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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
64,800 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1998 Chevrolet Malibu electrical problems

electrical problem

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1998 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Comments

problem #5

Feb 142008

Malibu 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The complaint is for the electronic ignition and the taillights and brake lights. The brake lights and tail lights have already been fixed twice, I am told it is an electrical problem, they work when they want to. This is a problem at night when I have no tail lights or when the brake lights don't work. The other problem is the ignitions switch, the key won't move in the ignition, which makes it impossible to start. After reading on line, there are hundreds of other people with the same problem with Malibu's and other Chevy vehicles, but nothing is being done about this. I am unsure of the incident date because it has happened several times.

- West Allis, WI, USA

problem #4

Aug 102005

Malibu 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 119,000 miles
On Aug. 10,2005 my 1998 Chevy Malibu, while parked with ignition off caught fire. While exiting car before the fire, I smelled no smoke or "hot" smells, I stood there approx. 3 min. While talking to my daughter. 10 min. Later the lebanon, Tennessee fire dept. Was there extinguishing a fire that was mostly contained to the drivers side front headlight area, they deemed the car "totaled". I contacted GM the same day, and after several phone conversations, on Sept.13, 2005, I received a letter from Mr. Mike demare, customer relationship manager, that "General Motors is unable to assume responsibility for damages and we suggest that you resolve this matter through your insurance carrier." So I am still without a car, and I am disabled, with a minor child living with me. I can not afford full coverage, and only had liability on the vehicle. Sept.

- Hartsville, TN, USA

problem #3

Jun 102003

Malibu 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles
When applying brakes front end pulsates which produces a grinding noise. Dealer notified. The vehicle experienced vibration in the front end when braking. The vehicle has numerous brake rotor repairs. The calipers locked up and the piston seals leaked. The brake light was inoperative because the circuit lost it's contact. The horn was inoperative. The dealer replaced the air bag and repaired the horn power wire from the horn pad to the horn contact ring.

- Fort Washington, MD, USA

problem #2

May 022003

Malibu 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles
I bought a 98 Chevy Malibu about 3 months ago.it onlyhad 69,000 miles on it at the time.since that time I have had to replace the brakesand buy a new battery.my ABS light pops on and off, my airconditioner cuts on and off by itself, and my car clucks all the time. My friend has the same car and we ride together we recognize the fact that both of our cars are giving us the same problems.

- Montgomery, AL, USA

problem #1

Jun 082002

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
I own a 1998 Chevy Malibu. This vehicle will cut off while driving. I bought this vehicle brand new in June 1998 and had to take it to the shop for repair the next month. The service department at shaver motors has never been able to fix it. There is something wrong with this car's electrical system. I was driving in Chicago on 80 90 toll road and this vehicle stopped for no reason while I was doing 55 miles per hour. I listed one incident date but have had numerous other problems. Also, when I first purchased the vehicle I had to replace the tires after less than 3000 miles, they were also bad.

- Gary, IN, USA

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