IllustrationTHE CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN SHE DRIVING HER VECHICLE THE LIGHTS OF HER ANTI LOCK BRAKES SYSTEM AND ANTI THEFT LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHTS. ALL LIGHTS COME ON AND THE AIR CONDITION STOP WORKING AND THE TEMP GAUGE.
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Malibu years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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
Service Brakes, Air complaints
29 reportsPURCHASED 4/18, ON 4/30 TOOK IN FOR NOISE WHEN BRAKING. THEY RESURFACED BOTH FRONT ROTORS SAID THEY WERE OUT OF ROUND.ON 8/5/98 SAME PROBLEM THEY SAID FRONT ROTORS WERE OUT OF ROUND AND RESURFACED THEM AGAIN. ON 8/12/98 TOOK BACK WITH SAME PROBLEM THEY REPLACED PADS. 9/9/98 WENT BACK WITH SAME PROBLEM THEY INSTALLED BOOSTER AS…
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PURCHASED 4/18, ON 4/30 TOOK IN FOR NOISE WHEN BRAKING. THEY RESURFACED BOTH FRONT ROTORS SAID THEY WERE OUT OF ROUND.ON 8/5/98 SAME PROBLEM THEY SAID FRONT ROTORS WERE OUT OF ROUND AND RESURFACED THEM AGAIN. ON 8/12/98 TOOK BACK WITH SAME PROBLEM THEY REPLACED PADS. 9/9/98 WENT BACK WITH SAME PROBLEM THEY INSTALLED BOOSTER ASSEMBLY. HAD NOISE WHEN BRAKING FOR SOME TIME WAS VERY DISGUSTED WITH GOING BACK AND FORTH FINALLY 7/13/99 NOISE WAS GETTING WORSE AND IRRITATING THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS GLAZING AND THAT I NEED TO BRAKE HARDER, TO TRY FOR 1000 MILES IF NOT IMPROVE OR IF IRRIATING ME COME BACK THIS WAS AT 8,433. 9,455 SOUND GOT WORSE WENT BACK THEY SAID ROTORS OUT OF ROUND PADS WORN. THEY REPLACED FRONT PADS & RESURFACED ROTORS. IT HAS BEEN ONE WEEK AND I KEEP HOLDING BY BREATH EVERY TIME I BRAKE. THIS IS NOT RIGHT FOR A NEW CAR. I BOUGHT THIS CAR AS MY RETIREMENT CAR AND AM VERY AFRAID OF THE FUTURE WITH IT. WHAT CAN I DO.
THE ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIME AND THE CAR ONLY HAS 22K MILES. WHEN THEY WEAR DOWN, THE CAR WILL VIBRATE, THE STEERING WHEEL WILL SHAKE, AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL PULSATE. THE PROBLEM IS PARTICULARLY BAD WHEN COMING OFF A HIGHWAY RAMP AND BRAKING TO A STOP OR WHEN HAVING TO STOP GOING DOWNHILL. AT HIGH SPEEDS ON THE …
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THE ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIME AND THE CAR ONLY HAS 22K MILES. WHEN THEY WEAR DOWN, THE CAR WILL VIBRATE, THE STEERING WHEEL WILL SHAKE, AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL PULSATE. THE PROBLEM IS PARTICULARLY BAD WHEN COMING OFF A HIGHWAY RAMP AND BRAKING TO A STOP OR WHEN HAVING TO STOP GOING DOWNHILL. AT HIGH SPEEDS ON THE HIGHWAY, IT CAN BE VERY SCARY WHEN SLOWING DOWN QUICKLY. SO FAR THE DEALER HAS TURNED OR REPLACED THE ROTORS EACH TIME I COMPLAIN ABOUT THE PROBLEM HOWEVER I DON'T KNOW HOW THEY WILL REACT ONCE THE WARANTY EXPIRES. SO FAR THE PROBLEM REOCCURS EVERY 6K MILES OR SO. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS UNNOTICEABLE AT SLOWER SPEEDS WHICH CAN MAKE IT MORE DANGEROUS IF THE DRIVER IS NOT EXPECTING IT. I HAVE CHECKED SOME INTERNET CAR SITES AND HAVE NOTICED THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH THE ROTORS FROM MANY OTHER MALIBU OWNERS. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU NEED ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. I WOULD BE HAPPY TO PROVIDE ANYTHING YOU NEED.
THE BRAKE ROTORS BEGAN TO WARP AT ABOUT 9,000 MILES. AT FIRST IT WAS MILD AND ONLY NOTICEABLE AT LOW SPEEDS. LATER IT BECAME PRONOUNCED AND THE FRONT END VIBRATES EXCESSIVELY WHEN BRAKING FROM ABOVE 60 MPH. IT FEELS LIKE THERE IS NO BRAKING UNTIL I REDUCE BRAKING PRESSURE, BUT THIS JUST EXTENDS MY STOPPING DISTANCE. CHEVROLE…
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THE BRAKE ROTORS BEGAN TO WARP AT ABOUT 9,000 MILES. AT FIRST IT WAS MILD AND ONLY NOTICEABLE AT LOW SPEEDS. LATER IT BECAME PRONOUNCED AND THE FRONT END VIBRATES EXCESSIVELY WHEN BRAKING FROM ABOVE 60 MPH. IT FEELS LIKE THERE IS NO BRAKING UNTIL I REDUCE BRAKING PRESSURE, BUT THIS JUST EXTENDS MY STOPPING DISTANCE. CHEVROLET DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE A PROBLEM AND WILL NOT REPLACE THE ROTORS UNDER WARRANTY SINCE I HAD 15,000 MILES BEFORE I REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO THEM. I NOTICE THERE ARE ALMOST 100 SIMILAR COMPLAINTS IN THE DATA BASE FOR 1997 AND 1998 MALIBUS. ONE SERVICE MANAGER REPORTED THAT CHEVROLET HAD REVISED THE DESIGN OF THE ROTOR TWICE. THERE ARE NO SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FOR 1999 MODELS. IT LOOKS LIKE THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM BUT HAVE NOT ACKNOWLEDGED IT.
THE FRONT ROTORS ON MY MALIBU HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE -- 1ST @ 7,047 MILES; 2ND @18,936 MILES. AT 28,028 THE 3RD SET IS WARPED AGAIN, BUT CHEVROLET WILL NOT REPLACE THEM UNDER WARRANTY. 7,000 TO 12,000 MILES OUT OF A SET OF ROTORS IS NOT NORMAL FOR PREDOMINANTLY HIGHWAY DRIVING. OUR PAST EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN 60,000 - 70,000 M…
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THE FRONT ROTORS ON MY MALIBU HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE -- 1ST @ 7,047 MILES; 2ND @18,936 MILES. AT 28,028 THE 3RD SET IS WARPED AGAIN, BUT CHEVROLET WILL NOT REPLACE THEM UNDER WARRANTY. 7,000 TO 12,000 MILES OUT OF A SET OF ROTORS IS NOT NORMAL FOR PREDOMINANTLY HIGHWAY DRIVING. OUR PAST EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN 60,000 - 70,000 MILES ON OTHER GM PRODUCTS. AS TO SAFETY ISSUES, WITH THE WARPING WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THERE IS A GREAT DEAL OF PULSATING & I BELIEVE THIS IS AFFECTING STOPPING DISTANCE.
ALTHOUGH THE PROBLEM WITH THE ROTORS HAD MANIFESTED ITSELF MUCH EARLIER THAN THE 11,000 MILE MARK I FIRST REPORTED, I DID NOT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS BECAUSE I NEVER HAD A VEHICLE WITH ABS AND I THOUGHT THE VIBRATION OF MY STEERING WHEEL WAS THE RESULT OF ABS BUT IT WAS GETTING TOO ANNOYING TO DEAL WITH AND THAT WAS WHEN I WAS…
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ALTHOUGH THE PROBLEM WITH THE ROTORS HAD MANIFESTED ITSELF MUCH EARLIER THAN THE 11,000 MILE MARK I FIRST REPORTED, I DID NOT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS BECAUSE I NEVER HAD A VEHICLE WITH ABS AND I THOUGHT THE VIBRATION OF MY STEERING WHEEL WAS THE RESULT OF ABS BUT IT WAS GETTING TOO ANNOYING TO DEAL WITH AND THAT WAS WHEN I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH MY ROTORS BECAUSE MY BRAKE PADS WERE NOT WORN. REPLACED THE FIRST TIME AND WITHIN 5,000 MILES WAS BACK AGAIN. CAR'S STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE VIOLENTLY WHENEVER THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THEREBY DIMINSHING MY CONTROL OVER THE STEERING. WENT BACK TO DEALER AND AGAIN, BRAKE PADS WERE NOT OWRN-LIKE NEW YET ROTOR WARPED. THEY REPLACED THEM BUT CLAIMED IT WAS ACTUALLY MY BAD DRIVING THAT MUST BE THE CAUSE. I TOOK EXCEPTION TO THAT BEING THAT I HAVE BEEN DRIVING OVER 15 YEARS AND EVEN OWNED A CHEVY CORSICA FOR 10 YEARS AND NEVER EVER HAD THE ROTORS REPLACED. NEEDLESS TO SAY-FILED COMPLAINT WITH CHEVY CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPT BECAUSE THE DEALER CLAIMED IF IT SHOULD HAPPEN A THIRD TIME-THEY WOULD NO LONGER REPLACE ROTORS FOR FREE. I TOLD THEM I WAS SURE IT WOULD HAPPEN A THRID TIME BECAUSE THERE WAS AN OBVIOUS DEFECT THAT THEY DID NOT WANT TO ADMIT. LO AND BEHOLD! 5000 MILES LATER AND HERE I AM AGAIN. VIOLENT SHAKING OF THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES. BEEN THRU THIS 2X ALREADY SO I KNOW THAT THE ROTORS ARE WARPED AGAIN. AND I'M SURE THERE WILL BE A FOURTH TIME-BUT THAT IS WHEN I WILL APPLY MY RIGHTS UNDER NYS LEMON LAW. I HAVE OWNED A CHEVY CORSICA FOR 10 YEARS AND THE MALIBU REPLACED THE CORSICA-WHICH I GAVE TO MY MOM. AND YET I NEVER HAD TO REPALCE THE ROTORS IN THE CORSICA YET THE MALIBU'S ROTORS FAIL AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN AND I HAVE NOT EVEN OWNED IT FOR TWO YEARS!!!
BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS FAILED.
HELLO, I HAD GONE TO THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO TO REPORT A NOISE COMING FROM THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKES AND AFTER THEY CHECKED THEM OUT THEY TOLD ME THAT THE CAR HAD ORGANIC BRAKE PADS AND IT WAS NORMAL NOISE AND THAT I STILL HAD 90% OF MY BRAKEPADS LEFT SO WHEN I HEARD THE NOISE 3 MORE TIMES I DIDN'T WORRY ABOUT IT BECAUSE …
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HELLO, I HAD GONE TO THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO TO REPORT A NOISE COMING FROM THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKES AND AFTER THEY CHECKED THEM OUT THEY TOLD ME THAT THE CAR HAD ORGANIC BRAKE PADS AND IT WAS NORMAL NOISE AND THAT I STILL HAD 90% OF MY BRAKEPADS LEFT SO WHEN I HEARD THE NOISE 3 MORE TIMES I DIDN'T WORRY ABOUT IT BECAUSE I ASSUMED THAT IT WAS NORMAL NOISE SO WHEN I WAS PULLING OUT FROM WORK AND HEARD THIS TERRIBLE NOISE COMING FROM THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE I MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR MY CAR AND HAD TO WAIT A WEEK FOR IT AND WHEN I DID GET IT IN THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED TO HAVE THE RIGHT FRONT ROTOR REPLACED AND NEW FRONT PADS AND THE REAR BRAKES DONE. I THEN ASKED THEM WHY THE ROTOR WASN'T COVERED BY WARRANTY THEY TOLD ME THAT THE ROTOR ONLY HAD A 1 YEAR OR 12000 MILE WARRANTY YET I HAVE LOOKED AT YOUR WEBSITE AND HAVE LOOKED AT NUMEROUS CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS CARS BRAKES I REMEMBER ONE WHERE SOMEBODY HAD TO HAVE THE ROTOR REPLACED 5 TIMES SO IF YOU CAN LOOK INTO THIS I WOULD VERYMUCH APPRECIATE IT SO THAT SOMEBODY DOESN'T DIE FROM FAILING BRAKES. THANK YOU. CHRIS L SEABURY
FRONT ROTOS FAILED.
Official recalls
314V400000 · 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
6RQ04006 · 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