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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.

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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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

292 reports
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41,000 miles · Sep 16, 2003
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury

ON AUGUST 30,2002 I WAS IN A CURVE AND APPLIED THE BRAKES AND UPON BRAKING THE CAR SLID AND WAS UNCONTROLLABLE. THIS WAS THE THIRD TIME THAT THIS HAPPENED. THE FIRST TWO TIMES I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. AFTER THE ACCIDENT ON THE THIRD TIME A MECHANIC LOOKED AT THE CAR AND TOLD …

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ON AUGUST 30,2002 I WAS IN A CURVE AND APPLIED THE BRAKES AND UPON BRAKING THE CAR SLID AND WAS UNCONTROLLABLE. THIS WAS THE THIRD TIME THAT THIS HAPPENED. THE FIRST TWO TIMES I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. AFTER THE ACCIDENT ON THE THIRD TIME A MECHANIC LOOKED AT THE CAR AND TOLD ME THAT THE ROTORS AND DRUMS WERE OUT OF ROUND AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THE CAR ONLY HAD 41000 MILES ON IT AND HAD ALREADY HAD THE ROTORS REPLACED TWICE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10039021

Mileage unknown · Aug 31, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I HAVE TO DO A FRONT BRAKE JOB ON MY 99 MALIBU ABOUT TWICE PER YEAR BECAUSE OF EXCESSIVE VIBRATION WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. THIS STARTED AFTER THE ORIGINAL BRAKES STARTED DOING THIS AND HAS CONTINUED. THIS IS CAUSED BY THE BRAKE ROTORS NOT WEARING EVENLY.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10036930

39,733 miles · Aug 22, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

IN MARCH 2003 I HAD TO HAVE MY ROTORS AND PADS REPLACED AT 39,733 ON MY 1999 CHEVROLET. MALIBU. THE ROTORS WERE WARPED AND THE PADS WERE EATEN AWAY BY THE ROTORS. NOW, AUGUST 2003, MY PADS ARE EATEN AWAY AGAIN WITH LESS THAN 12,000 MILES ON THEM. I AM AFRAID THE ROTORS ARE WARPED AGAIN. I HAVE HEARD MANY MALIBU OWNERS AND AUT…

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IN MARCH 2003 I HAD TO HAVE MY ROTORS AND PADS REPLACED AT 39,733 ON MY 1999 CHEVROLET. MALIBU. THE ROTORS WERE WARPED AND THE PADS WERE EATEN AWAY BY THE ROTORS. NOW, AUGUST 2003, MY PADS ARE EATEN AWAY AGAIN WITH LESS THAN 12,000 MILES ON THEM. I AM AFRAID THE ROTORS ARE WARPED AGAIN. I HAVE HEARD MANY MALIBU OWNERS AND AUTO MECHANICS TELL ME THERE IS A VEHICLE WIDE PROBLEM WITH THE ROTORS AND PADS, YET GM (CHEVROLET) WON'T HELP CORRECT THE PROBLEM AND HELP WITH THE COST OF REPAIRING (AGAIN AND AGAIN).*AK

NHTSA ODI #10033334

Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE ROTORS ON MY 1999 CHEVROLET MALIBU HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT LEAST ONCE EVERY 6 MONTHS. I HAVE SPOKE WITH MANY MALIBU OWNERS AND THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AS I DO. SO WHY IS THERE NO RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM? *AK

NHTSA ODI #10031151

60,000 miles · Aug 7, 2003
Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspension

THE FRONT BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPAIRED AT 20,150 MILES, 29,853 MILES, 44,379 MILES, AND 60,000 MILES. THE CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED CHEVROLET WHO STATED THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE. *AK THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS WERE REPLACED AND THE UPPER BEARING STRUT PLATE WAS ALSO REPLACED. *PH *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10029410

52,000 miles · Jul 25, 2003
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR! BOUGHT CAR 2/17/2001.....-8/15/2001 HAD TO REPLACE ALTERNATOR....2/24/2002 HAD INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET REPLACED BECAUSE OF COOLANT LEAKAGE, COST WAS 600.00.....06/20/03 HAD TO REPLACE BATTERY DUE TO LEAKAGE AND CORROSION AROUND POSITIVE CABLE.......7/24/03 HAD TO REPLACE BRAKE PADS AND HAVE …

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HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR! BOUGHT CAR 2/17/2001.....-8/15/2001 HAD TO REPLACE ALTERNATOR....2/24/2002 HAD INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET REPLACED BECAUSE OF COOLANT LEAKAGE, COST WAS 600.00.....06/20/03 HAD TO REPLACE BATTERY DUE TO LEAKAGE AND CORROSION AROUND POSITIVE CABLE.......7/24/03 HAD TO REPLACE BRAKE PADS AND HAVE ROTORS TURNED FOR THE SECOND TIME....I THINK THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR SOME OF THESE THINGS!!!!! CAR NOW HAS 70,000 MILES ON IT... THOUGHT I WAS BUYING A GOOD CAR!! :)*AK

NHTSA ODI #10029147

42,708 miles · Jul 23, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKE SEALS FAILED CAUSING BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE. HAD TO HAVE CALIPERS REPLACED AS WELL AS DISC/PAD & DRUM/SHOE REPAIR/REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10029043

Mileage unknown · Jun 16, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

INTERMITTENTLY ABS WARNING LIGHT IS ON THE DASHBOARD. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10024150

24,000 miles · Jun 14, 2003
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

ALL MALIBU'S SEEM TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS, LOW MILES HIGH MILES, ECT BRAKES ARE REPLACED AT LEAST THREE TO FOUR TIMES A YEAR WITH MINIMAL MILES EACH TIME, HEAD GASKET LEAKS, ALTERNATOR REPLACED TWICE, BATTERY TWICE, ELECTRICAL SHORTS TWICE, IGNITION SWITCH HANDLES TERRIBLE, NOT SAFE, CAR WAS SUPPOSE TO HAVE HIGH RATINGS, LYIN…

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ALL MALIBU'S SEEM TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS, LOW MILES HIGH MILES, ECT BRAKES ARE REPLACED AT LEAST THREE TO FOUR TIMES A YEAR WITH MINIMAL MILES EACH TIME, HEAD GASKET LEAKS, ALTERNATOR REPLACED TWICE, BATTERY TWICE, ELECTRICAL SHORTS TWICE, IGNITION SWITCH HANDLES TERRIBLE, NOT SAFE, CAR WAS SUPPOSE TO HAVE HIGH RATINGS, LYING TO GET PEOPLE TO BUY JUNK. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10023072

17,000 miles · Jun 12, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

DISC BRAKES AND ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED ALMOST EVERY 17,000 MILES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10022983

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