1998 Chevrolet Malibu Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu most often describe brake problems — ABS warning lights, grinding, warped rotors and, in some cases, a pedal that goes to the floor — along with coolant leaks traced to intake manifold gaskets and an anti-theft system that can keep the car from starting or shut the engine off while driving. Wipers crossing over or failing in rain, steering rack noise and broken front springs also appear repeatedly. Complaints span a wide mileage range, from cars under 10,000 miles to well past 150,000, and many describe problems recurring after repairs.

1. 1
   Brakes

   ABS light on, grinding or weak braking

   • 375 complaints (38%)
   • median 63,000 mi at 6.0 yrs old (42 state mileage)
   • 12 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $817 (median of 13 quotes)
   • filed 1998–2016

   Owners describe the ABS warning light coming on intermittently, sometimes only when turning, and staying on until the engine is shut off and restarted. Many report grinding or scraping noises, a pulsating pedal or steering wheel vibration, and in some cases the pedal having to be pushed to the floor before the car stops. Complaints mention warped or rusted rotors replaced more than once, and dealers resetting the ABS system or replacing sensors, master cylinders or brake components, often with the problem returning. Some owners say the ABS pump runs when it is not needed. Reported from under 5,000 miles up to about 150,000, with many between roughly 55,000 and 90,000 miles.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for brake service records and check whether the ABS light comes on during a test drive, especially while turning; have the rotors and pedal feel inspected. A service bulletin describes an ABS pump that runs when not needed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I bought a 98 chevy Malibu about 3 months ago.it onlyhad 69,000 miles on it at the time.since that time I have had to replace the brakesand buy a new battery.my ABS light pops on and off,my airconditioner cuts on and off by itself, and my car clucks all the time. My friend has the same car and we ride together we recognize the fact that both of our cars are giving us the same problems.”

   NHTSA complaint #10020717, filed 2003-05, 70,000 miles

   “At the beginning of this year, I bought a 1998 chevy Malibu, 2.4 l, 4 cyl, sedan. Shortly after purchasing the vehicle I began having a problem with the ABS light commming on and my brakes were grinding really bad. I took the vehicle back to the dealer that I bought it from the day my warrenty was to run out. They supposidly reset the ABS system because it did throw them a code. The following day the same problem occured. I have had nothing but problems with the ABS since I purchased the vehicle. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10127305, filed 2005-07, 65,000 miles
2. 2
   Steering

   Steering noise, play or loss of power assist

   • 72 complaints (7%)
   • median 80,000 mi at 6.5 yrs old (33 state mileage)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $900 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 1998–2016

   Owners report clunking or crunching noises from the front end while turning at low speed, excessive play in the steering wheel, and in some cases the steering becoming very stiff or losing power assist. Several complaints say a mechanic identified a faulty rack and pinion or a leaking high-pressure power steering hose, and one describes the steering wheel spinning with no effect. Some owners note a rack and pinion recall that did not cover their car because of the VIN. Reported from about 32,000 to 180,000 miles, typically noticed at low speed while turning.

   Recall 03V527000

   What to check: Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for clunks or crunching, check for play at the steering wheel, and look for fluid leaks at the rack and hoses. Ask whether the rack was replaced and whether the steering recall applied.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I purchased new tires today and the technicians noticed there was excessive play in the steering link via the rack and pinion. Upon further investigation it was discovered that the welds (which are both factory and most likely robotic) holding the nut through the rack and pinion have failed. These welds are not a consumable or an otherwise replaceable part of the car and unacceptable for them to fail. Currently if the nut that was originally welded in place comes off I will completely lose steering on the drivers side. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10780255, filed 2015-10, 32,000 miles

   “While driving my 1998 Chevrolet Malibu at slow speed (luckily), the steering make a crunching noise and completely failed. This cause the complete loss of control of the vehicle. The steering wheel would simply spin, with no effect on the actual steering gearbox. There was no longer any mechanical connection between the steering column and the rack and pinion gear. The vehicle was towed to my mother's home about a mile away and there was an initial inspection by my stepfather (a 25 year veteran of the automobile business). …”

   NHTSA complaint #10393522, filed 2011-03, 177,000 miles
3. 3
   Engine cooling

   Coolant leak at intake manifold gasket

   Mentioned in 9 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners report losing coolant with no obvious external leak, needing to top up the reservoir repeatedly, and sometimes finding coolant mixing with the oil. Several complaints say an independent mechanic or dealer identified a leaking intake manifold gasket, or in some cases a head gasket, and quoted repairs; a few describe engine damage that followed. Owners also mention that coolant loss continued or worsened after one repair. Mostly reported between roughly 33,000 and 110,000 miles, often noticed as a slow, gradual coolant loss.

   What to check: Check the coolant level and look for crusty residue or a sweet smell around the intake manifold, and check the oil for a milky appearance. Ask whether the intake manifold gasket has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Car developed a coolant leak from the intake manifold. I've searched and found this to be a common problem with these vehicles. Some sort of fault in the intake manifold gaskets. Gm informed me that because of the age and mileage on the vehicle they will not offer any assistance. Also the AC cycles off and on randomly, another problem common to these vehicles”

   NHTSA complaint #10005720, filed 2003-02, 109,000 miles

   “My car was leaking a clear fluid I took to a mechanic who said I needed to replace the intake manifold gasket and that he gets several GM cars a week with the same problem recommending I filed a complaint so that there might be a recall. There is definitely a gasket problem on GM vehicles.”

   NHTSA complaint #10064436, filed 2004-04, 70,000 miles
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Anti-theft system blocks starting or shuts engine off

   Mentioned in 9 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe the theft or security light coming on and the car then refusing to start, sometimes during a drive when the engine cuts out and the car coasts. Several say waiting about ten minutes lets it restart, and one reports replacing the ignition switch and body control module repeatedly without a lasting fix. Some complaints say dealers could not identify a cause or suggested trying a different key. Reported across the mileage range, from about 32,000 to 285,000 miles, occurring both at startup and while driving.

   Recall 14V4000004 related service bulletins

   What to check: Confirm the ignition switch recall work was completed, and be aware that some owners report stalling continued afterward. Ask whether the theft light has ever come on and whether the ignition switch or body control module has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My theft light came on as I was driving the car. I brought it into village Chevrolet and they switched out the ignition switch. (this has happened at least 12 to 15 times). They have replaced the iginition switch at least 4 times, the body control module once. At least five of those 12 to 15 times, I wasn't driving anywhere and I was using the original key that I got when I purchased the car brand new, I was attempting to start the car and the theft light came on solid. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10123999, filed 2005-06, 32,000 miles

   “I bought a certified used car from bill heard in plant city before they closed down,from day 1 I had a problem with the car ignition not starting and the anti theft,I have been left stranded several time s cause of this problem,I have taken it back to them twice and they kept telling me there is nothing wrong although at times there is then they told me if it happens again just let the car set for 10mins and it will be ok, well it should not happen in the first place,then after almost flipping the car I found out that the front rotors are …”

   NHTSA complaint #10270034, filed 2009-05, 68,700 miles
5. 5
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Windshield wipers cross over or stop working

   Mentioned in 7 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe the wipers crossing over each other, one arm snapping or the linkage breaking, usually in heavy rain, leaving little or no forward visibility. Complaints mention a cracked pivot housing or transmission arm and say the repair required replacing the wiper linkage assembly. Some owners note their car was not covered by the wiper linkage recall because of its VIN or state of registration. Reported from about 60,000 to 180,000 miles, most often during rain or after frost.

   Recall 01V068000

   What to check: Run the wipers at both speeds and check that the arms stay in sync and do not collide, and look at the linkage and pivot housing for cracks. Ask whether the car was ever covered by the wiper linkage recall.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Driving to work in heavy rain on a busy street and the windshield wiper on the right collided with the left and they just stopped working causing me to almost crash into the car infront of me. Had to pull over because there was no visibility and had to wait an hour until the rain stopped. The pivot housing as the dealer called it is cracked and the wipers will not operate because of the design.”

   NHTSA complaint #10243624, filed 2008-09, 158,986 miles

   “(1) I was driving home on I-75 an hour north of atlanta after labor day weekend. While doing 70-75 MPH in heavy rains and winds from the leading edge of hurricane frances, my windshield wipers suddenly failed leaving windshield awash in rain and visibility less than 6 feet. The passenger side winsheild wiper arm snapped first in the vertial position, then the driver side windshield wiper arm ran over top of it breaking it too. Trecherous driving conditions were endured in attempting to get off interstate. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10093392, filed 2004-09, 80,150 miles

Buying note. A 1998 Malibu with a documented history of brake, intake gasket and wiper linkage repairs is worth more than one without records; have the brakes, cooling system and steering rack inspected before purchase. Ask specifically which open recalls have been completed, since some owners report cars that were not covered or where the remedy did not resolve the symptom.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.