1998 Chevrolet Malibu
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 976
- Recalls
- 5
- Investigations
- 6
- Top problem
- Service brakes
Campaigns on file for 1998
Opened by NHTSA
47% of complaints
Complaints per year
1998: 976 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 5 |
| 1981 | 3 |
| 1982 | 2 |
| 1983 | 1 |
| 1986 | 1 |
| 1989 | 3 |
| 1997 | 443 |
| 1998 | 976 |
| 1999 | 789 |
| 2000 | 922 |
| 2001 | 721 |
| 2002 | 567 |
| 2003 | 569 |
| 2004 | 1,147 |
| 2005 | 975 |
| 2006 | 1,116 |
| 2007 | 977 |
| 2008 | 987 |
| 2009 | 1,509 |
| 2010 | 1,360 |
| 2011 | 978 |
| 2012 | 907 |
| 2013 | 836 |
| 2014 | 351 |
| 2015 | 270 |
| 2016 | 836 |
| 2017 | 703 |
| 2018 | 697 |
| 2019 | 190 |
| 2020 | 196 |
| 2021 | 88 |
| 2022 | 97 |
| 2023 | 66 |
| 2024 | 41 |
| 2025 | 10 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Service brakes
47% · 457 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic and air.
Show complaint excerpts
This vehicle had a crash with fatalities in 2006. General Motors never issued a unintended ignition turnoff on this vehicle until AUG2014.
NHTSA ODI report, 2014-09-25
Also filed under Air bags
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 2014-09-16
Engine and engine cooling
16% · 155 reportsMost commonly citing engine and gasoline.
Electrical system
15% · 147 reportsMost commonly citing control module and 12v/24v/48v battery.
Show complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 2019-01-23
Also filed under Engine
Suspension
12% · 115 reportsMost commonly citing coil springs and front.
Exterior lighting
9% · 85 reportsMost commonly citing brake lights and headlights.
Safety timeline
5 recalls · 6 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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1998Complaint volume 976 complaints filed for this model year.
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1999-11-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 2000-03-27 Stop lamp
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2000-02-22Preliminary evaluationClosed 2000-07-12 Windshield wiper
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2000-03-27Engineering analysisClosed 2001-08-09 Stop lamp assembly overheat
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2000-07-12Engineering analysisClosed 2001-03-06 Windshield wiper
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2001-08-14Visibility01V068000 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…
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…
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2003-01-02Recall queryClosed 2003-09-15 Power rack and pinion steering failure
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2004-02-05Steering03V527000 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…
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.
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2004-07-07Recall queryClosed 2005-01-13 Windshield wiper failure
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2007-04-27Fuel system, other07E021000 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…
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.
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2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 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…
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.
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2014-09-08Electrical system14V400000 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.
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.
Buy-smart checklist
1998 Chevrolet Malibu — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Service brakes: 457 reports on file for this year.
- Engine and engine cooling: 155 reports on file for this year.
- Electrical system: 147 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 01V068000 · Visibility
- Recall 03V527000 · Steering
- Recall 07E021000 · Fuel system, other
- Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 14V400000 · Electrical system
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu is rated "worse than typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu?
- The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 47% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu have?
- 5 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.