Model year record

1998 Chevrolet Malibu

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 1,480 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 14V400000

Electrical system: ignition

Component
Electrical system: ignition
Manufacturer
General Motors LLC
Vehicles affected
5,877,718
Reported to NHTSA
2014-07-03
Owners notified
2014-09-08

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V527000

Steering: rack and pinion

Component
Steering: rack and pinion
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
750,283
Reported to NHTSA
2003-12-11
Owners notified
2004-02-05

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 01V068000

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages

Component
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
129,427
Reported to NHTSA
2001-03-08
Owners notified
2001-08-14

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor13350,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip13261,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc81
Engine and engine cooling: engine4668,719 mi
Tires41161,000 mi
Electrical system38107,000 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights3740,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline3374,989 mi
Power train: automatic transmission2960,000 mi
Suspension: front29112,222 mi
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs2985,721 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components27
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module2690,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner2558,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling2450,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights2458,000 mi
Steering24135,000 mi
Steering: rack and pinion2489,250 mi
Suspension2161,000 mi
Unknown or other2130,000 mi
Air bags2087,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe2055,800 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1990,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1872,000 mi
Tires: tread/belt18
Air bags: frontal17111,000 mi
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor17
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1755,422 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages1796,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic1558,000 mi
Exterior lighting: tail lights1440,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery12
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1258,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition11200,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch1145,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system960,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module8
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.843,401 mi
Suspension: front: control arm858,000 mi
Vehicle speed control8179,638 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal856,000 mi
Electrical system: horn768,700 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers7
Power train787,000 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage7
Structure: frame and members7
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm72,241 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls7
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor780,461 mi
Exterior lighting65,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline6171,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump6120,000 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock6
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum6
Structure: body6
Electrical system: wiring570,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash5
Equipment565,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system5
Interior lighting5
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly511,900 mi
Seat belts: front: retractor545,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light558,000 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing5
Suspension: rear5
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system4
Exterior lighting: back up lights4
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system4
Power train: axle assembly413,860 mi
Service brakes480,000 mi
Service brakes, air: disc: pads470,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper4
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system4
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module367,100 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan368,550 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys390,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings3
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly3
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft3
Power train: driveline: constant velocity joint358,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission3
Seat belts3
Seats: front assembly: recliner370,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: shoes/linings3
Steering: column3
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device3
Steering: rack and pinion: rack340,000 mi
Suspension: front: macpherson strut384,800 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control32,800 mi
Visibility360,000 mi
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer3158,986 mi
Visibility: windshield3
Wheels: rim358,000 mi
Child seat2207,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery: cables270,000 mi
Electrical system: starter assembly2
Electrical system: wiring: rear compartment/trunk2
Engine2130,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly2
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor2
Equipment adaptive/mobility265,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit2
Power train: axle hubs2139,400 mi
Seat belts: front2
Seats2
Service brakes, air: antilock: ABS warning light258,000 mi
Service brakes, air: disc245,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder280,000 mi
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)2
Steering: hydraulic power assist: power steering fluid280,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump240,000 mi
Steering: linkages273,400 mi
Structure258,000 mi
Structure: body: door2
Structure: body: trunk lid288,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint285,000 mi
Suspension: multiple axle2
Suspension: rear: springs: coil springs234,916 mi
Vehicle speed control: cables256,742 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear2
Wheels: hubcap/cover2
Air bags: side/window1
Back over prevention: warnings: external/pedestrian alert141,138 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel163,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood165,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control12,241 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)1
Equipment: electrical1
Equipment: electrical: anti-theft devices1
Equipment: mechanical: carrier/rack1
Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer168,719 mi
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights: unit1
Exterior lighting: turn signal1
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery1
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: fuel rail156,770 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors1
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap1
Fuel system, other: delivery: fuel pump169,400 mi
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system1
Fuel system, other: storage: tank assembly: pressure relief devices12,241 mi
Fuel/propulsion system181,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1
Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: lock182,000 mi
Parking brake: indicator light170,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)1
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch1
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter1
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft: seal1
Power train: driveline: driveshaft1
Seat belts: front: warning light/devices1
Seat belts: rear/other1207,000 mi
Seats: mid/rear assembly1
Service brakes, air: antilock: wheel speed sensor158,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: drum1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: wheel cylinders1
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: hydraulic: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum1
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1
Steering: gear box: shaft pitman1
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections183,000 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly1
Structure: body: bumpers1
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint185,000 mi
Suspension: front: stabilizer bar1
Suspension: rear: shock absorber1
Suspension: rear: springs1
Vehicle speed control: springs1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core124,000 mi
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer: linkages1123,800 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices1
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior1
Wheels1
Wheels: hub1
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs1
Wheels: space saver wheel151,900 mi

The 1997 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. The 1999 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.