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Chevrolet Malibu ClassicModel year report

1998 Chevrolet Malibu Classic Problems

Complaints
5filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
80,000miles, 3 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu Classic (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error

NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu Classic. The part named most often is electrical system, with 4 complaints (80% of the total), followed by air bags (2) and brakes (1). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 33% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 80,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 3 an injury, 1 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 8 technical service bulletins for this model year.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Electrical system: “This vehicle had a crash with fatalities in 2006. General motors never issued a unintended ignition turnoff on this vehicle until aug2014. The crash began with an uncontrollable and unexpected spinout, there was no ability to steer, brake and air bags did not deploy. These are the exact conditions listed in the GM recall. Gm will not accept a filing for this make and model vehicle and should be added to the GM ignition claim program. An innocent person has a been convicted of manslaughter and this should be corrected immediately and compensation provided by GM. …”

NHTSA complaint #10637270, filed 2014-09, 80,000 miles

Air bags: “1998 Chevrolet Malibu Classic. Consumer writes in regards to airbags and ignition problems. The consumers son was involved in an accident, and the air bag failed to deploy. The vehicle was totaled. Prior to the accident, the consumer experienced ignition problems several times.”

NHTSA complaint #10644035, filed 2014-10

Engine: “The contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Malibu Classic. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10650832, filed 2014-10, 100,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

33% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 25 and 100,000 miles.

33%0–100%10–250%25–500%50–7533%75–10033%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (3 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 80,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

2014320152018
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Recalls and investigations

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu Classic in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 8 on record; the latest 8 are shown.

Other model years of the Chevrolet Malibu Classic

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20082165,0000———Stable
20071575,2500———Stable
20059290,0001——Not compared (before 2008)Rising
2004116100,0001——Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200316130,0000———Stable
20021679,5000———Stable
20011381,5000———Not enough data
20001180,0000———Not enough data
1998580,0000———Not enough data

All Chevrolet Malibu Classic model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu Classic have?

NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu Classic as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu Classic is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 4 complaints (80% of the total), followed by air bags with 2.

Has the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu Classic been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

At what mileage are problems with the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu Classic reported?

Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 80,000 miles and the middle half falls between 25 and 100,000 miles; 33% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.