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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

What owners actually said

789 reports
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

43,546 miles · Apr 21, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

COOLANT LEAK FROM THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS AND RELATED PARTS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10067587

50,000 miles · Apr 20, 2004
Tires

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT AND HAD COME APART. ALSO, THE LEFT TIRE BLEW OUT AND SEPARATED UPON PULLING INTO A REPAIR SHOP TO FILL THE TIRE WITH AIR BECAUSE AIR WAS SEEPING OUT. THE CAUSE OF THE BOTH TIRE BLOWOUTS WAS NOT DETERMINED. *AK *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10063396

Mileage unknown · Apr 13, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

CONSUMER STATED THAT ANTI-FREEZE WAS LEAKING IN VEHICLE FOR ABOUT 3-4 MONTHS. CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. CONSUMER HAS NOT YET TAKEN VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, BUT WILL DO SO SOON. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10067119

20,000 miles · Apr 8, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT TWO DEFECTS. FRONT BRAKES WERE WEARING OUT PREMATURELY. THE BRAKES AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED 4 TIMES IN LESS THAN 20,000 MILES. ALSO, THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS LEAKING INTO THE CRANKCASE AND ONTO THE MOTOR. *AK *JB

NHTSA ODI #10061703

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

51,600 miles · Mar 30, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILING AT 50,000 MILES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10064152

31,110 miles · Mar 17, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH VEHICLE VIBRATED WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT SHOP, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED ROTORS AND PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK *MR

NHTSA ODI #10057929

66,920 miles · Mar 13, 2004
Service Brakes, Air

MY CAR VIBRATES WHEN BRAKING AFTER I REACHED 50 OR MORE MPHS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10062086

75,000 miles · Mar 13, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipment

ON 8/20/2001 AT 46,208 MILES ON MY 1999 CHEV. MALIBU, COOLANT BEGAN TO LEAK FROM THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. DEALERSHIP REPLACED GASKETS UNDER GMPP EXTENDED WARRANTY. NOW ON 3/12/04 AT 75,600 MILES, THE REPLACED GASKETS ARE LEAKING. AFTER THE FIRST REPAIR, I DISCOVERED THAT THE ORIGINAL FACTORY GASKETS ALONG WITH DEX-CO…

Read full complaint

ON 8/20/2001 AT 46,208 MILES ON MY 1999 CHEV. MALIBU, COOLANT BEGAN TO LEAK FROM THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. DEALERSHIP REPLACED GASKETS UNDER GMPP EXTENDED WARRANTY. NOW ON 3/12/04 AT 75,600 MILES, THE REPLACED GASKETS ARE LEAKING. AFTER THE FIRST REPAIR, I DISCOVERED THAT THE ORIGINAL FACTORY GASKETS ALONG WITH DEX-COOL COOLANT WERE DEFECTIVE. AT THE FIRST REPAIR, STILL DEFECTIVE GASKETS WERE USED TO MAKE THE REPAIR. AFTER THIS FIRST REPAIR, GM RELEASED A NEWLY REDESIGNED GASKET AND PROCEDURE TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. I FEEL THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THE ISSUE DUE TO THE NUMBER OF CONSUMERS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING THIS SAME TROUBLE. THIS COULD BECOME A SAFETY ISSUE SHOULD THE GASKETS COMPLETELY FAIL AND ALLOW COOLANT TO MIX WITH THE OIL. THIS WOULD CAUSE ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING, POSSIBLE RESULTING IN A CRASH.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10062069

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