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1998 Chevrolet Malibu

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Malibu years

Owner complaints for the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu are substantially higher than the model-year median of 310.5.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 223 of 976 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 347 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 144 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 130 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

34 crash reports5 fire reports18 injury reports

What owners actually said

976 reports
56,770 miles · Nov 8, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline

CLOGGED FUIL INJECTORS P0300 CODE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH GM CARS GM CAME OUT WITH A BULLETIN TO CLEAN THE INJECTORS SHORT TERM FIX I HAVE SEEN MANY VEHICLES DAILY WITH THIS PROBLEM MANY INJECTORS REPLACED.SOME GM CARS DONT HAVE THIS PROBLEM CORVETTE PRIZM BOTH CARS USE A DIFFERENT STYLE INJECTOR THEY DONT CLOGGE GM SAYS G…

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CLOGGED FUIL INJECTORS P0300 CODE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH GM CARS GM CAME OUT WITH A BULLETIN TO CLEAN THE INJECTORS SHORT TERM FIX I HAVE SEEN MANY VEHICLES DAILY WITH THIS PROBLEM MANY INJECTORS REPLACED.SOME GM CARS DONT HAVE THIS PROBLEM CORVETTE PRIZM BOTH CARS USE A DIFFERENT STYLE INJECTOR THEY DONT CLOGGE GM SAYS GAS IS THE PROBLEM WELL CORVETTE AND PRIZM USES THE SAME GAS.THIS IS SUCH A COMMON PROBLEM GM NEEDS TO STEP UP AND COME OUT WITH A BETTER INJECTOR AND RECALL THE CARS.I HAD MY INJECTORS CLEAND MANY TIMES AND ALL THE INJECTORS REPLACED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10098432

117,000 miles · Nov 3, 2004
Air BagsVehicle Speed Control

UPON SETTING UP CRUISE CONTROL IT FAILED TO SET, AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THIS WAS DUE TO A FAILURE IN THE AIR BAG WARNING HARNESS CONNECTION. THESE PARTS WERE CURRENTLY ON BACK ORDER.*AK WRONG PART SENT. *TC

NHTSA ODI #10094803

Mileage unknown · Oct 25, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10097637

Mileage unknown · Oct 14, 2004
Visibility

WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, IN INCLEMENT WEATHER THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILED. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER PIVOT HOUSING WAS BROKEN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVID…

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WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, IN INCLEMENT WEATHER THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILED. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER PIVOT HOUSING WAS BROKEN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10096922

87,000 miles · Oct 10, 2004
Power Train

WHILE MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING MY 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU WHICH HAS APPROXIMATELY 87,000 MILES ON IT, HE HEARD AN UNUSUAL NOISE THAT INDICATED SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE ENGINE. THE CAR IMMEDIATELY LOST POWER WHILE MOVING AT A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH. THERE WAS A LOT OF RATTLING AND VIBRATIONS. UPON HAVING THE CAR TOWED TO…

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WHILE MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING MY 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU WHICH HAS APPROXIMATELY 87,000 MILES ON IT, HE HEARD AN UNUSUAL NOISE THAT INDICATED SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE ENGINE. THE CAR IMMEDIATELY LOST POWER WHILE MOVING AT A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH. THERE WAS A LOT OF RATTLING AND VIBRATIONS. UPON HAVING THE CAR TOWED TO A GARAGE FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE CAR HAD TO HAVE A NEW ENGINE. THE ENGINE REPAIR COMPANY STATES THAT THE HARMONIC BALANCER FAILED WHICH IN TURNED MESSED UP THE INTERNAL WORKINGS OF THE ENGINE. THIS WILL COST US APPROXIMATELY $3600 DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10093899

Mileage unknown · Oct 6, 2004
Steering

CONSUMER STATED THAT THIS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS MENTIONED IN RECALL 03V527000. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK UPDATED 12/12/2006 - *NM

NHTSA ODI #10095221

80,150 miles · Sep 30, 2004
Visibility

(1) I WAS DRIVING HOME ON I-75 AN HOUR NORTH OF ATLANTA AFTER LABOR DAY WEEKEND. WHILE DOING 70-75 MPH IN HEAVY RAINS AND WINDS FROM THE LEADING EDGE OF HURRICANE FRANCES, MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS SUDDENLY FAILED LEAVING WINDSHIELD AWASH IN RAIN AND VISIBILITY LESS THAN 6 FEET. THE PASSENGER SIDE WINSHEILD WIPER ARM SNAPPED FIRST…

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(1) I WAS DRIVING HOME ON I-75 AN HOUR NORTH OF ATLANTA AFTER LABOR DAY WEEKEND. WHILE DOING 70-75 MPH IN HEAVY RAINS AND WINDS FROM THE LEADING EDGE OF HURRICANE FRANCES, MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS SUDDENLY FAILED LEAVING WINDSHIELD AWASH IN RAIN AND VISIBILITY LESS THAN 6 FEET. THE PASSENGER SIDE WINSHEILD WIPER ARM SNAPPED FIRST IN THE VERTIAL POSITION, THEN THE DRIVER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM RAN OVER TOP OF IT BREAKING IT TOO. TRECHEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS WERE ENDURED IN ATTEMPTING TO GET OFF INTERSTATE. I WAS LEFT TO DRIVE WITH NEARLY NO VISIBILITY THROUGH HURRICANE FRANCES FOR 3 MORE HOURS UNTIL I MADE IT FAR ENOUGH TO GET OUT OF THE STORM. 3) WHEN BACK HOME IN LOUISVILLE, I TOOK THE CAR TO SERVICE CENTER TO GET ESTIMATE AND FIXED SINCE IT WAS PREDICTED TO RAIN SOON. THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED TO THE WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGES BREAKING. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH GM CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER TO TRY TO GET GM TO COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIRS. *AK I SEARCHED SAFETY RECALL DATABASE HERE AND CAME ACCROSS OPEN INVESTIGATION FOR THIS PART THAT FAILED. THEREFORE I DECIDED TO MAKE A COMPLAINT ALSO. RQ04006. THIS PART WAS RECALLED IN 2001 BUT ONLY IN 28 NORTHERN STATES.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10093392

56,000 miles · Sep 28, 2004
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK SUDDENLY. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AT HIGH SPEED AND CRASHED INTO A POLE AND ROLLED OVER. DRIVER SUSTAINED FIVE BROKEN RIBS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10094461

Mileage unknown · Sep 27, 2004
Steering

WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED CONSUMER NOTICED LIQUID LEAKING ONTO THE GROUND. CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT RACK AND PINION STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. A RECALL NOTICE 03082 WAS ISSUED, BUT MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE RECALL DID NOT AFFECT THIS VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10094454

99,875 miles · Sep 14, 2004
Steering

WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE CONSUMER HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WHILE TURNING. THE CONSUMER HAD DIFFICULTY MAINTAINING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHILE TURNING LEFT. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO FIRESTONE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE LOWER PINION BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND POSSIBL…

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WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE CONSUMER HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WHILE TURNING. THE CONSUMER HAD DIFFICULTY MAINTAINING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHILE TURNING LEFT. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO FIRESTONE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE LOWER PINION BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND POSSIBLY THE GEAR ASSEMBLY. *JB THE VEHICLE'S STEERING RACK AND PIONION WAS RECALLED BUT THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10087963

Official recalls

3

14V400000 · Electrical System:ignition

Jul 3, 2014

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

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.

03V527000 · Steering:rack And Pinion

Dec 11, 2003

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

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.

01V068000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:linkages

Mar 8, 2001

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.

Consequence & remedy

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

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

6

RQ04006 · Windshield Wiper Failure

Opened Jul 7, 2004 · Closed Jan 13, 2005

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer; Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:linkages

IN MARCH 2001, GM NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA NUMBER 01V068) ON CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1997-1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU AND OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS VEHICLES TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD WIPER PIVOT HOUSINGS.GM REPORTED THE WIPER FAILURE WAS TRIGGERED BY LOADS PLACED ON THE WIPERS WHEN OPERATED UNDER CONDITIONS OF MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOWFALL.GM CONDUCTED THE RECALL IN 28 STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA (RECALL STATES) THAT RECEIVE MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOWFALL.THE RECALL COVERED THE SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH JANUARY 1998.ODI OPENED THIS RQ IN RESPONSE TO COMPLAINTS FROM CONSUMERS THAT EXPERIENCED WIPER FAILURE AND WERE DENIED THE RECALL REMEDY.GM IS SENDING LETTERS TO OWNERS NOT LOCATED IN THE RECALL STATES GIVING THEM A FREE REMEDY UPON REQUEST IF THEY ANTICIPATE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN AREAS THAT MAY HAVE MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOWFALL.IN ADDITION, GM IS NOTIFYING ALL OWNERS WHO HAVE CHANGED THEIR RESIDENCE FROM A NON-RECALL STATE TO A RECALL STATE SINCE THE DATE OF THE ORIGINAL OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER (MARCH 2001).THE ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER ARE SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FUTURE ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE ATTACHED SUMMARY.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer

IN MARCH 2001, GM NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA NUMBER 01V068) ON CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1997-1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU AND OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS VEHICLES TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD WIPER PIVOT HOUSINGS.GM REPORTED THE WIPER FAILURE WAS TRIGGERED BY LOADS PLACED ON THE WIPERS WHEN OPERATED UNDER CONDITIONS OF MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOWFALL.GM CONDUCTED THE RECALL IN 28 STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA (RECALL STATES) THAT RECEIVE MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOWFALL.THE RECALL COVERED THE SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH JANUARY 1998.ODI OPENED THIS RQ IN RESPONSE TO COMPLAINTS FROM CONSUMERS THAT EXPERIENCED WIPER FAILURE AND WERE DENIED THE RECALL REMEDY.GM IS SENDING LETTERS TO OWNERS NOT LOCATED IN THE RECALL STATES GIVING THEM A FREE REMEDY UPON REQUEST IF THEY ANTICIPATE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN AREAS THAT MAY HAVE MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOWFALL.IN ADDITION, GM IS NOTIFYING ALL OWNERS WHO HAVE CHANGED THEIR RESIDENCE FROM A NON-RECALL STATE TO A RECALL STATE SINCE THE DATE OF THE ORIGINAL OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER (MARCH 2001).THE ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER ARE SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FUTURE ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE ATTACHED SUMMARY.

Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:linkages

IN MARCH 2001, GM NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA NUMBER 01V068) ON CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1997-1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU AND OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS VEHICLES TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD WIPER PIVOT HOUSINGS.GM REPORTED THE WIPER FAILURE WAS TRIGGERED BY LOADS PLACED ON THE WIPERS WHEN OPERATED UNDER CONDITIONS OF MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOWFALL.GM CONDUCTED THE RECALL IN 28 STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA (RECALL STATES) THAT RECEIVE MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOWFALL.THE RECALL COVERED THE SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH JANUARY 1998.ODI OPENED THIS RQ IN RESPONSE TO COMPLAINTS FROM CONSUMERS THAT EXPERIENCED WIPER FAILURE AND WERE DENIED THE RECALL REMEDY.GM IS SENDING LETTERS TO OWNERS NOT LOCATED IN THE RECALL STATES GIVING THEM A FREE REMEDY UPON REQUEST IF THEY ANTICIPATE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN AREAS THAT MAY HAVE MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOWFALL.IN ADDITION, GM IS NOTIFYING ALL OWNERS WHO HAVE CHANGED THEIR RESIDENCE FROM A NON-RECALL STATE TO A RECALL STATE SINCE THE DATE OF THE ORIGINAL OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER (MARCH 2001).THE ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER ARE SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FUTURE ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE ATTACHED SUMMARY.

RQ03001 · Power Rack And Pinion Steering Failure

Opened Jan 2, 2003 · Closed Sep 15, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:rack And Pinion

GM CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 02V286) TO ADDRESS A STEERING DEFECT PERTAINING TO A LOWER PINION BEARING (LPB) WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR (R&P). THE RECALL COVERED 1,159,156 MODEL YEAR 1997-1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, 1996-1998 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT, CHEVROLET LUMINA APV, CHEVROLET VENTURE, OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINIVANS, AND CHEVROLET CAVALIER AND PONTIAC SUNFIRE SEDANS BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997.ODI OPENED THIS RQ AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT OTHER VEHICLES WERE EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES.BASED ON ODI'S REVIEW OF TECHNICAL AND COMPLAINT DATA COLLECTED DURING THE RQ, THE W-CARS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH EITHER A HIGHER STEERING COMPLAINT RATE OR A HIGHER LPB FAILURE RATE THAN THE OTHER VEHICLES INVESTIGATED UNDER THE RQ AND ARE ABOVE OR NEAR THE RATES FOR THE RECALLED VEHICLES.THUS, ODI WILL FURTHER EXAMINE THE W-CARS (1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME, 1996-1998 BUICK REGAL, CHEVROLET LUMINA, CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO, 1997-1998 BUICK CENTURY, AND 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE) UNDER A NEW INVESTIGATION, ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA)03-019.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Steering

GM CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 02V286) TO ADDRESS A STEERING DEFECT PERTAINING TO A LOWER PINION BEARING (LPB) WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR (R&P). THE RECALL COVERED 1,159,156 MODEL YEAR 1997-1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, 1996-1998 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT, CHEVROLET LUMINA APV, CHEVROLET VENTURE, OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINIVANS, AND CHEVROLET CAVALIER AND PONTIAC SUNFIRE SEDANS BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997.ODI OPENED THIS RQ AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT OTHER VEHICLES WERE EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES.BASED ON ODI'S REVIEW OF TECHNICAL AND COMPLAINT DATA COLLECTED DURING THE RQ, THE W-CARS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH EITHER A HIGHER STEERING COMPLAINT RATE OR A HIGHER LPB FAILURE RATE THAN THE OTHER VEHICLES INVESTIGATED UNDER THE RQ AND ARE ABOVE OR NEAR THE RATES FOR THE RECALLED VEHICLES.THUS, ODI WILL FURTHER EXAMINE THE W-CARS (1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME, 1996-1998 BUICK REGAL, CHEVROLET LUMINA, CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO, 1997-1998 BUICK CENTURY, AND 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE) UNDER A NEW INVESTIGATION, ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA)03-019.

Steering:rack And Pinion

GM CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 02V286) TO ADDRESS A STEERING DEFECT PERTAINING TO A LOWER PINION BEARING (LPB) WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR (R&P). THE RECALL COVERED 1,159,156 MODEL YEAR 1997-1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, 1996-1998 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT, CHEVROLET LUMINA APV, CHEVROLET VENTURE, OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINIVANS, AND CHEVROLET CAVALIER AND PONTIAC SUNFIRE SEDANS BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997.ODI OPENED THIS RQ AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT OTHER VEHICLES WERE EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES.BASED ON ODI'S REVIEW OF TECHNICAL AND COMPLAINT DATA COLLECTED DURING THE RQ, THE W-CARS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH EITHER A HIGHER STEERING COMPLAINT RATE OR A HIGHER LPB FAILURE RATE THAN THE OTHER VEHICLES INVESTIGATED UNDER THE RQ AND ARE ABOVE OR NEAR THE RATES FOR THE RECALLED VEHICLES.THUS, ODI WILL FURTHER EXAMINE THE W-CARS (1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME, 1996-1998 BUICK REGAL, CHEVROLET LUMINA, CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO, 1997-1998 BUICK CENTURY, AND 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE) UNDER A NEW INVESTIGATION, ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA)03-019.

EA00019 · Windshield Wiper

Opened Jul 12, 2000 · Closed Mar 6, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility

ON FEBRUARY 22, 2000, THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) INITIATED PE00-009 BASED ON SEVEN REPORTS OF WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1997 & 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU & OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS VEHICLES.THE INVESTIGATION WAS UPGRADED TO EA00-019 ON JULY 12, 2000.DURING THE COURSE OF THE INVESTIGATION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE FAILURES WERE THE RESULT OF FRACTURE OF THE PASSENGER-SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER PIVOT HOUSING (SUBJECT COMPONENT).SUCH A FRACTURE LED TO AN IMMEDIATE AND IRRECOVERABLE LOSS OF WINDSHIELD WIPER FUNCTION.GMREPORTED THAT THE MATERIAL COMPOSITION (50% GLASS-REINFORCED ACETAL) OF THE SUBJECT COMPONENT WAS INSUFFICIENT TO WITHSTAND STRESSES IMPOSED BY CERTAIN FROZEN PRECIPITIATION ACCUMULATIONS.THE SUBJECT COMPONENT MATERIAL WAS CHANGED TO THE STRONGER 50% GLASS-REINFORCEDNYLON-6, EFFECTIVE JANUARY 98.OBSOLETE SERVICE PART WERE DISCARDED.GM WILL REPLACE THE SUBJECT COMPONENTS IN 129,427 SUBJECT VEHICLES FOUND IN 28 STATES (AK, CO, CT, DE, ID, IL, IN, IA ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MT, NE, NH, NJ, NY, ND, OH, PA, RI, SD, UT, VT, WV, WI, WY), THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, AND ALL CANADIAN PROVINCES.THESE STATES ACCOUNTED FOR 91% OF THE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS IDENTIFIED ABOVE.ODI WILL MONITOR THIS COMPAIGN FOR ADEQUATE EFFCTIVENESS AND, IF NECESSARY, TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE.FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES ON THIS MATTER IS UNJUSTIFIED AT THIS TIME.THE ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS CLOSED.

EA00010 · Stop Lamp Assembly Overheat

Opened Mar 27, 2000 · Closed Aug 9, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting

There is no summary currently available

PE00009 · Windshield Wiper

Opened Feb 22, 2000 · Closed Jul 12, 2000

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility

There is no summary currently available

PE99071 · Stop Lamp

Opened Nov 17, 1999 · Closed Mar 27, 2000

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting

There is no summary currently available