10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
5,083 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #92

Dec 161998

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When applying brakes they were making noise. Dealer replaced pads twice and calipers once. Brakes making noise again at this time. Braking distance is normal. ABS light illuminated.

- Dysart, PA, USA

problem #91

Jul 011999

Malibu

  • miles
Air conditoin panel has gone out twice and has been replaced now it is going out a third time. @ had replace brakes twice in one year and also replace the roters, rear suspension makes a noise a craking souns like the shocks are bad. Transmission problems, car will not shift out or change gear. It has been put on the computer 2 times and no code is showing up in the transmission. Please help I have had problems with this car since day one. And I have no extended warrenty.

- Baton Rouge, LA, USA

problem #90

Jan 011999

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When traveling and applying brakes, they make a grinding noise when making a turn. Dealership is aware of problem. Transmission mounts were replaced. Safety belt fixed 2 times. Power steering hoses and lines replaced, parts were missing from steering gear assembly.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #89

Apr 012001

Malibu

  • miles
The ABS system attempts to modulate after approx 5 miles of driving. This modulation lasts for an extended period of about 15-20 seconds and happens only while braking. This creates a period of poor braking and extended breaking distance, resulting in several near misses. After the extended modulation, the ABS indicator light comes on and the ABS system is disabled. Once the vehicle ignition is turned off the system clears and the light goes out. This has happend 10-15 times with increased frequency.sed.

- Portland, ME, USA

problem #88

Mar 142001

Malibu

  • miles
The brake lines come out of the master cylinder and go to a hydralic valve on the antilock brake valve which is located under the battery and corrosion has gotten into and on this valve assembly which has caused rear brake failure the valve is located in a very bad place to control such an important part of the operations of a vehicle. This problem needs to be addressed as soon as possible before there is failures of brakes on these vehicles. When the acid has been there long enough it will eat away at the brake lines completly and cause major accidents whith the loss being more than money or property.

- Moody, TX, USA

problem #87

Mar 162001

Malibu

  • miles
While driving ABS and brake light came on, and brakes got hard. It was hard to stop at 45 mph. Took to dealer, and they said acid was dripping onto brake line and it corroded anti-lock valve. Consumer has replaced brakes and drums numerus times beford finding problem was with the dripping of acid.

- Moody, TX, USA

problem #86

Mar 012001

Malibu

  • miles
Have had 4 problems with the brakes since I have owned this car. I talked to manufacturer and got no where with them.

- Lempster, NH, USA

problem #85

Jan 011998

Malibu

  • miles
When applying brakes vehicle drags. Also, fuel injector blewout. Had to be replaced from dealership.

- Chicargo, IL, USA

problem #84

Feb 212001

Malibu

  • miles
Was traveling on highway and went to apply brakes, ABS braking system light came on, and brakes didn't grab. Dealer will be notfied tomorrow.

- Elks Rapids, MI, USA

problem #83

Feb 162001

(reported on)

Malibu

  • miles
When steeping on brakes car shaked. Fixed it once, but problem occurred again.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #82

Feb 142001

Malibu

  • miles
When hitting brakes car shaked. It has been repaired once, and currently, it's doing it again.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #81

Feb 132001

(reported on)

Malibu

  • miles
Vehicle has stalled numerous of times especially when I am at a complete stop and engine light will go on. Slow crank and battery has been replaced twice. The headlights and interior lights dim whenever you slow down to come to a complete stop. The car is currently in the shop due to the stalling issue, mechanic states it is a problem in the computer system and will and to be replaced at my expense. Motor mounts are also corroded which is highly unusually due to car only being 3 years. I was unable to give the VIN # due to not having access to vehicle at the moment. The vehicle is currently in the shop undergoing repairs.

- Fort Stockton, TX, USA

problem #80

May 012000

Malibu

  • miles
When braking from freeway speed of 50+ mph vehicle and steering wheel shook violently, making vehicle control difficult. Rotors and pads were replaced on Sept-1999, the problem returned, rotors and pads replaced Feb-2000, the problem returned.

- Muskego, WI, USA

problem #79

May 251999

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Intermittently when brakes are applied ABS light illuminates, and vehicle experiences extended stopping distance. Also, dealer has replaced pads and rotors several times, and the problem still exists.

- Ft Worth, TX, USA

problem #78

Jan 052001

(reported on)

Malibu

  • miles
Intermittently ABS indicator light continued to illuminate while vehicle was in motion. Dealer has not been able to correct or duplicate problem.

- Melood, IN, USA

problem #77

Sep 071999

Malibu

  • miles
ABS light on, dealer replaced wiring.

- Amherst Junction, WI, USA

problem #76

Dec 011998

Malibu

  • miles
When I apply brakes at speeds above 60 mph, front of vehicle starts shaking. At 70 mph, vehicle is very difficult to control. I usually drive under 65 mph and first noticed it when I took my first trip. On a recent trip, I had to brake on a steep hill, was going the speed limit at 70 mph, and almost lost control. This is a safety hazard. It appears to have been be a defect from day one.

- Beavercreek, OH, USA

problem #75

Oct 192000

(reported on)

Malibu

  • miles
Almost as soon as I bought the car, rear lights began to go out sporadically, I've already had to replace the brake shoes twice (at 18,000 and about 44,000 miles), I had to replace the alternator at 37,000 miles, one seat belt clip plastic handle protector broke off, and I've had radiator leakage and air condition problems as well as radio reception being sporadic at best.

- Apo, NY, USA

problem #74

Nov 011998

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Faulty brakes heavy vibration to front end and steering wheel, during turning and stopping, dealer shaved rotors and replace brake twice, third time dealer wanted owner to buy new rotors

- Las Vegas , NM, USA

problem #73

Sep 062000

Malibu

  • miles
Experiencing ongoing problem with intermittent brake failure due to extendedn stopping distance, been in / out of dealer shop on eight occasions. At present, vehicle was involved in a rear end collision because of extended stopping distance while applying brakes. Please feel free to provide any further details.

- Jupiter, FL, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »