← 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

What owners actually said

789 reports
Mileage unknown · May 18, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE BRAKES HAD TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED AT 19,000 MILES AND AGAIN 11,000 MILES LATER. INDEPENDENT BRAKE REPAIR SHOP SAID IT WAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. STILL TRYING TO RESOLVE WITH GMC. *AK

NHTSA ODI #722866

Mileage unknown · May 17, 2000
Tires

WHILE TRAVELING AT 30-40 MPH RIGHT REAR TIRE, WITH RIM AND HUB STILL ATTACHED, CAME OFF AND ALMOST CAUSED VEHICLE TO GO OVER A BRIDGE. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED AT THIS TIME. *AK

NHTSA ODI #862073

Mileage unknown · May 16, 2000
Air BagsCrashInjury

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH. UPON IMPACT, BOTH AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD INJURY FROM HITTING FRONT WINDSHIELD. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #861991

Mileage unknown · May 15, 2000
Air BagsCrash

WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH OR LESS CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A MINOR HEAD-ON CRASH IN WHICH BOTH DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. ALSO,THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #861862

Mileage unknown · May 12, 2000
StructureFire

CAR HAD BEEN DRIVEN 1 HOUR EARLIER - NOTICED WISP OF SMOKE IN TRUNK AND CONTACTED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. UPON CHECKING MILEAGE, NOTICED ENTIRE INTERIOR OF CAR WAS FILLED WITH BLACK SMOKE. FIRE APPEARED TO HAVE BEGUN IN CONSOLE AND SPREAD TO PASSENGER SIDE SEAT. FIRE HAD EXTINGUISHED ITSELF. TOWING COMPANY SENT A PART-TIME FIRE…

Read full complaint

CAR HAD BEEN DRIVEN 1 HOUR EARLIER - NOTICED WISP OF SMOKE IN TRUNK AND CONTACTED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. UPON CHECKING MILEAGE, NOTICED ENTIRE INTERIOR OF CAR WAS FILLED WITH BLACK SMOKE. FIRE APPEARED TO HAVE BEGUN IN CONSOLE AND SPREAD TO PASSENGER SIDE SEAT. FIRE HAD EXTINGUISHED ITSELF. TOWING COMPANY SENT A PART-TIME FIREMAN TO TOW CAR TO DEALER. AWAITING FURTHER INVESTIGATION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #722592

Mileage unknown · May 4, 2000
Air Bags

WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT OWNER FOUND THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY FRONTAL IMPACT. DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE, AND SAID IT WAS AN UNDERCARRIAGE IMPACT THAT CAUSED THE DEPLOYMENT. BUT VEHICLE ITSELF WAS NOT INVOLVED IN ANY IMPACTS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #861383

Mileage unknown · May 3, 2000
Suspension

WHILE DRIVING HEARD SOMETHING RATTLING. TOOK TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID THAT REAR WHEEL CONTROL ARM BROKE IN TWO. VEHICLE COULD HAVE FLIPPED OVER. FAILURE DUE TO A POOR WELD. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK *ML

NHTSA ODI #861340

Mileage unknown · May 1, 2000
Power TrainCrashInjury

MY WIFE WAS WAITING IN LINE TO PICK UP OUR SON FROM SCHOOL WHEN THE CONES WERE MOVED SHE TRIED STARTING THE CAR 3 TIMES. SINCE THE CAR WOULD NOT START SHE MADE SURE THAT THE CAR WAS IN PARK AND GOT OUT AND STARTED WALKING TO THE NEXT CAR TO WAVE THEM AROUND. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR JUMPED FORWARD AND RAN INTO A PARKED JEEP. SHE …

Read full complaint

MY WIFE WAS WAITING IN LINE TO PICK UP OUR SON FROM SCHOOL WHEN THE CONES WERE MOVED SHE TRIED STARTING THE CAR 3 TIMES. SINCE THE CAR WOULD NOT START SHE MADE SURE THAT THE CAR WAS IN PARK AND GOT OUT AND STARTED WALKING TO THE NEXT CAR TO WAVE THEM AROUND. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR JUMPED FORWARD AND RAN INTO A PARKED JEEP. SHE RAN FOR THE CAR IN FEAR FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR 4 YEAR OLD SON WHO WAS ASLEEP IN THE BACK SEAT, AND IN AN ATTEMPT TO OPEN THE DOOR WAS DRAGGED TO THE GROUND. WHEN THE CAR STOPPED SHE OPENED THE REAR DOOR TO TAKE OUR SON OUT. WHEN THE POLICE ARRIVED THEY NOTICED THAT THE KEY WAS IN THE OFF POSITION AND THAT THE CAR WAS IN PARK. MY WIFE DID NOT TOUCH THESE ITEMS AFTER THE CRASH. I SPOKE TO THE DRIVERS OF THE TWO CARS RIGHT BEHIND MY WIFE, AND THE FIRST ONE TO THE REAR SAID THAT MY WIFE HAD TAKEN APPROX. TWO STEPS WHEN THE CAR TOOK OFF. THE SECOND DRIVER SAID THAT MY WIFE WAS AT THE REAR OF OUR CAR WHEN IT TOOK OFF. THERE IS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT FRONT CORNER AND FRONT PASSANGER DOOR OF OUR CAR. NO DAMAGE WAS NOTED ON THE PARKED JEEP DUE TO THE FRONT TOWING BRACKET WAS THE ONLY THING HIT. MY WIFE IS NOW FEARFUL OF THIS VEHICLE, AND DOES NOT WANT TO DRIVE IT.I MYSELF FEEL THAT THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #722147

Mileage unknown · Apr 27, 2000
Air BagsSteeringCrash

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 40-45 MPH AND STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. CONSUMER COULDN'T STRAIGHTEN OUT WHEEL & VEHICLE SPUN AROUND & HIT CONCRETE WALL. ALSO, AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY UNTIL ABOUT A MINUTE AFTER VEHICLE HAD HIT CONCRETE WALL. *AK

NHTSA ODI #861044

Mileage unknown · Apr 27, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE FAILURE OF ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS CAUSED THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE WHEEL TO VIBRATE AT HIGH SPEED AND THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL. YH

NHTSA ODI #551989

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