I HAVE NOTICED SEVERAL MAILBU'S WHERE BRAKE LIGHTS HAVE FAILED. *AK
1999 Chevrolet Malibu
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Malibu years
Owner complaints for the 1999 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
265 reports with mileage · 524 unknown
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 292 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 144 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 138 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
144 reportsFRONT BRAKE PADS REPLACED AND ROTORS TURNED, REAR BRAKES SERVICED. *CJ
CLUNKING/GRINDING SOUNDS COMING FROM FRONT END WHEN TURNING CORNERS AND/OR GOING OVER BUMPS (SUCH AS R/R TRACKS, DRIVEWAY APPROACHES, ETC); BRAKES SHUTTERED AND BARELY RESPONDED WHILE DRIVING 35-40 MPH DOWN DECLINE IN A LIGHT RAIN; ROTORS WERE REPLACED 8/2000 BUT NOISE HAS NOT LESSENED. COLD AIR COMES IN FROM DOOR HANDLE OF DR…
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CLUNKING/GRINDING SOUNDS COMING FROM FRONT END WHEN TURNING CORNERS AND/OR GOING OVER BUMPS (SUCH AS R/R TRACKS, DRIVEWAY APPROACHES, ETC); BRAKES SHUTTERED AND BARELY RESPONDED WHILE DRIVING 35-40 MPH DOWN DECLINE IN A LIGHT RAIN; ROTORS WERE REPLACED 8/2000 BUT NOISE HAS NOT LESSENED. COLD AIR COMES IN FROM DOOR HANDLE OF DRIVER SD DOOR, MAKING IT NECESSARY TO CONTINUOUSLY DRIVE W/DEFROSTERS ON WHEN TEMPERATURES ARE @/BELOW 50 DEGREES; VERY POOR ACCELERATION, ENGINE SLUGGISH AND MISSES WHEN ACCELERATING; VERY POOR GAS MILEAGE AVGING 21-23 MPG HWY. ON 4-CYL ENGINE; REAR TAIL LIGHT REPLACED DUE TO CONDENSATION FORMATION WHEN 1ST PURCHASED; REAR PASSENGER BRAKE LIGHT BURNT OUT AND NEED OF REPLACEMENT.; REAR PASSENGER DOOR 3" SECTION OF PAINT CORRODING AND IN NEED OF REPAINTING/FINISHING.*AK
BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS EXPERIENCE UNUSUAL WEAR. *SLC
LUGS: NUTS- THESE ARE CONSTANTLY LOOSE,I CAN TURN THEM BYE HAND. SOME ARE BROKEN RIGHT OFF.AND THE CHEVROLET H.Q.AND DEALERSHIP(WILDD DODGE) ALONG WITH THE CHEVYDEALERSHIP(EWALDS) KEEP GIVIN ME THE RUN AROUND. THE PAINT IS SIMPLY PEELING OFF THE HOOD OF THE CAR,THE ROTORS ARE GRINDING AND ARE BEGINNING TO PEEL APART.THE BACK BUM…
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LUGS: NUTS- THESE ARE CONSTANTLY LOOSE,I CAN TURN THEM BYE HAND. SOME ARE BROKEN RIGHT OFF.AND THE CHEVROLET H.Q.AND DEALERSHIP(WILDD DODGE) ALONG WITH THE CHEVYDEALERSHIP(EWALDS) KEEP GIVIN ME THE RUN AROUND. THE PAINT IS SIMPLY PEELING OFF THE HOOD OF THE CAR,THE ROTORS ARE GRINDING AND ARE BEGINNING TO PEEL APART.THE BACK BUMPER IS STARTING TO HANG,AND THE BACK TAIL LIGHTS ARE MELTING AND CONSTANTLY OUT.*AK
CAR PURCHASED 5/00-2 MAP SENSORS, FUEL FILTER, SHORTAGE TO ALTERNATOR, BEEN IN SHOP 6TIMES IN 2MONTHS, CAR STALLS IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND AT REST.NO SOLUTION FOUND. DANGEROUS IN TRAFFIC!!
POSITIVE POST ON BATTERY LEAKED BATTERY ACID. NOT CHARGING PROPERLY. INFORMED BY SERVICE TECHNICIAN AT THE DEALER THAT THIS IS A FAIRLY COMMON OCCURENCE FOR ACDELCO BATTERIES. WAS ALSO TOLD I WAS LUCKY TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE IT IN TO THE DEALER- THEY OFTEN TIMES WILL DIE WHILE RUNNING OR WILL NOT START AT ALL. BATTERY WA…
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POSITIVE POST ON BATTERY LEAKED BATTERY ACID. NOT CHARGING PROPERLY. INFORMED BY SERVICE TECHNICIAN AT THE DEALER THAT THIS IS A FAIRLY COMMON OCCURENCE FOR ACDELCO BATTERIES. WAS ALSO TOLD I WAS LUCKY TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE IT IN TO THE DEALER- THEY OFTEN TIMES WILL DIE WHILE RUNNING OR WILL NOT START AT ALL. BATTERY WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT WITH ANOTHER ACDELCO PRODUCT. *AK
CAR SHIMMIED WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED/STOP LIGHT QUIT WORKING WENT TO FIX FOUND IT ALL MELTED ON THE INSIDE HAD TO REPALCE WHOLE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY. *AK
VEHICLE PURCHASED IN MAY 1999,HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 16 TIMES FOR REPAIRS, INCLUDING INOPERABLE HORN, WARPED ROTORS,TURNED ONCE, RESURFACED ONCE AND FINALLY REPLACED, INTERIOR VINYL PEELING, REPLACED ONCE AND IS OCCURING AGAIN,WINDOWS STUCK IN DOWN POSITION, CURRENT WORK ORDER TO HAVE WINDOWS CHECKED, BREAK PEDAL MAKING A "CREAKIN…
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VEHICLE PURCHASED IN MAY 1999,HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 16 TIMES FOR REPAIRS, INCLUDING INOPERABLE HORN, WARPED ROTORS,TURNED ONCE, RESURFACED ONCE AND FINALLY REPLACED, INTERIOR VINYL PEELING, REPLACED ONCE AND IS OCCURING AGAIN,WINDOWS STUCK IN DOWN POSITION, CURRENT WORK ORDER TO HAVE WINDOWS CHECKED, BREAK PEDAL MAKING A "CREAKING" NOISE WHEN DEPRESSED, RECENTLY REPAIRD WITH AT LEAST 4-5 VISITS TO THE DEALER WITH NO SUCCESSFUL REPAIR OF PROBLEM, DEFECTIVE MOTOR ON THE HEATER, MAKING STRANGE NOISE, AIR CONDITIONING IS NOW STARTING TO "SMELL" VEHICLE ROLLS WHEN PUT IN PARK, NOTIFIED FACTORY AND HAVE CURRENT FILE NUMBER, FACTORY INFORMED ME THAT IF IT'S STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND IN NEED OF REPAIR TO BRING IT IN...THERE IS NOTHING ELSE WE (THE FACTORY) CAN DO...I BELIEVE TOO NUMEROUS REPAIRS IN AN 11 MONTH PERIOD..STILL HAVE OUTSTANDING WORK ORDERS FOR NEEDED FUTURE REPAIRS. *AK
PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES SINCE CAR WAS NEW, ENGINE OIL LEAKS, ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS
Official recalls
114V400000 · 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.
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
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
Illustration