NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
789 reports79,990 miles · Oct 11, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentService Brakes, Hydraulic
I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO BEGIN WITH THE COMPLAINTS THAT I HAVE FOR MY '99 MALIBU. THE BRAKE SYSTEM ON THIS CAR IS THE WORST. I CAN'T COUNT THE NUMBER OF TIMES THAT I HAVE REPLACED MY BRAKES. I WAS READING THE COMPLAINT BOARD AND COULD NOT BELIEVE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT HAD SIMILAR BRAKE PROBLEMS. YOU WOULD THINK THAT THE GOV…
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I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO BEGIN WITH THE COMPLAINTS THAT I HAVE FOR MY '99 MALIBU. THE BRAKE SYSTEM ON THIS CAR IS THE WORST. I CAN'T COUNT THE NUMBER OF TIMES THAT I HAVE REPLACED MY BRAKES. I WAS READING THE COMPLAINT BOARD AND COULD NOT BELIEVE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT HAD SIMILAR BRAKE PROBLEMS. YOU WOULD THINK THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD SEE SOME KIND OF PATTERN AND MAKE GM DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. I THINK CAR MANUFACTURERS SHOULD TAKE SOME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PRODUCTS THEY PUT OUT AND SOMEONE SHOULD MAKE SURE THAT THEY DO. I AM NOW GOING TO HAVE TO REPLACE MY INTAKE GASKETS BECAUSE OF ANTI-FREEZE LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE. I HAVE SEEN OVER 50 COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ON THE COMPLAINT BOARD. I WILL NEVER AGAIN BUY A GM MADE VEHICLE. FROM NOW ON I'M BUYING NOTHING BUT FOREIGN MADE CARS. MY CAR IS STILL SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY WAITING GO GET FIXED BECAUSE RIGHT NOW I CAN'T AFFORD THE $400+ IT'S GOING TO TAKE TO FIX IT. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10041644
65,000 miles · Oct 7, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
FAULTY COOLING SITUATION WITH 1999 CHEVY MALIBU. IT HAS BEEN GETTING WARM, TWO BARS ABOVE MIDDLE, ON THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE. THE MECHANIC SAID IT WAS A FAULTY HEAD GASKET, SO HE REPLACED IT. TWO MONTHS LATER, WE WERE ON A TRIP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SOUTHERN UTAH DESERT REGION COMING HOME FROM LAKE POWELL WHEN THE ENGINE STARTED…
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FAULTY COOLING SITUATION WITH 1999 CHEVY MALIBU. IT HAS BEEN GETTING WARM, TWO BARS ABOVE MIDDLE, ON THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE. THE MECHANIC SAID IT WAS A FAULTY HEAD GASKET, SO HE REPLACED IT. TWO MONTHS LATER, WE WERE ON A TRIP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SOUTHERN UTAH DESERT REGION COMING HOME FROM LAKE POWELL WHEN THE ENGINE STARTED TO GET HOT AGAIN. WE WERE ABLE TO BRING IT DOWN BY TURNING OFF THE A/C AND RUNNING THE HEAT. HOWEVER, WE WERE IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE AND CLOSE TO BREAKING DOWN. HAD IT JUST BEEN MY WIFE IN THE CAR, SHE WOULD NOT HAVE KNOWN WHAT TO DO AND THE CAR WOULD HAVE OVER-HEATED. SHE DRIVES IT JUST TO WORK NOW, 4 MILES AWAY AND IT GETS HOT IN THE PROCESS. IT USES DEX-COOL COOLANT AND ALSO HAS THE GM 3.1 LITER V-6 ENGINE, BOTH HAVE INHERENT PROBLEMS. IT HAS COST US MORE MONEY THAN WE HAVE TO GET IT FIXED AND CANNOT SELL IT BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. I APPRECIATE ANY INSPECTION YOU CAN DO REGARDING THE GASKET AND THE DEX-COOL COOLANT. THANKS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10041377
Mileage unknown · Oct 7, 2003
Air BagsCrash
THE AIRBAGS ON MY 1999 CHEVY MALIBU DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN I WAS IN A PRETTY SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I HAVE PHOTOS OF THE CAR AND THE ACCIDENT SCENE. I WAS HIT IN THE FRONT BY SOMEONE RUNNING A STOP SIGN. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10041358
Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
I EXPERIENCE CONSTANT BRAKE GRINDING, AND I HAD THE ROTORS TURNED AND THE PADS REPLACED TWICE OVER THE PAST YEAR. RECENTLY, THE CALIPERS SEIZED AND THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK. THE DEALER CLAIMED THAT THERE'S NOTHING WRONG -- TWO DAYS AFTER THE PADS, ROTORS, AND CALIPERS WERE REPLACED. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10041191
70,000 miles · Oct 2, 2003
Electrical System
CONSUMER SAID WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE VEHICLE DIED. DRIVER WAS TWO LANES FROM THE SHOULDER. POLICE HAD TO STOP TRAFFIC WHILE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED TO THE SHOULDER. MECHANIC REPLACED A # 48 FUSE FOR FUEL PUMP INJECTOR. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10042231
34,000 miles · Oct 1, 2003
Electrical SystemService Brakes, Hydraulic
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED ON THE ENTIRE TIME THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THE ALTERNATOR FAILED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10027075
100,700 miles · Sep 25, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
IT APPEARS THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE LINE HAS RUBBED THROUGH CAUSING A BRAKE FLUID LOSS AND LOSS OF POWER BRAKE FUNCTION
NHTSA ODI #10039531
50,000 miles · Sep 23, 2003
Electrical System
#1 ON THE STOCK RADIO, WHICH CAME WITH THE MALIBU, THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATING THE RADIO BUTTONS AND KNOBS BURNT OUT. FIRST ALONG THE BASS, TREBLE, FADE & BALANCE TURN KNOBS AND NOW ALL THE PRESET BUTTONS #'S 1-6. YOU CAN'T SEE ANYTHING ON THE RADIO IN THE DARK NOW. #2 I HAVE TERRIBLE RECEPTION OF FM (SOME TIMES) AND AM (ALL TH…
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#1 ON THE STOCK RADIO, WHICH CAME WITH THE MALIBU, THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATING THE RADIO BUTTONS AND KNOBS BURNT OUT. FIRST ALONG THE BASS, TREBLE, FADE & BALANCE TURN KNOBS AND NOW ALL THE PRESET BUTTONS #'S 1-6. YOU CAN'T SEE ANYTHING ON THE RADIO IN THE DARK NOW. #2 I HAVE TERRIBLE RECEPTION OF FM (SOME TIMES) AND AM (ALL THE TIME) RADIO STATIONS. THIS HAS GOTTON WORSE SINCE I OWNED IN 6/13/02.
NHTSA ODI #10039360
Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAKING COOLANT AFTER ONLY 25,000 MILES. NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE. ALL GM MECHANICS KNOW ABOUT THIS ISSUE BUT GM WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBLITY FOR THIS DESIGN FLAW.
NHTSA ODI #10039340
41,000 miles · Sep 16, 2003
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury
ON AUGUST 30,2002 I WAS IN A CURVE AND APPLIED THE BRAKES AND UPON BRAKING THE CAR SLID AND WAS UNCONTROLLABLE. THIS WAS THE THIRD TIME THAT THIS HAPPENED. THE FIRST TWO TIMES I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. AFTER THE ACCIDENT ON THE THIRD TIME A MECHANIC LOOKED AT THE CAR AND TOLD …
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ON AUGUST 30,2002 I WAS IN A CURVE AND APPLIED THE BRAKES AND UPON BRAKING THE CAR SLID AND WAS UNCONTROLLABLE. THIS WAS THE THIRD TIME THAT THIS HAPPENED. THE FIRST TWO TIMES I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. AFTER THE ACCIDENT ON THE THIRD TIME A MECHANIC LOOKED AT THE CAR AND TOLD ME THAT THE ROTORS AND DRUMS WERE OUT OF ROUND AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THE CAR ONLY HAD 41000 MILES ON IT AND HAD ALREADY HAD THE ROTORS REPLACED TWICE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10039021
NHTSA investigations
5RQ04005 · 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