"How reliable is the 1999 Chevrolet Malibu?"

"Based on 1227 NHTSA complaints, the 1999 Chevrolet Malibu has a median complaint mileage of 60000 miles. The most common issue is Rotor."

"What are common problems with the 1999 Chevrolet Malibu?"

"The most frequently reported component in NHTSA complaints for the 1999 Chevrolet Malibu is Rotor, accounting for a significant portion of the 1227 total complaints filed."

1999 Chevrolet Malibu: Reliability Data

Source: NHTSA — 1227 complaints

1227

Total Complaints

60,000mi

Median Mileage

Rotor

Top Issue

Crash Reports

When Do Complaints Happen?

Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.

38,500 25th Percentile

60,000 Median Mileage

93,500 75th Percentile

What Fails?

Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.

Rotor

107

Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip

102

Electrical System

Disc

Tires

Cooling System

Coil Springs

Engine And Engine Cooling

Tread/Belt

Pads

Severity Assessment

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Deaths

Sample Complaint Reports

"THIS IS AN INTERMITTANT PROBLEM. UPON LIGHT ACCELERATION FROM A STOP, THE STEERING WHEEL TURNS SHARPLY TO THE LEFT. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CALLS THIS "NORMAL". *AK"

"ABS & PARK BRAKE CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY FOR 5 SECONDS AFTER CAR IN SHOP 9 OF FIRST 21 DAYS OWNED FINALLY IT WAS FIXED. THE SERVICE DEPT WOULD GIVE ME NO INFORMATION REGARDING PROBLEMS, AND TRIED TO REDUCE LIKELIHOOD OF LEMON LAW BY NOT PROVIDING ME WITH DOCUMENTATION. ALSO FAKE WOOD NOT SECURED ON A..."

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 107 complaints

25th: 16,500 mi Median: 36,500 mi 75th: 50,125 mi

Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 102 complaints

25th: 36,250 mi Median: 46,000 mi 75th: 58,206 mi

Electrical System 74 complaints

25th: 65,312 mi Median: 100,000 mi 75th: 132,000 mi

Tires 46 complaints

25th: 19,675 mi Median: 50,000 mi 75th: 116,170 mi

Where Are Complaints Coming From?

Top states by complaint count.

NY: 117 FL: 98 OH: 83 MI: 71 TX: 62 PA: 53 CA: 47 GA: 47 NC: 44 WI: 44

Who Files Complaints?

42.4%

Original Owners

57.6%

Second+ Owners

Chevrolet Malibu — Other Years

See how this model compares across different model years.

Year	Complaints	Median Mileage	Top Issue	Crashes
1997	693	82,750	Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip	34
1998	1480	70,000	Rotor	53
2000	1379	65,000	Electrical System	71
2001	1005	70,000	Electrical System	51
2002	754	68,607	Electrical System	28
2003	772	70,000	Electrical System	52
2004	1639	69,000	Steering	78
2005	1385	89,000	Steering	67
2006	1473	85,000	Steering	59
2007	1252	100,000	Steering	53
2008	1482	80,000	Steering	54
2009	2354	100,000	Steering	64
2010	2193	82,000	Steering	72
2011	1512	79,632	Electrical System	71
2012	1470	87,000	Electrical System	93
2013	1367	70,000	Electrical System	50
2014	561	60,000	Engine	32
2015	389	50,000	Engine	30
2016	1424	50,000	Engine	37
2017	1157	51,000	Engine	25
2018	1166	44,700	Engine	34
2019	293	41,750	Power Train	9
2020	307	70,000	Engine	15
2021	99	21,000	Unknown Or Other	0
2022	116	42,000	Electrical System	6
2023	48	34,853	Electrical System	5

Active Recalls (3)

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.

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

Most complained Worst transmissions Worst engines Worst brakes Most crashes Compare vehicles

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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