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1998 Chevrolet Malibu

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Malibu years

Owner complaints for the 1998 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

Limited mileage data: 223 of 976 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

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 347 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 144 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 130 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

34 crash reports5 fire reports18 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

40 reports
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Mileage unknown · Apr 3, 2003
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

I OWN A 1998 CHEVY MALIBU. THIS VEHICLE WILL CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE BRAND NEW IN JUNE 1998 AND HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE SHOP FOR REPAIR THE NEXT MONTH. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT SHAVER MOTORS HAS NEVER BEEN ABLE TO FIX IT. THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THIS CAR'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. I WAS DRIVING IN CHICAG…

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I OWN A 1998 CHEVY MALIBU. THIS VEHICLE WILL CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE BRAND NEW IN JUNE 1998 AND HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE SHOP FOR REPAIR THE NEXT MONTH. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT SHAVER MOTORS HAS NEVER BEEN ABLE TO FIX IT. THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THIS CAR'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. I WAS DRIVING IN CHICAGO ON 80 90 TOLL ROAD AND THIS VEHICLE STOPPED FOR NO REASON WHILE I WAS DOING 55 MILES PER HOUR. I LISTED ONE INCIDENT DATE BUT HAVE HAD NUMEROUS OTHER PROBLEMS. ALSO, WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE I HAD TO REPLACE THE TIRES AFTER LESS THAN 3000 MILES, THEY WERE ALSO BAD.

NHTSA ODI #10013940

Mileage unknown · Jul 22, 2002
Air Bags

CONSUMER PURCHASED VEHICLE FROM DEALER, AND VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE WORKING AIRBAGS. CONSUMER IS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY IF INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. DEALER NEVER ADVISED CONSUMER THAT AIRBAGS HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY DEPLOYED AND WERE NOT RECONSTRUCTED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8014469

Mileage unknown · Apr 3, 2002
Air BagsCrashInjury

WHILE RUNNING INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AT ABOUT 2-5 MPH FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, CUT THE GLASS, AND HIT CONSUMER.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8006877

Mileage unknown · Feb 4, 2002
Air BagsVehicle Speed ControlCrash

MY WIFE HAD JUST PULLED OUT OF A DRIVEWAY ON TO A HIGHWAY WHEN A TRUCK PULLED IN FRONT OF HER. SHE HIT HEADON INTO THE SIDE OF HIM. AFTER HE CLEARED THE AREA SHE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE ACROSS 4 LANES OF ROAD AND INTO A PARKING LOT ACROSS THE STREET, AS SHE ENTERED THE LOT BOTH AIR BAGRS DEPLOYED VERY SLOWLY NEVER TOUCHING HER. TH…

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MY WIFE HAD JUST PULLED OUT OF A DRIVEWAY ON TO A HIGHWAY WHEN A TRUCK PULLED IN FRONT OF HER. SHE HIT HEADON INTO THE SIDE OF HIM. AFTER HE CLEARED THE AREA SHE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE ACROSS 4 LANES OF ROAD AND INTO A PARKING LOT ACROSS THE STREET, AS SHE ENTERED THE LOT BOTH AIR BAGRS DEPLOYED VERY SLOWLY NEVER TOUCHING HER. THE SPEED CONTROL HAS BEEN REPAIRED SEVERAL TIMES AND STILL CONTINUES TO DEACATIVE WHILE DRIVING, SOME TIMES MANY TIMES IN A ROW OTHER TRIPS NOT AT ALL.

NHTSA ODI #757772

Mileage unknown · Oct 18, 2001
Air Bags

WENT TO SATURN TO HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED AND THEY SAID IT (AIRBAGS) WAS NOT COVERED IN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. AND THEY FELT THAT IT WAS THE MANUFACTURER DEFAULT. AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AT A FULL STOP. NO ACCIDENT HAPPENED. CALLED GM COMPANY AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD NOTIFY ME IN 48 HRS. I CONTACTED THEM AND THEY (GM) SAID THEY NEED MO…

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WENT TO SATURN TO HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED AND THEY SAID IT (AIRBAGS) WAS NOT COVERED IN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. AND THEY FELT THAT IT WAS THE MANUFACTURER DEFAULT. AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AT A FULL STOP. NO ACCIDENT HAPPENED. CALLED GM COMPANY AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD NOTIFY ME IN 48 HRS. I CONTACTED THEM AND THEY (GM) SAID THEY NEED MORE TIME TO CONTACT THE SATURN TECH. MNG. THEY (GM) ARE SUPPOSED TO CALL ME TUESDAY AND TELL ME IF THEY CAN REPAIR MY CAR. THEY ARE GIVING ME THE RUN-AROUND. I FEEL THAT I DID NOT DO ANYTHING TO CAUSE MY AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY AND THAT GM IS FULLY RESPONSIBLE SINCE I HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR 5 MTHS, AND THAT IT IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #753406

Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 2001
Air BagsSeat BeltsSteeringCrashInjury

FRONT FENDER WHERE FRONT SENSOR WAS LOCATED WAS CRACKED. CONSUMER SUSTAINED CHEST AND KNEE INJURIES FROM STEERING AND DASHBOARD BECAUSE AIR BAGS DIDN'T GO OFF. ALSO, SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK UP. CONSUMER HAS NOT CONSULTED MANUFACTURER OR DEALER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #897680

Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 2001
Air BagsCrash

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS SITTING AT AN INTERSECTION BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE AND CONSUMER THOUGHT VEHICLE WAS MOVING. SHE LIFTED FEET OFF BRAKES, HITTING VEHICLE IN FRONT. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS DID DEPLOY, BUT HALFWAY. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, CONSUMER SMELLED SMOKE COMING FROM AIR BAGS. DEALERSHIP WAS A…

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CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS SITTING AT AN INTERSECTION BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE AND CONSUMER THOUGHT VEHICLE WAS MOVING. SHE LIFTED FEET OFF BRAKES, HITTING VEHICLE IN FRONT. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS DID DEPLOY, BUT HALFWAY. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, CONSUMER SMELLED SMOKE COMING FROM AIR BAGS. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #897306

Mileage unknown · Jul 9, 2001
Air Bags

BOTH DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AFTER PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. DRIVER DID NOT HIT ANYTHING.*AK

NHTSA ODI #892185

Mileage unknown · Dec 1, 2000
Air BagsSeatsCrashInjury

VEHICLE REAR-ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AT 35 MPH IN WHICH NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DRIVER'S SEAT CAME UNLATCHED & DRIVER RECEIVED INJURY TO RIGHT HAND & RIGHT BREAST. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #875858

Mileage unknown · Jun 8, 2000
Air BagsSeat BeltsService Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury

I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM BOBB CHEVY IN 11/99, IN APRIL 2000 NOTICED A GRINDING NOISE WHEN BRAKING. TOOK CAR INTO A TUFFY AUTO SHOP WHO INDICATED I NEEDED COMPLETE BRAKE JOB. THEY SUGGESTED WARRANTY SHOULD COVER VEHICLE REPAIRS. SO I TOOK IT TO BOBB AT 7:30 AM ON 4/27/00, THEY COMPLETED BRAKE JOB - ROTORS, CALIPERS, FLUID, PA…

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I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM BOBB CHEVY IN 11/99, IN APRIL 2000 NOTICED A GRINDING NOISE WHEN BRAKING. TOOK CAR INTO A TUFFY AUTO SHOP WHO INDICATED I NEEDED COMPLETE BRAKE JOB. THEY SUGGESTED WARRANTY SHOULD COVER VEHICLE REPAIRS. SO I TOOK IT TO BOBB AT 7:30 AM ON 4/27/00, THEY COMPLETED BRAKE JOB - ROTORS, CALIPERS, FLUID, PADS AND LABOR. THIS TOTALLED $817.01, I PAID $496.12, WARRANTY PAID THE BALANCE. ON 5/17/00, COMING HOME FROM WORK ON A SERVICE ROAD I TRIED TO APPLY MY BRAKES AND FOUND I DID NOT HAVE ANY - THIS WAS 3 WKS AFTER A TOTAL REPLACEMENT. I HAD THE OPTION TO GO INTO AN INTERSECTION, OR HIT A CAR STOPPED AT THE STOP SIGN, BUT I CHOSE TO RUN OFF THE ROAD, HOPING THAT WOULD HAVE STOPPED ME. I HIT A PINE TREE, BOTH AIR BAGS POPPED OUT, WINDSHIELD CRACKED, SUBSEQUENTLY MY INSURANCE COMPANY - GEICO TOTALLED THE CAR. I SUFFERED SEVERE BRUISES, ENDED UP IN EMERGENCY, ORDERED TO TAKE 2 DAYS OFF WORK FOR BRUISES, SEVERELY SPRAINED ANKLE, BRUISES ON CHEST & STOMACH FROM SEATBELT AND AIRBAG. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, GIVEN THEM GEICO'S REPORT AND POLICE REPORT. THEY SUGGESTED I CONTACT PRODUCT LIABILITY DEPT OF CHEVROLET. AT THIS TIME SOMEONE FROM GM PRODUCT ASST IS TO CONTACT ME.*AK

NHTSA ODI #723770

Official recalls

3

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.

03V527000 · Steering:rack And Pinion

Dec 11, 2003

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE RETAINERS COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARINGS TO ESCAPE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL NEED TO EXERT MORE EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, SIMILAR TO A VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER ASSISTED STEERING. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES EVEN FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL REQUIRE MUCH HIGHER EFFORT TO TURN LEFT AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AS MUCH AS INTENDED. WITH THE MAXIMUM PINION SHAFT MOVEMENT, WHICH REQUIRES INTERNAL GEAR COMPONENT DAMAGE, THE DRIVER CAN ENCOUNTER HIGH RESISTANCE TO TURNING LEFT, FOLLOWED BY UNINTENDED POWER ASSIST TO THE RIGHT. IN ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOWER PINION BEARING UNLESS INSPECT OF THE EXISTING BEARING INDICATES THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GEAR ASSEMBLY IS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537; OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.

01V068000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:linkages

Mar 8, 2001

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE "SALT BELT" STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, UTAH, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. IF A BUILDUP OF SNOW OR ICE RESTRICTS THE MOVEMENT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM, THE PIVOT HOUSING CAN CRACK AND THE WIPERS WILL NOT OPERATE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: REDUCED VISIBILITY IN INCLEMENT WEATHER COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER PIVOT HOUSING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 14, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.

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

6

RQ04006 · Windshield Wiper Failure

Opened Jul 7, 2004 · Closed Jan 13, 2005

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer; Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:linkages

IN MARCH 2001, GM NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA NUMBER 01V068) ON CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1997-1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU AND OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS VEHICLES TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD WIPER PIVOT HOUSINGS.GM REPORTED THE WIPER FAILURE WAS TRIGGERED BY LOADS PLACED ON THE WIPERS WHEN OPERATED UNDER CONDITIONS OF MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOWFALL.GM CONDUCTED THE RECALL IN 28 STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA (RECALL STATES) THAT RECEIVE MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOWFALL.THE RECALL COVERED THE SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH JANUARY 1998.ODI OPENED THIS RQ IN RESPONSE TO COMPLAINTS FROM CONSUMERS THAT EXPERIENCED WIPER FAILURE AND WERE DENIED THE RECALL REMEDY.GM IS SENDING LETTERS TO OWNERS NOT LOCATED IN THE RECALL STATES GIVING THEM A FREE REMEDY UPON REQUEST IF THEY ANTICIPATE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN AREAS THAT MAY HAVE MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOWFALL.IN ADDITION, GM IS NOTIFYING ALL OWNERS WHO HAVE CHANGED THEIR RESIDENCE FROM A NON-RECALL STATE TO A RECALL STATE SINCE THE DATE OF THE ORIGINAL OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER (MARCH 2001).THE ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER ARE 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.SEE ATTACHED SUMMARY.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer

IN MARCH 2001, GM NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA NUMBER 01V068) ON CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1997-1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU AND OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS VEHICLES TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD WIPER PIVOT HOUSINGS.GM REPORTED THE WIPER FAILURE WAS TRIGGERED BY LOADS PLACED ON THE WIPERS WHEN OPERATED UNDER CONDITIONS OF MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOWFALL.GM CONDUCTED THE RECALL IN 28 STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA (RECALL STATES) THAT RECEIVE MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOWFALL.THE RECALL COVERED THE SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH JANUARY 1998.ODI OPENED THIS RQ IN RESPONSE TO COMPLAINTS FROM CONSUMERS THAT EXPERIENCED WIPER FAILURE AND WERE DENIED THE RECALL REMEDY.GM IS SENDING LETTERS TO OWNERS NOT LOCATED IN THE RECALL STATES GIVING THEM A FREE REMEDY UPON REQUEST IF THEY ANTICIPATE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN AREAS THAT MAY HAVE MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOWFALL.IN ADDITION, GM IS NOTIFYING ALL OWNERS WHO HAVE CHANGED THEIR RESIDENCE FROM A NON-RECALL STATE TO A RECALL STATE SINCE THE DATE OF THE ORIGINAL OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER (MARCH 2001).THE ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER ARE 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.SEE ATTACHED SUMMARY.

Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:linkages

IN MARCH 2001, GM NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA NUMBER 01V068) ON CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1997-1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU AND OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS VEHICLES TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD WIPER PIVOT HOUSINGS.GM REPORTED THE WIPER FAILURE WAS TRIGGERED BY LOADS PLACED ON THE WIPERS WHEN OPERATED UNDER CONDITIONS OF MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOWFALL.GM CONDUCTED THE RECALL IN 28 STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA (RECALL STATES) THAT RECEIVE MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOWFALL.THE RECALL COVERED THE SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH JANUARY 1998.ODI OPENED THIS RQ IN RESPONSE TO COMPLAINTS FROM CONSUMERS THAT EXPERIENCED WIPER FAILURE AND WERE DENIED THE RECALL REMEDY.GM IS SENDING LETTERS TO OWNERS NOT LOCATED IN THE RECALL STATES GIVING THEM A FREE REMEDY UPON REQUEST IF THEY ANTICIPATE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN AREAS THAT MAY HAVE MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOWFALL.IN ADDITION, GM IS NOTIFYING ALL OWNERS WHO HAVE CHANGED THEIR RESIDENCE FROM A NON-RECALL STATE TO A RECALL STATE SINCE THE DATE OF THE ORIGINAL OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER (MARCH 2001).THE ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER ARE 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.SEE ATTACHED SUMMARY.

RQ03001 · Power Rack And Pinion Steering Failure

Opened Jan 2, 2003 · Closed Sep 15, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:rack And Pinion

GM CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 02V286) TO ADDRESS A STEERING DEFECT PERTAINING TO A LOWER PINION BEARING (LPB) WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR (R&P). THE RECALL COVERED 1,159,156 MODEL YEAR 1997-1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, 1996-1998 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT, CHEVROLET LUMINA APV, CHEVROLET VENTURE, OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINIVANS, AND CHEVROLET CAVALIER AND PONTIAC SUNFIRE SEDANS BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997.ODI OPENED THIS RQ AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT OTHER VEHICLES WERE EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES.BASED ON ODI'S REVIEW OF TECHNICAL AND COMPLAINT DATA COLLECTED DURING THE RQ, THE W-CARS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH EITHER A HIGHER STEERING COMPLAINT RATE OR A HIGHER LPB FAILURE RATE THAN THE OTHER VEHICLES INVESTIGATED UNDER THE RQ AND ARE ABOVE OR NEAR THE RATES FOR THE RECALLED VEHICLES.THUS, ODI WILL FURTHER EXAMINE THE W-CARS (1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME, 1996-1998 BUICK REGAL, CHEVROLET LUMINA, CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO, 1997-1998 BUICK CENTURY, AND 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE) UNDER A NEW INVESTIGATION, ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA)03-019.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Steering

GM CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 02V286) TO ADDRESS A STEERING DEFECT PERTAINING TO A LOWER PINION BEARING (LPB) WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR (R&P). THE RECALL COVERED 1,159,156 MODEL YEAR 1997-1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, 1996-1998 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT, CHEVROLET LUMINA APV, CHEVROLET VENTURE, OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINIVANS, AND CHEVROLET CAVALIER AND PONTIAC SUNFIRE SEDANS BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997.ODI OPENED THIS RQ AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT OTHER VEHICLES WERE EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES.BASED ON ODI'S REVIEW OF TECHNICAL AND COMPLAINT DATA COLLECTED DURING THE RQ, THE W-CARS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH EITHER A HIGHER STEERING COMPLAINT RATE OR A HIGHER LPB FAILURE RATE THAN THE OTHER VEHICLES INVESTIGATED UNDER THE RQ AND ARE ABOVE OR NEAR THE RATES FOR THE RECALLED VEHICLES.THUS, ODI WILL FURTHER EXAMINE THE W-CARS (1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME, 1996-1998 BUICK REGAL, CHEVROLET LUMINA, CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO, 1997-1998 BUICK CENTURY, AND 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE) UNDER A NEW INVESTIGATION, ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA)03-019.

Steering:rack And Pinion

GM CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 02V286) TO ADDRESS A STEERING DEFECT PERTAINING TO A LOWER PINION BEARING (LPB) WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR (R&P). THE RECALL COVERED 1,159,156 MODEL YEAR 1997-1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, 1996-1998 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT, CHEVROLET LUMINA APV, CHEVROLET VENTURE, OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINIVANS, AND CHEVROLET CAVALIER AND PONTIAC SUNFIRE SEDANS BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997.ODI OPENED THIS RQ AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT OTHER VEHICLES WERE EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES.BASED ON ODI'S REVIEW OF TECHNICAL AND COMPLAINT DATA COLLECTED DURING THE RQ, THE W-CARS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH EITHER A HIGHER STEERING COMPLAINT RATE OR A HIGHER LPB FAILURE RATE THAN THE OTHER VEHICLES INVESTIGATED UNDER THE RQ AND ARE ABOVE OR NEAR THE RATES FOR THE RECALLED VEHICLES.THUS, ODI WILL FURTHER EXAMINE THE W-CARS (1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME, 1996-1998 BUICK REGAL, CHEVROLET LUMINA, CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO, 1997-1998 BUICK CENTURY, AND 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE) UNDER A NEW INVESTIGATION, ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA)03-019.

EA00019 · Windshield Wiper

Opened Jul 12, 2000 · Closed Mar 6, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility

ON FEBRUARY 22, 2000, THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) INITIATED PE00-009 BASED ON SEVEN REPORTS OF WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1997 & 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU & OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS VEHICLES.THE INVESTIGATION WAS UPGRADED TO EA00-019 ON JULY 12, 2000.DURING THE COURSE OF THE INVESTIGATION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE FAILURES WERE THE RESULT OF FRACTURE OF THE PASSENGER-SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER PIVOT HOUSING (SUBJECT COMPONENT).SUCH A FRACTURE LED TO AN IMMEDIATE AND IRRECOVERABLE LOSS OF WINDSHIELD WIPER FUNCTION.GMREPORTED THAT THE MATERIAL COMPOSITION (50% GLASS-REINFORCED ACETAL) OF THE SUBJECT COMPONENT WAS INSUFFICIENT TO WITHSTAND STRESSES IMPOSED BY CERTAIN FROZEN PRECIPITIATION ACCUMULATIONS.THE SUBJECT COMPONENT MATERIAL WAS CHANGED TO THE STRONGER 50% GLASS-REINFORCEDNYLON-6, EFFECTIVE JANUARY 98.OBSOLETE SERVICE PART WERE DISCARDED.GM WILL REPLACE THE SUBJECT COMPONENTS IN 129,427 SUBJECT VEHICLES FOUND IN 28 STATES (AK, CO, CT, DE, ID, IL, IN, IA ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MT, NE, NH, NJ, NY, ND, OH, PA, RI, SD, UT, VT, WV, WI, WY), THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, AND ALL CANADIAN PROVINCES.THESE STATES ACCOUNTED FOR 91% OF THE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS IDENTIFIED ABOVE.ODI WILL MONITOR THIS COMPAIGN FOR ADEQUATE EFFCTIVENESS AND, IF NECESSARY, TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE.FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES ON THIS MATTER IS UNJUSTIFIED AT THIS TIME.THE ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS CLOSED.

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

PE00009 · Windshield Wiper

Opened Feb 22, 2000 · Closed Jul 12, 2000

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility

There is no summary currently available

PE99071 · Stop Lamp

Opened Nov 17, 1999 · Closed Mar 27, 2000

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting

There is no summary currently available