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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

Suspension complaints

82 reports
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30,200 miles · Sep 14, 2003
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingSuspension

AT ABOUT 27000MI (3000MI. SERVICE) I NOTIFIED DEALER OF SQUEAKING IN FRONT & REAR SUSPENSION BUSHINGS. DEALER SPRAYED LUBE ON REAR (ABOUT $100)AND NOTIFIED ME THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO LOWER COMPLETE FRONT END TO LUBE FRONT, APPROX $200 MORE. EXTENDED WARRANTY DIDN'T COVER. AT 30000 MI SERVICE DEALER NOTIFIED ME I NEEDED COMPLETE …

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AT ABOUT 27000MI (3000MI. SERVICE) I NOTIFIED DEALER OF SQUEAKING IN FRONT & REAR SUSPENSION BUSHINGS. DEALER SPRAYED LUBE ON REAR (ABOUT $100)AND NOTIFIED ME THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO LOWER COMPLETE FRONT END TO LUBE FRONT, APPROX $200 MORE. EXTENDED WARRANTY DIDN'T COVER. AT 30000 MI SERVICE DEALER NOTIFIED ME I NEEDED COMPLETE BRAKE JOB. I INSPECTED BRAKES WHILE ON LIFT. MECHANIC SAID HE MADE MISTAKE! HE SAID THAT HE HADN'T PULLED WHEELS OF YET. SAID THERE WAS 80% LEFT, REPAIR INVOICE SAID 50% LEFT. A LITTLE OVER A WEEK LATER THERE WAS A PUDDLE OF TRANS FLUID ON GARAGE FLOOR & AIR CONDITIONING SMELLED LIKE URINE WHEN ON, ALSO SWITCHING ITSELF FROM RECIRCULATION TO FRESH. TOOK CAR TO DEALER, THEY REPLACED SWITCH, DEDUCTIBLE $SE ON EXTENDED WARRANTY, SPRAYED SOMETHING IN OUTSIDE VENT (MOLD THEY SAID?), AND TIGHTENED TRANS COOLING LINE, THEIR FAULT! THREE DAYS LATER COOLING LEAK, DEALER REPLACED WATER PUMP, DEDUCTIBLE $'S ON EXTENDED WARRANTY. TWO WEEKS LATER THE REAR POWER WINDOW ACTUATOR (MOTOR & CABLE ASSEMBLY) QUIT! I MIGHT HAVE USED THIS WINDOW 12 TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT 99 MALIBU LS FROM CHAMPION CHEVROLET, RENO,NV. NEW IN 12/99! ALL THINGS CONSIDERED, I FEELS LIKE THEY ARE SABOTAGING MY VEHICLE TO GET BACK AT ME FOR DISCOVERING THEY LIED ABOUT BRAKE JOB! ALSO AFTER READING YOUR COMPLAINT LIST, I REALIZE THAT I AM NOT ALONE THINKING THAT BRAKES, STEERING VIBRATION, AND RELIABILITY IN GENERAL IS POOR ON THIS VEHICLE. *PH

NHTSA ODI #10038882

Mileage unknown · Aug 12, 2003
SuspensionTires

WHILE BACKING INTO A PARKING LOT FRONT SUSPENSION COIL BROKE, AND CAUSED FRONT TIRES TO BURN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10033672

Mileage unknown · Aug 10, 2003
Suspension

BROKEN LEFT FRONT STRUT AND SPRING. JUST DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY THE STRUT BROKE. THE SERVICE DEALER COULDN'T BELIEVE THAT HAPPENED. THE LEFT FRONT STRUT, SPRING AND STRUT BEARING HAD TO BE REPLACED ON A CAR WITH ONLY 50,182 MILES ON IT. AGAIN I CALLED GM ZONE THEY TOLD ME TO SEND COPIES OF ALL MY BILLS AND I HAVE NOT EVER…

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BROKEN LEFT FRONT STRUT AND SPRING. JUST DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY THE STRUT BROKE. THE SERVICE DEALER COULDN'T BELIEVE THAT HAPPENED. THE LEFT FRONT STRUT, SPRING AND STRUT BEARING HAD TO BE REPLACED ON A CAR WITH ONLY 50,182 MILES ON IT. AGAIN I CALLED GM ZONE THEY TOLD ME TO SEND COPIES OF ALL MY BILLS AND I HAVE NOT EVER HEARD ANYTHING ELSE. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10031220

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

123,000 miles · Jul 21, 2003
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingSuspension

DEFECTIVE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET AND THEN THE HEAD GASKETS BLEW ON ME REQUIRING EXPENSIVE REPAIRS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10028684

50,000 miles · Jul 3, 2003
Suspension

WHILE DRIVING AT A VERY LOW SPEED, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SPRING OVER THE STRUT BROKE AND CAUSED THE TIRE TO BLOWOUT. *AK *SCC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10022958

10,794 miles · Jun 24, 2003
Suspension

THE HUB BEARING ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE FAILED. ALSO ON JUNE 5, 2003 THE COIL SPRING BROKE. *MR *TS *JB

NHTSA ODI #10025054

57,000 miles · Jun 9, 2003
Suspension

WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY FRONT COIL SPRING SNAPPED AND RIPPED THROUGH THE TIRE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10022676

Mileage unknown · Apr 12, 2003
Fuel System, GasolineService Brakes, HydraulicSuspension

I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM IN MY 1999 CHEVROLET MALIBU. REPLACED CALIPERS, BEARINGS,ROTORS,OF COURSE PADS. NOW MY ABS LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF (IDIOT LIGHT) ALSO THE GAS GAUGE MALFUNCTIONS WHEN IT GETS TO 1\4 TANK ALSO MY CLIMATE CONTROL FAN WON'T WORK ON THE 1ST 3 SPEEDS. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10014303

46,000 miles · Dec 23, 2002
Suspension

THE PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING BROKE.TS *JB

NHTSA ODI #10001380

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