1998 Chevrolet Malibu: Reliability Data
Source: NHTSA — 1480 complaints
1480
Total Complaints
70,000mi
Median Mileage
Rotor
Top Issue
53
Crash Reports
When Do Complaints Happen?
Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.
54,700
25th Percentile
70,000
Median Mileage
104,050
75th Percentile
What Fails?
Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.
Rotor
133
Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
132
Disc
81
Engine
46
Tires
41
Electrical System
38
Brake Lights
37
Gasoline
33
Coil Springs
29
Front
29
Severity Assessment
53
Crashes
6
Fires
37
Injuries
7
Deaths
Sample Complaint Reports
"TRANSMISSION LURCHES AT CRUISING SPEEDS AND ACCELERATES UP LONG HILLS ABOVE 50 MPH FOR A FEW SECONDS."
"AFTER FILLING GAS TANK ENGINE DIED 7-8 TIMES."
"CONSUMER PURCHASED VEHICLE ON 4-10-98 FROM ROGER DEAN CHEVROLET INC.---561-683-8100. SERVICE # IS 561-640-1835. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER ON 4-20-98 DUE TO NOISE COMING FROM REAR OF PASSENGER'S SIDE. THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE SAID IT WAS THE COOLING FAN. SINCE THEN THE NOISE HAS GOTTEN LOUDER, AND ..."
Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.
When Were Complaints Filed?
Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.
When Does Each Component Fail?
Median mileage at complaint for top components.
Rotor
133 complaints
25th: 41,500 mi
Median: 50,000 mi
75th: 56,711 mi
Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
132 complaints
25th: 45,250 mi
Median: 77,000 mi
75th: 94,500 mi
Engine
46 complaints
25th: 57,875 mi
Median: 69,359 mi
75th: 84,050 mi
Where Are Complaints Coming From?
Top states by complaint count.
CA: 150
NY: 124
PA: 100
TX: 99
MI: 80
FL: 75
OH: 68
IL: 59
WI: 50
MD: 46
Who Files Complaints?
50.1%
Original Owners
49.9%
Second+ Owners
Chevrolet Malibu — Other Years
See how this model compares across different model years.
Active Recalls (5)
Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.
Ignition
Campaign 14V400000 | 03/07/2014
If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
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. GM's number for this recall is 14350.
Exterior Lighting
Campaign 09E012000 | 07/04/2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
Pressure Relief Devices
Campaign 07E021000 | 12/03/2007
FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
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.
Rack And Pinion
Campaign 03V527000 | 11/12/2003
IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL NEED TO EXERT MORE EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, SIMILAR TO A VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER ASSISTED STEERING.
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. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-
Linkages
Campaign 01V068000 | 08/03/2001
REDUCED VISIBILITY IN INCLEMENT WEATHER COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.
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 DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222
Extend Your Brake Life
Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.
- Replace brake pads before they wear to the metal — rotors cost 3x more
- Flush brake fluid every 2-3 years regardless of mileage
- Don't ride the brakes downhill — use engine braking
- Address any grinding, pulsing, or pulling immediately
- Have brakes inspected during every tire rotation
Vehicle Rankings
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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.
Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.
Data through: 2026-03-28