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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 →

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.

44 crash reports2 fire reports30 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

138 reports
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115,315 miles · Jan 17, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

I FIRST NOTICED THE LOW ANTIFREEZE LIGHT CAME ON AFTER THE CAR WAS SITTING FOR OVER 6 HOURS. AFTER STOPPING TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG, THE LIGHT WENT OFF. AFTER GETTING HOME, I LOOKED AT THE ENGINE AND NOTICED A COLLECTION OF ANTIFREEZE POOLING ON THE ENGINE, AND MUCH SLUDGE COLLECTED ON THE ENGINE. I REFILLED THE ANTIFREEZE RESE…

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I FIRST NOTICED THE LOW ANTIFREEZE LIGHT CAME ON AFTER THE CAR WAS SITTING FOR OVER 6 HOURS. AFTER STOPPING TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG, THE LIGHT WENT OFF. AFTER GETTING HOME, I LOOKED AT THE ENGINE AND NOTICED A COLLECTION OF ANTIFREEZE POOLING ON THE ENGINE, AND MUCH SLUDGE COLLECTED ON THE ENGINE. I REFILLED THE ANTIFREEZE RESERVOIR AND TOOK THE CAR INTO BOB MONTGOMERY CHEVROLET, LOUISVILE, KENTUCKY. THEY INDICATED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET NEEDS REPLACEMENT, WHICH IS WHAT I FIGURED AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE. APPARENTLY, THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED BEFORE BY OVER 1100 CAR OWNERS, AND IS A DESIGN FLAW WITH THIS PARTICULAR ENGINE. MOREOVER, SOME RESEARCH INDICATES THAT THE DESIGN HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED, AND THEREFORE CAN BE EXPECTED TO REOCCUR. MY PROBLEM FIRST OCCURRED DURING THE FIRST WEEK I OWNED THE CAR, FALL OF 2000. THIS INCIDENT WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY BY UEBELOR CHEVROLET, JASPER, INDIANA, AND HAS NOT RECURRED UNTIL NOW. THIS COMPLAINT SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE LARGE GROUP THAT CAME BEFORE IT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10106455

51,500 miles · Nov 1, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

ENGINE COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK CAR IN TO GET CHECKED WHILE HAVING OIL CHANGE AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A COOLANT LEAK IN BOTH THE UPPER AND LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLDS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10098124

Mileage unknown · Oct 20, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

WATER LIGHT COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY - TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES FOR REPAIR. AFTER WARRENTY,CAR REGULARLY OVERHEATS AND THE LIGHT CAME ON AND BOOK SAID 'COOLANT' PROBLEM. I HAD RADIATOR FLUSHED AND FILLED WITH ANTIFREEZE. CAR NOW CONTINUES TO OVERHEAT. MECHANICS (3 SO FAR) SAID THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH CHEVROLETS. C…

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WATER LIGHT COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY - TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES FOR REPAIR. AFTER WARRENTY,CAR REGULARLY OVERHEATS AND THE LIGHT CAME ON AND BOOK SAID 'COOLANT' PROBLEM. I HAD RADIATOR FLUSHED AND FILLED WITH ANTIFREEZE. CAR NOW CONTINUES TO OVERHEAT. MECHANICS (3 SO FAR) SAID THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH CHEVROLETS. COST WOULD BE $800 - $1,000 TO REPAIR LEAKAGE AROUND LOWER INTAKE GASKET. I BELIEVE IF THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH CHEVROLETS AND IT WILL CONTINUE TO HAPPEN YEARLY, CHEVROLET SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRS.

NHTSA ODI #10096124

Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 2004
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

INTAKE VALVE. SEAL LEAKED , LOST ANTI FREEZE ALMOST OVER HEATED ENGINE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10095838

55 miles · Aug 16, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

I HAVE CONTACTED GMC CHEVROLET DIVISION VIA THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE TO NO AVAIL. I HAVE SEVERAL PAGES OF DOCUMENTATION THAT SUPPORTS THE VEHICLE I DRIVE(1999 MALIBU) IS ONE THAT CHEVY SHOULD BE ASHAMED TO ATTRIBUTE TO THE "MADE IN AMERICA" CAQMPAIGN. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ON SEVEN OCCASIONS THE REAR STOP/TAIL LIGHTS. THE BUL…

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I HAVE CONTACTED GMC CHEVROLET DIVISION VIA THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE TO NO AVAIL. I HAVE SEVERAL PAGES OF DOCUMENTATION THAT SUPPORTS THE VEHICLE I DRIVE(1999 MALIBU) IS ONE THAT CHEVY SHOULD BE ASHAMED TO ATTRIBUTE TO THE "MADE IN AMERICA" CAQMPAIGN. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ON SEVEN OCCASIONS THE REAR STOP/TAIL LIGHTS. THE BULBS BURST, THEY SIMPLY STOP AND AS OF 08/14/04 I HAVE REPLACED YET ANOTHER SET OF BULBS EXCEPT THIS TIME THE LIGHTS FAILED TO WORK AT ALL. THE WORKER AT NAPA AUTO STORE IN RIVERDALE GEORGIA EVEN CHECKED THE FUSES AND FOUND NO FUSE BLOWN; HE EVEN SHOWED ME THE FUSES AS HE PULLED THEM. ADDITONALLY I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET AND THE HEAG GASKET;THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES AND THERE IS A TECHNOLOGY BULLETIN FROM GM THAT SUPPORTS THE INTAKE MAINIFOLD GASKET WAS/IIS FAULTY BECAUSE OF THE MATERIAL IT IS MADE FROM ON THIS VEHICLE ON SEVERAL GM MID-SIZE VEHICLES. THE DEXCOOL PRODUCT TURNS TO SLUDGE AND THEREBY CREATES A LEAK. I READ IN THE ATLANTA JOURNAL CONSTITUTION THAT YOUR AGENCY'S INTERVENTION HAS PROMPTED GM TO RECALL THE CHEVROLET MALIBUS FROM 200-202 (?) TO CORRECT THE REAR LIGHT PROBLEM AND THE ARTICLE STATED CONSIDERATION WAS BEING GIVEN TO EXTENDING THE RECALL TO THE 1999 MODEL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM( REAR LIGHT). I REALLY NEED TO FIND OUT THE STATUS OF THIS ATTEMPT BECASUE I CURRENTLY AM UNABLE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT BECAUSE I WILL BE TICKETED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10086930

47,900 miles · Jul 1, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

NOTICED A SMELL OF ANTIFREEZE AROUND MY 1999 CHEVROLET MALIBU. LOOKED AND FOUND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS LEAKING ANTIFREEZE. THIS CAR IS DRIVEN BY MY WIFE, AND THANKFULLY HAS NOT LEFT HER BESIDE OF THE ROAD. WILL REPLACE THE GASKETS ON MY OWN, WILL HAVE THE OLD PARTS AVAILABLE. FOUND A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBL…

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NOTICED A SMELL OF ANTIFREEZE AROUND MY 1999 CHEVROLET MALIBU. LOOKED AND FOUND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS LEAKING ANTIFREEZE. THIS CAR IS DRIVEN BY MY WIFE, AND THANKFULLY HAS NOT LEFT HER BESIDE OF THE ROAD. WILL REPLACE THE GASKETS ON MY OWN, WILL HAVE THE OLD PARTS AVAILABLE. FOUND A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. AND IF NO PROBLEM WHY DID GM REDESIGN THE GASKET (PART # 89017279). WHY ALSO IS THERE A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS DATED MARCH 2003 ( # 03-06-01-010). WHY HAS A RECALL NOT BEEN STARTED. THIS PROBLEM COULD START A FIRE IN THE ENGINE BAY, AND A WHOLE LIST OF OTHER THINGS. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10079153

53,000 miles · Jun 10, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

I HAD FREQUENT LOSS OF COOLANT, AND DRIPS ON MY DRIVEWAY SURFACE. UPON TAKING TO DEALER I WAS INFORMED THAT INTAKE GASKET LEAKING. ALSO I WAS TOLD BRAKES WERE ALMOST GONE. AT 53,000 MILES THIS SEEMED EXCESSIVE ON BOTH COUNTS. THE REPLACEMENT OF THE INTAKE GASKET WAS ABOUT $700.00. REPLACING THE PADS AND TURNING ROTORS COST …

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I HAD FREQUENT LOSS OF COOLANT, AND DRIPS ON MY DRIVEWAY SURFACE. UPON TAKING TO DEALER I WAS INFORMED THAT INTAKE GASKET LEAKING. ALSO I WAS TOLD BRAKES WERE ALMOST GONE. AT 53,000 MILES THIS SEEMED EXCESSIVE ON BOTH COUNTS. THE REPLACEMENT OF THE INTAKE GASKET WAS ABOUT $700.00. REPLACING THE PADS AND TURNING ROTORS COST $250.00. THIS MAKES THE 3RD SET OF PADS, AND RESURFACING OF THE SECOND SET OF ROTORS SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW. SHORTLY AFTER THE REPAIRS THE ABS LIGHT STARTED COMING ON WHENEVER MAKING A TURN. BROUGHT THE CAR INTO THE DEALER IN MAY AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING ASSY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THIS OCCURANCE HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE RECENT BRAKE JOB, EVEN THOUGH THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS UNTIL I HAD THE BRAKE JOB DONE AT THEIR RECOMMENDATION. THE DEALER, WHILE ACKNOWLEDING NO BLAME PAID 50% OF THE REPAIR LEAVING ME WITH A $200.00 BILL. IN LITTLE MORE THAT 30 DAYS I HAVE SPENT $1200 ON CRITICAL PART REPAIRS FOR A WELL MAINTAINED CAR WITH ONLY 53000 MILES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10075132

15,000 miles · Jun 1, 2004
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Other

1 - BRAKE FAILURE AT 15,000 MILES; REPLACED BRAKES 4 TIMES AFTER DEALER AND MANUFACTURER (CHEVROLET) FAILED TO REPAIR; I PURCHASED 3 CALIPERS, 4 ROTORS AND MANY BRAKE PADS AT COSTS OF $1,000. 2 - GAS GUAGE SENDING UNIT FAILED AFTER 60,000 MILES; COULD NOT DETERMINE PROPER FUEL LEVEL; PURCHASED AND REPLACED UNIT AT COST OF $325.…

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1 - BRAKE FAILURE AT 15,000 MILES; REPLACED BRAKES 4 TIMES AFTER DEALER AND MANUFACTURER (CHEVROLET) FAILED TO REPAIR; I PURCHASED 3 CALIPERS, 4 ROTORS AND MANY BRAKE PADS AT COSTS OF $1,000. 2 - GAS GUAGE SENDING UNIT FAILED AFTER 60,000 MILES; COULD NOT DETERMINE PROPER FUEL LEVEL; PURCHASED AND REPLACED UNIT AT COST OF $325. 3 - INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED AT 45,000 MILES; VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SEVERE OVERHEATING; DEALER CHARGED $700 TO PERFORM VALVE JOB AFTER CHARGING $700 TO REPLACE INTAKE MANIFOLD; 4 - BATTERY FAILED AFTER 25,000 MILES; POSITIVE POST FELL OUT OF BATTERY; PURCHASED REPLACEMENT AND DID NOT HAVE VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER BECAUSE I WAS IN CALIFORNIA FROM TEXAS ON A TRIP - COSTS $70 . *AK

NHTSA ODI #10074579

66,000 miles · Apr 27, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAK. REPLACEMENT COSTING $613.00.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10067917

Mileage unknown · Apr 26, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

INTAKE GASKET WAS LEAKING COOLANT, AND THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING HOT. CONSUMER HAD TO CHECK IT EVERYDAY. ALSO, HAD TO ADD COOLANT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10071610

Official recalls

1

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.

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

5

RQ04005 · 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