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1999 Chevrolet Malibu

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Malibu years

Owner complaints for the 1999 Chevrolet Malibu are substantially higher than the model-year median of 310.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

265 reports with mileage · 524 unknown

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 292 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 144 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 138 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

44 crash reports2 fire reports30 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

144 reports
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Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 2001
Electrical SystemService Brakes, Hydraulic

THIS CAR IS NOT RELIABLE OR SAFE!. NO SAFETY DEFEC TMENTIONED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #752754

Mileage unknown · Sep 26, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingSteering

VEHICLE WILL STALL AT ANY SPEED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #896920

Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 2001
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingCrash

THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS I'LL TRY TO LIST.THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY THEY HAD BEEN REPLACED WHEN THEY FIXED THE HORN PROBLEMS.COMPLETELY DISSATISFIED WITH MY VEHICLE.I'M NOT SURE IF VEHICLE WILL BE TOTALED SINCE THE ACCIDENT WAS 9/6/01. I BELIEVE AT THE VERY LEAST THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED.I DON'T KNOW WHO TO…

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THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS I'LL TRY TO LIST.THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY THEY HAD BEEN REPLACED WHEN THEY FIXED THE HORN PROBLEMS.COMPLETELY DISSATISFIED WITH MY VEHICLE.I'M NOT SURE IF VEHICLE WILL BE TOTALED SINCE THE ACCIDENT WAS 9/6/01. I BELIEVE AT THE VERY LEAST THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED.I DON'T KNOW WHO TO COMPLAIN TO.I'VE REPLACED REAR BRAKES AND ROTORS,ALTENATOR,WATER PUMP,BATTERY,HORN CONTACT REPLACED TWICE AT SAME TIME HAD TO REPLACE AIR BAG DUE TO SENSOR BEHIND AIRBAG,INTERIOR DOOR PANEL REPLACED BRACKET BROKEN,OIL LIGHT CONTINUED TO COME ON OFTEN EVEN THOUGH SERVICE DEALER COULD NOT DULPICATE,AIR CONDITIONER NOT BLOWING HARD SECURED BLOWER AND BLOWER RESISTER WIRING ANOTHER TIME HAD TO REPLACED A/C CONTROL UNIT,ENGINE LEAKING OIL AROUND INTAKE REPLACED INTAKE GASKETS,REAR SEAT SQEAKED W/ PASSENGERS SERVICE SHOP HAD ATTEMPTED TO FIX BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL ,SO AS YOU CAN TELL MANY PROBLEMS!!! MAKES ME THINK TWICE BEFORE BUYING A CHEVROLET PRODUCT AGAIN.THANK YOU

NHTSA ODI #751931

Mileage unknown · Jun 8, 2001
Electrical System

THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS ON ALL THE MALIBU SEEM TO HAVE A COMMON PROBLEM. THE RUBBER SEAL LEAKS WATER CAUSING THE BULBS TO SHORT OUT OR GET CORROSION ON THEM CAUSING THEM TO BE INOPERABLE. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS EVERY TIME IT RAINS OR THE CAR GETS WASHED.

NHTSA ODI #746585

Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 2001
Electrical System

EVERYTIME PASSENGER GETS OUT OF VEHICLE EXPERIENCES AN ELECTRIC SHOCK. *AK

NHTSA ODI #881967

Mileage unknown · Feb 20, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

ALTERNATOR REPLACED. DEALER THOUGHT WOULD REMEDY STALLING/COOLANT LEAK AT 38000 MILES. MANUAL SAID NO MAINTENANCE NEEDED UNTIL 150000 OR 5 YEARS. DEALER TOLD HER TO REPLACE COOLANT, IT KEPT LEAKING. FINALLY, DEALER FOUND CRACK IN INTAKE MANIFOLD, REPLACED THAT. WATER PUMP WAS REPLACED DUE TO LEAKING. *AK THE A/C HAD NEVER WO…

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ALTERNATOR REPLACED. DEALER THOUGHT WOULD REMEDY STALLING/COOLANT LEAK AT 38000 MILES. MANUAL SAID NO MAINTENANCE NEEDED UNTIL 150000 OR 5 YEARS. DEALER TOLD HER TO REPLACE COOLANT, IT KEPT LEAKING. FINALLY, DEALER FOUND CRACK IN INTAKE MANIFOLD, REPLACED THAT. WATER PUMP WAS REPLACED DUE TO LEAKING. *AK THE A/C HAD NEVER WORKED PROPERLY. THE BATTERY CABLE SNAPPED OFF DUE TO CORROSION. *YH

NHTSA ODI #880831

Mileage unknown · Feb 9, 2001
Electrical SystemService Brakes, Hydraulic

ROTORS AND PADS WERE REPLACED, CONTROL PANEL WENT OUT. HAPPENED 3 TIMES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #880256

Mileage unknown · Jan 19, 2001
Electrical SystemSteering

IGNITION SWITCH AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM KEPT FAILING WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK UP,WHICH ALMOST RESULTED IN CRASH. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #878564

Mileage unknown · Jan 11, 2001
Electrical System

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING BRAKE LIGHT TO BE INOPERATIVE/ AIR CONDITIONER TO TURN OFF/ ABS LIGHT TO COME ON AND OFF, AND VEHICLE TO STALL UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH MAY RESULT IN A CRASH. DEALER REPLACED BATTERY/ ALTERNATOR, AND ETC. TOOK TO DEALER FOR THESE PROBLEMS 13 TIMES. DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE CAUSE. *A…

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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING BRAKE LIGHT TO BE INOPERATIVE/ AIR CONDITIONER TO TURN OFF/ ABS LIGHT TO COME ON AND OFF, AND VEHICLE TO STALL UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH MAY RESULT IN A CRASH. DEALER REPLACED BATTERY/ ALTERNATOR, AND ETC. TOOK TO DEALER FOR THESE PROBLEMS 13 TIMES. DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE CAUSE. *AK ALL LEFT SIDE AND RIGHT SIDE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED. THE A/C WAS SHORTING. THE VEHICLE STALLED ON HIGHWAY ON THE DAY IT WAS REPAIRED. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE. *YH

NHTSA ODI #878000

Mileage unknown · Jan 3, 2001
Electrical SystemEquipmentService Brakes, Hydraulic

THE PASSENGER WINDOW MOTOR FAILED. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #558687

Official recalls

1

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.

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

5

RQ04005 · Turn Signal Failures

Opened Jun 18, 2004 · Closed Nov 30, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights:switch; Exterior Lighting:turn Signal:switch

GM CONDUCTED A RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 03V327) ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000-2001 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE HAZARD SWITCHES THAT CAUSE THE TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS TO FAIL.THE RECALL COVERED VEHICLES BUILT FROM FEBRUARY 2000 THROUGH MAY 2001 (DEPENDING ON MODEL).ODI OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON 64 REPORTS ALLEGING TURN SIGNAL FAILURE ON MY 1999-2000 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL AND BUILT PRIOR TO FEBRUARY 2000.IN DECEMBER 2004, GM WILL ISSUE A SPECIAL POLICY FOR MY 1999-2000 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 03V327.THE POLICY COVERS TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER FAILURE FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES (WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST) TO PROVIDE A NO COST REPLACEMENT OF THE HAZARD SWITCH.GM WILL SEND LETTERS TO OWNERS STARTING DECEMBER 30, 2004.THE ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER IS 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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights:switch

GM CONDUCTED A RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 03V327) ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000-2001 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE HAZARD SWITCHES THAT CAUSE THE TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS TO FAIL.THE RECALL COVERED VEHICLES BUILT FROM FEBRUARY 2000 THROUGH MAY 2001 (DEPENDING ON MODEL).ODI OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON 64 REPORTS ALLEGING TURN SIGNAL FAILURE ON MY 1999-2000 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL AND BUILT PRIOR TO FEBRUARY 2000.IN DECEMBER 2004, GM WILL ISSUE A SPECIAL POLICY FOR MY 1999-2000 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 03V327.THE POLICY COVERS TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER FAILURE FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES (WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST) TO PROVIDE A NO COST REPLACEMENT OF THE HAZARD SWITCH.GM WILL SEND LETTERS TO OWNERS STARTING DECEMBER 30, 2004.THE ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER IS 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.

Exterior Lighting:turn Signal:switch

GM CONDUCTED A RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 03V327) ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000-2001 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE HAZARD SWITCHES THAT CAUSE THE TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS TO FAIL.THE RECALL COVERED VEHICLES BUILT FROM FEBRUARY 2000 THROUGH MAY 2001 (DEPENDING ON MODEL).ODI OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON 64 REPORTS ALLEGING TURN SIGNAL FAILURE ON MY 1999-2000 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL AND BUILT PRIOR TO FEBRUARY 2000.IN DECEMBER 2004, GM WILL ISSUE A SPECIAL POLICY FOR MY 1999-2000 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 03V327.THE POLICY COVERS TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER FAILURE FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES (WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST) TO PROVIDE A NO COST REPLACEMENT OF THE HAZARD SWITCH.GM WILL SEND LETTERS TO OWNERS STARTING DECEMBER 30, 2004.THE ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER IS 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.

EA03021 · Front Suspension Coil Spring Fracture

Opened Nov 4, 2003 · Closed Oct 19, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension; Suspension:front; Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs

THE FAILURE RATE OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IS LOW RELATIVE TO PAST ODI INVESTIGATIONS.THE ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS THEREFORE CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Suspension:front

THE FAILURE RATE OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IS LOW RELATIVE TO PAST ODI INVESTIGATIONS.THE ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS THEREFORE CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.

Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs

THE FAILURE RATE OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IS LOW RELATIVE TO PAST ODI INVESTIGATIONS.THE ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS THEREFORE CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.

Suspension

THE FAILURE RATE OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IS LOW RELATIVE TO PAST ODI INVESTIGATIONS.THE ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS THEREFORE CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.

PE03031 · Front Suspension Coil Spring Fracture

Opened Jul 14, 2003 · Closed Nov 4, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension:front; Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs

THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH A COIL SPRING-OVER-STRUT FRONT SUSPENSION WITH THE SPRING ITSELF RESTING IN COMPRESSION BETWEEN TWO POLYMER ISOLATORS.PE03-031 WAS OPENED TO INVESTIGATE REPORTS OF FRACTURE OF THIS SPRING.THE FRACTURES OCCUR IN THE FIRST ACTIVE COIL ABOVE THE LOWER ISOLATOR AND APPARENTLY ORIGINATE IN CORROSION PITS FOUND BENEATH REGIONS OF DAMAGED EPOXY COATING.CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY DATA SHOW THAT THE FAILURES OCCUR PREDOMINANTLY IN THE ?CORROSION STATES? AND TEND TO APPEAR OUTSIDE OF THE STANDARD 36,000 MILE WARRANTY TERM.THESE DATA ALSO SUGGEST THAT THESE FAILURES WILL CONTINUE TO HAPPEN.SLIGHTLY MORE THAN ONE THIRD OF THE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS HAVE INVOLVED THE BROKEN SPRING COIL CONTACTING THE ADJACENT TIRE.ODI IS UPGRADING PE03-031 TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO GATHER FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THE SCOPE AND CONSEQUENCES OF THESE FAILURES.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Suspension:front

THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH A COIL SPRING-OVER-STRUT FRONT SUSPENSION WITH THE SPRING ITSELF RESTING IN COMPRESSION BETWEEN TWO POLYMER ISOLATORS.PE03-031 WAS OPENED TO INVESTIGATE REPORTS OF FRACTURE OF THIS SPRING.THE FRACTURES OCCUR IN THE FIRST ACTIVE COIL ABOVE THE LOWER ISOLATOR AND APPARENTLY ORIGINATE IN CORROSION PITS FOUND BENEATH REGIONS OF DAMAGED EPOXY COATING.CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY DATA SHOW THAT THE FAILURES OCCUR PREDOMINANTLY IN THE ?CORROSION STATES? AND TEND TO APPEAR OUTSIDE OF THE STANDARD 36,000 MILE WARRANTY TERM.THESE DATA ALSO SUGGEST THAT THESE FAILURES WILL CONTINUE TO HAPPEN.SLIGHTLY MORE THAN ONE THIRD OF THE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS HAVE INVOLVED THE BROKEN SPRING COIL CONTACTING THE ADJACENT TIRE.ODI IS UPGRADING PE03-031 TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO GATHER FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THE SCOPE AND CONSEQUENCES OF THESE FAILURES.

Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs

THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH A COIL SPRING-OVER-STRUT FRONT SUSPENSION WITH THE SPRING ITSELF RESTING IN COMPRESSION BETWEEN TWO POLYMER ISOLATORS.PE03-031 WAS OPENED TO INVESTIGATE REPORTS OF FRACTURE OF THIS SPRING.THE FRACTURES OCCUR IN THE FIRST ACTIVE COIL ABOVE THE LOWER ISOLATOR AND APPARENTLY ORIGINATE IN CORROSION PITS FOUND BENEATH REGIONS OF DAMAGED EPOXY COATING.CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY DATA SHOW THAT THE FAILURES OCCUR PREDOMINANTLY IN THE ?CORROSION STATES? AND TEND TO APPEAR OUTSIDE OF THE STANDARD 36,000 MILE WARRANTY TERM.THESE DATA ALSO SUGGEST THAT THESE FAILURES WILL CONTINUE TO HAPPEN.SLIGHTLY MORE THAN ONE THIRD OF THE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS HAVE INVOLVED THE BROKEN SPRING COIL CONTACTING THE ADJACENT TIRE.ODI IS UPGRADING PE03-031 TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO GATHER FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THE SCOPE AND CONSEQUENCES OF THESE FAILURES.

DP02008 · Engine Coolant Boils Over

Opened Sep 3, 2002 · Closed Sep 24, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling

There is no summary currently available

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