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9.0

pretty bad
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
2,272 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 engine problems

engine problem

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1998 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #33

Apr 202004

Malibu 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 74,989 miles

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

1998 cevrolet Malibu with 3.1 V6 engine.car had sporadic stalling.finally traced to a leaking intake manifold gasket which was allowing coolant into the engine.the coolant leaking also caused the O2 sensor to be coated and need replacing.vehicle has approx mileage in the 74K range.

- Edgewater Park, NJ, USA

problem #32

Apr 152002

Malibu

  • miles
No summary listed for above vehicle.

- Dermott, AR, USA

problem #31

Mar 152002

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Upon starting the vehicle, it vibrated severely, and engine check light would blink on/off. The vehicle has been to the dealer on seven occasions, and the problem still occurs. The consumer states that the vehicle has a hard start and sometimes has to pump the pedal.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #30

Dec 042001

(reported on)

Malibu

  • miles

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

Engine is making noise at cold start up.

- Diboll, TX, USA

problem #29

Dec 042001

(reported on)

Malibu

  • miles
Engine is making noise at cold start up.

- Diboll, TX, USA

problem #28

May 012001

Malibu

  • miles
I bought the extended warranty and I feel my car is a lemon. Every single person with a Malibu has had problems and we really need help since Chevrolet wants to ignore the problems. With all the problems I will have paid for this car twice after all of the repais I have incorred.

- Shreveport, LA, USA

problem #27

Jul 011999

Malibu

  • miles

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

The invalid VIN is the correct one on the car. We have checked it several times. The stalling started the first time when the car had less than 12000 miles on it, as did the brakes. I do not have the exact dates of the other stallings. The last time for example, was in April 2001, my sister was going the speed limit, with her granddaughter in the back, and the car stalled in heavy traffic. No way to get out of the road. She narrowly missed getting hit by a transfer truck. Also, the brakes have never worked right. She has had them worked on several times. This is not covered under warranty and is not cheap.

- Dillard, GA, USA

problem #26

Jun 202001

Malibu

  • miles
Turned my car off and went into the store. Came back out and the car would not start. After several attempts, the car had to be towed to the dealer. The dealer made a estimate based on my complaint of $78. I was contacted the next day with a $700 estimate. The computer had to be updated, the ignition has to be re-keyed, and the fuel injector has to be cleaned. And that is just to get it running again!

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #25

May 012000

Malibu

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Engine stalls and from time to time it will lose its power while consumer is driving. Contacted dealer, and the dealer is not willing to do any more then they have done already. The vehicle stalled several times, and the consumer wants the dealer to fix it or get him another vehicle.

- San Juan Capistrano, CA, USA

problem #24

Feb 062001

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While traveling engine would stall, and was left with no power steering or power brakes. The engine stall suddenly on highway.

- Mentor, OH, USA

problem #23

Mar 252001

Malibu

  • miles

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

Engine ticks at cold starts then ends once warmed up. Dealer notified, has no explanation, no idea what repairs will cost if extended warranty doesn't cover it.

- Pearl City, IL, USA

problem #22

Feb 092001

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Squeaking noise came from steering, dealer replaced steering rack assembly and power steering hoses. Right front shoulder belt would not adjust up or down, seatbelt stop button was missing, left side driver's shoulder belt retracts slowly, right front shoulder belt retracts slowly and jams at times. Rear bumper cover at left side at tail light opening has poor fit. Excessive wind noise at the left front door glass opening while traveling highway speeds. Steering shimmies while braking, dealer found warped rotors. Idle quality in gear at stop is poor, transmission mounts were weak, engine runs rough at times. Front head light fogged up, delaer found inside lens cracked. Rattle noise heard under vehicle while traveling on rough roads.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #21

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 #20

Jan 142001

(reported on)

Malibu

  • miles
Engine stalls when driving or parked dealer coudn't remake problem, rough engine vibrations when car is at idle, transmission slips on numeruse occasions.

- Groton, CT, USA

problem #19

Jan 052001

Malibu

  • miles
Warpped brake rotors. Dealer replaced rotors, but made me pay #117 for brake pads. This is a reccurring problem according to your data base. This should be a recall item before people start getting killed with loss of control. See steering complaints on your data base. Oil leaks reoccurred on O1/05/01.

- Fountian Valley, CA, USA

problem #18

Dec 262000

Malibu

  • miles
Burnt oil smell coming from engine while driving. Dealer said the rear main seal grease was mixing with the oil from recent oil change and creating smell. Dealer said smell should go away after 1,000 miles.

- Ladson, SC, USA

problem #17

Oct 092000

Malibu

  • miles
Car has stalled over 35 times over a two month span. The repair shop has replaced ignition switch, reprogrammed the PCM, and replaced the PCM. I have replaced the battey and the fuel filter. The car will stall at any speed. It would restart 'till 12/24/00 when it stalled for the last time as I approached an intersection. My two children were with me at the time. I managed to pull over. I tried over fourty times to restart the car. The engin turned over fine. It did not drag. Finally, I had it towed to the dealer for repair. This is the third time that I takit in with in a two month period to have the stalling repaired. About two months ago, we were coming back form vacation when the car died on us over twenty times form san diego to sacramento. At one point, while running, the car would accelerate and deccerate as if someone was puming the accerator in a rapid motion. Then the car would die out. I would pull over and restart it. After a while, I got the hang of it. It would die out, I would put it in nuteral, and I would restart the car. It was night time and it was very dangerous every time that I had to pull over to restart it. I was with my wife and two children. Second problem: The ABS light lit up when the car had 35,800 miles approximatly. I took it in to the dealer and at that time the light was out. It would come on intermittenly. The dealer could not diagnose a problem. Around 37,000 miles, the ABS would come on everyother day, and the car would go into an ABS brake every time the light wold come on. I took the car in to the dealer and had the left front wheel sensor replaced. That took care of the ABS problem. I put off the repair because I did not have the money to have it fixed. I have also replaced the brake pads at 30,000 miles and it soulds like they need to be repalced again. They squeek when I brake. My primary concern is the car's defect with the stalling. I am afraid that some day we may get in an accident.

- Woodland, CA, USA

problem #16

Jul 172000

Malibu

  • miles
No summary listed for above vehicle.

- Dearborn, MI, USA

problem #15

May 151998

Malibu

  • miles
Brakes have been faulty since new. Have taken to dealer to be fixed at least three times. Still having problems. My ABS light comes on at least twice a week. The engine has a clicking noise when first started( cold start). This is also been occuring since it was new.

- Diboll, TX, USA

problem #14

Jan 011999

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving in traffic vehicle stalled, and was nearly rearended. Contacted dealer and manufacturer, and they were unable to fix it. Vehicle continued to have stalling problems.

- Highland Beach, FL, USA

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