IllustrationDAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE CAR IN A DOWNPOUR AND THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE BROKE CAUSING THE WIPERS TO FLY ACROSS THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE CAR. THEY STOPPED WORKING CAUSING HER TO HAVE TO GET OFF THE ROAD BECAUSE SHE COULD NOT SEE. *TR
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
Visibility complaints
63 reportsTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON THE VEHICLE STOPPED WORKING DURING A RAIN STORM. THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE LINKAGE ON THE MOTOR FOR BOTH WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE BROKEN. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO PURCHASE THE PART FROM THE DEALER AND IS CONCERNED THAT IT WILL ONLY B…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON THE VEHICLE STOPPED WORKING DURING A RAIN STORM. THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE LINKAGE ON THE MOTOR FOR BOTH WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE BROKEN. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO PURCHASE THE PART FROM THE DEALER AND IS CONCERNED THAT IT WILL ONLY BE AVAILABLE AT A SALVAGE FACILITY. NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 01V068000, VISIBILITY, WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER, LINKAGES WAS DIRECTLY RELATED TO IN THE "SALT BELT" STATES DUE TO A BUILDUP OF SNOW, ICE, AND CORROSION. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 160,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE PASSENGER-SIDE PIVOT HOUSING HAS CRACKED, AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL NOT OPERATE. HE CONTACTED THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER IN REFERENCE TO RECALL # 01V068000 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES). UPON CONTACT HE WAS ADVISED THAT HIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE PASSENGER-SIDE PIVOT HOUSING HAS CRACKED, AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL NOT OPERATE. HE CONTACTED THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER IN REFERENCE TO RECALL # 01V068000 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES). UPON CONTACT HE WAS ADVISED THAT HIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL, SO HE WAS INELIGIBLE FOR A FREE REMEDY. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 96000. UPDATED 1/14/10 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED. UPDATED 01/15/10.*JB
THE WIFE STARTED THE CAR AND IT HAD SOME LIGHT FROST ON THE WINDSHIELD SHE LET THE CAR WARM UP FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES WHEN SHE CAME BACK OUT THE FROST HAD TURNED TO WATER SO SHE TURNED ON THE WIPERS AND THEY JUST WENT NUTS THE RIGHT WIPER WENT OVER TOP OF THE LEFT ONE SO SHE HAD TO GET OUT AND PHYSICALLY PUSH THEM DOWN SHE THEN CO…
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THE WIFE STARTED THE CAR AND IT HAD SOME LIGHT FROST ON THE WINDSHIELD SHE LET THE CAR WARM UP FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES WHEN SHE CAME BACK OUT THE FROST HAD TURNED TO WATER SO SHE TURNED ON THE WIPERS AND THEY JUST WENT NUTS THE RIGHT WIPER WENT OVER TOP OF THE LEFT ONE SO SHE HAD TO GET OUT AND PHYSICALLY PUSH THEM DOWN SHE THEN CONTINUED WITH HER DAY WHEN I CAME HOME FROM WORK SHE TOLD ME ABOUT IT SO I WENT OUT TO SEE AND FOUND THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER TRANSMISSION ARMS WERE BROKEN AT ONE END ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE SO I THEN TOOK THEM OUT TO REPLACE THEM AND WHEN I LOOKED THEM UP ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THERE WAS A RECALL ON RECORD, SO I AM GOING TO CONTACT THE 1-800-222-1020 AND SEE JUST WHAT I CAN HAVE DONE. *TR
DRIVING TO WORK IN HEAVY RAIN ON A BUSY STREET AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPER ON THE RIGHT COLLIDED WITH THE LEFT AND THEY JUST STOPPED WORKING CAUSING ME TO ALMOST CRASH INTO THE CAR INFRONT OF ME. HAD TO PULL OVER BECAUSE THERE WAS NO VISIBILITY AND HAD TO WAIT AN HOUR UNTIL THE RAIN STOPPED. THE PIVOT HOUSING AS THE DEALER CALLED …
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DRIVING TO WORK IN HEAVY RAIN ON A BUSY STREET AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPER ON THE RIGHT COLLIDED WITH THE LEFT AND THEY JUST STOPPED WORKING CAUSING ME TO ALMOST CRASH INTO THE CAR INFRONT OF ME. HAD TO PULL OVER BECAUSE THERE WAS NO VISIBILITY AND HAD TO WAIT AN HOUR UNTIL THE RAIN STOPPED. THE PIVOT HOUSING AS THE DEALER CALLED IT IS CRACKED AND THE WIPERS WILL NOT OPERATE BECAUSE OF THE DESIGN. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING IN A RAINSTORM, THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND THEY BEGAN TO CROSS OVER EACH OTHER. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE WIPER BLADE WAS VERY LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE VIN WA…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU. WHILE DRIVING IN A RAINSTORM, THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND THEY BEGAN TO CROSS OVER EACH OTHER. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE WIPER BLADE WAS VERY LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01V068000 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES). THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN SERVICED BY THE DEALER. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 113,000.
USE OF THE WINDOW AND FAULTY DESIGN WITH PLASTIC PARTS LED UP TO THE FAILURE. WINDOW IS NO LONGER ABLE TO BE USED AND HAS TO STAY IN THE CLOSED POSITION OR IT FALLS INTO THE DOOR. TOO EXPENSIVE TO CORRECT. *JB
WHILE DRIVING DURING ICE STORMS IN JANUARY 2007 THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS QUIT WORKING DUE TO A BROKEN PIVOT HOUSING ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. THE SAME DEFECT WAS COVERED IN NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 01V068000. HOWEVER, BECAUSE I LIVED OUTSIDE THE SALT BELT,CHEVROLET WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIR OF THIS MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. I AM FEAR…
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WHILE DRIVING DURING ICE STORMS IN JANUARY 2007 THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS QUIT WORKING DUE TO A BROKEN PIVOT HOUSING ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. THE SAME DEFECT WAS COVERED IN NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 01V068000. HOWEVER, BECAUSE I LIVED OUTSIDE THE SALT BELT,CHEVROLET WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIR OF THIS MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. I AM FEARFUL, BUT FORCED TO, DRIVE IN RAIN STORMS WITHOUT WORKING WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN COMPLETELY ARROGANT ABOUT HELPING IN THIS SITUATION FOR THE LAST 5 MONTHS.*AK
I PURCHASED MY 1998 MALIBU, IT'S HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. SINCE I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN NOVEMBER OF 2001 WITH IN LESS THAN A WEEK OF PURCHASING I HAD TO TAKE THE CAR BACK TO DEALER AND HAVE THEM FIX A PROBLEM BECAUSE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON, I AM UNSURE OF THE EXACT PROBLEM BUT I DO KNOW THE CAR DID NOT PASS EMISSIONS AND IF I H…
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I PURCHASED MY 1998 MALIBU, IT'S HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. SINCE I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN NOVEMBER OF 2001 WITH IN LESS THAN A WEEK OF PURCHASING I HAD TO TAKE THE CAR BACK TO DEALER AND HAVE THEM FIX A PROBLEM BECAUSE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON, I AM UNSURE OF THE EXACT PROBLEM BUT I DO KNOW THE CAR DID NOT PASS EMISSIONS AND IF I HAD TO PAY FOR IT, IT WOULD HAVE COST ME OVER 500 DOLLARS, I HAVE REPLACED MY FRONT BRAKES ON 3 OCCASIONS, I HAVE FIXED THE LEAKING TRANSMISSION 2X, I HAVE REPLACED THE TAIL LIGHT BULBS ABOUT 4X, I REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR AND THE LINING IS COMING OFF THE TRUNK. THESE ARE ALL PROBLEMS I HAD IN LESS THEN 2 YEARS OF OWNING THE VEHICLE. SINCE MARCH 2004 I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE. I HAVE REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, WATER PUMP, 2 OF THE INJECTORS AND THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER SMALL REPAIRS HERE AND THERE. EVERY TIME I FIX SOMETHING WITHIN LESS THEN A WEEK OF DRIVING IT THERE IS SOMETHING ELSE WRONG I AM UNABLE TO REPAIR IT UNTIL I CAN SAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO PUT MORE INTO IT. I AM CURRENTLY REPLACING THE INJECTORS WHICH I HAVE ALREADY PAID 600 DOLLARS AND HAVE 4 MORE TO GO. I AM WORRIED THAT AFTER I PUT THIS MONEY INTO IT I WILL STILL HAVE MORE PROBLEMS, I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE IS SOME ELECTRICAL PROBLEM IN THE DASH BUT THEY ARE UNSURE EXACTLY WHAT IT IS BECAUSE THE CAR WILL NOT RUN LONG ENOUGH TO FIGURE OUT. NOBODY CAN TELL ME EVERYTHING THAT IS WRONG WITH BECAUSE I NEED TO FIX ONE PROBLEM BEFORE THEY CAN BE SURE OF THE NEXT. THIS CAR WAS THE WORST PURCHASE I HAVE MADE. I WAS UNABLE TO REGISTER MY VEHICLE LAST YEAR DUE TO ALL THE PROBLEMS. I HAVE BEEN ON SEVERAL WEB SITES AND ABOUT THIS CAR AND EVERYONE IS HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND PUTTING OUT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN REPAIRS. *NM
1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR BLEW UP.*MR THE CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE MOTOR. *NM
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