1999 Chevrolet Malibu Problems, Recalls & Reliability
1,232 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 1999 Chevrolet Malibu, alongside 3 recall campaigns and 5 defect investigations. It scores 54/100 on the trouble index — a below-average year for this model. Brakes & stability leads the reports, typically around 42,708 miles.
Below average
Where 1999 sits among all Malibu years
What owners report
“The brakes lock up on vehicle, the consumer had to put 8 sets of brakes rotors and calipers on vehicle. Nlm”— owner report to NHTSA, 1999 Malibu
“. I bought car new. The rotors, calipers and brake pads on this car have been replaced 4 times. The passenger side tail lights have had to be replaced every year due to water getting into the assembly. The ac switch - blower resistor has had to be replaced. The first time i replaced the rotors - it…”— owner report to NHTSA, 1999 Malibu
“Cooling system is leaking, dealer replaced sensor and water pump, did not remedy the problem. Now there is leaking around the manifold. Nlm”— owner report to NHTSA, 1999 Malibu
“Consumer states that he heard a loud noise in front of the vehicle contacted the dealer said front wheel bearing has gone bad. Ts”— owner report to NHTSA, 1999 Malibu
“Service bulletin #00-03-10-003b (tiresize: p215/60r15)( dot number: tire size: p215/60r15 )”— owner report to NHTSA, 1999 Malibu
“Theft light comes on and car will not start. Wait 10-15 minutes car starts fine. Problem happens about 2-3 times a month. Problem has happened when weather is sunny and hot and in perfect weather and also when it has been raining.”— owner report to NHTSA, 1999 Malibu
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 408 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 62,050 miles. Half of those reports fall between 39,733 and 98,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (3)
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.
Federal defect investigations
Technical service bulletins
136 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on brakes & stability and body & structure — are on file for the 1999 Chevrolet Malibu. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
See the 1999 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 1999 Chevrolet Malibu reliable?
The 1999 Chevrolet Malibu drew 1,232 complaints in federal safety records — a below-average year for this model. Its trouble index is 54/100, scored against the model's worst year (2004).
What are the most common 1999 Chevrolet Malibu problems?
The top reported problems for the 1999 Chevrolet Malibu are brakes & stability (399 complaints), electrical (234), and engine (151).
At what mileage do 1999 Chevrolet Malibu problems show up?
Owners most often report 1999 Chevrolet Malibu problems around 62,050 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 39,733 and 98,000 miles.
Does the 1999 Chevrolet Malibu have recalls?
3 recall campaigns apply to the 1999 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.