1998 Chevrolet Malibu Equipment Problems
- Complaints
- 38about this part
- Share
- 4%of 976 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 65,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 38 complaints about the equipment of the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu, 4% of the 976 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 65,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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. I've also been having a problem with the air compressor. It makes an awful noise. …”
NHTSA complaint #10127305, filed 2005-07, 65,000 miles“The AC control keeps on jumping front inside air to outside air, and these caused the compressor to cycle on and off, bought a new one from the dealer cost 150.00 no warranty still keeps on doing the same thing, got another one from the junk yard still does the same thing, spent 200.00 dollars on AC compressor but AC does not work because of these problem , do not know what to do, I need help!”
NHTSA complaint #10280582, filed 2009-08, 75,000 miles“Rack and pinion steering gear failed at 65,000 miles, causing a loss of power steering and a near accident. This is the second time this has happened (last time was at 40,000). This vehicle has also had front brakes and rotors 6 times and has experienced all other Malibu problems such as air conditioner control failure, tail light melting, etc.”
NHTSA complaint #10010696, filed 2003-03, 40,000 miles“While driving, the vehicle lost its rack and pinion steering and all power of the steering wheel. Dealer notified. The power window control panel on the driver side arm rest popped out, the vehicle pulled severely to the right (dealer couldn't find the problem). The dealer finally replaced the lower control arms, brake rotors, 2 sets of tires/almost completely bald at the time only 13k miles. …”
NHTSA complaint #10022685, filed 2003-09, 58,000 miles“1) normal driving conditions, mostly highway. 2) failure of the hub assembly. Very noisy, reduced noise around corners. 3) this hub has been replaced three times and it needs to be replaced again. I have searched for any recalls on this and could not find any. It has been 25000 miles since it was replaced last and this is totally unacceptable and expensive. Was told that continued driving could cause more damage including ABS system. Incident date below corresponds to the lastest time hub failed. Have not had it replaced yet, so part is still available.”
NHTSA complaint #10118160, filed 2005-04, 139,400 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10232287Feb 21, 2023This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.
- 10168979Nov 22, 2019This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the…
- 10166638Sep 18, 2019This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.
- 10165876Sep 5, 2019This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the…
- 10154641Feb 15, 2019This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.
- 10141381May 31, 2018This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco Theft Lock. Technician will use the radio to get the…
- 10157018Sep 20, 2017This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
- 10138060Mar 15, 2017This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information with the field action courtesy transportation policy.
- 10082506Aug 26, 2016This technical bulletin provides a procedure to reprogram the media disc player with the latest calibrations to correct a condition of the rear entertainment system not operating…
- 10114947Dec 4, 2015This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the…
Equipment: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 2% |
| 2019 | 1 | 1% |
| 2017 | 1 | 0% |
| 2015 | 2 | 1% |
| 2013 | 2 | 0% |
| 2012 | 1 | 0% |
| 2011 | 1 | 0% |
| 2010 | 3 | 0% |
| 2009 | 6 | 0% |
| 2008 | 10 | 1% |
| 2007 | 1 | 0% |
| 2006 | 7 | 1% |
| 2005 | 9 | 1% |
| 2004 | 13 | 1% |
| 2003 | 7 | 1% |
| 2002 | 13 | 2% |
| 2001 | 21 | 3% |
| 2000 | 33 | 4% |
| 1999 | 29 | 4% |
| 1998 | 38 | 4% |
| 1997 | 10 | 2% |
Other parts of the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu
376 complaintsEngine cooling
144 complaintsElectrical system
130 complaintsSuspension
108 complaintsExterior lighting
79 complaintsSteering
74 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
63 complaintsTires
58 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
50 complaintsAir bags
40 complaintsFuel system
34 complaintsSeat belts
24 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology