING 70-75 MPH IN HEAVY RAINS AND WINDS FROM THE LEADING EDGE OF HURRICANE FRANCES, MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS SUDDENLY FAILED LEAVING WINDSHIELD AWASH IN RAIN AND VISIBILITY LESS THAN 6 FEET. THE PASSENGER SIDE WINSHEILD WIPER ARM SNAPPED FIRST IN THE VERTIAL POSITION, THEN THE DRIVER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM RAN OVER TOP OF IT BREAKING IT TOO. TRECHEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS WERE ENDURED IN ATTEMPTING TO GET OFF INTERSTATE. I WAS LEFT TO DRIVE WITH NEARLY NO VISIBILITY THROUGH HURRICANE FRANCES FOR 3 MORE HOURS UNTIL I MADE IT FAR ENOUGH TO GET OUT OF THE STORM. 3) WHEN BACK HOME IN LOUISVILLE, I TOOK THE CAR TO SERVICE CENTER TO GET ESTIMATE AND FIXED SINCE IT WAS PREDICTED TO RAIN SOON. THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED TO THE WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGES BREAKING. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH GM CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER TO TRY TO GET GM TO COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIRS. *AK I SEARCHED SAFETY RECALL DATABASE HERE AND CAME ACCROSS OPEN INVESTIGATION FOR THIS PART THAT FAILED. THEREFORE I DECIDED TO MAKE A COMPLAINT ALSO. RQ04006. THIS PART WAS RECALLED IN 2001 BUT ONLY IN 28 NORTHERN STATES.*AK
WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK SUDDENLY. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AT HIGH SPEED AND CRASHED INTO A POLE AND ROLLED OVER. DRIVER SUSTAINED FIVE BROKEN RIBS. *AK
WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED CONSUMER NOTICED LIQUID LEAKING ONTO THE GROUND. CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT RACK AND PINION STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. A RECALL NOTICE 03082 WAS ISSUED, BUT MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE RECALL DID NOT AFFECT THIS VEHICLE. *AK
WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE CONSUMER HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WHILE TURNING. THE CONSUMER HAD DIFFICULTY MAINTAINING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHILE TURNING LEFT. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO FIRESTONE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE LOWER PINION BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND POSSIBLY THE GEAR ASSEMBLY. *JB THE VEHICLE'S STEERING RACK AND PIONION WAS RECALLED BUT THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *NM
I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED, AND HAVE HAD PROBLEMS SINCE THE DAY I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT. CAR WAS SOLD WITH "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT ON, AND IT TOOK 2 REPAIR VISITS FOR IT TO BE FIXED. NUMEROUS MINOR PROBLEMS HAVE HAD TO BE FIXED IN THE LAST 2 MONTHS THAT I HAVE OWNED THE CAR. NEW TRANSMISSION PUT IN AT 69000 MILES. ONCE I RECEIVED THE CAR BACK FROM THE DEALERSHIP, "CHECK OIL" LIGHT WAS ON, BUT OIL LEVEL WAS FINE. BROUGHT THE CAR IN TO THE DEALERSHIP SO THE MECHANIC COULD RESET IT. AFTER THAT, ALL GAUGES ON THE DASH PERIODICALLY QUIT WORKING WHILE DRIVING, AND MILEAGE WAS NOT BEING RECORDED WHILE GAUGES WERE OUT. WHEN THE GAUGES COME BACK ON, THE "SERVICE VEHICLE SOON" LIGHT IS LIT. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS FOR THIS PROBLEM WITH THE GAUGES FOR THE 3RD TIME IN THE LAST MONTH. I DEFINITELY FEEL THAT I GOT A LEMON AND AM UNHAPPY.
WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH FRONT DRIVER'S COIL SPRING BROKE. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND PULLED OVER. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT BOTH FRONTAL COIL SPRINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
RIGHT FRONT SPRING BROKE, CAUSING TIRE DAMAGE AND LOSS OF CONTROL.*AK
FOR SOME REASON THE FRONT DISC BRAKE PADS WEAR PREMATURELY.(THEY LAST ABOUT A MONTH OR SO OF IN-FREQUENT DRIVING).AT ABOUT EVERY THIRD PAD CHANGE,I'VE HAD TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT ROTORS.AK
RECALL 01V068000 CONCERNING WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM. WHEN DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD STOP OPERATING OR THE WINDSHIELD WIPER WOULD LOCK UP IN A DOWN POSITION. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THAT RECALL DUE TO VIN.
THE ABS LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FREQUENTLY TURNS ON, ESPECIALLY DURING BRAKING, AND/OR NON-BRAKING WHILE MAKING A TURN. WHEN THE ABS LIGHT TURNS ON, THE BRAKING CAPABILITIES OF THE CAR ARE DIMINISHED (CONVERSELY OF WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN). THESE INCIDENTS OF ABS SYSTEM MALFUNCTION HAVE ALMOST CAUSED ME TO HAVE A COUPLE ACCIDENTS WHERE THE BRAKING SYSTEM WAS NOT FULLY POWERED. IT HAS FELT LIKE LOSING THE POWER ASSISTED BRAKES ON THE CAR, WHERE THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE POWER BRAKING SYSTEM. 99% OF THE TIME, THE SYSTEM WORKS FINE, BUT IT'S THAT 1% OF THE TIME THAT THIS HAPPENS UNEXPECTED, AND IS VERY DANGEROUS.
HEATER FAN SWITCH ONLY WORKS ABOVE SETTING 3. THIS RESULTS IN OPERATOR TO HOT(HEAT) OR TO COLD(A.C.). CANNOT FIND SOURCE OF PROBLEM.*AK
UPON PURCHASE, LIGHTER/ASSESSORY FUSE BLOWN. REPLACED FUSE, RECENTLY BLOWN AGAIN. NOW BLOWING FUSES AT ANY TRY OF USE.*AK
CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION. AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR RECALL REPAIRS CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN SINGLE CAR COLLISION. STEERING FAILED. *AK
RADIATOR FLUID LEEKS BECAUSE OF BAD MANIFOLD GASKET. *AK
WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULLED OVER. THEN VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE PASSENGER SIDE SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. *NM
WHILE DRIVING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. TECHNICIAN SERVICED VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK *NM
I HAVE REPLACED MY ENTIRE BRAKING SYSTEM AT LEAST 4 TIMES. I WAS TOLD BY CHEVROLET THAT DUE TO A PROBLEM WITH THE BALL JOINTS, THE BRAKE ROTORS WOULD WEAR UNUSUALLY FAST. I AM CURRENTLY WAITING TO SEE IF WITH OVER $4,000 SPENT IN PARTS, SERVICE, AND LABOR, THE PROBLEM IS SOLVED. *LA
I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR: I HAVE REPLACED TIRES TWICE, TRIED TO HAVE THE FRONT END ALIGNED BECAUSE OF THE STEERING PROBLEM , IT IS LIKE I HAVE NO POWER STEERING - WHEN I TOOK IT TO GET THE FRONT END ALIGNED, THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY COULDN'T DO IT BECAUSE OF THE RACK & PINION NEEDED REPLACED FIRST. I HAVE CALLED GM AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS NOT THEIR PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS AND FOR ME TO CONTACT YOU. I HAVE ALREADY HAD TO PUT A MOTOR AND BRAKES(SEVERAL TIMES) ON THIS CAR. PLEASE HELP ME. SINCERELY, [XXX]. *AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
VEHICLE'S FRONT SPRINGS BROKE.*MR BOTH FRONT SPRING BROKE IN EXACTLY THE SAME SPOT. THE CONSUMER HAS THE BROKEN PARTS IN HER POSSESION. *NM
WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, FLUID LEAKED FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *AK THE VEHICLE LEAKED ANTIFREEZE. IT WAS TO THE POINT WHERE THE CONSUMER WAS PLACING ANTIFREEZE IN THE VEHICLE EVERYDAY THEN IT EVENTUALLY DIDN'T HOLD ANYMORE. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM WAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT IN THE ENGINE WITH THE MANIFOLD. THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED TEMPORARILY AND THAT IN ANOTHER 50K MILES THE SAME PROBLEM WOULD INCUR. *SC *JB
THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS ON MY 1998 MALIBU (WITH 113,000 MILES) ARE WARPED AND MUST BE REPLACED. THREE PRIOR SETS ALSO WARPED, AT 18,000, 29,000, AND 91,000. AFTER THE FIRST PROBLEM I SENT A COMPLAINT TO THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION AT NHTSA. IT WAS ASSIGNED ODI #735425. I NEVER HEARD ANYTHING BACK. I NOTE THERE ARE OVER 200 COMPLAINTS ABOUT MALIBU ROTORS WARPING ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE. ISN'T THERE SOME MANUFACTURER LIABILITY FOR THIS? *AK
WHEN DRIVING 10 MPH CONSUMER TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL TOWARDS THE LEFT AND STEERING WHEEL MADE A GRINDING NOISE. ALSO, BRAKES WERE DIFFICULT TO DEPRESS. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE, AND TOWED IT TO DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. *AK
CAR REPEATEDLY STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY TRAFFIC. *AK
GAS GAUGE IN DASH SET DOES NOT REGISTER AND THE ENTIRE DASH COMPONENT MUST BE REPLACED. TANK IS FULL, BUT GAUGE REGISTERS E, SENDING UNIT ALRIGHT, PROBLEM IS IN THE DASH SET UP. *NM
Reading these
NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Full record for the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu → · Every Malibu year → · How the figures are calculated →