Most common 1998 Chevrolet Malibu problems
Share of the 976 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Chevrolet Malibu complaints by model year
Best Malibu years: 2025, 2021, 2019. Years to avoid: 2010. Compare all years →
1998 Chevrolet Malibu recalls (3)
Electrical system › Ignition
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.
Remedy: 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.
Steering › Rack and pinion
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.
Remedy: 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.
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Linkages
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, new jersey, new york, north dakota, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island,…
Remedy: 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…
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 6 possible defects involving the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu:
Windshield wiper failure
In March 2001, GM notified NHTSA that it is conducting a safety recall (NHTSA number 01V068) on certain model year (my) 1997-1998 Chevrolet malibu and Oldsmobile cutlass vehicles to replace defective windshield wiper pivot housings.GM reported the wiper failure was triggered by loads placed on the wipers when operated under conditions of moderate to heavy snowfall.GM conducted the recall in 28 states and the…
Power rack and pinion steering failure
GM conducted a safety recall (NHTSA # 02V286) to address a steering defect pertaining to a lower pinion bearing (lpb) within the rack and pinion steering gear (r&p). The recall covered 1,159,156 model year 1997-1998 Pontiac grand prix vehicles built between March 1, 1996 and October 31, 1997, 1996-1998 Pontiac trans sport, Chevrolet lumina apv, Chevrolet venture, Oldsmobile silhouette minivans, and Chevrolet…
STOP LAMP
There is no summary currently available
Windshield wiper
There is no summary currently available
Windshield wiper
On February 22, 2000, the office of defects investigation (odi) initiated pe00-009 based on seven reports of windshield wiper failure in certain model year (my) 1997 & 1998 Chevrolet malibu & Oldsmobile cutlass vehicles.the investigation was upgraded to ea00-019 on July 12, 2000.during the course of the investigation, it was found that the failures were the result of fracture of the passenger-side windshield wiper…
Stop lamp assembly overheat
There is no summary currently available
What 1998 Chevrolet Malibu owners say
Brakes all 376 →
When pulling out of a friends home on a dry 60 degree night, my son proceeded less than a block to a flashing red light. Before getting to the light, he applied the brake (the car behind him saw the brake lights) and the car would not stop. He had a total brake failure. When he realized that he would soon be in the middle of the intersection with an oncoming vehicle, he accelerated to try to get out of the way of the oncoming vehicle. However, he still was hit near the rear of the back door (on the drivers side) and the car was spun into a pole on the other side causing extensive damage - the car has been declared a total loss. Fortunately, the occupants were both uninjured, but had he not accelerated it could have been quite a different story. Right now, the insurance company is pushing for us to have it moved to a junk yard to avoid the storage fees.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at a low speed, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The air bag, ABS, and check engine warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was 54,000.
Engine & cooling all 146 →
The oil light came on one minute the next minute the car cut off. I had the car towed to curtis Chevrolet in washington, dc and was told that the engine seized due to the oil regulator and filter exploded. The car has only 57500 original miles, serviced mainly by curtis Chevrolet...oil recently changed by curtis yet I was told that to replace the engine would be $6,000. The car is currently considered totaled.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving 70 MPH, the anti-theft system engaged and the engine seized. The contact was not able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to his home. The manufacturer was notified, but was unable to assist. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 130,000. The VIN was unknown.
Electrical system all 130 →
On aug. 10,2005 my 1998 Chevy Malibu, while parked with ignition off caught fire. While exiting car before the fire, I smelled no smoke or "hot" smells, I stood there approx. 3 min. While talking to my daughter. 10 min. Later the lebanon, tennessee fire dept. Was there extinguishing a fire that was mostly contained to the drivers side front headlight area, they deemed the car "totaled" . I contacted GM the same day, and after several phone conversations , on sept.13, 2005, I received a letter from mr. Mike demare, customer relationship manager, that "general motors is unable to assume responsibility for damages and we suggest that you resolve this matter through your insurance carrier." so I am still without a car, and I am disabled, with a minor child living with me. I can not afford full coverage , and only had liability on the vehicle. Sept.
This car has been nothing but a nightmare for me. And to add insult to injury, the local Chevy dealer says there is nothing wrong with the car. (though it doesn't stop them from charging me for all the expensive repairs that have been made) this car has many, many electrical problems. I purchased this car as a "certified GM" back in July 2001. There are just too many issues to list on this forum. Most recent, was coming home last night with my son in the car. For no reason at all the headlights failed, leaving me w/ 1 fog lamp as the other went w/ the headlights. On a gravel road, w/ no lights. Found ourselves in the ditch. Still waiting for the tow truck to pull the piece of crap out. Son got a nice goose egg out of the ordeal from hitting his head on the door on the bumpy ride down the ditch. I am so fed up with this car.
1998 Chevrolet Malibu engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 20 / 30 / 24 |
| 3.1L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 17 / 27 / 21 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu a good car?
Based on 976 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1998 Malibu rates average: 1.3× as many complaints as a typical year of the Malibu at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu?
The brakes — 376 complaints, 39% of all complaints for this model year, most often about foundation components › disc › rotor. Next are the engine & cooling (146) and electrical system (130).
How many recalls does the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu have?
There are 3 recalls for the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu, the most recent from July 3, 2014 (ignition). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Chevrolet Malibu?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2025, 2021 and 2019. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2010. See the full Chevrolet Malibu years comparison.
At what mileage do 1998 Chevrolet Malibu problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 80,000 miles; 18% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.