← New search

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

Visibility complaints

29 reports
Clear category filter
35,000 miles · Jun 26, 2003
Visibility

THE BLOWER MOTOR FAILED. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO DEFROST THE WINDOWS AND WINDSHIELD, WHICH RESULTED IN POOR VISIBILITY.*AK *TT *JB

NHTSA ODI #10021570

Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 2003
Electrical SystemVisibility

POWER WINDOWS FAIL TO OPERATE AT DIFFERENT TIMES. THIS IS CAUSED BY AN IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10022907

Mileage unknown · Apr 6, 2003
Visibility

ALL THE WINDOWS WILL FOG UP AT RANDOM TIMES. IT DOES NOT MATTER IF THE DEFROSTER IS ON, IF IT IS RAINING OR DRY OUTSIDE. THE ONLY THING THAT SEEMS TO CLEAR THE WINDOWS IS TO TURN ON THE ELECTRIC. REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER AND RAISE AND LOWER THE SIDE WINDOWS SEVERAL TIME. THE FOG ON THE WINDOWS GETS SO BAD SOMETIME THAT WE WILL ONLY …

Read full complaint

ALL THE WINDOWS WILL FOG UP AT RANDOM TIMES. IT DOES NOT MATTER IF THE DEFROSTER IS ON, IF IT IS RAINING OR DRY OUTSIDE. THE ONLY THING THAT SEEMS TO CLEAR THE WINDOWS IS TO TURN ON THE ELECTRIC. REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER AND RAISE AND LOWER THE SIDE WINDOWS SEVERAL TIME. THE FOG ON THE WINDOWS GETS SO BAD SOMETIME THAT WE WILL ONLY HAVE TWO ROUND CIRCLES ON THE FRONT WINDSHIELD TO SEE OUT OF. WE TOOK IT BACK TO OUT DEALER AND THEY TOLD US IT WAS BECAUSE OF DIRTY WINDOWS. THEY CLEANED THE WINDOWS AND WE LEFT, ONLY TO HAVE THEM FOG UP AGAIN ABOUT 8 MILES DOWN THE ROAD. WE HAVE TRIED DIFFERENT THINGS TO KEEP THE WINDSHIELD CLEAR SUCH AS TURNING ON THE AIR CONDITIONER WHILE THE DEFROSTER IS ON AND TURNING UP THE FAN, BUT NOTHING WORKS LIKE RAISING AND LOWERING THE SIDE WINDOWS. WE KNOW OF SOMEONE ELSE THAT OWNS A MALIBU AND THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. WE HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR ABOUT TWO YEARS AND THIS HAPPENS SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK EXCEPT DURING THE SUMMER.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10014023

Mileage unknown · Dec 17, 2002
Visibility

INTERMITTENT WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE

NHTSA ODI #10000156

Mileage unknown · Jul 31, 2002
Power TrainSeat BeltsService Brakes, Hydraulic

THE ROTORS WARP EVERY 10,000- 15,000 MILES. ALSO, THE STOPPING DISTANCE HAS INCREASED. THE DEALER HAS REPAIRED THIS PROBLEM 3 TIMES ALREADY. *AK THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THERE IS EARLY SHIFTING IN ALL THE GEARS, THE RIDE IS ROUGH, THE ELECTRICAL REAR DEFOGGER DOESN'T CLEAR WELL, SOMETIME THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT STICKS, THE B…

Read full complaint

THE ROTORS WARP EVERY 10,000- 15,000 MILES. ALSO, THE STOPPING DISTANCE HAS INCREASED. THE DEALER HAS REPAIRED THIS PROBLEM 3 TIMES ALREADY. *AK THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THERE IS EARLY SHIFTING IN ALL THE GEARS, THE RIDE IS ROUGH, THE ELECTRICAL REAR DEFOGGER DOESN'T CLEAR WELL, SOMETIME THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT STICKS, THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR/TOO FAR, SOUNDS LIKE AIR IS COMING THROUGH THE FRONT DOOR/AND WINDOW-PER BULLETIN, THE PASSENGER INSIDE DOOR HANDLE HAD BROKEN OUT OF THE SUPPORT BRAKET-R/R, THE ROTORS ARE WORN/OUT OF ADJUSTMENT/AND MAKE NOISES WHEN STOPPING/PULSATION FROM REAR BRAKES-DRUMS, AND AT LOW SPEEDS THE TRANSMISSION JERKS/SLIPPING-DIAGNOSED A LEAK FROM PAN BOLTS. *SCC

NHTSA ODI #8015262

Mileage unknown · Jun 11, 2002
Service Brakes, HydraulicVisibility

THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WORE OUT PREMATURELY SEVERAL TIMES, CAUSING PULSATION AND NOISE. *YH

NHTSA ODI #566066

Mileage unknown · Aug 8, 2001
Visibility

POWER WINDOWS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. HAS CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK

NHTSA ODI #893792

Mileage unknown · Apr 24, 2001
Visibility

DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW WON'T GO UP OR DOWN.*AK

NHTSA ODI #886673

Mileage unknown · Mar 5, 2001
Service Brakes, HydraulicVisibility

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…

Read full complaint

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

NHTSA ODI #882046

Mileage unknown · Jan 19, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentExterior Lighting

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXCESSIVE BRAKE COMPONENT FAILURES AND THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATES INTERMITTENTLY, THE BRAKE ROTORS WARPED CAUSING PULSATION AND HAVE BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES, THE BRAKE PADS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE DUE TO GRINDING NOISE. NLM

NHTSA ODI #558969

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