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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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

292 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 11, 2001
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING IN TRAFFIC AND A TRUCK IN FRONT SUDDENLY STOPPED. REAR ENDED TRUCK BECAUSE BRAKES WERE NOT GRABBING OR HOLDING. SURFACE OF BRAKES WAS WARPED AND PULSATED. VEHICLE SUSTAINED $8500.00 WORTH OF DAMAGE. BRAKES WERE DEFECTIVE FROM MAUFACTURER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #878062

Mileage unknown · Jan 10, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHEN ACCELERATING EXTREME VIBRATION OCCURRED WHICH CAUSED ENTIRE VEHICLE TO SHAKE. DEALER REPLACED ROTORS AND BALANCED TIRES, WHICH DID NOT CORRECT PROBLEM. DEALER DID A TESTING ON OTHER MALIBU VEHICLES OF THAT SAME YEAR THAT WAS ON LOT. TESTING PROVED THAT ALL VEHICLES HAD SAME DEFECT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #877903

Mileage unknown · Jan 9, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

CONSUMER HAD BRAKES/ PADS AND SHOES, AND ROTORS REPLACED 4 TIMES SINCE PURCHASE OF VEHICLE. AT THIS TIME BRAKE NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. DEALER HAS BEEN NO HELP AT ALL. *AK

NHTSA ODI #877774

Mileage unknown · Jan 8, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

PREMATURE WEAR OF BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. DEALER HAS REPLACED ROTORS AND PADS 3 TIMES. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #877608

Mileage unknown · Jan 8, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ABS LIGHT CAME ON. I CALLED DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS OK THAT IT HAPPENED, AND TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH MY LOCAL CHEVY DEALERSHIP FOR FIXING. (DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED CAR FROM IS NOT A CHEVY DEALER). WHEN I PHONED TRECEK CHEV. IN PORTAGE I MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE FOLLOWING WED. (ALL THIS WAS DONE FROM CAR PHO…

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ABS LIGHT CAME ON. I CALLED DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS OK THAT IT HAPPENED, AND TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH MY LOCAL CHEVY DEALERSHIP FOR FIXING. (DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED CAR FROM IS NOT A CHEVY DEALER). WHEN I PHONED TRECEK CHEV. IN PORTAGE I MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE FOLLOWING WED. (ALL THIS WAS DONE FROM CAR PHONE). I ALSO ASKED TRECEK AUTO IN PORTAGE ABOUT THE LIGHT, THEY SAID IT WAS NOTHING TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT. AS I WAS DRIVING I WAS ALL OVER THE ROAD. I WAS ONLY GOING ABOUT 20 MPH. MY BRAKE LIGHT WOULD NOT GO OFF BUT THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WASN'T SOMETHING TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT. AS THE DRIVING CONDITIONS GOT WORSE I SLOWED UP EVEN MORE AND PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THEN CONTINUED ON. WHEN THE REAR END OF THE CAR SWERVED AND I ALMOST LOST CONTROL AT 20 MPH I THEN PULLED OVER AND CALLED FOR A TOW TRUCK. A LADY WAS FOLLOWING ME AND STOPPED. SHE THEN TOLD ME THAT MY BACK REAR PASSENGER TIRE/WHEEL WAS NOT TURNING. WHEN THE WRECKER CAME TO TOW ME THE WHEEL STILL WAS NOT TURNING. WHEN IT WAS UNLOADED OFF THE FLAT BED AT TRECEK CHEV. IN PORTAGE, WI IT STILL WAS NOT TURNING ALTHOUGH THE ABS LIGHT HAD GONE OFF. I THEN PROCEEDED TO SPEAK WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER WHO IN TURN WENT OUT TO MY CAR AND DROVE IT TO THE FRONT DOOR AND TOLD ME THAT I COULD TAKE IT HOME, THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. HE WAS NOT VERY POLITE AND DID NOT EVEN LOOK AT THE CAR. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT I CAN DO. I'M AFRAID THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #739035

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

THE PASSENGER WINDOW MOTOR FAILED. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #558687

Mileage unknown · Dec 27, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentService Brakes, Hydraulic

VEHICLE HAS HAD 6 SETS OF ROTORS. STEERING WHEEL AND FRONT SHAKE AND VIBRATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ENGINE AND COOLANT PROBLEMS. AIR CONDITIONER FAULTY AND WAS REPAIRED. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #877074

Mileage unknown · Dec 27, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

PREMATURE WEAR OF ROTORS CAUSING VEHICLE TO VIBRATE. DEALER HAS REPLACED ROTORS AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. *AK THE VEHICLE VIBRATED WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THIS PROBLEM REPEATED A NUMBER OF TIMES AND THE CUSTOMER FEELS IT WAS DUE TO DEFECTIVE ROTORS. *YH

NHTSA ODI #877048

Mileage unknown · Dec 14, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I'VE HAD TO HAVE MY BRAKES SERVICED THREE TIMES IN THE FIRST YEAR AND A HALF THAT I'VE HAD MY CAR. THEY WARPED, SO MY DEALER TURNED THEM DOWN; THEY WARPED AGAIN, SO THEY REPLACED THEM; THEN THEY WARPED AGAIN, SO THEY TURNED THEM AGAIN. *AKI

NHTSA ODI #737786

Mileage unknown · Dec 11, 2000
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury

THE BRAKES ONLY FAILED ONCE, HOWEVER I HAVE HAD IT IN ATLEAST 6 TIMES SINCE LEASE FOR COMPLAINTS ON THE BRAKES TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS. I WAS TOLD BY ONE THAT THE MALIBU'S ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE PADS, WHY HAS NO ONE BEEN TOLD THIS? MY ABS IS AGIN COMING ON AND NOW GETTING READY FOR IT'S 7TH TRIP TO SERVICE.

NHTSA ODI #737686

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