ROTORS REPLACED 3 TIMES IN ONE YEAR, WORN DOWN. WHEN APPLYING BRAKES THEY PULSATE, AND THERE IS INCREASED BRAKING DISTANCE. ALSO TIE ROD HAD TO BE REPLACED. *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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
292 reportsWHEN PRESSING BRAKES BRAKES PEDAL HAS GONE TO FLOOR BEFORE VEHICLE WILL SLOW DOWN. BRAKES WERE REPLACED IN 1999/ 2000, AND 2001. *AK APPROXIMATELY EVERY 15000 MILES THE BRAKES AND ROTORS HAD BEEN CHANGED. *YH
ONGOING PROBLM WITH VIBRATION WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. VEHICLE BEEN IN DEALER SHOP ON SIX OCCASIONS FOR VARIOUS REPAIRS, AND PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRING. *AK
WHILE DEPRESSING BRAKES WHEN TRAVELING DOWN HILL CONSUMER NOTICED FRONT END VIBRATING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
FRONT END WAS MAKING A GRINDING NOISE AND IT WOULDN'T STOP RIGHT AWAY. DEALER BOTH ROTORS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED ALTHOUGH ONE SIDE SEEMED TO BE AFFECTED. DEALERS HAD NO RESEASONABLE EXPLANATION FOR PROBLEM. *AK ONE OF THE ROTORS ( THE LEFT SIDE) WAS DETERMIND TO BE BAD. ALSO, THE WIPER BLADES SCRUB THE WINDSHIELD ALL THE…
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FRONT END WAS MAKING A GRINDING NOISE AND IT WOULDN'T STOP RIGHT AWAY. DEALER BOTH ROTORS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED ALTHOUGH ONE SIDE SEEMED TO BE AFFECTED. DEALERS HAD NO RESEASONABLE EXPLANATION FOR PROBLEM. *AK ONE OF THE ROTORS ( THE LEFT SIDE) WAS DETERMIND TO BE BAD. ALSO, THE WIPER BLADES SCRUB THE WINDSHIELD ALL THE TIME AND BECAME WORSE WHEN NEW ONES WERE REPLACED. *YH
WHEN DRIVING ABOVE 50 MPH AND BRAKE PEDAL IS APPLIED, VEHICLE WILL BEGIN TO PULSATE. DEALER HAS WORKED ON THIS PROBLEM FOUR TIMES. *AK *SLC
WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS NORMAL. O SAFETY DEFECT. *AK
MY AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THE GUY SAID IT MEANT THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T WORK AND THEY WOULDN'T COME OUT EVEN IN A CRASH AND SINCE THE WARRANTY WAS GONE I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED. MY FLOOR BOARD FLOODS WHEN IT RAINS. THERE HAS BEEN ABOUT AN INCH OF WATER IN MY FLOOR AT ONE TIME AND HAS FLOODED EVE…
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MY AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THE GUY SAID IT MEANT THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T WORK AND THEY WOULDN'T COME OUT EVEN IN A CRASH AND SINCE THE WARRANTY WAS GONE I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED. MY FLOOR BOARD FLOODS WHEN IT RAINS. THERE HAS BEEN ABOUT AN INCH OF WATER IN MY FLOOR AT ONE TIME AND HAS FLOODED EVERYTIME IT RAINS. I WAS TOLD THAT TOO WOULD HAVE TO BE PAID FOR OUT OF MY POCKET. MY ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM MESSED UP WHILE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND WAS FIXED BUT I HAD TO REPLACE THE PADS IN NOVEMBER AFTER ONLY BUYING THE CAR IN APRIL. IT'S MARCH AND I NEED NEW BRAKES AGAIN. THE CAR WAS IN THE SHOP IN THE SUMMER BECAUSE IT WENT DEAD WHILE GOING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AND HAD TO BE TOWED IN. IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY SO THEY FIXED IT AT NO CHARGE. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT SINCE THIS CAR DOESN'T EVEN HAVE 50,000 MILES ON IT THAT IT SHOULDN'T BE FALLING APART LIKE IT IS.
FRONT ROTORS REPLACED TWICE. FRONT PADS REPLACED ONCE. PADS WERE NOT REPLACED WITH THE FIRST ROTOR REPLACEMENT. FOR THE SECOND ROTOR REPLACEMENT, I PROVIDED THE REPLACEMENT PADS FOR THEM. BRAKES SEEMED OK, UNTILL THE LAST SERVICE VISIT EXPLAINING TO THEM THE BRAKES WERE MAKING A CREEKING NOISE WHEN APPLIED AT LOW SPEEDS. SINCE T…
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FRONT ROTORS REPLACED TWICE. FRONT PADS REPLACED ONCE. PADS WERE NOT REPLACED WITH THE FIRST ROTOR REPLACEMENT. FOR THE SECOND ROTOR REPLACEMENT, I PROVIDED THE REPLACEMENT PADS FOR THEM. BRAKES SEEMED OK, UNTILL THE LAST SERVICE VISIT EXPLAINING TO THEM THE BRAKES WERE MAKING A CREEKING NOISE WHEN APPLIED AT LOW SPEEDS. SINCE THEN, THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN MAKING A GROANING/WHINEING NOISE WHEN BRAKING AT HIGH SPEED, WITH A NOTICEABLE BRAKE PEDAL PULSATION. I HAVE NOT BROUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK IN TO BE CHECKED. BECAUSE THE WARRANTY PERIOD IS OVER, AND I DON'T THINK I SHOULD BE CHARGED FOR A PROBLEM THAT WAS NEVER RESOLVED. I DO ALOT OF DRIVING FOR MY BUSINESS, AND I FIND THIS VEHICLE TO BE DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AT THIS POINT. PLEASE HELP!*AK
THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS KEEP GETTING WARPED AND GM DENIES THAT A PROBLEM EXISTS BUT A SEARCH OF THIS SITE AND SEVERAL OTHERS ON THE INTERNET PROVE OTHERWISE. THE BRAKES CAUSE THE FRONT END TO SHAKE THE STEERING WHEEL SO VIOLENTLY THAT STOPPING IN AN EMERGENCY WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE. THIS HAPPENS EVERYDAY, WINTER OR SUMMER, TO AND F…
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THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS KEEP GETTING WARPED AND GM DENIES THAT A PROBLEM EXISTS BUT A SEARCH OF THIS SITE AND SEVERAL OTHERS ON THE INTERNET PROVE OTHERWISE. THE BRAKES CAUSE THE FRONT END TO SHAKE THE STEERING WHEEL SO VIOLENTLY THAT STOPPING IN AN EMERGENCY WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE. THIS HAPPENS EVERYDAY, WINTER OR SUMMER, TO AND FROM WORK WHICH IS 20 MILES TOTAL WITH 15 MILES ON THE FREEWAY. I HAD THE BRAKES RE-DONE AT 36,000 MILES AND THEY STARTED SHAKING WITHIN ONE MONTH. THIS SHAKING CONTINUES MILDLY WHEN DRIVING AT 65 MILES PER HOUR WHICH ALSO CAUSES TIRES TO WEAR OUT. *MR *NLM *DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS**741839
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