← New search

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.

About this comparison →

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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

292 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Apr 5, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKE ROTORS NEEDED REPLACEMENT DUE TO SHUDDERING UPON BRAKING FROM WARPED BRAKES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #885189

Mileage unknown · Apr 5, 2001
Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspension

BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS ARE PREMATURELY WEARING, CAUSE UNKNOWN DEALER CAN NOT DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *AK *SLC

NHTSA ODI #885112

Mileage unknown · Apr 5, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS ARE PREMATURELY WEARING, CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK *SLC

NHTSA ODI #885111

Mileage unknown · Apr 5, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND BEGAN TO LOOSE CONTROL OF CAR. I CALLED GORDIE BOUCHER ON MY CELL PHONE TO DETERMINE WHAT TO DO ABOUT THE ABS LIGHT. I WAS TOLD TO PHONE MY CHEVROLET DEALER AND MAKE AN APPT. TO HAVE IT FIXED. I PHONED TRECEK CHEV. IN PORTAGE, WI AND I WAS TOLD THAT I COULD NOT GET MY…

Read full complaint

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND BEGAN TO LOOSE CONTROL OF CAR. I CALLED GORDIE BOUCHER ON MY CELL PHONE TO DETERMINE WHAT TO DO ABOUT THE ABS LIGHT. I WAS TOLD TO PHONE MY CHEVROLET DEALER AND MAKE AN APPT. TO HAVE IT FIXED. I PHONED TRECEK CHEV. IN PORTAGE, WI AND I WAS TOLD THAT I COULD NOT GET MY CAR IN UNTIL THE NEXT WED. BUT IT WOULDN'T HURT TO DRIVE IT. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE (APPROX. 10-15 MILES PER HOUR AND THE CAR STARTED LOOSING CONTROL AND WENT ALL OVER THE ROAD AND ALMOST WENT DOWN AN EMBANKMENT. I STOPPED THE CAR!!! A LADY THAT WAS FOLLOWING ME TOLD ME THAT MY BACK WHEELS WERE NOT TURNING. AT THAT TIME I PHONED TRECEK CHEV. AGAIN AND TOLD THEM I WOULD BE HAVING IT TOWED IN TO THEM. WHEN THE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED THE LIGHT WAS STILL ON AND THE WHEELS WERE STILL LOCKED UP AND DRAGGING. UPON ARRIVAL AT TRECEK CHEV. THE TOW DRIVER TESTED THE CAR AS HE UNLOADED IT. THE LIGHT WAS STILL ON AND THE WHEELS WERE STILL NOT TURNING. I WENT IN AND FILLED PAPERWORK OUT. THE SERVICE MANAGER WENT OUT TO GET THE VIN NUMBER OUT OF THE CAR. UPON WALKING BACK IN HE WAS VERY DISRESPECTFUL (I AM ASSUMING HE SEEN THAT I HAD JUST PURCHASED THE CAR A COUPLE OF DAYS BEFORE AND NOT FROM THEM). HE TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR AND HE HAD PULLED IT UP TO THE ENTRANCE DOOR AND I COULD TAKE IT HOME. HE SAID THE LIGHT WASN'T ON AND THE WHEEL WAS TURNING. HE ALSO TOLD ME THAT WHEN THERE IS SNOW I SHOULD PUT THE CAR IN A HEATED GARAGE TO MELT IT FROM MY WHEELS. UPON LEAVING I ASKED WHO WAS PAYING FOR THE TOWING CHARGES AND HE SAID HE WOULD TAKE CARE OF THAT. TODAY I FIND OUT MY CAR IS MAKING A HORRIBLE NOISE AND BOTH FRONT AND BACK BRAKES/ROTORS, ETC. ARE VERY BAD. IT SEEMS THAT THERE HAS BEEN SOME KIND OF MALFUNCTION WEARING ON MY BRAKES. WHEN CONTACTING THE CHEVROLET ASSISTANCE I WAS TOLD THAT TRECEK CHEVROLET HAD PUT IN A BILL TO THEM AND SAID THAT THEY HAD REPLACED THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER. THEY NEVER TOUCHED MY CAR!!!!! *AK

NHTSA ODI #743575

Mileage unknown · Apr 5, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

KEEP HAVING PROBLEMS WITH ROTORS. VEHICLE SHAKES WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. I HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE, BUT CHEVROLET WONT SEEM TO REALIZE IT IS A PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #743550

Mileage unknown · Mar 30, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

CALIPERS WILL RIP OUT PADS, IT STARTS WITH A GRINDING NOISE. CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACES PADS/ ROTORS AND CALIPERS 3 TIMES. *AK THE CONSUMER POINTS OUT THAT THREE TIME FAILURES OF BRAKE SYSTEM AT UNDER 16000 MILES WAS UNUSUAL. *YH

NHTSA ODI #884684

Mileage unknown · Mar 28, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

MY FRONT ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES AND FRONT BRAKE PADS ONCE AND I HAVE 34,000. CALLED CHEVROLET, CLAIM# C03614197. *AK

NHTSA ODI #743181

Mileage unknown · Mar 26, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

CONSUMER HAS HAD TO REPLACE BRAKES AND ROTORS FIVE TIMES IN A YEAR AND A HALF. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #884150

Mileage unknown · Mar 23, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WARPED AND RESUFACED AT 7,491 MILES. ROTORS WARPED AND REPLACED AT 12,864 MILES. ROTORS WARPED AND REPLACED AGAIN AT 21,000 MILES. AS WARPING DEVELOPS BRAKING DISTANCE INCREASES WITH MORE PEDAL PRESSURE REQUIRED FOR STOPPING.*AK

NHTSA ODI #742922

Mileage unknown · Mar 22, 2001
Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspension

6 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE AND PRESENTLY, LEFT FRONT BRAKES CAUSE VEHICLE TO SHAKE, CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE IS HARD TO CONTROL ON ICE AND SNOW AT HIGH SPEEDS, CONSUMER ALSO HEARS A LOW HUM COMING FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE, SOUND COULD BE BRAKE RELATED OR A SUSPENSION PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #785367

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