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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
0 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1998 Chevrolet Malibu electrical problems

electrical problem

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1998 Chevrolet Malibu Owner Comments

problem #12

Jan 192003

Malibu

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have replaced a battery twice. I bought my 1998 Malibu used. The first time we were able to keep jumping it, to get it were I needed to go. Found out the positive charge was broken from battery. Six month's later on January 19. My ABS light comes on and I lose all power on snow and ice. Luckily I was able to keep control of my car and get it stopped. If there would be a been another car coming towards me I would have hit them head on. I had it towed the following day, and they said my battery was leaking acid and my timing belt was breaking. I have only had my car a year and I bought it from a dealership. What's causing the battery to leak acid? I am scared to death it will happen again and next time I won't be so lucky.

- Lakeview, OH, USA

problem #11

Apr 102002

(reported on)

Malibu

  • miles
While driving battery light flashed, and a bubbling noise was coming from engine. Dealer serviced vehicle, and noticed that intake manifold was leaking.

- Bear, DE, USA

problem #10

May 131998

Malibu

  • miles
The coolant was leaking into my engine. I was told the engine block was cracked, after being without my car for 4 days, they told me it was just a gasket leaking. They then "as good citizens" repaired my car under warrenty and charged me $73.95 for an oil change and fuel filter because these things had to be done while they were investigating the leak. I had just recently had my oil changed. Within the first few months of having my car I noticed serveral problems that I reported to the dealer and was waved off several times. I even rode with a service manager who explained that the ticking in the engine, the whinning my window made when rolling it up or down, the squeeking in the front and back of car were all normal because my car was settling like a house does. These noises and squeeks are normal!!! shortly there after, my wheel bearings were replaced, my window failed to roll up while on my way to work when it began pouring rain. The ticking noise was explained three years later, since the coolant was leaking into my engine. I have replaced break pads, and my rotars and am on my way to replacing both again at 36,000 miles. The ticking noise in my car is still present and now the air conditioner goes out intermittently while driving. I replaced the lamps in my break lights twice before another Malibu owner told me it was a problem in the circuit board. I am not happy with this vehicle and can't wait until I can afford to get rid of it. I will never buy another Chevy unless the choose to rectify this situation. After reading the other compliants I now see I am not the only person to ever report the leaking of the coolant and am frustrated since I was told this was never seen before!!!

- Rochester, NY, USA

problem #9

Oct 192000

Malibu

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle could not start because of bad battery leaking.

- Parachute, CO, USA

problem #8

Oct 092000

Malibu

  • miles
Car has stalled over 35 times over a two month span. The repair shop has replaced ignition switch, reprogrammed the PCM, and replaced the PCM. I have replaced the battey and the fuel filter. The car will stall at any speed. It would restart 'till 12/24/00 when it stalled for the last time as I approached an intersection. My two children were with me at the time. I managed to pull over. I tried over fourty times to restart the car. The engin turned over fine. It did not drag. Finally, I had it towed to the dealer for repair. This is the third time that I takit in with in a two month period to have the stalling repaired. About two months ago, we were coming back form vacation when the car died on us over twenty times form san diego to sacramento. At one point, while running, the car would accelerate and deccerate as if someone was puming the accerator in a rapid motion. Then the car would die out. I would pull over and restart it. After a while, I got the hang of it. It would die out, I would put it in nuteral, and I would restart the car. It was night time and it was very dangerous every time that I had to pull over to restart it. I was with my wife and two children. Second problem: The ABS light lit up when the car had 35,800 miles approximatly. I took it in to the dealer and at that time the light was out. It would come on intermittenly. The dealer could not diagnose a problem. Around 37,000 miles, the ABS would come on everyother day, and the car would go into an ABS brake every time the light wold come on. I took the car in to the dealer and had the left front wheel sensor replaced. That took care of the ABS problem. I put off the repair because I did not have the money to have it fixed. I have also replaced the brake pads at 30,000 miles and it soulds like they need to be repalced again. They squeek when I brake. My primary concern is the car's defect with the stalling. I am afraid that some day we may get in an accident.

- Woodland, CA, USA

problem #7

Aug 271999

Malibu

  • miles
Battery failed.

- Amherst Junction, WI, USA

problem #6

Jan 011999

Malibu

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Bushings on control arms defective and battery accid leaks

- Yonkers, NY, USA

problem #5

Sep 162000

Malibu

  • miles
No summary listed for above vehicle.

- Washington, GA, USA

problem #4

Sep 012000

Malibu

  • miles
Original battery - ac delco, positive prong rotted without notice! car is only 2 years old. Car shut off without warning just as I went to pull out of parking space. Battery light is still bright green!

- Harrisburg, PA, USA

problem #3

Aug 312000

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Battery has failed within 3 years, and will not start on its own.. squeak in left rear when getting in and out due to rear stabilizer shaft bushing failure.

- Chelmsford, MA, USA

problem #2

Apr 102000

Malibu

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving on road over 45mph vehicle will sway/won't stay in its lane. Also, factory battery had started melting through the plate/ABS light came on when starting vehicle/ upon applying brakes they squeaked, and vehicle won't go in reverse. The transmission failed. The A/C is inoperable. Brakes failed four times.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #1

Feb 022000

Malibu

  • miles
Battery failed causing sluggish start (slow crank). Nlm

- League Cit, TX, USA

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