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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

Exterior Lighting complaints

58 reports
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60,000 miles · Nov 6, 2004
Exterior Lighting

STOP/BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE NUMEROUS TIMES. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10098362

48,000 miles · Oct 22, 2004
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

THE RUBBER MOLDING AROUND THE BACK LIGHT ENCASING IS LOOSE, SO WATER IS CONSTANTLY SEEPING IN CAUSING THE BACK LIGHTS TO STOP WORKING. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM. I HAVE TO CONSTANTLY CHANGE OUT THE BULBS. MY BRAKE LIGHT IN MY WINDOW IS THE ONLY ONE WORKING AT THIS TIME.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10096211

109,000 miles · Aug 12, 2004
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

MULTIPLE TAIL LAMP FAILURES ON MY 1999 CHEVROLET MALIBU. I HAVE REPLACED MORE TAIL LAMPS THAN I CAN REMEMBER. WHILE REPLACING THEM THE LAST TIME I NOTICED THAT THE PLACE WHERE YOU PLUG IN THE LAMP WAS STARTING TO MELT. I THINK THIS IS A HAZARD. THE LAMPS ARE NOT BURNED OUT WHEN I HAVE TO REPLACE THEM. THEY JUST DON'T MAKE C…

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MULTIPLE TAIL LAMP FAILURES ON MY 1999 CHEVROLET MALIBU. I HAVE REPLACED MORE TAIL LAMPS THAN I CAN REMEMBER. WHILE REPLACING THEM THE LAST TIME I NOTICED THAT THE PLACE WHERE YOU PLUG IN THE LAMP WAS STARTING TO MELT. I THINK THIS IS A HAZARD. THE LAMPS ARE NOT BURNED OUT WHEN I HAVE TO REPLACE THEM. THEY JUST DON'T MAKE CONTACT WITH THE CONTACTS AFTER A WHILE. I HAVE TO PUT NEW ONES IN TO GET THEM TO WORK AGAIN. THIS LAST TIME I ALMOST COULDN'T GET ONE TO WORK. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10086745

35,000 miles · Aug 10, 2004
Exterior Lighting

TURN SIGNALS WORK INTERMITANTLY. THEY WORK FINE ONE MOMENT AND THEN THEY STOP WORKING, MANY TIMES IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. THEN A LITTLE LATER THEY WORK FINE AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #10086547

Mileage unknown · Jul 13, 2004
EquipmentExterior LightingStructure

BRAKE LIGHTS KEEP BURNING OUT TO THE POINT OF HOLES IN THE BULBS, LEAKS AROUND REAR DRIVERS SIDE DOOR EVERY TIME IT RAINS, AND LOOSE SEALS AROUND TRUNK AND REAR LIGHTS , THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT COMES ON FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10080981

105,000 miles · Apr 22, 2004
Exterior Lighting

TAIL LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNAL FAILED. DEALER STATED THAT WIRE CONNECTOR MELTED. CONSUMER REPLACED LIGHT BULBS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10068719

Mileage unknown · Apr 1, 2004
Exterior Lighting

WATER WAS LEAKING INSIDE OF THE TAIL LIGHTS, CAUSING THE BULB TO SHORT OUT. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL. *AK *MR

NHTSA ODI #10061091

40,000 miles · Feb 6, 2004
Exterior Lighting

BRAKES LIGHTS FAILED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10057625

37,000 miles · Jan 27, 2004
Exterior LightingService Brakes, HydraulicSuspension

HAVE TO REPLACE BRAKE PADS/ROTORS EVERY 5,000 MILES. I'VE SPENT MORE MONEY ON THE BRAKES ON THIS CAR THAN GAS. I'VE ALSO GONE THROUGH 5 SETS OF TIRES. REPLACED WHEEL HUB BEARINGS, AND STILL, AFTER REPLACING ITEMS, THE VIBRATION, SHAKING, INSTABILITY COMES BACK. ALSO, PROBLEM WITH ABS. LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON. I'VE HAD IT L…

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HAVE TO REPLACE BRAKE PADS/ROTORS EVERY 5,000 MILES. I'VE SPENT MORE MONEY ON THE BRAKES ON THIS CAR THAN GAS. I'VE ALSO GONE THROUGH 5 SETS OF TIRES. REPLACED WHEEL HUB BEARINGS, AND STILL, AFTER REPLACING ITEMS, THE VIBRATION, SHAKING, INSTABILITY COMES BACK. ALSO, PROBLEM WITH ABS. LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON. I'VE HAD IT LOOKED AT 6 TIMES AND DEALER CAN'T FIND PROBLEM. EACH TIME AFTER SEEING DEALER, IT GOES OUT. BUT THEN COMES BACK ON AGAIN IN A FEW DAYS. HAVE PROBLEMS BRAKING. I'VE HAD TO STOP QUICKLY, AND THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, AND CAR WON'T SLOW DOWN. IT'S AS IF I'M TRYING TO SLOW DOWN ON A SHEET OF ICE, AND I LIVE IN FLORIDA!!! BACK TAILLIGHTS CONSTANTLY MELT AROUND BULBS. I'VE HAD TO REPLACE THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLIES IN BOTH. IS CHEVROLET GOING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS?? I'VE READ THAT A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THESE SAME PROBLEMS. DOES IT TAKE A FEW PEOPLE'S DEATHS TO FINALLY GET THEM TO CARE? COME ON CHEVROLET, I USED TO BELIEVE IN YOU, BUT NOW I'M QUESTIONING THE CARS. THIS IS THE 6TH CHEVROLET CAR I'VE OWNED. STRONGLY THINKING OF NEVER BUYING A CHEVY AGAIN. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10054997

Mileage unknown · Sep 5, 2003
Exterior Lighting

GENERAL MOTORS HAS JUST ANNOUNCED A RECALL OF 2000 AND 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBUS FOR A FAULTY HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE FAILURE OF HAZARD LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS. I OWN A 1999 MALIBU NOT SUBJECT TO THE RECALL. MY TURN SIGNALS DO NOT WORK CONSISTENTLY, AND MY MECHANIC HAS INDICATED IT MAY BE THE RESULT OF A FAU…

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GENERAL MOTORS HAS JUST ANNOUNCED A RECALL OF 2000 AND 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBUS FOR A FAULTY HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE FAILURE OF HAZARD LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS. I OWN A 1999 MALIBU NOT SUBJECT TO THE RECALL. MY TURN SIGNALS DO NOT WORK CONSISTENTLY, AND MY MECHANIC HAS INDICATED IT MAY BE THE RESULT OF A FAULTY SWITCH. I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM IS THE SAME AND THAT THE 1999 MODEL YEAR SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE RECALL AS WELL. IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO TO GET THIS TAKEN CARE OF UNDER THE RECALL?*AK

NHTSA ODI #10037283

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