1999 Chevrolet Malibu

● Typical for this model

1999 Chevrolet Malibu
BUILT 2026-09-02

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of 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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

1999: 789 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	1147
2005	975
2006	1115
2007	977
2008	987
2009	1509
2010	1359
2011	977
2012	905
2013	835
2014	350
2015	270
2016	835
2017	701
2018	694
2019	188
2020	195
2021	86
2022	92
2023	64
2024	39
2025	10

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

SERVICE BRAKES 50%

50% of complaints: service brakes — 393 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH INJURY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 20%

20% of complaints: electrical system — 161 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing alternator/generator/regulator and control module.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1999 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND CRASHED. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20140915

Also filed under AIR BAGS

I LOCATED A RECALL THAT MY CAR HAS NOT BEEN FIXED AND TOOK IT TO THE GMC DEALER IN LARAMIE WHY WHERE MY CAR SAT FOR 2 WEEKS AND ENDLESS CALLS NO CALL BACK FOR THE IGNITION RECALL AND OTHER ISSUES THAT MY CAR HAD I HAVE EMAILED AND CALLED AND ALL I...

NHTSA ODI report, 20180125

IGNITION SWITCH AND PASS LOCK SENSOR CAUSING VEHICLE TO NOT START AND/OR RANDOMLY SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171121

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 18%

18% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 145 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing cooling system and manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

SUSPENSION 11%

11% of complaints: suspension — 90 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing coil springs and front.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

Yes it was on and off kept having computer issues and other issues

NHTSA ODI report, 20240419

Also filed under FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM and UNKNOWN OR OTHER

TIRES 10%

10% of complaints: tires — 75 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing tread/belt.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS SET FOR 70MPH WHEN THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE SUDDENLY BLEWOUT, CAUSING THE CRUISE CONTROL TO BECOME STUCK. BRAKES WERE OF NO HELP IN THE SITUATION, THEY MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO FLIP OVER.

NHTSA ODI report, 19990728

Also filed under SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 20000327 — EA (closed 20010809)

STOP LAMP ASSEMBLY OVERHEAT

I 20020903 — DP (closed 20020924)

ENGINE COOLANT BOILS OVER

I 20030714 — PE (closed 20031104)

FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FRACTURE

I 20031104 — EA (closed 20041019)

FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FRACTURE

I 20040618 — RQ (closed 20041130)

TURN SIGNAL FAILURES

R 20070427 — fuel system, other

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 UNI

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.

Campaign 07E021000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090511 — exterior lighting

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 CONF

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.

Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20140908 — electrical system

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.

Campaign 14V400000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1999 Chevrolet Malibu — pre-purchase inspection

Test/inspect for service brakes issues (393 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for electrical system issues (161 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (145 reports on file for this year).
Verify recall 07E021000 (fuel system, other) has been completed.
Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Verify recall 14V400000 (electrical system) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2024 ▲ 2023 ▲ 2021

WORST YEARS

■ 2009 ◆ 2010 ◆ 2004

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FAQ

Is the 1999 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1999 Chevrolet Malibu is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1999 Chevrolet Malibu?

The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 50% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1999 Chevrolet Malibu have?

3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.