Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
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.
I do not have any accidents or incidents to report, but I am concerned that one could occur, if not to me, to somebody else who May have the same problem. No problem stated or component listed in the summary. I have a 1998 Chevy Malibu, with a 3.1l v6 engine. I have been recently diagnosed with a leaking lower intake manifold gasket. My mechanic says this is a very common problem with this engine, in the 50K to 80K mile range. I have 89,500 miles on my Malibu. Repair cost is $600-800. I did some checking around, and 2 other mechanics I spoke to also said this is a very common problem. I also looked online, and found that there are literally thousands of others out there with the exact same symptoms and problems. GM continues to deny there is a problem, however I also became aware that GM Canada is providing 50/50 deals for the correction of this very problem. Can't GM here in the U.S. …
While driving, the vehicle lost its rack and pinion steering and all power of the steering wheel. Dealer notified. The power window control panel on the driver side arm rest popped out, the vehicle pulled severely to the right (dealer couldn't find the problem). The dealer finally replaced the lower control arms, brake rotors, 2 sets of tires/almost completely bald at the time only 13K miles. The rims had to be forced off, the front rotors had become rusted at 20K miles, the ignition wire harness had come apart, the power steering hoses had come loose, lost fluid and power steering while in motion, the trunk leaked, the ABS light had come on twice a week, the front end squeaked and rattled, the antenna wire was loose, the right head lamp had permanent moisture with no crack, the A/C would shut on/off intermittently, the alternator failed at 60K miles and the waning light had come on for …
I had to have the rack & pinion system replaced on my 1998 Malibu along with the power steering pump pulley due to being worn thru and unsafe to drive by the service techinicians recommendation. This was done at 68719 miles. I also had the intake valves replaced 2 months ago for the second time due to leakage of lots of oil into the engine, also per the service technicians recommendation. This was only 14 months after it was done the last time. I have my service done at a Chevrolet dealership and I think that 68719 miles is low mileage to have to replace the rack & pinion system. I also think that I was given faulty intake valves on the original engine and also on the first replacement. I am also taking my car back for the 3rd visit to try and fix the chirping sound that is coming from the engine. …
When my car was bought from gold key auto it had 88,000 miles. The day after purchase the car would not crank, had to purchase a battery that would hold enough power to start car. The brake problem has been continous since car has been purchased they wear out and squeal once a yr. Or less, 1 yr. After puchase of car it has had a total caliber change right and left, this was a 235.00 charge from wheels unlimited in waycross cause of repair brakes locked up on car. Alternator has been changed 3 times 1st yr., one failing after another. This past dec., 1 right side caliber change and another brake change.car started making a rattle noise were timing chain is so we proceeded with changing the timing chain, replaced in dec. 2002.at the same time water pump was replaced. The rattled was still there, now my car is parked waiting to find out whats wrong now. Possible fly-wheel or timing gear.
I was told I had a coolant leak which caused my cam to break in my engine. I had to replace my engine with a used one. I contacted GM for some help and they gave me none. They would not recognize the problem with the manufactured defect on the coolant system. I am out of pocket nearly two thousand dollars on a car that should be still going strong with the original engine and still, uncomfortable with this used engine as I May have the same problem again down the road. I am very upset and disappointed with GM because I put a lot of trust in them and their vehicles and they let me down. Not only that, but I have had consistent brake problems. Something needs to be done about this. There are too many people having the same problems with this type of vehicle and it would be a sad thing to wait until there are fatalities to rectify the situation.
In March of '05 took car in for sevice engine was ticking while idle at one point once car was warmed up the ticking stoped but now the ticking is still heard while driving and at acceleartion. Took car in the bob mcguire Chevrolet in bordentown, nj was told that I had a head gasket leak that had already mixed with the engine oil. Had everything fixed and they even put in heavy duty lifter cleaner to clean the lifters according to mecanic that was were the tick was coming from but when I picked up the car the engine was still ticking when idle and the noise had gotten worse. When I asked what it would take to fix the ticking I was told that the whole job that was just performed on the car had to be performed again in order to fix the lifters that is causing the ticking.
Coolant leak .. Again in my 1998 Chevrolet Malibu! I had my intake gasket replaced approximately two years ago due to car over heating and a coolant leak. My extended warranty covered it at that time but not without a struggle. I have since been told in the past month that this same repair needs to be done again and that I'm looking at anywhere from $600.00 - $1000.00 for the repair and this will come out of my pocket. From the consumer complaints that I've read on the internet and the service bulletin out on the specific problem, GM obviously knows that this is in issue. Why aren't they forced to put out a recall? This could be a dangerous problem.
Tl contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Malibu. The dealer stated that the steering: rack and pinion was leaking and the contact paid $195, plus $470 for labor. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 03V527000 (steering:rack and pinion). The contact called GM in April of 2002 and was informed that he would be reimbursed. When he informed GM that he took the vehicle to a private shop, GM changed their mind and never provided reimbursement. The current mileage was 74,000 and failure mileage was 42,114. Updated 04/16/08 the dealer repaired the cam position sensor as well. Updated 04/16/08
Engine complaints in other Malibu years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu?
NHTSA has 146 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu, 15% of the model year's 976 complaints. The component named most often is engine (46 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Chevrolet Malibu engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1998 Chevrolet Malibu engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.