Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Chevrolet Malibu owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that after the ignition key was inserted into the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start as the anti theft warning light illuminated. The contact stated that vehicle was able to start after ten minutes. The contact also mentioned that the failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Malibu. While driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle shut off without warning. The vehicle was serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system), but the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The contact mentioned that the vehicle continued to fail intermittently after the recall repair was performed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 285,000.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Malibu. When attempting to start the vehicle, the anti-theft system activated and the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the failure was unable to be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000.
While pulling into a gas station vehicle caught on fire under the hood. Local fire department arrived to extinguish the fire. Vehicle was towed to the consumer's in-law house. The insurance investigator determined that the fire was cause by an electrical short. Dealer and the manufacturer were not notified.
My theft light came on as I was driving the car. I brought it into village Chevrolet and they switched out the ignition switch. (this has happened at least 12 to 15 times). They have replaced the iginition switch at least 4 times, the body control module once. At least five of those 12 to 15 times, I wasn't driving anywhere and I was using the original key that I got when I purchased the car brand new, I was attempting to start the car and the theft light came on solid. I called GM, and they told me to put the key in the on position for 15 to 20 minutes to reset itself. I live in mn, and this is totally unacceptable since we have weather extremes and I am a single woman, and this is my only mode of transportation. The last time that I brought it in for this, they cut a new key from my VIN to see if that would help solve the problem. It has happened at least 2 more times since that. …
Vehicle passlock system prevents starting of vehicle. Has occurred numerous times, incident date shown is most recent. The vehicle is old, things will break, things will go bad. That is understood, but after visiting many websites and reading an untold number of identical complaints, two things are apparent: 1) GM is aware of the problem, and 2) GM is unable to give customers experiencing this problem constant, permanent, or satisfactory resolution. Not when you have different dealerships providing different diagnoses for the same problem, and not when, after components are replaced, the complaint resurfaces. It's not a worn out switch we're complaining about. It's a theft system which is preventing a lawful operator with the appropriate vehicle key from starting the vehicle. …
Related recalls
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.
Electrical complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 130 complaints about the electrical system of the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu, 13% of the model year's 976 complaints. The component named most often is ignition › anti-theft › control module (26 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Chevrolet Malibu electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-400 (ignition, Jul 3, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1998 Chevrolet Malibu electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 93,000 miles, and 2% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 4 fires and 3 injuries and 1 death to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.