1998 Chevrolet Malibu Problems, Recalls & Reliability
1,490 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu, alongside 5 recall campaigns and 6 defect investigations. It scores 63/100 on the trouble index — a below-average year for this model. Brakes & stability leads the reports, typically around 58,000 miles.
Below average
Where 1998 sits among all Malibu years
What owners report
“Front rotors have been cut at 9000, 19,000 and are to be replaced on 4/12/99 at 22,300. Also, front control arms have been replaced.”— owner report to NHTSA, 1998 Malibu
“Inability to turn on and control instrument panel lights. They are back lighted and autmatically controlled.”— owner report to NHTSA, 1998 Malibu
“Coolant leaking from 3.1 liter intake manifold gasket. Gasket had to be replaced.”— owner report to NHTSA, 1998 Malibu
“Both lower control arms failed causing noise in the front suspension while driving. Nlm”— owner report to NHTSA, 1998 Malibu
“Steering--steering rack, gear assembly, gear kit, ball joint and both lower control arms.”— owner report to NHTSA, 1998 Malibu
“Left cup holder unstable. As the result it toppled over and spilled the coffee on the driver. Yh”— owner report to NHTSA, 1998 Malibu
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 326 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 74,195 miles. Half of those reports fall between 55,422 and 103,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (5)
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.…
Fix: 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.…
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY…
Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN…
Fix: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE RETAINERS COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARINGS TO ESCAPE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOWER PINION BEARING UNLESS INSPECT OF THE EXISTING BEARING INDICATES THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GEAR ASSEMBLY IS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2004.…
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE "SALT BELT" STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE,…
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER PIVOT HOUSING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 14, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE…
Federal defect investigations
Led to recall campaign 01V068000.
Technical service bulletins
119 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on brakes & stability and electrical — are on file for the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
See the 1998 Malibu TSB list →
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?
The 1998 Chevrolet Malibu drew 1,490 complaints in federal safety records — a below-average year for this model. Its trouble index is 63/100, scored against the model's worst year (2004).
What are the most common 1998 Chevrolet Malibu problems?
The top reported problems for the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu are brakes & stability (470 complaints), electrical (249), and engine (160).
At what mileage do 1998 Chevrolet Malibu problems show up?
Owners most often report 1998 Chevrolet Malibu problems around 74,195 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 55,422 and 103,000 miles.
Does the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu have recalls?
5 recall campaigns apply to the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.